I'm going to try something new for a while. Our new website and app has a blog spot. So I've moved there for a season to see how it goes

www.feathersoundchurch.com/blog

1 Corinthians 15

We resume our study in first Corinthians 15 after a month off. As a refresher, here is a summary of what we learn:  The resurrection of Jesus is one of the most pivotal events in Christian theology, and its implications are far-reaching and profound. In First Corinthians chapter 15, Paul lays out some of the key implications of the resurrection and its significance for believers. Here are five of the most important points:
The resurrection is the foundation of the Christian faith. Paul writes that "if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins" (1 Corinthians 15:17). The resurrection is the event that confirms Jesus' identity as the Son of God and the savior of humanity, and it is the foundation on which the entire Christian faith is built.
The resurrection guarantees the resurrection of believers. Paul writes that "if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised" (1 Corinthians 15:13). But since Christ has been raised, it follows that believers will also be raised. This is a source of great comfort and hope for believers, as it means that death is not the end but rather a step towards eternal life.
The resurrection has cosmic significance. Paul writes that "he [Christ] has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:20). This means that Jesus' resurrection is the first in a series of resurrections that will eventually encompass all of creation. In this sense, the resurrection is not just an event in human history but something that has cosmic significance and implications.
The resurrection has implications for the way we live. Paul writes that "whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). The resurrection is not just something that happened in the past but something that has ongoing implications for how we live our lives. Believers are called to live in a way that reflects the reality of the resurrection and bring glory to God through their lives.
The resurrection is a source of power for believers. Paul writes that "by the power of God I am what I am" (1 Corinthians 15:10). The power of the resurrection is not just something that was available to the apostles but is available to all believers. This power can be used to overcome sin, to live a holy life, and to share the good news of the gospel with others.
In conclusion, the resurrection of Jesus is a pivotal event in Christian theology, and its implications are far-reaching and profound. From the foundation of faith, to the guarantee of the resurrection of believers, to the cosmic significance, to the way we live, to the power available to believers, the resurrection has a wide range of implications that are central to our belief as Christians

God the Promise keeper

According to the book of Genesis, God made a covenant with Abraham, promising to bless him and make him the father of many nations. This promise was fulfilled through Abraham's descendants, including his son Isaac and his grandson Jacob and ultimately through the Messiah

Despite his strong faith, Abraham was not perfect and made mistakes. For example, in Genesis 12, Abraham and his wife Sarah traveled to Egypt and Abraham became concerned for his own safety. He told Pharaoh that Sarah was his sister, rather than his wife, and as a result, Pharaoh took Sarah into his harem. God intervened and protected Sarah, but this situation arose because of Abraham's lack of faith in God's protection.

Similarly, in Genesis 16, Abraham and Sarah grew impatient waiting for the fulfillment of God's promise and decided to take matters into their own hands. Sarah convinced Abraham to father a child with her maidservant Hagar, and this resulted in the birth of Ishmael. However, God's covenant promise was ultimately fulfilled through Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah.

Despite these mistakes, Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness because he trusted in God and sought to follow him. His faith was not perfect, but God was faithful to fulfill his covenant promise and bless Abraham and fhis descendants. This shows that it is not our own perfection or works that bring us right with God, but rather it is through faith in him that we are justified.

I’m encouraged by this as sometimes I am a knucklehead in my faith. But I’m in good company.

The Problem with the Christian life is that it is so… daily

I would say one of the difficult parts of the Christian life is that it requires intentionality and growth. Which means it’s daily dying to yourself as Paul says. In our one year Bible reading plan this morning I read about Abraham.  “Then Abram journeyed by stages to the Negev.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬ ‭CSB‬‬

The Christian life is one of continual growth and transformation. While every person's journey is unique, there are often distinct stages that believers go through as they mature in their faith. Here are three common ways that Christian growth happens in stages:

1. Conversion: The first stage of Christian growth is often marked by a conversion experience, in which an individual repents of their sin and puts their trust in Jesus Christ as their savior. This is often a dramatic and transformative moment, as an individual's heart is changed and they are made new in Christ.

2. Growth in knowledge and understanding: As believers continue on their journey, they often seek to grow in their understanding of God's Word and His ways. This may involve reading the Bible, attending church, participating in small groups, or engaging in other forms of spiritual formation. As individuals grow in their knowledge and understanding of God and His ways, they are better equipped to live out their faith and share it with others. I would say one overlooked aspect of this stage of Christian growth is the dark Knight of the soul. It’s kind of like the honeymoon phase is over, and God says, are you in this for my glory or what you get out of this relationship? Are you searching after the next good feeling? Which honestly is a selfish motivation at its heart. The objective is to learn through the dark night, the desert experience, the wilderness experience, the difficulties, that God is good, can be trusted and is in control. Abraham made some huge mistakes, like not once but two times, pretending that there’s honestly that his wife was really his sister, which was a half truth. But he learned some valuable lessons by bad decision making.

3. Fruitful living: As believers grow in their faith and understanding, they often begin to see the fruit of their efforts. This may include a deeper sense of peace, joy, and purpose, as well as a desire to serve others and share the good news of Jesus with those around them. As believers continue to grow and mature, they often find themselves becoming more like Christ in their words and actions, and they are able to impact those around them for good.

Overall, Christian growth is a lifelong journey that involves a combination of God's grace and our own efforts. As we seek to follow Jesus and obey His commands, we can expect to see growth and transformation in our own lives and in the lives of those around us.

New year, new you!

 As the new year starts, many people take the opportunity to reflect on their lives and set goals for personal growth. One critical aspect of personal growth is growing one's faith. Here are five ways to grow your faith in the new year:

1. Attend services regularly: One of the most effective ways to grow your faith is to regularly attend church services and get involved in the community. This will help you feel more connected to your faith and provide a supportive environment for learning and growth. I don’t think most people realize how important being part of a community is. And though the church is imperfect, it’s in the imperfections we practice grace and receive grace.

2. Spend time in prayer and meditation on the Word: Setting aside time each day for prayer and meditation can help you develop a deeper relationship with Jesus. Whether you prefer a structured form of prayer or a more spontaneous approach, taking time to connect with your beliefs can help you grow spiritually. That’s why I regularly read a psalm in a proverb each day, in addition to challenging myself by reading the word. But I pray through the psalms in the emotions that are found. And provide structure to my prayer life.

3. Read the word: Reading will help you gain a deeper understanding of your faith and its teachings. Honestly, it’s so simple, but people seem to neglect this even though it takes only a few minutes every day. I’m reading the Bible in one year and it took me 12 minutes this morning to read the plan that will keep me on track. Speaking of that, Having a game plan is critical. I find that I will never accomplish anything if I don’t have a reading plan.

4. Volunteer and serve others: Putting your faith into action by volunteering and serving others is a great way to grow spiritually. Not only will you be making a positive impact in the world, but you'll also have the opportunity to reflect on the values and principles of your faith as you serve.

5. Seek guidance from a mentor: Finally, consider seeking guidance from spiritual mentors or leaders in your community. Whether through one-on-one conversations or group classes, these individuals can provide valuable insights and support as you grow in your faith. I’m always amazed by the story about David’s mighty men. He surrounded himself with mighty people, and did mighty exploits because of that.

Growing your faith is a journey, and it's important to find what works best for you. Whether you try one of these strategies or combine several, the key is to be consistent and committed to your spiritual growth. Here's to a faith-filled new year!

Reasons to read Bible in a year!

 

1. To gain a deeper understanding of God and His will for our lives. The Bible is the word of God, and reading it can help us to better understand His character, His desires for us, and His plan for the world.

2. To grow in our faith. Reading the Bible can help us to develop a stronger, more mature faith as we learn about God's promises and His faithfulness throughout history.

3. To gain wisdom and guidance for daily living. The Bible is full of practical advice and guidance for how to live a godly life, and reading it regularly can help us to make better decisions and navigate the challenges of daily life.

4. To build a strong foundation for our spiritual lives. The Bible is the foundation of the Christian faith, and reading it regularly can help us to build a strong foundation for our spiritual lives that will withstand the challenges and temptations of the world.

5. To experience the transformative power of God's word. The Bible is alive and active, and as we read it, we can experience the transformative power of God's word in our lives. This can lead to personal growth, healing, and a closer relationship with God.

   
   

   Read through the Bible in 2023 with FSC and it will change your life. - Would you read the Bible Plan, The One Year® Chronological Bible, with me?

   https://bible.com/p/55568358/da581916b6fa470c7bc8c294ff08e360

Thoughts on Revival

 I’ve been reading a book called “Unless we pray”. Boy we need revival in this country.  There is a lack of truth in this country.  We have it!

There are several steps that can be taken to start a spiritual revival:

1. Pray for revival. This should be the first and most important step in starting a spiritual revival. We should pray for God to move in our hearts and in the hearts of those around us, and to bring about a spiritual awakening in our community or church.

2. Seek God's will. It is important to seek God's will and direction in all things, including the pursuit of spiritual revival. This may involve seeking guidance through prayer, Bible study, or seeking the counsel of spiritual leaders or mentors.

3. Repent and confess sin. Revival often begins with individuals confessing their sins and turning away from their old ways. It is important for individuals to humble themselves before God and confess their sins, and for the community or church to confess their sins and repent as a group.

4. Seek unity and reconciliation. Revival often involves a sense of unity and reconciliation within the community or church. It is important to seek out and address any conflicts or divisions that may be hindering revival, and to work towards unity and reconciliation.

5. Preach the gospel. A central component of revival is the proclamation of the gospel message. This may involve evangelism efforts to reach those who are not yet believers, as well as preaching and teaching within the community or church to help believers grow in their faith.

6. Practice spiritual disciplines. Engaging in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, and fellowship can help to foster an atmosphere of revival and spiritual growth.

7. Be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Finally, it is important to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit as we seek revival. This may involve stepping out in faith and taking risks, being willing to try new things, and being open to the ways in which God may be leading us

Searching for Answers in Suffering Times by my friend Brett Craig

Brett Craig 4/20/2020

I approach this subject, as having faced deep and troubling times and digging deep to find or make sense of it all. It deals with the subject of suffering through the lens of various viewpoints and concludes with a researched position and practical and comforting approach to the topic. I tackle suffering, knowingly we are influenced by biases: 21^st century western cultural, scientific progress, educational institutions and media/peer influence.

Admittedly, this is a complex topic which needs a sober mind and heart.

The subject of suffering from a cultural account.  

There is a myth, a very poisonous myth in a corrupt world: “pain is necessary, but suffering is optional” It is perversely false. Suffering is inevitable, and the great challenge to life is finding purpose or meaning in suffering! 

The modern western secular society describes suffering from a natural selection process. They espouse that competitive struggles have caused us harm and the magnitude everyone suffers includes differences in genes, experiences, personalities and social settings. It ultimately reduces suffering down to negative or positive psychology, and the human being having the capacity to face it or not.

The warrior “shame and honor” cultures demand individual freedom and the suffering that comes along side that, be put aside, for the greater good of societal contribution. They accept suffering readily and by in large embrace it.

The major eastern karmic religions purport there is no form of inherent evil, and suffering is a normal part of life.

Buddhism focuses on how to deal and fundamentally overcome suffering. They believe by overcoming suffering (enlightenment), a person will be genuinely happy. Their doctrine is the Four Noble truths. These, in summary, state suffering exists and to overcome it you must detach from any form of desire. In one sense, this religion is centrally focused on suffering, given it speaks to a broader sense of social compassion. However, in another sense, it avoids suffering by indicating the only way to enlightenment is through personal detachment.  

Hinduism believes in the doctrines of continuous cycle of life, death, and reincarnation and karma (the universal law of cause and effect). Pain and suffering are not seen as solely bad but experiences that need to be viewed from multiple perspectives. To view suffering as bad is to see only one side of it. Suffering can be positive as it leads to progress on a spiritual path. The goal is distinguishing all desires and to reach the pinnacle or highest order in the karma cycle, and, to join the supreme (all soul) state, “nirvana”. In this current and ongoing long-term journey, humans give up personal desire to love and relate and become one with an impersonal (all soul) state.

The monotheistic faiths: Judaism, Islam and Christianity maintain suffering is a consequence of evil and man’s corruptness.  A birth that roots itself in two biblical events:

Evil…The Bible states in Isaiah 14:12-15 and Revelation 12:7-9, Lucifer  possibly the most preeminent angel in God’s kingdom, outside of Michael, pridefully defies God, and is cast out of heaven “like lighting” with a third of the angels. His inherent being immediately transforms and usher’s evil in the world.

Man’s corruptness…The Bible in Genesis 3 summarizes an account of a human representative, Adam, defying God and his command. Adam’s defiance results in an immediate shift, whereby man assumes intrinsic corruption vs. inherent goodness.

The Bible also states Satan continues to disrupt, tempt and afflict suffering, as referenced in certain NT biblical passages; (2 Corinthians 11:3; Mark 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 3:5).

The Bible reveals these rebellions orchestrated a response from God, whereby the created order is now suffering the penal consequences of Satan’s and Man’s defiance.

However, “Why are we today suffering the consequences of God’s decision and actions?”  The Bible states God’s nature is comprehensive; (holy, sovereign, loving, longsuffering etc.). Holiness is outlined as God’s foundation, holy meaning “set apart”. Consequently, God cannot align with unholiness; Satan, (1/3 of his angels), man, nations and nature. For that, the Bible states God must objectively administer without prejudice His just and sovereign judgement. It also states, God provides a resolution to His judgment through atoning work. However, this atoning work is treated differently in the monotheistic theologies.

Islam makes reasonable progress in addressing and interpreting suffering as a test of faith. Islam teaches that the knowledge of right and wrong is intrinsic to human nature. Humans have the free will to choose, and the believer is to use Allah (God) as the guidance of good or be swayed by the evil tempter (the devil). Islamic believers are to follow the writings of the Qur’an and the Sunnah, as strict guidance on how to lead a life.  Since Muslim’s believe Allah is in control, they try to see a purpose in suffering. They understand this as Allah’s way to educate them, or as retribution for wrongdoing, or as test. If they remain resolute, there teachings espouse they will be atoned for and rewarded in the afterlife (heaven) for their earthly works and faith but admit there are no assurances until God’s ultimate judgment.

Christianity, an offshoot of Judaism, is a faith system based on the teachings and works of Jesus Christ, who taught and preached regarding this world and the world to come.

Christianity deals with suffering in the following ways:

First, it historically underscores and presents to you a God who came into this world and suffered. As recorded, Jesus Christ, experienced unjust suffering through; slander (Jewish Council), betrayal (Judas Iscariot), abandonment (most of his disciples), and murder (Crucifixion). No other religion or worldview asserts anything like this.

Second, it promises a future hope and the absence of suffering, through a personal relationship with God in the afterlife (heaven). Again, no other religion implies this.  Hinduism speaks to an “impersonal” relationship in the cycle of incarnation, and Islam cannot “promise” a loving, peaceful relationship with Allah in the afterlife (heaven).

Third, Christianity offers the idea of a resurrection. Resurrection is a promise that the believer will “individually” rise from the dead into a “individual” life of renewal. A life which is restored and enjoys an ultimate state of peace, joy and love.  This is comparatively different vs. Buddhism, Hinduism or Humanism. Humanism denotes no renewed afterlife, whatsoever. In fact, it states we will return to the dust of the ground when we die with no life continuation. Buddhism and Hinduism claim a reincarnated cycle of life, potentially resulting in an eventual state of (all soul) bliss, losing any form of individual personality.      

Fourth, the Christian faith speaks to an individual maturation process through suffering. Islam communicates Allah strengthens faith through suffering. Humanism runs from suffering and presents an argument against the existence of God. Other faiths project no tangible benefit from suffering, other than contributing to an aspirational lifecycle.  

Fifth, it offers a redemptive atoning solution through a substitute.  As mentioned earlier, God has subjected his holy wrath onto this world due to evil and man’s corruptness. Christianity is the only religion that provides a truthful, redemptive answer. God bestowed a perfect sacrificial candidate, His Son, through His Son’s willful submission, to assume God’s holy wrath on our behalf.  

In summary, the subject of suffering is difficult and exasperating. That said, based on my research and ultimate faith, Christianity provides the most rational, emotionally and spiritually genuine response to suffering.

How then we should we practically respond to suffering?

Dr. Timothy Keller, Christian Theologian and Pastor indicates the best way to face trouble, is to be guided by the following:

1. Weep but Trust.  The Book of Job is a great example. The most important aspect with this book is you find Job never turning away from God, while there is an emotional realism through his questions to God; (e.g. Why was he born?)

2. Pray but Think.  You find in the Book Job; Job wrestling, praying, struggling with his conditions. He, too, intelligently concludes it is for his good and God’s supremacy. Job 23:10 “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold”  

3. Reorder and Hope. When suffering hits reprioritization is “front and center” in your life. It gives the sufferer the ability to rethink priorities before it is too late.   

Great article.

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/why-do-churches-wound-their-pastors

Broadcasting Bad Theology

Great devotion 

June 5, 2017 Broadcasting Bad Theology Have you ever wondered if some of the messaging of modern-day Christianity represents a subtle drift from the true gospel of Jesus Christ? Do you sometimes feel that our entertainment-oriented and media-driven culture might be accelerating this danger?  Here's an example of why we must be vigilant to know, embrace and love the gospel of Jesus in the glory of its truth and transformation... READ THIS DEVOTION Follow StrategicRenewal On Social Media!

Strategic Renewal Intl., PO Box 370233, Denver, CO 80237 SafeUnsubscribe™ artdykstra@calvarystp.org Forward this email | Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by office@strategicrenewal.com

Great article on prayer from gospel coalition

Tim Keller, in his book Prayer: Experiencing Intimacy and Awe with God, describes Martin Luther's method of meditating upon a passage by discerning the instruction of the text (what does the text demand of me?) and then turning it into thanksgiving (how does this truth lead me to praise or thank God?), confession (how does this truth lead me to confess and repent?) and petition (how does this truth prompt me to appeal to God?). Providing your group a simple grid to move from the study of God's Word to praying God's Word will broaden the content of your prayers.

Scripture is the best judge of our prayers. Do we generally communicate with God in various types of prayer (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication) or do we typically just list off our requests? Do we begin by praising God for his character and asking for his name to be hallowed as the Lord's Prayer instructs? Furthermore, Scripture helps us discern why some of our prayers are actually unbiblical. Praying for a new Lexus to show up on your doorstep probably doesn't pass muster for being "daily bread." Keller writes, "One way petitionary prayer can actually do us harm is if we see it as a means to say to God, 'My will be done.' We are prone to indulge our appetites, telling God in no uncertain terms how he should run the universe. Such prayer neither pleases God nor helps us grow in grace." Does your small group just repeat and rephrase the request—"I pray for healing for Nancy's cancer"—or do you apply the gospel of Christ to the situation? Pray for healing from cancer, but also pray for joy and trust in Christ, confidence in her eternal destiny, patience with nurses and doctors, opportunity to encourage and witness to others, and ultimately that God would be glorified through this trial.

This email response may be short because it is sent from my phone and my finger is stubby and slow and I may spel things rong. 

Fountains of the deep

I find it interesting that Genesis 7 and 8 both talk about the fountains of the deep.  Noah’s flood, water comes up from the earth, etc.  Well, science does a great job catching up with the Bible…. Again.

http://www.livescience.com/46292-hidden-ocean-locked-in-earth-mantle.html

 

Reasons We Have Not Reached the Unchurched - OutreachMagazine.com

> http://www.outreachmagazine.com/features/4846-10-reasons-we-have-not-reached-the-unchurched.html

Compassion Experience

 

This looks really cool to go and visit in Bradenton in January!

 

https://cts.compassion.com/events/683

 

Quote of the day

Emotions are designed to be indicators of life, not fabricators of life-  Ravi Zacharias

 

2016 missions update

In case people are interested, our vision at CCSP is for our members to gain exposure to missions and then equip the saints for the work of the ministry Eph. 4:12. 
The average sending church doesn’t often do a great job of equipping our servants for international ministry.  Our goal is to fill those ministry tool boxes with all kinds of tools to help ensure ministry success.  

We also believe that in the local church, missions is biblically the center spot of each ministry.  It’s not a slice of the church ministry pie (with each ministry being a slice: Men’s ministry, youth, women, etc and missions simply being another slice).  What this means is that missions is at the heart of each ministry, For example, take a more obscure outreach ministry like Family Martial Arts or the Good Fight Club. What do they have to do with missions?   The goal is fellowship and training but we also design a devotional and missional element to what we do since that should be the heart of the church.  So if you are part of that ministry, you will be in the word of God and occasionally helping out with local outreaches, in addition to inviting others to the ministry and church!

 

Here are some 2016 update stats

*These figures include ALL of 2016, including November-December plans.

We currently support 44 families globally in full time work.  All but 3 have come from our fellowship.  The average US church has 1 missionary support for 2000 members.  We demolish that statistic at CCSP. 

2016 Short Term Mission Trips:  8 with 79 trip participants. Typically we have more, but we had smaller teams than usual this year. 

 

We had the privilege of sending 3 new long-term workers globally in 2016 and there are 3 more families preparing to leave in the next 12-13 months (Romania and Papua New Guinea)

We have several mobile homes in the Gator Lake overflow parking area that we use for missionaries in town (it is a huge burden removed when we provide the basics for our international partners).  In 2016 we had 2,369 “person days” (number of people times number of days) occupying our homes! That is a lot of free blessings! In addition, we have a van for families to use while in town and in 2016, that van only sat idle for a total of 38 days including maintenance days!

 

In 2017 we have one more mobile home coming online.  This will be used by interns coming to serve the church for 20 hours a week with Potter’s Field Ministries.  These students will work in the food truck and the remaining time will be involved in the church, volunteering a minimum of 20 hours a week.

 

Lastly, we raised close to $75,000 for a Tibetan Bible translation!  What a blessing!  What a fantastic year in missions!