How is our Theology? The Results are in

Ligonier Ministries is “committed to faithfully presenting the unvarnished truth of Scripture to help people grow in their knowledge of God and His holiness.” Anecdotal evidence has shown an increasing lack of theological understanding in America, both outside and inside the church. Ligonier Ministries wanted to understand with accuracy the extent of the need to improve that understanding.

Ligonier Ministries commissioned a research study by LifeWay Research to measure the theological awareness of adult Americans. Ligonier Ministries identified specific doctrines and heresies that they wanted to test. LifeWay Research helped refine these questions and to conduct a survey of 3,000 Americans.

Questions focused on seven key doctrinal areas and included a number of specific areas where Americans differ from historic and orthodox views.

View the infographic, listen to Dr. R.C. Sproul discuss these findings on Renewing Your Mind, or download the official white paper and survey with key findings.

On Prayer

My blog leans in the direction of the subject prayer and one of the questions deals with prayer, so …

“God continues to answer specific prayers”

Agree Strongly:  38%

Agree Somewhat: 29%

Disagree Somewhat: 11%

Disagree Strongly: 10%

Not Sure: 13%

I think that this is a legitimate question. What answer do you fall under?  Check out my teaching novels on the subject of prayer. You can read sample chapters, just click on the links on the side menu.  In my book, A Reasons to Pray at Mountainview, this subject is handled along with 4 other reasons to pray. The second novel–The Place of Prayer, is much larger and covers the subject of prayer from a practical or “How To” perspective. The book uses Jesus’ teaching on prayer from The Gospel of Matthew, Chapter six.  If you’d like to learn more about prayer, my bias opinion recommends picking these two books.

Here is a review of my novel,  A Reason to Pray at Mountainview, by Calvin Yarbrough that is posted on Amazon.

I am a Youth Minister, Mentor, and Motivational Speaker. Having worked with youth in these capacities for over 20 years, I wanted to see if this book would be another tool to aid me in reaching our young people. After having read it, I give it a resounding “YES!!”. The writing style flows easily and the story line is compelling. The Scriptures used are strategically sown throughout the story and all are rock solid. Jeff did an excellent job of utilizing “storytelling” to share God’s word in teaching us how to, and why, we should pray.

 


The Faithlife Study Bible FREE – grab it now

I’m a long time, BIG fan and user of Logos bible software. I can’t praise this software or the company enough, really. I’ll go into Logos bible software another day. Today, it’s about a product that Logos has created: an electronic study bible.  But it ain’t no oth’r study bible. This study bible gives a truck load of commentary and other resources to help you learn, understand, and experience the truths of Scripture. Rather than writing my own ABOUT IT page, here are some videos that show and tell.

If you’re still not sure, this 52 second video is pretty convincing.

There are many testimonials about this resource, but I’ve plugged in this new one from Logos, Inc., which was just posted today. It features John Micah Sumrall, the lead singer from Kutlass.

After years of working with youth, John noticed something. Young people aren’t getting into the Word. For people who struggle to get into the Word, John has a suggestion.

Right now Logos is giving away 2,500,000 copies of this study bible. Right now! Interested? CLICK HERE

Obviously I strongly recommend this resource. Don’t wait, get it.

I’m done here.


Where is Wisdom When I Need It?

I recently started reading the Book of Proverbs again in my morning prayer and devotional time.  It has always been one of my favorite books in the Bible. It is easy to read and understand for the most part, and I admit that I need the wisdom that it offers. I REALLY need it.

20 Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares.”

The Lord God offers wisdom, discretion, and understanding to those who want it. Do I see a hand raised? Yes, I see that hand!

Below is some motivation to read and dig into the wisdom books of the Bible, which includes:  Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, some psalms, and probably the Song of Songs.

1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
2 To know wisdom and instruction,
To perceive the words of understanding,
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom,
Justice, judgment, and equity;
4 To give prudence to the simple,
To the young man knowledge and discretion—
5 A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,
6 To understand a proverb and an enigma,
The words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

I fit in the description above of those needing to obtain wisdom and instruction. If you’re one who needs to drink of the wisdom of heaven, open these Books and have at it. Solomon is called the ‘wisest man who has ever lived.’ I think we can all learn from this guy.

A Plan

The Book of Proverbs has 31 chapters. One plan is to read through one chapter a day corresponding with the day of the month. When a proverb jumps off the page at you, or if you’re snagged by one of them, stop and gain from its lesson(s). Write down what it is telling you. We are more apt to retain when we write.

Just as important as reading from these wisdom books is … praying for wisdom, discretion, and understanding. You and I are dependent upon the Omniscient God–the All-knowing One.

To answer this blog’s title question

The foremost place is in the Scriptures, revealed by the Spirit of God, and available to those who need it.

A helpful hint to go along with the answer to the question

Don’t wait until you need it, by then you’re a step or two or eight behind the cue ball. Prepare and begin engaging with wisdom today.

BTW:  Wisdom is more valuable than riches or physical health. Just thought I’d give you a preview of coming attractions, that is, if you’re going to read Solomon’s writings.


What Peace We Often Forfeit

Philippians 4:6 (NKJV) — 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 

You’ve probably heard a dozen or so sermons on this scripture, as I have.  Consider this a “reminder post” of an essential Biblical exercise of faith and love, or love and faith, if you prefer that order.

We’re told not to be anxious about anything or IN anything because we can take our cares to a heavenly Father. But wait … why? We’ve become pretty good at stressing, being anxious, and worrying, so why stop practicing something we’re good at, right? I mean, when you’re good, you ARE GOOD!

When I was in school the worst case of anxiety that I had to deal with could usually be cured by stopping by the Sunoco gas station and getting a cold Mountain Dew for ten cents.  If the anxiety was peaking, I’d ask for the latest STP decal for my bicycle. All was made good.

stp367

Today, Mountain Dew is no longer ten cents and STP stickers … ?  You can’t do the dew like ya used to.

Back to my point

 Even though we don’t have to be anxious, we practice anyway. We like to quote from the Epistle of James and say that we’re “doers of the Word” but we placed an exception to this rule because we find it too easy to practice anxiousness and worry (and fear and etc.).  What we should be doing is encouraging one another to stop practicing such faithlessness in our heavenly Father and practice Philippians 4:6-7.

My wife pointed out the verse from an old hymn. Like so many of the old hymns there is a treasure that we tend to sing right through without drinking from its well.

 What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

Back to Scripture

We know Philippians 4:6 and can probably quote it, right? We’re told to take our anxiety somewhere specific—“to God.”  When you’re worried, anxious, and doing some old-fashioned ‘fretting’:

  • Don’t take it out on your spouse or children.
  • Don’t take it to work with you.
  • Don’t throw it in with some gossip and share your downer with others; and
  • Don’t do a Flip Wilson excuse or use Adam’s excuse that he gave to God in the Garden of Eden.

Take your anxiety; fears; hopelessness; cares; worries; and heartaches TO GOD in prayer.  Take them, all of them to God.

I’ve heard people yell at the Devil about their problems. I’ve heard people dumping their complaints on others.  When we pass the blame onto someone/something else, we are throwing off our responsibilities rather than taking them on. Even if … even if … the Devil is to blame (says Flip Wilson), the scripture tells us that we are to go to God, not to the Devil, with our problems. As far as sharing your “Debbie-Downers” with others, outside of fishing for pity you’re not going to catch much on that hook. Take your troubles to the Almighty God.

BTW: I’m not saying that your troubles will go away.  They may be in your life for a purpose, perhaps to change you rather than the circumstance. But, verse 7 does hold some good news to those who lean to live out verse 6.

Philippians 4:7 (NKJV) — 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

What A Friend We Have In Jesus

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.

If the above didn’t help, try this rebuke from Bob Newhart:


“… with the prevailing emphasis on ecology and poverty, many would be hard-pressed to agree with George Smeaton that “to convert one sinner from his way, is an event of greater importance, than the deliverance of a whole kingdom from temporal evil.” – Sinclair Ferguson, In Christ Alone: Living the Gospel Centered Life

That quote from George Smeaton is likely to rub the skin off the theology of many Christians. Or it will rub sound theology off their skin. It shouldn’t do either because it is putting spiritual life above the temporal physical life. Both are important, we should help those who are in need on a temporal level and more importantly think of their eternity. Jesus’ words help us to keep eternity far above physical comfort.

“What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?”

It is important to remind ourselves of the foremost priority and calling of the Church. No, it is not to be one big welfare and social services department. It is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the power of God unto salvation to reconcile sinful man to the holy God through Christ by the power of His Spirit (Rom. 1:16; 2 Cor. 5:18-21). All of our good works towards and for our fellow man should not lose focus of the greater need, which is actually the real need, the pressing need of every person.

William and Catherine Booth

In my opinion, William and Catherine Booth had the balance when they formed The Salvation Army: “Heart to God, Hand to man.” There we have it, in proper priority and order.