geocreationism.com

Sowing Generously
 6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written:
   ”He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
      his righteousness endures forever.” 10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase …

My post 2 Corinthians 5 - Being Reconciled to God makes a point about Catholism that many protestants make through less direct means, and that is the intercessory nature of saints and priests in one’s walk with God.  Now, I was never Catholic, and mean no insult, especially to whatever degree I might unwittingly misrepresent what Catholics believe.

That said, it is my understanding that Catholics pray TO Mary to intercede for them with God.  They pray TO the saints as well.  Finally, they confess their sins and receive absolution from their priests.  If I have this right, then I would consider these to be unbiblical practices, because it places a …

 16So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. …

Luke 1:
 73the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
 74to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
      and to enable us to serve him without fear
 75in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
 God swore an oathe to Abraham: to enbable his descendents to serve God in righteousness.  Righteousness is not a reflection of any innate quality within us, but is rather a measure of the righteousness of God, which he decides to bestow upon us.  Righteousness, frankly, is a fruit that people can see in our lives, but it is not in our person or psyche.  It is in how we live our life, when we do those things that only …

 28″What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

 29″ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

 30″Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.

 31″Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
      ”The first,” they answered.

   Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32For John came to you to show you the …

 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
      for they will be filled. 
 10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
It’s interesting reading the righteousness verses of this chapter without context.  It tells a story.  However, before going there, I would like to add at least some context to verse 20:
 17″Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. …

 1 “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the LORD Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. 2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. 3 Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things,” says the LORD Almighty.

 …

I realize the following scriptures are specifically to Israel and Judah, but God Himself is unchanging, and the United States, with the largest Jewish and Christian population anywhere in the world, is in some ways an extenstion of them.  Therefore, I believe that the attitudes and concerns expressed by God in Malachi apply to us in this day as much as to Israel and Judah back in biblical times:
 2:17 You have wearied the LORD with your words.
      ”How have we wearied him?” you ask.
      By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?”
Today, as Americans, we make excuses for those who …

Again I turn to the topic of God’s earthly judgement of man, an aspect of mankind that many non-Christians are critical of, and many Christians ignore.  The reasons modern Christians ignore the idea of God judging men on earth is because our earthly rewards have appeared increasingly disconnected from a person’s faith.  Why is that?  Well first, let me assure you that God’s judgment of us is quite intact, and that he deals with us all in good time, showing judgement, mercy, and grace in appropriate measure.  However, we appear unaware, as unsaved philanthropists improve the conditions of the poor and prosper for it, unsaved murderers get let off on technicalities or get fed and sheltered for the rest of …

 1 Gather together, gather together,
       O shameful nation,

 2 before the appointed time arrives
       and that day sweeps on like chaff,
       before the fierce anger of the LORD comes upon you,
       before the day of the LORD’s wrath comes upon you.

 3 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land,
       you who do what he commands.
       Seek righteousness, seek humility;
       perhaps you will be sheltered
       on the day of the LORD’s anger.
How does one seek righteousness?  This is such an interesting question to me when asked in this context.  Why?  Because nearly of the minor prophets were consumed with Israel’s redemption.  We’ve been seeing scriptures where this meant seeking out God’s justice, …