HOW TO LIVE LONGER

If there is anything our children need today among many, is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 is not a command to adults but to to all Christians. If our children are saved they must be taught to yield to the Spirit of God's control and direction in their lives. I'm working on my sermon for this coming Sunday, Spirit Filled Children.
Paul gives instructions in Ephesians 6:1-4.

Many have different takes on child rearing. Dr. Spock and Dr. Phil. However, for Christians God's word in clear.

God has a Word to the Growing Ones 1-3
God has a Word to the Guiding Ones 4

As parents we must
1. Set The Godly Standard
2. Discipline To The Godly Standard
3. Live Up To The Godly Standard

May God help us to yield ourselves to the Word of God and the Spirit of God that we might do and say what is needed for our children to grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Please pray for my time of prepartion and my preaching that God will be glorified and the saints edified.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Think on This

"Just because there is a seat on the bus doesn't mean you are headed in the right direction."

It's funny how we make our pleasures out of God's will . It must be His will I'm doing it and I'm enjoying it.

Don't confuse Permission with Purpose. They both are the make up of His Sovereignty. God's will of precept is His Word which He uses to govern us. His will of Purpose is what He uses to govern Himself somethimes He shares His will of Purpose with us sometimes He doesn't. Our focus is to be on His will of precept, that which is revealed in His Word. So we can never willing disregard the will of precept and conclude its His will of purpose. None of us obey God perfectly thank God for Mercy and Grace. However, we should make every effort to obey the revealed will of God for His Glory and our good.

JUST KEEP WINNING

Many keep writing the Champion Lakers off. Notice I didn't say Defending Champion Lakers. They are not defending their championship from last year, that is in the books, safe and secure. They are attempting to win another one this year and if they don't they still keep the championship from last year, Duh! Many say they aren't looking good. Many thought OKC Thunders would beat them. I think last night sealed that deal. It is interesting to me how people get elevated before they are proven. Lebron "the King" has never sat on the throne. Don't get me wrong he is a very talented player, a beast on the court. However, Kobe, broke finger, bad knee, and bad ankle, He just KEEPS WINNING! A person's greatness can be blinded by their consistency. One more win then the next round. How do you criticize a team that Just Keeps Winning! (:-)

DIVISION OR DISCUSSION

In my concentric circle of contacts of Christian brothers I have found much division on the subject of the Atonement. Please notice that I said "Brothers." I do not think one should question one's salvation on the basis of whether one ascribes to a Limited or Unlimited Atonement. I personally believe in a Limited Atonement. I believe that Christ's death actually accomplishes and secures the salvation of all who believe the Gospel. I share the Gospel with everyone with no exclusion trusting the Spirit of God to make Christ known to whom He pleases. However, I believe those that the Father has given to Christ will come to Christ(John 6:37a). I have some concerns on both sides. I don't think it is Christ-like to think less of a brother because he might not understand what you understand, especially when we say that only the Spirit of God gives spiritual understanding. I don't think it is appropriate or Christ-like to separate or demean someone for this lack of understanding. The good news of God's free and sovereign grace does not produce arrogance and mean spirits. I believe it produces humilty patience and love. Now there are those on the other side who make statements like it doesn't matter and they don't divide but they want discuss. I say to those please be cautious with those type of statements. Truth does matter if indeed Christ matters, for He declared that He is the truth (John 14:6). Those who are faithful to sound exposition must preach the whole counsel of God's word. Jesus said search the Scripture for in them you find life, that life is in Him. Many question why even preach on such a subject, just preach Christ. They don't see a practical relevance. I say in loving response to that, there is much practical relevance.

1. It magnifies the work of Christ because it presents an atonement that is a finished work not a possiblity.

2. It give hope in evangelism because when we evangelize we know that Christ is actually saving not potentially.

3. It ministers gloriously to the believer's assurance because the believer can find assurance in an actual completed work that is particular rather than general.

4. It deepens a believer's love for the Lord when properly understood what Christ has done for them. Love is magnified in a deeper since of appreciation when love has a particular object.

5. It enables us to offer a truly finished work. Which ampliflies Grace and diminishes human works.

It is my honest desire not to see brothers divided and treat one another like enemies or something less because of a theological position. It is also my desire to see brothers open the Scripture and discuss theological positions and trust the Spirit of God to give illumination.

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity. (Psalm 133:1)

LOVE DISPLAYED NOT DISCUSSED

Love is a word frequently used, seldom explained and often misunderstood. The most commonly used Greek word translated "love" in the New Testament is "agape." This love is represented by God's love for us. It is a unconditional, sacrificial, eternal and particular love. This love is probably best exemplified by God's provision for our rebellion:Biblically love is the unconditional giving of oneself for the greater good of another. Love is caring in action. Love isn't what we feel, but what we do. This kind of love can only be produced by saving faith.
How do I know when I'm doing it ? We love other people when we stop using them as means to supply our deficiencies and instead rejoice in the divine enablement to supply their deficiencies. It is interesting that the bible gives more descriptions of love than definitions of love. Which implies to me love is not so much to be discussed as it is to be displayed.

I John 3:16-18
16 By this we know love that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Here John give us:
1. Supreme Example of Love v16
2. Subjects Expectation to Love v17
3. Statement Emphasized about Love v18

The Neglected Command

A preacher visited a large and influential church. His guide told him of an unfortunate experience. One of the church officers had repeatedly gotten drunk, and so they had to discipline him and put him out of the church fellowship, HE replied, “ we believe in following the Scripture.” The preacher humbly ask the guide a question, “how long has it been since you put somebody out of the church for not being Filled with the Spirit?” The guide look at the preacher startled. The preacher said the bible says, “DO NOT GET DRUNK WITH WINE, BUT BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT.” YOU SEE THE POSITIVE COMMAND TO BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT IS JUST AS BINDING ON US AS A NEGATIVE COMMAND NOT TO BE DRUNK WITH WINE.
Isn’t it interesting how we discipline people for doing what they are not suppose to do, but we never discipline people for not doing what they are suppose to do.