Happy Reformation Day

Since today is Reformation Day, I thought I would put this article out, it is from Ligonier Ministires (R.C. Sproul’s Website), this article is written by Robert Rothwell. It is really good. I hope everyone has a good day. Here is the link to the website, if you want to check out other articles. http://www.ligonier.org/ Josh What Is Reformation Day All About? Today, much of the culture will be focused on candy and things that go bump in the night. Protestants, however, have something far more significant to celebrate on October 31. Today is Reformation day, which commemorates what was perhaps the greatest move of God’s Spirit since the days of the Apostles. But what is the significance of Reformation Day, and how should we consider the events it commemorates? At the time, few would have suspected that the sound of a hammer striking the castle church door in Wittenberg, Germany, would soon be heard around the world and lead ultimately to the greatest transformation of Western society since the apostles first preached the Gospel throughout the Roman empire. Martin Luther’s nailing of his ninety-five theses to the church door on October 31, 1517, provoked a debate that culminated finally in what we now call the Protestant Reformation. An heir of Bishop Augustine of Hippo, Martin Luther is one of the most significant figures God has raised up since that time. This law student turned Augustinian monk became the center of a great controversy after his theses were copied and distributed throughout Europe. Initially protesting the pope’s attempt to sell salvation, Luther’s study of Scripture soon led him to oppose the church of Rome on issues including the primacy of the Bible over church tradition and the means by which we are found righteous in the sight of God. This last issue is probably Luther’s most significant contribution to Christian theology. Though preached clearly in the New Testament and found in the writings of many of the church fathers, the medieval bishops and priests had largely forgotten the truth that our own good works can by no means merit God’s favor. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, and good works result from our faith, they are not added to it as the grounds for our right standing in the Lord’s eyes (Eph. 2:8-10). Justification, God’s declaration that we are not guilty, forgiven of sin, and righteous in His sight comes because through our faith alone the Father imputes, or reckons to our account, the perfect righteousness of Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). Martin Luther’s rediscovery of this truth led to a whole host of other church and societal reforms and much of what we take for granted in the West would have likely been impossible had he never graced the scene. Luther’s translation of the Bible into German put the Word of God in the hands of the people, and today Scripture is available in the vernacular language of many countries, enabling lay people to study it with profit. He reformed the Latin mass by putting the liturgy in the common tongue so that non-scholars could hear and understand the preached word of God and worship the Lord with clarity. Luther lifted the unbiblical ban on marriage for the clergy and by his own teaching and example radically transformed the institution itself. He recaptured the biblical view of the priesthood of all believers, showing all people that their work had purpose and dignity because in it they can serve their Creator. Today, Luther’s legacy lives on in the creeds and confessions of Protestant bodies worldwide. As we consider his importance this Reformation Day, let us equip ourselves to be knowledgeable proclaimers and defenders of biblical truth. May we be eager to preach the Gospel of God to the world and thereby spark a new reformation of church and culture.

Happy Father's Day Weekend!!

Happy Father's Day to all the father's out there!  Hope everyone has a good Father's Day!!

Encouraging Words

WOW sorry it has been a whole month since my last post!!  Time flies!!  I have been reading "7 Secrets To Spiritual Success by Wood Kroll".  The chapter I am reading Is called Check For Vital Signs, and I thought I would share this with everyone...  These are called The 1 John Twenty.  Hope everyone enjoy's it.

1.) "You walk in God's light"  (1 John 1:6)

2.)"You have fellowship with God's family"  This doesn't mean you become intimate friends with every Christian you know, but it does mean you feel enriched by time spent with spiritual family members. (1 John 1:7)

3.) "You have a keen sense of your own sinfulness"  Because Christians have a relationship with a holy God, we know just how far we are from perfection.  (1 John 1:8,10

4.)  "You live in willfull obedience to God's Word" (1 John 2:3, 5)

5.)  "You no longer are enamored with what captivates the world"  (1 John 2:15)

6.)  "You do thing's that are right in God's eyes"  (1 John 2:29)

7.)  "You eagerly anticipate the return of the Lord"  (1 John 3:2)

8.)  "You desire to live a life of purity" (1 John 3:3)

9.)  "You have a growing freedom from sinful behavior"  (1 John 3:6-10; 5:18)

10.)  "You have a genuine love for other believers (1 John 3:14; 4:7)

11.)  "You demonstrate your love in word and deed"  (1 John 3:18-19)

12.)  "You have the witness of your conscience"  (1 John 3:21-22)

13.)  "You have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit (1 John 3:24; 4:13)

14.) "You have the ability to distinguish truth from error''  (1 John 4:6)

15.)  ''You confess that Jesus is God the Son"  (1 John 4:15)

16.)  "You believe that Jesus is the Christ"  (1 John 2:22-23; 5:1)

17.)  "You exhibit overcoming faith"  (1 John 5:4-5)

18.)  "You believe the promise of God"  (1 John 5:9-10, 12)

19.)  "You trust the purpose of God's Word"  (1 John 5:13)

20.)  "You have an understanding from the Son of God"  (1 John 5:20)

Happy New Years From Team Browder!!

We need to thank the LORD for another year he has given us!!!  Hope you have a blessed day!! Happy New Year!!!