http://www.blogigo.com/discernment Created to provide access to Christian resources to help discern between the "bad, the good, and the best". Much care should be taken to glean the wheat from the chaff. "Bring forth the precious from the vile". "Rightly dividing the word of truth" "Prove (test) all things; hold fast that which is good" en dondegr0 dondegr0 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 19:25:00 +0100 daily 1 James White One of the most disturbing tendencies of modern believers is the ease with which they can be shaken by the mere appearance of what looks like an argument against their position.  Rather than examining the arguments of unbelievers in the context of the calm assurance that comes from a thorough knowledge of the faith, many today have drunk deeply at the well of modernism, and secretly believe that “no one can really know” the truth in the realm of “religious topics.”  A recent series of e-mail articles/arguments by one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Martin Smart, illustrates this problem with great clarity.  Mr. Smart, like most Internet apologists for the Watchtower, fills his posts with citations from recognized, scholarly sources.  This alone is enough to shut down the critical thinking skills of many post-modern Christians, for the idea is, “Well, if it cites scholarship, it must be right.”  The great... Sat, 05 Mar 2011 19:25:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Exposition-of-John-15/57/ http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Exposition-of-John-15/57/ God is A Mathematician By Keith Newman . The authenticity of the Holy Bible has been attacked at regular intervals by atheists and theologians alike but none have explained away the mathematical seal beneath its surface. It would seem the divine hand has moved to prevent counterfeiting in the pages of the Bible in a similar manner to the line that runs through paper money. Bible numerics appears to be God's watermark of authenticity. Vital research on this numeric seal was completed by a native of the world's most reknowned atheistic nation, Russia. Ivan Panin was born in Russia on December 12, 1855. As a young man he was an active nihilist and participated in plots against the Czar and his government. He was a mathematical genius who died a Harvard scholar and a citizen of the United States in 1942. Panin was exiled from Russia. And after spending a number of years studying in Germany, he went to the United... Wed, 01 Dec 2010 04:27:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/God-mathematics/56/ http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/God-mathematics/56/ More of Christ! More of Christ! by James Smith, 1860 What is it my soul, which causes this uneasiness, this dissatisfaction, this deep inward yearning after something which you have not, or do not at present enjoy? I am not at rest. I am not rejoicing in God. I am not singing from the heights of Zion. Yet, I have no slavish fears, I have no gloomy doubts of my saving interest in Christ, I have no actual dread of death or the judgment. But I feel a desire to climb higher , to know more, and to enjoy the power of religion within — as I have not of late. It seems to me that all my needs lead me to Christ, and all my desires go out toward Christ. I want — well, what do I want? I want to feel more of my NEED of Christ. I have imagined at times, that I could not have a deeper sense of my need of Christ, and of all that Christ is, and has — than I have already experienced. But I am... Thu, 11 Nov 2010 20:51:18 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/More-of-Christ/55/ http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/More-of-Christ/55/ Jonathan Edwards' Resolutions A list of the resolutions that Edwards read once every week to keep his mind on his duty before God. The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards The New Year is upon us, or, it may just be that it took you a very long time to make it to this web page.  In either case, when contemplating the New Year, we should make a resolution against New Year Resolutions, and, instead, strive for reformation of life .  That is why Jonathan Edwards read his resolutions once every week . His Resolutions are listed below in full. In an effort to be helped spiritually by Edward's idea in inscribing his resolutions and then reading them each week, I also made a list of my own Maxims , which may also be of help to you - even if they simply spark you to make a list of your own.  Some are very similar to Edwards, some are exactly the same, and some are completely different.  In any case, enjoy these Resolutions and Maxims in your daily walk.... Sat, 16 Oct 2010 18:37:17 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Jonathan-Edwards-Resolutions/54/ http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Jonathan-Edwards-Resolutions/54/ Accuracy Of Prophecy Perhaps the most compelling of evidences demonstrating that the Bible is the word of God is its unswerving ability to accurately predict future events, often in minute details. Specific prophesies are conspicuously absent from the 26 other religious books that claim to be scripture, including the Muslim's Koran, the Book of Mormon, the Hindu Vedas, and Buddhist writings 1 . This in itself should be a major eye-opener to the honest skeptic. God through the prophet Isaiah once challenged the pagan idolaters of that time to "tell us what the future holds, so we may know that you are gods (Isaiah 41:23, NIV)." The Jewish Nation Perhaps the greatest and most obvious testimony to the accuracy of Biblical prophecy is provided by the people and nation of Israel. The Jews went without a homeland for 1900 years, just as God had promised numerous times in the Old Testament 2 , as a reluctant judgment on His rebellious chosen... Sat, 09 Oct 2010 15:46:53 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Accuracy-of-Bible-prophecy/53/ http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Accuracy-of-Bible-prophecy/53/ Fate, accident, chance--or SOVEREIGNTY ? (John MacDuff, "The Thoughts of God") " I form the light--and create darkness; I make peace--and create evil! I the LORD do all these things !" Isaiah 45:7 What a sad world this would be--were it governed by Fate! Were its blended lights and shadows, its joys and sorrows--the result of capricious accident--or blind and wayward chance! How blessed to think that each separate occurrence which befalls me--is the fulfillment of God's own immutable purpose! Is it the material world? It is He . . .   who " forms the light--and creates darkness ;"   who appoints the sun and moon for their seasons;   who gives to the sea its decree;   who watches the sparrow in its fall;   who tends the lily in the field; and   who paints the tiniest flower that blossoms in the meadow. Is it the moral world? All events are predetermined and prearranged by Him! "I make peace--and... Sat, 25 Sep 2010 15:48:29 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/God-s-Sovereignty/52/ http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/God-s-Sovereignty/52/ The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One. Having the Source of all things, he has in One all satisfaction, all pleasure, all delight. Whatever he may lose he has actually lost nothing, for he now has it all in One, and he has it purely, legitimately and forever. -- A.W. Tozer Mon, 13 Sep 2010 00:41:59 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/God-is-our-Treasure/51/ http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/God-is-our-Treasure/51/ This flattering enemy! (Thomas Watson, " The Christian's Charter ") "Don't you know that friendship with the world is  hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a  friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."     James 4:4 The world is a deadly enemy. This enemy courts us. It smiles—that it may deceive. It kills—by embracing! The world's music enchants us. It has a golden apple in one hand —and a dagger in the other hand! Riches are but golden dust , which will sooner choke us, than satisfy us. Riches are called thick clay , which will sooner break our back, than lighten our heart. Marcia gave poison in sweet wine, to the emperor Commodus. Such an aromatic cup does the world present us with—that we may drink and die. The ivy, while it clasps about the oak, sucks away the heart of it; such are the world's embraces.... Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:36:52 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Our-enemy-flattery/50/ http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Our-enemy-flattery/50/ Paul was . . . ... an extraordinary man, called to an extraordinary office, and being sent to perform an extraordinary work --he chose an extraordinary subject. He knew history, he was acquainted with philosophy, and he was well versed in tradition. There were . . . few subjects that he could not handle, few themes that he could not discuss, few congregations that he could not interest. But he made the conversion of sinners the object of his life--and he chose Christ crucified to be the subject of his ministry! No matter where he went--he took his subject with him. No matter whom he addressed--he directed their attention to this point. He knew what man required--and what man preferred; but it made no matter to him. As he wrote to the Corinthians, so he always acted, "Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified--a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to... Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:43:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Preaching-Christ/49/ http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Preaching-Christ/49/ Biblical Principle: You will have the government that you deserve. If you work for and elect righteous representatives, you will have righteous government. If you fail to uphold Biblical Principles, fail to work for and elect righteous representatives, you will have unrighteous government. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” 2 Ti. 4:3-4 “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be also false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.” 2 Peter 2:1 The Greek root of the word “heresy” is a verb meaning “to select” or “to take up.” As used by Peter it... Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:34:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Consequences-of-design-and-decision/48/ http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Consequences-of-design-and-decision/48/ http://www.9marks.org/CC/ejournal/2010v7-1/article_johnson.htm The Neo-Liberal Stealth Offensive By Phil Johnson The gospel's most dangerous earthly adversaries are not raving atheists who stand outside the door shouting threats and insults. They are church leaders who cultivate a gentle, friendly, pious demeanor but hack away at the foundations of faith under the guise of keeping in step with a changing world. No Christian should imagine that heresy is always conspicuous or that every purveyor of theological mischief will lay out his agenda in plain and honest terms. The enemy prefers to sow tares secretly, for obvious reasons. Thus Scripture expressly warns us to be on guard against false teachers who creep into the church unnoticed (Jude 4), wolves who sneak into the flock wearing sheep's clothing (Matt 7:15), and servants of Satan who... Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:14:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Stealth-Offensive/47/ http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Stealth-Offensive/47/ Source: Early in the Morning 2 Scripture Reference: Exodus 24:1-18   Reasonable Service And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. Consecration to the Lord requires separation from evil, devotion to God, and the endless pursuit of holiness. Although the Lord would have all His children be fully consecrated to His service, He requires of us "reasonable" service (Romans 12:1). Consecration made under the influence of emotion or the excitement of the moment is not to be trusted. The believer must carefully, prayerfully and reasonably count the cost of discipleship before committing his life in service to the Lord. After the great law was given to Moses on Mount Sinai, God sought ratification of the covenant He had made with the Israelites. Once again Moses ascended the holy mountain, this time with Aaron,... Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:55:48 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Consecration/46/ http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Consecration/46/ http://stevenjcamp.blogspot.com/2007/01/removing-offense-of-crossthe.html SOME PURPOSE TO REMOVE THE OFFENSE OF THE CROSS  ...the ineffectualness of candy coated, romantic gospel appeals " If the professed convert distinctly and deliberately declares that he knows the Lord's will but does not mean to attend to it, you are not to pamper his presumption, but it is your duty to assure him that he is not saved. Do not suppose that the Gospel is magnified or God glorified by going to the worldlings and telling them that they may be saved at this moment by simply accepting Christ as their Savior, while they are wedded to their idols, and their hearts are still in love with sin. If I do so I tell them a lie, pervert the Gospel , insult Christ, and turn the grace of God into lasciviousness." -C.H. SPURGEON Those kinds of words fall on deaf ears today. They are not cool, contemporary, relatable, winsome, attractive. They sound too harsh, too... Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:58:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/The-Offense-of-the-Cross/45/ http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/The-Offense-of-the-Cross/45/ http://mikeratliff.wordpress.com/2008/08/20/the-abomination-of-easy-believism-part-3-the-way-of-salvation/ The Abomination of Easy-Believism - Part 3 - The Way of Salvation Posted on August 20, 2008 by Mike Ratliff by Mike Ratliff “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14 ESV) In John Bunyan’s masterpiece The Pilgrim’s Progress , the main character, Christian, reads a book, which is the Bible, resulting in a huge burden appearing on his back. Day after day as he reads God’s Word the burden becomes more an more overbearing. We learn that he is in rags. He learns of God’s coming judgement upon his city, The City of Destruction. He despairs and calls out to God for help. Then he is approached by a man whose name is Evangelist. After a... Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:32:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Easy-Believism-examined/44/ http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Easy-Believism-examined/44/ http://www.alittleleaven.com/2008/08/the-fruit-of-pu.html The Fruit of Purpose-Driven / Seeker-Sensitive Methods Granger Community Church is considered to be one the brightest stars in the Purpose-Driven Church universe and is the 6th most influential church in America. Thousands of churches have purchased, downloaded and preached Granger's sermons. Past and present pastors from Granger are considered 'rock stars' and thought leaders in purpose-driven / seeker-sensitive circles. But how effective are these Purpose-Driven / Seeker-Sensitive methods at making true converts and true Christian disciples? Well, Granger just released the results of their Reveal Now survey and the data is bleak. In fact, Granger and their 'pastoral' staff get an F. Here are some of the low lights. 47% of those attending Granger DO NOT believe in salvation by grace. (This means they are NOT Christians, regardless of whether or not they identify... Sat, 16 Aug 2008 19:11:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Fruit-from-Seeker-Sensitive-Methods/43/ http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Fruit-from-Seeker-Sensitive-Methods/43/   by Kevin Williams Some time ago I witnessed to a group of teens on the streets of England, and they had no idea of what sin is, what repentance is, who Jesus is, or what the Gospel is. Yet when I explained, they replied “Oh don’t worry we met some American missionaries yesterday who we repeated a prayer with and so we know we’re going to Heaven.” Is it any wonder, as Paul Washer says, there are Christians in the Third World who pray that God will stop the American missionaries from coming over. “It was seven years before Carey baptised his first convert in India; it was seven years before Judson won his first disciple in Burma; Morrison toiled seven years before the Chinaman was brought to Christ; Moffat declares that he waited seven years to see the first evident moving of the Holy Spirit upon his Bechuanas of Africa; Henry Richards wrought seven years on the Congo before the first convert was gained at Banza Manteka” -A J Gordon, The... Sat, 02 Aug 2008 16:31:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Which-Gospel-do-you-believe/42/ http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Which-Gospel-do-you-believe/42/ Morning: Being With God Evening: All Shall Come Morning: Being With God "Nevertheless I am continually with Thee." --Psalm 73:23 "Nevertheless,"--As if, notwithstanding all the foolishness and ignorance which David had just been confessing to God, not one atom the less was it true and certain that David was saved and accepted, and that the blessing of being constantly in God's presence was undoubtedly his. Fully conscious of his own lost estate, and of the deceitfulness and vileness of his nature, yet, by a glorious outburst of faith, he sings "nevertheless I am continually with Thee." Believer, you are forced to enter into Asaph's confession and acknowledgment, endeavour in like spirit to say "nevertheless, since I belong to Christ I am continually with God!" By this is meant continually upon His mind, He is always thinking of me for my good. Continually before His eye;--the eye of the... Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:35:03 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/With-God/41/ http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/With-God/41/ Morning: Our Daily Bread Evening: Comfort in God Morning: Our Daily Bread "They gathered manna every morning." --Exodus 16:21 Labour to maintain a sense of thine entire dependence upon the Lord's good will and pleasure for the continuance of thy richest enjoyments. Never try to live on the old manna, nor seek to find help in Egypt. All must come from Jesus, or thou art undone for ever. Old anointings will not suffice to impart unction to thy spirit; thine head must have fresh oil poured upon it from the golden horn of the sanctuary, or it will cease from its glory. To-day thou mayest be upon the summit of the mount of God, but He who has put thee there must keep thee there, or thou wilt sink far more speedily than thou dreamest. Thy mountain only stands firm when He settles it in its place; if He hide His face, thou wilt soon be troubled. If the Saviour should see fit, there is not a window through which thou seest the... Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:34:00 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Daily-Bread/40/ http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Daily-Bread/40/ Extra quotes from A.W. Tozer An idol of the mind is as offensive to God as an idol of the hand. Aiden Wilson Tozer An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of Himself as fully as if there were no others. Aiden Wilson Tozer If God gives you a watch, are you honoring Him more by asking Him what time it is or by simply consulting the watch? Aiden Wilson Tozer In almost everything that touches our everyday life on earth, God is pleased when we're pleased. He wills that we be as free as birds to soar and sing our maker's praise without anxiety. Aiden Wilson Tozer "Let God be true but every man a liar" is the language of true faith. Aiden Wilson Tozer Man appears for a little while to laugh and weep, to work and play, and then to go to make room for those who shall... Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:28:36 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Tozer-quotes-to-ponder/39/ http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Tozer-quotes-to-ponder/39/ Source: Early in the Morning 2 Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 29   God's Providence Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy master's servants that are come with thee: and as soon as ye be up early in the morning, and have light, depart. When we live lives that are pleasing before the Lord, godly lives, righteous lives, we may always be assured that no matter where our steps take us, we have been led there by the Lord God Himself. Indeed, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD" (Psalm 37:23). By this time in his life the madness of King Saul had become so notable that he had nearly destroyed himself and his nation as well. His hatred for David and his jealousy of this young Bethlehemite caused David to be resigned to a life of wandering. Once David learned that the Philistines were besieging the city of Keilah, he immediately hurried to rescue the city. Successful in his rescue, he drove off the enemy and... Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:52:11 +0200 http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Providence-of-God/38/ http://www.blogigo.com/discernment/Providence-of-God/38/