The Bible Says

Do you find that using the word "Christian" to define who and what we are as "lovers and disciples" of Jesus Christ can be or is offensive to people?

I am a "Christian" (a lover and disciple of Jesus Christ and I am not ashamed of that fact). I have a YouTube Channel and a three radio shows. I have found that when I use the word "Christian" on my YouTube Channel or on my radio shows that many people are immediately turned off because they think or say I am one of "them."

When someone says I am one of "them" I find that they are referring to someone who they think is self-righteous, hypercritical, judgmental, condemning, insensitive, selfish, racist or some other type of person who does not truly represent Jesus Christ. They have met someone in their past or attended a church where people professed to be a "Christian" or "Christians"and acted in a manner that did not reflect the love of Christ.

And I do not find the word "Christian" anywhere in the Bible. I do see where Jesus called his early followers his "disciples" and in the New Testament Epistles we are called his church or his holy bride. I do not find the word "Christian" however.

Ghandi stated, "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." Not to sound critical of the "American" church as a mass; however, I am afraid he is right and that the name "Christian" in America and around the world even has taken on meanings and represents beliefs that are not found in the Word of God and that do not glorify him or his son Jesus Christ.

Do you think that by calling ourselves "Christians" we are doing more harm than good? I find saying that I am a "lover and disciple of Jesus Christ" has been received much better and is much less offensive than using the name "Christian." Anyone have an opinion they would like to share concerning this issue?

My email address is thebiblesays@verizon.net. I look forward to your responses.

Actress Sandra Dee Robinson to appear on this week's radio show - The Bible Says

                                              

Join actress Sandra Dee Robinson and me on this weeks live broadcast of The Bible Says.

Sandra Dee Robinson has spent all of her adult life in front of a camera: initially an actress (including
Another World, Sunset Beach, Bold and the Beautiful, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, Two and a Half Men, Criminal Minds, Secret Life of an American Teenager and TV movies). She sidelines acting with TV hosting and being a product spokesperson.

For the past several years, Sandra has been coaching entertainment reporters and television hosts and she founded Charisma on Camera to expand her clientele to professionals in any field. Her current clients include authors, life coaches, politicians, business men and women that want to utilize TV as a platform to establish themselves as an expert guest, or even host their own show. Sandra loves finding the hidden “gems” in each individual that can magnetize an audience, and watching her clients’ confidence on camera soar as they polish their personal brand for TV success.

Join Sandra and me as we discuss the challenges of being a dedicated Christian in an industry not noted for its acceptance of Christians and our faith. We will discuss how the Word of God has influenced her so that she has been able to be an influence for God in her career as an actress

You can find Sandra on the Internet at:
Her MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/sandradeerobinson
Her Website: http://www.charismaoncamera.com/

Pastor Rodney Thomas to appear on tonights radio show to discuss the fact that God keeps his promise!

Pastor Rodney R. Thomas, Pastor and CEO and Founder of Crosseyed Ministries, will be appearing on my live Blog Talk Radio Internet Radio Show, The Bible Says, tonight at 11 PM EST. (Exodus 23: 20-33 and Jeremiah 29: 4-14)

The link to the show is: www.blogtalkradio: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/The-Bible-Says

Tonight Pastor Thomas and I are going to discuss the fact that God keeps his promise. It will be a very informative and edifying show so be sure to tune in and learn what the Bible really says about God keeping his promises.

The way to find Pastor Thomas on the Internet:
His Website: http://www.freewebs.com/crosseyedministries/index.htm

A Word From The Word (07/29/09) "People of Integrity"

"The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out." Proverbs 10:9

Our challenge today as lovers and disciples of Jesus Christ are to be people of integrity...to say what we mean and mean what we say...to do what we promise when we promise it. We need to be people who can be believed and trusted...honest, sincere, harmless as doves; marching to the beat of God's drum and no one else's. People who are not followers of the crowd but rather are leaders...leading people to the Savior and in to the Kingdom of God. I am up to the challenge...are you?

My prayer for you is that you will experience a wonderfully blessed Wednesday.

Recommended Website of the Day: Insight For Living

Recommended Book of the Day: Surviving Financial Meltdown by Ron Blue and Jeremy L. White (Tyndale House Publishers)

Recommended Music CD: I'll Say Yes (Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir)

A Word From The Word (07/23/09) "Understanding"

"Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it." Proverbs 16:22

In the book of Proverbs wisdom, knowledge and understanding are praised as vitally important characteristics that every lover and disciple of Jesus Christ should want and manifest in our lives. And, we should do everything that we can to find them and possess them in our lives...to desire them as much as we would silver, gold. or other precious treasure.

Understanding is one of the characteristics that every believer should fervently and passionately seek after in their lives. And, once we as believers possess good clear Biblical understanding in our lives it is like a fountain to us...refreshing and blessing us. And as a result of our being refreshed and blessed we can be a source of blessing to others.

Our challenge today is to seek God and his word diligently for understanding that we might be refreshed and blessed and in turn be a blessing to others in our world.

I hope yours is a truly blessed Thursday!

Recommended Website of the Day: Prison Fellowship

Recommended Book of the Day: A Life Well Lived by Charles Swindoll (Insight For Living)

Recommended music CD: A New Hallelujah by Michael W. Smith 

A Word From The Word (07/22/09) "Do Not Boast About Tomorrow"

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth." Proverbs 27:1

Our challenge as lovers and disciples of Jesus Christ is to live in the present moment with our focus on doing the will of God now...seizing the day that God has given us and living it to the fullest for his glory. We ought not to be boasting about what we are going to do tomorrow or a week from now...as if we know what our future holds...although he do know for a certainty who holds our future.

In James 4:13-17 it is written, 13. "Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14. Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16. As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."

The issue from a Biblical standpoint is not that of planning for the future as we are encouraged to plan wisely for our future in the Word of God. The issue is that of a boastful arrogance or pride of proclaiming what you or I are going to do, as though we can do anything apart from the Lord or from his will for our lives.

So, live for God, love him, obey him and enjoy him and life in the now? Absolutely. Plan for our future if what ever we are planning for is in the will of God for our lives? Certainly. We just do not want to be boastful or arrogant about our plans that's all.

Go make yours a most wonderfully blessed Wednesday!

Recommended Website of the Day: Focus On The Family

Recommended Book of the Day: Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand (Voice of the Martyrs)

Recommended music CD: Relentless by Natalie Grant

A Word From The Word (07/21/09) "This Is The Gift Of God"

"I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil-this is the gift of God." Ecclesiastes 3:2-3

Our challenge today my brothers and sisters in Christ is to be happy (joyful) and do good...to find satisfaction in all of our work. God has ordained that we work so since that is the case let us endeavor to find joy and satisfaction in our work so that we might have a good testimony before others.

I hope yours is a blessed Tuesday!

Recommended Website of the Day: Rick Warren's Website

Recommended Book of the Day: The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren (Purpose Driven Life.com)

Recommended music CD: Always: Songs of Worship (Steve Green)

A Word From The Word (07/20/09) "We are God's Workmanship"

"For we are God's workmanship. created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

"Oh man, it's Monday already?" "Argh!""Where did the weekend go?"

And so it is another new day and another new week potentially exploding with opportunities to advance the Kingdom of God. You know some one in your life who is lost in their sin; hurting, suffering, and longing for someone to care...looking to you as someone who will do some good work and share the rights words that will point them in the right direction towards God. Or, you know a brother or sister in Christ who really needs someone to love them and to care about them and what they are going through and feeling...and they are looking to you for some real, unconditional, wrap your arms around them and hug them and love on them kind of love...but it's Monday and you just don't feel like it. Is that how you feel?

Well, God says to you and me my beloved...that attitude does not cut it. Nope! It is Monday and we have to start out the new week realizing that we are God's workmanship - his masterfully and lovingly created work...created in Christ Jesus to do good works...which he has planned and prepared in advance for us to do.

God and his word speaks to us that we are to start out our new day and and new week ready, willing and able to do good works...for whoever God sends our way. And the good work that God has planned in advance for you or me to do might be something as simple as helping an elderly neighbor carry her groceries from her car to her apartment. Or it might be buying a meal for a hungry person or family. It could be driving a neighbor or a member of our church who does not have a car to get groceries or go to an appointment. The most important thing is this...today, in the week to come and in every day of our lives God wants us to do good works. 

Oh, and by the way, because of your good works you do not earn any merit or favor before or with God! If you are a lover and disciple of Jesus Christ you already have his favor. Ours are not good works that save us or get us to Heaven my beloved. Ours are good works because we are saved...because we are lovers and disciples of Jesus Christ. Remember...a faith that is based solely on works alone is a faith that does not truly work as far as God and salvation are concerned, however, a true Biblical saving faith will manifest good works and is a faith that pleases God. Are you up to the challenge of doing good works for God's great glory and for the good of others today and this week my beloved? I am.

I hope you purpose to make yours a MAGNIFICENT Monday and week!

Recommended Website of the Day: Ligonier Ministries

Recommended Book of the Day: How to Pray: The Best of John Wesley on Prayer

Recommended Music CD: Hello Love by Chris Tomlin (Chris Tomlin.com)

A Word From The Word (07/19/09) "Rejoice in the Lord"

"Finally, my brothers rejoice in the Lord." Philippians 3:1

The Apostle Paul wrote to the members of the body of Christ living in the city of Philippi that they were to "rejoice!" In the midst of difficult times...times of great suffering... he exhorted them to "rejoice." But, does God expect for us to do the same today? I mean, does he really expect us to "rejoice" with all that is going on in the world today?

Yes, God does expect us to rejoice...but to "rejoice in the Lord." We do not have to nor should we rejoice in the wars, the pain, the misery, the traumas and the dramas that we see taking place in our world, however, we are to "rejoice in the Lord." And we can "rejoice in the Lord." The Lord is in control of everything that is taking place in our world. He has not lost his power. He has not abandoned us. We are his special children and he loves us and cares for us so no matter WHAT might be happening. As that is the case we can rejoice in HIM because he is aware of what is happening and is working everything together for "good for those of us who are the called according to his great and eternal purpose." (Romans 8:28).

Our challenge today will be to "rejoice in the Lord" despite what happens and in so doing be an effective testimony of the Lord's love and grace in our lives.

My desire for you is that you enjoy a blessed Sunday!

Recommended Website of the Day: Getting To Know Jesus

Recommended Book of the Day: Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris (Do Hard Things - The Rebelution)

A Word From The Word (07/18/09) "Fishers of Men"

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

So, what is God trying to tell us from his word by this passage of Scripture? Well, God is not telling us to go purchase literal fishing poles, bobbers, lures or bait and hooks and go out on to a city street and start casting our line to try and catch people with our bait and hooks. Another wards we are not to take this passage of scripture literally. Rather, Jesus is speaking to his disciples and to us in figurative language.

What Jesus is telling us as his lovers and disciples to do is to follow him, (to obey him and to live as he lived and love as he loved), and he will make out of us "fishers of men." We will "catch men" (people) with the gospel and for the gospel sake that they might follow Jesus Christ as well. As a result of our spiritual fishing we will catch people with the power of the gospel and Word and they will become disciples of Jesus Christ.

Our challenge today is to follow Jesus Christ and to allow him to work through us so that we might truly be "fishers of men." Are you up to the challenge? I am!

Go make yours a blessed Saturday!

Recommended Website of the Day: AmazingBible.com

Recommended Book of the Day: Larry Moyer's How-To Book On Personal Evangelism - An e-book (How To Develop An Evangelistic Lifestyle)