http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/evangelical-religion/ en-us Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:03:16 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051113/posts The Church: The Self-effacing Saint For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. --Philippians 2:20,21 In this day when shimmering personalities carry on the Lord's work after the methods of the entertainment world it is refreshing to associate for a moment even in the pages of a book with a sincere and humble man who keeps his own personality out of sight and places the emphasis upon the inworking of God. It is our belief that the evangelical movement will continue to... Literature Ministries International http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051113/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:03:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051108/posts     Holy Anointing by Henry Morris III, D.Min. "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things." (1 John 2:20)The word "unction" in our text is translated "anointing" the other two times it is used (1 John 2:27). That term, and a companion word, are used only seven times in the New Testament, but all refer to the same essential concept often spoken of in the Old Testament.Both things (tabernacle, temple, vessels, offerings) and people (priests, Levites, kings, ambassadors) were "anointed"--often ceremoniously--to identify them as consecrated or honored for a special service or... Intstitute for Creation Research http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051108/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:55:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051052/posts Spurgeon's Morning & Evening - July 25 -------------------------------- Morning Devotional "He left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out." - Genesis 39:12 In contending with certain sins there remains no mode of victory but by flight. The ancient naturalists wrote much of basilisks, whose eyes fascinated their victims and rendered them easy victims; so the mere gaze of wickedness puts us in solemn danger. He who would be safe from acts of evil must haste away from occasions of it. A covenant must be made with our eyes not even to look upon the cause of... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051052/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:40:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050635/posts And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (John 12:32 KJV) Countless modern churchmen and theologians easily declare that Jesus failed in his mission because, they say, He did not do everything he set out to do. From the failed God of Sun Myung Moon to the dumbed down God of the Open Theists, many seem to be attempting to avoid dealing with a God who says what He will do and does what He says. To make matters even worse, church members have listened to an easy to believe, convenient,... Grace Sermons http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050635/posts#comment Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:15:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050558/posts The Church: The Striped Candy Technique And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. --Acts 2:42 Without Biblical authority, or any other right under the sun, carnal religious leaders have introduced a host of attractions that serve no purpose except to provide entertainment for the retarded saints. It is now common practice in most evangelical churches to offer the people, especially the young people, a maximum of entertainment and a minimum of serious instruction. It is scarcely possible in most places to get anyone to attend a meeting where the... Literature Ministries International http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050558/posts#comment Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:15:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050551/posts What are the things Christians want most in life? According to a recent national survey by the Ventura County-based Barna Group, “it depends upon what type of Christian you ask.” Catholics, in particular, show marked differences from Protestants in what they want most in life. The survey was based on telephone interviews Barna conducted in May with a random sample of 1003 Americans from across the U.S., ages 18 and older. Sampling error was plus or minus 3.2 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. According to the July 21 Barna Report, Barna researchers divided respondents according to various criteria.... California Catholic Daily http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050551/posts#comment Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:03:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050518/posts     The Dayspring from on High by Henry Morris, Ph.D. "Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us." (Luke 1:78)This is an unusual, but beautiful, name of the coming Savior given Him by Zacharias when he was "filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied" (Luke 1:67). In that same prophecy, Zacharias also called that coming one "the Highest" and "the Lord" who would "give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins" (vv. 76-77). Just six months later, Jesus was born.The Greek word here translated "dayspring"... Intstitute for Creation Research http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050518/posts#comment Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:03:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050466/posts The doctrine of justification by faith alone does not imply that you are justified before God because you managed to work up enough faith in and by yourself to believe in Christ, which is impossible in the first place. Rather, the doctrine contrasts faith against works, emphasizing that we are justified by God through faith apart from works. This faith is itself not a work — that is, not a work of man, but a work of God in man. Faith is a gift of God purchased by Christ for all those whom God has chosen for salvation. It is... Reformation Study Center http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050466/posts#comment Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:40:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050434/posts Spurgeon's Morning & Evening - July 24 -------------------------------- Morning Devotional "Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord." - Exodus 14:13 These words contain God's command to the believer when he is reduced to great straits and brought into extraordinary difficulties. He cannot retreat; he cannot go forward; he is shut up on the right hand and on the left; what is he now to do? The Master's word to him is, "Stand still." It will be well for him if at such times he listens only to his Master's word, for other and evil advisers come with their... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050434/posts#comment Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:24:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050064/posts    Just over four hundred years ago, in late October, a young Augustinian monk, professor of theology and pastor in Whittenburg, Germany, in the fire of his zeal for Christian truth, nailed 95 thesis to the door of the Castle Church.  He had left the study of law and entered the priesthood, seeking to be justified before God.  His name was Martin Luther.  As a result of studying the Scriptures, he discovered biblical truths that had long been covered and obscured by the ritual and rubble of Rome.  One of the great truths then restored to the Church was... Grace Sermons http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050064/posts#comment Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:23:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049904/posts TULLAHOMA, Tenn. (BP) | A 28-year-old man accepted Christ in jail after causing a tragedy that had left a pastor feeling responsible for the death of a church deacon. Tim McGehee, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Tullahoma, Tenn., and first vice president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, said he was returning home from a hospital visit April 28 when he noticed a car speeding up behind him on a rural road. McGehee then noticed a Lowe's truck parked in front of a home along the road ahead. "When I looked back in the rearview mirror, that car was on... Illinois Baptist State Association http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049904/posts#comment Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:10:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049901/posts The Church: Different From the World Therefore "Come out from among them and be separate," says the Lord. "Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you." --2 Corinthians 6:17 The church's mightiest influence is felt when she is different from the world in which she lives. Her power lies in her being different, rises with the degree in which she differs and sinks as the difference diminishes. This is so fully and clearly taught in the Scriptures and so well illustrated in Church history that it is hard to see how we can miss it. But miss... Literature Ministries International http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049901/posts#comment Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:06:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049900/posts     A Special Son by Henry Morris, Ph.D. "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." (Matthew 1:1)These opening words of the New Testament identify this "book of the generation |literally 'genesis'| of Jesus Christ" as telling of the wonderful fulfillment of the promise to both Abraham and David of a very special Son.To Abraham, God had promised: "because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: . . . in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou... Intstitute for Creation Research http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049900/posts#comment Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:55:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049825/posts Spurgeon's Morning & Evening - July 23 -------------------------------- Morning Devotional "Even thou wast as one of them." - Obadiah 1:11 Brotherly kindness was due from Edom to Israel in the time of need, but instead thereof, the men of Esau made common cause with Israel's foes. Special stress in the sentence before us is laid upon the word thou; as when Caesar cried to Brutus, "and thou Brutus"; a bad action may be all the worse, because of the person who has committed it. When we sin, who are the chosen favourites of heaven, we sin with an emphasis; ours... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049825/posts#comment Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:51:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049686/posts In Part 1 of this series, I wrote of the great elephants of India, who, although they have the physical capacity to uproot trees during the day, can be restrained all night long by a piece of twine and a twig. How is this possible? The elephant’s training begins when it is still young and considerably less powerful. Removed from its mother, the elephant is then shackled with an iron chain to a large tree. For days and weeks on end, the baby elephant strains against its restraints, only to find that all exertion is useless. Then slowly, over a... The Rebelution http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049686/posts#comment Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:51:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049371/posts The Church: The Old Cross and the New Cross But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. --Galatians 6:14 The old cross slew men; the new cross entertains them. The old cross condemned; the new cross amuses. The old cross destroyed confidence in the flesh; the new cross encourages it. The old cross brought tears and blood; the new cross brings laughter. The flesh, smiling and confident, preaches and sings about the cross; before that cross it bows... Literature Ministries International http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049371/posts#comment Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:47:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049363/posts     The Unknown Creator by Henry Morris, Ph.D. "He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not." (John 1:10)This verse is surely one of the saddest, most poignant verses in all the Word of God. In the Lord Jesus Christ, our Creator/Redeemer, "we live, and move, and have our being" (Acts 17:28). The atoms of our bodies are sustained by Him (Colossians 1:17), yet multitudes ignore Him, ridicule Him, and take His name in vain. What presumption! What foolishness!Once He even entered visibly into the world He had created... INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049363/posts#comment Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:38:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049328/posts "THE PURPOSE OF THE AGES." By The Rev. Dr. Bullinger (At the Nottingham Conference, May, 1894. As published in THINGS TO COME – A Journal of Biblical Literature for August, 1894.) The one great and blessed feature of these prophetical conferences is that Christ is the center of them, and Christ the object they bring before us. Their great object is to glorify Christ, and that also is the special work of the Holy Ghost. Christ is the living Word, and we assembled here to learn from the written Word. This Word has many different titles, and each title brings... THINGS TO COME -- A Journal of Biblical Literature http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049328/posts#comment Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:31:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049246/posts Spurgeon's Morning & Evening - July 22 -------------------------------- Morning Devotional "I am married unto you." - Jeremiah 3:14 Christ Jesus is joined unto his people in marriage-union. In love he espoused his Church as a chaste virgin, long before she fell under the yoke of bondage. Full of burning affection he toiled, like Jacob for Rachel, until the whole of her purchase-money had been paid, and now, having sought her by his Spirit, and brought her to know and love him, he awaits the glorious hour when their mutual bliss shall be consummated at the marriage-supper of the Lamb. Not... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049246/posts#comment Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:26:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2048755/posts The Church: Higher Expectations Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. --Colossians 1:28,29 The treacherous enemy facing the church of Jesus Christ today is the dictatorship of the routine, when the routine becomes "lord" in the life of the church. Programs are organized and the prevailing conditions are accepted as normal. Anyone can predict next Sunday's service and what will happen. This seems to be the most deadly... Literature Ministries International http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2048755/posts#comment Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:39:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2048704/posts Spurgeon's Morning & Evening - July 21 -------------------------------- Morning Devotional "The daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee." - Isaiah 37:22 Reassured by the Word of the Lord, the poor trembling citizens of Zion grew bold, and shook their heads at Sennacherib's boastful threats. Strong faith enables the servants of God to look with calm contempt upon their most haughty foes. We know that our enemies are attempting impossibilities. They seek to destroy the eternal life, which cannot die while Jesus lives; to overthrow the citadel, against which the gates of hell shall not prevail. They kick against... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2048704/posts#comment Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:40:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2048598/posts The 23rd Psalm rolled off the Rev. Jason Strand's tongue with soothing familiarity, the way it had since he memorized it as a boy. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters ..." But up on the 16-by-24-foot screens flanking Strand, the PowerPoint version displayed the updated words "quiet waters" instead of the "still waters" of Strand's memory. Amy Anderson noticed the problem instantly. She began scribbling notes in her three-ring binder, then flipped to a new page to catch up with what... Minneapolis Star/Tribune (aka The Red Star) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2048598/posts#comment Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:26:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2048300/posts Spurgeon's Morning & Evening - July 20 -------------------------------- Morning Devotional "The earnest of our inheritance." - Ephesians 1:14 Oh! what enlightenment, what joys, what consolation, what delight of heart is experienced by that man who has learned to feed on Jesus, and on Jesus alone. Yet the realization which we have of Christ's preciousness is, in this life, imperfect at the best. As an old writer says, "'Tis but a taste!" We have tasted "that the Lord is gracious," but we do not yet know how good and gracious he is, although what we know of his sweetness makes us... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2048300/posts#comment Sun, 20 Jul 2008 09:52:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2047996/posts Spurgeon's Morning & Evening - July 19 -------------------------------- Morning Devotional "The Lord our God hath shewed us his glory." - Deuteronomy 5:24 God's great design in all his works is the manifestation of his own glory. Any aim less than this were unworthy of himself. But how shall the glory of God be manifested to such fallen creatures as we are? Man's eye is not single, he has ever a side glance towards his own honour, has too high an estimate of his own powers, and so is not qualified to behold the glory of the Lord. It is clear,... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2047996/posts#comment Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:11:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2047876/posts Should Freepers who call themselves "Christians" believe the word of pimps, as told to them by the mainstream media? The Australian (a newspaper) published the claims of a Syndey pimp who claims that business has increased during World Youth Day. The article notes that up to 5,000 traveling journalists have descended upon Sydney. Of course, we all have heard how the overwhelming majority of journalists are pro-gay, pro-abortion, unchurched, and politically liberal. Plus, incredibly enough, there are armies of protesters. Yet, the article leaves it up to the reader to presume that it's all those Catholic faithful visiting the prostitutes,... Vanity http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2047876/posts#comment Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:53:18 GMT