Establishing a Strong Children's Ministry in Your Church

Verses from the Bible such as Mark 16:15 and he said to them, Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. (ESV) tell us that as Christians we should spread the good news of Jesus Christ to others. Your church outreach can accomplish this in a variety of ways but one of the most effective and rewarding channels can be a children's ministry and outreach. A strong children's ministry in your church outreach can be the difference on whether or not first time visitors return to your church the next week. Many families consider a children's ministry their top priority in selecting a church to attend. A strong children's ministry has many facets and this article will hopefully put you on the right track to creating one. By creating a coordinated and successful children's ministry, you will give both your regular church attendees and visitors a sense of the excitement and fun that comes with growing together in God. First off, establish an image or identity for your children's ministry through church marketing. Just as professional brands like Coca-Cola and Nike create an identity for their products, so must your church for its children's ministry. Giving your children's name its own name, logo, and slogan can be the backbone to creating that brand image. Not only do you need to develop it but you need to promote it as well. Create t-shits for volunteers and ministry leaders, put up signs and other paraphernalia in the area of the church where your children's ministry takes place. It will give children the feeling that they belong to something special and exciting. Make sure you get the whole church involved in church marketing and promoting this brand by putting it on the bulletins, flyers, and announcements. It is always important in your children's ministry to stay very connected with the parents. After all, in most cases, they are the ones responsible for bringing the children to the church every week. Whenever parents check-in their children at the children's ministry make sure that you have their contact information so that you can stay in touch with them. Sending out parent letters or cards that say, thanks for visiting and we've missed you, are a great way to show parents that you appreciate them. Again, with all of these materials make sure that you are continuing to promote your brand image and include your logo and slogan on the collateral that is sent out to parents. Because printing and mailing can get expensive, think about using an email marketing software to send out bi-weekly emails to the parents on upcoming events and news about the children's ministry. Another great way to stay connected with parents is to create a blog specifically for your children's ministry. Have your children's ministry leader or a volunteer update on a weekly basis the blog to keep it interested. Topics could include a quick synopsis about what the children learned the past Sunday or just some thoughts on parenting. It is obvious that a children's ministry needs children to be considered effective. One way to bring children into your ministry is to put on an event for the community that will attract children and their families. Such events can include a summer vacation bible school, a children's concert, carnival, or family fun day. When you do set up a children's outreach event at your church, you will need to take the proper steps to make the public aware of your event. Consider putting up banners on the street and engaging in a direct mail campaign. Another way to implement church marketing events is to print flyers and have volunteers distribute them to the local neighborhoods and it never hurts to utilize local media such as radio and newspaper to advertise. Hopefully, these ideas and tips will have you on your way to establishing an effective and successful children's ministry in your church.

Making Sense of Tongues

In 1 Corinthians 14 Paul has not only commanded believers to pursue love, but he has commanded us to desire what is spiritual, as well. So, we must ask whether human wants and desires can be commanded. Can people be commanded to want or desire a particular thing? Doesn't desire just well up from within a person? Can human desire be imposed by a command? It is an interesting question. Most people believe that they are subject to their desires, rather than their desires being subject to them, subject to their willful control. If Scripture is to be believed and trusted, then the answer must be yes because Paul here commands believers to control their love and desire. Yet Paul was not content to leave it at that, but he adds further clarification. We are not only to chase after love with fervent passion, but we are to want what is spiritual. We are to desire the gift(s) that God has given us. We are to desire our own gifts and not chase after gifts that are not ours. By implication we are not to want or covet someone else's spiritual gifts. We are to want what God has given us. And most especially, said Paul, we should want to prophesy, by which he means to speak meaningfully about Scripture. Believers should especially want and engage this particular gift. The implication is that God has given this particular gift much more widely than most people think. Paul is calling it a common gift among believers, not a rare gift, an ordinary gift, not an extraordinary gift. Sure, some people will do it better than others, but all Christians are called to engage in meaningful explanation about God, Jesus and the Bible. We understand that Paul is teaching that New Testament prophets are to be preachers of the gospel of Jesus Christ, to forth-tell or explain the New Testament and how Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, and to foretell the return of Christ in glory. Does this mean that Paul thinks that all Christians should be preachers? Well, yes and no. No, Paul doesn't mean that all Christians must be employed as pastors or professional evangelists. But, yes, Paul agrees with Peter that every Christian needs to be "prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15). We all need to speak about Jesus Christ and to be ready to explain Scripture as best we are able to anyone who asks. Is this a realistic expectation? Can ordinary Christians really be expected to explain Scripture? Peter said that Christians are a "chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you (they, we -- Christians) may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9). All Christians are to proclaim the excellencies of Jesus Christ and to explain how they came from darkness to the light of Christ, and how Christ is the fulfillment of Scripture. It's a tall order, but it's not my order. It's Paul's and Peter's, and Jesus' as well. The way this works is that prophesying is an overflowing of teaching, and teaching is an overflowing of learning. Learning leads to teaching, and teaching to prophesying (or preaching). Each builds upon the other and takes the accumulation of wisdom and knowledge to new levels. It's a matter of sanctification, of growth and maturity in the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:2 should be pretty straight forward, but there are some interpretive difficulties -- not with the Scripture, but with our understanding and perspective. "For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit" (v. 2). Note the punctuation. As we have seen previously, too many interpreters have brought faulty assumptions to the discussion of tongues. Among those assumptions is the belief that the gifts of tongues and prophesying are extraordinary and miraculous -- even mystical. I contend that they are none of these things. Rather, when they are properly understood and engaged, they are to be common and ordinary among God's people. To get at some of this let's start with the first word of verse 2: for (gar). It appears twice in this verse. Remember also that there is no punctuation in the Greek. I mention this because I believe that the translator's punctuation is wrong because it breaks the flow of what is actually a single thought. The Lexicon says that gar is a conjunction that assigns a reason to something, that it is used in an argument, explanation or intensification, and is usually translated as "for," "and," "as," or "because." So, "for" is a correct translation, but it needs to be understood as supplying a reason or defense, so it really means "because," (i.e., for the purpose of). Verse 2 could then read, "Because one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God because no one understands him, but rather he utters mysteries in the Spirit." Verse 2 is given as a reason for something. Verse 2 is given as an explanation of verse 1, as if to say, "verse 1 because verse 2." The same pattern occurs in the clauses of verse 2. Verse 1 told us to prefer love to the other gifts, and then (next) to prefer prophecy above the other gifts. Among those other gifts are, of course, tongues. There are other gifts, but tongues appears to be a special case that requires some special treatment. We are to prefer prophecy over tongues, according to verse 1. Why? Paul begins verse 2 with "because" and goes on to explain that speaking in a foreign language -- foreign to those to whom one is speaking -- doesn't make sense to anyone, except maybe God. Let's give the benefit of the doubt to the Charismatic understanding here and suggest that Paul may be referring to the practice of mystical glossolalia and not simply to a known foreign language. Regardless of whether it is a foreign language, foreign to those listening or an instance of mystical, angelic glossolalia, Paul's point is the same: no one understands it except maybe God. And therefore, such practices are not helpful to the body of Christ. We are to prefer prophesying -- explaining Scripture, making sense of the Bible -- to speaking in such a way that people do not understand what we are saying. Again, paraphrasing verse 2: because he who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to men but to God because no one hears or understands him, he is, then, speaking mysteries in or to the spirit. Paul is pointing to the uselessness of such communication. Language is of no use to people who don't understand what is said or what it means. Maybe it is meaningful to the Spirit, but whether it is or not is a mystery to Paul because he doesn't understand it either. Paul continues, "On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation" (1 Corinthians 14:3). He contrasts the practice of saying something to people that they can't understand to saying something to people that they can understand. Whether someone is practicing mystical glossolalia in some special spirit language or just speaking in a foreign language makes no difference to people who don't understand it. So, said Paul, it is better to prophesy, to explain Scripture in a meaningful way, a way that will provide upbuilding (edification), encouragement and consolation for God's people. Remember that to edify means to make someone understand something or to make something understandable to someone. Paul had nothing to say about someone speaking in tongues to God, using tongues for a private prayer language. Because he didn't know the meaning of what such a person was saying he couldn't comment on it. But it would seem out of character for God to be concerned with meaningful communication and not contributing to confusion and chaos, and then recommend that people speak to Him in languages that they themselves don't understand. Rather, it makes more sense for God to recommend that people make their prayer time meaningful. God already knows what we need. So, we are not informing Him. Rather, He is informing us, and meaning is critical to that task.

Tongues of Unbelief

Beginning at 1 Corinthians 14:20 Paul takes another swipe at communicating his essential message regarding tongues. Here he accuses the brethren, his brothers in Christ. By calling them brethren he establishes common ground, but in regard to his argument he does not seek to put them at ease. Rather, he sets before them his clear opposition to their errant thinking. By calling them brothers he establishes that he is speaking to the whole Corinthian church, and yet his major point stands in opposition to a particular group. He opposes those who have misunderstood and misapplied the speaking in tongues -- however defined -- as if tongues are more important or more spiritual than the other gifts, as if Delphic glossolalia is a blessing to the church! I am arguing that prophesying in tongues, properly defined and understood, is actually a function of genuine Christianity. Once it is properly defined it will be clearly seen that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been given to people of every tongue. Paul's basic message in verse 20 is "Grow up! Don't be immature in your thinking and understanding." Thinking and understanding of what? Of tongues. The subject of the immediately preceding verses is tongues. He continues, "Be infants in evil" (1 Corinthians 14:20). Other versions translate the word "evil" as malice or maliciousness. It literally means badness, depravity, or wickedness. Paul tells them not to engage evil, not to be malicious or wicked in their assessment of his opposition to their Delphic understanding of tongues, but to be mature, to be men about it. The Greek word translated as mature or men is teleios. We've seen it before.1 It means whole, complete, and is often translated as "perfect." Paul is calling them to Christian maturity in the same way that he called the Ephesian church to maturity in Christ in Ephesians 4:11-16. Paul quoted Scripture to establish his point. His reference to the law is a reference to the Old Testament, to the established body of truth. "For by people of strange lips and with a foreign tongue the Lord will speak to this people, to whom he has said, 'This is rest; give rest to the weary; and this is repose;' yet they would not hear." (Isaiah 28:11-12). Paul didn't quote the verse exactly, but gets the point across. Paul paraphrased it, "By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord" (1 Corinthians 14:21). It doesn't matter whether Paul meant foreign languages or angelic languages because his point was that the language being spoken was not understood by the hearers. And it wasn't so much that they would not listen to the Lord, but that they could not hear the Lord because they were not regenerate. They did not have ears to hear (Matthew 11:15). This is a very common problem that has plagued God's people from time immemorial. By reaching back into Isaiah, Paul was speaking of the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy in the second chapter of Acts and beyond. Paul was saying that God would speak to His people (Hebrews) through foreigners (non Hebrews), that Gentiles would be given the Word of the Lord (the gospel), and in spite of the gift of tongues (translation into other languages, into the native tongues of the Gentiles) God's Word would not be heard (or listened to) by many, regardless of the language in which it was spoken. Moses also made note of this problem. "And Moses summoned all Israel and said to them: 'You have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, the great trials that your eyes saw, the signs, and those great wonders. But to this day the Lord has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear'" (Deuteronomy 29:2-4). Isaiah (Isaiah 28:12, 30:9, 42:20) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 5:21, 6:10, 11:10, 13:10, 17:23, 19:15, 25:4, 36:31) struggled against it, as did Jesus and Paul. Paul confronted this particular problem at Corinth here in the issue of tongues. It wasn't just that people did not understand the foreign languages that were being spoken, or that they did not understand the so-called angelic languages. People did not understand Paul who was speaking in their mother tongue! The deeper lack of understanding was not a function of the language being spoken, but was a function of not having ears to hear, regardless of the language. The issue of understanding the gospel is intimately related to the issue of speaking in tongues. Those who understand the gospel will speak with understanding, regardless of the language they use. And those who do not understand it, will always speak without understanding. Those who speak without understanding cannot communicate understanding, regardless of the language. The proof of this is that this definition of tongues in conjunction with the lack of regeneration (not having ears to hear) provides the context for the correct understanding of the next verse. The long history of misdefining the word "tongues" as Paul was using it has led to a minor mistranslation of verse 22. The sentence structure is awkward to begin with. The KJV translates the word pisteuo as "to them that believe" and apistos as "to them that believe not." In a later clause of the same sentence the Greek words are repeated, but this time they are translated as "for them that believe not" and "for them which believe." Note that the prepositions are different, "to" verses "for." Note also that there is no preposition in the Greek at this point. A literal, word for word translation would be "Therefore tongues are for sign not believers but unbelievers but prophesying not unbelievers but believers." It's awkward because it doesn't flow in English, but uses the Greek order of words. I'm suggesting that the word "for" is out of place in the English. It should be placed after the word sign so that it reads "Therefore tongues are sign for not believers but unbelievers but prophesying (implied for) not unbelievers but believers." I'm also suggesting that the word "for" (eis) would be better translated as "of" in this case. "Therefore tongues are sign of not believers but unbelievers but prophesying of not unbelievers but believers." Whenever the word "tongue(s)" is used it always refers to a different language, not common to the one currently in use. Because Paul is in the process of chastising the Corinthians for their immaturity, he is at this point using the word "tongues" to mean glossolalia (as in Delphic babbling). That is what he has been opposing in the last couple of chapters, and that is the sense of the word in verse 22. So, Paul's basic message in this verse is that tongues are a sign of unbelief or a lack of understanding (which amounts to the same thing), whereas prophecy is a sign of belief or understanding of the gospel. Why are tongues a sign of unbelief? Because what is spoken in a tongue, whether a foreign language or an angelic language, is not understood. And unbelievers do not understand the gospel in any language.

Can a Christian Wife and Mother also be a Successful Business Woman in Today's Society?

I find it difficult for a Christian Wife and Mother to also achieve success in the Business Industry. The Bible states that a woman first job is the household and the serving of her husband. It clearly states that a man role is to provide for the family. The business world sometimes requires so much time and dedication, that it is sometimes difficult to do both successfully. As an Entrepreneur, there may be times one needs to make difficult but necessary decisions that may be in conflict of one's religious belief. For example, can a Christian business owner, that is looking for a business loan accepts funding from an investor or an organization that support abortion or encourages sexual immorality between unmarried couple. In one hand accepting the loan can help your business grow but in another hand, not accepting the loan because of your beliefs may hurt the business finances. Is your loyalty first lies with religious value or to your business. Any business owner will agree that it will be a bad business decision not accept a loan that may affect the business going concern and not to mix your business life with your personal life. At the same token, any Christian business owner will also agree that a true worshipper makes hard decisions and needs to be loyal to the Kingdom. The final decision is still left with that individual. As a Christian wife, should you discuss every business transactions or decisions to your husband, or should you rely on your professional judgment and trust your instincts? These are hard questions, that every business woman must ask themselves one time or another. In my opinion, the Bible does not provide enough evidence to help an individual make a strong argument or decision to that matter. One lesson I've learned from experience is that no one situation is the same, therefore, an individual must first ask God for guidance on what she should do and second if in doubt go with your first instinct. Your first instinct is usually a whisper from your guardian angel helping you make the right choice.

Communication & Tongues

"The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church" (1 Corinthians 14:4). If you are saying something that only you understand, you are talking to yourself, building yourself up, edifying yourself, or making yourself understand. But if you are saying something that others can understand, then you are building them up, edifying them, making them understand. This is so basic that it is hard to get a hold of. The purpose of language (tongues) is communication, common understanding. So, if the language (a particular tongue) is meaningless to those who hear it, it is useless to them. Giving the benefit of the doubt, Paul suggests that it may mean something to the speaker, and so it may be useful to the speaker. But again Paul doesn't really know because he doesn't understand it. 1 Corinthians 14:5 authorizes the practice of speaking in tongues. "Now I want you all to speak in tongues...." Paul does not forbid speaking in tongues. But the question is, what does he mean? Paul uses the word "tongues" with two meanings: 1) foreign languages and 2) babbling (unknown or spirit languages). Actually, both kinds of tongues are foreign languages. One is foreign to other nationalities, and one is foreign to humanity. So, by encouraging speaking in tongues Paul is saying that he wants the gospel translated and spoken in foreign languages. He wants people to speak in languages that they know, languages other than Hebrew. It seems that Paul doesn't mind even if someone is intent upon speaking in some unknown or angelic language. It can't hurt anything because no one knows what is being said. It might be helpful to the person speaking it, who knows? But it is at best a waste of time for the gathered body of Christ. Paul understands that the gospel of Jesus Christ stretches the very limits of human language as people struggle to proclaim the magnitude and miracles of Christ to the watching world. Is it any wonder that Christians stutter when they try to speak about the gospel, the virgin birth, Christ's resurrection, or the Holy Trinity? Paul spoke of groaning when he wrote to the Romans, "For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies" (Romans 8:22-23). And again in his second letter to the Corinthians, "For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened -- not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life" (2 Corinthians 5:2-4). Indeed, explaining the gospel of Jesus Christ pushes human language beyond its limits. Is it any wonder that Christians struggle and stutter and groan when speaking of Christ? No, not at all. Paul himself groaned in frustration at the limits of language to express the gospel of Christ. Human language is inadequate to the excellencies of Christ, but we try to understand it and to explain it as best we can, trusting that the presence and power of the Holy Spirit will convey what we cannot. And that is Paul's next point. As much as Paul wants people of every language to speak the gospel, he wants even more for them to speak with understanding, to explain Scripture meaningfully. Listen again to Paul's words: "Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up" (1 Corinthians 14:5). Do you hear it? The one who speaks meaningfully is greater than the one who speaks without meaning, unless someone interprets the foreign tongue. It doesn't do me any good to hear someone speaking Russian, unless someone interprets it for me. Or we could understand Paul to say, "Speaking a foreign language is good. You all should master a foreign language. But it is even better to speak meaningfully about God's Word." Of course! It is so basic, so simple a statement that people are tempted to read some mystical meaning into it to make it "spiritual" in some abstract, Greek, Gnostic way. My point is that the mystical meaning related to charismatic angelic languages is completely unnecessary and foreign to the text. It introduces what Paul doesn't say. We don't have to go so far as to say that mystical glossolalia is demonic. Who knows if something is demonic or not unless they understand the meaning. Paul was just saying that it isn't helpful to the church, to those gathered. So, don't waste our time with it. "Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me" (1 Corinthians 14:6-11). Even musical instruments convey meaning. This is so clear. Meaning of some kind -- revelation, knowledge or prophecy -- must accompany speech. If it doesn't you may as well be baying at the moon. I think it was Robert McCloskey who said, "I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant." For communication to be successful there needs to be a common, agreed upon understanding of the meaning of the words spoken. If truth is relative and people are free to assign their own meanings to words, then communication will be impossible. Maybe that's what happened in the Tower of Babel.

Various Kinds Of Tongues

"Various kinds of tongues" is a translation of two Greek words: genos glossa. The first word literally means kin, as in kindred or family. And the second means tongue, by implication a language, and specifically the language of one's kin (family). The Greek Lexicon expands the definition to mean the language or dialect used by a particular people distinct from that of other nations. So a literal translation might be "kindred languages," and again it suggests the language of one's kin or family, the language spoken by one's parents, one's native tongue. It is an untenable stretch of the imagination to think that it means unknown languages of any kind. In the light of our previous discussion of tongues, we find that this gift of "various kinds of tongues" is about speaking the gospel in the native tongue(s) of believers in order to share it with one's family at home. Remember that the purpose of tongues is to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations, to the Gentiles, to the people of the world. Through Christ the gospel of the God of the Hebrews was exported to the world in the native tongues of the various nations. Paul's mention of this gift is a repetition of 1 Corinthians 12:10, and biblical repetition serves to emphasize importance. Various kinds of tongues would serve the expansion and dissemination of the gospel to the world. Paul was not instructing disciples to speak in languages they didn't know, nor in forgotten languages, nor to speak in languages known only to God. Rather, he was instructing disciples to take their knowledge, experience and love of the gospel of Jesus Christ and share it with their family and friends at home, in their native countries, in their native tongues, as a means of evangelizing the Gentiles, non-Hebrews. This gift, rather than being a fanciful flight into realms of so-called higher spirituality, was the most common, ordinary thing imaginable. Because the gift of tongues that was given in Acts 2 was the gift of speaking (and writing) the gospel of Jesus Christ in non-Hebrew languages for the sake of world evangelization, this repetition of that gift simply emphasizes its importance. Paul was acknowledging that foreigners, Gentiles, had indeed received God's grace of salvation and the power of the Holy Spirit, and was directing and empowering those Gentile Christians to take the gospel to their homelands and to do so in their own native languages. The application for us is the same now as it was then. Christians everywhere are directed and empowered to share their faith in Jesus Christ in any and every language, but particularly to do so in their most common and familiar language they know. Sharing the gospel in one's native tongue by a true believer will do much to alleviate the difficulties that accrue to those who try to translate it into a language that is not their own native tongue. In short, the biblical gospel of Jesus Christ escaped the confines of the Hebrew language as Gentile Christians carried it home in their native tongues. And this has been a great gift of the Spirit, a continuing gift. In fact, this gift will continue into eternity because sharing the love of Jesus Christ is at the heart of the gospel.

Repentance and Faith of Sinners!

Jesus Preached Both! I have often been accused of being a Calvinist but never really knew who he was. I have found that God has directed my life's path placing before me through true men of God, the seed of his word. And those men plowed my heart to make the good ground to receive his word, as my knowledge of God increased I found belief alone would not save me. I can't count the number of empty prayers I had been lead in by well meaning people that left me more confused because I did not have peace. neither will works save you,it is not of ourselves, but we are his workmanship. These are the things God works in us. Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. The major thing being left out in the modern churches is repentance for sin. How important is this to God? You can not be saved apart from the presence of God that works repentance in us the we can believe. 2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. Most liberal churches today will not teach or preach about sin or repentance because it might offend someone or make them feel bad. what an absolute mess when men will not stand up for God and his Holy Word. especially when the difference between Godly sorrow and worldly sorrow is "Life and Death"! 2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. Matthew 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. Sin is destroying this great nation of ours, sin is destroying the souls of men. The sad thing about people passing out tracts with the "Magic Prayer" on it is that people trust in that prayer and not God to save them. I know I was one of them. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Who was preaching? Jesus! I am a Christian not a calvinist. I find my best to follow God since He miraculously saved me August 25, 2004. James 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. James 2:2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; James 2:3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: James 2:4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? James 2:6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? James 2:7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? James 2:8 If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: James 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. James 2:11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. James 2:12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. James 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? James 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, James 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? James 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. James 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Not Women

The first thing to notice about Paul's admonition against women taking leadership in worship is that it limits or clarifies what Paul just said about all Christians prophesying (clarifying and explaining Scripture). Here he says that women should keep silent at church during worship. (This may be at odds with 1 Corinthians 11:5, which implies that women may pray or prophesy as long as their heads are covered. The issue may be that they are not to do so at church or during worship, but that other venues may be okay. The issue may also be one of permission, in that the issue is headship and submission.) In 1 Corinthians 14:34 Paul links the submission of women to Genesis 3:16, "Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you." John Gill (1697 - 1771) notes, "By this the apostle would signify, that the reason why women are not to speak in the church, or to preach and teach publicly, or be concerned in the ministerial function, is, because this is an act of power, and authority; of rule and government, and so contrary to that subjection which God in his law requires of women unto men. The extraordinary instances of Deborah, Huldah, and Anna, must not be drawn into a rule or example in such cases. ... All speaking is not prohibited; they might speak their experiences to the church, or give an account of the work of God upon their souls; they might speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; or speak as an evidence in any case at a church meeting; but not in such sort, as carried in it direction, instruction, government, and authority. It was not allowed by God that they should speak in any authoritative manner in the church." Worship leadership was given to men, not because they were better at it, nor because they enjoyed a superior status. Rather, I suspect that it was a function of need. It is for the sanctification of the men. How so? We know that the leader always gets more out of the lesson than the student, if only because the leader has spent more time in preparation. And because men are naturally lazy and irresponsible, God chose them to lead worship because they need to spend more time in preparation, because they need the additional burden of leadership responsibility to counteract their natural tendency to be irresponsible, and because they need the additional sanctification that results from additional effort. Women tend to suffer from a different character flaw. Women, following Eve's lead (Genesis 3), tend to usurp authority. Women, because they are the natural caretakers of children, have a natural tendency to take charge of everything. That tendency, coupled with the character flaw of men toward irresponsibility, is socially and culturally deadly because it encourages the growth of male irresponsibility. Thus, God requires each sex to counteract their natural tendencies. Women are to submit rather than to take charge, and men are to be responsible rather than irresponsible. Each sex is required to grow in sanctification by denying its natural tendency and engaging its weakness -- submission for women and responsibility for men -- in order to grow spiritually. Clearly, team effort, mutual support and mutual encouragement are required. Men and women are mutually dependent upon each other for their spiritual growth. The real strength of Christianity is not so much in Christian leadership, as in Christian followership. All Christians are followers. Men are to model Christian followership outside the home through submission to church and civil authority, and to model representative leadership in the home by representing the authority of Christ to their families. Women are to model Christian followership inside the home through submission to their husbands (who are to be in submission to Christ), and to model representative leadership by representing the authority of her husband to her children. Representative authority is always a chain of command. And to break any link of the chain is to break the whole chain. Paul goes on to say that women should look to their husbands for spiritual instruction and leadership as an expression and exercise of biblical social order. Why? Because every Christian husband serves as a priest to his family. John wrote in Revelation, "And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth'" (Revelation 5:9-10). Christians are to become a kingdom of priests. Paul had written earlier that "the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband" (1 Corinthians 11:3). Thus, the best thing a wife can do for the spiritual growth of her husband is to look to him for spiritual leadership by taking her questions to him, to model submission to him as a way to encourage his growth in responsibility and counteract his tendency toward irresponsibility. The best thing a wife can do for the spiritual growth of her husband is to teach the importance and structure of biblical authority to her children and to the society at large by modeling submission to his representative authority. However, submission is not just for women, men also need to model submission to Christ. Indeed, no issue is more important, more neglected or more needed than the this issue of living in submission under representative authority. Consequently, the reason that "it is shameful for a woman to speak in church" (1 Corinthians 14:35) is that it undermines the authority of God's intended social structure for human society -- God's representatives -- and leads to anarchy -- not right away, of course, but eventually. Because all authority belongs to God, the undermining or ignoring of any authority leads to the eventual destruction of authority, and ultimately to anarchy, the denial of authority.

How Being a Good Christian is A lot Like Being a Good Gardener

One of my favorite times of year is spring. I love getting outside after the long winter and cleaning up my flowerbeds. Seeing the tulips, lilies, and crocuses coming up really makes my day! As any gardener knows, flowerbeds are a lot of work. If you don't spend time in them every day, the weeds will take over and choke out all of your flowers. I think pulling weeds is actually very therapeutic. It makes me feel great to be out in the sunshine and keeping the weeds out of my flowerbeds gives the flowers roots more room to grow. My flowers get bigger and more beautiful every year.
Being a good Christian is much the same. A new Christian is as beautiful as the new spring flowers. But if they don't spend time with God every day, praying and reading his word, the weeds of the world will get in the way and choke out the joy of the Lord. Spending time talking to God and reading the bible can help keep the weeds out of your life and keep the grace of God in.
In the book of Matthew, chapter 13, Jesus tells the parable of the sower. He tells of a farmer scattering his seed on the land. Some of it falls on the path and the birds eat it. Other seeds fall on rocky places where there is not a lot of dirt and so they don't have good roots and the die. More seeds fall among thorns, which grew and choked them out. The last of the seeds fall on good soil and produce many times what was sown (vs. 1-9).
Jesus then explains the parable to the disciples. He says that when anyone hears the message about God and the kingdom of heaven, and does not understand it, the devil comes and takes it away from his heart. He is like the seed on the path. The one who is like the seed in the rocky place is the one who hears the word and receives it right away, but since he does not have good roots, when trouble or persecution comes, he falls away. The one who is like the seed in the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of the world and the love of money choke it out. The last is the one who receives the word and understands it. He is the one who prospers (vs. 18-23).
Every gardener know that if you want your flowers to grow and be beautiful year after year, they have to be planted in the right soil and tended daily. Great care will result in a beautiful flowerbed. In the same way, spending time with God every day will make you a beautiful, healthy Christian with good roots that can last forever.

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Primary Witness to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Primary Witness of the Resurrection Mary Magdalene as one of the leading women who followed Jesus Christ. She witnessed some of the most important events in all of recorded history--the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. She was such an important witness of these historical events that each of the four gospels mentions her. She was a wealthy woman who had served Jesus Christ during his ministry and given him financial support. The four gospels were written from four different perspectives over a period of 30 to 40 years. The fact that each gospel names her shows that she was well known as the primary witness to the resurrection. The other disciples, except John, had forsaken Jesus Christ and fled from his crucifixion and burial. However, Mary Magdalene remained close to him, and she was the first person to see Jesus Christ freed from the chains of death. Seven Demons Why was Mary Magdalene such a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ? Well one reason is that she was very thankful because Jesus Christ had cast seven demons out of her as recorded in Luke 8:1-2. "1And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, 2And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils," (KJV) Mary was not the only woman who followed Jesus Christ or whom he had healed of diseases of mind and body. Yet, Luke specifically mentions her because Christ had cast seven demons out of her. Jesus Christ had set her free from the bondage of the demonic world. Prostitute Allegation Mary Magdalene has often been misunderstood and has been accused of being a prostitute. However, the Bible nowhere identifies her as a prostitute. Why then do many people think that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute? Luke records an incident in which a woman who was a public sinner washed the feet of Jesus Christ with her tears. Some people think that Mary Magdalene was this woman. This incident is recorded in Luke 7:36-39: "36And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 37And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner." (KJV) However, scholars think Mary Magdalene is likely not the same woman called a sinner in Like 7:39 because Luke does not provide the name of the woman in Luke 7, but he specifically names Mary Magdalene in Luke 8:1-3. Allegation that She Was Married to Jesus Christ Some books such as Holy Blood, Holy Grail and the The Da Vinci Code allege that Jesus Christ was married to Mary Magdalene. One of the arguments for Mary Magdalene being married to Jesus Christ is that one of the Gnostic texts states that Jesus Christ kissed Mary. However, greeting one another with a holy kiss was common in that time even as the apostle Paul commanded in Romans 16:16 and in three other places in his epistles. Gnostic writings were never accepted as a part of the canon of scripture. Even the Gnostic texts nowhere state that Jesus Christ was married to Mary Magdalene or any other woman. Some people argue that Jesus Christ had to have been married because the disciples sometimes called him "rabbi" (Mark 11:21), and a rabbi was usually married. They called him rabbi or master as a title of respect. The word for rabbi or master in Mark 11:21 can mean "my great one or my honorable sir." However, Jesus Christ was technically not a Jewish rabbi and he nowhere stated that he was a rabbi. The disciples sometimes called him a rabbi because he was their teacher, but Jesus Christ did not hold the official Jewish title of rabbi. According to Smith's Bible Dictionary, there were various forms of the title rabbi with different levels of honor. The lowest level was rab, which meant master. The next level was rabbi, which meant my master; next came rabban, which meant our master; and the highest level was Rabboni, which meant my great master. In Mark 11:28, the Jews asked him by what authority he did certain things because they knew that he did not hold any kind of formal Jewish position of authority. There is simply no hard evidence that Jesus Christ was married to Mary Magdalene or any other woman. The vast majority of scholars, whether they are liberal or conservative, agree that Jesus Christ was not married. At the Crucifixion and Burial Mary Magdalene was present at the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as recorded in Matthew 27:55-56. "55And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children." (KJV) While other disciples had forsaken Jesus Christ at his crucifixion, Mary Magdalene and many women showed great courage in being at the crucifixion. Women value relationships very highly. Mary Magdalene valued her relationship as a disciple of Jesus Christ. She was determined to stand by him until the very end. She remembered the healing that he had given her when he cast the seven demons out of her. He had given her a new life, and she would stand by him even in his death. Mary Magdalene was also present at the burial of Jesus Christ as recorded in Matthew 27:59-61. "59And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. 61And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre." (KJV) Yes, Mary Magdalene was also present at the burial of Christ. As the First Day of Unleavened Bread drew near, Mary Magdalene was there to witness the burial of her master and lord. She would later return to the tomb to anoint his body with spices, but she would not find Jesus Christ there. Witness to the Resurrection The Apostle John records how Mary Magdalene was a witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ in John 20:1-2. "1The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. 2Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the LORD out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him." (KJV) Mary was disturbed. If Jesus Christ were not alive, she wanted to still touch his body and anoint it with spices. She did not want to let go of her master to whom she was so devoted. She persuaded Peter and John to go to the tomb. They ran to it and looked inside. Then the disciples went home, but Mary Magdalene did not go home. Just as she had remained close to Jesus Christ at his crucifixion and burial, she would remain close to his empty tomb until she saw two angels inside it. The Apostle John goes on to describe the conversation that Mary Magdalene and Jesus Christ had after his resurrection in John 20:13-17: "13And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid him. 14And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 17Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." (KJV) The Greek work for touch in verse 17 is Haptomai. It means "to cling to." Jesus Christ told Mary Magdalene not to cling to him because his mission was not over until he had ascended to the Father. Jesus Christ gave Mary Magdalene the mission of informing the disciples that he had risen from the dead and would ascend to his Father. An apostle is one who is sent (Acts 1:21-22). Jesus Christ sent Mary Magdalene to tell his disciples, who would become apostles, that he was alive. For this reason, some early writings refer to Mary Magdalene as the apostle to the apostles. However, she had no authority as an apostle in any official capacity. She was not one of the 12. However, she was honored for her example and devotion. The fact that Jesus Christ first appeared to a woman and made her a witness of his resurrection is one of the strongest proofs of the truth or historicity of the resurrection account. Jewish law did not recognize a woman's testimony. According to Mark 16:10-11, when Mary Magdalene told the disciples that she had seen Jesus Christ alive, they did not believe her. However, women were important to Jesus Christ. He appreciated their devotion, especially the devotion of Mary Magdalene. He valued the opinions and the testimony of a woman. If the account of Jesus Christ's resurrection were a mere fable, Mary Magdalene would never have been listed as its first witness. Conclusion Mary Magdalene was a wealthy woman; she was a financial success. However, she did not achieve spiritual success until later. Seven demons had possessed her, but Jesus Christ cast them out and healed her. She made changes in her life and became a success story. She sought Jesus Christ with persistence; she sought him with courage; and she sought him with humility. As a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ, Mary Magdalene serves as an inspiring role model for each of us.