Saying What You Believe Is Clearer Than Saying “Calvinist”

Saying What You Believe Is Clearer Than Saying “Calvinist”

well I haven't posted anything in a while, I almost forgot this existed, but I'm glad there is always an outlet for me to share what God might be teaching me.

it is very important to articulate what you believe.


We are Christians. Radical, full-blooded, Bible-saturated, Christ-exalting, God-centered, mission-advancing, soul-winning, church-loving, holiness-pursing, sovereignty-savoring, grace-besotted, broken-hearted, happy followers of the omnipotent, crucified Christ. At least that’s our imperfect commitment.

In other words, we are Calvinists. But that label is not nearly as useful as telling people what you actually believe! So forget the label, if it helps, and tell them clearly, without evasion or ambiguity, what you believe about salvation.

If they say, “Are you a Calvinist?” say, “You decide. Here is what I believe . . .”

I believe I am so spiritually corrupt and prideful and rebellious that I would never have come to faith in Jesus without God’s merciful, sovereign victory over the last vestiges of my rebellion. (1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 3:1–4; Romans 8:7).

I believe that God chose me to be his child before the foundation of the world, on the basis of nothing in me, foreknown or otherwise. (Ephesians 1:4–6; Acts 13:48; Romans 8:29–30; 11:5–7)

I believe Christ died as a substitute for sinners to provide a bona fide offer of salvation to all people, and that he had an invincible design in his death to obtain his chosen bride, namely, the assembly of all believers, whose names were eternally written in the book of life of the Lamb that was slain. (John 3:16; John 10:15; Ephesians 5:25; Revelation 13:8)

When I was dead in my trespasses, and blind to the beauty of Christ, God made me alive, opened the eyes of my heart, granted me to believe, and united me to Jesus, with all the benefits of forgiveness and justification and eternal life. (Ephesians 2:4–5; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Philippians 2:29; Ephesians 2:8–9; Acts 16:14; Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 3:9)

I am eternally secure not mainly because of anything I did in the past, but decisively because God is faithful to complete the work he began—to sustain my faith, and to keep me from apostasy, and to hold me back from sin that leads to death. (1 Corinthians 1:8–9; 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24; Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 1:25; John 10:28–29; 1 John 5:16)

Call it what you will, this is my life. I believe it because I see it in the Bible. And because I have experienced it. Everlasting praise to the greatness of the glory of the grace of God!

Topic The Doctrines of Grace / Calvinism


this is from Desiringgod.org, click on the subtitle to be brought to the page.
In Christ,

Amy

Let Not One of Them Escape- 1 Kings 18:40

this is a Devotional from Spurgeon's Morning and Evening classic for July 17...

I just had to post it, more for my edification but hopefully for others' as well..

- When the prophet Elijah had received the answer to his prayer, and the fire from heaven had consumed the sacrifice in the presence of all the people, he called upon the assembled Israelites to take the priests of Baal and sternly cried, "Let not one of them escape." He took them all down to the brook Kishon and slew them there. So must it be with our sins-they are all doomed; not one must be preserved. our darling sin must die. do not spare it because it cries. strike though it be as dear as a beloved son. strike, for God struck at sin when it was laid upon His own Son. With stern unflinching purpose you must condemn to death that sin that was once the idol of your heart. Do you ask how you are to accomplish this? Jesus will be your power. You have grace to overcome sin, given you in the covenant of grace; you have strength to win the victory in the crusade against inward lusts because Christ Jesus has promised to be with you even unto the end. If you would triumph over darkness, set yourself in the presence of the Sun of Righteousness. There is no place so well adapted for the discovery of sin and recovery from its power and guilt as the immediate presence of God. Job never knew how to get rid of sin half as well as he did when his eye of faith rested upon God, and then he abhorred himself and repented in dust and ashes. The fine gold of the Christian is often becoming dim. We need the sacred fire to consume the dross. Let us fly to our God. He is a consuming fire; He will not consume our spirit, but our sins. Let the goodness of God excite us to a sacred jealousy and to a holy revenge against those iniquities that are hateful in His sight. Go forth to battle in His strength and utterly destroy the accursed crew: "Let not one of them escape."


copied by Amy Datsko

COLLEGE!!

So by God's sovereign and amazing grace I have been admitted to William Jessup University. Because of His goodness, out of the total cost I only have about 4000 not covered. Scholarships, financial aid, and grants have all pushed me to a place I never really believed I would get to. Again the glory is to God alone. From the very beginning I have seen and felt His guidance...honestly every door has been opened and every path cleared for this university miraculously. This is how I know it is God's will.

And therefore I want to encourage everyone out there to pursue your dreams. I never thought that I would be the first one in my family to move out for college, it was always this far and vague dream. But God opened the door and I walked through it. I know it hasn't been easy, there have been many sleepless nights and tears but it is all worth it! And now here I am ready to move out on my own and take the very first step in achieving those goals which were always simply dreams. It is hard...it will cost you. But let me assure you, if it is God's will He will guide you through. We have all been brought to this planet for a purpose, and each have been equipped with special talents to fill out that purpose. The greatest tragedy? WASTING YOUR LIFE!! So I would just like to tell you all that God does have a plan for you, and you can achieve your goals. Don't let anything stand in your way, don't let anyone tell you that it's impossible. With God there is a way. In Christ everything is possible.

Lord willing, if I am alive and well I will be moving out this August to Rocklin, CA. I would like to ask you to pray for me. I know there are many struggles and difficulties ahead but I also know that my sins have been paid for at the Cross. And there is nothing bigger than that. 

The Clock Ticks and the Time Flies

    The clock ticks and the time flies. One by one we all change, no eraser for the years. Face, hair, eyes and heart all bear the scars of days forever gone. The people we meet, the conversations we have, the books we read al shape us into the person we see in the mirror.
    The clock ticks and the time flies and with it we step another step closer to the grave. What lies beyond, only some of us know. The One who waits above, only some of us have. And though all must fall, only some will in adoration. Some must fall in horror.
    The clock ticks the the time flies. Only One remains the same. His hands still scarred, He reaches out for us to grab ahold. I have grabbed and He has held. Wind, storm, tempest have battered and yet He holds me close. Screaming, fighting, kicking but still He doesn't let go. I love you, child He whispers when I plug my ears and scream. I chose you, child He says when I cut open His wounds once more.
           The clock might tick and the time might fly 
           but I will never leave or forsake you. 
           My love continues and My blood will cleanse you. 
           Sun or clouds, raw pain or joy you'll always be in My arms. 
           And though these days scar you 
           and your sobs echo in the darkness, 
           I hold you with Me in all these days. 
    The clock ticks and the time flies, I harden and He breaks. The Cross before me, I struggle on. Tripping, falling, bruising, failing His tender hands grab ahold. My discipline you will love, and My chastening you shall desire. His voice rings in my ears and I continue to live. All because the clock ticks and the time flies.

essay scholarship editted

 hey everyone this is my essay for the bible &theology departmant scholarship. this is the topic: write an essay descring your intent to study Scripture and Theology, your views regarding christian truths and the ways in which you plan to implement these studies in your life and ministry. what is your overall purpose in coming to WJU  and studying the bible?    so this is my attempt..its probably going to go through several more edits but please let me know what you think. my main goal in this essay is to glorify God and proclaim Christ. this is VERY important to me as the only way im getting into this college is if i win scholarships so please help by commenting and praying. thanks so much!








Heralds of truth--a call that has been lost in an age when truth is valued as nothing more than a mere personal perspective. "There is no such thing as absolute truth, and if there was, people cannot know it". Words which strike hopelessness into the souls of millions. What is the meaning of life if there is no sure foundation to build it on? How can one make a difference if he does not know what is the right kind of difference? Truth exists, and it must be taught and applied in both heart and life to have a lasting impact in this world.

Young Christians today must be trained in the Word to be able to carry out the call of Christ. Without the Sword of Life which is the only offensive weapon, Christians are left defenseless. Whether at home or in the mission field, all followers of Christ must have sufficient knowledge in order to take an effective stance. Today, all those who claim that there is only one truth are attacked and labeled as bigots. Lukewarm tolerance is seeped into the church until pastors cower behind political correctness. In order to reclaim that which is rightly hers, the Bride of Christ must be trained in hard, unapologetic truth. There are few schools left today which can teach that truth without shrinking from the demands of the Book of Truth. And yet these schools must be found, and must be entered.

And yet knowledge in the heart is not enough. To know is not to act. Once one knows what he must do, he must do what he knows. Christian truth must be applied practically in the everyday life in order for others to be attracted to Christ. "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35) Attending a biblical university is not strong enough a witness to the world; that world must see the Bible lived out in a daily life. A truly biblical university must teach its student how to apply the Bible in his life in an effective and practical way. Places where this is found are rare, which is why they must be found and entered.

God has called me to the distant mission field. However, before I go I must know what I will proclaim. Missionaries are exposed to more difficult questions, more intense opposition and therefore must be doubly trained in their armor before they enter the battlefield. God trained Moses for forty years before he was deemed worthy to shepherd the chosen nation. The seriousness of the mission field and the right training has been lost among the American nation, and must be regained if the world is to be turned upside down by the Good News. The Bible is a Book which gives directions to eternal salvation and practical advice on how to please the God of salvation and winning others to Him. It must be read, memorized, and applied in every Christian's life. I have applied at William Jessup University because I believe it is one of the few school left today which can teach that Truth. I have applied at this school because I have witnessed a true testimony to my Lord Jesus Christ. William Jessup University has stood out among the thousands of of other schools because I have seen godly teachers who are passionate about preparing young adults for this world.

"For this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth."(John 18:37) Jesus' final words before Pilate give Christians a goal only attainable by the grace of God. If Jesus deemed truth important enough to testify of it all of His life, then surely His Bride must not shrink from this call. "Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."(1 John 2:6) If Jesus defined His life as a testimony to the ultimate Truth, then surely all Christians must follow. And that Truth is found only in the Book of Truth. This is why I have chosen Bible& Theology as my major at the University of William Jessup.

Christ's Call to Follow in His Footsteps - K.P. Yohannan

To Live Is Christ - 3 Minute Version by K.P. Yohannan