Ralph Venning on Offense in Christ
He stumbles, and does not know why (John 11.9,10; Proverbs 4.19).
Sinners are ever and anon stumbling at Christ Jesus; they are offended at him, but cannot tell for what. They would complain of something, and find fault with it, if they knew what; but they seek faults where none are to be found. Yet rather than not be offended with Christ, this shall be his crime, that he is guilty of none. The reason why they find so much fault with God is because he finds out their faults, and finds fault with them. Man’s waspishness and touchiness, his being so captious and ready to take offence at God and godliness, are clear manifestations of his darkness. Did they know him, they would never crucify, nor be offended with the Lord of life, light and glory. Blessed is he that is not offended with Christ.
Ralph Venning, The Sinfulness of Sin. (Amazon)
Mark Altrogge: How I Got Comfortable Shouting To God
When Jesus saved me, I became convinced from preaching and the Word that God desires expressive worship. But for me to raise my hands or shout to God or sing with gusto was like telling me to do an Irish step dance at an opera.
But I wanted to become more expressive in my worship. I only had to overcome my fear of man.
via How I Got Comfortable Shouting To God | The Blazing Center.
Randy Alcorn on Balanced Statements
I really enjoyed reading this from C. J. Mahaney’s interview with Randy Alcorn:
What single piece of counsel (or constructive criticism) has most improved your preaching?
“It is impossible to make a balanced statement.”
You can spend all day qualifying what you’re saying and removing the punch from it. Jesus made many statements that have to be clarified by others (e.g. plucking out your eye and cutting off your hand, and hating your family). But it is a mistake to strip such statements of their power by immediately modifying them and saying what they don’t mean instead of what they do. I think we are free to make prophetic statements without always qualifying them.
Thoughts on Memorial Day, from James MacDonald
Sorry this is a day late, but James MacDonald shares some great (and straightforward, as always) thoughts about Memorial Day on his blog:
God Does Not Accept Everyone – SBC Voices
Does God accept everyone? Can God accept everyone? Will God accept everyone?
No. If you were hoping for a different answer I am sorry. God will never look at you, smile, and say welcome to heaven, ever. He will not accept Mother Teresa, me, or my sweet old grandmother.
God only accepts one person, Jesus. Only on the merit of Jesus does God accept anyone and he isn’t really accepting us, but rather his Son on our behalf.
via God Does Not Accept Everyone | Southern Baptist Blogs – SBC Voices.
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