For those of you that are interested, the full length video for the California Missions Offering is now available for viewing. Unfortunately, I cannot post it here, as it's not posted anywhere on the web, except for on the CMO website. On the CMO website, it is available as the Music Video (which is the same as the trailer, I posted here before) and as 4 separate episodes that can be viewed individually. If you are interested and would like to see the full finished product, I invite you to check it out...Even if the only reason you check it out, is to see exactly why it is that California is such a hot place for Missions (no pun intended.) Here are the links...
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
2008 CMO Music Video (same as the trailer seen previously)
Congratulations to all the people involved in this project, and all glory to the Lord. May this year's offering be spectacular! If you happen to live in California, you may want to check to see if your church has received the full length DVD for use in promoting the offering, as well. Blessings to you all!
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Showing posts with label witnessing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label witnessing. Show all posts
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Is Salvation Forever?? by Shalene Kearney
Yesterday, I became excited about a thought that I had, and in so doing, took some scripture out of context to support my mindset. I did not do it purposefully, but as it turns out, my posting was not entirely correct. The part I was excited about was not correct, anyway. You see, my father is not a believer. He was as a child a "believer" inasmuch as he went to church and I assume, went through the motions. I was excited by the fact that we as true believers cannot have our salvation taken away from us. However, the operative words here are "true believers."
I initially interpreted this to mean that if my father was a sincere believer as a child, then his salvation was still his. Unfortunately, this cannot be the case. There is but one unpardonable sin. That is rejection of God. Not because He can't pardon it, but because those that reject Him, won't let Him, simply because of their rejection.
It just so happened that I got a devotional today that helped me to understand a bit better. (God is wondrous in His mysterious ways.) From In Touch Ministries, written by Dr. Charles Stanley, entitled The Assurance of Our Salvation based on scripture verse 1 John 5:10-13
"The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His son. And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and the life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; He who does not have the Son does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life."
What does it all mean??
What it means is this. A true believer will not turn away from God. Because they truly believe and have faith in who He is and who His Son is. Which means that regardless of what my father did as a child, he was never a true believer. Therefore, He cannot claim salvation. However, those that may have turned away in the past, because they did not have true understanding, and therefore true faith; and then come back, so long as they now truly believe and have unwavering faith, can claim salvation. That would be me. (See comment to original post for clarification of this statement if necessary.)
Tara was right in that we cannot claim our salvation based on something we said years ago or in our childhood, as much as it saddens me to say so. It has to be a true commitment to Christ. That's not to say that a child can't make a true commitment to Christ. They can and often do. And they are saved, and can claim their salvation. It's only when they turn away, for a short time later in life, that their words as a child no longer have any value. Because they were just that- "words."
As far as Salvation being Forever? Well, I was correct in that a true believer's salvation cannot be taken away simply because they commit a sin. We all sin on a daily basis, sometimes more that once a day. However, because we repent of our sins, with a genuine and contrite heart, our salvation is still guaranteed. We have gone beyond the basic understanding of being a Christ follower.
For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. Hebrews 4:2
--Lord, today I pray that my words are clearer and true to Your Holy Word. I thank You for the opportunity to study Your Word more, so that I might have a better understanding, and can minister only the Truth to those that read my words. May the Holy Spirit continue to work in me, and may the readers of these words be blessed. I pray this in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.
I initially interpreted this to mean that if my father was a sincere believer as a child, then his salvation was still his. Unfortunately, this cannot be the case. There is but one unpardonable sin. That is rejection of God. Not because He can't pardon it, but because those that reject Him, won't let Him, simply because of their rejection.
It just so happened that I got a devotional today that helped me to understand a bit better. (God is wondrous in His mysterious ways.) From In Touch Ministries, written by Dr. Charles Stanley, entitled The Assurance of Our Salvation based on scripture verse 1 John 5:10-13
"The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His son. And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and the life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; He who does not have the Son does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life."
What does it all mean??
What it means is this. A true believer will not turn away from God. Because they truly believe and have faith in who He is and who His Son is. Which means that regardless of what my father did as a child, he was never a true believer. Therefore, He cannot claim salvation. However, those that may have turned away in the past, because they did not have true understanding, and therefore true faith; and then come back, so long as they now truly believe and have unwavering faith, can claim salvation. That would be me. (See comment to original post for clarification of this statement if necessary.)
Tara was right in that we cannot claim our salvation based on something we said years ago or in our childhood, as much as it saddens me to say so. It has to be a true commitment to Christ. That's not to say that a child can't make a true commitment to Christ. They can and often do. And they are saved, and can claim their salvation. It's only when they turn away, for a short time later in life, that their words as a child no longer have any value. Because they were just that- "words."
As far as Salvation being Forever? Well, I was correct in that a true believer's salvation cannot be taken away simply because they commit a sin. We all sin on a daily basis, sometimes more that once a day. However, because we repent of our sins, with a genuine and contrite heart, our salvation is still guaranteed. We have gone beyond the basic understanding of being a Christ follower.
For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. Hebrews 4:2
--Lord, today I pray that my words are clearer and true to Your Holy Word. I thank You for the opportunity to study Your Word more, so that I might have a better understanding, and can minister only the Truth to those that read my words. May the Holy Spirit continue to work in me, and may the readers of these words be blessed. I pray this in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Answering Questions by Shalene Kearney
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" 1 Peter 3:15
Do you set apart Christ as Lord in your life? Has anyone asked you "What is it about you?" And have you answered unwaveringly that is is the Lord working in your life? Have you done it without pushing the envelope?
In today's society, unfortunately, many have been "turned off" by Christianity and all they think it stands for. Because of this, we have to be mindful of our delivery. This is such a hard thing to do, especially when you are on fire for the Lord.
Have you ever wondered what it is that people see in us, as true believers that makes them want what we have? I can't be so dense as to believe that it's all about the material things. Because I've met some people in my life that just radiated the love of God from every ounce of their being, and didn't have much in the way of material possessions.
I have a best friend like that. For years she just stood by me, witnessing without saying a word. She was the only person that I admired enough not to argue my point of view with (back before I was a believer.) It just seemed disrespectful to do it.
Are you like my friend, in your day to day dealings with people? Do they know you by your deeds and not just by your words? Do you walk the walk; not just talk the talk? And do you have a gentle and respectful way of sharing with them where your hope comes from?
--Lord, today I ask you, to help me shine Your Light to all I come into contact with. Let me be blessed enough to answer when someone asks for the source of my hope. Let me be gentle and respectful in every way. Let my witness be effective. I ask that you work through all that read this, in the same manner. I ask this in Jesus' Holy Name.
Amen.
Do you set apart Christ as Lord in your life? Has anyone asked you "What is it about you?" And have you answered unwaveringly that is is the Lord working in your life? Have you done it without pushing the envelope?
In today's society, unfortunately, many have been "turned off" by Christianity and all they think it stands for. Because of this, we have to be mindful of our delivery. This is such a hard thing to do, especially when you are on fire for the Lord.
Have you ever wondered what it is that people see in us, as true believers that makes them want what we have? I can't be so dense as to believe that it's all about the material things. Because I've met some people in my life that just radiated the love of God from every ounce of their being, and didn't have much in the way of material possessions.
I have a best friend like that. For years she just stood by me, witnessing without saying a word. She was the only person that I admired enough not to argue my point of view with (back before I was a believer.) It just seemed disrespectful to do it.
Are you like my friend, in your day to day dealings with people? Do they know you by your deeds and not just by your words? Do you walk the walk; not just talk the talk? And do you have a gentle and respectful way of sharing with them where your hope comes from?
--Lord, today I ask you, to help me shine Your Light to all I come into contact with. Let me be blessed enough to answer when someone asks for the source of my hope. Let me be gentle and respectful in every way. Let my witness be effective. I ask that you work through all that read this, in the same manner. I ask this in Jesus' Holy Name.
Amen.
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