Feeling really tired this week. I've been falling off of my quiet time schedule, which is a huge problem, and I see a difference in my attitude as a result of it. I was listening to a great lesson by John Piper yesterday that talked about the need to open the Bible every day, and he pointed out how important it is we be in the Word regularly.
I agree!
I think I'm getting distracted by the day-in, day-out routines. I'm clinging too much to control and not letting go and surrendering myself to the Lord like he commands us to. So, once again this morning, I'm surrendering.
No word from the Mormons yet. They didn't come by this weekend like I expected, but please continue to pray for them and for me.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
They're BAaaack!
Praise the Lord! The Elders came back today! Well, one of them came back, and he had a new side kick. Apparently the other one got sent to San Antonio. I got a good 45 minutes of their time, and God was so very with us.
I knew that He had a purpose for this effort, and seeing them show up (yes, unannounced again) is one of the ways He showed that to me. The other was when I made introductions to the newest member of our team at work yesterday. Any guesses where she's from? You got it; Salt Lake City, Utah!!
In our brief conversation that was really supposed to be a training session, she admitted the her husband and her kids are Mormon, but that she's not. She was raised Catholic, but she apparently had a falling out with Jesus. I shared my faith with her, and I told her I'd be happy to talk to her about it in more detail whenever it was convenient for her.
I've been praying for opportunities to see God at work in my life. He's answering. He always does.
- Both of them confessed their doubts, and admitted they had to rely on blind faith to see past it.
- They accepted my Bible as a gift, and they promised they'd read the passages I highlighted.
- They took my 3 pages of questions and promised to look for answers.
I knew that He had a purpose for this effort, and seeing them show up (yes, unannounced again) is one of the ways He showed that to me. The other was when I made introductions to the newest member of our team at work yesterday. Any guesses where she's from? You got it; Salt Lake City, Utah!!
In our brief conversation that was really supposed to be a training session, she admitted the her husband and her kids are Mormon, but that she's not. She was raised Catholic, but she apparently had a falling out with Jesus. I shared my faith with her, and I told her I'd be happy to talk to her about it in more detail whenever it was convenient for her.
I've been praying for opportunities to see God at work in my life. He's answering. He always does.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Psalm 24:
3. Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to an idol
or swear by what is false.
5 He will receive blessing from the LORD
and vindication from God his Savior.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, O God of Jacob.
Selah
A couple of weeks ago, I had a couple young men come up to my house as I was finishing up yard work with my daughter. They asked if they could pray with me. I asked them who we would be praying to, and they said "Jesus", so I agreed. Then his prayer started "Holy Spirit...". When he was finished, I said, "You must be Mormons.", and one of them said they were, and would I be willing to talk with them.
I set up two chair for them, while my daughter and I sat on the ground. I told them I was an active Christian, but I confessed I didn't know much about their religion and could I ask them some questions. I was somewhat surprised that the responses I got to my questions were very in-line with my beliefs. After about an hour, my wife came out on the porch to remind me we had a dinner date that I needed to get ready for, so I sent the Mormons away and promised to research their faith a little more that week so that we could have a more insightful conversation the next time we met. They asked when they should come back, and I explained that I have several commitments to my family, my church, and my job making scheduling a necessity, but I gave them my business card and asked them to call me during the week so I could plan time with them.
I kept up my end of the promise and researched Mormonism. Although sharing several of the prominent moral lessons of Christianity, I uncovered a starkly different belief in the truth of Jesus, God, and the nature and purpose of the Salvation purchased with Christ's attoning sacrifice on the cross. I found a religion that claimed belief in the bible when "it was properly translated", which any Christian would agree with. However, the amount of the bible they believe is improperly translated is astounding.
Feeling drawn to show the patience and humility that God expects and Christ modeled for his followers, I took a bible and highlighted several key passages of difference. I bookmarked each section with sticky notes that notated the significance of those discrepancies, and then book-ended the bible with facts about the translation, the extent manuscripts modern translations are based on, and questioned some of the additions that the Mormon faith inserts into the Holy Bible.
The Elders showed up the next Saturday while I was coaching Felicity's soccer game unannounced. They showed up again the following Saturday while I was away trying to get parts I needed to fix my wife's push cart for school. She reminded them that I really needed them to call and schedule, but having seen the work I had been doing for them, she also told them I really wanted to talk with them.
They called this Monday and asked when I'd be available. I told them I could schedule 1 hour with them on Wednesday, but the only other time I could commit to would be Saturday. They promised to be here at 8:30am this morning, but something must have come up because they no-call, no-showed.
Not wanting my preparation to be in vain, let me share these thoughts with you if you find yourself in this situation.
I found a great resource to start preparing, and if you're called to attempt this kind of ministry, I encourage you to check it out. http://www.mrm.org
There is one God who was before time. He is SPIRIT and must be worshiped in spirit, he sent his ONLY son to die as an attoning sacrifice for all who would believe in Him because He is a JUST God who doesn't change His mind or His values. Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit are all faces of the same Creator, and He created everything out of nothing, and for those who would accept Him and seek Him in faith, He will provide eternal life to be spent in His presence.
Bottom line? There is NOTHING you can do to earn forgiveness, salvation ,or eternal life, neither before or after baptism. Every breath we take is a gift from a loving God, and we are saved by FAITH in His promise, not by anything we do in this life.
I do hope God sends them by again. I'll let you know how it goes.
3. Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to an idol
or swear by what is false.
5 He will receive blessing from the LORD
and vindication from God his Savior.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, O God of Jacob.
Selah
A couple of weeks ago, I had a couple young men come up to my house as I was finishing up yard work with my daughter. They asked if they could pray with me. I asked them who we would be praying to, and they said "Jesus", so I agreed. Then his prayer started "Holy Spirit...". When he was finished, I said, "You must be Mormons.", and one of them said they were, and would I be willing to talk with them.
I set up two chair for them, while my daughter and I sat on the ground. I told them I was an active Christian, but I confessed I didn't know much about their religion and could I ask them some questions. I was somewhat surprised that the responses I got to my questions were very in-line with my beliefs. After about an hour, my wife came out on the porch to remind me we had a dinner date that I needed to get ready for, so I sent the Mormons away and promised to research their faith a little more that week so that we could have a more insightful conversation the next time we met. They asked when they should come back, and I explained that I have several commitments to my family, my church, and my job making scheduling a necessity, but I gave them my business card and asked them to call me during the week so I could plan time with them.
I kept up my end of the promise and researched Mormonism. Although sharing several of the prominent moral lessons of Christianity, I uncovered a starkly different belief in the truth of Jesus, God, and the nature and purpose of the Salvation purchased with Christ's attoning sacrifice on the cross. I found a religion that claimed belief in the bible when "it was properly translated", which any Christian would agree with. However, the amount of the bible they believe is improperly translated is astounding.
Feeling drawn to show the patience and humility that God expects and Christ modeled for his followers, I took a bible and highlighted several key passages of difference. I bookmarked each section with sticky notes that notated the significance of those discrepancies, and then book-ended the bible with facts about the translation, the extent manuscripts modern translations are based on, and questioned some of the additions that the Mormon faith inserts into the Holy Bible.
The Elders showed up the next Saturday while I was coaching Felicity's soccer game unannounced. They showed up again the following Saturday while I was away trying to get parts I needed to fix my wife's push cart for school. She reminded them that I really needed them to call and schedule, but having seen the work I had been doing for them, she also told them I really wanted to talk with them.
They called this Monday and asked when I'd be available. I told them I could schedule 1 hour with them on Wednesday, but the only other time I could commit to would be Saturday. They promised to be here at 8:30am this morning, but something must have come up because they no-call, no-showed.
Not wanting my preparation to be in vain, let me share these thoughts with you if you find yourself in this situation.
- Mormonism is not Christianity. Although they call on the name of Jesus there are very real differences in the Christ taught in these two different worldviews.
- Mormonism has a very solid moral code of ethics This is important because they believe that salvation is as much from works as it is from faith, and that God does not completely forgive.
- Although Christian beliefs are different, you should not approach any conversation with the intention of "converting the unbelievers". If you expect them to honestly consider your view of the gospel, you have to be willing to objectively listen to theirs.
- If you're going to engage in this type of conversation, you need to be very solid in your foundations. It took me more than a week to thoroughly research,and there are several opportunities for Mormon's to slightly shift the tone of scripture to support their beliefs. Do your homework, and don't engage in a conversation like this until you have.
I found a great resource to start preparing, and if you're called to attempt this kind of ministry, I encourage you to check it out. http://www.mrm.org
There is one God who was before time. He is SPIRIT and must be worshiped in spirit, he sent his ONLY son to die as an attoning sacrifice for all who would believe in Him because He is a JUST God who doesn't change His mind or His values. Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit are all faces of the same Creator, and He created everything out of nothing, and for those who would accept Him and seek Him in faith, He will provide eternal life to be spent in His presence.
Bottom line? There is NOTHING you can do to earn forgiveness, salvation ,or eternal life, neither before or after baptism. Every breath we take is a gift from a loving God, and we are saved by FAITH in His promise, not by anything we do in this life.
I do hope God sends them by again. I'll let you know how it goes.
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