Dan’s Comments (group member since Apr 14, 2012)

Dan’s comments from the Rest for the Weary group.

WHAT AN OMISSION-READ HEB 10:14.

YOU'RE NOT FINISHED GROWING UP JUST BECAUSE "THE WORLD SAYS "YOU'RE GROWN". I'VE BEEN IN THE SHED AT AGE 71-YEAH THERE NOW.

SIMPLE QUESTION: DO YOU SPANK YOUR NEIGHBORS'S KIDS? I'LL BET THE ANSWER IS "NO". GOD DOESN'T CORRECT KIDS THAT AREN'T HIS EITHER SO IF YOU'RE GETTING "THE ROYAL TREATMENT" REJOICE. IT IS PROOF POSITIVE THAT YOU ARE ONE OF HIS.-NOW STAY OUTTA TROUBLE. GOD'S WOODSHEAD IS NOT A FUN PLACE TO BE. HE DOESN'T LIKE HIS KIDS MIBEHAVING AND HE IS NOT SHY ABOUT TELLING YOU WHAT WAS WRONG. THAT'S PROBABLY THE PART HE DOESN'T WANT TO SHARE WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

The Essential Truths of the Christian Faith devotional is excerpted from Essential Truths of the Christian Faith Copyright © 1992 by R. C. Sproul. All rights reserved.

This excerpt was made without the author's permission.

"I was once confronted by a young man in Philadelphia who asked me, "Are you saved?" My reply to him was, "Saved from what?" He was taken aback by my question. He obviously hadn't thought much about the meaning of the question he was asking people. I was certainly not saved from people interrupting me on the street and buttonholing me with the question "Are you saved?"

The question of being "saved" is the supreme question of the Bible. The subject matter of the sacred Scriptures is the subject of salvation. Jesus, at His conception in the womb of Mary, is announced as the Savior. Saviorhood and salvation go together. It is the role of the Savior to save.

Yet again we ask, saved from what? The biblical meaning of salvation is broad and varied. In its simplest form the verb to save means "to be rescued from a dangerous or threatening situation." When Israel escapes defeat at the hands of her enemies in battle, she is said to be saved. When people recover from a life-threatening illness, they experience salvation. When the harvest is rescued from blight or drought, the result is salvation.

We use the word salvation in a similar way. A boxer is said to be "saved by the bell" if the round ends before the referee counts him out. Salvation means to be rescued from some calamity. However, the Bible also uses the term salvation in a specific sense to refer to our ultimate redemption from sin and reconciliation to God. In this sense, salvation is from the ultimate calamity—the judgment of God. The ultimate salvation is accomplished by Christ who "delivers us from the wrath to come" (1 Thessalonians 1:10).

The Bible clearly announces that there will be a day of judgment in which all human beings will be held accountable before the tribunal of God. For many this "day of the Lord" will be a day of darkness with no light in it. It will be the day when God will pour out His wrath against the wicked and impenitent. It will be the ultimate holocaust, the darkest hour, the worst calamity in human history. To be delivered from God's wrath, which most assuredly will come upon the world, is ultimate salvation. This is the rescue operation Christ performs for His people as their Savior.

The Bible uses the term salvation not only in many senses, but in many tenses. The verb to save appears in virtually every possible tense of the Greek language. There is a sense in which we were saved (from the foundation of the world); we were being saved (by the work of God in history); we are saved (by being in a justified state); we are being saved (by being sanctified or made holy); and we will be saved (experience the consummation of our redemption in heaven). The Bible speaks of salvation in terms of the past, present, and future.

Sometimes we equate present salvation in terms of our justification, which is present. At other times, we see justification as one specific step in the whole order or plan of salvation.

Finally, it is important to note another central aspect of the biblical concept of salvation. Salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is not a human enterprise. Human beings cannot save themselves. Salvation is a divine work; it is accomplished and applied by God. Salvation is both of the Lord and from the Lord. It is the Lord who saves us from the wrath of the Lord.

The broad meaning of salvation is "to be rescued from a threatening situation."
Ultimate salvation means to be delivered from the ultimate calamity of God's wrath.
The Bible uses salvation in several tenses, referring to God's past, present, and future work of redemption.
Justification is sometimes used as a synonym for salvation; at other times it is seen as one aspect in the whole scheme of redemption.
Salvation is of the Lord and from the Lord.

Copied from a posting by Denison's Forum without permission. There's good news in today's news. A week after Standard & Poor's downgraded the American economy, Fitch Ratings announced yesterday that it was keeping a AAA rating for the world's largest economy. Fitch, one of the big three ratings agencies, said the outlook for its rating was "stable."

U.S. automakers had their busiest month of factory output since the March 11 earthquake in Japan. Overall industrial production jumped 0.9 percent, the biggest increase this year. In addition, consumers spent more on cars, furniture, electronics, and other goods in July. The number of people who applied for unemployment benefits in the previous week dropped below 400,000 for the first time since early April.

And housing is doing better. Starts fell less than expected last month, while residential construction was up 9.8 percent compared to July of 2010. New home completions increased by 11.8 percent, the highest since June of 2010.

What does all of this mean for the future of our economy? I have no idea. The euro zone economy, hampered by sluggish growth in Germany and stagnation in France, could drag our global economy down. The deadliest day of the year in Iraq saw 42 apparently coordinated attacks by insurgents on Monday, casting doubts on the future of our engagement there.

What I do know is that life will never be safe on this fallen planet. The security we all seek is unavailable on this side of paradise. I used to quote the promise, "The safest place in all the world to be is the center of God's will," but I'm not sure I believe that any more. At least, not in the way I once did.

John, Jesus' best friend, was persecuted and exiled on Patmos. James was beheaded (Acts 12:2). Tradition states that Peter, Andrew, Bartholomew, Philip, and Simon the Zealot were crucified; Matthew and Thomas were speared to death; James and Thaddeus were stoned to death. Paul was flogged, imprisoned, shipwrecked, and eventually beheaded (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:23-29).

God does not promise us security, but significance. Our lives may be short or long, but if we live them for our King he transfuses them with purpose and direction. We can run from conflict and choose safety over courage, but our story on earth will end with a cemetery plot and a gravestone just like everyone else. What matters is not how long we live but how well.

Jim Elliot was martyred by Waodani warriors at the age of 28. He left behind a statement in his journal which challenges me every time I read it: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Do you agree?

After so much was paid for our souls to have this word, we routinely ignore its precepts. Oh Dear God forgive us!

Praise GOD!

They have visited me though I do not have anything to give. Just a pure blessing. Thank you Father.

AMAZING! That the very people who crucified Jesus did not claim that his followers and biographers lied in any Messianic details.

My own failures are so hideous I don't want to tell you of them and I'm still in God's woodshed but God's calling is without repentance ... so endure His correction I must and I'm blessed that he chooses to correct me rather than consign me to punishment. O, how I long to hear His loving voice of guidance, ."This is the way. Walk ye in it."

Yes I have. By a pastor. Properly admonished and later,..stronger friends.

Everyone could benefit by reading that every month.

Forgot I had posted this. ..so I got blessed a second time.

You have the heart that our society does NOT. Hope you saw my posting for J D FARAG today. This could be THE END! Don't miss it my friend.

We who profess to have a calling to a holy life style and nonetheless find that we often fall short are reluctant to admit out shortcomings for fear of losing any influence for God that we otherwise might have had. That was exactly the lesson God was teaching Gideon with the pityfully small force he was giving him to fight the Midianites. We are NOT equal to the battle. But Jesus is MORE THAN equal to the challenges of ALL battles. Join His team to start winning outrageous victories.

Thanks for the suggestion. My plate is so full right now I wouldn't know how to fit something else in. As a committed Christian I feel deeply challenged by the world and have failed miserably in the past. Don't want to do that again. Looking for and yearning for Jesus any day. Follow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebIFX... and other postings. I too can lose myself in books but don't have time or interest since this world will not be my home for long, (I hope).

Dan wrote: "REPOSTED FROM "Questions Answered" a daily devotional of Bible Gateway

Hebrews 6:6

Is falling away from the faith a danger for Christians? Throughout this letter we are warned to be careful, that..."

Just reviewing the topics. This one still grabs my attention. It seems to be related to "the age of accountability" for which I cannot set an age. Each person can probably remember the first time their conscience objected to some proposed action. At that point they KNEW right from wrong. It was God's Holy Spirit restraining (or encouraging them) and they need to learn how to recognize Him speaking because God will hold them accountable for their responses and just as importantly they can establish (STRENGTHEN OR WEAKEN)their communication with God that will grow more and more important as they age and as human family and friends die, leaving you alone. Oh how we need His companionship. It becomes increasingly important as we enter into more adult relationships that we please God in those relationships so He can bless us with good reputations.

EVER HAD A CALLING? YOU STILL DO. FAILING TO ANSWER YOUR CALL WILL NOT GET YOU OFF THE HOOK.

Most of us have failed at something but the failings are more pronounced when we have tried or at least aspired to do something for God. Names like Jim Baker and Jimmy Swaggert ring a firehouse sized bell because they had a heart for God but feet of clay, a lot like an old testament saint-Samson, specially chosen of God, a nazarite from birth ran smack dab into that ole ‘human nature’.

I know what the church does with such men. It treats them as though they never existed. Shame. They could have taught the lesson that those forgiven much, love Jesus more strongly. Samson had to deal with the same kind of abandonment by his people ”But (Judges 16:22) the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved.” Because (Rom 11:29) “God’s gifts and his call are IRREVOCABLE.” Samson didn’t know it yet but he couldn’t resign.

In today’s parleyance Samson had been enlisted and commissioned with no “say-so” in the matter. Even when we choose the commissioning we often fail. Still God does not change his mind. Once he appoints you to a service He will see that you accomplish it. God works in you to will and to do of His good pleasure. 'you see God's reputation is on the line and He always finishes what He starts. Rains always refresh the Earth, giving food for the eater and seed for the sower.

Just read Charles Stanley this morning. He says this really means to"LIVE" out the gosple, not "work" out a private understanding. That makes a lot more sense.

"The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death." Isaiah 57:1-2

I was reading this scripture on January 19th, 1994, the day Bishop Haik Hovsepian-Mehr mysteriously disappeared en route to the airport in the capital of Iran. He had spoken out courageously against the persecution of Iranian Christians and the closure of the Iranian Bible Society as well as the closing of a number of churches across Iran. He had campaigned vigorously for the release of Rev. Mehdi Dibaj from prison and had acted as substitute father for Mehdi’s four children during his imprisonment in addition to his own four children. Days later his dead body with multiple stab wounds was identified.

Iranian Christians reported that the bishop was a brave and humble man who was much loved and respected by the church community in Iran. They added that in his last few weeks of life, he would often speak about his possible martyrdom for which he was prepared. At his memorial service one of his taped sermons was played which spoke about giving your life for the sake of Jesus. One of his statements regarding the possibility of losing his life was made to Brother Andrew just weeks before he died, “I will not die a silent death!”

Today’s verses from the Bible gave me great encouragement as to the purpose of God in allowing martyrdom among His people. They rest in peace. But what about their families?

This day and event changed the life of Haik’s son, Andre, forever. He says, “As a pastor’s son growing up in Iran, I got used to the fact that sometimes my dad would be gone for a day or two for interrogation. But then on that dreadful day in January ’94, my father left the house and never came back.”

Looking back, Andre testifies that God used the love and support of the body of Christ to bring the Hovsepian family courage during the dark days following his father’s murder. “It meant a lot to me that someone I didn’t know from another country was praying for me and was caring for me.”

Andre and his mother, Takoosh, now live in the United States where they use their freedom to continue ministry to Iran via satellite. They produce programs, movies, teaching materials and music to air in all the Farsi-speaking nations like Iran, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Andre and his family really value your prayers as, following in the footsteps of Haik himself, they work to advance the kingdom in those countries where still today faith costs the most.

He concludes, “I learned we are one big family in Christ—and I think that was the number one thing which gave us courage and helped us heal.”

RESPONSE: Today I will accept the purposes of God in the martyrdom of His saints and pray for courage and healing among the members of the families left behind.

PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for the way you are using the Hovsepian family in ministry back to their original homeland and region. May their efforts greatly expand Your kingdom.

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS)A daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission Martyr