Of course, others argue that no such thing can be proven (which is what makes faith… well faith right?).  Anyway, interesting article (thanks Keane for turning me onto it) and you can read it here: Physics of the Divine.

My question for you today is: Do you believe God works in the affairs of the world? and If so, tell us a time when you saw God’s hand at work in a situation.

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Some Christian groups have been making headlines lately because they claim that the end of the world is set for 2011. Harold Camping says that Jesus will return May 21 and the “end of the world” doesn’t happen until October 21. He is quoted by Yahoo News as saying: “Beyond the shadow of a doubt, May 21 will be the date of the Rapture and the day of judgment.” It’s important to note that this same group predicted that Sept 6 1994 would certainly be the end too…

If you believe the Bible (I realize some that read this may not), there is a day when Jesus returns and time as we know it ends and the age to come begins (this is both the Jewish and Christian belief). The Bible also implies that not everyone enters the age to come – only the “righteous”. However, Jesus says at least twice that no one knows the day or hour (not angels or even Jesus – only God the Father) and that it isn’t for anyone to know (Acts 1.6) – so when people claim to know something Jesus says no one can know, I have a hard time trusting them over Jesus (I’m just saying).

William Miller predicted the end on Oct 22 1844. I remember another guy wrote a pamphlet in 1988 of the 88 reasons Christ will return in 1988 and when it didn’t happen he wrote another called 89 reasons Christ will return in 1989 – these misguided predictions (as all are concerning this subject) are based on a Scriptural truth: that one day Christ will return and a new day will dawn.

Jesus reminds us that His coming will be like the days of Noah. But even Noah didn’t know the exact day of the flood. All he knew was there was work to do that gave witness to the reality of God while that work could be done. It’s the same for followers of Jesus today.

So for me personally, the question isn’t will this event happen on such and such a date but rather: am I living NOW in a way that honors God and inspires others to do the same? (the only way I know how to do this is in Christ). If I take care of that question today, tomorrow (or May 21 or Oct 21 or Dec 31 2012 or whenever) can not hold anything for me that I’m not prepared to face.

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And just in case you missed it, here’s week 2: PEACE

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Where does the Bible talk  about the angels being perplexed that “man” is offered redemption?

Thanks for the question. The Bible implies this notion in a few places like Hebrews 2.16, Psalm 8.4-5  and Hebrews 2.5-8: which all say that Jesus didn’t come to help angels but mankind and  the collective thought of the angels who witnessed God’s redemptive love for people was “what is man that you are mindful of him?”.

1 Peter1.11-13 tells us that the gospel message (truth about what Jesus has done for mankind) is so wonderful that angels long look into it and are amazed by it. Here is how the Message Bible ends those verse (bold emphasis mine): Angels would have given anything to be in on this! (”this” meaning redemption)

Why would an angel “fall” if angels are in heaven and heaven is perfect? How could an angel be “cast out”?

The issue here is free-will. Despite seeing God on His throne and experiencing all the majesty of heaven, some angels chose to reject God’s will for another. What makes heaven, well heaven – is that God’s will is done. Being “cast out” is the natural consequence of de-godding God. While agents of free-will can exercise that choice, there are consequences and losing access to heaven is one.

Again, this is the incredible thing about redemption: even after mankind chose to act outside God’s will (and was “cast out” of the garden), God provided a way to for man to access Him and heaven once again. No such option for angels, perhaps because they have seen the throne of God and experienced His majesty first hand.

Ephesians tells us that for all the ages to come, redeemed mankind will stand as THE distinguishing mark of God grace to all creatures forever.

One person said: I hate living in fear about going to hell. I feel like if I make one mistake I’m going to hell.

No one has  to live in fear of hell.  Titus 3.7 says Because of His grace He declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

God’s grace was expressed in Jesus who made us righteous by what He did on the cross. Our trust in Jesus is our confidence that we will inherit eternal life. You can have peace with God that removes the fear of eternity, tempers the sting of death and empowers a life of godliness and joy in the here & now.

Jesus does not condemn mankind but came to redeem all people: John 3.16-17 -  For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him.

The only thing that can keep us from communion with God is our own personal choice (John 3.18). Salvation is a current reality with future implications and you can access it right now through repentance.

1 John 1.8-9 says: If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.  But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

No one has to live in fear of going to hell. Cultivate a relationship with God through Jesus starting with faith in His victory over all our mistakes on the cross. Freedom from the fear of hell releases us to live for God with everything we are.

If you want to talk to someone about living free from the fear of hell, call our office at 734-682-4050 to speak with one of our pastors.

Thanks for your honesty in asking this question.

When you lose, don’t run. When it hurts don’t whine. Nobody likes a cry baby.
- Gordon Gecko in Wall Street II

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians 3.20-21

Take a moment today. Breath deeply. Read the Scripture above again and think expansively. Try to grasp God’s great power and majesty. Then get your mind around that incredible force working in you.  Imagine Elevate Church accomplishing infinitely more than we might ask or even think because of that mighty power at work in each of us.

Take a moment. Then go about your day in a whole new way.

“This is going to be an experience” – Justin McDevitt upon landing in Tegucigalpa, Honduras

“All I see is abandoned houses, where’s the ones people are living in?” – Mary Kirkpatrick when first seeing lived in houses by the side of the road

“Despite being almost destitute, there is such an aliveness in their faces” – John Huie after meeting people who live on $4 a day

See the interviews and hear the stories this Sunday night at Elevate United (6pm at the RRCA).

In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day – Mark Batterson: Elevate’s summer reading that explores 7 skills of a lion chaser – it will build your faith!

Sun Stand Still - Steven Furtick: I was fortunate to read a pre-released copy of this faith filled book based on Joshua’s extraordinary prayer in the Bible

Why You Think The Way You Do – Glenn Sunshine: Takes you from the worldview of the ancient Romans straight through to the emerging worldview of the post-modern West – good read for understanding self & society

The Present Future – Reggie McNeil: OK this one is a few years old, but I’m just getting to it after hearing Reggie do a talk recently – his insights on the future of the church are accurate & helpful especially to those accustomed to a more traditional approach

Visioneering – Andy Stanley: this was a re-read for me but it is just a great book on what it takes to engineer a vision – I think that I’ll always refer back to it as a church planting pastor

What Got you Here Won’t Get You There – Marshall Goldsmith: good insights for already successful leaders

The Imitation of Christ – Thomas a Kempis: a classic on the spiritual life from a medieval monk – loaded with rich language that awakens & refreshes the soul

You Have Not Many Fathers - Dr. Mark Hanby: Not sure where you can get this book, it was given to me a few years ago and this summer I re-read it – while overly poetic at times, it is simply a wonderful book on learning to reflect the heart of the Heavenly Father in life & ministry

On the docket to read in August:

Scandalous – D.A. Carson: Carson is one of the most notable Bible scholars today and in this short work he highlights 5 biblical texts and shows how the cross of Christ was ironic, scandalous & great all in one

Drive – Daniel Pink: I heard Daniel at this year’s Leadership Summit and his insights were so interesting that I’m looking forward to reading his book

The Battle of Life, The Lamplighter, Going into Society & other short stories by Charles Dickens: I’ve read many longer books by Dickens but I want to read through some of his shorter works. I love Dickens’ writing style as well as his observations of human nature and societal paradox

So I want to know what you have read this summer and if you’d recommend others read it too. Leave a comment and let us learn from your reading experience this summer!