A theology for sports fields and the stuff of angels

THE BEST OF THE REST OF YOUR WEEK

June / 22 2017

CORE TRAINING TAKES A BREAK FOR FATHER'S DAY. TRAINING RETURNS NEXT SUNDAY AT 6:00

WEDNESDAY

WEDNESDAY REBOOT

How do we really know who really knows the Lord?

While our business is not built upon that determination, Jesus approaches the question of eternal relationship from two perspectives- from God's perspective and man's viewpoint.

John first locates the believer as belonging to God, knowing about God through Jesus, and the believer's subsequent desire to keep his word.

But then in verse 8, Jesus shows us man's view: The word delivered is received and on the basis of this truth, through faith, belief is born. In John 11, Jesus conveys to Martha the truth about himself, eternal life, and resurrection, and then says, "Do you believe this?"

In fact, the very faith of the believer is bound up in the decisions that are made as a result of the cooperation between faith, knowledge, and obedience.

Be wary of "believers" who have no taste for the Scriptures, nor any burden to obey them.

MJC

And that makes John's gospel worth reading....

Press on

JOHN 17:6-8

PRAYER WORKS AND THAT'S WHY WE DO IT.

FRIDAY MEN

Little: 150-52

The stuff of angels

Angels are the stuff of fascination for sure. Little helps us navigate the differences between them and us. To highlight just a few:

Both angels and man are created beings; man being created a little lower than the angels (Ps. 8:5), but regaining an equal footing in the new creation. (I Cor. 6:3).
Bodily appearances of angels have taken place but are rare; and by the way, angels are not created in the image of God.
The masculine gender is always used of angels and it is clear that they do not marry (Matthew 22:30).
Angels are not subject to aging, but then again, in the new heaven, neither will we.
The intelligence of Angels is greater than humans, yet is limited. That said, they do excel in physical strength with great power available at God's bequest (Ps. 103:20).

See you Manana

Books you should read :

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi
More than a Carpener by Josh McDowell
Know What you believe, by Paul Little
Through the Gates of Splendor: Elizabeth Elliott

Follow the link, and you can find them on Amazon

Take me to Amazon

READ THE BOOK AND GET READY FOR LIFE.

PARTING SHOTS

We are enjoying the new ball field that now graces our property. But what of its real purpose? Should it not remind us of the real issues of life?

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It's no surprise that when the Apostle Paul mentioned physical activity he always had a point in mind; it never was offered as an end to itself.

There is always a message attached to sports we participate in and enjoy. A number of years ago, I participated in 800 mile fundraising bike ride for a local crisis pregnancy center. Each day myself and 5 other men road 100 miles through some of the most beautiful country you could ever imagine in route to Baltimore, MD.

But here's the thing, each day we set out with fresh legs and plenty of water, and each day we faced challenges associated with the weather, terrain, our own attitudes, or unforeseen circumstances. God was schooling us as we rode and just when we thought " we" had conquered that hill at 4300 feet, and looked forward to the ride down, we discovered just what was facing us... the next big hill. Welcome to life. Softball and this field should teach us something about us, the Christian life, and the God who made us. Are we listening?

To your better week, I pray good things.

QUICK LINKS:

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THE NIGHT AFTER MEETS THE DAY BEFORE is a weekly recap from Pastor Mark Congrove and Bethel Baptist Church. It serves to provide a link between two valuable ministries and assist God's people in seeing the value of study and prayer in their Christian life.

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