tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71220593270546647872024-03-12T22:00:44.029-07:00Read Your Bible.The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.comBlogger591125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-42072915613310126472012-01-01T13:56:00.000-08:002012-01-01T13:56:09.170-08:00And That's A Wrap<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">And so, we come to the end of our year-long journey. First and foremost, I have to give thanks and credit to Dr. Pratt for having the idea for this class and then following up and actually doing it. The world is full of great ideas but is bereft of people that actually turn those great ideas into great accomplishments. Thanks to Dr. Pratt, and as you see him, be sure to pass on your thanks as well.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">You might not want to open a Bible in the near future, but when you look back, if you were able to read the Bible daily, it shouldn't have been a large intrusion. Very few days required us to take more than 15 minutes to read the day's selection, and even if we did some additional research to fill the gaps in our knowledge, it shouldn't have taken more than a half-hour. It should have instilled a daily habit that should be maintained, no matter how you wish to do it, and there's no shortage of guides available on how to be in the Word daily, be it a verse a day, the Gospels in a year, whatever. If you've established a habit of daily Bible study, you might as well maintain it.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I won't even begin to try to state the overall themes as I saw them this year, but I will mention a couple, because they can help us when we talk to those who aren't familiar with the Bible:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. The Bible is consistent throughout--we might not see it, might not understand it, and might not agree with it, but from Genesis to Revelation, it's the story of God's unfailing love for the people he created. It's the story of how a chosen people expands through Christ's death and resurrection to be anyone willing to profess their faith in Christ.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. The Bible is a book of love</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. The Bible is our instruction book for how we should live. Others might use it as a way to tell OTHERS how to live, but that's their problem.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. The Old Testament is the history of God's chosen people, the people of Israel, and shows his willingness to forgive them over and over and over. The New Testament is how Christ's death and resurrection changed our means of righteousness from being self-based and predicated on the Law to being Christ-based. Paul explained what this sea change meant to Jews and Gentiles alike.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Words can't express the thanks I had for the privilege of being one of the leaders of this class. One of the first things I told you when in front of you was that I don't claim to know any more than any of you or have any specific knowledge to set me apart as a leader, but I appreciated the thanks and gratitude given to me on an almost-weekly basis. By my rough count, I've written about 125,000-150,000 words in blog posts this year, or about the approximate length of the New Testament, and I enjoyed writing each and every word. Over the course of the year, there have been over 10,000 page views, so I appreciate your willingness to read what I wrote.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">My only wish is that you had as much fun this past year as I did. Beginning on January 8th, we'll begin a much more in-depth discussion on Mark, which will truly be led by Pastor Fay and assisted by Dr. Pratt and myself. Without telling more than I know, it's planned as a 19-week course, and Pastor Fay is down for leading 10 of them, so for those of you that were looking for more pastoral leadership, this will have it. We'll use a similar (and I use that word loosely) format to what we used this past year, but I won't lock myself rigidly into the format we used this past year. We'll figure it out as we go along, and it will be the opposite of what we did this past year, where we skimmed the whole book, but will instead dig deep into one book.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">And that's a wrap. Thanks again for an enjoyable year, and I hope you liked it as well.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Scott</span></div>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-25978085300705814132011-12-31T11:46:00.000-08:002011-12-31T11:46:34.949-08:00The Millennium<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just a warning at the outset, this will be a fairly long post. A smarter person would break it in two, but you should know me by now. Also, I WILL post tomorrow, January 1st as my wrap-up, so if you're so inclined, be sure to check that out.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of the three topics I'll discuss, the first is the most challenging and confusing to Christians, although there is absolutely no reason why it has to be. Of course, I refer to the Millennial Kingdom as described in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rev%2020.1-6&version=NIV1984">Revelation 20:1-6</a>. There are four primary views of when the Millennium will occur, but the most common are split between two competing schools of thought (go to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennialism">Wikipedia </a>page if you want to read some more--it is very interesting if you enjoy this subject):</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. Dispensational Millennialism--there are two subsets to this (pre- and post-), but I won't get mired down in that. In essence, this describes a chain of events that has to occur (the Rapture, the Great Tribulation, Christ's Second Coming, the 1,000-year reign, followed by the Last Judgment). This views the Millennium as a literal 1,000-year time period, and that the Last Days will be a 7-year period as described in that excellent reading in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=dan%209.24-27&version=NIV1984">Daniel 9:24-27</a>. It also suggests that Christians will be raptured from the Earth prior to the Great Tribulation, and puts its emphasis on being prepared to be raptured and not have to suffer through the agonies of the final seven years of Earth's history.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. Amillennialism--this view says that all the events described will occur, but not in a literal 1,000-year period. This views suggests that everything since Christ's resurrection has been part of the Last Days, and that when Christ returns, we'll reign with him forever. If you look at timelines of events for dispenstational millennialism and amillennialism, the amillennialism is much cleaner, since we view the Last Days as EVERY DAY since Christ left. This view also makes clear that Christians WILL be around for the Last Days.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">With that thumbnail sketch, I'll add the most important point--it doesn't matter which course of events will occur. If we take the warnings that Christ gave to his followers over and over to be prepared at any time for his return, it won't matter how it will occur, because we'll be prepared either way. Just for fun, here are some of the places where Christ and others warned all believers to be prepared at any time for his return:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matt%2024.36-50&version=NIV1984">Matthew 24:36-50</a>--the day and hour unknown</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matt%2025.1-13&version=NIV1984">Matthew 25:1-13</a>--parable of the ten virgins</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20john%202.28&version=NIV1984">1 John 2:28</a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> In what sequence Christ chooses to return to this Earth is his business, and his alone. The time spent on debating the finer points of millennial thinking is effort that could be spent on making sure that we and our loved ones are prepared for when the Lord returns. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because, when he does, it's going to be <u><b>MAGNIFICENT</b></u>, and completely beyond my abilities (or anyone else's, for that matter) to describe. As we read the last two chapters in the Bible, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2021-22&version=NIV1984">Revelation 21-22</a> give such a beautiful description of what heaven will be like that I find it impossible to not want to be there this very instant. Way back on January 1st, 2011, we read how God created a perfect world, and it stayed perfect for all of two chapters in the Bible, since Adam and Eve introduced sin to the world in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen%203&version=NIV1984">Genesis 3</a>. How anyone can read Revelation 21:4 and not get choked up is so beyond my comprehension that I won't even try:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: red; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.</b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is the hope we have as Christians, and why we endeavor to keep our families and friends strong in their faith, because this is what we long for. The perfect world that God introduced in the first two chapters of the Bible is returned in the last two, a symmetry that illustrates that all of our sin that has occurred in the meantime will be nothing compared to the eternity spent in the presence of the Lord.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marge Kimmel gave me a book some time ago that gives a yearly day-by-day reading from various works of C.S. Lewis. The book is titled "The Business of Heaven: Daily Readings from C.S. Lewis," and this is the entry for December 31st:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Then Aslan turned to them and said:'...you are--as you used to call it in the Shadowlands--dead. The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning...'</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only bee the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before."</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">That is heaven, the place we yearn for with every fiber of our being, and it's ours not because of anything we ever did our could do, but because God's Only Begotten Son came down from heaven to be the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. It's ours for the taking simply by acknowledging that Jesus is Lord. Believe me, it'll be worth it.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Scott</span></div>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-45990327353774989462011-12-30T18:26:00.001-08:002011-12-30T18:26:31.165-08:00Babylon<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Every time we read about Babylon in the Bible, it wasn't good:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. The Tower of Babel (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen%2011.1-9&version=NIV1984">Genesis 11:1-9</a>) was the initial Babylon</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. After the exile of Israel (the Northern Kingdom) in 722 BC, the Assyrian king Sargon resettled it from various parts of his kingdom, including Babylon (see <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2017.7-41&version=NIV1984">2 Kings 17:7-41</a>)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. Isaiah prophesied the exile of Judah to Babylon over 100 years in advance in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2020.12-19&version=NIV1984">2 Kings 20</a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2025.1-24&version=NIV1984">2 Kings 25</a> describes the defeat of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, any mention of Babylon would be pretty obvious in its reference--military power, vanity, lawlessness, sin and every other bad thing rolled into one. Which makes the proclamation of the angel in Revelation 18:2 even more important:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: red; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>“Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird."</b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Indeed, all of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+18&version=NIV1984">Revelation 18</a> is a recitation of the heights from which Babylon will fall, from the highest of the high, the mightiest of the mighty, the greatest of the great, to total desolation--and there will be ABSOLUTELY NOTHING that its inhabitants can do about it. We know that their fate has been sealed since before the beginning of time, but when this point in history comes, it will still come as a complete shock to the proud and mighty. I've commented before on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=phil%202.10-11&version=NIV1984">Philippians </a>where it states that every knee will bow and every tongue confess. When this point in history is reached, every knee WILL bow, but the citizens in Babylon won't be kneeling and bowing in awe and wonder, but in total and complete fear and trepidation.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Everything we do as Christians, from making sure that we stay true to the Word, training our children to be good Christians and leading lives that serve as a witness is pointing to this Last Day. David's writing on today was something I was going to cover, but you've heard it enough from me already. Every facet of our lives needs to be focused on being prepared for this day. The fact that we don't know when it will happen won't forestall the fact that it WILL come, and we need to be on the right side.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Scott</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></div>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-24939219938400277432011-12-30T18:26:00.000-08:002011-12-30T18:26:00.892-08:00New Heaven and New Earth (Dec 31)<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.</span></em></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> Revelation 21:1 NIV</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Today we read of restoration to perfection. We are promised this by God through faith in Jesus' shed blood, death and resurrection. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">One might ask, why no sea? God has a plan and this plan includes no more seas. Remember that John was on the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea. The sea isolated him from the land of Asia Minor, now Turkey, a land he dearly loved. In addition, seas were places where storms occurred and lead to desolation and death. One more reason is that seas were felt to be dwelling places for evil spirits. Recollect the demon possessed man; the demon was driven into the pigs, and subsequently the pigs ran into the Sea of Galilee.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The statement of no seas does not imply no water. Perhaps the water will be redistributed, like it was before the great flood in Genesis where Noah survived in the ark.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Pray that God encourages you to stay in the word daily.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Re-read the last few chapters of Revelation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">In Christ,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">David P</span>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-79672888214370713412011-12-29T18:06:00.000-08:002011-12-29T18:06:00.286-08:00Keep Your Clothes On (Dec 30)<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.</span></em></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> Revelation 16:15 NIV</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Today's verse brings to mind the parable of the maidens with their lamps. Half of the maidens paid attention to their lamps and were able to accompany the bridegroom to the banquet. The other half did not pay attention to their lamps and as a result were unable to accompany the bridegroom to the banquet. We too, need to pay attention to our lamp.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Jesus is the light of the world. He is our lamp. We need to pay attention to Jesus, for He</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> has told us that He will come like a thief in the night. We will read about that promised, glorious, and powerful event tomorrow. Today we are encouraged to stay awake and to keep our clothing on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">To stay awake, we need to live an active Christian life. A part of that life is to stay in the Word daily. There is where truth, knowledge and wisdom dwell in abundance. Ask for the Spirit to guide you in your application of the truth in God's Word to your life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Our clothing is provided by Jesus' work on the cross. He is the one who clothes us in righteousness, to make us sinful beings acceptable to God. Stay focused on Jesus on a moment by moment basis, He is present even in this apocalyptic, and somewhat unclear (to our understanding)book of Revelation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">WWJD? *</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">What would Jesus do?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">In Christ,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">David P </span>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-34800349454875430742011-12-29T17:22:00.000-08:002011-12-29T17:22:04.987-08:00The Mark of the Beast<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Revelation 13:18 states:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: red; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number. His number is 666. </b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is NOT one of my favorite Bible verses. Go ahead and Google "Mark of the Beast" if you want some enjoyable reading filled with rampant speculation, and two things should come to mind:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> 1. Since John wrote this almost 2,000 years ago, any number of things have been speculated to be the mark. The hot favorite of the day (some type of implantable biochip) wasn't even a viable option until the past 10 years or so and isn't really ready for mass production yet. Countless people have speculated on numerous things (coinage, Social Security numbers, ANYTHING that is an ID number), and they've been wrong so far. With that kind of track record, I wouldn't put much stock into modern-day predictions.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. I know I've commented on this before, but the most important thing we all need to remember is that as Christians, we won't be "tricked" into taking the mark. We won't do so and then realize, much to our (eternal) chagrin that we made the wrong choice. God won't be testing Christians to see if they "pass the test." When that time comes, everyone who claims to bear the name of Christ will know EXACTLY what is happening, and won't be able to use "Uh, I didn't know" as an excuse. Having said that, the fact we won't be fooled won't make it any easier to pretty much guarantee a life in the underground economy, since no commerce can occur without that mark. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Enough on that. As many of you might know, Martin Luther wasn't a huge fan of Revelation (read the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luther_Bible">Wikipedia </a>entry for more insight), but as we read through it, we notice passages that are key parts of our liturgy. We'll encounter parts of Revelation <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rev%204.11&version=NIV1984">4:11</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rev%205.9-10&version=NIV1984">5:9-10</a> and<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rev%205.12-13&version=NIV1984"> 5:12-13</a> when we sing the Feast of Victory Hymn of Praise, and throughout Revelation, there are plenty of paeans of praise interspersed with the horrifying events. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The fact that we don't like thinking about what we're reading doesn't mean that they aren't going to occur. As always, be prepared, and make sure to keep those around you prepared as well--if you love them here on Earth, you might as well prepare them to spend eternity with you in heaven.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Scott</span></div>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-42462310178494074202011-12-28T20:51:00.000-08:002011-12-28T20:51:00.030-08:00Overcame by Blood (Dec 29)<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.</span></em></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> Revelation 12:11 NIV</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Recently we read of blessings for those members of the seven churches who 'overcame.' Today we read of the method to overcome. It is by the blood of the Lamb, blood shed 2000 years ago for you, for me, and for us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">That belief, faith, and acceptance of what Jesus did for us leads us to respond in a word of testimony. Our word is not merely a spoken language, but rather includes action that shows God's love to others. Our testimony is in part love in action.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Our faith that heaven is our final home gives us great comfort as we face challenges, uncertainties, and even earthly death. In our lives, we know of many martyrs. We even have read of martyrs. Stephen's death comes to mind today. Recall how as Stephen was stoned, he kept focused on Jesus and noticed that Jesus was standing beside God to welcome him, a good and faithful servant home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">One final thought today. I recall seeing the title of the book of Revelation in a Bible as a youth. That Bible's title for Revelation conveyed the message that the book was a revelation of Jesus Christ to the apostle John. That thought might help a reader focus on Jesus in the somewhat "difficult to understand" book of Revelation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Pray to see Jesus. Pray to stay focussed on Jesus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">In Christ,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">David P</span>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-31136883032828036892011-12-28T17:07:00.000-08:002011-12-28T17:07:23.210-08:00Seal and Trumpet Judgments<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is a synopsis of the Seven Seal and Trumpet Judgments:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; width: 511px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 64pt;" width="85"></col> <col style="width: 135pt;" width="180"></col> <col style="width: 185pt;" width="246"></col> </colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"> <td height="20" style="height: 15pt; width: 64pt;" width="85"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></td> <td style="width: 135pt;" width="180"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>SEAL</b></u></span></td> <td style="width: 185pt;" width="246"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>TRUMPET</b></u></span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"> <td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">First</span></td> <td><span style="font-size: large;">White horse--conquest</span></td> <td><span style="font-size: large;">Hail and fire</span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"> <td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Second</span></td> <td><span style="font-size: large;">Red horse--war</span></td> <td><span style="font-size: large;">Mountain thrown in the sea</span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"> <td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Third</span></td> <td><span style="font-size: large;">Black horse--famine</span></td> <td><span style="font-size: large;">Water turned bitter</span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"> <td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fourth</span></td> <td><span style="font-size: large;">Pale horse--death</span></td> <td><span style="font-size: large;">Sun, moon and stars darkened</span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"> <td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fifth</span></td> <td><span style="font-size: large;">Souls under the altar</span></td> <td><span style="font-size: large;">Locusts</span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"> <td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sixth</span></td> <td><span style="font-size: large;">Earthquake</span></td> <td><span style="font-size: large;">1/3 of mankind killed</span></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"> <td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Seventh</span></td> <td><span style="font-size: large;">Silence in heaven</span></td> <td><span style="font-size: large;">Sealed up</span></td><td></td><td></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The interesting part is that we witness these types of things every day. War, conquest and famine have been around since the beginning of time, earthquakes seem to be more common, and even many of the Trumpet Judgments can be replicated in modern-day equivalents. Well, maybe not the sun, moon and stars darkening by one-third, but believe it or not, I heard a report some time back that postulated that the Sun shone 15% brighter not so long ago (and I'm talking in the hundreds of years), and that's simply not possible from an astrophysical perspective, but that's neither here nor there. The people around at the End Times (and I didn't do the math, but I'm guessing that about 75% of the world's population will be dead by this time), after witnessing this devastation will react as recorded in Revelation 9:20-21:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: red; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-30845">20</sup> The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-30846">21</sup> Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts. </b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Imagine that--after seeing all this devastation, they don't change their minds, they don't mend their ways. I won't speak for anyone else, but that sure makes it look like we could very well be in the Last Days even as we speak. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be prepared, and do what you can to make sure that those around you are ready as well.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Scott</span></div>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-66055545418651345122011-12-27T22:37:00.000-08:002011-12-27T22:37:00.606-08:00Words of Encouragement (Dec 28)<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.</span></em></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> Revelation 9:4 NIV</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Find encouragement in the apocalyptic words we are reading as the year ends. The powerful locusts that were sent about the earth were instructed to not harm the people who had the seal of God on their forehead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Think of our reading in Ephesians where we read that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">In all of the challenges and conflicts that face us in the end times and in all of the challenges and trials that face us on a daily basis. Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Pray to see and to show Christ in all you do.</span>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-45807951887268710432011-12-27T15:37:00.000-08:002011-12-27T15:37:46.192-08:00The Seven Churches<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I tried to find a decent map of the seven churches but couldn't, and most of your Bibles should have a map that shows them on the western part of modern-day Turkey. There are two basic points I will make today.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_H15Lokjv8/TvpUVBUPiCI/AAAAAAAAAao/mds-iIC0b_o/s1600/Revelation+Churches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first is an idea that we in the Lutheran church (and indeed, many other churches as well) don't put much stock in, but it does have some illustrative purpose. This idea is more prominent in premillenial thinking, which I will explain in greater depth on December 31st, and views the seven churches as markers of seven distinct eras in the Church:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_H15Lokjv8/TvpUVBUPiCI/AAAAAAAAAao/mds-iIC0b_o/s1600/Revelation+Churches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_H15Lokjv8/TvpUVBUPiCI/AAAAAAAAAao/mds-iIC0b_o/s640/Revelation+Churches.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Most of these are pretty easy to understand, so I'll explain them anyway. Obviously, the Apostolic Church had the physical presence of the apostles to lead and direct it, and since John was the last living apostle, the Apostolic Church era ended with his death. A strong argument could be made that the Persecuted Church should have begun in 70 AD with the destruction of the Temple, but that's quibbling. In 590, Pope Gregory I began his papal service and remade the church into the the medieval church, and most smart Lutherans can place the reason for the timing of the <u><b>REFORM</b></u>ed Church. The last two are somewhat arbitrary, with the Missionary Church roughly coinciding with the Industrial Revolution and the Apostate Church tied to the idea that Church of today has lost its way. As you read the individual letters and see the commendations and shortcomings of each of the churches, keep these things in mind to help differentiate the messages to the churches.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of course, the most important lesson of these lessons is in the letter to Laodicea, where it states in Revelation 3:15:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: red; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="woj">I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!</span></b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span class="woj" style="font-size: large;">That continues to be the admonition for the Church today--we're neither cold nor hot. Even if we've deserted the Lord, we don't have the courage to tell ourselves that, and God is telling us clearly to MAKE OUR CHOICE. Sitting on the fence and being wishy-washy with regard to the Lord is not an option.</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span class="woj" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span class="woj" style="font-size: large;"> My last point is one that any of you who have heard me speak on the Seven Churches and stayed awake while I did have heard before. I first heard it from Pastor Vokt in May 2004, when we were doing a morning of prayer at the church. Pastor Vokt said that while those seven churches had been amongst the best and brightest in the world at the time of John's writing, they all disappeared from Christianity within 500 years. While it's entirely possible that the fall of Rome and rise of Islam helped complete the downfall of these churches, Pastor Vokt suggested that apathy and a lack of focus could have been just as responsible. It follows directly from the admonition to be either hot or cold, since the biggest enemy of the church is thinking that things will go along just as they had been, and preferably with no action on our parts. A detached church with a distaste and disinterest for doctrine is often stuck in the doldrums and in a downward spiral of dullness (notice all those "d" words--I just looked up synonyms for "apathy"). When going to the church becomes a checkmark that we cross off our list, the first step toward an ex-church has been made. Don't get me wrong, churches close each and every day, for perfectly good reasons--missions changes, focuses changes, whatever. Nothing lasts forever, nor should we expect it to, but we should never allow apathy to be the reason that we lose a church.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="woj" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Scott</span><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-14244187944618907462011-12-26T21:52:00.000-08:002011-12-27T09:06:38.478-08:00He Who Overcomes (Dec 27)<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He who overcomes:</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> I will give the right to eat from the tree</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> of life, which is in the paradise of </span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> God,</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> Will not be hurt at all by the </span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> second death,</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> I will give some of the hidden manna. I</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> will also give a white stone with a </span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> new name written on it, known only</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> to him who receives it,</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> I will give authority over the nations,</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> Will be dressed in white. I will never blot</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> out his name from the book of life, </span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> but will acknowledge his name before </span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> my Father and his angels.</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> I will make a pillar in the temple of my </span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> God</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> I will give the right to sit with me on my </span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> throne</span></em></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> From Revelation 2-3 NIV</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The above promises in reference to the seven churches in Asia Minor, were given by God, to John, during a captivity on the Greek island of Patmos. John loved Asia Minor, now Turkey, for he served as a missionary there. The Greek island of Patmos allowed John to clearly see Asia Minor, however while he was captive, there was no way for him to reach that land he loved.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The promises were given to those who were able to overcome. Some definitions of the word 'overcome' include; to defeat in competition or conflict, to prevail over by mental or moral effort, and to overpower as with emotion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">In our daily walk, we have so much to overcome. The only hope we have in our effort to overcome is to look at the cross, to realize what Jesus has done for us on a moment by moment basis and to be encouraged, strengthened, and comforted as we follow the Spirit's guidance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The seven churches of Revelation had good and bad features. Two churches; Sardis and Laodicea, had no commendation. These cities are now only ruins. Two churches; Smyrna and Philadelphia, had no condemnation. These cities are now bustling cities with different modern names. Four churches, had both commendation and condemnation. The examples of history from these churches show how important it is to follow the Lord's guidance closely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Pray to see and folllow the Lord's will on a moment by moment basis.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">In Christ,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">David P</span>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-53988733859596125942011-12-26T13:38:00.000-08:002011-12-26T21:42:16.713-08:00Revelation--A 6-Day Crash Course<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I trust all had a Merry Christmas--I know that I did. With that behind us, we truly enter the home stretch of our year-long excursion through the Bible and end with the easy part, the Book of Revelation. Since we only read the first chapter today, I'll begin this six-day mini-course with some explanations.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>NAMES FOR CHRIST</b></u></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">As we read through, take the time to keep a piece of paper handy and jot down all the names for Christ that John uses. Even today, we have a few examples:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Him who is, and who was, and who is to come (v4)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Faithful witness (v4)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Firstborn from the dead (v4)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ruler of the kings of the Earth (v4)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Alpha and the Omega (v8)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Almighty (v8)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The First and the Last (v17)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Living One (v18)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">This list will grow, and I'll attempt to keep adding to it as we go along. These are names that we're familiar with from various songs and liturgies, and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised just how much of our liturgy is derived from Revelation.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>WHAT'S UP WITH THOSE SEVENS?</b></u></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Even today, we ran across numerous sevens, including one you probably didn't know about unless you read the introduction in a Study Bible. Today's sevens are (and I'll try to keep this running also):</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Churches (v4)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Spirits (v4)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Golden lampstands (v12)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stars (v16)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Different commentators have different interpretations of not only what the seven represents, but what the items are as well, but for today's purposes, we'll use a quote from a Navigators Study Guide I'll use whenever I get around to teaching a Bible class on Revelation:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">"The number <i>seven </i>recurs fifty-two times in Revelation. Because of its association with the Sabbath and the seven days of creation, this number signifies completeness, perfection, and the essence of a thing. The universe revolves in a seven-day week; Old Testament sacrifices were done in sevens; <i>seven </i>is the root of the Hebrew word for swearing an oath. So, the seven individual, historical churches of Asia may represent for John the complete church of Asia or the complete Church of all generations that needs to hear this message."</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Works for me.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The last seven we ran across today is in 1:3, which states:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. </b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">We've seen writing using this structure before, in the <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matt%205.3-11&version=NIV1984">Beatitudes </a>Jesus gave in his Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5. Whereas Jesus had 9, John will have seven interspersed throughout the book, and I'll comment as we happen upon them.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you find the idea of reading Revelation intimidating, don't. John's style of writing in this book is apocalyptic, which is highly vivid and full of lurid and potentially exaggerated imagery, intent on making a point and creating a lasting impression. The one thing you need to know if you don't already is that no matter what is being discussed in the book, from the Mark of the Beast to the rise of the Antichrist or whatever else, <u><b>EVERY </b></u>Christian will recognize these things when the time comes. It won't be some grand final exam where we will either pass or fail based on our knowledge--no Christian will be tossed into the lake of fire because they made a mistake. Depending on your point of view, if we're either lucky enough or unlucky enough to live through these days, we'll have plenty to be concerned about, but recognizing evil will <u><b>NOT </b></u>be one of them. Through the Holy Spirit, we will be equipped to tell the difference, just as John pointed out in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%204:1-3&version=NIV1984">1 John 4:1-3</a>. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Scott</span></div>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-60197739020660908612011-12-26T10:36:00.000-08:002011-12-26T10:36:37.467-08:00Spirits (Dec 26)<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is in the world.</span></em></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> 1 John 4:1-3 NIV</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">As we near completion of the Chronological Bible, we read warnings of many false prophets. Today, in 1 John, we clearly are pointed to a method of discernment between Spirits of God and other false spirits. We read that spirits that do not acknowledge Jesus are not from God. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Our readings of God's Word, the Bible this year have included John 1:14, "The Word became flesh, and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the father, full of grace and truth." For excellent reading describing the Word becoming flesh, one can read John 1.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The Old Testament points ahead to God's plan of salvation through His Son Jesus. The gospels give the account of Jesus. The New Testament explains life now that Jesus has done his work. The Bible is whole, complete, perfect, and points to itself to clarify, amplify and define examples and truths.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Hopefully, we have been encouraged to stay in the Word daily, even after we "complete" the one year study.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">What suggestions do you have that you could share to encourage others to continue daily in the Word?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Pray that God gives you the time management skills to continue daily in the Word.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">In Christ,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">David P</span>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-57480263999646502792011-12-26T09:52:00.000-08:002011-12-26T09:52:00.575-08:00How God Showed His Love (Dec 26)<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.</span></em></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong><em> </em></strong>1 John 4:9 NIV</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">This passage leads one to consider the passage, John 3:16: For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. In considering John 3:16, certainly reflect on what the gift of Jesus meant for mankind, but also consider God's great role in this passage. In view of 1John 4:9, consider the way God loved the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">God gave us a gift that was in accord with His perfect, whole and complete plan of salvation. A plan God created in response to the day Adam and Eve fell from full and intimate fellowship with God by disobedience. I am certain, after mankind's fall, that God took less than a moment to author His necessary, prerequisite, full, whole and complete plan of salvation for mankind through the gift of His one and only Son on the cross. A Son who shed his blood for our sin and arose from the dead to provide our eternal life</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Consider God's attributes; love, creator, giver of life, author of our salvation, Holy Holy Holy, judge, infinite, wise, and others might come to mind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">It was the way that God showed His love that saved us from our sin. We are not saved from our sin by something we do. We sin because we are sinners. It is only by the gift of faith from the Spirit that we can look to Christ's work for our salvation. Thanks be to God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">How do you thankfully respond to what God has done?</span>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-67299936873648882312011-12-24T12:09:00.000-08:002011-12-24T12:09:25.162-08:00Faith<div style="color: red; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14</b></span></div><div style="color: red; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come. Malachi 3:1</b></span></div><div style="color: red; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.Isaiah 9:2</b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Merry Christmas Eve to everyone, and I hope that you're so busy with friends and family that you don't read this post until February. Why, you ask, as we read Hebrews in our Chronological Bibles, am I quoting Scripture predicting Christ's birth? It's very simple, and can be found in Hebrews 11:1:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: red; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. </b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I speak of favorite Bible verses, this makes my top 5. I won't bore you with how I came to know this verse or how I can tell you the precise time (May 2002) when I first internalized it, but will focus instead on what it means. The first three verses I quoted at the beginning were made between 400-700 years prior to the birth of Christ, which required faith on the part of the people of Israel. They had been promised a Savior (quick note--the word "Messiah" does not appear in the Old Testament), and needed to have faith that the promise God had made would be carried out. They had to be sure of what they hoped for, and in the midst of constant turmoil, they needed to be certain of what they certainly couldn't see.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the Age of Grace, we don't have to wait and hope for Christ, because he already came and gave the greatest gift in the history of the universe. No, what we wait and hope for is his Second Coming, when he returns in glory to make everything right again. I'll comment extensively on this point on December 31st, but we remain sure of what we hope for and certain of what we don't see. We have problems in this world that seem beyond our ability to overcome, but that's why we have faith--we wouldn't need it if all the answers were right in front of us.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Consider the words the writer of Hebrews uses--"sure" and "certain". These words are unambiguous and clear in their meaning, unwavering in the steadfast belief we're to have. Faith isn't being "pretty convinced" or "better than 50/50" of what we hope for or "reasonably confident" or "have a pretty good feeling" of what we do not see. For years, I've often confused this verse with <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%208.24&version=NIV1984">Romans 8:24</a> (both these verses were referenced on the same evening by the same then-8th Grader), which asks a simple question--who hopes for what he already has? Our faith is rooted in confidence that the Lord will do what he promised to do, based on a solid foundation of acting for us in ages past. We will have doubts and questions as we go through life, and that's to be expected. When it comes to our faith, we need to be sure and certain. After all, God has been, is, and always will be:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our God, Our Help in ages past, our hopes for years to come</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have the merriest of Christmases, and be sure to take a moment to thank God for his willingness to leave heaven and live among us for 33 years because of our own shortcomings.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Scott</span></div>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-39700280191636906172011-12-24T07:11:00.000-08:002011-12-24T07:11:46.500-08:00Walk in the Light (Dec 25)<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But if we walk in the light, as he is the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.</span></em></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> 1 John 1:7 NIV</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Did you realize the word 'light' has 3 entries in the dictionary and as I count, 88 definitions. Basically the entries revolve around luminous energy, application of force, and to come to rest (as in settling upon something).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Jesus stated that He is the light of the world. Certainly Jesus lights our path and does provide guidance, direction and purpose to our lives. His provision of direction is not by a great deal of force, for his yoke is light. Finally by walking in the Light, by grace through faith in what Jesus has done, we will enter into, or in this case 'settle' in heaven.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Scott blogged recently about the end times. How those times were a time of disorder. When we walk in the light, we allow the Holy Spirit to work, to provide Spiritual Fruits. In addition, walking in the light allows us to keep God in mind and, as a result, we avoid being, " turned over to a depraved mind to do what ought not be done," as stated in </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Romans 1:23.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Remember, it is the blood of Christ that washes away our sin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Give thanks for Jesus' birth today, for because of His work, we are made righteous.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Merry Christmas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">May you feel God's riches blessing today and in the New Year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">In Christ,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">David P</span>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-49888007176417781572011-12-24T07:06:00.000-08:002011-12-24T07:06:50.952-08:00Run the Race (Dec 24)<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.</span></em></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> Hebrews 12:1 NIV</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Running a race is a good metaphor for our life. Here it is used in an uplifting manner. When we refer to our life as a rat race, we are using a negative comparison. Many things can happen in a race. One can win the race. On the other hand, injury can occur in a race.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Consider the 1992 Olympic games when Derek Redmond was running the 400 meter race for Britain. In the last turn, he tore a leg muscle. That tear caused pain that caused him to fall. He did get back up and began to hobble to the finish line. During that effort, his father came down from the stadium and helped his son to the finish line. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">You can only imagine the positive response that the crowd expressed by cheering.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">In our life, there are times when we can relax from our vantage point, but there will be other times when we will be compelled to leave our comfort zone and help others who are having difficulties in the race.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Pray for the Spirit to guide you to be effective in the cause for Christ as you help others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">In Christ,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">David P</span>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-89231657127312397492011-12-21T19:06:00.000-08:002011-12-21T19:06:01.050-08:00The Last Days<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy%203:1-9&version=NIV1984">2 Timothy 3:1-9</a> lists many signs of the last days:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">--lovers of themselves</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">--lovers of money</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">--boastful</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">--proud</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">--abusive</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">--disobedient to their parents</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">--ungrateful</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">--unholy</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">These are just what's listed in verse 2--Paul continues on for another five verses of similar behaviors.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Everyone since Adam and Eve has been convinced that the generation following them is more evil and depraved, indeed the worst in the history of the world. I'll leave it to God to make the final determination as to the most evil generation, but everything listed in these verses is not only occurring today, but has been happening since the beginning of time. The degree of our depravity may differ, but we're all shallow and worthless.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">As such, if these are the signs of the last days, then I suggest we all live lives prepared for the imminent return of Christ. There is no sane reader of these verses that can't conclude that every single event that Paul lists is occurring in this world in abundance, which suggests that our preparations need to be up-to-date. There is no time to wait, to delay or procrastinate, and we need to be bold in our witness to others, because if these are the signs, the "birth pains" as described in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24&version=NIV1984">Matthew 24</a>, there is no time to waste.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you didn't already know or couldn't tell by the placement, Paul's second letter to Timothy was written near the end of his life as he was being held in prison. Given that Nero had imprisoned him, Paul was pretty sure that he wasn't going to make it out of prison, and he ended up being correct. One of the last verses that Paul wrote was 2 Timothy 4:7:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: red; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. </b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In these last days, these are words that we should all endeavor to live up to. Whether we do won't be for us to judge or determine, but we can do all we can to attempt to live a life that shows that we tried.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Scott</span></div>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-65303629870997973652011-12-21T10:54:00.000-08:002011-12-21T10:54:00.207-08:00Jesus is Greater Than Angels (Dec 21)<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?</span></em></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> Hebrews 1:14 NIV</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The book of Hebrews tends to be less often studied, for the book does contain several warnings about the dangers of apostasy. Apostasy is the state of having rejected your religious beliefs. In the mid-first century, there were Jews who were considering returning to Judaism and abandoning their Christianity. Many readings in Hebrews focus on who Jesus Christ is, his relationship to angels, Moses, Melchizedek, and placing Jesus as the Great High Priest of the New Covenant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Today's verse compares Jesus to Angels; and concludes by stating that Angels minister to those who are saved. We read in Hebrews 1:6 that angels worship Jesus. Again placing Jesus above angels.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">In our society today, one might perceive an elevation of angels to places higher than God intended them to be. Angels are messengers, servants, and not the provider of salvation that Jesus is. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">As a result, we again need to focus on Jesus, the name above all names. Do not loose that focus despite other servants that God has provided.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Pray to focus on Christ.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">In Christ,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">David P</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> </span>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-61840335714622897132011-12-20T06:12:00.000-08:002011-12-20T06:12:19.297-08:00Qualities (Dec 20)<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.</span></em></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> 2 Peter 1:5-8 NIV</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Were does all this effectiveness and growth begin? We read in today's passage that we make efforts to add to our faith. Faith is where it all begins. Faith is the gift that allows us to do so much. For excellent examples of what the gift of faith allowed ordinary people to do, turn to and read Hebrews 11.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">To be effective for our Lord Jesus Christ, we read that goodness, knowledge, perseverance, godliness, kindness, and love are needed. One measure of effectiveness is carrying out the great commission as explained in</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Matthew 23. Another measure of effectiveness is by inviting a guest to church on Sunday. Clearly if we are not good, do not know the Word, quit, are unkind, and have not love; who would look to us for guidance in Christian Spiritual growth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">One method of increasing the measure of these qualities mentioned in today's verse is to spend daily time in God's Word, the Bible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Pray for the Spirit to guide you in your quest for increasing measures of these qualities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Ask someone to attend Church with you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">In Christ,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">David P</span>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-6841345682479952112011-12-18T19:38:00.000-08:002011-12-18T19:38:14.447-08:00Answer Everyone Who Asks (Dec 19)<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.</span></em></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong><em> </em></strong>1 Peter 3:15 NIV</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Today's verse encourages us to know God's plan, His attributes and to tell the story with love, gentleness, and respect.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">We have discussed being prepared previously in our journey through the Bible this year. In order to explain the hope that we have with gentleness and respect, we must spend time in the Word in order to keep God's plan fresh on our minds and in our hearts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">We are encouraged to show gentleness when we give the reason for the hope we have. Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit. When we explain why we hope, pray for the Spirit to give the words to us and also to prepare the mind and heart of the person(s) we are teaching.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Pray to be given the opportunity to effectively tell the story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">In Christ</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">David P</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> </span>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-88423674299216671492011-12-18T15:41:00.000-08:002011-12-18T15:41:47.340-08:00An Inheritance (Dec 18)<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you,</span></em></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> 1 Peter 1:4 NIV</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">We have received an inheritance through the work of Jesus on the cross, his death, burial and resurrection. Our inheritance in heaven is eternal life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Matthew 6: 20-21 also underscores where our treasure is.<strong> </strong><em>But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">We do the best when our body, mind and heart are in God's will. The best way to discern God's will is to stay in the Word, to attend worship and to fellowship with others to gain wisdom, courage, and understanding to get out and carry out the great commission by our life, our action and our word. We do the best in our efforts again when all are in accord with God's will.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Pray to look to your to your inheritance in heaven on a moment by moment basis as you face life's challenges.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">In Christ,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">David P</span>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-37712429436848796642011-12-17T20:36:00.000-08:002011-12-17T20:36:19.874-08:00Seen At My Daughter's College Graduation<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">This was taken in the gym at Concordia University Wisconsin:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w335w3y3FsY/Tu1p9MJ5nGI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/ij-Jr9oJHjs/s1600/DSC_0110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="483" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w335w3y3FsY/Tu1p9MJ5nGI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/ij-Jr9oJHjs/s640/DSC_0110.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Given what I wrote yesterday, I found this to be almost the exact opposite of what I wrote yesterday, which was that people tend to read Philippians 4:11-12 and ignore 13, whereas this is the go-to verse for almost any Christian athletic team. It just reinforces the main point that I made yesterday--Philippians 4:11-13 are a package and really can't be split apart, and when we do that, we run the risk of missing the big picture, which is simple--our lives will have highs and lows, but in the end, we'll always have God on our side.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Scott</span></div>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-10026067896802358372011-12-16T17:28:00.000-08:002011-12-16T17:28:12.792-08:00Contentment<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's not unusual to see references to Philippians 4:11-12:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: red; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-29438">11</sup> I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-29439">12</sup> I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.</b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">We have a tendency to think of these verses when things aren't going as well for us (or someone else) as they could and use them as encouragement. None of us like to be challenged or in need, but those times in our life are going to happen. Invariably (and inexplicably, I might add), I rarely see the proper conclusion to this point, which is 4:13:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: red; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I can do everything through him who gives me strength. </b></span></div><div style="color: red; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Seriously, I been in Bible studies on more than one occasion that referenced verses 11-12 and skipped 13, and every time this happens, I make sure to make the point I'm about to make now--it's quite difficult to understand just how Paul overcame his obstacles without reading verse 13, where God is given the credit. As always, Paul is clear and unwavering in his description--Paul doesn't state that we can do "some things" or "a few things," but that we can do "EVERYTHING" through God. Yet another of my favorite verses, but this one makes the top 5 list easily (I might endeavor to compile that list, I might not, but it could be interesting).</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Philippians is easily one of the most upbeat books in the Bible. If read in the proper spirit, we can't help but be uplifted and encouraged, content in the knowledge that when we need God, particularly when we need him the most, he will come through for us. We may not recognize the help when it happens, it might not be in the manner that we expect or even what we want, but we should be content, and in the end, what more should we ask for?</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Scott</span></div>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122059327054664787.post-2481964310737505242011-12-16T10:04:00.000-08:002011-12-16T10:04:40.239-08:00Pray (Dec 16)<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.</span></em></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> Philippians 4:6 NIV</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The clear cut reason for no anxiety can be understood if we peek ahead to Revelation 19-22. In those chapters, we read of the wedding banquet of the Lamb, the New Jerusalem, and the river of life. The chapters are very encouraging.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">In one of Scott's recent teachings, we were taught to pray continually. Here too we are encouraged to pray with petition in <strong><u>everything</u></strong>. Our prayers are to be filled with thanksgiving, not grumbling and presented to God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">We can, through what the Lamb has done for us approach God's throne at any time. We are not limited by the curtain and the one time a year by the high priest restriction under the Mosaic law. God is concerned and is listening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Are you praying?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Pray to be led by the Spirit to an effective prayer life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">In Christ,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">David P</span>The Confirmation Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690333606213492257noreply@blogger.com0