Thursday, July 30, 2009

Unfair comparisons

Good article on Urban Reformation about comparisons, the only comparisons that should be made regarding sanctification and the church. Here is my favorite quote:

The only comparison that we should be making at any point in time is our comparison between our own lives and God’s word, and the only comparison we need make between our church, is that comparison between our church and God’s word.


I totally agree and must concede that Jason's blog is much better than mine! Trying to make a stupid joke, but this article should be read!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Malachi, the Mass, and 38 seconds of 'monumental' Mayhem!

Check out this month's Gospel e-Letter from Dr. Joe Mizzi (JustForCatholics), which discusses Malachi 1:11 and the Roman Catholic sacrifice of the Mass. Here is a segment:
Some Catholic apologists claim that the prophecy in Malachi 1:11 is fulfilled in the Roman Catholic sacrifice of the Mass. A footnote in the New American Bible says that this verse is a reference to ‘the pure offering to be sacrificed in messianic times, the universal Sacrifice of the Mass, as we are told by the Council of Trent.’

The scripture reads:
My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations, says the LORD Almighty. (NIV)

A Catholic translation of the same verse reads:

For from the rising of the sun, even to its setting, my name is great among the nations; And everywhere they bring sacrifice to my name, and a pure offering; For great is my name among the nations, says the LORD of hosts. (NAB)
The Jews and their priests despised and profaned God’s name by offering blemished animals while keeping the best animals to themselves. God was dishonoured by their half-hearted service and their hypocrisy. God foretold a time when he would call the Gentiles to worship him. He will be glorified among the nations, ‘from the rising of the sun to its setting’, from the east to the west. His people will not be restricted to a single nation, but he will have worshippers ‘in every place’, implying the catholicity or universality of the church.

The incense offered to God is our prayers, as the Psalmist says, ‘May my prayer be set before you like incense’, and again, the Book of Revelations identifies the incense offered before God as ‘the prayers of all the saints.’ (Psalm 141:2, Rev 8:3).

Moreover, the New Testament explains how the church offers a ‘pure offering’ to God. ‘Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased’ (Hebrews 13:15, 16). Our prayers and good works are an offering to God.

Click here for the rest of this article, including a discussion on the Mass.

Also, after finding this video (below) on Dr Joe's blog, I could not help but share. The Scripture he shares (Jer 10:5, Isa 41:7, Ps 115:3-8) further drive home the clear error with this practice of statue 'adoration/admiration/worship/idolatry/etc'.

I love to see the Lord triumph over His enemies! This video reminds me of Elijah on Mount Carmel when the LORD humiliated the false prophets of the so-called gods of Baal (1 Kings 18:16-40). Looking forward to the day when Christ will return in majestic splendor and power (2 Thes 1:7-10), and very thankful He saved me in His mercy (Titus 3:5).

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Like a man in a bog

Good quote by Spurgeon (from E-Word devotional), which really describes what I've been reading about in Titus 3:
"I was like a man in a bog. The more he struggles, the more he sinks. Or like a prisoner upon the treadmill, who rises no higher, but only wearies himself by his climbing. No good can result from efforts made apart from faith in Jesus."
Faith in Jesus is the only thing that can free us from our bondage to sin.
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:3-7)

Friday, July 24, 2009

Piper's new book - free PDF download

Now that I've told you how great the book is, you can download it for FREE!

Click here for the DesiringGod blog, which has a link to the free download. I challenge you to find a ministry who cares less about making money!

Tim Tebow on SI


Love to hear news about Tim Tebow. I'm not a big Gator fan, or even a college football fan for that matter. But it's great that this kid has been placed in the lime light to give glory to Christ.

Click here to read the Sports Illustrated cover article.

HT:JT

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Filling up the Afflictions of Christ


God has powerfully used missionary stories to shape me spiritually, getting me 'stirred up' and seeing our planet with spiritual eyes that God has given me rather than my typical self-centered viewpoint which seeks my comfort and the praise of men, not God.

To me, there's no one better (other than missionaries themselves) to tell these stories than John Piper. I have written about the Adoniram Judson message, and the impact that it has had. Now Piper has written a book about Judson and two other godly missionaries, William Tyndale and John Paton. (oddly enough, Pastor Mike used illustrations from Paton's life in his sermon Sunday), prompting Aimee and I to listen to Piper's message about Paton. You gotta love a wife who says, "let's listen to John Piper talk about a missionary who proclaimed Christ to cannibals!")

For more on missionary stories, you can also check out Justin Taylor's interview with Piper (the reason I am writing this post in the first place) on his new book, Filling Up the Afflictions of Christ. Also check out his biographical sermons on godly men like Paton, Judson and William Tyndale.

So check out one or two of these resources and read or listen. Enjoy their stories and let them encourage you to take part (by going or sending) in the Great Commission to win more souls to the praise and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth.
Selah (Psalm 67:3-4)

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

New T4A Video - Freed to Visit Orphans

This new T4A video "connects the glory of the Gospel (i.e., the treasure that Jesus is) with the current global orphan crisis."

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Mbewe on the life of George Whitefield


Hear a stirring sermon on the life of George Whitefield presented by Conrade Mbewe here (powerpoint slide included)...

For more on Whitefield, Piper also has done a biographical sermon you can read on DesiringGod.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

If God is So Powerful and So Good, Why do Bad Things Happen?

Great thoughts on the age old 'problem' of God's sovereignty and human suffering ...

HT: Jared

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Today Only: Get a Reformation Study Bible for a Donation of Any Amount

In honor of Calvin's Birthday week, Ligonier is offering some great deals ... Click here for details on how to get a black leather Reformation Study Bible for a donation of any amount. They are also offering a subscription to TableTalk (same offer)!

About Me

Here is my testimony: mike