HUMBLED BY HUBBLE

Yet another small example of how big God is.

We must be about our streets and help make aware to our fellow man the immensity and complexity of the universe, designed and created by the one and only true God who not only did that, but lowered Himself to become a servant to us in the person of Jesus.

Above all our mighty God has created, He considers us mere mortals as His crowning jewel. That He who created all life would come into humanity and lay down His very own for the likes of you and me is nothing short of astounding. The Creator who came to serve and die for the created, that we may be saved. Incredible!

Be amazed and humbled by this 3 minute Hubble/Washer clip:



Such love. Such mercy. Such POWER!

UP AND RUNNING...almost

I'm back to life! Well, not in the Lazarus sort of way.

First, I am pleased to inform you that my bout with the unswine flu was short and not half as bad as it could of been. I am very grateful to the Lord for that. I'll spare you the details (sorry) and just let you know that I am feeling better.

Secondly, as you might be aware, my trusty computer of 5 years suddenly died last weekend. The funeral was nice but I have this gut feeling (no relation to my flu) that I did not click the "SAVE" option before it bit the dust, so I'm not sure if it will make it to cyber-heaven or not. It was a "good" computer but we all know our standard of goodness doesn't cut it.

I still have much in the way of getting my new computer up to snuff by up and downloading the various programs I use. It sure takes time. I hope to have my computer fully up and running again by the weekend.

The month of May has been a whirlwind of events and activity here in our household. A funeral of a beloved aunt of mine and a wedding of a dearly beloved daughter of mine among many other things, including work.

I am praying for things to slow down well enough to allow Kim and I to get busy hitting the streets again with the gospel.

The Lord was gracious to give us opportunities to hand out a hundred gospel tracts over the wedding weekend. And I was even able to share the gospel with an old acquaintance of mine during the reception.

But there's nothing like going out for the sole purpose of sharing the gospel with people who are in need of receiving it. The nervousness beforehand is always replaced by the Lord's encouragement during which is always replaced by a great sense of joy after.

Here's to a new season, albeit a bit late! Praise the Lord!

COMPUTER & STOMACH VIRUS?

Well, it's Monday and I'm back from a great weekend of family celebration in the marriage of my daughter, Melissa, and her now husband, Jonathan. Everything went according to plan and the Lord blessed us with beautiful weather to go with it. A memorable day, indeed. Thank you for those who had been praying for this event. Very much appreciated.

It is, however, too late to pray for my dear old computer. As it had not been doing so well in the proper functioning department lately. We came home from the wedding to find it had passed away, dead as a stoney heart.

You might be happy to note, however, that it's not too late to pray for dear old me as whatever virus attacked and killed my computer is seemingly trying knock me out as well. As of this afternoon I am feeling quite lousy, to say the least. There is alot of flu going around here lately (not the pig kind) and I may be on the brink of it.

Hence, my brain is not functioning well at this point (peanut gallery comments shall be purged) and I feel the need to lie low. Until I'm feeling better, I am going to take a rest from all things requiring a working brain, including The Word Street Journal. The last thing I need, with all else, is to be suffering from "blog fog".

Along with the needed rest to battle this little thing, I'm going to need a bit of time, as well, to conquer new computer programs/applications and stuff. I hope to to be up and running again, both physically and 'computerally', as soon as possible.

But right now I'm going under cover. Your prayers for a quick return would be appreciated. Thanks!

STOP THE PRESS !!

GRACE TO BE GRACE MUST FREE - James White

There are those who proclaim and defend the gospel well. There are those who proclaim and defend the gospel very well. Then there is James White.

In this 10 minute video clip, check in on James White, of Alpha & Omega Ministries, as he delivers his closing remarks from a debate on Calvinism which he participated in against George Bryson at the Anaheim Vineyard in Southern California last year.

We primarily go out to the streets to herald the plain and simple gospel to people, not to debate theological doctrines and distinctives. But I pray that you would be enriched from this offering as I believe Dr White helps to explain one of the ways in which the gospel works from the point of view of free grace. It is imperative that we bring our hearers the good news that salvation is a free gift of grace from God through Christ, unattainable by our own good works.


"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." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE ?

It's one thing to say you trust God implicitly and another to remain faithful and prove that claim while under great testing. I dare say, Rachel Barkey has passed her test. Her time to meet Jesus face to face and hear her Savior welcoming her with the words "Well done, good and faithful servant" will be very soon, if God has not already taken her home.


I linked to Rachel's story in my last post. In it, she recounts various people asking her a question that is asked at times by those whom we are witnessing to. The question is basically this: "If God is so good, then why do bad things happen?" Or, "If God is so loving, why does he allow bad things happen to good people."

Rachel answered that question with uncompromising truth. To underscore this truth, here is Voddie Baucham in a 5 minute video clip as he gives answer to the same kind of question. We should learn from these answers as they are the answers we can give if and when that question comes up from those we witness to.



Finally, again, if you have not yet taken the time to view Rachel Barkey's video, I still strongly urge you to do so. It will be time well spent. Watch it here at Rachel's website: "Death is Not Dying". May God bless you in the viewing of it.

THE DEFINITION OF RACHEL BARKEY

I have no words. But I will still try to encourage you.

Yes, the video I highly recommend you to see is just short of an hour long. So what? Put away whatever is menial. Don't ignore this and then go spend your time watching anything on TV. Nothing you will ever watch today or tonight on the tube can come close to what you will see here.

This is about an everyday woman, wife and mom named Rachel Barkey of Vancouver, BC, Canada. It is presented by Rachel. Instead of telling you what she addresses here, you will just have to trust me as I link you to RACHEL'S WEBSITE for you to view her video yourself.

I guarantee, you will be deeply moved and inspired. I would also ask that you pass a link to Rachel's website and video to anybody you know who is Christian or, more importantly, not.

A powerful testimony and a source of encouragement for Christians. But this video can also be used as a convicting gospel witness tool demonstrating what a true relationship with God can be like for those whose faith and trust are completely in Him, even amidst suffering and ...

Have you ever felt God has given you a hard hand to deal with? Then watch this and be encouraged. Share it with someone you know . Blessing will be your reward.


HT: http://fishwithtrish.blogspot.com/

TRUE CHRISTIANITY

Yesterday, the same as today. Apparently, there was much to be concerned about in JC Ryle's day under the umbrella of Christianity as there is today. Maybe there is even more today.

There are really only two kinds of people who will stand before God on Judgment Day ready to give account. Jesus calls them: sheep and goats. Sadly, millions of "goats" will stand before Him as those who had professed themselves to be "Christian", who sincerely believed they were of the faith, but were not.

All the more that true Christians must be here, there and everywhere preaching the true gospel, speaking one-on-one and handing out tracts. Even to those who raise their hand and voice and proclaim that they are Christians.

Here's JC Ryle:

“True Christianity! Let us mind that word true. There is a vast quantity of religion current in the world which is not true, genuine Christianity. It passes muster, it satisfies sleepy consciences; but it is not good money. It is not the authentic reality that called itself Christianity in the beginning.

There are thousands of men and women who go to churches and chapels every Sunday and call themselves Christians. They make a profession of faith in Christ. Their names are in the baptismal register. They are reckoned Christians while they live. They are married with a Christian marriage service. They mean to be buried as Christians when they die. But you never see any fight about their religion! Of spiritual strife and exertion and conflict and self–denial and watching and warring they know literally nothing at all.

Such Christianity may satisfy man, and those who say anything against it may be thought very hard and uncharitable; but it certainly is not the Christianity of the Bible. It is not the religion which the Lord Jesus founded and His apostles preached. It is not the religion which produces real holiness. True Christianity is a fight.”

-J.C. Ryle, from the book Holiness


HT: Reformed Voices

EVANGELISM NOT YOUR "GIFT"?

In this 6 minute interview, Rico Tice, founder of Christianity Explored, explains exactly who it is that God has called to be witnesses for Christ and why. Along with that, he also clarifies what the Bible truly means when it talks of evangelism being a "gift". We are left, really, without excuse.



If you are one who does not share their faith in Christ, pray that the Lord will build you up. Ask Him to encourage you and fill your heart with compassion for the lost. Pray for His leading to help you discover and apply ways in which you can bolbdy and lovingly share the saving gospel of Jesus Christ to others, no matter how inept you may feel and/or no matter how foolish others may think you are.

May the Lord bless you, Christian, in this most important Kingdom building venture for the sake of the lost and for the glory of God. Let us serve our King!

HT: Witnessing Encouragement

TRUTH NOT POETRY - Paul Washer

I wish I had been wearing a seat belt when I caught this 5 minute video clip on the I'll Be Honest website. Paul Washer delivers a pounding message steeped in hard truth regarding false teachers and their followers.

It's not usual for me to publish more than one post at a time. I am taking exception to this rule today as this message is urgent and should cause every Christian to take seriously our call to spread the gospel "in spirit and in truth" to both the unchurched and, even especially, the so-called "churched". There are too many false teachers and preachers around, too many wolves in sheep's clothing, to assume that everyone who goes to church knows the gospel TRUTH.


I'm going to leave this up for the weekend. I've got to hit the streets and do my part. Will you?

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME...?

"When was the last time you were willing to be made a fool for Jesus Christ?"

This and other challenging "when was the last time" questions were asked in a recent sermon by Pastor Brian Robinson, of Faith Baptist Church in Scarborough, Ontario, to the congregation of Grace Baptist Church in Ottawa, where he was a guest preacher.

What answer would you have for any of these questions found in this 3 minute clip from Pastor Robinson's sermon?


Pray for opportunity, courage and the words to preach what the world deems as "foolishness". Dare to share the gospel of Jesus with others today so that your answer for tomorrow's 'when was the last time' question would be "Yesterday!"

"...God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe." (1 Cor 1:21)

CRASH CONVERSION

Mark Hudson, Co-ordinator of Sovereign Grace Fellowship (Canada), shares a gripping tale of a cop whose hardened heart was softened in a blink of an eye when a colleague of his lost his life in a crash seconds after them hearing the gospel from a third party who faithfully witnessed to them in a parking lot.

Here is a 3 minute audio clip from his sermon that left me shaking in my pew and even caused me to pray for greater diligence in sharing the gospel of Jesus with others. It reminded me that there is no time like the present because there may not be a tomorrow.



(If above player does not operate, click on alternate player here.)

Pray that the Lord would use you today to share God's saving message to those around you. Your words may be the last that someone may ever hear.

QUALIFIED FOR THE UNQUALIFIED

Your body is trembling, your brow is sweating, your heart is pounding, your breath is quickening, your knees are knocking, your skin is crawling, your blood is rushing, your mind is numbing, your mouth is drying, your hand is shaking and more.

You are contemplating the nerve racking, seemingly life-threatening task of the unspeakable.

You are thinking about the possibility of...of....handing someone...a gospel tract and sharing your faith in Christ !!!

Feeling completely unqualified to do so? Then watch this 2 minute video and join the club:


"Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are, so that no one may baost before him." (1 Cor 1:27-29)

HT: http://www.ignitermedia.com/

HELD BY THE GRIP OF GOD