Bible Challenge 2009 - Week 12

Knights and Ladies,

"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
John 3:36

The penalty, God’s wrath, for breaking just one of God’s commands is death!

We can’t get into heaven on our own! We can’t just be good; we can’t possibly be good enough; we can’t possibly do enough good works! We can’t design our own way in.

Have you ever told a lie? I have, that makes me a liar.
Have you ever stolen anything? I have, that makes me a thief.
Have you ever lusted after a man or woman in your heart? I have, Jesus calls that adultery, and that makes me an adulterer.

That means I’m a lying, thieving, adulterer, and that’s only 3 of the 10 commandments of God!

The only way to avoid the penalty is if someone that has not broken any of God’s commands took your penalty for you, and that is exactly what Jesus Christ did!

By Jesus voluntarily taking our punishment for us we are granted eternal life after our time in this world ends.

By faithfully accepting this gift from Jesus we are saved! Do you know Jesus?

Sunday, June 28, 2009 - John 10
Monday - John 11
Tuesday - John 12
Wednesday - John 13
Thursday - John 14
Friday - John 15
Saturday - John 16

“With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, ‘Surely this man was the Son of God!’ (Mark 15:37-39) . . .

During Jesus' lifetime crucifixion was used by the Romans to exercise and gruesomely display their authority over others. This tortuous execution was viewed by the Jews as a cursed form of death (see Deuteronomy 21:23). Who would have imagined that the Holy One of God would voluntarily take upon himself the curse that should have been ours? This emblem of shame has thus become the symbol of our salvation.”
(Archaeological Study Bible: An Illustrated Walk Through Biblical History
and Culture)


“It is always best to drink at the well and not from the tank. You shall find that reading the Word of God for yourselves, reading it rather than notes upon it, is the surest way of growing in grace. Drink of the unadulterated milk of the Word of God, and not of the skim milk, or the milk and water of man's word." ("How to Read the Bible" a sermon by C. H. Spurgeon)

Accept the challenge, take the quest!

“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)


The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus
Archaeological Study Bible: An Illustrated Walk Through Biblical History and Culture


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Fathers, Are You Ready for Battle?

Fathers, I am making a special call to arms!

Before the church or governments, God ordained the family. (Matthew 19:4-6) It is your duty to lay the foundations of the faith within your family. The latest statistic I have heard is that 74% of children walk away from the faith by the time they reach college! 90% of young people that leave the faith went to public schools, and 61% attended sunday school regularly. Are you leaving the salvation of your children up to the church and sunday school? If so, you may just loose them!

I would encourage you, exhort you, to prepare yourself to answer the hard questions of the faith and lay the foundations in your family!

The number one method God uses to evangelize the world is through Godly families! Godly parents raising Godly children that become Godly parents to raise Godly children. . . .

Do you see? God's small group design from the sixth day of creation is called a family!

The very first commandment is for families to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28), the greatest commandment, quoted by Jesus, is to love the Lord our God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength, and how, by impressing God's commendments upon your children! (Deuteronomy 6:5-7)

This is so awesome, our God is so awesome!!

Apologetics: [Greek Apologia] "'Apologetics is the discipline that deals with a rational defense of Christian faith' (Geisler, 1999, p. 37). "

Just last night I was heavy with the burden of laying the foundations of the faith for my family. It can sometimes feel like an impossible duty in these troubling times. So I prayed. I prayed that God would show me how and provide the tools.

And today, I stumble across this article, “Ready Always to Give an Answer”
by Caleb Colley, B.A., B.S. It evaluates the different styles of apologetics and offers 3 steps to get started.

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect," (1 Peter 3:15)

1. Study the Bible
2. Study Apologetics Resources
3. Engage Others

I was heavily burndend because of the lack of resources and ministry within the chruches of God, but don't fear! There are many resources available, and many Godly families to draw teaching and encouragement from!

Fathers, Be Prepared!

Be ready to give your children the answers and teach them to find and defend the faith!

If you are in the Peoria area and want to learn more or need help getting started, please email or call me today!

Please watch this one hour free web presentation by Ken Ham regarding the spiritual decline and the loss of our children in America:
"It is important to realize that although America has more Christian resources and Bible colleges than ever in its history, the nation is on a spiritual downward spiral. What has happened? Why is the church not reaching the culture today as it has in the past? Don’t pass up this opportunity to hear firsthand from co-authors of the new book 'Already Gone'!"


Already Gone: Why your kids will quit church and what you can do to stop it


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MSA: Coalition for Urban Renewal and Education

CURE, the Coalition for Urban Renewal & Education

I have read, and have been very impressed with, Star Parker's commentaries in the past. I just learned that she is "the founder and president of CURE, the Coalition for Urban Renewal & Education, a 501c3 non-profit think tank that provides a national voice of reason on issues of race and poverty in the media, inner city neighborhoods, and public policy."

She has also become a contributor for Family Security Matters.

Both appear to be great organizations, and I felt I should share.

{ CURE, the Coalition for Urban Renewal & Education } { Family Security Matters }

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Uncle Sam's Plantation: How Big Government Enslaves America's Poor and What We Can Do About It

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Bible Challenge 2009 - Week 11

Knights and Ladies,

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:1-2, 14

There is only one God.

The Word, in Greek, Logos, is the title for Jesus. (John 1:18, Revelation 19:13)

In the beginning was [Jesus], and [Jesus] was with God, and [Jesus] was God. . . [Jesus] became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

In June of 2009, on the MSNBC show Hardball with Chris Matthews, Newsweek editor Evan Thomas stated very seriously that “in a way [President] Obama’s standing above the country, above – above the world, he’s sort of God.”

Sorry Mr. Thomas, and no offense Mr. President, but there is only one God; The Father, The Son Jesus, and The Holy Spirit! Presidents can promise any thing they want and very rarely come through, but Jesus delivers eternal life for those who believe! (John 6:47)

Worship the Creator, not the created!

Sunday, June 21, 2009 - John 3
Monday - John 4
Tuesday - John 5
Wednesday - John 6
Thursday - John 7
Friday - John 8
Saturday - John 9

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights”
- The Declaration of Independence

These truths are self-evident “since what may be known about God [the Creator] is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” - Romans 1:19-20

"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"

“Recall that God revealed his name to Moses from the burning bush as the great ‘I Am’ (Exodus 3:14). Now in John 8:58, there is no mistaking the allusion: Jesus claimed to be the great I Am, God Almighty, Israel's glorious King.”
(“Busted: Exposing Popular Myths about Christianity” by Fred von Kamecke)


“It is always best to drink at the well and not from the tank. You shall find that reading the Word of God for yourselves, reading it rather than notes upon it, is the surest way of growing in grace. Drink of the unadulterated milk of the Word of God, and not of the skim milk, or the milk and water of man's word." ("How to Read the Bible" a sermon by C. H. Spurgeon)

Accept the challenge, take the quest!

“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 Knights } { The King } { The Sword } { The Quest } { The Fellowship }

{ The Chaplain } { The Project } { The Vision } { The Blog }


Busted: Exposing Popular Myths about Christianity


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Bible Challenge 2009 - Week 10

Knights and Ladies,

Just as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man: people went on eating, drinking, marrying and giving in marriage until the day Noah boarded the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. . . Whoever tries to make his life secure will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.
Luke 17:26-27, 33 HCSB

We are pilgrims, ministers, preachers, and ambassadors in a foreign land. You’ve probably heard it said, “we are in this world, but not of it.” (Philippians 3:20)

I have days, I call them funks, where I am just out of place with the daily doings of this world. People just carrying on with the daily rat race completely unaware of our eternal reality. (Confession: My fault is in not better sharing reality! 2 Corinthians 5:20)

We tend to put all of our trust into the stuff of this world, our jobs, homes, cars, titles, etc. . . But it’s all pointless. As John Ortberg says, “it all goes back in the box” when we die. We can’t take it with us!

Jesus says if we place the security of our life in this world and follow in the ways of the world, we will lose it! If, under cultural pressure or persecution, we deny the Savior we may live longer or more comfortable in this world, but we will die an eternal death.

After accepting the free gift of forgiveness, live for the Savior that paid the price for that gift and enjoy eternal life!

Sunday, June 14, 2009 - Luke 20
Monday - Luke 21
Tuesday - Luke 22
Wednesday - Luke 23
Thursday - Luke 24
Friday - John 1
Saturday - John 2

“Noah was a preacher of righteousness to the old world; so was Lot to the Sodomites. They gave them timely notice of what would be in the end of their wicked ways, and that it was not far off. . . they did not regard the warning given them, and gave no credit, no heed to it. They were very secure, went on in their business as unconcerned as you could imagine. . .”
(Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Bible)

“Yet as great as the danger will be, do not seek to save your life by violating your conscience: if you do, you will surely lose it: whereas if you should lose it for my sake, you shall be paid with life everlasting. But the most probable way of preserving it now, is to be always ready to give it up: a peculiar Providence shall then watch over you, and put a difference between you and other men.”
(John Wesley’s Notes on the Bible)

“It is always best to drink at the well and not from the tank. You shall find that reading the Word of God for yourselves, reading it rather than notes upon it, is the surest way of growing in grace. Drink of the unadulterated milk of the Word of God, and not of the skim milk, or the milk and water of man's word." ("How to Read the Bible" a sermon by C. H. Spurgeon)

Accept the challenge, take the quest!

“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 Knights } { The King } { The Sword } { The Quest } { The Fellowship }

{ The Chaplain } { The Project } { The Vision } { The Blog }


You Can Lead an Atheist to Evidence, But You Can't Make Him Think: Answers to Questions from Angry Skeptics

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Amazing Love! How Can It Be?

Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:13-17


{ Bible Knights } { The King } { The Sword } { The Quest } { The Fellowship }

{ The Chaplain } { The Project } { The Vision } { The Blog }


The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus

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Bible Challenge 2009 - Week 9

Knights and Ladies,

Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
Luke 6:22

Following Jesus Christ is the only way, but it’s not the easy way!

Even though God’s only begotten Son gave His life for our salvation, God’s truth is offensive to those who choose to reject it, and they will hate, exclude, insult, and reject anyone that proclaims it! Even if it’s proclaimed in love as it should be.

Recently, a beauty pageant contestant and a best selling mega church pastor were both put on the nationally televised spot. How would they respond when the truth of their faith was tested? History and television have recorded that the pageant contestant stood on God’s truth and suffered hateful verbal attacks, exclusion, insult, and rejection for it. But. . .

Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.
Luke 6:26

Stand on God’s truth. The rejection and insult of men is only temporary, but Jesus’ blessing is for all eternity!

Sunday June 7, 2009 - Luke 13
Monday - Luke 14
Tuesday - Luke 15
Wednesday - Luke 16
Thursday - Luke 17
Friday - Luke 18
Saturday - Luke 19

“You must expect all the base treatment that a spiteful world can give you for Christ's sake, because you serve him and his interests; you must expect that wicked men will hate you, because your doctrine and life convict and condemn them; . . . Here is a woe to them whom all men speak well of, that is, who make it their great and only care to gain the praise and applause of men, who value themselves upon that more than upon the favour of God and his acceptance. . .”
(Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Bible)

“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)

“It is always best to drink at the well and not from the tank. You shall find that reading the Word of God for yourselves, reading it rather than notes upon it, is the surest way of growing in grace. Drink of the unadulterated milk of the Word of God, and not of the skim milk, or the milk and water of man's word." ("How to Read the Bible" a sermon by C. H. Spurgeon)

Accept the challenge, take the quest!

“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 Knights } { The King } { The Sword } { The Quest } { The Fellowship }

{ The Chaplain } { The Project } { The Vision } { The Blog }



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IFI: Political and Idealogical Public Education Abuse

"Those schools, like District 113's Deerfield and Highland Park High Schools, that spend public money hand over fist on programs like Peggy McIntosh's SEED and Glenn Singleton's 'Courageous Conversations' in order to close the racial learning gap ought to read this report. . .

After spending two years and thousands of dollars on Glenn Singleton's doctrinaire and racist theories, George Fornero, perhaps unintentionally, acknowledged precisely what District 113 got for their time and money in a recent letter to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan:

Dear Honorable Duncan,

. . . As was the case in the spring of 2008, our non-English speaking students were once again asked to demonstrate their academic abilities by taking the ACT and the WorkKey assessments in English. And once again, despite taking the test seriously and despite working for hours longer than other students to complete it, when these students receive their results next fall, they will all fail.

One would hope that an admission like this would be the nail in the coffin of divisive, intellectually vacuous, ideologically driven expenditures. But the public should never underestimate the fervor of a true proselyte driven by political motives. They will continue to abuse their access to public money until community members publicly and vigorously oppose them."

Full Article: Illinois Family Institute: Controversial Theories of District 113's "Diversity" Consultant

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Operation Outcry - find hope and healing for those suffering from the effects of abortion

A message from AFA:

Operation Outcry - Beyond the Dark Valley

The pain I suffered was the worst physical and psychological pain I had ever experienced. I felt deceived and violated. I had no idea what abortion would do to me. - Lisa in Texas

With the upcoming Senate hearings involving the newest Supreme Court nominee, no doubt the issue of abortion will be in the news again. Those who argue for the pro-choice position don't want to talk about Lisa in Texas or the millions of other women who could say the same thing. I want you to watch a powerful 30 minute video called "Beyond the Dark Valley of Abortion," produced by the Justice Foundation, which explores the way to find hope and healing for those, perhaps you or someone you know, who have suffered physically, emotionally or spiritually because of abortion. The video is available free here.

I also want to make you aware that Operation Outcry, a ministry of the Justice Foundation, is asking women to share their abortion experience, as Lisa did, at their website www.operationoutcry.org because the United States Supreme Court is asking for evidence that abortion harms women. AFA and Operation Outcry are collecting testimonies to help in Court decisions. This is critically important! If you or someone you know desires to share a short testimony, it can be done confidentially at http://www.operationoutcry.org/. You can choose to use your full name, first name or just your initials. This will help further document the personal pain and trauma caused by abortion to judges who can make a difference. Click here to fill out a declaration form.

AFA continues to stand for life for unborn babies and to proclaim hope and healing through Jesus Christ for those who have experienced the harm from abortion. Lisa also says, "Often just writing out your testimony, whether you send it in or not, can be the first important step in healing."


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