Tag Archives: Christianity

Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Finding the End of the World, Uncategorized

New Beginnings

Leave a comment

We think about a New Year in human terms and for new human beginnings. But, there is an ultimate and true start that brings new beginnings for Jesus’ followers – and will bring an end to all else (Revelation 22:11-13).

Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy. Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. —Revelation 22:11-13.
Examples of human New Year celebrations:
• American/European: January 1st
• Chinese (Also known as the Spring Festival): 23rd day of the 12th lunar month of the Chinese calendar
• Jewish: Religious – Pesach (Passover): The 1st Jewish month; Agricultural – Rosh Hashanah: 7th month on the Jewish calendar

Human New Year resolutions: We usually make them to bring hope of a new human beginning (perhaps that the next year will be better than the last). We also make them as ‘do overs’ – we want to change what we don’t like.

But, let’s look at a new human and spiritual beginning in Jesus. Why would we care? To move toward God and life, and away from judgment and spiritual wrath. Here’s how:
• Believe and Repent (our focus) (Mark 1:15)
• Be baptized as an outward, physical manifestation of new faith (Mark 16:16)
• Grow in faith, live right, and tell others the good news (i.e. Matthew 19-20)

Interestingly, both human and spiritual new beginnings require repentance.
• Defined: A change in heart that results in a change in behavior
• Enables forgiveness, and salvation (Luke 24:47 and Acts 11:15-18)
• It’s what God desires of everyone (2Peter 3:9-10) and often disciplines us for (Revelation 3:19)
• A beginning that leads to good habits and better health (relationship, emotional, physical, and spiritual)
• We don’t practice sin once we repent (Galatians 5:20-23, John 8:3-12, and 1John 3:2-10
• Not repenting will lead to judgment and wrath (Romans 2:5-10)

Repent, experience a new beginning, and don’t look back! The results will be spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally rewarding.

Keep an eye out for “Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don’t Discuss!” scheduled for a mid-2015 publication. There, you’ll find roughly 60 topics related to daily life (such as sex, religion, finances, tattooing, and everything in between!) along with practical application of God’s guidance for navigating those difficult waters!

And, for a very comprehensive and detailed study of the very important topic of God’s judgment to come and being rescued from it, feel free to read my 2011 guide titled, “Finding the End of the World” available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and from http://www.ronbraley.com in paper and e-book formats. In the guide, you’ll find roughly 500 pages of building blocks to help you do your own complete and unbiased study based on Scripture and history!

Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Finding the End of the World, Uncategorized

Evangelism: When enough is enough . . .

Leave a comment

I’ve often witnessed someone focusing on trying to maintain what ends up being a tumultuous and unhealthy relationship because they believe they’ll eventually ‘lead the other person to Christ’. In business, this could be considered a bad ROI – Return on Investment – of the resources spent trying to ‘save’ someone.
We’re not responsible for saving people, only for passing on the good news of salvation from God’s wrath to come. The receiver must choose what to do with the information and any prompting by the Spirit of God. Granted, evangelizing that good news will benefit from relationships; however, you may reach a point when ‘enough is enough’ – especially if the relationship is emotionally or spiritually harmful to you. And, your time may be better spent in moving forward in telling others the good news and discipling those who become willing participants in a covenant with God through the Christ.

Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” —Matthew 9:37-38.

“Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.” —Matthew 10:14.

“Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” —Matthew 7:6.

Keep an eye out for “Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don’t Discuss!” scheduled for a mid-2015 publication. There, you’ll find roughly 60 topics related to daily life (such as sex, religion, finances, tattooing, and everything in between!) along with practical application of God’s guidance for navigating those difficult waters!
And, for a very comprehensive and detailed study of the very important topic of God’s judgment to come and being rescued from it, feel free to read my 2011 guide titled, “Finding the End of the World” available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and from http://www.ronbraley.com in paper and e-book formats. In the guide, you’ll find roughly 500 pages of building blocks to help you do your own complete and unbiased study based on Scripture and history!

Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Finding the End of the World

Exploring God’s Will

Leave a comment

God’s will is what He wants to do, which is primarily to keep us from destruction through salvation. This is His plan for mankind. In the process, He desires for us to be obedient, rejoice, pray, and spread the good news to others. Although we tend to think God’s will is actually some kind of grandiose plan for our lives, we should instead focus on helping God see His plan for mankind through to completion.

“Will” is defined in two ways in the Greek translated into the New Testament:

  • Strong’s G2307, thelēma, a determination; choice; inclination: – desire, pleasure, will. (John 6:40)
  • Strong’s G2309, thelō ethelō   to determine; choose or prefer; to wish, be inclined to; to delight in: – desire, intend, list, love, mean, please (Matthew 9:13 – desire;  Matthew 15:28 – wish; Matthew 26:39 – will; Mark 12:38 – like; Galatians 5:17 – please)

So, God’s will can be something He desires (as in Matthew 18: 12-14) or His plan for mankind (i.e. Matthew  26:42 or John 6:37-40).

Some of God’s desires:

  • That none are lost (Matthew 18: 12-14)
  • Obedience, not legalism (Matthew 9:13)
  • Our good deeds so we’ll silence the foolish (1Peter 2:13-16)
  • We rejoice and pray continuously (1Thessalonians 5:16-19)
  • We preach the Gospel/make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20)

About His plans:

  • They’re just that – HIS plans. Helping should be our focus.
  • Can be progressive – not always immediately accomplished!

Benefits of partnering with God to accomplish His plan:

  • Redemption and forgiveness; the reward of everlasting life (John 6:40) & (Ephesians 1: 5-13) & (Hebrews 10: 35-36)
  • God works for the good of those who love him; for it is God who is at work in you (Philippians 2:12-13)
  • The Spirit and His intercession (Romans 8:26-28)

How do we participate in His plan and accomplish His desires?

  • Be obedient
    • Do His commandments (1John 5:3 and Matthew 22:36-40).
    • Obedience is more important than works or sacrifice (Matthew 9:13).
    • Abstain from sexual immorality (1Thessalonians 4:2-4).
    • Be an ‘imitator of God’ (Ephesians 5:1-20).
  • Allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14).
  • Live by the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).
  • Seek His kingdom first; this requires submission (Matthew 6:33).
  • Obey our leaders and submit (Hebrews 13:17).

How can we learn of the things we’re to do in accomplishing His will or in learning of answers to our requests?

  • The Bible teaches principles that help in decision-making (2Timothy 3:16-17).
  • Ask for wisdom (James 1:5-6).
  • Seek wisdom (this can be from family, friends, spiritually-mature, etc.) (Proverbs 13:10).
  • Pray!!!
  • Use a ‘fleece’ as Gideon did (Judges 6:36-40).

We can hinder the accomplishment of God’s will or desires – even for us – through:

  • Bad motives (James 4:3).
  • Bad relationships (1Peter 3:7).
  • Unrighteousness due to disobedience and the lack of the Spirit (John 9:31).
  • Not allowing God’s timing (i.e. as Abraham did).

Summary: God has a plan for mankind: salvation through the Christ. He also desires fellowship and obedience from us in a pursuit of holiness. We can join in and help accomplish God’s plans or desires, or we can rebel and keep Him from using us or even answering our own requests. Of course, this rebellion will result in death.

Keep an eye out for “Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don’t Discuss!” scheduled for a mid-2015 publication. There, you’ll find roughly 60 topics related to daily life (such as sex, religion, finances, tattooing, and everything in between!) along with practical application of God’s guidance for navigating those difficult waters!

And, for a very comprehensive and detailed study of the very important topic of God’s judgment to come and being rescued from it, feel free to read my 2011 guide titled, “Finding the End of the World” available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and from www.ronbraley.com in paper and e-book formats. In the guide, you’ll find roughly 500 pages of building blocks to help you do your own complete and unbiased study based on Scripture and history!

Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss

The “A-B-C’s” of Christianity

Leave a comment

Absolute Belief Creates action . . .

What True Christianity is NOT:

  • A self-centered culture focused on pleasing the senses through music, dress, and ear-tickling self-help messages.
  • Founded on blind faith.
  • A belief system without action.
  • Appealing to most humans in its truest form because of its narrow and difficult way shaped by discipline, self-control, and benevolence.
  • A gateway to the giant Jinni, slot machine, one-way gift-giver, or however most people look at God these days.
  • Entitlement for sinful ‘do-overs’.
  • Promises of an illness-free materially-prosperous life where we will never suffer consequences of our actions or the actions of others while we wait to go to Heaven.

What True Christianity IS:

  • Action out of faith.
  • Born of faith that comes from confidence.
  • Ever-increasing confidence gained from prayer, fellowship, discipleship, and study.
  • A system of ‘paying it forward’ whereby those who are mentored and discipled do the same while also proclaiming what God and our Christ Jesus have done for us.
  • Representative of those who have entered into a two-way marriage-like relationship with God through Jesus.
  • Potential hardship and death on earth; Reward and life later.

~ Getting There from Here ~

Belief is the first step to obtaining salvation, which is available to everyone – not just a chosen few (Mark 16:15-16 and John 3:16-18). If we believe with all our heart, then a change of heart that results in a change of behavior – repentance – must follow.

  • Repentance is absolutely necessary for being rescued from coming judgment (Acts 17:30-31)!
  • Sinful behavior keeps us from God; repentance allows us to draw near to Him (Acts 3:19).
  • True belief and repentance lead to good fruit that comes out of obedience (Acts 26:20).

We’re also told in the Gospel to be baptized by water.

  • A person is born initially of water (through the womb) but must be spiritually born as well to enter God’s kingdom (John 3:5-6).
  • Baptism has become the symbolic of the washing away of sin that Christ offered through His death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4).

Because true faith comes from the heart, a person must believe completely that Jesus died for them and then confess this belief. Faith – belief – is obtained and strengthened from experiencing the testimonies and fulfilled prophecies contained in the Word of God. They serve to ‘convince’ men of the truth and build faith (Romans 10:17 and 1 Peter 2:1-2).

To obtain and keep salvation (which, by the way, is a ‘rescuing’ from God’s wrath to come):

  • Believe in the gospel – the good news of salvation through Jesus. True belief will bring a new heart.
  • Repent by using that new heart to change sinful behavior.
  • Be baptized as an outward sign of your new faith.
  • Increase faith through continual exposure to teachings contained in the Bible.
  • Don’t practice sinful behavior – those things that are counter to God’s ways!!

While the gift of salvation is given by faith and not because of anything we can do to earn it, faith must lead to obedience and therefore production of ‘fruit’. In fact, James tells us that faith – or belief – without obedience (works) is useless (James 2:14-20). So, learn, grow, care for others, and follow God’s ways . . . and live!

 

Keep an eye out for “Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don’t Discuss!” scheduled for a mid-2015 publication. There, you’ll find roughly 60 topics related to daily life (such as sex, religion, finances, tattooing, and everything in between!) along with practical application of God’s guidance for navigating those difficult waters!

And, for a very comprehensive and detailed study of the very important topic of God’s judgment to come and being rescued from it, feel free to read my 2011 guide titled, “Finding the End of the World” available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and from www.ronbraley.com in paper and e-book formats. In the guide, you’ll find roughly 500 pages of building blocks to help you do your own complete and unbiased study based on Scripture and history!

Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss

Ghouls, Spirituality, and Jesus . . . Compatible?

Leave a comment

Christians are often conflicted over whether to celebrate Halloween.

For some, Halloween is a harmless time of fun when everyone can dress up and party. Their children love this time of year because of the costumes and quest for candy.

On the other hand, a growing number of Jesus’ followers are uncomfortable with the festival. They choose not to participate in it to avoid the appearance of a double standard once they learn of its origin. So, where did this contentious holiday come from?

Halloween is an ancient festival born of paganism and Christianity (Samhain for the pagans and Hallowmas for the Catholic Church – both 3 days long beginning on October 31st). The holiday was brought to the United States by European immigrants in the 19th century.

What does this have to do with God and our Christ? Embracing or condoning any kind of spiritualism, witchcraft, divination, or communication with the dead will bring certain judgment from God at the last days and open the door to demonic oppression or possession in the meantime. This could include the religious practice of praying to or for the dead, séances, or the pursuit of magical or astrological arts (i.e. consulting mediums, use of tarot cards, reliance upon horoscopes, etc.).

Should a follower of the Christ, celebrate the holiday? This is a personal decision that should be made carefully after consideration of its origin, current practices, and damage to a potential witness for Jesus.

 

Keep an eye out for “Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don’t Discuss!” scheduled for a mid-2015 publication. There, you’ll find roughly 60 topics related to daily life (such as sex, religion, finances, tattooing, and everything in between!) along with practical application of God’s guidance for navigating those difficult waters!

And, for a very comprehensive and detailed study of the very important topic of God’s judgment to come and being rescued from it, feel free to read my 2011 guide titled, “Finding the End of the World” available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and from www.ronbraley.com in paper and e-book formats. In the guide, you’ll find roughly 500 pages of building blocks to help you do your own complete and unbiased study based on Scripture and history!