Random Thoughts on the Really Good News

“Neither give heed to myths…” (I Timothy 1:4). “Refuse profane and old wives' myths…” (I Timothy 4:7). “They shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto myths” (II Timothy 4:4). “Not giving heed to Jewish myths, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth” (Titus 1:14). Paul was warning about this over 1900 years ago. It makes good common sense for us to think about the "myths" , "old wives’ myths" and "commandments of men" which get embedded in church doctrine from time to time and return to the truth if we have been "turned"  to these "myths" .   "It is a trustworthy saying, deserving full acceptation, and it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers, Prescribe and teach these things." (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

“To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord...instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths… It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners...fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.” (1 Timothy 1:1-20) You can search all you want but you will not find a single verse in the Old Testament that even hints of a penalty for sin consistent with Christianity’s morbid concept of “hell” (eternal conscious torment). It is a myth.  The penalty for sin is DEATH in the Bible. In the New Testament the references of Jesus to Gehenna (translated "hell" in English) refers to the garbage dump outside Jerusalem wher...

King David lamented to God… “Restore to me the joy of your salvation.” (Psalm 51:12) I think many Christians have lost the “joy” of their salvation. David lost it due to the guilt associated with his sin and I suppose that still happens. But many who have lost this joy are not sure why? They are faithful members of a local church. I sympathize with them because I lost my joy while actively involved in a local Church as a deacon, lay preacher, and bible teacher, and serving on an international mission board. But the more I served the less joy I had. After 25 years of working in the local church trying to please God, all I had was “guilt” that I just did not do enough, which guilt was regularly reinforced by well-meaning pastors and guest evangelists who would imply that most people would end up in hell because the church was not doing a good enough job to save them. AND THEN IT HAPPENED…GOD OPENED MY EYES TO THE TRUTH. I had labored all those years to DO what God in Christ had...

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom EVERY family in heaven and ON EARTH derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in LOVE, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:14-21) 1. Pray to be strengthen by His Spirit 2. Pray that we grasp and come to know the depth of the love of Christ This is the prayer we should be praying for ...