Monday, February 28, 2005

"People of the Name"

By: RDB

Acts 4:12 – “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by whom we must be saved.”

Acts 5:40-41 – “After they called in the apostles and had them flogged, they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them. Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be dishonored on behalf of the name.”

What is a Christian? A Christian is a person who lives for the name of Jesus. As Christians we must realize that we are the people of the name. See the disciples didn’t suffer because they were preaching, but because they were preaching the name of Christ as the only way to salvation. The disciples didn’t suffer because they were healing people, but because they were healing in the name of Jesus. The disciples didn’t rejoice because they were suffering, but because they were suffering for the name of Jesus. There whole life was caught up in the name of Jesus. The preached, healed, and suffered all in the name of Jesus. See the name represents the person. We are people of the name because we are the believers in Christ. The disciples suffered not because of what they did but because of who they did it for. Since the world rejects Christ, anything we do in His name will also be rejected by the world. These believers knew that there was no other way from a person to be made right with God without trusting in the person of Christ. They knew that healing and power came from the person of Christ. They knew that Christ was more valuable to them than anything else and to suffer for being related to Him was a reward to be cherished. My concern is that we live in a day and time where we want to be accepted by the world and we have given up the name. We are more concerned about building ourselves a name than glorifying His name. We no longer preach His name, trust in His name for healing, or count ourselves blessed for being able to suffer to His name. We must get back to the place were we are all about the person of Jesus because we are the people of the name.

Thursday, February 24, 2005

Deep Thought

By RDB

Acts 19:2 "and (Paul) asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" "No," they told him, "we haven't even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."

I don't hear this question asked much of people who claim to be believers. For Paul, the proof that you're a Christian is that you have received the Holy Spirit. True believers understand this connection. You truly can't have one (Christ) without the other (Spirit). So I encourage you to realize that being a Christian isn't about being a good man, but being a Spirit-filled man.

Sunday, February 20, 2005

"There was Great Joy"

By:RDB

Acts 8:5-6, 8 “Philip went down to a city in Samaria and preached the Messiah to them. The crowds paid attention with one mind to what Philip said, as they heard and saw the signs he was performing. So there was great joy in that city.”

Can it be said that your life has brought great joy to others? I’m beginning to realize that the greatest sign that Christ is the Lord of your life is His joy fills your life and overflows into the lives of others. Look at Philip’s life, a whole city experienced great joy because of Him. Can that be said of you in your home, your job, and your church? Philip had brought joy to a whole city. What was Philip’s secret? He came preaching Christ to them. Philip brought the message of joy. God loves you and chose to die for you that your sins may be forgiven and that His life may abide in you forever. When we don’t talk about Jesus in our homes, in our jobs, and in our churches no wonder there is no joy. There is a second secret to joy. Philip’s actions proved that the message he shared was real. You may never have the opportunity to cast a demon out of someone, but when you talk about Jesus, you must take the opportunity to live like Jesus? Ask yourself, “Do my manners reflect my message?” If you will preach and practice Christ, those who are around you will say, “Great joy has come to us.” I encourage you to tell of the love of Christ and then show the love of Christ. Tell of the forgiveness of Christ and then show forgiveness. Tell of the mercy of Christ and then show mercy. Joy like a river will flow from your live into the lives of others when you preach and practice Christ

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

CNN.com - Inventor preserves self to witness immortality - Feb 15, 2005

Click above to read the article
Do you see the danger in separating life from God? People in trying to make themselves as God are trying to find the secret of living forever. The problem is living forever doesn't equate with eternal life. "Eternal" doesn't just describe the length of life, but also the quality of it. Eternal life is only found in Christ.

Will you buy what this man is selling?

What is Salvation?

by Adrian Rogers

First, let me tell you what salvation is not. It is not a creed, a code, a cause, or a church.

Salvation is not a creed. I hear people say, “Well, I believe the plan of salvation.” And my response? You can believe the plan of salvation and go straight to hell, because we’re not saved by the plan of salvation, instead we’re saved by the Man of salvation – Jesus Christ.

Second, salvation is not a code. Some say, “Well, I believe that if you just live right you’ll go to heaven.” Friend, let me tell you that if any of us could be saved by living right then Calvary was a blunder!

Thirdly, salvation is not earned by adhering to a cause. People say, “Well, I believe in loving people. I believe that if I love everybody, God will say, ‘Come on into heaven.’ ” Loving people is nice and it’s actually something the Bible tells us to do. But our works cannot purchase our salvation.

Fourth, salvation does not come by being a member of a church. There are some well-meaning people who say, “Well, I’m a member of a good, fundamental, Bible-believing church.” Membership in the church comes as a result of being saved.

Your salvation and mine is not purchased by adhering to a creed or a code. It is not bought by believing in a cause or belonging to a church. Salvation is only found in Christ.

Jesus is not just a good way to heaven. He’s the only way to heaven. Acts 4:12 says, “ Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved .”

Is Jesus the only way to heaven? Yes! Any other gospel is a false gospel. Ephesians 2:8-9, “ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Friday, February 11, 2005

Don't Believe the Lie!

By RDB

Ephesians 5: 15-17, “So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do.’

I want to share with you one of the biggest struggles for me that has become one of the biggest victories in my life. I realized that I had been deceived into thinking that I could act however I wanted and not pay a price for it. Not having to pay a price for our actions in essence makes them “free”. All of us want to be free. Free to do and think without paying a price for those actions and thoughts. I was playing an internet game and I had a code name. When my partner in spades made a mistake I griped him out in a way I wouldn’t have if my name had been known. So why did I gripe my partner out? I thought I could get away with it. Ever wonder why people act one way in public and then a different way in private? They think they can get away without consequences. What I have realized is that there is no such thing as “free” actions. What I do does matter, especially as a believer in Christ. I will be so bold to say, “To live your life without taking responsibility for all your actions is to live a deprived lifestyle.” There is no free time from doing the right things. There is no free time from the Christian life. Since Jesus is my Lord and He is light, then all of my actions are known. Therefore, I am responsible for what I do. So when I’m tempted to do something that I would be ashamed of or having to pay the consequence for, I stay away from it. The truth is this: God always knows and the consequence must be paid. I believe many of us would live differently if we realized that we really are responsible for what we do. The great news is that when you take responsibility for your actions then you can find true forgiveness and cleansing in Christ. So don’t believe the lie, there are no “free” acts.

Thursday, February 10, 2005

Deep Thought

Here is a quote from one of my favorite preachers, Vance Havner.



The word “Christian” is both noun and an adjective. We need more “adjective Christians,” more Christian Christians, Christians who are more Christian in thought and spirit and deed as well as in name.

"Made To Witness"

by:RDB

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”


I want to share with you a burden on my heart. If you are like me, I don’t share my faith much. I talk about it and I know I should, but most of the time I live silently. Lately, I have been reading through Acts and I am going to write down some of the truths that are transforming my life. Acts 1:8 is where I want to start. We live in a time where the popular catch phrase in Christianity is worship, but I don’t hear much about witnessing. Don’t get me wrong, I believe as John Piper has said, “Worship is the goal of witnessing.” But this in no way negates the fact that the church was founded to witness. Jesus said you will be my witnesses. The purpose of the disciples as well as ours isn’t to just worship God, but to give a witness of God. What I am saying is this, “I have rejected my purpose on earth if I don’t see myself as God’s witness.” Not only do I reject my purpose but I also reject the Power of God’s Spirit on my life if I don’t see myself as God’s witness. After all, Jesus does say that the power of God’s Spirit is for witnessing. I am challenging you and me to realize that our purpose is to provide a powerful witness of Christ to our world. If you aren’t living for this then you aren’t living for Christ. Therefore, be a witness of Christ to the world.

Wednesday, February 09, 2005

Living in the Land of Lips

Living In the Land of Lips
By RDB

Mark 7:6-8, “He (Jesus) answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: These people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. They worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commands of men. Disregarding the command of God, you keep the tradition of men.”

For most of us in the church, we are living in the land of lips. On Sunday mornings I hear people honor God with their lips, but their hearts are far from God. How do I know this, because many times it is my lips and my heart that is far from God. Many of us know what we have been taught about the Bible and worship and we can talk a great game, but there seems to be no power in it. It is like a hologram. It looks real, but there is no substance to it. I believe that we must pull out the real measuring stick of scripture and stop looking at what we say, but start looking at what we are doing. Here are some thoughts to consider. Is God the highest love and priority in my life? Do I love and serve people? Is there anyone I need to forgive or seek forgiveness from? How many people have I shared Christ with today? Am I more Christlike today than yesterday? Do I seek after God with all my heart? Is there a big or small sin that I’m holding on to that God has already convicted me of once? When we come to God, He is looking at the lips of your heart more than the lips of your mouth. What have your lips told God today?