Posts from 2021 (Page 7)
1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith
This is the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith. Also known as the Second London Baptist Confession or just The Confession of Faith, this was written by an English Reformed/Calvinistic group of Baptists called the Particular Baptists and first published in 1677, and later republished in 1688 and 1689. The following is a Modern English rendition of the original Old English text, translated by Michael Cheng of Grace Family Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. Visit his translation page here. 1689 London…
Resting On God’s Promises
I have been talking extensively about the peace of God because I know how life can bring us down. When we go through adversity, we tend to question God’s character. We wonder if God is who He says He is, or we feel like we’ve failed God, so He doesn’t want to bless us anymore. In the past two months, I’ve learned God is faithful even when I haven’t always been faithful to him. “If we are unfaithful, he remains…
The Chalcedonian Creed
This is the Chalcedonian Creed (sometimes referred to as the Chalcedonian Definition or the Definition of Chalcedon) and agreed upon in AD 451. The Chalcedonian Creed We, then, following the holy Fathers, all with one consent, teach men to confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man, of a reasonable soul and body; consubstantial with the Father according to the Godhead, and consubstantial…
Grace For Each Other
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” – Ephesians 4:29 [ESV] What’s one of the opposites of gratitude? It’s complaining! We are to build each other up! If someone cut you off in traffic, we out resort to fear and complain and say things, “They must be have been on the phone!” “Where was their focus?”…
The Nicene Creed
This is the Nicene Creed (AD 325; Revised at Constantinople in AD 381): The Nicene Creed I believe in one God the Father Almighty; Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were…
Danger Of Self-Ambition
Selfish ambition is when you desire to purely elevate yourself only. The opposite of love is selfishness. Self-ambition is a trap that so many people fall into, and even Christians can get ensnared as well. Our flesh continually craves satisfaction, and it will do anything to get what it wants, even if it involves doing the vilest and evil thing imaginable. David, who is considered a man after God’s own heart, fell into selfish ambition when he looked at Bathsheba…
Survival Mode Versus Serving Mode
As Christians, we are called to serve God and serve others. God tells us to work to eat, but why we work is essential. We don’t work to be rich (by rich, I mean having many earthly possessions), but we work as a service to God. We live in a hustle-driven society where we get so consumed by our work we lose focus on God. Millions of Americans live paycheck to paycheck and fear losing their job despite hating their…
Westminster Confession of Faith
To read other Christian creeds and confessions, go here. Westminster Confession of Faith This is the Westminster Confession of Faith (1643–46) [Text of the American Version]. This creed was created from 1643 through 1646 by the Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be used as a confession of the Church of England. For the Church of Scotland, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine, and it continues to be influential within Presbyterian churches all around…
Our Storms Can Help Others
I was reading the story of Ruth, and I thought about Naomi. Naomi was a widowed woman who was too old to bear children, and there was a famine in the land. Ruth had the option to return to Moab and worship the pagan gods she had left behind, but she decided to stay with Naomi even though Oprah (Ruth’s sister) had already left. Naomi felt like God has forgotten her, but little did she know that God would bless…
The Apostles’ Creed
This is the Apostles’ Creed, which some believe to have come to form around 125-250 AD, and totally solidified by the Third or Fourth Century A.D.: The Apostles’ Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty; Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost [Spirit1], born of the virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; [he descended into hell;2] the third day he…
The Maturity is in the Scrutiny
Christ gives us sufficient warning in the Scriptures of the coming age of deception. He says in Matthew 24:4-5, “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” This post won’t be an effort to prove that we are in a time of deception; that subject can be treated at a later time. However, suffice it to say that we live in a time of confusion and…
God, Offer Us the Spirit of Joy
God offers us the Spirit of God offers us the Spirit of Joy. It’s one of the fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Joy, I believe, goes beyond circumstances or feelings. It’s all about perspective. I am not saying circumstances or feelings can’t add to the experience of joy but did you know you…
Failure Is Sometimes Good
I’ve failed in many areas in my life: my money, my time with God, being able to maintain a clean house, etc. It’s so easy for us to get hard on ourselves when we don’t live up to the expectations we have set for ourselves. The world tells us that failure is a bad thing, but true success in life comes through failure. The business world does embrace failure, but they always rely on self-will and self-improvement to get out…
To The Servants of This World
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant;’” – Matthew 25:21a [NKJV] As 2021 unfolds, I believe that servants in His church are on the heart of the Father. God’s servant people have always been the force that turns the wheels of the church. I speak of the people who are most deserving of our recognition but seek it the least. They are God’s under-recognized remnant that glorifies the Father by serving His people. They may do…
A Blessing Delayed Is Not a Blessing Denied
I just saw this quote on Facebook that says, “A blessing delayed isn’t a blessing denied.” The quote really moved my heart because I have been struggling for months. I have been praying for God to do a miracle in my life, but it hasn’t happened yet. God has shown me throughout this process that His timing will often disappoint our expectations, not to hurt us but to grow us. If God gave me everything I wanted when I wanted…
God Doesn’t Always Give Us A Straight Path
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” – Jeremiah 29:11 KJV The past few days were some of the most emotional times of my life. I had to say goodbye to a place I called home for 13 months and was forced to move back to North Carolina. It was heartbreaking having to leave Jacksonville even though I had done it…
Coasting Through Storms
I’m going through a storm right now, but by God’s grace, I can say I’m coasting through it. By coasting, I mean I’m going through without complaining, without worrying, and without rushing God. I know God’s timing is perfect, and it’s only a matter of time before my breakthrough arrives on my doorstep. I say this to encourage those facing hardships right now that you can have peace during storms. Peace may seem distant when we’re in a crisis, but…
True Disciples of Christ Do Not Deny Him Because They Live For Him
If I asked you to get a piece of paper and something to write with and make a numerical list of all the things you would be willing to die for, what would those be? I have asked this question to some of my friends, and you know what their answers were? They told me genuinely that they would be willing to die for their children, family members, country, and land. I understand because people in the past have been…
Jesus As a High Priest
One of the biggest benefits we have as Christians is Jesus being our high priest. In the Old Testament, people had to go to an actual priest to forgive sin while watching a Lamb get killed. Jesus did away with that so we can talk to Him directly. “So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands…
How Our Reasoning Prevents God’s Miracles
Human logic is a gift, but it can also be a curse. The Bible tells us to trust God and not lean on our understanding, but too often, we do the exact opposite. Trusting God requires us not to think about “how this will work?” or “when this will happen?” Trusting God says, “Thank you, God, for hearing my prayers. I have this need, but I already know You got it taken care of.” Human reason is good, but when…