Tues.3.31.15...I Believe in Evolution



"I Believe in Evolution." 
What Would You Say To That?

The theory of evolution has become incredibly popular since Charles Darwin published his book, "Origin of Species" in 1859. Why so popular? It's certainly not because it was supported by the laws of science. Actually, it fails as a sound scientific theory because it violates the law of biogenesis. (More on that in the video.) Evolution has become wildly popular because it provides an alternative to believing in God as the Creator. Rebellious man would rather pretend to be wise and exchange the truth of God for a lie, than to repent and serve the Creator-King. 

1.-Hope you like the following video that exposes evolution. Please take note of what strikes you and share such with us. 



Please seek to pass this video on to unbelievers who need to be awakened to the truth. Or pass it on to believers to help them stand confidently in their faith. Then give yourself MP3 credits for doing so. Way to sow!

2.-Read Rom.1:21-25, then write on your MP3 card the following truth- "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie" Rom.1:25.  Feel free to comment on anything in this passage (1:21-25) as well.

May we instead worship and serve our Creator who is forever praised. Amen!
Speaking of praising our Creator, let's not let the truth of God be dead in our heads. A fitting praise song is a great way to connect truths about God to a connection with God. I think the following song beautifully does that. Enjoy it if you have time and see if it doesn't move you to worship!




Don't forget to put your points on the GREAT Scoreboard. Do you see someone missing on the scoreboard? Then please go to the Contacts tab to find his number and reach out to him. Let us encourage one another daily, so that no one drifts or is deceived. 




Mon.3.30.15...I'm an Atheist

What Would You Say To That?

Let’s face it- we live in a world that is growing more and more indifferent or even critical of faith in God and His word. TV and the internet spew out a lot of criticism of the Christian faith. Are there criticisms valid? If not, how can you intelligently respond to their charges against God and the Bible? Let’s take the next couple weeks to look into this. Is our faith just a leap of faith into thin air or is it a step into the light onto solid ground? Is our faith reasonable? And can we give reasonable responses to critics?  We better be able to! You and I are commanded to “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have” 1 Pet.3:15.  Giving such a reasonable response is known as apologetics. It has nothing to do with apologizing. The Greek word “apologia” from which we get “apologetics” means to give a well reasoned reply. It’s the word used in the above verse that we are to be able to give "a reason" for the hope you have.

There have always been skeptics and even atheists. If a person said to you, “I’m an atheist" what would you say to that? What would your reasonable response be to that? Check out the following out the "out of this world" short video for atheists.

1.- Read Rom.1:18-20. What strikes you from it or the video?

2.-Is there a God? Write out the following phrase on your MP3 card- "God has made it plain to them...so that men are without excuse." Rom.1:19,20

Romans 1- Creation reveals God (the source of the creation)
Romans 2- Conscience reveals God (the source of our sense of right and wrong)
Romans 3- Christ perfectly reveals God (The Source and the source of salvation!)

A Christian friend of mine, who was an atheist, told me he abandoned it after simply marveling at a squirrel. May the following video move us to marvel and worship our great Creator. (Watch it if you have time. These videos are great to pass on. Please give yourself MP3 credits for doing so. Please input all your scores on our new April tab on our GREAT scoreboard spreadsheet.)








Sun.3.29.15...Happy Palm Sunday!



Happy Palm Sunday!

As you know, this week we will be especially honoring our Lord for his death and triumphal resurrection. And on the blog this week and the next, we will be looking at giving reasonable responses to people who may hit us with tough questions about our faith. You'll see all the more that our faith rests on solid facts not fairy tales. It's great to be able to give facts and solid answers to skeptics. But facts need to be converted to food for praise and thanksgiving, otherwise such grand truths can become dead in our heads. We can become spiritual fat heads. God wants to both inform our heads and inflame our hearts. I've found praise songs to be a great way to ignite truths. Thus, in honor of celebrating our crucified and risen Lord, I want to share with you the following great video. I hope it moves you to worship our Lord as it does me. What a great video to pass along to others this week!


1.-The Growing Deeper Project for this week? Enjoy the video and look for others that you could pass this on to. God bless you!

Fri.3.27.15 The Sequel to Jonah


Great Sequels

Some movies end demanding a sequel. For example, you can't leave Han Solo frozen in carbonite. There just has to be a sequel!



Plus, you can't let the evil Emperor live on without judgment falling upon him. Deep down in our souls, we long to see such evil villains get what's coming to them. We learned that imprecatory prayers gave voice to that desire to see judgment befall the evil. But we also know we are not to take revenge, but leave room for God's wrath. For it is written; "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. Rom.12:19. But "how long O Lord?" That has been the cry of saints throughout the ages that have suffered under evil people. 

Jonah felt that way. He waited outside the city of Nineveh, hoping to see God's wrath fall upon those evil people. It's as if he had picked out a seat in the theater, eager to see an explosive ending to the movie. But he was really ticked off at how it ended well for the wicked and wanted more than his money back. He wanted to die! "That's not how the movie should end! There needs to be a sequel!" Did you know there is a sequel, but Jonah never saw it? It hasn't done very well at the box office. Few have gone to see it, even though it's been out for a long time. It's the sequel to the book of Jonah and it's called Nahum. (Maybe it would have done better with a better title. Feel free to re-title it, since Bible book titles were not inspired by God. The Lord would have given so much better titles than what we're left with- Leviticus? Numbers? Deuteronomy? Really?:) 

If you have a study Bible, it probably gives you some helpful background information on Nahum. We've already discovered previously that learning the historical context of a book is a BIG Bible Interpretation Guideline. 

1. So name one thing that you learned about the book of Nahum from your study Bible or from going to Biblehub.com (To find background info using Biblehub.com, just type in a verse from the the book you want to study, such as Nahum 1:1 and hit enter. Then about an inch under the search bar in the middle, you'll see the word- Strong's. Just under Strong's, you'll see a hard to see icon that looks like a book. Click that Bible Book Summary icon and it will take you to the riches.)


Now read chapter 1 of Nahum. It well summarizes this 3 chapter long book. (If you have time, feel free to read all of it.)  

We've learned before that a good way to get a handle on a passage is to title it. Since Nahum isn't a very captivating title, let's re-name it. If it was a movie, let's give it a catchy title that would also catch the essence of the book. How about "DOOMED!"? Imagine how many more people would read Nahum if they came across it as a book in the Bible called "DOOMED!" (Even boys would want to read it. "Daddy, can I please read DOOMED?  I know it's rated R for excessive violence, but I promise I won't act it out.":)

2.-Write one verse or phrase from Nahum chapter 1 that catches your attention and write it on your MP3 card and share it with us and others. Thanks! Write Did it if you also gave yourself points on  the board. I know, it's a new habit and a few yet need a reminder. While on  the Scoreboard, click the Contacts tab at the bottom and post the names of your two prayer partners. Thanks for not making me look 'em up and fill them in.

Here's another BIG Bible Interpretation Guideline- Bible prophecies often expand in their fulfillment. Think of a cone < of greater fulfillment. The prophecy could have a small fulfillment soon after it was given, but it would have greater fulfillments often much later in history. Take Nahum 1:15 as an example- "Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news"
This immediately referred to a messenger who would bring the good news to the Israelites,who had been oppressed by Nineveh, that it had been destroyed. No more would the wicked invade them. But Paul also picks that verse up and applies it to people who preach the good news. See Rom.10:15. And since we know that Christ is the ultimate hero in Scripture, we can see Nahum 1:15 foreshadowing His coming to bring the good news message to Israel. This prophecy will expand yet further when Christ returns a second time and his feet rest on the Mt of Olives (Zech.14:4). Zechariah 14 describes a future day when Messiah will come back and destroy Israel's enemies and bring peace, not just to Israel, but to the entire world! What an expansion of good news from Nahum's day!

Announcements
It's a beautiful thing to see the way that several of you are proving to be great coaches of encouragement to our Pros. Look over this week's GREAT Scoreboard and see for yourself.  

Our Pros are doing well in becoming Unstoppable in God's word. TYF! (Thank You Father!) So that they don't feel left out from what you're reading on the blog, we will have them join us starting Monday for a mini-series on apologetics called "What Would You Say to That?"-responding to objections people bring against your Christian faith or the call to salvation. (Get your popcorn- you'll get to watch mini-movies as well as dive in to some vital Scriptures. Will the movies be better than seeing Han Solo in carbonite? You'll see:) 









Th.3.26.15...Jonah 4...Psychoanalyzing A Mad Man

A Psychoanalyzing a Mad Man

Imagine you are an expert in psychoanalyzing people arrested by the police. You’ve been called upon to psychoanalyze a mad man (angry man). His name is Jonah. He reveals some very disturbing things about himself as he tells his story to you recorded in Jonah chapter 4. 



But before you get to work psychoanalyzing him, I have a question for you. Why is there a chapter 4 anyway? In just 3 chapters the main story is told. And if you left out Jonah’s prayer from inside the great fish in ch.2, the action line of the story is given in the reading of just chapters 1 and 3. Chapter 3 ends on a happy note- the people repented at the preaching of Jonah. And they lived happily ever after. End of story. But it’s not. Why is there a chapter 4? Good question. It appears that the divine Author is revealing something worthy of an entire extra chapter. It’s this. It’s not enough to outwardly obey God; the Lord wants us to share His heart of compassion for people. Without love, we are nothing- certainly nothing like God. Jonah had just experienced the greatest evangelistic outreach that preachers would die for, but he wanted to die. He had no love for those sinners. Are we much better than he?

Imagine all the leaders and terrorists of Isis and their families were gathered in one city, like Nineveh. How tempting to bomb them all. I’d vote for it! These people behead innocent people, just like the Ninevites did! Lord, let fire from the sky rain  down upon them! This was Jonah’s attitude. It is also the attitude of many believers today toward such wicked people. It was also the attitude of James and John. They were angry that the Samaritans wouldn’t receive Jesus, so they asked if they could call down a heavenly air strike upon them (fire from the sky, as Elijah did on his enemies- 1 Kings 1:10-15). But Jesus rebuked them for this (Luke 9:51-56). They certainly didn’t share His heart, for He did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. Sadly many believers don’t share the Lord’s heart for lost people. Jonah certainly didn’t. He would rather die than see them live. But the Lord “is not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9. The Lord himself declares, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked” Ez.33:11.

Now, I’m not saying that Isis and terrorists should not be eliminated. They should. Governments are supposed to protect their people. My point is pointing at my callous heart. Like Jonah, I haven’t given a rip or a prayer about their souls. They deserve hell. Yes, hardened wicked people deserve hell. But I deserve hell too. Thank You Lord that even when we were still your enemies, you sent your Son to rescue us! May they repent before they are destroyed by man and then by God. Judgment is coming to the unrepentant. (We will look at that tomorrow.)

So I’ve admitted some things to you and you can psychoanalyze me. But for now, I’d like you to psychoanalyze Jonah. He’s a piece of work. Many believe Jonah wrote the book himself. He at least told his story to someone who wrote it down, revealing much about himself.

1.-So now read Jonah chapter 4. What is he revealing in this last chapter of the book about himself and God? (Food for thought. In chapter 1, we compared Jonah to the prodigal son turning his back on his father. And in chapter 2, he also repented, seeing how far he had sunk down. But now in ch.4, you might like to psychoanalyze Jonah as more like the older brother of the prodigal. And how did both fathers respond  to that hardened son? Just a thought you might wish to explore.)

2.-Write out on your MP3 card- "The Lord…is not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9b. Then do the Did it.

3.-Go to the Contacts tab at the bottom of our GREAT Scoreboard spreadsheet and please fill in your prayer partners names and any other missing contact info. Then do the Did it. Kudos to you who have already done so. If you don't have 2 prayer partners yet, please recruit and send me their names and email addresses. I need your help to help you here. Thanks.

Announcements!
Our next M3 meeting will be back to our originally scheduled date and location- Sunday, April 12th at 3:00 at Jack's. I think he will even be there to let us in :)

Today is your birthday! Happy birthday Mike Pagan!




Wed.3.25.15 Jonah 3...Take Off!



You've Got What It Takes! Take Off!
Have you ever met someone who really believed in you? It just seems like they believed you would take off in life. You may have stalled and lost faith, but they still encouraged you to fly. They may have had more faith in you than you had in yourself. Those people are great to have as wingmen. Jonah certainly had crashed and burned, but God didn't give up on him. He still knew great things could be accomplished through Jonah if he would just trust and obey. I want to be God's spokesman to your heart. I believe great things for you and your future too because God has GREAT desires for you. As a matter of fact, I believe great things have already begun in your life. I'm seeing proof of it for example on the GREAT scoreboard- you're sharing God's word with others and encouraging others. That's great! I've also read such good thoughts you've shared from your study of Scripture. And think where we've flown together. Just over the last few weeks we've covered many BIG Bible Interpreting Guidelines. We also used the 3 key components for accurate Bible study- Observation, Interpretation and Application. You've done great! You've earned your wings and so I want you to fly solo and take off!


I want you to read through Jonah chapter 3 and then share anything from it that you wish. Perhaps the summary of what we've covered below will re-ignite your jet engines. Have God-confidence. You're going to do great! God believes in you and so do I. Take off! (Enjoy the Top Gun clip by clicking the link below. It starts in at the action- 2min.35sec. Picture me as the catapult "cat" officer cheering your take off- seen at 3min.22sec.:)


Here’s a summary of our BIG Bible Interpreting Guidelines we've discovered so far-
Ask questions!
Give careful consideration to what you read.  
The purpose of rightly interpreting the Bible is to rightly obey it.
The Bible is the best interpreter of itself. So compare scripture with Scripture.
Being prayerful is commendable but it is not a dependable replacement for the careful study of Scripture.
It’s imperative that we know what kind of literature we are reading to interpret it and apply it correctly.
Knowing the background to what we are reading helps us better understand the passage. Commentaries and online resources can help us with such.
Knowing the mood of the author helps you better understand his message.
The apostles often quoted the OT from the Greek version of it called the Septuagint; thus don't be surprised that it doesn't line up exactly with our OT translated from the Hebrew. Plus,they paraphrased at times, all under the inspiration of God.
Since the Bible is God’s perfect word, if you think you’ve found an error in the Bible, it’s your error, not God’s! Many people think they’ve found a contradiction, when it may only be a contrasting statement, not a contradictory statement.
“Humbly accept the word” We don’t stand in judgment on it, it stands in judgment on us.
Keep in mind that the grand theme of the Bible is Jesus.
Don’t spiritualize the Scriptures. Those who spiritualize tell spiritual lies. Don’t read spiritual hidden meanings about Jesus into everything.
The plain thing is the main thing. And the main thing is the plain thing.
Recognize the progress of revelation. The NT supersedes the OT.
Understand Hebrew poetry- the second line gives insight into the first line.
The context of a word determines its meaning. A text without a context is a pretext.
Words also need to be understood in their historical context.
Interpret difficult verses in light of clear ones.
Look for repeated words or phrases to help you discover what the author is emphasizing. The main thing is the plain thing. 
Look for major Bible themes as you read. 
God is the true hero of the book. 

The Key Components of Accurate Bible Study
1.-Observation- (What does it say?) Get the F.A.C.T.S. like a CSI detective- Fast Facts- Ask Questions, Check for key words, Title and Summarize your report.

2.Interpretation- (What does it mean?) Like an explorer, interpret the ancient passageway passage by looking at such things as the Context, Cross references, Commentaries and Concordances. Tools such as Biblehub.com can be a great help here.

3.Application- (What does it mean for me?) Like a sports doctor, apply the remedy to where it is most needed. Ask the SPEAK questions to "hear from God's word."  
S- Is there a Sin for me to confess or a Song that comes to mind to sing?
P- Is there a Principle to follow or a Promise to claim or a Prayer to also utter?
E- Is there an Example to follow or an Error to avoid?
A-Is there an Answer to a problem I’ve had or an Action to take?
K-Is their Knowledge for which I can praise or thank God?

1.Share something from your study of Jonah chapter 3.

2.-Pick one verse from Jonah 3 or a cross reference you may have found elsewhere in Scripture and put that on your MP3 card. Then do the Did it. Please share that verse with us too. Thanks for enriching us with it!

See you on the GREAT scoreboard.

Please also go to the Contacts tab and type in the names of your 2 prayer warriors. Don't have two? Please recruit a second and send me their name and email address today. The enemy would love to keep us without air (prayer) support. 
Thanks also for your continued encouragement of your fellow coaches and Pros.
Please give a happy birthday shout out to Pro, Alex Dyckman! You'll find his contact info in the Contacts tab.

Tues.3.24.15...Jonah 2.. Share Your Story Too!


Amazing Grace!
Jonah was in such a great storm at sea. Yet the storm within him may have been even greater. Only God's amazing grace spared him. It reminds me of another man at sea, also hardened to the things of God, but in a very vile way. A gospel tract describes this man's life as follows- "One would be hard pressed to imagine, let alone to live, a blasphemous life equal to [his] early years.
In his youth he became the captain of a slave ship, landing at least one load of his human cargo in Charleston, South Carolina. It is reported that at times he was so drunk and destitute that even his crew regarded him as little more than an animal. Once he fell overboard and his ship’s crew refused to drop a boat to him. Instead they threw a harpoon at him, with which they dragged him back into the ship. He seemed oblivious to the plight of the poor black souls chained in the hold of his ship.
His willful and wanton disregard for all that is right and holy led him into a life plagued with despair, dangers at sea, abuse, public floggings, destitution, depression, near drownings and miraculous escapes." It took a great storm at sea, lasting four weeks, before John Newton finally started taking seriously the Scriptures his mother had taught him as a young boy. And now you know the story of the man, John Newton, who wrote the world famous song, "Amazing Grace."



Each person's story from sin to salvation is a song to God of His amazing grace. You and I can also sing our story of salvation-
      "Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.
       I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see."


When I think of Jonah's life, though he was already "saved," he was a wretch and rebel as well. Stormy waters also caused him to finally to cry out to God and do His will. He writes out his turning point prayer and testimony in Jonah chapter 2.

Have you ever written out your testimony? It's really not hard to do. Remember the story of the blind man Jesus healed in John 9? He simply said, "I once was blind, but now I see." John 9:25. (Now you know where John Newton got those lyrics from.)

1.-So let's write out our Amazing Grace stories of how "I once blind, but now I see." Make it short. Write it out on the front and back of your MP3 card.
First, on the front of your card, briefly describe what your life was like before following Christ. We did something like this previously, but we just used key words that expressed how we felt, such as empty, depressed, hateful, etc. Feel free to use such again. You don't have to write out a full story, but when you share your testimony with others, share a story, if possible, when you were feeling empty, depressed, whatever it was for you. People love to listen to stories. Let me first share with you a snippet of my story as an example of how short you can make your testimony.

I pursued the "high life" throughout high school. But it left me so empty. I remember looking at my bloodshot eyes and asking, "Is this all there is?" Then I pursued philosophy and psychology in college, but that didn't fill the hole in my soul.  

Now briefly write out how Jesus has changed you. The blind man said, "The man they call Jesus made mud and spread it over my eyes and told me, 'Go to the pool of Siloam and wash yourself.' So I went and washed, and now I can see!" John 9:11 NLT. What happened to you? How did you get saved or what was a significant spiritual turning point for you?

Here's what happened to me-
I was kicking around in a pile of autumn leaves and had such feelings of hatred toward my sister who had become a radiant Christian, filled with love and joy. I so resented her! But God used that to show me I needed Jesus too to forgive me and fill the hole in my soul. And He has! I'm not saying I'm perfect. Go ask my wife. But because of repenting and receiving Christ, I now have eternal life.

(Normally, I would also give you a verse to write on your 3x5 card, but I guess you've already filled it up :)

Got time to praise the Lord for His amazing grace? Enjoy this short video then. Beautiful scenery as well!





Wow, what a lot of great encouraging comments I read yesterday! Perhaps you noticed we had two guys post for the first time yesterday- Phil Raymond, who lost his father a week ago and Ricardo (aka Rich) Guardiola. 

Don't forget to go each day to the Scoreboard and put your points on the board. By doing this you are a GREAT example to the Pros.  






Mon.3.23.15...That's Some Whale of a Tale!


That's Some Whale of a Tale!


Skeptics and scoffers think that such stories as Jonah surviving inside a whale for 3 days are fairy tales for gullible adults. So how do we respond to such skeptics. Our first desired response is not the best response- "Listen buddy, if your IQ was bigger than your shoe size, you might understand some elementary things. Miracles are child's play for God. Nothing is too difficult for Him." But them's fightin' words. Thankfully God has given us guidance on how to respond to skeptics. It starts with our hearts, not our heads. It starts with being kind, not coming up with humiliating come backs to put them in their place. Reflectively Read 2 Tim.2:24-26 now. 

Such skeptics are not our enemies, they are captives of the enemy. Once, we were just like them. "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures." Titus 3:3. Our hope is to see them set free just as we have been. But how do we do that? Some believers have come up witty put downs to put skeptics in their place. They may think they have won the debate. But as its been said, "You may have won the battle, but you lost the war." How do you know if you have won in your conversation with a skeptic of miracles or the Scriptures? 

You've won when you were not quarrelsome but kind, gently instructing others. Asking good questions  is a great way to gently instruct others. Asking questions respectfully shows that you care about what they think. It shows you want to understand them. "Seek first to understand before being understood." So ask questions. Questions also keep you in control of the conversation and can help you keep control of your stoked emotions when someone attacks your Lord's word. Instead of having to memorize loads of material to refute dozens of skeptical attacks against God and His word, here are just a few questions that you can use, no matter what the skeptic throws at you, including these- There is no way that miracles could happen, such as Jonah living* in the belly of a whale for three days. The Bible is full of errors. Jesus is not God. Evolution created everything, etc. So kindly ask these questions:

What led you to believe that? This is such a simple but powerful question. Then you are not on the defense to answer their objection, they are now on the defense to defend their bold accusation. In a court of law, the accuser must prove his point. Your question puts it back on them to come up with an answer, not on you. Ask this question kindly though, not smugly. Remember, if you're not the "kind" kind, you're the wrong kind. But what if this guy comes up with reams of "scientific reasons" that led him to believe in his disbelief? Then ask the next question.

Would you consider yourself to be a person who wants the truth? Most people will say, "Yes." Then simply ask- 
Would you read through the gospel of John and ask to be shown the truth and follow it? If they refuse, you could simply say, "I thought you were a person who wanted the truth." At that point, there is no point in talking further. "Leave the presence of a fool" Why? "A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but delights in airing his own opinions." Prov.14:7;18:2.

Those three questions will serve you very well. But if you want more, here's another response you can use with the skeptic who says he won't read the Bible because he doesn't believe in God and the Bible. Ask- 
According to your understanding, what does the Bible teach about how a person may obtain eternal life? 
They will probably say, "But I told you, I don't believe in the Bible." 
Pardon me, I'm not asking what you believe; I'm asking what you understand. It would be a rather unintellectual approach, to reject the world's all time best seller without even understanding its main message. So according to your understanding of the Bible, what does it teach about how a person may obtain eternal life?
You must be good or keep the 10 commandments, I guess.
I'm afraid someone has given you a warped understanding of the main message of the Bible. For your answer is opposite of what the Bible actually teaches. So as a seeker of truth would you please do yourself an eternal favor and read it for yourself?   

If all this seems too much to remember, then just ask them for their email address and send them the following mini-movie. (The first minute covers this.)
  

*Skeptics rightly point out that a man could not breathe inside a fish. Christians point out that God prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. Thus, it may have been specially designed for its mission. Many other Christians (including yours truly), believe Jonah may have died just before or after being swallowed. If he did die, he would be a very good symbol (or "type") of Christ's death and burial inside the belly of the earth. Jesus declared, "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the huge fish, so the son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Mt.12:40. If Jonah died, then his prayer of reflection on his ordeal in chapter 2 may have been uttered just after being brought back to life after three days, just before he was vomited out onto dry land. He remembers his ordeal in the stormy seas, praying and then sinking to his death. Christ also prayed in his stormy distress on the cross, died and then was buried, after which the Lord also answered his prayer three days later bringing Him up from death as with Jonah. He came to life inside the tomb and then left it. It makes sense, though some may still scoff as in the next story-

A little boy was talking to his teacher about whales and how he had heard in Sunday School about how a whale had swallowed Jonah.
The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a man.
The little boy remained steadfast in his position and reiterated that indeed, a whale had swallowed Jonah.
Irritated, the teacher again stated that a whale could not possibly swallow a man. And even if it could, Jonah wouldn't be alive three days later. That's impossible.
The little boy said, "I'm not sure how it happened, but when I get to heaven I will ask Jonah."
The teacher replied smugly, "What if Jonah isn't in heaven?"
The little boy replied, "Then you ask him."

1.-Share something you gleaned from today's blog.

2.-Copy down on your MP3 card these key questions to ask those who oppose you-
What led you to believe that?
Would you consider yourself to be a person who wants the truth?
Would you read through the gospel of John and ask to be shown the truth and follow it?

Please practice using these 3 questions. When you see an M3 brother, pretend to be a skeptic and see he does using those 3 questions.

Announcements
Wow! Did you see the totals from last week's GREAT scoreboard?! Several of you are knocking it out of the park! You are great Models! These first few weeks are especially crucial for giving encouragement to our new Pros. Go to the Contacts tab to find the phone number or email of a pro to encourage him, as well as on the blog. Please look at the Scoreboard for who may have missed blogging. They could really use a word of encouragement as they struggle against the enemy to become Unstoppable. 

What great things the Lord has done for us! Just see Sunday's list!







Sun.3.22.15...37 Things Happen When We Get Saved!



Have a great week!

Enjoy this great song by Casting Crowns- Who Am I?

37 Things That Happen When We Get Saved
by Dr. Bob Ream, 1994


In Relation to God the Father:
1. We have access to God's grace. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
2. We are adopted into the family of God as God's sons. Galatians 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
3. We have an inheritance. 1 Peter 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you, Colossians 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
4. We are elected (chosen), (only those IN Christ). Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
5. We become a child of God. John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
6. We get Heavenly citizenship. Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
7. We become an heir of God. Galatians 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
8. We become a new creature. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
9. We become a servant of God. Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
10. We become a priest of God. 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
11. We are reconciled to God. Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
12. We are Sanctified. 1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
In Relation to God the Son:
13. We are accepted in the beloved. Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
14. We are baptized into Christ's body. 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (There is no water baptism mentioned within 8 chapters in either direction). There is no connection of the baptism of 1 Corinthians 12 to the baptism of Acts 2:38.
15. We are a love gift to the Son. John 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
16. We are buried with Christ. Colossians 2:10-12 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
17. We are indwelt by Christ. John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
18. We posses eternal life. John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
19. We are saved by Christ. Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me.
20. We have peace with God. Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
21. We become a friend of God. John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
22. We have our name recorded in the book of life in heaven. Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Philippians 4:3 And I entreat thee also, true yoke-fellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow-laborers, whose names are in the book of life.
23. We are seated with Christ in heavenly places. Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
24. We receive a blessed hope. Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;
25. We come in fellowship with the Trinity. 1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
26. We have a mansion prepared in glory. John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (This becomes ours the moment we receive Christ.)
In Relation to God the Holy Spirit:
27. We are born again. John 3:3-7 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (Again no water baptism.)
28. We are anointed by the Holy Spirit. 1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abides in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
29. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
30. Our body becomes the temple of the Holy Ghost. 1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
31. We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you. 2 Timothy 1:14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwells in us. 1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
In Relation to the Recipient.
32. We are forgiven. Luke 7:48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
33. We are justified. Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Romans 4:5 But to him that works not, but believes on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
34. We are redeemed. Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 1 Peter 1:18-19 For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
35. We have an advocate (attorney for defense). 1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
36. We have the possibility of getting victory over sin. Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (Read all of chapter 6.)
37. We become an ambassador for Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.


AMEN AMEN AMEN!

Sunday night 10:25 add on- What's one truth from the above list that you are especially thankful for?

Fri.3.20.15...Jonah 2- Why?


Why?
Remember when you or your little one was in the “Why” stage? Why are there mosquitoes? Why do birds fly and cats don’t? Why don’t I feel rested if I sit with my eyes closed instead of going to bed? Ugh! (Great questions. Go ask your mother:) We can be glad when their “Why” stage is over, exposing how little we know. But I hope you never outgrow the “Why” stage when it comes to reading God’s word. It’s how great discoveries are made. So let’s ask a “Why” question regarding Jonah chapter 2 and see what riches God might open our eyes to. Why did God devote all of chapter two, to Jonah’s prayer? Think about it. The book of Jonah is only four chapters long. So one fourth of the book is given to this poetic lament prayer. Why? After all, without it, the action of the book would flow quite nicely. (And I like action:) So I wrote in my Bible, “Why would a whole chapter be devoted to prayer?” I’m not the brightest bulb in the crayon drawer (to mix metaphor’s as my son and I like to do), but it seems that prayer must be an important ingredient in the story. Bingo! So then it dawned on me how important the theme of prayer was in chapter 1- Look at 1:5,6,14,16. Look also ahead to 3:8 and 4:2. So let me ask you a “Why” question now in light of all this.

1.-Why do you think prayer is so important in the book of Jonah? (Relax, there are no wrong answers.)

Before we get into reading chapter two, it will help you to understand it better by seeing how it’s laid out. Hebrew poetry often uses something called Chiastic structures (Ugh! Why such weird words? The word "Chiastic" comes from the Greek letter Chi which looks like our X. The word has to do with a criss-cross or a back and forth structure.) There are different ways these back and forth structures can appear. Some have seen the entire book of Jonah with such a back and forth structure, climaxing in the middle portion.

A Jonah’s commission (1:1-2)
  B Jonah vs. the LORD: Jonah’s flight and the LORD’s storm (“anger”) (1:3-4)
    C Dialogue between sailors and Jonah: “fear” motif (1:5-13)
      D The sailors’ prayer (1:14a)
        E The LORD’s sovereign freedom (1:14b)
          F The sea ceased its raging (“anger”) (1:15)
           G The men feared the LORD with a great fear (1:16)
             H The LORD appointed a great fish to change Jonah’s mind (2:1-2)
                I Song of Jonah (2:3-10)
                  J Jonah’s deliverance (2:11)
                       JONAH’S COMMISSION RENEWED (3:1-4)
                  J’ Nineveh’s repentance (3:5-7a)  
                I’ Decree of king of Nineveh (3:7b-9)
              H’ God changed His mind (3:10)
            G’ A great displeasure came to Jonah (4:1a)
          F’ Jonah became angry (4:1b)
        E’ The LORD’s sovereign freedom (4:2)
      D’ Jonah’s prayer (4:3)
    C’ Dialogue between the LORD and Jonah (4:4-9)
  B’ The LORD vs. Jonah: the LORD’s justification of His compassion (4:10-11)
A’ Jonah/Israel’s response needed (implied)

Let’s read chapter 2 now using a "back and forth" color coded look. If you just read the Green highlighted words, the thoughts flow similarly, emphasizing the lament portion of Jonah's praying to God. Then if you just read the Orange highlighted words, you'll see that they emphasize Jonah's feelings of being overwhelmed by the waters. The back and forth motion of these verses may also reflect how Jonah felt being tossed back and forth by the waters. 

1From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. 2He said:

“In my distress I called to the Lord,
and he answered me.  (Jonah knew his Bible and paraphrases from it- Ps.18:6)
From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help,
and you listened to my cry.  (Note how in this Hebrew poetry, the second half adds more to the first.)

3You hurled me into the depths,
into the very heart of the seas,
and the currents swirled about me;
all your waves and breakers
swept over me.  (He knew Ps.42:7 as well.)

4I said, ‘I have been banished
from your sight;  (A wonderful cross reference comes to mind- 2 Sam.14:14b)
yet I will look again
toward your holy temple. (The place of God's presence which Jonah had sought to flee from before- 1:3,10)

5The engulfing waters threatened me,
the deep surrounded me;
seaweed was wrapped around my head.
6To the roots of the mountains I sank down; (This is poetic, a figure of speech)
the earth beneath barred me in forever.

But you, Lord my God,
brought my life up from the pit. (In Mt.12:40 Jesus likens his death to Jonah's experience)
7“When my life was ebbing away,
I remembered you, Lord,
and my prayer rose to you,
to your holy temple.

(Now Jonah gives a life lesson for the idol worshiping Ninevites that he is now willing to preach to.)

8“Those who cling to worthless idols
turn away from God’s love for them.

(But Jonah, those who cling to worthless, wayward ways as you did, also turn away from enjoying God's love for them.)

9But I, with shouts of grateful praise, 
will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good. (May we also be faithful to give God grateful praise)
I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’ ”

(As we saw with many lament psalms, they start sad and often end in praise. Jonah has faith that God will deliver him and thus makes vows to keep his commitment to be a praising person. If only he and we could better maintain such a devotion to praising the Lord and sharing His salvation message with others- Salvation comes from the Lord.) 

(Now we see in the next verse that God responded with compassion to Jonah's heartfelt prayers.) 

10And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

Jonah's prayer reminded me at first of the prodigal son that forsook his father to go to a far country. But when he sank down so deep, he finally looked up, repented and returned, requesting mercy from his father. But here's another way to look at it. Jonah was like rebellious Israel. They were to be a representatives of God to make him known to the Gentiles. Instead, they went their own sinful, stubborn way, just like Jonah. Thus, they would end up being swallowed up by Nineveh (Nineveh means "house of fish!") and the rest of the Assyrians in as little as 40 years after the time of Jonah. 


2.-Early Christians often drew pictures of Jonah in or coming out of a great fish to symbolize Christ coming out of the grave. Jonah was and is a powerful pre-figure of Christ. So write out this very important verse on your MP3 card- "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Mt.12:40

May you never grow out of the "Why" stage of asking questions about the Bible. May you always remain curious. It's been said, "Curiosity killed the cat." But lack of curiosity kills the catecumen (the learner)." May you be a lifelong learner.

Announcements
A few days ago several of you responded wonderfully to George's "Broken Arrow" He told me, "It was such a great, overwhelming feeling of support!"
I'm right proud of you men. what a great band of brothers!

Thanks also for all the encouragement you are giving especially to our new pros.

Please don't forget to check out the new outreach video I made and posted Sunday for our GDP (Growing Deeper Project). Thanks.