Truth Warrior

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Priorities

I am finding so much in the Word about living an orderly life and having a proper perspective. Our desires are no less to be prioritized. What do you want?

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true - even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. (1John 5:18-20)

Are there any verses that you would like to share about priorities?

Thanks for reading,
Brother John

Friday, August 24, 2007

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge

Proverbs 1:1-7

1The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

2To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

3To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

4To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

5A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

6To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.



I wish we could all grow in the wisdom of Solomon.

Keep growing,
Brother John

Monday, August 20, 2007

Setting Hearts on Things Above

Colossians 3:1-17 NIV

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.


God has been transforming my heart and mind to conform to His image through the power of His Word. Have you noticed Him at work in your life too? Please tell us about it so we may be mutually encouraged.

Blessings upon you,
Brother John

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Time

Time is a commodity that attracts many robbers.

From the first to the last there are still 24 hours in a day. What will you do with yours? What is most important to you? These are some thoughts I have been pondering. What desires do I deem most worthy of the precious little time I have? What about you?

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)

There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19 NIV the context is everything)

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. (Colossians 4:5-6)

We all have desires and passions some are OK some are better, but what is best. How can I best use the time God has given me?

Brother John

Monday, August 13, 2007

What is Biblical Love

Lord how am I to love others your way?

Love

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
(1Corithians 13 NIV)

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Becoming Like Christ

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 3:20 cf. Romans 6)

Conforming to or, “…to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness]…” (Romans 8:28-29 TAB) is my passion and I hope it is yours too. I am taking time to share some big ideas in small doses that I hope will have a huge impact on any who may read here. I hope you will share your thoughts too. That way we can all grow and benifit from each other. If you want to know what I think about theological orthodoxy you can find it at TEC Theology Page. For now, here at The Earnest Contender blog, I am zooming in on orthopraxis. The way we believe will affect the way we live. Building our own personal relationship with Christ and to let others in on it is such a joy for me.

Stay bright,
Brother John

Friday, August 10, 2007

Transformed by the Rewnewing of the Mind

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Being helped along by a book by by Jay E. Adams called Christ and Your Problems I have come to a fuller understanding of this verse, I am so exited about how the Word of God is working in my life that I can't help but pass it along. I am being transformed by the renewing of [my] mind, by listening to what our Lord has to say to me in His Word. The Bible is not for me only it's for you too.

1 We are responsable for our own actions and we can not blame others for our sin.

2. Others have stood up against their own sin and so can we, availing ourselves to God's resources.

3. God is faithful to us even when we are not faithful to Him.

4. Other Christians can help us and we can and should help other Christians.

We have God's Word!
Brother John

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

The Earnest Contender Embraces Replacement Theology

What “The Earnest Contender” Embraces Replacement Theology?

That’s right, I do!

You may be asking, “Has someone defeated ‘The Earnest Contender’?”

“Am I at the wrong website?”

“Did I turn on the wrong computer?”

“Is this ‘Bazaaro World’?”
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Many Reformers are Still Reforming!

The main-line Reformation churches are still reforming their theology. They want it to fit into (or conform with) tolerance and acceptance of theories of evolution, homosexual priests, women preachers, and one world-wide political and religious organization. Thank God there are still those who have a more biblical approach to historic Reformation Theology and the godly men and women it produced and still produces. Phew!
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A New Ecumenism

A “new ecumenism” is reported to be taking hold in evangelical churches; the glue that holds these new evangelicals together is not the ole’ “Let’s forget doctrine and just love Jesus”, or tongues, or an encounter with God, or any other experience, but something that sounds even more religious: “The Doctrines of Grace”! If one conforms to, or holds to, or is tolerant of these extreme views of Calvinism, then that one may be included warmly… no mater what other doctrines that one holds to. Everyone outside these “Doctrines of Grace” needs further enlightenment. If you are elect, keep seeking this enlightenment you’ll get it. If you are not elect, you cannot seek it anyway so don’t try. I don’t think you should even want to try. BTW, Antonio, they would all accept you, too, if you would say the DOG is from GOD. Until then, I am afraid you will have to put up with the shameless ridicule you have been enduring for believing in Jesus for eternal life.
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Just In

The World Council of Churches of Christ is meeting with other religious leaders to discuss ways to evangelize the world. Leaders from Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and even Christian groups will be discussing the use of proper etiquette, etc. in evangelism. Rose from Rose’s Reasonings was pondering the purpose of this meeting and asked, “I wonder, what is their ‘evangel’?” Good question Rose. Who knows? I would sooner consult my Bible than this cluster of religionists.
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The Earnest Contender Embraces Replacement Theology

“That’s right I do!” was the surprising comment by the blog administrator J. Wendell. “It has been right under my nose in the book of Romans!” When asked to explain this new revelation, J. Wendell released the following statement:

Revelation is not the right word to use. Illumination or enlightenment would be less confusing. It dawned on me as I was reading Romans 12:1-2:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Focusing my attention on verse two (2) and the words, be not conformed to this world, I realized that is what I was doing by allowing lust, anger and envy to rule my day and ruin my sweet fellowship with God. Then when I focused on the words, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, I realized that renewing my mind is what I need to do daily as I mediate on Scripture, praying, and enjoy sweet communion with the Lord. Get it? Theology should be teaching us to replace our ugliness of sin with Christ’s beauty of holiness.

He wants us to conform into His likeness!

I get so excited about this…

He is changing me from the inside out!

I gotta go tell someone…


Stay bright,
Brother John

Thursday, August 02, 2007

CRACK

Why did the 40 year old have to get dentures? Crack!

Why was the young man beaten just inches from his life? Crack!

Why are thousands not able to get and hold a job? Crack!

Crack, Cocaine and most other illegal drugs, cause permanent damage! It rots your teeth, ruins your relationships, and robs your purse. Breaking into and stealing from another person's property is not uncommon for those on Crack. One who has been responsible, hard working and somewhat sensible with their earnings can find it all lost, vandalized, and broken because of a Crack user. Some on Crack turn to prostitution to supply their habit. Damnable men may use Crack to seduce young women to become profitable whores. Crack kills the human spirit!

I've seen enough of it!

I am tired of it!

I hate it!

Is there hope? Can lives be mended? Can there be healing in relationships?

The evolutionist will argue that we are evolving, may only the fittest survive. The religionist will make up rules to follow and may even say, “Christ demands all.” I am sick of these false propagators, with useless answers too.

The person who alone is capable to mend the permanent damage is Christ. The only ones who can make Him known are His witnesses. The best way His witnesses can do this is to be conformed to the image of God's Son. We can be conformed to His image by being transformed by the renewal of our minds. (See Romans 8:28-29; 12:1-2)

More later,
Brother John

 

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