3 Stages Of Salvation

Whenever the word "Saved" or "Salvation" is used in the New Testament, many believers have often assumed that they only refer to being born again. Unless you read these words in context, you could be greatly mistaken. These words could be used in the past tense, present tense or in the future tense, which corresponds to the three phases of salvation:

• To be born again or saved is the initial salvation.
• To work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
• To be saved on the day of salvation which is to come.

In other words, not all those who are saved/born again will be saved on the day of salvation. Your salvation in the end depends on your initial salvation (First phase of salvation), through to working out your salvation with fear and trembling (Second phase of salvation) for the day of salvation of those who live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the God (The third and the final phase of salvation).

Salvation in Greek is Soteria. It means safety and soundness. Both meanings are apt and applicable to the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is through the gospel of Jesus that we are told about salvation, which is the transfer from the kingdom of Satan where there is the danger of eternal fire, to the kingdom of God where there is safety from the danger of eternal fire, provided you live by the word of God which will keep you in soundness to the end.

The gospel of Jesus is called the gospel of our salvation (Ephesians 2:13). However salvation is the word that covers the entire life of a believer from the beginning to the end. The gospel of Jesus is therefore the gospel that covers the entire life and living of a believer in Jesus from the beginning to the end. We therefore need the gospel for our salvation.

Salvation is in three distinct phases:

1. Salvation as a result of being born again and filled with the Holy Spirit.

2. Salvation to be worked out with fear and trembling and

3. Salvation of our souls on the Day of Salvation.

http://thechurchthebodyofchrist.org/

How to Effectively Bring Prayer Into the Workplace

by BRAD HARMON on NOVEMBER 27, 2009 in ENTREPRENEURS


Photo courtesy of iStockphoto/ImagineGolf

A

s Christian small business owners, we may think that bringing prayer into our place of business is just a matter of choice.  While this is technically true, doing so may come at a high cost.

There are a myriad of laws and regulations governing how you, as an employer, can bring religion into the workplace.  Based on your size, location, and type of customers, you may be subject to fines, penalties, or even jail time.  With so much at stake, is it worth it?

Well, it depends on why you are trying to bring prayer into the workplace.  Prayer is a very powerful tool that God has provided to Christians to utilize liberally in all areas of their lives.  As Christian entrepreneurs, prayer should be an intricate part of our small businesses, but we must remember that prayer is a weapon.

Are You Just Showing Off with Your Prayers?

Like all weapons, if we use it improperly chances are that it will backfire on us.  How many times have we been guilty of praying like the Pharisee in Luke chapter 18.  It’s like walking into a bank brandishing a chrome plated pistol.

Unless you are planning to rob the place, it probably is not the brightest move.  The same goes for our prayers in the workplace.  People of other faiths, or no faith at all, may legitimately feel threatened by our bold and brash prayers in the workplace.

So are we just trying to show off with our prayers?  If not, then what are we trying to accomplish?  Is there a more effective way to utilize prayer in the workplace?

Praying Over Your Small Business

As Christian entrepreneurs, we should take time each morning to pray over our small business, our employees, and our customers.  Prayer reminds us that God is in control of our business – something of which we small business owners need to be reminded continually.

It’s also a great idea to gather friends, family, and church members to come together periodically to pray over your business.  This is especially helpful during stressful times in your business, or when expanding into new areas.  I’ve found blending these three groups makes us more successful.

You might also consider opening this up to members of your staff; however, you need to make sure that they know it is voluntary and that participating (or not) will not be a factor in pay, promotions, employment, etc.

Gather Prayer Requests Informally

Another benefit of prayer is that it forces us to think of the needs of others, and how we might personally be able to help meet those needs.  As Christian entrepreneurs, we should have our ears open for ways we can make an impact in our employee’s life.

It’s comforting when hard times strike our lives to hear that someone is praying for us.  It can also to be disheartening when they are just empty words.  When you pray for your employees, ask what you can personally do to be God’s answer.  Show up in meaningful ways in their lives.

I still remember one example from when I was an employee.  A co-worker’s father had passed away, and the funeral was during the workday.  Our employer arranged for transportation for all the employees in our department, and took us to the funeral.  Afterward, he took us all to lunch.

He could have just given the day off to that employee like most employers; however,  he knew that she did not have other family in the area, and that there would be very few people at the funeral.  How?  He had kept his ears open.

God Hears Silent Prayers Too

Want to say grace at a company event, or perhaps ask God’s direction at the start of a big meeting?  Sounds innocent enough, but imagine how you would feel if you were working for a Muslim, Hindu, or follower of Wicken?  How would it sound then?

Bradley Moore, author of Shrinking the Camel, recently wrote a post calledSpirituality in Business Tip #1: How To Kick Off a Meeting where he talks about an interesting way to start a meeting.

The Quakers have been doing this for centuries. Instead of making it an overtly pushy Christian thing, you can simply say that you would like to begin the meeting by asking everyone to spend a moment in silence, to clear their minds, to take a few deep breaths, to transition from whatever they just came from. It will help them to focus their thoughts on the important work that you are all about to embark on.

What a great idea! I really love this suggestion.

In addition to bringing focus, it gives you an opportunity to say a quick silent prayer before the meeting in a way that is not threatening or uncomfortable to your employees.

Setting Your Small Business Apart

Isn’t it time to start using prayer as a weapon against the evil affecting people’s lives, instead of as an alienating, discriminating, empty gesture.  Christianity is not about forcing others to sit uncomfortably as we force our religion down their throats.

It’s about showing up in people’s lives meeting real needs in meaningful ways.  The methods above bring true, effective prayer into our small businesses without violating any laws or regulations.  Isn’t that what we really want?

What a great way to set your business apart.  How do you bring prayer into your small business workplace?  To Quote Dr. Phil, “How’s that working for you?”

Have a great way to bring prayer into the workplace?
Let us know by commenting below.

Does Your Pastor Have a Secret Bank Account?

by BRAD HARMON on JANUARY 10, 2011 in STEWARDSHIP

Photo Courtesy of iStockphoto/bluestocking

P

erhaps the first thought that popped into your head after reading this question was “No, my pastor would never have a secret bank account.”  There’s just something about the word “secret” that brings a negative connotation to the idea, isn’t there?  National headlines about televangelists committing fraud, or pastors misusing their church’s funds, have certainly played a major role in creating these negative feelings over the years.

The truth, of course, is that most of our religious leaders carry out their roles with the highest ethical and moral standards.  Even so, should they have a secret bank account from which they can write checks without having to report on their expenditures to the church or some committee within the church?  I might surprise some of you with this answer, but I say unequivocally YES.  Not only should they have one, but you should strongly consider setting one up for them.

Jesus Said to Give to the Poor in Secret

Okay, let me explain.  This isn’t some sort of a hush fund or playing around money for your pastor, but rather a tool you provide your pastor to help those in need.  When Jesus talked about giving to to the poor, He said we should do so in secret not drawing attention to ourselves.

¹Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. ²Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. ³But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: ⁴That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. – Matthew 6:1-4

Your church may operate differently, but the churches where I’ve been a member have always had a monthly business meeting where the finances of the church are discussed in some detail.  Some have had benevolence funds, and some have given a certain amount of leeway to the pastor to make these expenditures from the general fund.  In both cases, the details of these expenditures where either made available or specifically addressed in the business meeting.

I’m a strong proponent that church finances be as transparent as possible, but I’m also sensitive to the embarrassment recipients must feel by having their name and circumstances trumpeted before the congregation.  I wonder if Jesus wasn’t also thinking about this when He said to give in secret?  Think about it.  If you were in need would you want it announced at your church’s business meeting?

Why Hand Over Your Purse to Your Pastor?

You could just make these expenditures directly to the person in need.  How would you find those in need though?  Pastors have a unique opportunity to find the needs of your congregation and the surrounding community.  They receive phone calls and visits from people in need on a daily basis.

These requests can be as simple as needing groceries to last until a paycheck arrives, money to keep the utilities from being shut off, a new tire for the car so they can get to work, or an air conditioner for an elderly person in a 100 plus degree heat wave.  Maybe the request is more complicated like money to travel to a loved one’s funeral, help with paying someone’s rent to avoid eviction, or paying the copay for someone needing medical assistance.

How it must grieve your pastor’s, and God’s, heart to turn these people away in their hour of need.  Your church may already have a fund in place for these types of needs that also protects the dignity of the recipients.  If so, great.  I would venture to guess that most churches do not though.  Talk to your pastor and see if these types of requests are being met in your church.  If they’re not, a secret bank account for your pastor would be a great tool to meet them.

Who Should Set Up a Secret Bank Account?

This type of giving should be above your tithes and offerings.  It should not take their place.  If you’re a successful business owner, or just someone whom God has blessed financially, then you are an ideal person to provide this tool to your pastor.  You also should have a good relationship built with your pastor as this tool involves a lot of trust from both of you.

Have a candid discussion with your pastor about what types of requests are being turned away, and how he would respond differently to those requests if provided this tool.  Some pastors will be leery of using such a tool because of the strings that are generally attached when someone offers money.  This is why having a good relationship is critical.

You will also need to be able to commit to a periodic deposit amount to the account for a specified period of time.  If your pastor has to constantly check to see if there’s any money in the account then it’s not going to be an effective tool.  I’d suggest starting at $500 per month with a one year commitment.  This won’t be a tool that many in the congregation will be able to provide your pastor.

Secret Bank Account Guidelines

Here are some suggestions about creating and maintaining this secret bank account to keep in mind:

• Remember, it’s a secret.  Don’t go blabbing to everyone about this great tool you gave the pastor.  Don’t blow your own trumpet (Matt 6:1-4).
• Make it simple for your pastor to use.  Open a checking account just for this fund, make deposits on the same day every month, and make your pastor an authorized signer on the account.  Provide your pastor with a checkbook.
• Discuss what type of expenditures you would like to be made from the account, but give your pastor discretion to use the account as God directs.  Avoid asking about direct expenditures or the specifics of someone’s financial situation.  You have to trust your pastor for this tool to work.
• Meet with your pastor on a quarterly basis to discuss the effectiveness of this tool, any needs the pastor sees that are still unmet, and to pray together that God provide wisdom and bless how the fund is used.
• Pray daily for your pastor and for potential recipients of the funds that Christ may be seen in a very real, and tangible, way in their lives.

Another way to implement this would be through the use of gift cards.  You could purchase $50 gift cards to your local supermarket and give those to your pastor to give away.  If you wanted to give your pastor the same freedom as a checking account then you could use prepaid $50 or $100 AMEX, Visa, or Mastercards.

If you’re a pastor, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this tool.  Would you use it?  Is there a need for something like this in your congregation?

A Three-Point Plan for Effective Discipling

Melissa Kruger, Author, Women's Ministry Director

Years ago, my friend Elizabeth came to me with a question.  A young lady in her church asked if she would be her mentor.   The young lady picked an excellent choice, because Elizabeth is a wise, spiritually mature, Godly woman.  However, as Elizabeth was discussing this request, she turned to me with a bit of apprehension and asked, “What exactly does she want me to do with her?”

Elizabeth faced the same perplexing question any mentor faces.  Many believers have never experienced the blessing of a spiritual mentor in their own life.   Without an example to follow, it can be intimidating to agree to mentor a younger believer. Elizabeth wanted to be a positive influence and provide spiritual encouragement in this young lady’s life.  However, she didn’t have a vision for what to do in their time together.

I have enjoyed the blessing of mentoring many ladies, and for each, the specifics of our time together varied based on individual or group dynamics.  While a single article can’t provide an exhaustive manual on how to mentor, I do hope to provide a basic direction for those who want to invest in the lives of others, but don’t know where to begin.

Generally, well-balanced discipleship consists of encouraging three relational facets of a younger believer’s walk with God:  the person’s relationship with God, the church, and the world. Each month it is helpful to try to steer the conversation towards a different area, so that you are faithful to encourage and build up the entire believer.  If you only talk about a person’s relationship with God, you may meet for months before you realize he is struggling in his marriage.  If you only talk about parenting, you may miss out on the opportunity to discuss her potential for evangelism with her new neighbor. These three categories will naturally overlap, but it is helpful to concentrate on a different emphasis each time you meet.

Relationship with God

One of the most important areas to discuss with the person you are mentoring is his or her relationship with God.  Rather than just asking behavioral questions (e.g. “Are you reading your Bible every day?”), I find it more insightful to ask questions that probe the younger believer’s affections, (e.g. “Over the past month, what is one passage of the Bible that God has used in your life?  Why was it so impactful for you?”).  For prayer, you could spend your time together looking at different prayers in the Bible and ask the younger believer how she would like to grow in her prayer life.  During these times, feel free to share how God is impacting and growing your own faith.  Observing and reflecting upon your relationship with God in the midst of struggles and victories will help a younger believer develop a vision for a more mature walk with God.

Relationship with God’s People

Encouraging a younger believer’s relationship with God’s people encompasses a number of different areas.  Obviously, topics regarding church attendance, service, fellowship opportunities and spiritual gifts would be items to discuss with the person you are mentoring.  It is also the category for which to include topics like marriage, parenting or the person’s relationship with his or her parents.  Asking open-ended questions such as, “Is there anyone in your life you struggle to forgive? Why?” can lead you to understand and get to know the person you are mentoring in a deeper way.

Relationship with the World

Understanding how the person you are mentoring relates to the world is also an important category to discuss on a regular basis.  One person may spend her time so consumed with worldliness (working excessive hours for monetary gain, shopping, watching TV, enjoying recreations) that it affects both her relationship with God and her relationship with the church.  Another person may avoid the world altogether and miss opportunities to share his faith.  Helping a younger believer develop a heart for missions, service to the poor and evangelism affords them the opportunity to learn how to be in the world, but not to become like the world.

While every mentoring relationship will be different, these three areas are important to reflect upon in different meetings with those you mentor.  In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul instructs, “Be very careful, then how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-16).  Our goal is to live wisely and encourage others on the journey of faith to do the same.  As one part is strengthened and encouraged, the entire body benefits.   I encourage you: don’t wait!   Start today, building the church by building up God’s people.  You will be blessed as you enjoy the pleasure of being a blessing.

 

Melissa Kruger serves as Women's Ministry Coordinator at Uptown Church in Charlotte, North Carolina and is the author of The Envy of Eve: Finding Contentment in a Covetous World (Christian Focus, 2012). Her husband Mike is the president of Reformed Theological Seminary, and they have three children. You can follow her on Twitter @MelissaBKruger.

Your Hope for Perfection

Joe Thorn

The desire and the demand to be perfect is in full-effect today. From photo-shopped models who reflect artificial and unattainable “beauty” in advertising, to the superficial but well-manicured lives of neighbors and friends, we are constantly presented with perfection as the ideal. As much as we, in our saner moments, speak against such superficiality we all feel the pressure. We sometimes even produce the pressure ourselves.

This is even true in the church. We want perfection, but often settle for the appearance of it. We sometimes want others to be perfect so we aren’t burdened with their trouble and needs. We often want to appear perfect ourselves because the truth of our imperfection is painful and embarrassing. And then there are those who actually believe they have arrived, or will arrive to a state of perfection on this side of the resurrection.

These are people who believe the grace of God will work enough in them that they can live without sinning. That, as John Wesley believed, we can experience a “deliverance from inward as well as from outward sin” so that we no longer sin. (For more on Wesley’s view of perfectionism, see:http://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/a-plain-account-of-christian-perfection).

This of course stands in conflict with the testimony of Scripture. The Apostle Paul loathed the sin that remained in his life (Rom. 7:7-25). The Apostle John warns that anyone claiming to be without sin is a liar (1 Jn. 1:5-10). Even as Christians we remain hindered by sin, pained and afflicted by its presence in our lives. The Scripture does hold out the hope of maturity and godliness for the believer, but even that state is one that includes ongoing repentance for ongoing sin.

So what is our hope for perfection?

The Desire for Perfection

First, let’s consider the desire to be perfect. Christians worship a perfect Triune God and long to be like him. We do not want to be him, that would be akin to the sin in the garden, but we desire to have the image of God restored in us, to become more like Jesus, to grow in godliness. This is a longing to be made perfect, and it grows out of our faith in and love for Jesus. Our corruption only intensifies this desire as the sin inside of us limits our obedience and frustrates our purpose in life. The desire to be perfect is good. And it is a desire that God promises to answer in two ways.

The Gift of Perfection

Our hope for perfection is found only and entirely in Jesus Christ. It can only be found in Jesus because he is the only one who has been perfectly righteous (Heb. 4:15). He perfectly submitted himself to the will of his father (Jn. 6:38), kept all of the law, and his righteousness is our hope of righteousness. In Jesus we see perfection, and in him we receive perfection.

The first kind of perfection we find is the gospel-perfection of justification. In Jesus Christ we are no longer condemned, but are counted as righteous (Rom 5:1; 8:1). Jesus has atoned for all of our sins, satisfied the wrath of God against our sin, and cleaned us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn. 4:10; 1:9). This is what it means to be forgiven. In addition to this we are made perfect in him now, by faith, through the imputed righteousness of Christ (Phil 3:9). This is not a righteousness seen, but unseen. This is the state of every Christian before the face of God. We are seen by him as perfect in his Son.

Why Should I Reconcile When It's So Painful?

Kris Swiatocho, The Singles Network Ministries

It was a very cold night this past November when the phone rang. It was one of my brothers calling. This had become routine, as he was going through some life changes. He would call my mom almost nightly to talk, to share, and to ask for prayer. Then the one night came when he said he was coming home.

Home? It had been four years since my one brother had been home - really, since my dad died. Whether he stayed away to deal with the emotional pain of our dad’s death, or because he was tied up with many responsibilities of work and family, or even something else, it didn’t matter. He was coming home, and my mom was so excited. We worked especially hard cleaning and getting the house perfectly decorated. He would be spending four days with us before the rest of the family came. He needed this personal time.

After we walked the classic trip down memory lane (laughing, eating and shopping) my brother told us the main reason he had come home. He needed reconciliation. Not only with God, but also with each of his family members. Over the last several months, he had reconnected with the Lord in a way that broke the yoke of pain, desire for personal control, the inability to forgive, and anger. He didn’t know why he had not come home in so long, and he was sorry.

He was ready to start over and to be healed. He wanted the future to be different.

Reconciling The Past

The one thing I can be sure about, is that estranged relationships marred by sin, betrayal, abuse, abandonment, and lack of forgiveness will not only keep us in the past, but will also affect all future relationships. It can lead to anger, hurt, resentment and separation.          

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10).

So why don't people seek reconciliation, considering how much it can help us?

Ignorance. We didn’t know there was truly a problem. We didn’t know we had hurt someone. We didn’t know that unresolved abuse or pain needs to be dwelt with.

Pride. We have a tendency to think the other person is always at fault. As a result, no one wants to make the first step. No one seeks to reconcile, so no one heals.

Fear. We think, what if they don’t forgive me? What if I can’t forgive them? What if they reject or laugh at me? What if they don’t even remember what happened?

Laziness. Reconciliation takes effort: If the relationship is worth having, it’s work fixing, even if the reconciliation is for closure only.

Avoidance. We want to avoid digging up all the pain again. But sometimes we need a wound cleaned out so it can properly heal.

Death. If the person has died, we can still acknowledge the relationship by asking God for his help, and his forgiveness as needed. We can also go the family of the dead person to seek reconciliation.

There are so many reasons to seek reconciliation with others.

One is a need for closure. So many of us dwell in past pain inflicted by someone else (or in some cases, for pain we caused, and the guilt with which we now live). Making an effort to reconcile will bring the pain to the light where healing can begin. Sometimes we need to tell someone something like “I forgive you" or "I'm sorry" so we can move on.

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times (Matthew 18:21-22).

4 Encouraging Truths about Suffering

Jen Thorn

As I look around there seems to be a lot of suffering in the lives of my friends. Maybe even more than usual. Mother in laws that are terminally ill, a mom who is dealing with the news that her little son has cancer, another mom who has just miscarried twins, a couple who long for a child and yet their arms remain empty. Suffering and sadness is everywhere.

Whenever I think of suffering I think of the puritans. They knew what it meant to experience hard times and loss in their life. I think this is why they wrote so much about it. Suffering was a normal part of life for many of them.

John Bunyan lost his first wife, had a daughter who was blind, and found himself incarcerated for 10 years for preaching in public.

Spurgeon’s mother had 17 children of whom 9 died in infancy.

“I love my suffering because it comes from God.” These words were spoken by a woman who lived a coupled hundred years ago. Can you say this? Do you love your suffering because it comes from God?

God has given us many precious gifts; but I believe, that next to the unspeakable gift of His beloved Son, we shall thank and praise Him the loudest in heaven for the gift of suffering. Octavius Winslow

Gifts are given out of love, kindness, and affection for another. The gift of suffering is given to us by a loving God who only wants our best and his glory. Here are a few reasons why seasons for suffering and loss are God’s good gifts to his people.

1. Suffering Moves Us to Hold Tight to Jesus

We take our eyes off of Jesus much too easily and quickly. Instead of fighting the good fight we pitch our tents on the sidelines and try to create for ourselves a life of comfort and ease, filled with things that the world tells us we need. Jesus is quickly forgotten, the word neglected and sin indulged.

When suffering comes into our lives we are roused out of our sleep to see reality--that earthly blessings do not satisfy or save. That we must cling to Jesus for all our needs and for life itself. That we must take up the armor of God and join in the battle against Satan and evil in the world that seeks to ruin us. We are reminded of the gift of Jesus that we already possess; a Gift that is truly all we need.

2. Suffering Helps Us to Sympathize with Others

We can say kind words to those who are suffering. We can take them a meal or give them a hug, but until we have experienced suffering ourselves we cannot fully sympathize with a fellow sister or brother who is going through some tough times. Our suffering makes us sensitive to the afflictions of others. And if we have found peace through our trials, we are able to comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received.

3. Suffering Is God’s Tool for Our Sanctification

The process of becoming more like Jesus is not an easy transformation. Sin digs in its heels and doesn’t want to let go. Our pride says that we know better and selfishness is constantly pushing Jesus aside. In order to look more like the humble, selfless Son of God we must go through some fire so that our impurities can be burned off (Is. 48:10). While it is not pleasant at the time we will shine more brightly once we make it through. (James 1:2-4)

4.  Suffering Exercises Our Faith

During many of our hard days of difficulty and uncertainty when we may not understand why we are suffering it becomes necessary to exercise our faith in the truths we know about God. The truths that never move. Truths of his person like his wisdom, goodness, and sovereignty.

We must be careful that we not react like the world does to loss and hardship. Such times are not occasion to shake our fists at God who has somehow let us down, as if we are entitled to a life of ease free from conflict.

Business Opportunity Selling Prayer

by BRAD HARMON on NOVEMBER 14, 2009 in MISCELLANY

S

ometimes you just have to shake your head in disbelief as you look at what people do in the name of God.  This week, while doing research for some blog posts, I came across a website called Information Age Prayer.

It seems that the selling of indulgences is back in vogue in the online world.  Where is Martin Luther when you need him?  It’s not just Christianity though, this website allows you to subscribe for a fee and receive prayers tailored to protestants, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, and even unaffiliated.

Information Age Prayer launched earlier this year with the goal of “helping those who are unable to pray as frequently as they would like.”  Okay, this seems to be a real need.  I am sure most of you will agree that we do not pray nearly as often as we should.

Haven’t we been down this road before though?  Is selling prayers the answer?

Selling of Indulgences & the Protestant Reformation

The Protestant Reformation was largely spurred on by the selling of indulgences by the Catholic church.  An indulgence is the full, or partial, remission of a temporal punishment due for sins which have already been forgiven.

Here is what Wikipedia says about the role they played in the Protestant Reformation.

In 1517, Pope Leo X offered indulgences for those who gave alms to rebuild St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.  The aggressive marketing practices of Johann Tetzel in promoting this cause provoked Martin Luther to write his Ninety-Five Theses, protesting against what he saw as the purchase and sale of salvation.  In Thesis 28 Luther objected to a saying attributed to Tetzel: “As soon as a coin in the coffer rings, a soul from purgatory springs”.

The Ninety-Five Theses not only denounced such transactions as worldly but denied the Pope’s right to grant pardons on God’s behalf in the first place: the only thing indulgences guaranteed, Luther said, was an increase in profit and greed, because the pardon of the Church was in God’s power alone.

That saying would make a good jingle.  Unlike the old practice, the modern day version of this practice has no money-back guarantees.

As with all prayer, the final results are up to God as everything follows His will.  We make no claims regarding the efficacy of the service, however it is our opinion that the omniscient God hears the prayers when they are voiced, as He hears everything on this Earth.

Why Not Pay for a Valuable Service?

As a Christian Entrepreneur, there is no doubt that having someone pray for you, and your business, is an invaluable service.  If it’s so invaluable, and this company provides a solution to a real problem, then what’s the issue?

Well, it’s a bit like ignoring your wife and paying your friends to tell her how much you love her.  I’m pretty sure she will not give them much heed; especially, if she knows they were paid to do so.

If this won’t work for your wife, why would anyone think it would work on an omniscient God?  Bringing our petitions to God has more to do with the person praying than it does with notifying God of our needs.

Prayer is an act of obedience that demonstrates our faith in Him as our provider, belief in His sovereignty over all things, and acknowledgment that He is a loving God that wants to bless us.

Effective prayer teaches us humility by forcing us to think of others and their needs before our own, and calls us to personally become involved in fulfilling these needs.

Hello God, Please Hold for an Important Message

So who will be praying for you with this service?  It’s some really great prayer warriors, right?  Well, not exactly.  Here’s how they do it.

We use state of the art text-to-speech synthesizers to voice each prayer at a volume and speed equivalent to typical person praying. Each prayer is voiced individually, with the name of the subscriber displayed on screen.

Umm, excuse me?  A computer is going to pray for me?  God is answering prayers from my computer now?  Has my computer been secretly praying all these years behind my back?

The omniscient God knows exactly who has subscribed and who each prayer is from when their name is displayed on screen and their prayer voiced. He is also aware of all donations to charity from each subscriber and we can surely make a difference in these charities supported.

I am so glad that the omniscient God is alerted that it’s my prayer being voiced by flashing my name on the screen.  That’s a real relief!

Hail Marys for Less than a Text Message!

My favorite offer is The Hail Mary Prayer package.  I am not Catholic, so I am missing something here?  They seem to be really proud of this package.

Here is where the Information Age Prayer service really shines allowing you to purchase more than you would ever be able to say on your own. Sign up for the Hail Mary Prayer and they will be voiced for less than the cost of a text message!

I’m pretty sure that you don’t have to be Catholic to realize this service is ludicrous.  It’s like those computer generated flirt text messages you can pay a monthly subscription to receive.  I honestly do not get it.

I am sure some people will purchase prayers from this company.  There are so many people suffering and in real need in the world.  They are seeking answers wherever they can find them.

Won’t you join me and tell them that they can have our prayers for free?

A MUST WATCH MOVIES FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN

Rooftops - Jesus Culture (lyric video)

4 Prayer Killers

Joey Cochran, Pastor

How’s your prayer life? On a scale of 1 to 10 from non-existent to stellar how would you rate it? I bet most charitably argue for a 6 to 8. Few might place them self in a 9 or 10.

Rating myself honestly, I am a solid 3. I know. That’s a low score! But let’s be honest. We live in a world of distraction. If we give ourselves to prayer for a cumulative 30 minutes a day, then that might be a good day. Think about it. Do you think you pray for 30 minutes a day? Okay, now compare yourself to a Jonathan Edwards or George Whitefield: two men who gave themselves to prayer for 2 to 4 hours a day. True, these guys are probably not the norm. But still, I imagine that people prior to TV, computers, and e-mail gave themselves to private prayer much more than we do.

As I reflect on my prayer time, there are many obstacles to get past before I even get into my closet to pray. Here are four prayer killers and how I’ve been learning to keep them at bay:

Christian: You Are Salt and Light

Michael Youssef , Leading the Way

Jesus said that we are "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world". Being salt and light is not optional. Jesus did not say you can be...or you have the potential to be...He said you are. Everyone who has trusted Christ for salvation and is born again is the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

Salt

The value of salt, especially in the ancient world can not be under estimated. Roman soldiers received their wages in salt. The Greeks considered salt to be divine. The Mosaic Law required that all offerings presented by the Israelites contain salt. (Lev. 2:13) When Jesus told his disciples that they were "the salt of the earth", as recorded in Matthew 5:13, they understood the metaphor. While the universal importance of salt is not as readily apparent in our modern world, the mandate that Jesus gave to his first disciples is still relevant and applicable to His followers today.

What are the characteristics of salt that caused the Lord to use it in this context? Theologians have different theories about the meaning of "salt" in Matthew 5:13. Some think that its whiteness represents the purity of the justified believer. Others say that salt's flavoring properties imply thatChristians are to add divine flavor to the world. Still others believe that Christians are to sting the world with rebuke and judgment the way salt stings an open wound. Another group asserts that, as salt, Christians are to create a thirst for Christ. Salt, however, has another vital purpose which is probably what the Lord had in mind-it stops decay. When Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth", He meant that all of His disciples were to serve as preservatives, stopping the moral decay in our sin infected world.

Those first disciples would have been intimately familiar with this function of salt. Without refrigeration, the fish that they caught would quickly spoil and rot unless they were packed in salt. Once salted, the fish could be safely stored and then used when needed. The spiritual health and strength of the Christian is to counteract the corruption that is in the world. Christians, as salt, are to inhibit sin's power to destroy lives. This in turn creates opportunity for the gospel to be proclaimed and received.

We have been given a wonderful privilege to be the salt of the earth, but Jesus gave us a warning. The second half of Matthew 5:13 states: "But if salt loses its taste, how would its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men". Jesus did not say that we can lose our salvation; He said that we can lose our saltiness. When salt is contaminated it becomes corrosive and poisonous. Contaminated salt cannot even be used for fertilizer on the field, so it has to be thrown on the road. If we have allowed disobedience, carelessness and indifference to rule our lives, we have become contaminated salt and have lost our saltiness. We need to confess our sin and let the Lord restore us to the purpose for which we were called.

Light

In Matthew 5:14, Jesus tells His disciples, "You are the light of the world". As "salt", the Christian is to counteract the power of sin. As "light" we are to illuminate or make visible. Our lives are to be an on-going witness to the reality of Christ's presence in our lives. When we worship God with pure hearts, when we love others as ourselves, and when we do good without growing weary, we are lights shining. It is important, however to know that it is not our light, but the reflection of the Light of the world, Jesus Christ Himself, that people will see in us.

http://www.christianity.com/

What do LORD, GOD, Lord, God, etc., stand for in the Bible? Why are they used in place of God's name?

Question: 

"What do LORD, GOD, Lord, God, etc., stand for in the Bible? Why are they used in place of God's name?"

Answer:

It can be very confusing to understand how the different titles used for God are used in the Bible. Part of the problem is that different Bible translations use the terms somewhat differently. The primary reason for the use of LORD in place of God's Hebrew name is to follow the tradition of the Israelites in not pronouncing or spelling out God's name. So, when God's Hebrew name "YHWH" is used in the Old Testament, English translations usually use "LORD" in all caps or small caps. Also, since ancient Hebrew did not use vowels in its written form, it is not entirely clear how God's name should be spelled or pronounced. It could be Yahweh, or Jehovah, or Yehowah, or something else.

As stated above, when "LORD" in all caps or small caps occurs in the Old Testament, it is a replacement for an occurrence of God's Hebrew name "YHWH," also known as theTetragrammaton. This is fairly consistent throughout all the different English translations of the Bible. When "Lord" occurs in the Old Testament, referring to God, it is usually a rendering of "Adonai," a name/title of God that emphasizes His lordship. LORD/YHWH and Lord/Adonai are by far the two most consistent renderings throughout all the different English Bible translations.

In the Old Testament, when "God" is used, it is usually a rendering of the general Hebrew word for God, "Elohim." When "LORD GOD" or "Lord GOD" occurs, it is usually a rendering of a dual name for God "Adonai YHWH." The Hebrew term "YHWH Sabaoth" is usually rendered "Lord of Hosts." The Hebrew term "YHWH Shaddai" is usually rendered "LORD Almighty." The Old Testament uses many different names and titles to refer to God, to emphasize certain aspects of His person and attributes. This can result in confusion in translation, but in the original Hebrew, it was done entirely in an effort to glorify and magnify God's name.

The usage of "Lord" and "God" in the New Testament is much less complicated. Almost universally, "God" is a translation of "theos," the general Greek word for deity. Also almost universally, "Lord" is a translation of "kurios," the general Greek word for a master. The key point in all of this is that whether we use His actual Hebrew name, or refer to Him as God, or Lord, or Lord God, we are to always show reverence to Him and His name.

Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/LORD-GOD-Lord-God.html#ixzz3CYHtD5cB

If His name was Yeshua, why do we call Him Jesus?

Question: 

"If His name was Yeshua, why do we call Him Jesus?"

Answer:Some people claim that our Lord should not be referred to as “Jesus.” Instead, we should only use the name “Yeshua.” Some even go so far as to say that calling Him “Jesus” is blasphemous. Others go into great detail about how the name “Jesus” is unbiblical because the letterJis a modern invention and there was no letterJin Greek or Hebrew.

Yeshuais the Hebrew name, and its English spelling is “Joshua.”Iesousis the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name, and its English spelling is “Jesus.” Thus, the names “Joshua” and “Jesus” are essentially the same; both are English pronunciations of the Hebrew and Greek names for our Lord. (For examples of how the two names are interchangeable, seeActs 7:45andHebrews 4:8in the KJV. In both cases, the wordJesusrefers to the Old Testament character Joshua.)

Changing the language of a word does not affect the meaning of the word. We call a bound and covered set of pages a “book.” In German, it becomes abuch. In Spanish, it is alibro; in French, alivre. The language changes, but the object itself does not. As Shakespeare said, “That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet” (Romeo and Juliet, II:i). In the same way, we can refer to Jesus as “Jesus,” “Yeshua,” or “YehSou” (Cantonese) without changing His nature. In any language, His name means “The Lord Is Salvation.”

As for the controversy over the letterJ, it is much ado about nothing. It is true that the languages in which the Bible was written had no letterJ. But that doesn’t mean the Bible never refers to “Jerusalem.” And it doesn’t mean we cannot use the spelling “Jesus.” If a person speaks and reads English, it is acceptable for him to spell things in an English fashion. Spellings can change even within a language: Americans write “Savior,” while the British write “Saviour.” 

The addition of au(or its subtraction, depending on your point of view) has nothing to do with whom we’re talking about. Jesus is the Savior, and He is the Saviour. Jesus and Yeshuah and Iesusare all referring to the same Person.

The Bible nowhere commands us to only speak or write His name in Hebrew or Greek. It never even hints at such an idea. Rather, when the message of the gospel was being proclaimed on the Day of Pentecost, the apostles spoke in the languages of the “Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene” (Acts 2:9–10). In the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was made known to every language group in a way they could readily understand. Spelling did not matter.

We refer to Him as “Jesus” because, as English-speaking people, we know of Him through English translations of the Greek New Testament. Scripture does not value one language over another, and it gives no indication that we must resort to Hebrew when addressing the Lord. The command is to “call on the name of the Lord,” with the promise that we “shall be saved” (Acts 2:21;Joel 2:32). Whether we call on Him in English, Korean, Hindi, or Hebrew, the result is the same: the Lord is salvation.

Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/Yeshua-Jesus.html#ixzz3CYGTNYRg