Amen, Amen. Good post from Rick Frueh today folks…
Check it out at Following Judah’s Lion
Wonderful Peace
The past few days this old hymn has been on my mind. I even found myself humming the tune throughout the day.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” – (John 14:27)
Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm; In celestial strains it unceasingly falls O’er my soul like an infinite calm. Peace, peace, wonderful peace, Coming down from the Father above! Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray In fathomless billows of love!
What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace, Buried deep in the heart of my soul, So secure that no power can mine it away, While the years of eternity roll!
I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace, Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control; For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day, And His glory is flooding my soul! Peace, peace, wonderful peace, Coming down from the Father above! Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray In fathomless billows of love!
And I think when I rise to that city of peace, Where the Anchor of peace I shall see, That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing In that heavenly kingdom will be: Peace, peace, wonderful peace, Coming down from the Father above! Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray In fathomless billows of love!
Ah, soul! are you here without comfort and rest, Marching down the rough pathway of time? Make Jesus your Friend ere the shadows grow dark; O accept of this peace so sublime! Peace, peace, wonderful peace, Coming down from the Father above! Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray In fathomless billows of love!
Chuck Smith Jr. and Reaching the Lost and Deceived
While I don’t know precisely what prompted this response by Chuck Smith Jr. the contents are somewhat self-explanatory. Smith’s theology or whether you have a problem with it or him personally, isn’t what I want to concentrate upon in this post. For one thing, though I’m very familiar with Chuck Smith Sr and his ministry, his son (and his ministry) is not anything I’m knowledgeable about. And for the purpose of this post, don’t need to be…
This is what caught my attention,
Remarkable! It was interesting to read that I am “an advocate” for homosexual Christians. This is an example of either inadequate research or selective reporting–either one, in my opinion, demonstrates a lack of integrity. In that same video interview posted above, I explicitly stated that “I am not an advocate” for gay and lesbian Christians.
Have I sat “in the company” of homosexuals in conferences without delivering a word of judgment against them? Yes, I have. I went to them the way Jesus came into the world, not to condemn, but to save. And as He was sent into the world, so He sent His disciples into the world (Jn. 3:17; 17:18; 20:21). How many of these conferences have you been invited to come and speak? If none, how are do you plan on getting the gospel to gays and lesbians? Do you care whether they hear the gospel? Is it not your calling or concern?
You can read the entire response and watch the video clip he refers to, here
I didn’t stumble upon this link accidentally, but through a news-feed article I received from a well known discernment website…which one doesn’t really matter for I’m sure the one I read isn’t the only one which has posted about what Smith Jr was suppose to have said, etc. But here is my point and question folks…
Besides the obvious issue of having to be so careful today in what we say or “how” it’s perceived (we live in an ugly age folks…face it) isn’t he right concerning getting the Gospel to those lost and/or deceived?
I’m not sure when this began…this idea that we as Christians are NEVER to be seen in the company of lost people..or deceived people. That we are to shun them like they carry the plague. Because early-on in my walk with Christ this is not how we operated as Christians. Our goal was to go out and find them! I mean, how can you be a light to anyone if you refuse to even be in their presence!?
Now, before someone points out that Jr here admits to being in the presence of deceived folks without “delivering a word of judgment” against them, let me ask you: are we not suppose to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit?
I have specifically been led, by the Spirit of God, to be silent while in the presence of people I’ve KNOWN FOR A FACT were lost and/or deceived. And I’ve obeyed, having learned early-on the biblical principle that some plant, others water, but it is God who gives the increase.
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 3)
Proclaiming judgment upon people at every opportunity my friends, is not how we win people to Christ. It wasn’t how Jesus operated and it’s not how the Church is suppose to work either. It never will be. We speak or remain silent as led by the Holy Spirit, for it is HE who “convicts the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment”..and it is HE who knows if seeds have already been planted in a heart, waiting to be watered…and finally, it is HE who draws men to Christ. Get it? We are but co-laborers with the Holy Spirit.
No wonder the Church is such a mess. We no longer rely upon the Spirit for anything…
I’m done.
Dave Hunt: 1926-2013
Perhaps it just appears that way to me, but it sure seems like a lot of well known servants of God have been called home recently. At least ones well known by those of my generation.
Friday, April 5, 2013, Dave Hunt drew his final breath and entered into the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His beloved wife Ruth was at his side.
Born in 1926, David Charles Haddon Hunt enjoyed the advantages of a godly upbringing and placed his trust in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord in his early teens.
As a young man, he served in the military toward the end of World War II. Afterward, he attended UCLA and received a degree in mathematics. It was during that time that he met the love of his life, Ruth Klassen. In 1950, they were married, and since both loved the outdoors, they enjoyed a beautiful honeymoon hiking in the High Sierras—perfect for two young people madly in love and with very little money to their name. Marriage was soon followed by the birth of two sons and two daughters. Ruth was a busy mother and also a gifted writer herself. She had a tremendous interest in and knowledge of history, a gift that would help Dave further down the road. Dave’s own career path led him into a position as a CPA/management consultant and later as the manager of several corporations.
Along with church-related activities, Dave initiated and became involved in numerous campus ministries and meetings in their home, with a special outreach to Jewish young people and foreign students. Many of these have stayed in touch with Dave and Ruth through the years, fondly recalling their times spent in Bible studies at the Hunts’ house. Dave and Ruth also traveled abroad, spending time in various locations throughout Europe, meeting with believers there and ministering in many ways while raising their own family. Dave also brought Bibles and other materials into the Soviet Union during a time when it was very difficult to do so. Throughout his later years, he and Ruth traveled extensively as he was invited to speak in churches and fellowships, large and small, all over the world. Often they stayed in people’s homes, dining with them, learning their customs, and sharing God’s Word and God’s love.
The desire of Dave’s heart was ultimately to be involved in fulltime ministry, especially since he saw firsthand everywhere he went the breaking down of the true church as the world began to work its way into her midst. He began to write in 1973, warning believers about the incursion into Western culture and into the church itself of Eastern religion, psychological and selfist philosophies, ecumenism, and other unbiblical teachings.
The ministry of The Berean Call was founded by Dave in 1992. It grew out of a previous organization, of which Dave was also a founding member since 1986. With T.A. McMahon working alongside him at The Berean Call, Dave was able to share his love for and defense of Christ in the subsequent newsletters, books, videos, and speaking engagements that resulted from this ministry. Dave and T.A. wrote three books together, including the best-known The Seduction of Christianity , which was groundbreaking in its boldness, exposing false teachings in the church and daring to identify the names of the ones behind the deception.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. (Psalm 116:15)
Rick Wiles: Nuclear Bombs Will Destroy American Cities If We Don’t Become A Christian Nation
The radio host and preacher expanded on earlier statements that President Obama is “a devil from Hell” and North Korea’s hostility toward the United States is because of gay marriage. Wiles believes that God is removing his protection from the United States and will destroy us unless we become a Christian nation.
Also see Rick Frueh’s newest post at Following Judah’s Lion, The Homophobic Gospel
What possible good, for the sake of the Gospel, did this accomplish?
Outside Winston-Salem, North Carolina’s Green Street United Methodist Church
“Homosexuals are nothing more than fuel for the flames of hell.”
