Christian Cosmos

Persecution

David — Sat Jul 07, 2007 9:15 pm

Author: David

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 9:15 pm

As I was reading the first chapter of 2 Thessalonians, I started thinking about a few things; particularly - persecution. Having been born and raised in America, I've never really known "persecution". Because I am a Christian, I may have been made fun of, rejected, or disliked - but I wouldn't consider those as "persecution"; more like inconveniences. However, this chapter explains persecution in one of the ways it should be seen, so I�d like to share with you.

Quote:

Dear brothers and sisters, we always thank God for you, as is right, for we are thankful that your faith is flourishing and that you are all growing in love for each other. - 2 Thessalonians 1:3

Two key elements right there! A strong faith, and love for others. I don't think you can have two more powerful weapons than faith and love. I know you certainly can't stand against Satan without them! They are the very core of a Christian. "There are three things that will endure (Forever) - faith, hope, and love - and the greatest of these is love." - 1 Corinthians 13:13

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We proudly tell God's other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering. But God will use this persecution to show his justice. For He will make you worthy of his kingdom, for which you are suffering, and in His justice He will punish those who persecute you. - 2 Thessalonians 1:4-6

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And so we keep on praying for you, that our God will make you worthy of the life to which he called you. And we pray that God, by his power, will fulfill all your good intentions and faithful deeds. Then everyone will give honor to the name of our Lord Jesus because of you, and you will be honored along with him. This is made possible because of the undeserved favor of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ. - 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

Interesting... did you catch it? "For He will make you worthy of his kingdom". Let me tell you something - armies don't attack something unless it's a threat. Period. The same thing goes for Satan and his fallen angels - they wont attack you unless you�re a threat. If you are going through life, minding your own business and staying away from God, you have nothing to worry about! You pose no threat to Satan and you're walking right down the path he wants you to go - the path to hell. So, why would he bother you?

However, if you're interrupting Satan's plans, if you're doing God's will and sharing God's love with others - you just made yourself a target. You're now fighting on God's side - against Satan. So, you can be sure that Satan will send any kind of persecution he can to hold you back, cause you pain, and get you to stumble. He doesn't want you to keep doing what you're doing - you'll ruin his plans!

As you draw closer to God and start following his will for your life more and more, you'll encounter stronger persecution. The bigger a threat you are; the more Satan will work to stop you. Just look at the lives of the Apostles, Paul, Martin Luther, and Jesus. They had lots of trouble from Satan's attacks and traps. They were HUGE threats. But you know what? Their lives and their suffering was a testament to their worthiness of the kingdom of God.

They showed their faith in Christ and their love for others through their sacrifices. And with each new challenge they looked to God, and He gave them the strength and the wisdom to continue doing His will. He made them worthy of His kingdom. "And we pray that God, by his power, will fulfill all your good intentions and faithful deeds. Then everyone will give honor to the name of our Lord Jesus because of you, and you will be honored along with him."

If you are in the game of life - whether on God's side or Satan's side - you're going to get tackled. Someone will see you as a threat and try to take you down. You're playing for the goal - our goal is Christ and a non-stop worship concert in heaven where God reigns. So if you suffer persecution you know that you're making a difference. A difference Satan wants to stop.

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And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty Angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don't know God and on those who refused to obey the good news of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power when he comes to receive glory and praise from his holy people. And you will be among those praising Him on that day, for you believe what we testified about Him. - 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10

Like I said, I can remember the last time I was persecuted. So this really has me thinking about whether or not I'm living my life for God - or for myself. Am I a threat to Satan or not? Because one day everything I do for myself will be burned up - It just plain won't matter. (Not to mention the fact that the life God has for me is 1000000x better.)

So let me ask you this - if you haven't been tackled, if you haven't faced persecution, if you are just sitting on the sidelines never going anywhere - seriously, what is the point of your life?

Growing deeper in Christ

David — Sat Jul 07, 2007 9:03 pm

Author: David

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 9:03 pm

As I was reading Colossians I was reminded again about the importance of the Word of God. How much a part it should be in our lives and how much a part it is in our new life in Christ. Please read this excerpt from the 2nd chapter of Colossians before I go on. (If you want you can read the whole chapter of Colossians 2 )

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(Paul talking) I want them [the Christians] to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God's mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge...

...And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness�

� For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

When you came to Christ, you were "circumcised," but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision-the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross�

�For he [Christ] holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it. - Colossians 2

While I was reading I started to think about the fact that we really do need to have our roots grow down deep into Christ. After being saved; we now have a new life - and in this new life we can find in Christ "all the [hidden] treasures of wisdom and knowledge". Everything we could ever want in Christ - but it is up to us to grow our roots down into him and draw up those blessings. We need to be like a tree that sends our roots deep into the ground for the (living) water that we need to survive. Like a tree that isn't satisfied with the shallow, dry crust on the top of the soil.

Now, when the Bible says that we need to grow down deep into Christ - how exactly do we "build our lives on him" and what does God's Word mean when it says this? I obviously can't grow physical roots down into Jesus.

Well, we have to have a relationship with Christ.

Now in order to have a relationship with anyone - you have to communicate with them. That is - you have to talk with them or write to them or text message them. You can't have a relationship with someone that you never hear from or talk to. Well, it is the same with God. He wants to hear from us when we pray and he also wants to speak to us through his Word - the Bible.

Well, this chapter drove-home a point I had forgotten about - Jesus is the Word of God. He will speak to us if we will just read what he has to say! Below is the first part of the gospel of John:

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In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the word was God. He was present originally with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it. - John 1:1-5

Jesus IS the living Word of God - He was present originally with God. We can grow deep into Christ by reading the Bible - the Word of God! It is how we can grow, hear, and learn from God. So, how do we know that the Jesus Christ is the Word? In Revelation 19:13-16 the Bible says that Christ's name is called "The Word of God".

Now, one of the benefits of a deep understanding of God's Word is that "Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught". This means that you will be able to stand up to anything life can throw at you because you know what God's Word says - you have grown down deep into his truth! You have a strong foundation because your faith has been built up as you have grown in your walk with God.

In addition, this Chapter says "So you also are complete through your union with Christ". Like God told Paul the apostle: "My power works best in [your] weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:8-10). Everything we lack - Christ supplies. "For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body".

Remember, Christ "holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it." You need to crack-open that Bible so you can grow in Christ. He has been waiting to have a relationship with you for 2000 years.

Church Membership? Aren't I already a member?

Nick — Sun Apr 08, 2007 10:59 pm

Author: Nick

Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 10:59 pm

I agree with all of what you guys have been saying. I think it is a relevant topic this Easter when thousands around the world attend the one of the few church services that they attend during the course of the year.

So many times it feels like that we Christians have to pledge to attend a specific, or that or denomination is the "team" for which we play. But the "team" is the entire body of Believers.

Of course we we will have disagreements, but I do not think we try to sepearte ourselves with others of different denominations. Personally, I believe the Bible is inerrant Word of God, but as a human, I have imperfect view of a perfect source of information.

America the Beautiful

Nick — Sun Apr 08, 2007 10:45 pm

Author: Nick

Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 10:45 pm

Wow. A powerful poem - and even more effective considering who it's coming from.

Is it ever right to sin?

David — Wed Feb 07, 2007 3:13 am

Author: David

Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 3:13 am

This is a total sum-up of the whole thing

Quote:

Using a profession of Christianity as moral justification for self defense will do nothing but fill your churches with unconverted gangsters, and make the CEO of Smith and Wesson dance a jig.

The only reason people have to defend themselves is because they don't have a God that can defend them.
~Ty~

Knowledge Increases Sorrow

David — Wed Feb 07, 2007 2:35 am

Author: David

Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 2:35 am

Quote:

I entered into counsel with my own mind, saying, Behold, I have acquired great [human] wisdom, yes, more than all who have been over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has had great experience of [moral] wisdom and [scientific] knowledge.
And I gave my mind to know [practical] wisdom and to discern [the character of] madness and folly [in which men seem to find satisfaction]; I perceive that this also is a searching after the wind and a feeding on it. [1 thess. 5:21.]
For in much [human] wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. Ecclesiastes 1:16-18

Read that last line again...

Can you build a house with rotten wood and expect it to stand? If you understand something is false, broken, or corrupted why would you (use it for a foundation for your belief?) base anything off it? In the Garden of Eden, through Adam and Eve, man fell victim to sin. Furthermore, because of that choice we are now flawed and anything we do and will carry that flaw, which is sin. From our thinking, to our actions, to our soul - we carry an imperfection.

Have you ever heard a carpenter or framer complain about an older home? The kind so old, it might be better to just demolish it? Yet the building still retains enough quality of structure to just barley be worth keeping. However, as the worker sets out to repair the damaged pipes and rotten walls, he finds that repairing one piece only leads to another breaking. A new pipe puts pressure on older pipes where there didn't used to be pressure, causing a leak. The shift from a new wall leads an older wall to slant. And so repairs continue as one thing after another is repaired - only to find that the imperfection in the structure is always there and always causes new problems. An imperfection cannot create perfection. However, fixing the imperfections of a rotten old house are much easier when you tear it down and start fresh. When you use pure uncorrupted resources there is no flaw to be rid of.

Human logic and Human Wisdom seems much the same. We are imperfect creatures under the burden of sin. As man strives to master life and knowledge on his own - his imperfections follow him. Man cannot use his broken, corrupted mind to understand the perfections of the universe and life. Sin will follow and corrupt his thoughts so that more thoughts are required to fix the original thoughts. Man cannot use his sinful mind to fully understand God and His creations.

I am a geek so I am going to use the example of Microsoft Internet Explorer. Microsoft started with an infected product, a working but flawed piece of software. So, to fix the security flaws and shortcomings they released updates and patches. Nevertheless, some of the updates (while fixing security holes) actually opened new problems. This software was infected with poor code, and rather than working to fight a losing battle - coders decided to start with fresh pieces of software that could be built right from the start. (Firefox, Opera, etc�)

Now, this is not the best example, and I don�t want to pick on M$ too much as I appreciate what they have done for the world, but I wanted to demonstrate that humans are flawed - as are all of our creations. Too err is human. You can ask any coder in the world �Will this software need updates?� and you will always hear �Yes� because just like our thoughts, our creations carry our sin.

A person with a glass of water containing a little dye, cannot use the water in the glass to hide the dye so it goes away. The dye is there, and it keeps the water from being pure. Even adding more water will not remove the dye. How easy it is to dump the water out and start with a new clean cup of water!

God wants us to come to Him so he can make us pure. Through Jesus death on the cross he has paid our sins and cleansed our lives! We no longer need to strive by our own will and logic to understand life. We can go strait to God and ask the One who made it! When we allow God to enter our life he gives us the ability to understand life. He gives us His undefiled understanding. No more need to use the faulty knowledge, logic and wisdom of this world - as God's children He gives us His perfect wisdom. For in much [human] wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

Quote:

Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in understanding. Proverbs 9:10

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Tune your ears to Wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight and understanding. Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants Wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to him.
Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action every time. For Wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise planning will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. Proverbs 2:1-11

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If you need Wisdom - if you want to know what God wants you to do - ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resist your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettling as a wave of sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. James 1:5-7

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Stop fooling yourselves, if you think you are wise by this world's standards, you will have to become a fool so that you can become wise by God's standards. For the Wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. 1 Corinthians 3:18-19

For you see, this is something that many theologians miss. Do they truly understand the amount of knowledge in our world alone? Do they understand the limitless knowledge of this galaxy alone? Just how big do they think our minds are - that we can comprehend all of God's creation? That we can understand it and explain it away. Our God is an Awesome God, and even the smallest detail of His creation exceeds the capacity of our minds.

There is no way to have a perfect human understanding of the world. (Because of sin)
There is no way your mind could hold all of the knowledge. (Our minds are just too limited.)
There would be nothing gained if even if you learned all there was, for you would soon die and all that knowledge would have to be regained, only to be lost once more.

So what was our mind made to hold? What does God want us to do with the wisdom He gives us?

�Love God with all your heart mind and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself�. The same love that God offers us 1000 times over. �For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes Him will not parish but have everlasting life.� John 3:16

A Chosen People

David — Sat Jan 13, 2007 1:40 am

Author: David

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 1:40 am

No other group in history has done more for humanity or God�s Kingdom - than us sinners saved by Jesus death on the cross. Together we built the (basically only) free nation in the world, together we saved millions of lives though donations and the efforts of missionaries and organizations like the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. And together we have always been there to help our fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord.

What a shame that despite all the good Christians have brought the world, (actually, the only good that the world has have received.) they are the ones blamed for �Denying True Science�, �Being Closed Minded�, �Limiting Freedom� (by not supporting gays, open sex, and �R� rated movies), and many other ridicules things. What is even worse is the state of this country that once served God�

Oh yes, I can just stand back and see what the world would have been without the Love of Jesus shining through those that love him�.

Thoughts on an Infinite God and my Finite Understanding

David — Sat Jan 13, 2007 1:28 am

Author: David

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 1:28 am

I used to think about this a lot, I found it very interesting.

That is one of the reasons you HAVE to take a missions trip before you grow up. You can really see a new world by visiting a people who never would look at life the way you do. I can't wait to get to heaven and see what reality looks like! To see EVERYTHING clearly - without any conditioning or environment-gained thought processes.

So, YankeleBolot - what would you like to know about? Just click on the PM tab below if you want to get in touch with any of us. God Bless!

Strength and Encouragement

InChrist — Sun Dec 31, 2006 6:59 pm

Author: InChrist

Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 6:59 pm

Let's face it: life in this fallen world is hard. Living a pure and holy life in a world full of filth and sin is impossible outside of God's grace and power.

In 1st Peter 1:1-10 Peter has this to say:

Quote:

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood:

Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

1PE 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1PE 1:10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care,

I chose this passage to reflect on in the face of earthly life because it encourages the believer through the power of two truths. The first is the fact that we were chosen (elected) by God in eternity past by his foreknowledge. This is a very comforting thought. As it says in Ephesians 2:10, we are "God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." We aren't the casual result of millions of years of unpurposed mutation. We are more than carbon and chemicals. We are the God's creation, created for a purpose with salvation as the fulfillment of our faith.

The second truth is that we have our inheritance to look forward to. Combined, this look backwards to God's purposeful creation and this look forward to our inheritance is our encouragement to continue in our walk of pain, joy, sacrifice and love.

What to ask God for...

David — Sun Dec 03, 2006 6:58 pm

Author: David

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 6:58 pm

Well, I was reading the first chapter of Colossians (Colossians 1) and I was surprised by how much it covered. It is a pretty extensive start for one of Paul's letters. One of my favorite parts is verse 9-10, where Paul gives a great example of something we should ask God for - an understanding of what he wants to do in your life, and spiritual wisdom.

Quote:

So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we will ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know God better and better. - Colossians 1:9-10

Boy I want that first thing! I would love to have someone like Paul ask God to give me an understanding of what he wants to do in my life! I don't want to waste time, I only have so long down here, so I want to be involved in God's work whenever I can. The last thing I want is to find out that I wasted 10 years doing my own thing - instead of doing what God had called me to do. Because let me tell you what, seeing how God is the Omnipotent, Almighty creator of the universe - he should have a pretty good idea of what I should be doing. And as powerful as I am, always making new worlds and such, I might not know what is best for me - I might make wrong plans. (lol) Therefore, this is one thing that I've added to my prayer list - God, help me understand [b[your[/b] plan for me.

The second thing that Paul asks for is just as important; to become wise with spiritual wisdom. You know, I've learned that all wisdom is not the same. There is earthly wisdom, and there is God's wisdom. Earthly wisdom tells you that it's up to you - you need to do whatever it takes to make a lot of money in life so that you will be set financially. God's wisdom says, "But my God shall supply all of your need according to his riches and glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19) so don't worry about it, take up your cross and follow Christ. Here are some other verses that show the difference between God's wisdom and earthly wisdom:

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Proverb 2:6
Proverbs 3:13

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. - Psalm 111:10

Stop fooling yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world standards, you will have to become a fool so that you can become wise by God standards. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, " God catches those who think they are wise in their own cleverness" and again, " the Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, and they are worthless". - 1 Corinthians 3:18-20

2 Corinthians 1:12 "We have depended on God's grace, not on our own earthly wisdom."

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. - 1 Corinthians 2:4-5

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. - Matthew 11:18-19

The reason that we want these two gifts is so that "the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know God better and better." I love helping other people; I think it's a lot of fun to do things for others. So I want to, "continually do good, kind things for others".

Now, that last part is one thing that I'm afraid of - apathy. I want to continue to know God better and better, I want to become a closer part of his family. He's my God and Father, and I want to be his son. I don't ever want to reach a point where I say, "OK God - this is good, I don't need to know you anymore". Just like I would want to spend more time with my best friends, my family, or with a girlfriend - I want to spend more time with a God who loved me enough to send his son to die on the cross for me.

I encourage you to ask God for spiritual wisdom and understanding, because he will give it to you! (James 1:5)

Ford Sales Drop 11.6% becuase of Homosexual Support

David — Tue Nov 28, 2006 10:48 pm

Author: David

Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 10:48 pm

InChrist wrote:

Now if only people would boycott Wal-Mart...

They did!
Did you visit the link?

Just suppose...

David — Tue Nov 28, 2006 10:46 pm

Author: David

Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 10:46 pm

I did not share this article because I thought that humanity will somehow find their own way to peace and love and together, arm-in-arm, we will build a better world...

You are right when you say that we are nomads here on earth. This isn't our home, and as God's word says, a master is not greater than a servant, so if they hated me (Jesus) they will hate you.

I posted this because if any nation has a chance for standing up to the way things are, its America. We are the last strong Christian nation... but in a matter of years we will soon cease to be. That is why I encourage any kind of move to change what we have become - and to change what will turn into...

You can't legislate morality and you can't force someone to Christ - But you can sure try!
The more you let people know about God's love the better!
The more you let people know about the trap of sin the better!

We got God out, so why is the US still going to hell?

InChrist — Thu Nov 02, 2006 12:51 am

Author: InChrist

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 12:51 am

Excellent writing by Ben Stein... There are some good truths in that article.

Allah or Jesus?

InChrist — Sat Oct 28, 2006 11:08 pm

Author: InChrist

Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 11:08 pm

That's awesome!

Skillet

cheyenne — Fri Oct 20, 2006 10:52 pm

Author: cheyenne

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 10:52 pm

I haven't l heard their new one, but I like alot of their stuff.