Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Responsibility and Ability

 
Bill Rice Ranch - First Light Devotionals 

I Thessalonians 5:14  "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men."

 

 

 

There is a wide variety of people in the world today.  That is, we are all "bent" in unique ways.  Some are naturally prone to give comfort; others naturally want to whack people over the head!  God has gifted each of us in particular ways and has given us different strengths.  It is important to remember that your service depends on the needs of those you serve, not on your own abilities.  In other words, your "job" is more about your responsibility than your ability.

 

What happens when the need exceeds your abilities?  If you are relying solely on your abilities, you are up a creek without a paddle!  However, if your responsibility is God-given, and your gifts are too, then you have everything you need!  God's power is supernatural, and it can rise above the greatest need you will face.

 

How can you warn, comfort, and support, and have the wisdom to know what is needed?  Only God can give you that!  Some people you serve need to be warned because they are unruly; some need comfort because they are feebleminded; and some need support because they are weak. On top of that, God says we ought to have patience toward all men.  That's a tall order!  You may not have one of those gifts, or the patience you need for every person today; but if God has given you the responsibility, rely on His ability!

 

A variety of people represents a variety of needs that require a variety of actions.  You should not live your life saying, "Well, that's not my gift!"  It is not about your ability!  Ask God to give you what you need.  We all have certain strengths and weaknesses, but we all need the supernatural power of God to serve those around us, regardless of their need.  Instead of focusing on your ability today, focus on the responsibility God has given you in your church, home, and workplace, and ask Him for what you need!

 



Prayer Requests
:
- BRR Conference on Marriage & the Home this weekend (12.2-4)
 
Browse our fall events schedule on our website: billriceranch.org
 
 
 
Bill Rice Ranch | 627 Bill Rice Ranch Road | Murfreesboro | TN | 37128

Monday, November 29, 2010

Inspired Words



Days of Praise
Inspired Words
November 28, 2010
 
"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." (Luke 21:33)
 
The doctrine of plenary verbal inspiration, wrongly considered antiquated by many modern neo-evangelicals, is actually essential to the Christian faith. "All scripture |that is every word written down or inscribed| is given by inspiration |literally 'breathed in'| of God," not man! (2 Timothy 3:16).
 
We acknowledge, of course, that problems of transmission and translation exist, but these are relatively trivial in the entire context. We also acknowledge that the process of inspiration may have varied, but the end result is as if the entire Bible had been dictated and transcribed word by word.
 
This is the way Jesus Christ--the Creator, the Living Word, the Author of Scripture--viewed the Scriptures. "The scripture cannot be broken," He said (John 10:35). "Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled" (Matthew 5:18). "Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: . . . And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself" (Luke 24:25, 27). The Bible therefore, every word of it, is divinely inspired, verbally without error, infallibly true, and of absolute authority in every area of our lives. The words of Christ who taught  these truths are forever "settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89) and "shall not pass away."
 
It is mortally dangerous, therefore, "unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book" to "add unto these things" as the cultists do, or to "take away from the words of the book of this prophecy" as the liberals do (Revelation 22:18-19). Would it not be much better to say with the psalmist, "Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors" (Psalm 119:24)? HMM
 
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Lack of Knowledge



Days of Praise
Lack of Knowledge
November 29, 2010
 
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." (Hosea 4:6)
 
This grave judgment spoken almost three thousand years ago reflects a timeless principle that is just as applicable today as when it was penned. When people die without being saved, it is not that God did not want them to be saved, for He would "have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4). He is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).
 
The problem is that when men lack the knowledge that would bring them to Christ for salvation, it is because they have already rejected knowledge that would have led them to the knowledge they need. Paul writes that "in the last days" men would be "ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 3:1, 7). And the next verse tells why. It is because they "resist the truth" (v. 8). "They shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (4:4).
 
Peter says that those who question God's Word in favor of an assumed naturalistic view of history "willingly are ignorant" (2 Peter 3:5), and Paul says that if they refuse to see the evidence of the Creator in His creation, they are "without excuse" (Romans 1:20). Whether or not they have read God's Word, they have an intuitive knowledge of God and His law in their consciences (Romans 2:15), with their thoughts "accusing or else excusing one another."
 
The Lord Jesus promised that "unto you that hear shall more be given" (Mark 4:24). But then He also warned, "He that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath" (v. 25). HMM
 
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Wild Mustangs

 
Bill Rice Ranch - First Light Devotionals 

I Thessalonians 2:19  "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?"

 

 

 

Miller Coliseum, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is the largest building of its kind in our area.  Rodeos, horse clinics, and all types of equestrian events are held there.  In October, an event called "Mustang Makeover" was held at the coliseum.  The idea is to take a wild mustang, break him, and then show other cowboys your handiwork at the makeover event!

 

Sometimes camp (or your church youth ministry) can feel like "Mustang Makeover."  Are you thinking of a teenager in particular when you think of breaking a wild horse?  Some "wild" teens never grow up; and years later, pastors and Sunday school teachers are left to work with "unbroken" adults.  Just like horses, we need to have our wills broken.  We ought to allow the "rein" (reign) of God to rule in our lives.

 

In ministry, oftentimes we can lose sight of what really is important.  If you live for and expect a big payday, large numbers, or even recognition and thankfulness from those you serve, you are destined for disappointment.  I Thessalonians 2 tells us what is truly important in life.  Paul reminds us that the very challenge of ministry is also the reward!  Problems today can be your prize tomorrow.  The "wild mustangs" you are breaking today can one day be your "hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing."

 

Today, remember that the greater your burden now, the greater your joy in the future.  When you have problems, do not get so focused on breaking mustangs that you lose sight of the reward coming later!  This truth also applies to raising kids or ministering in your church.  The prize-winning cowboys at the "Mustang Makeover" aren't winners because they broke old, haggard horses; they won because they broke spirited, strong-willed horses. The reward comes after all the hard work!

 

Only God can change hearts; and only God can empower you to make a difference to those you serve.  Remember that the greater the burden now, the greater the reward will be laterRely on God's power this week as you work with people who are a bit "wild" and "unbroken."  Let's saddle up and get to work!



Prayer Requests
:
- BRR Conference on Marriage & the Home this weekend (12.2-4)
 
Browse our fall events schedule on our website: billriceranch.org
 
 
 
Bill Rice Ranch | 627 Bill Rice Ranch Road | Murfreesboro | TN | 37128

Sunday, November 28, 2010

WHEN FAITH MEETS REASON

JOB 34-35

Pastor Rick Jackson

Elihu, younger than Job and his 3 friends, continues to reason with them and the crowd.

I. PROPER THINKING IS IMPORTANT [34:1-30]

Nowhere does the Bible ask us to commit intellectual suicide. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” In Isaiah 1:18 God says, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” The Christian faith is a reasonable faith [Rm. 12:1-2] and it is the only world view that makes total sense.

1. A Martyrs Complex Joins Bad Company [v. 1-9]

2. Consider the Hearers as well as the Objects of Discussion [v. 10-20]

3. The Greatness of the Almighty should give you Pause [v. 21-30]

II. PROPER SPEAKING IS IMPORTANT [34:31-35:13]

1. With Humility [34:31-34]

2. With Knowledge [34:35-35:3]

3. With Understanding [35:4-13] of God’s Transcendence

III. PROPER PERSONAL APPLICATION IS IMPORTANT [35:14-16]

1. God does Know- Trust Him [v. 14]

Is. 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

2. Ignorance Often Imagines Falsely [v. 15]

3. Ignorance Often Speaks Long [v. 16]

“It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear ignorant than to open it and remove all doubt”

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Question of the Week: Can you speak DNA?

 
Answers Weekly

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November 27, 2010

a weekly look at answersingenesis.org

top leftIn this issue . . .

Q: Can you speak DNA?

A: Whenever we hear a foreign language, we may not know what's being said, but we know it means something. It isn't gibberish. The words convey thoughts and meaning by an intelligent source.
In recent times, scientists have discovered an unmistakable language within all living things. Like a miniature library, DNA stores piles of information in extraordinary molecules that specify the details of everything from the shape of flower petals to the color of your eyes.
DNA resembles a language in many uncanny ways, as though a supremely intelligent Author and Life-Giver left His indelible message in every living thing.
Using different combinations of four basic units, called nucleotides, DNA molecules can store all sorts of information, just like the dots and dashes of Morse code, or the binary numbers in computers.
The four nucleotides are combined into codes for twenty chemicals known as amino acids. By rearranging these twenty "letters of the genetic alphabet," God designed the language so that it could produce all the proteins that living things need—humans alone have over 100,000 proteins.

Continue reading to learn more about DNA, God's language of life.

News to Note Quick Look

Monster of the depths: Great sea depths have been hiding an ancient creature. Is it Leviathan? Read more.

We've discovered an alien: No, the "alien planet" isn't home to alien life (as far as we know); according to astronomers, the planet itself is a veritable outsider in not only its own solar system, but in our entire galaxy. Read more.

Cranberries: icons of evolution?: No doubt many News to Note readers ate cranberries this week, as the small fruit plays a big role in the traditional Thanksgiving holiday dinner in the United States. So should we have given thanks to evolution for the cranberry? Read more.

And Don't Miss . . .

Biblical Authority Devotionals

Answers ... with Ken Ham radio program

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Friday, November 26, 2010

The Foolishness of Comparing

 
Bill Rice Ranch - First Light Devotionals 

II Corinthians 10:12  "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves; but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
 
 
 
It is amazing how often we look at other people to either justify or motivate what we are doing.  As a kid, did you ever say, "But, Dad, they get to do it"?  Even though I tried that excuse, my dad never seemed motivated by what the preacher's kids (or anyone else's kids) were doing!
 
II Corinthians 10:12 gives great wisdom to live by: don't ever compare yourself with those who commend themselves.  How great someone appears to be is not always an accurate reflection of reality.  It is so easy to see people and think that they have it easier or better than they actually do.  You never know all of the dynamics that are going on in someone's heart or home.  To drive yourself crazy trying to keep up with someone else is not wise-that is exactly what the Bible says!
 
It is wise to heed the godly advice and examples of those who have done well (in raising their kids, for instance).  However, always remember that comparing yourself to someone else is never helpful and always foolish!  Our opportunities, our ministries, and our families are different.  Don't forsake what you've been given to chase after what someone else has been given.
 
Verses 16 and 17 are a great reminder to us this morning: ". . . and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.  But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."  God has gifted us all and given us all different opportunities.  When all is said and done, the only mark that matters is the one God sets for you. 



 
 
Browse our fall events schedule on our website: billriceranch.org
 
 
 
Bill Rice Ranch | 627 Bill Rice Ranch Road | Murfreesboro | TN | 37128

Thursday, November 25, 2010

The Pilgrims



Days of Praise
The Pilgrims
November 25, 2010
 
"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia." (1 Peter 1:1)
 
These "strangers" to whom Peter wrote his two epistles were actually "pilgrims." He used the same Greek word (parepidemos) in 1 Peter 2:11: "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts." The word means a resident foreigner, and its only other New Testament usage is in Hebrews 11:13, speaking of the ancient patriarchs who "confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."
 
We give honor today to the American "pilgrims," as they called themselves (thinking of these very verses), who left their homelands in order better to serve God in a foreign land. The "pilgrims" to whom Peter was writing likewise had been "scattered abroad" for their faith (note Acts 8:4).
 
For that matter, every born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is really just a pilgrim here on earth, ambassadors for Christ in a foreign land. "For our conversation is in heaven" (Philippians 3:20). That is, we are citizens of heaven (the Greek word translated "conversation" in this verse is politeuma, meaning "a community" or "citizenship"), and are here only for a time to serve our Lord until He calls us home.
 
And while we are here, we may endure many trials and sorrows just as did those Massachusetts pilgrims. But He nevertheless supplies our needs--just as He did for them--and we ought to abound in thanksgiving, as they did.
 
Thus, Christians all over the world have cause for thanksgiving every day. Since we are "enriched in every thing," through our Savior, this "causeth through us thanksgiving to God" (2 Corinthians 9:11), and we should be "abounding therein with thanksgiving" (Colossians 2:7). HMM
 
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Wednesday, November 24, 2010

A THANKSGIVING PRIMER

PSALM 116:12-19

Pastor Rick Jackson


1. An Acknowledgement of Benefits [v. 12]

2. An Acceptance of Conditions [v. 13]

3. An Acquisition of Responsibility [v. 14]

4. An Understanding of Motivation [v. 15]

5. An Undertaking of Position [v. 16]

6. An Understanding of Gratitude [v. 17]

7. A Passion for Prayer [v. 17]

8. A Passion for Righteousness [v. 18a]

9. A Passion for Public Worship [v. 18b-19a]

10. A Passion for Praise [v. 19b]

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Biblical Sarcasm



Days of Praise
Biblical Sarcasm
November 7, 2010
 
"And Job answered and said, No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you." (Job 12:1-2)
 
It is remarkable that the Bible, with its great variety of literary forms and numerous personal conversations and discourses, contains very few examples of sarcasm or satire.
 
Nevertheless, the few examples of biblical irony are well worth noting, with one of the most notable being Job's response as above to the self-righteous platitudes of his three philosophizing "friends." In their intellectual and moral arrogance and with no real understanding of God's purposes, these critics were far out of line and well deserved Job's cutting sarcasm. Examples of such combined spiritual ignorance and intellectual arrogance are not hard to find today and, occasionally perhaps, a satirical commentary may be effective in changing them or preventing their effect.
 
One other well-known case of biblical sarcasm is Elijah's taunting monologue to the prophets of Baal: "Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked" (1 Kings 18:27). Jeremiah also had a word to say about the ineptitude of false gods and the foolishness of those who put their faith in them, and who were "saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: . . . But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble" (Jeremiah 2:27-28).
 
Much more foolish than those who believe that sticks and stones can generate living beings, however, are those modernday idolaters who worship "Mother Nature," believing that her "natural processes" can evolve hydrogen atoms, over billions of years, into human beings. The examples of Elijah and Jeremiah as well as Job may warrant an occasional touch of sarcasm when discussing such notions! HMM
 
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Monday, November 22, 2010

A Person, Not a Thing

 
Bill Rice Ranch - First Light Devotionals 

Ephesians 2:14  "For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;"
 
 
 
Are your kids afraid of storms?  I mean the kind of storms with lightning, thunder, and lots of rain!  If they are, what do they want when they come to you?  They want safety, security, and peace; but do they say, "I want my security!"?  No, they often cry, "I want my mommy!"  They don't know enough to ask for security, but they instinctively know that all the things they need are provided in a person-namely, Mommy.
 
I don't know what you need this morning.  Maybe you need safety, security, and peace; or maybe you need wisdom, money, and favor with people.  I've asked for all of those things at one time or another.  None of those things are wrong, but I can tell you that they are all found in a Person-Jesus Christ.  A "thing" is not what you need; a Person is!  If you have Christ, you have everything you need.
 
Jesus Christ can bring peace between a person and God or between two people, but notice what the Bible says:  "For he is our peace. . . ."  Not only can He give and provide peace, but He IS peace.  In other words, if you need peace this morning, you do not need a "thing"; you need Christ who is peace.
 
As a Christian, I can ask God for anything because of Christ's merits, not my own.  Often we can come to our Heavenly Father in prayer and almost apologize for asking, and we tell Him how unworthy we are.  Guess what?  We will never be worthy, no matter how long we live!  Any right you have to ask God for things is only because of Jesus Christ's merit.  What is His is mine, for eternity and for today.  As a child of God, I am favored by God Almighty, but not because of anything I have done.  God's favor is solely based on His grace and Christ's merits.
 
Jesus Christ has what we need, knows what we need, and is able to give what we need!  More than that, He IS what we need.  I don't know what you need, but I do know that what you need is found in a Person, not in a thing.  No matter what it is, go to the Person who can provide what you need today! 

 
Browse our fall events schedule on our website: billriceranch.org
 
 
 
Bill Rice Ranch | 627 Bill Rice Ranch Road | Murfreesboro | TN | 37128

Sunday, November 21, 2010

WHEN FAITH MEETS FAITH

JOB 32-33

Pastor Rick Jackson

There is a difference of opinion concerning Elihu amongst Christians. Some claim him to be like Job’s 3 friends and another tool of the Devil while others believe him to be an earnest youth, not perfect, but certainly a tool of God. Count me as one of the latter for several reasons.

1) Elihu is sensitive to Job’s suffering
2) Elihu claims God is his source of wisdom- not age, intelligence or experience
3) when God rebukes Job’s 3 friends he does not rebuke Elihu

I. ELIHU’S INTRODUCTION [32]

1. His Wrath [v. 1-3]

2. His Restraint [v. 4-6]

3. His Inspiration [v. 7-22, 1 Corinthians 2:11]

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

II. ELIHU’S EXPLANATION [33:1-11]

1. From the Heart [v. 1-3]

2. From Commonality [v. 4-7]

3. From Paying Attention [v. 8-11]

III. ELIHU’S THEOLOGY [33:12-33]

1. God is Worthy [v. 12-13, Romans 3:4]

…yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
Is. 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

2. God is Working [v. 14-25] Esp. v. 18 cf. II Cor. 12:7-10

3. God is Waiting [v. 26-33]

Hebrews 12 teaches that there are 3 ways to meet the chastening hand of God

1) despise it [v. 5] as though God was not involved in it
2) faint under it [v. 5] be a quitter
3) be exercised by it [v. 11]

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Question of the Week: Why is the age of the earth such a big deal to secularists?

 
Answers Weekly

answersingenesis.org | newsletter archives | contact us
November 20, 2010

a weekly look at answersingenesis.org

top leftIn this issue . . .

Q: Why is the age of the earth such a big deal to secularists?

A: Increasingly, when the media write reports about Answers in Genesis and the Creation Museum, they often don't mention the scientific points we present in our rebuttal of evolution, but instead state something like this (these words appeared in our local newspaper):
The Creation Museum employs scientists of its own but has been criticized by the larger scientific community for positions it takes that conflict with mainstream scientific belief. For example, the museum contends the Earth is 6,000 years old, rather than about 4.5 billion. It also shows humans living at the same time as dinosaurs, which most scientists say never happened.
Why is the age of the earth such a big issue with secular scientists and the media? And why is it that after biblical creationists have written so many books and scientific peer-reviewed papers that contradict the supposed billions of years for the age of the earth/universe, and expose the fallible dating methods devised by man, secularists still scoff?
Well, here's the bottom line: for secularists to even postulate the idea of evolution, they have to also postulate an incomprehensible amount of time (billions and billions of years) so that the universe and life might have enough time to evolve. Even with billions of years, though, evolution is impossible. Mathematically and scientifically. But secularists aggressively promote billions of years to make evolution a plausible idea.

Learn more in a letter from Ken Ham, president and CEO of AiG–U.S.

News to Note Quick Look

The tree of gut bacteria: Although we may not often think of it, none of us are ever alone—we all have bacteria both on and in our bodies that, among other things, help us to digest food. But is this evidence for evolution? Read more.

Neanderthal whippersnappers: Did Neanderthal children grow up more quickly than the rest of us? Read more.

Also:

Biblical Authority Devotionals

Answers ... with Ken Ham radio program

After Eden

After Eden

Network with Us!

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Note: Facebook and Twitter are both social networking sites with user-contributed content. Children should not visit the sites without parental supervision.

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