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Did God really tell you that?

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If you spend time around Christians, or listen online to various Christian YouTubers, you surely have heard someone say, “God told me_____(fill in the blank).” Could it be true that God actually told this person something? And, how does one know it isn’t just one’s own desire to hear what I want to hear?

Pastor Allen Parr explains in this video on his YouTube channel, The Beat,  why we should think twice before we claim we heard from God. He says before you say the words, “God told me,” you should ask yourself, How do I know, without any doubt that it was God speaking to me? Allen doesn’t say it is impossible for God to speak to us, but we need to learn to be discerning about it.

Allen lays out this principle:

Outside of the Word of God, there is not a 100 percent sure way for any of us to know that God has spoken to us apart from the Word of God. Why? Because we are introducing the potential of human error.

Questions reviewed in this video are the following:

Why we shouldn’t use the words, “God told me.”

Why do people say, “God told me.”?

When should we say, “God told me.”?

When should we not say, “God told me.”?

Tangible Evidence for Our Christian Faith: A List of 10 Biblical-Archaeological Discoveries

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While archaeology alone cannot prove without a doubt that Christianity is true and real, it adds a huge layer of evidence that points out that our faith is not without justification. Dr. Jeremiah Johnston visits Pastor Allen Parr on his YouTube channel, “The Beat” and they discuss some very interesting artifacts or discoveries that help confirm the veracity of Christianity and the Bible. Dr Johnston says, “Christianity is verifiable, it’s testable, and you can see the great evidence.” He adds, “Christianity is faith in evidence not a celebration of lack of evidence to believe.”

Allen concurs that there is “tangible, credible evidence why we believe what we believe.”

In this fun and easy-to-understand presentation, Dr. Johnston lays out his list of 10 biblical archaeological discoveries that he deems very important to help us fasten our Christian belief to something other than our personal “feelings” about Christianity.

Keep watching to the end…you may be surprised at the tenth entry on this list!

Can You Lose the Holy Spirit?

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When you read the book of Acts, it’s bound to pique your curiosity and your interest in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a key component of the narrative of Acts. He plays the leading role in the beginning of the spread of the gospel and enables the Apostles to do mighty things.

And Acts says in verse 2:14, “In the last days, God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit on all people.‘” Who wouldn’t want to know more about this amazing gift given to Jesus’ followers.

If you’ve ever wondered when the Holy Spirit indwells us or questioned your salvation, take a look at this video from Gotquestions.org. You’ll come away with more understanding about the Holy Spirit as this video asks and answers the question: Can You Lose the Holy Spirit?

Reading Through the Bible in a Year…Why??

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I came across this article by Sean McDowell (that I’ve linked below) and had to say, “Thank you, Sean!” This goal of reading through the Bible in a year has been a pet peeve of mine, and I was excited to see that a theologian and scholar addressed it.

Why are we trying to get through the Bible in a year? What’s the point?

Like Sean says, there can be some value in that. Yes, it definitely does not hurt to make a commitment to read each book of the Bible in a systematic way. But I think there is tremendously more value in taking the time to let Scripture seep into you as you meditate on it and process each sentence written by the Lord’s inspiration. There should be no speed-reading through the Bible to meet some time limit.

Sean says, “The Bible doesn’t teach merely to read it for the sake of reading it, but to study it for deeper understanding (e.g., 2 Timothy 2:15; Acts 17:11).

After reading Sean’s article, you might like to follow some of his ideas on how to better use your time reading the Bible.

https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/christians-dont-read-the-bible-for-the-year-2020

Pastor Paul: Seven Critical Mistakes Made by Sincere Christians

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You may be curious, as I was, to see if you’ve made these seven critical mistakes in your Christian walk. Because don’t we all want to be blameless in God’s sight?

Pastor Paul Leboutillier, from Calvary Chapel Ontario–California, lays out some thought-provoking ideas for Christians to ponder in his message titled, 7 Critical Mistakes Made by Sincere Christians.

Have you ever thought you needed to do good works to be saved, or wondered how to hear from God? This sermon will give you some answers.

Here are just a few of the mistakes Pastor Paul talks about:

–Underestimating the power of prayer.

–Misunderstanding what “hearing from God” means.

–Questioning their salvation when they fall into sin

Be Like Your Heavenly Father: Encourage Your Child

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Photo by Juan Pablo Serrano Arenas on Pexels.com

Pastor Bobby Conway, founder of the YouTube channel, One Minute Apologist recently delivered a sermon titled, “Come Meet Jesus.” He brings up a wonderful point that maybe we don’t think about too often as we read Mark 1:10-11. Here’s the verses:

10–As Jesus was coming up out of the water, He saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove.11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.

We usually see this tremendous moment in time as the beginning of Jesus’ ministry with God the Father blessing and commissioning Jesus. Bobby notices a tidbit here that he takes a moment to bring to our attention. He takes note of the love God has for His son and sees God’s heart to tell Jesus how pleased He is with Him.

Bobby suggests fathers should take a cue from God. “What a great Father. All fathers, make sure you validate your children. Give them some encouragement. This Father knew how to validate His Son.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1CJA8eF1gM –(Minute 20:27 through 20:51.)

Could Your Concept of “Left Behind” Be Wrong?

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For some reason, as I read the passage, Matthew 24: 36-41, it seemed to be saying something different than what I had come to believe, and what I think most Christians probably believe. Could I, we, be misinterpreting the left behind concept in this part of Matthew? As you read these verses, think about who was left behind.

            “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.”   Matthew 24: 37-41 NIV

            Scholars have varying opinions on who was left behind and who was taken. Below is a link to an article that leans toward unrepentant and unbelieving sinners who are taken away, not believers in the Son of Man:

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/ice_thomas/Mat24-25/Mat24-25_Part34.cfm

What Does God Require of Us?

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Even though Roe v Wade has been overturned, our nation is not free of abortion. Women and men will still be seeking a way out of an unintended pregnancy. But what drives anyone to choose abortion?

And what can we do as Christians to help those women and men who think aborting their child is a viable solution?

Maybe if we could understand their motivations, we could guide them into a choice that won’t harm anyone. According to Guttmacher Institute, a pro-choice entity, that did a structured survey of 1,209 ‘abortion patients’ in 2004, the following are a couple of the most common reasons given by women seeking abortion:

–“Having a baby would dramatically change my life.”

–“I can’t afford a baby now.”

According to Guttmacher, a large proportion cited relationship problems or a desire to avoid single motherhood. They stated a baby would interfere with their education and interfere with their employment.

It seems that these reasons have a solution that would not include making your child the victim of a deadly choice. As a society of people who cherish the idea of “love,” perhaps we could love and be merciful to these women and men in a way that protects the woman’s life and livelihood, and the life of her child.

What can we do as Christians who want to put our faith and love into action? Scripture says, and God requires, that we should “love mercy” and “look after orphans,” and “love one another.”

Here are some opportunities to truly love and support those who are abortion-minded:

–Supporting Pregnancy Care Centers–PCCs abound in the U.S. They offer alternatives to abortion. They offer love and acceptance. And they can render services that make it possible for abortion-minded individuals to find a way to cope with the difficulties facing them. The PCCs need volunteers and financial support along with donations of practical items for moms and babies and for the centers themselves.

–Could you figure out a way that your desire for a child could be satisfied through a pregnant mom who just can’t support her child?

–Adoption—Do you have the room in your heart and home for a child who has been left in the state’s care?

–Homes for pregnant women need donations—financial gifts or housing needs.

–As an employer, can you be flexible so a single mom has less worries and can be there for her child?

–Prayer—God is the provider of all things. Ask Him to intervene in the lives of these abortion-minded individuals.

There are many more things we can do to help. Let’s come alongside these woman and men and bear their burden. It will be a blessing to you and them!

Have You Prayed Today, or This Week, or This Month?

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If you’re finding that you lack a zeal for prayer and need some help to commit to a prayer life, you may want to pick up Kenneth Boa’s book titled, Handbook to Prayer: Praying Scripture Back to God.

Boa says, “Think of this handbook as a tool that combines the Word of God with prayer and guides you through the process of praying Scripture back to God.”

He models each day’s prayer session after the Lord’s Prayer. Each day he guides you through eight categories that are based on the form of the Lord’s prayer. The various verses he uses in each category address: adoration, confession, renewal, petition, intercession, affirmation, thanksgiving, and closing prayer.

In the category of adoration, Boa uses the Scripture Psalm 8:1 to have you read and pray this back to God.

            O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!

            You have set Your glory above the heavens!

Then he prompts the pray-er to “pause to express your thoughts of praise and worship.”

This book is a wonderful aid to your prayer life and your relationship to the Father and Son. And as Boa says, “Spiritual growth is impossible apart from the practice of prayer.” He adds, “…so the key to a growing relationship with the personal God of heaven and earth is time invested in speaking to Him in prayer and listening to His voice in Scripture.”

Want to Know the History of the Bible?

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Then let me introduce you to Wesley Huff.

Wesley is an articulate, intelligent speaker and academic who is a pleasure to listen to and learn from on the history of the Bible and other theological  issues. He has a quiet humor that adds to his presentation. As you look around his website, be sure to check out his infographic illustrations. They are so good and to the point.

His website tells us that he holds a BA in sociology from York University, a Masters of Theological Studies from Tyndale University, and is currently doing a PhD in New Testament and Christian origins at the University of Toronto’s Wycliffe College.
Wesley is currently the Director of Central Canada for Apologetics Canada and has participated in numerous talks and interfaith dialogue events at universities and colleges across North America. He has been participating in public dialogues on issues of faith, belief, and religion for the last ten years.

https://www.wesleyhuff.com/

https://www.youtube.com/c/WesHuff/videos