Bible Challenge 2008 - Week 9

Week 9

“‘It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,’ Jesus replied.” (Mark 10:5)

We are so removed by sin from God’s glory that we had to be given a lower standard. It is a reminder that it is only by God’s grace that we can ever claim holiness! The subject in this context is divorce, how much more do we need God’s grace today when we can’t even accept the natural order of the creation?

“But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.'” (Mark 10:5-9)

Monday --- Mark 13
Tuesday --- Mark 14
Wednesday --- Mark 15
Thursday --- Mark 16
Friday --- Luke 1

“Tragically, postmodern culture has infected and weakened the Church, particularly in the West. Spain, once the most Catholic country in Europe, has become, within a generation, among the most secularized. A recent report among Spain’s bishops lays the blame squarely on heretical teaching as to the nature of Christ and his atoning work. . .

The majority of evangelicals – whom Barna calls ‘born-again Christians’ – do not believe in absolute truth. Sixty percent of Americans can’t name five of the Ten Commandments; 50 percent of high school seniors think Sodom and Gomorrah were married. . .

Christians must see that the faith is more than a religion or even a relationship with Jesus; the faith is a complete view of the world and humankind’s place in it. Christianity is a worldview that speaks to every area of life, and its foundational doctrines define its content. If we don’t know what we believe – even what Christianity is – how can we live it and defend it? Our ignorance is crippling us.”
(“The Faith: Given Once, For All: What Christians Believe, Why They Believe It, and Why It Matters” by Charles Colson, Harold Fickett)

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

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Thank you, buying from the Amazon store and links on the website and emails helps support the Romans 15:4 Project. I appreciate your support! Thank you!
- Mick Dobra, Founder and Chaplain

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All Scripture links by BibleGateway.com Unless otherwise noted.

Bible Challenge 2008 - Week 8

Week 8

“The great multitude came to Him because they heard about everything He was doing.” (Mark 3:8 HCSB)

Read, study, and share God’s Word so that others may hear and come to Him!

Monday --- Mark 8
Tuesday --- Mark 9
Wednesday --- Mark 10
Thursday --- Mark 11
Friday --- Mark 12

“Albert Camus begins his essay ‘The Myth of Sisyphus’ with these words: ‘There is only one really serious philosophical question, and that is suicide. Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of philosophy.’ It is a haunting question; in fact, as I followed atheism to its logical conclusion in my own life as I grew up, it became my question.

I ended up in a hospital room in New Delhi, with doctors battling to keep me alive. It was in that lowly condition that I was handed a Bible, and the story of the gospel was read to me. All I can say now is how grateful I am that [atheist] Sam Harris was not my mentor or his tirade my inspiration. Instead, I trusted the Christ of the Scriptures (see Romans 10:9-10 ), and today, four decades later, having traveled this globe dozens of times, speaking in numerous countries and lecturing in scores of universities, I find Jesus to be more beautiful and attractive than ever before.”
(“The End of Reason: A Response to the New Atheists” by Ravi Zacharias)

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

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Thank you, buying from the Amazon store and links on the website and emails helps support the Romans 15:4 Project. I appreciate your support! Thank you!
- Mick Dobra, Founder and Chaplain

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All Scripture links by BibleGateway.com Unless otherwise noted.

Bible Challenge 2008 - Week 7

Week 7

Onward Christian Soldiers! We have our marching orders! Our Supreme Commander in Chief, the King of Kings, has given us our mission:

“go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20a)

But, He has also given us His promise: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b)

Monday --- Mark 3
Tuesday --- Mark 4
Wednesday --- Mark 5
Thursday -- Mark 6
Friday --- Mark 7

“The Christian West is under assault by the twin challenges of secularism and radical Islam – whose roots have some unsuspected likenesses. Only through Christianity, I believe, can Western Europe and America meet these challenges. . .

Tolerance, falsely defined as putting all propositions on an equal footing – as opposed to giving ideas an equal hearing – has replaced truth. . . [and] the West has been slowly, almost reluctantly, becoming aware of its clash with radical Islamists. . .

One of the greatest virtues of the Christian faith is that it is life affirming and culture building. No other worldview or religion protects the sanctity of life and human dignity as Christianity does; no other worldview has ever created as humane and progressive a culture as Christianity has. Our faith and our experience teach us that the power that created the universe can provide answers to today’s dilemmas.”
(“The Faith: Given Once, For All: What Christians Believe, Why They Believe It, and Why It Matters” by Charles Colson, Harold Fickett)

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

{ Bible Challenge Home } { Past Weeks Posts } { Romans 15:4 Project Home }



Thank you, buying from the Amazon store and links on the website and emails helps support the Romans 15:4 Project. I appreciate your support! Thank you!
- Mick Dobra, Founder and Chaplain

[ Mid-Week Devotionals ][ Subscribe for Updates ] [ Join the Bible Challenge ]

All Scripture links by BibleGateway.com Unless otherwise noted.

Bible Challenge 2008 - Week 6

Week 6

“'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'” (Matthew 25:21)

Just 5 to 10 minutes a day, 5 days a week to read the New Testament in a year. As we prioritize our days, let’s give God and His Word our faithful attention. It’s how we can know more fully who Jesus really is and share in His happiness!

Monday --- Matthew 26
Tuesday --- Matthew 27
Wednesday --- Matthew 28
Thursday --- Mark 1
Friday --- Mark 2

“. . . biblical witness is not called to tip-toe through the twenty-first century. It is meant to transform society. . .

. . . the vast majority of modern Christians work with cultural misconceptions about Christ. This is due in part to poor teaching and in part to the [inadequate] biblical awareness about who Jesus really is. . . there is an urgent need for a biblicised church. . .

[Christ] presented himself as uniquely God’s son – supremely different in every respect – and the early church believed that salvation came only through his death and resurrection. It is all or nothing. Christ is either Lord over all or nothing at all – and countless Christians have been persecuted for saying so. It may well now be our turn.”
(“An Agenda for Change: A Global Call For Spiritual and Social Transformation” by Joel Edwards)

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

{ Bible Challenge Home } { Past Weeks } { Romans 15:4 Project Home }




Thank you, buying from the Amazon store and links on the website and emails helps support the Romans 15:4 Project. I appreciate your support! Thank you!
- Mick Dobra, Founder and Chaplain

[ Mid-Week Devotionals ][ Subscribe for Updates ] [ Join the Bible Challenge ]

All Scripture links by BibleGateway.com Unless otherwise noted.

Weekly ReCap – 05-02-2008 - Fasting

“The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.” (Matthew 9:14-17)

The purpose of fasting as described on gotquestions.org, “should be to take your eyes off the things of this world and instead focus on God. Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God and to yourself that you are serious about your relationship with Him…. Fasting is not intended to punish your flesh, but to focus on God. By taking our eyes off the things of this world, we can focus better on Christ”

The only blog posts I will be making through the month of May will be the weekly Bible Challenge posts. I’m taking a fast from blogging to focus on some decisions and heart issues. (Acts 13:2-3)

• Book Review: An Agenda for Change
  "An Agenda for Change: A Global Call for Spiritual and Social Transformation" by Joel Edwards. This would be a great resource for leader or elder boards, staff teams, mission and vision teams.
  Learn more. . .
  
  
• Amazon Kindle Update: A Revolution in Reading!
  Three years ago, we set out to design and build an entirely new class of device—a convenient, portable reading device with the ability to wirelessly download books, blogs, magazines, and newspapers.
  Learn more. . .
  
  
• Constitution Party Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech
  This is about a 30 minute speech, but I cannot stress enough how important it is for every voting American to watch. Dr. Baldwin and the Constitution Party have a real message of CHANGE. Please watch, pray, and consider supporting real change in America.
  Watch now. . .
  
  
• Child Protective Services Selling Children
  News clip of an investigation into Child Protective Services breaking up families in order to "sell" children to recieve more federal funds!
  Watch now. . .
  
  
• Bible Challenge 2008 - Week 5
  Let’s be God’s children today! Sitting at our Lord’s feet, repentant and humble, eagerly hearing his words.
  Read more. . .

Reading:

Church

- “A New Theology of Celebration” by Francis S. Collins, Science and Spirit, 2007
“In the early days of the Human Genome Project, some very wise people predicted that this audacious project would end in failure. But as the leader of the effort from 1993 until its conclusion in 2003 (ahead of schedule and under budget, no less), I never doubted that the best and brightest minds that were recruited to work on this historic project would prevail. And they did. . . After spending my young years as an atheist, I became convinced through reading the logical arguments of C.S. Lewis and the words of the Bible that belief in God was more plausible than atheism. . . As one of a large number of scientists who believe in God, I find it deeply troubling to watch the escalating culture wars between science and faith, especially in America.”


Culture

- “DC proves gun bans don’t work” by Rusty Pugh, OneNewsNow.com, 4/29/2008
“‘Even though the northern Virginia area has twice the population [as DC], we have only a fraction of the murder rate -- and that's because the potential victims [in Virginia] can arm themselves’. . . as a rule, thugs do not target areas where they know people can shoot back.”

- “Time to compromise on gun control” by Mike S. Adams, OneNewsNow.com, 4/29/2008
“. . . I realized that a partial gun ban is necessary. Specifically, I concluded that liberals cannot be allowed to own guns, much less carry them on our college campuses. If they cannot control their emotions enough to engage in rational debate, they cannot be expected to handle a firearm responsibly. Handguns were not made for people with shaking hands and raised voices. They were made for those with self-control.”


Politics

- “November Surprise?” Constitution Party Press Release, constitutionparty.com, 4/26/2008
“Largest 3rd Party Presidential Candidate To Challenge ‘Big Box’ Parties. . . [Dr. Chuck] Baldwin, who founded the Crossroad Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida, addressed the Constitution Party delegates in a passionate speech that outlined his concern that elected officials from both the Republican and Democrat parties had abandoned the principles of limited government.”

- “Chuck Baldwin Acceptance Speech” Constitution Party Press Release, constitutionparty.com, 4/28/2008
“Delegates to the 2008 Constitution Party National Convention held in Kansas City, Missouri April 23-26 voted to elect Dr. Chuck Baldwin to serve as its 2008 Presidential candidate. Listen to his acceptance speech here.”


Grateful for:

- My wife. She has been a huge support and voice of reason this week. Definitely a gift from God!




Thank you, buying from the Amazon store and links on the website and emails helps support the Romans 15:4 Project. I appreciate your support! Thank you!
- Mick Dobra, Founder and Chaplain

[ Mid-Week Devotionals ][ Subscribe for Updates ] [ Join the Bible Challenge ]

All Scripture links by BibleGateway.com Unless otherwise noted.

Bible Challenge 2008 - Week 5

Week 5

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)

To change is to repent, and to be childlike is to be humble in mind and spirit.

Let’s be God’s children today! Sitting at our Lord’s feet, repentant and humble, eagerly hearing his words.

Monday --- Matthew 21
Tuesday --- Matthew 22
Wednesday --- Matthew 23
Thursday --- Matthew 24
Friday --- Matthew 25

“Theological illiteracy and unbelief have dramatically increased among evangelical Christians in the past three decades. Churches are in desperate need of a fresh infusion of truth, a vigorous teaching of biblical doctrine. Without it, we and our children will have nothing to offer this truth-deprived world.”
(“The Grace and Truth Paradox: Responding with Christlike Balance” by Randy Alcorn)

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

{ Bible Challenge Home } { Past Weeks } { Project Home }




Thank you, buying from the Amazon store and links on the website and emails helps support the Romans 15:4 Project. I appreciate your support! Thank you!
- Mick Dobra, Founder and Chaplain

[ Mid-Week Devotionals ][ Subscribe for Updates ] [ Join the Bible Challenge ]

All Scripture links by BibleGateway.com Unless otherwise noted.