WHAT CHRISTIANS HAVE!

Colossians 1:12-14

Verse 12 says "in light". What light?

John 1:4-9 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

John 3:16-21 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Verse 14 says "His blood". Whose blood?

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

God's blood? How is that possible? Rom. 3:24-25 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood...

Rom. 5:8-9 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

I Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

5:5-10 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

12:11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

19:10-16 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Now what do Christians have? And what, dear lost friend that may be here today, can you have if you will accept Christ this day?

I. A KINGDOM [V. 13]

1. The primary emphasis here is on a Person- Jesus is the King, it's His kingdom

Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

2. The secondary emphasis here is on a place- a kingdom is a location

2 Peter 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

3. The next emphasis here is on a permanence- this kingdom is ours in Him forever

Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

II. REDEMPTION [V. 14a]

1. The emphasis here is on an accomplishment by an individual

Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us

2. The shared emphasis is on an actuality bestowed by that individual

Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

3. The shared emphasis is on the action the individual did (redemption is literally "a releasing effected by payment of a ransom") v. 14

III. FORGIVENESS [V. 14b]

1. The emphasis here is on release (the word "forgiveness" means a release from bondage or imprisonment)

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

2. The shared emphasis here is on result- we have the forgiveness of sins

Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

3. The shared emphasis is on reality- the debt is cancelled, can't be brought back up [Ps. 130]

The goat... laden with sins... released into the wild... never to be seen again.

Q: Is secular humanism a religion?

A: Humanists believe that the universe is self-existing (was not created). They believe that man, as a part of nature, has emerged as a result of a continuous process of material causes. Secular humanists believe that nature is all that exists … that there is no God, no spiritual dimension, and no afterlife. In short, they believe that man evolved from molecules by natural processes—no supernatural activity is allowed to be considered.

Secular humanists don’t believe that an absolute moral code exists. Instead, they believe that man makes up his own rules.

Secular humanists don’t want to be called religious. That’s because they don’t want to admit that teaching materialistic evolution is really a religious point of view—a view that tries to explain life without God. If they did, it would be admitting that when public schools in America threw God out of the science classroom, they didn’t throw out religion … they just replaced God with an atheistic religion.

Sadly, many church leaders don’t realize that when they support eliminating God from science classes, they’re supporting an anti-God religion—the religion of atheistic humanism.

For more information about secular humanism as a religion, see Get Answers: Religion and Evolution

Though this link will not work you may use the Answers In Genesis link to the left and then use that websites search function. This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.-Rick

EVANGELIST PETE RICE

Bradford Baptist Church will be hosting Evangelist Pete Rice on Sunday Feb. 11, 2007 for 3 great services at 10 AM, 11 AM, and 6 PM.

Rice is the head of the P.R.A.Y., Inc. an independent mission organization dedicated to evangelizing the lost and edifying the saved. Rice has preached all over the world including recent trips to Cuba and the Orient. His preaching is Biblical, interesting, and to the point.

Rice has been in full time Evangelism for almost 40 years and his style of preaching is reminiscent of his father, the late Dr. Bill Rice, founder of the Bill Rice Ranch in Murfreesboro, Tn.

All are welcome. Bradford Baptist Church is located 1.3 miles east of US301 on State Road 100 in Starke, FL. For information call 904-964-4168

Quotes of the week!

Nineteenth century British philosopher John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) is credited with saying, “War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks nothing worth a war, is worse. A man who has nothing which he cares more about than he does his personal safety is a miserable creature who has no chance at being free, unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.” (The Biblical Evangelist 38:1, p. 15)

“It is not the Christian doctrine of heaven that is the myth, but the humanist dream of utopia.” -Roy Clements

There is great power in prayer because there is great power in God, and He is the One who answers our prayers. -Craig Brubeck, Studies In Colossians.

So where can we find the kind of certainty that overcomes all... seemingly insurmountable obstacles? This certainty is as old as the Book, runs in a river of divine immutability, and is bestowed on us by the God who never changes or turns His back on His own. -Editorial, Israel My Glory, Jan.-Feb. 2007

THANKS TO THE FATHER

COLOSSIANS 1:12-13

Rick Jackson

I. FOR MAKING US QUALIFIED IN CHRIST! [V. 12] (to make sufficient, render fit)

If unregenerated man should enter Heaven, heaven would be hell to him. Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people. -Oliver B. Greene

1. Made us righteousness [II Co. 5:19-21]

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

2. Made us holy [Eph. 1:3-6]

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

B.R. Lakin asked a man, "Will you come?"

"I don't know if I've ever been elected or not."

"Have you ever been a candidate? When you become a candidate God votes for you, the devil votes against you. That ties the vote. Then it's on to how you vote after that!"

3. Made us inheritors [Col. 1:12, 3:24, I Pt. 1:4]

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

II. FOR DELIVERING US FROM THE POWER OF DARKNESS [v. 13] (rescued)

1. From the love of darkness (the world) [John 3:19-21]

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

2. From the works of darkness (the flesh) [Rom. 13:11-14]

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

3. From the rulers of darkness (Satan & his angels) [Eph. 6:12]

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

-by faith in Christ [Acts 26:15-18]

And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

-by walking in the light [I Jn. 1:5-7]

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

III. FOR TRANSLATING US INTO CHRIST'S KINGDOM

1. He put me over (transpose, transfer, remove from one place to another) [1:13]

Similar to Heb. 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

2. He preserves me [II Tm. 4:18]

And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

3. He promised me [James 2:5]

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

MY KIND OF REDNECK

We have enjoyed the redneck jokes for years. It's time to take a reflective look at the core beliefs of a culture that values home, family, country and God. If I had to stand before a dozen terrorists who threaten my life, I'd choose a half dozen or so rednecks to back me up. Tire irons, squirrel guns and grit -- that's what rednecks are made of. I hope I am one of those. If you feel the same, pass this on to your redneck friends. Ya'll know who ya'are...

You might be a redneck if: It never occurred to you to be offended by the phrase, "One nation, under God."

You might be a redneck if: You've never protested about seeing the 10 Commandments posted in public places.

You might be a redneck if: You still say " Christmas" instead of "Winter Festival."

You might be a redneck if: You bow your head when someone prays.

You might be a redneck if: You stand and place your hand over your heart when they play the National Anthem.

You might be a redneck if: You treat Viet Nam vets with great respect, and always have.

You might be a redneck if: You've never burned an American flag.

You might be a redneck if: You know what you believe and you aren't afraid to say so, no matter who is listening.

You might be a redneck if: You respect your elders and expect your kids to do the same.

You might be a redneck if: You'd give your last dollar to a friend.

If you got this email (IT'S HOW I GOT IT BEFORE BLOGGING IT) from me, it is because I believe that you, like me, have just enough Red Neck in you to have the same beliefs as those talked about in this email.

God Bless the USA!

May the LORD bless you & yours..............

RULES OF THE SOUTH

A man just moved from Southern California to Georgia and he e-mailed this back to his family. He said they gave it to him at the state line. If you are going to live or visit in the South, you need to know these rules:

1. That farm boy you see at the gas station did MORE work before breakfast than you do all week at the gym.

2. It's called a "gravel road." No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust on your Navigator. Drive it or get out of the way.

3. The red dirt — it's called clay. Red clay. If you like the color, don't wash your car for a couple weeks — it'll be permanent.

4. We all started hunting and fishing when we were seven years old. Yeah, we saw Bambi. We got over it.

5. Go ahead and bring your $600 Orvis Fly Rod. Don't cry to us if a flathead breaks it off at the handle. We have a name for those little 13-inch trout you fish for — bait.

6. Pull your pants up. You look like an idiot.

7. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of mallards (ducks) are making their final approach, we will shoot it (the phone). You might want to ensure it's not up to your ear at the time.

8. No, there's no "Vegetarian Special" on the menu. Order steak. Order it rare. Or, you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the two pounds of ham and turkey.

9. Tea - yeah, we have tea. It comes in a glass over ice and is really, really sweet. You want it hot — sit it in the sun. You want it unsweetened — add a LOT of water.

10. You bring Coke into my house, it better be brown, wet, and served over ice.

11. So, you have a sixty thousand dollar car. We're real impressed. We have a quarter of a million-dollar combine (it's farm equipment) that we only use two weeks a year.

12. Let's get this straight. We have one stoplight in town. We stop when it's red. We may even stop when it's yellow.

13. We eat dinner together with our families. We pray before we eat (yeah, even breakfast). We go to church on Wednesdays and Sundays and we go to high school football games on Friday nights. We still address our seniors with "yes, sir" and "yes, ma'am," and we sometimes still take Sunday drives around town to see friends and neighbors.

14. We don't do "hurry up" well.

15. Greens - yeah, we have greens, but you don't putt on them. You boil them with salty fatback, bacon or a ham hock.

16. Yeah, we eat catfish, bass, bream (pronounced brim) and carp. You really want sushi and caviar? It's available at the bait shop.

17. They are pigs. That's what they smell like (money). Get it — pig farms — income — money? Get over it. Don't like the smell? Interstate 85 goes two ways .Interstate 40 goes the other two. Pick one.

18. Grits are corn. You put butter, salt, and maybe even some pepper on them. If you want to put milk and sugar on them, then you want Cream of Wheat — go to Kansas. That would be I-40 west.

19. The "Opener" refers to the first day of deer season or dove season. Both are holidays. You can get pancakes, cane syrup, and sausage before daylight at the church on either day.

20. So every person in every pickup waves? Yeah, it's called being friendly. Understand the concept?

21. Yeah, we have golf courses. Don't hit in the water hazards. It spooks the fish and bothers the gators...and if you hit it in the rough, we have these things called diamondbacks, and they're not baseball players.

22. That Highway Patrol Officer that just pulled you over for drivingike an idiot...his name is "Sir," no matter how young he is.

23. We have lots of pine trees. They have sap. It drips from them. You park your Navigator under them, and they'll leave a logo on your hood.

24. You burn an American flag in our state, you get beat up. No questions. The liberal contingent of our state legislature — all four of them — enacted a measure to stop this. There is now a $2.50 fine for beating up the flag burner.

25. No, we don't care how you do things up North. If it is so great up there, why not stay there?

26. And no, down here we don't have an accent, you do.

In God We Trust.

YA'LL COME BACK!

BIG DOGS, BIG MOUTH

BIG CATS, BIG DOGS

I AM THANKFUL (for several friends that sent me this email)

FOR THE WIFE WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT, BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH HER HUSBAND, AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE

FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO, BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH HIS WIFE AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED.

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

THE FATHER, THE SERVANT & THE BRIDE

GENESIS 24

Besides the obvious historical context it has been said this event is a beautiful picture of the Gospel. The Father seeks a bride for the Son. He sends the Holy Spirit to call out a bride for the Son. The bride steps out on faith at the leading of the Spirit and is joined to the Son.

Then there are lessons for us in the lives of these three believers. They certainly exhibit characteristics that we would do well to emulate in our lives.

I. Abraham

1. Wanted Isaac to have the right kind of wife [v. 1-4]

2. Wanted Isaac to have the right kind of life [v. 5-8]

II. Eliezer [15:1-4]

1. Believed in planning [v. 9-11]

2. Believed in prayer [v. 12-14]

3. Believed in Providence [v. 26-27]

4. Believed in presentation [v. 33-49, esp. 33, 49]

5. Believed in pleasing his master [v. 50-56]

III. Rebekah

1. Was pure [v. 15-16]

2. Was polite [v. 17-18]

3. Was industrious [v. 19-22]

4. Was interested (intelligent, listened well, understood enough to explain) [v. 23-32]

5. Was willing to step out on faith [v. 56-67]

HIGH STANDARDS

Who do you think has higher standards, God or the Devil? Who do you think has higher standards, God or the world? God or the flesh? God or the pastor? God or the local church?
The obvious and correct answer is "God". Why then do so many balk when standards are high?

Think before you answer these. Whose standard is higher, God or Jesus? God or the Holy Spirit? God or the Bible? The obvious and correct answer is "yes". God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit all have the same standard and have set it down in the Word of God, the Bible, which then also has the same high standards.

These things being true whose standard should we follow? Whose standards should we strive to make our own? In point of fact, whose standards matter?

I. THE HIGH STANDARD OF GOD IN SALVATION

1. We must exceed the best people in righteousness (Ghandi, Buddha, etc. ) [Mt. 5:17-20]

2. We must exceed the best we can do [Lk. 10:25-29]

3. We must accept the best Heaven has provided [Lk. 18:18-27]

II. THE HIGH STANDARD OF GOD IN CONSECRATION

1. Settle your salvation by faith in Him [Phil. 3:8-9]

2. Settle your sanctification by faith in Him [Phil. 3:10-11]

3. Set your sights high by faith in Him[Phil. 3:12-14]

III. THE HIGH STANDARD OF GOD IN EXPECTATION

1. Be open to God's leading [Phil. 3:15]

2. Beware of the sin of backsliding [Phil. 3:16]

3. Be steady [Phil. 3:17-21]

"A Love Supreme"

I love my friends... and some of the things they email me.

I figure I'd better send this on to this generation. The next one might not know what a record is! -RLS

"A Love Supreme"

A woman meant to call a record store but dialed the wrong number and got a private home instead. "Do you have 'Eyes of Blue' and 'A Love Supreme'?" she asked.

"Well, no," answered the puzzled homeowner. "But I have a wife andeleven children."

"Is that a record?" she inquired.

"I don't think so," replied the man, "but it's as close as I want to get."

Q: Does the Bible tell us that Adam named all of the land animals in just one day?

A: Actually, Adam named the specific land animals God brought to him in one day.
Genesis tells us that God made the land animals, as well as the first man and woman, on Day Six of Creation Week. Genesis 2 tells us that Adam named the animals God had brought to him—before Eve was created. So how could Adam have named all of those animals so quickly?
Some skeptics say that there is no way he could have named all of them, and they use this as proof that the days of creation couldn’t be six literal, 24-hour days.
These questions and more will be answered with a special exhibit that is underway at our Creation Museum near Cincinnati. In a larger corner area of the museum’s “Creation Walk,” people will see Adam naming the land animals—the original biblical “kinds,” not all of the species within a kind that we’re familiar with today. That means there must have been far fewer animal kinds in Adam’s day than there are today.
We also need to understand that just because you or I couldn’t do it, that doesn’t mean Adam couldn’t. Adam had a perfect brain. Our brain has suffered from thousands of years of sin and the Curse.
For more information about the naming of the animals, see Naming the animals: all in a day’s work for Adam at the Answers In Genesis website (link at left)

This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.

More Redneck Pictures of the week!

Quotes of the week!

The central question of the Chicago conference was whether the mechanisms underlying microevolution can be extrapolated to explain the phenomena of macroevolution. At the risk of doing violence to the positions of some people at the meeting, the answer can be given as a clear, No. -Roger Lewin, "Evolutionary Theory Under Fire" Science, 11-21-1980

The quote above came from a major conference in 1980, at which many of the world's greatest evolution spokesmen were present. The question they debated was "Are mutation and natural selection enough?" They concluded "no," that these mechanisms were insufficient to bring about true evolutionary change. But what became of it? Nothing! The conclusions have been systematically ignored, and evolutionists continue to claim that all questions have been solved.
They have no better mechanism to suggest, so they simply act as if nothing is wrong, and students are misled into thinking evolution is proven. -John D. Morris, Feb. 2007, ICR letter

We ought to be cautious of people whose minds are like concrete---thoroughly mixed and permanently set. -Unknown

He (God) may not always resolve circumstances the way we think is best, but He always resolves them in the way that is best. Sometimes we are overly concerned about solving our problems, when God is primarily concerned about solving us. ...That thorny experience taught Paul a lesson. He learned that God is as powerful to sustain a believer as He is to solve a problem. -James T. Dyet, Complete In Christ

Satan is so deceptive! He likes to borrow Christian vocabulary, but he does not use the Christian dictionary! -Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Complete.

PAUL'S PRAYER & DESIRE FOR CHRISTIANS

COLOSSIANS 1:9-11

Jesus said, For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Paul's heart for the lost echoed that of the Saviour's. Paul said in Romans 10, Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. But Paul's heart for the saved also echoed the heart of the Saviour for the saved. Jesus said, I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. This wish for the abundant spiritual life is exactly what Paul's prayer and desire for Christians expresses.

When Paul says in verse 9 "since the day we heard it" he is referring back to verse 4, "Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus" His prayer for these Colossians had changed from "save them" to "help them mature spiritually." They didn't need another spiritual experience, they needed to grow in the one they already had.

He wanted these new believers to have three things.

I. SUPER-KNOWLEDGE [V. 9] More than just knowledge, full knowledge.

1. Of God's Will

Paul knew what God wanted him to to do. In Acts 22 he gave his testimony, And I said, What shall I do, LORD? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout man ...Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

In Eph. 5 he tells us, See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

2. In all wisdom (grasping spiritual truth)

How do we do that? Through the Word of God as led by the Spirit of God. I Cor. 2:6-14

Is. 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

II Tm. 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

3. In spiritual understanding (correct application of spiritual truth)

One might read about the Heimlech maneuver without knowing how to apply it.

II. SUPER-DEEDS [V. 10] "WALK WORTHY OF THE LORD"

1. Unto all pleasing (to God)

Can two walk together, except they be agreed? [Amos 3:3]

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. [I Jn. 1]

2. Being fruitful (among others)

Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. Rm. 1:13

3. Increasing in knowledge (themselves)

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. II Pet. 3:18

III. SUPER-STRENGTH [V. 11]

Strengthened with all might(dunamis, inherent power), according to his glorious power (kratos, manifested power, power that is put forth in action)

1. Unto all patience -enables us to remain steady in adverse situations

Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. James 5:11

2. Long-suffering (wrath that is put away) -enables us to put up with people who give us a hard time Ex.= Joseph

3. With joyfulness (Phil. 4:4)

If I didn't have animals . . . .

An email my sister (an animal lover) sent me:

I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety.

My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.

All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be free of hair.

When the doorbell rings, it wouldn't sound like a kennel.

When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without wading through fuzzy bodies who beat me there.

I could sit on the couch and my bed the way I wanted, without taking not consideration how much space several fur bodies would need to get comfortable.

I would not have strange presents under my Christmas tree ---dog bones, stuffed animals ,toys, treats nor would I have to explain to people why I wrap them.

I would have money ....and no guilt to go on a real vacation.

I would not be on a first-name basis with 6 veterinarians, as I put their yet unborn grand kids thru college.

The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out, sit, down, come, no, stay, and leave him/her/it ALONE.

My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers.

My house would not look like a day care center, toys everywhere.

My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats and an extra leash.

I would no longer have to Spell the words B-A-L-L-, F-R-I-S-B-E-E, W-A-L-K, or T-R-E-A-T.

I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside.

I would not look strangely at people who think having ONE dog/cat ties them down too much.

I'd look forward to spring and the melting of snow instead of dreading mud season.

I would not have to answer the question "Why do you have so many dogs/animals?" from people who will never have the joy in their lives of knowing they are loved unconditionally by someone as close to an angel as they will ever get.

How empty my life would be.

Redneck Pictures of the week!

WHAT GIVES?

EXODUS 35

I. GOD GIVES US WHAT WE HAVE

1. He gives us our abilities [v. 25, 35; 36:1] more innate

2. He gives us our capabilities [v. 30-31] less specialized

3. He gives us our posessions [v. 23-24, 12:35-36, Gn. 14:21-23]

And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:

II. GOD WANTS US TO USE WHAT HE HAS GIVEN US

1. He desires a willing heart [v. 4-5]

2. He desires a stirrable heart [21, 26; 36:2]

3. He desires a workable spirit [v. 21]

Proverbs 17:27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

Daniel 6:3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

III. GOD WANTS TO STIR US

1. Their hearts were stirred by the Word of God [v. 1-40]

2. We should be stirred by remembering His salvation [II Peter 1:9-13]

3. We should be stirred by remembering His Word [II Peter 3:1-18]