____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Y.V. Responses: 200-250 150-200
253 (4/20/2014 8:32pm) Is there any possibility that Jesus was not born on December 25? Also how would people get wood for a manger in Jerusalem??
Yes. Same place they got wood for crosses.252 (01/12/2012 7:20pm) Is FBCFH a fundamentalist church?
If you are inquiring as to FBCFH's denomination, it is Southern Baptist. If you are inquiring as to our beliefs, here they are.251 (10/03/2011 7:20pm) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WybvhRu9KU ^simply beautiful.
God is who He is (Exodus 3:14). Many people have lots of wrong ideas about Him because they don't go to the Bible to hear Him speak for Himself. God is not who you imagine Him to be. He is who He is. He is Love (1 John 4:16), He is Just (Deuteronomy 32:4), He is Holy (Psalm 99), He is the Truth, the Way & the Life (John 14:6). #250 (09/08/2011 9:59 P.M.) www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwwpwY4lyOo
(3-yr-old rejoicing after being healed) Cute.
#249 (09/08/2011 9:11 P.M.) http://news.yahoo.com/closest-human-ancestor-may-rewrite-steps-evolution-141606435.html
so what would be the creation view of this?
The Biblical creationist view…there is a lot here but, I will try to be brief & suggest you read from others who I have learned from. I have shown 2 videos in the past 2 weeks in youth group on fossils & radiometric dating. I have some DVD’s also on these subjects. If you want to know more about these topics it does take time to learn. I usually have booklets on the subjects but, we’re out (people usually grab them up as soon as I put them out) & more are on order.
Did you see the pictures of what they found? They are making BIG claims on 2 very incomplete skeletons. They are making guesses on brain functions & behaviors based on pieces of bones. They did not observe any of these behaviors or brains. Did you also notice how a few small bone pieces “rewrite” & make them rethink what they know? If such small things can make them rewrite everything they think they know, how strong can their case be?
Did you notice the “1.977 million years old” number? A deceptively precise number for a very imprecise method full of assumptions. Question the assumptions behind how they got that number. “...researchers pinned down the age of the fossils by dating the calcified sediments surrounding them with advanced uranium-lead dating techniques and a method called paleomagnetic dating, which measures how many times the Earth's magnetic field has reversed.” They made guesses & assumptions about some of the dirt & rocks around the fossils, they did not get the age from the fossils themselves.
When it comes to ape-like or human "ancestor" fossils, they are either humans God created or animals God created. Similar design does not mean shared ancestry (evolution).
#248 (08/01/2011 10:06 P.M.) Is winter camp definitely going to happen?
I definitely want to go & I am 100% committed to see it happening. Some obstacles to overcome include if enough people sign up/commit to going/schedule conflicts, finances/Stewardship Committee, parents willingness to miss 1/2 Friday (FHHS), enough counselors. I have not made a deposit yet to reserve spots or registered. September 7 will be my commitment deadline to do that. I believe it to be God's will for us but I also know that tomorrow is not promised.
Proverbs 27:1 NKJV Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
James 4:13-14 NKJV Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
#247 (03/30/2011 6:00 P.M.) What do you think about Rob Bell's views expressed in his new book, "Love Wins," that there may not be a hell and that not only Christians get into heaven, because our God is such a loving God.
I haven't read his book. Many of the people that have commented about him, I doubt have read his book either. My 'to read' list is so full now I may not get to it even if a free copy landed in my lap from the sky. The church library has a R.B. title or 2 (I think) but I doubt they will get this one. People discussing a book they haven't read seems kind of silly to me. The book I have read called the "Holy Bible" clearly says that Hell exists. It mentions the word 'hell' about 50 times, depending on your translation. Jesus talked about hell repeatedly. Matthew 5:29-30; 10:28; 18:9; Mark 9:43-47; Luke 12:5.
Some caution on the idea that "only Christians go to heaven". Only believers go to heaven (Romans 10:9-13). Many groups attach the label 'Christian' to themselves that do not have faith in Jesus alone. Also, the label 'Christian' didn't appear until after Jesus. So for example, Abraham is not a 'Christian' but I know he's in heaven. So how did Abraham make it to heaven? "And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness" (Genesis 15:6). Abraham made it the same way we all do, faith in Jesus alone. And Abraham knew Jesus because Jesus is God & God is Jesus.
"Do I agree or disagree with Rob? The answer is neither. I found the responses so vague and nebulous I’m not sure what Rob believes. So without a pre-release copy, I can’t comment on the book, and find myself wishing a whole lot of other people would hold their tongue and keyboards, too. I’ve been embarrassed by the number of online snipers taking shots at Rob in the name of Christianity who haven’t even read the book yet. Where are wisdom, discretion, and self-control?" http://www.outofur.com/archives/2011/03/rob_bell_does_l.html
Rob Bell On Good Morning America
Rob Bell On MSNBC
Mr. Bell fumbles the response to the basic question: Why does death & suffering exits? Peeps from the Pulse Youth Group know better.
#246 (03/28/2011 6:23 P.M.) Is it a bad thing to not know EXACTLY how you feel about your faith?
Of course it's not a bad thing. If God is real & the Bible is true, they would stand up to questions & the search. Doubt can be a healthy thing & can make your faith stronger in the end. Our youth group exists to build you up in your faith, to provide answers & walk with you in your faith journey as we walk in ours. Healthy doubt is welcome & there are no questions off limits here. Biblical faith is not a leap into the dark but a leap into the Light.
Acts 17:27 NKJV
so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV
And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Mark 9:24 NKJV
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
#245 (03/13/2011 1:32 P.M.) My little sister thinks everything is about her. She calls me mean when I try to be firm with her and she has this Im-16-and-you're-5 attitude anits bugging me!
I'm so sorry to hear that. I'll be praying God helps you to do the right thing even though it's hard.
#244 (01/14/2011 8:33 A.M.) Can we please have a lesson on the wrongs of the Westboro church? The people need to know that not all Baptists spew hatred like that.
Yes. SONday 01.16.2011 9:00am. I'll bump my lesson called 'Undercover Lord'. Will you be there? Will everyone you know be there?
#243 (12/31/2010 4:17 P.M.) What should i do if i have a really really really(repeat 1,000,000,000x) good friend that spills all my secrets except the un-private ones?
Proverbs 11:13 NIV A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
Proverbs 20:19 NIV A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.
They are not a good friend if they spill your secrets & you need to tell them why. Tell this person you can't trust them & are hurt by their lack of confidence. A good friend would respect that & change their actions
#242 (11/18/2010 1:27 P.M.) Nature or nurture?
Both.
#241 (10/01/2010 10:02 A.M.) i hate Justin Bieber!!! Mystery parson
1 John 4:20 NIV "If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen."
#240 (08/19/2010 10:02 A.M.) when did people first arrive in America?
There were already people on the North American continent when it was first given that name but I'm being technical…The Bible is not a scientific textbook & thankfully so because scientific textbooks change every year. Your question is one that even 'secular' scientists are constantly adjusting. Dating methods & techniques are full of assumptions so it’s a difficult question to answer. The Bible changes its focus in Genesis 12 to one family group (Abraham-Israel-Jesus) & does not speak on this issue. Because of that, we can't say with much authority when. From a Biblical Worldview it would be after Babel 2242 B.C. (Genesis 11). Your school may use B.C.E (Before Common Era) or tongue-in-cheek “Before the Common Error” (error=Taking Christ & the Bible out of the equation). Just like I trust the details of my birth certificate, I trust God's eye witness written record to these events (the Bible).
#239 (08/19/2010 6:55 A.M.) so Summeria was not the first civilization?
Not if you believe Genesis 6-9 describes a worldwide flood that completely reshaped the planet (the geological column is mostly Flood deposits & I would be surprised if archeological evidence would have survived that event). Not if you believe Genesis 11:1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. Summeria certainly could have been one of the first post-Babel civilizations. For example; our tour guide on my Egypt Trip (April 2010) said the pyramid I was standing next to existed before Noah's Flood. I asked how this pyramid could have survived the geological & hydrological forces of a global catastrophe in which only 8 people survived? He is an Arab Christian. He matter of fact said he believed Noah's Flood was a local flood (in other words, the Bible is wrong about that). Why didn't Noah just move than? Why did he need to bring so many animals & build such a large boat? Why did Noah stay on the ark for over a year? When you admit error in one part of the Bible; dismissing the rest becomes very easy. Why would we follow an only 'sometimes' right Book? There is a youth creation seminar coming up I'd recommend that covers some of this material & much more.
#238 (08/17/2010 10:21 P.M.) when did civilizations first begin?
(I will answer the question according to my belief the Bible teaches the Earth is younger than 10,000 years old. I am fully aware of my assumptions & bias: the history of the Bible is true. Many people are not aware of their assumptions & biases). Soon after Adam & Eve, when there were enough people. Genesis 4:17 NIV
Cain lay with his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch. "...population studies have shown that the Earth could easily have been populated by at least one billion people in the 1,700 years or so from Adam to Noah." "John Whitcomb and Henry Morris, The Genesis Flood, Presbyterian and Reformed, Phillipsburg, New Jersey, 1961, pp. 2527. At the time of the Flood there could have been more than three billion people around the globe, assuming a population growth of only 1.3% per year. The current average is 1.8 per cent. Population studies are a big problem for old-Earth advocates. There are simply not enough catastrophes in history to keep man's population growth low enough to allow for 100,000 years or more."
Of course these first civilizations were destroyed in Noah's world wide flood (Genesis 6-9). After the Flood I would say Babel (Genesis 11). Then we get the different language groups & the ancient civilizations like Egypt (Genesis 12) etc. I have a lesson on Babel online here. Check out this article too.
#237 (05/24/2010 11:14 A.M.) jared and teala sittin in a tree, talkin to david in history. first comes love, then comes lunch, then comes mason in a baby bunch(: otay byez
Really, who sits in a tree?
#236 (02/04/2010 6:51 P.M.) HAPPY BIRTHDAY MASON! YOUR'RE AWESOME!
I read him what you said and he said "stahp et" & ran down the hall.
#235 (01/26/2010 1:19 P.M.) HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID! WE L-O-V-E YOU!!!!!!!!! hope you
have super duper day! :]
It was the best 32nd birthday I've ever had.
#234 (01/14/2010 1:19 P.M.) Curious was Adam told before Eve not to eat the fruit in the garden, or were they told at the same time? Also what type of fruit do you think it was, I don't think it is ever clearly stated...some believe it was an apple, but lately people think it may have been a pomegranate! ANY THOUGHTS??
Genesis 2:17 seems to say Adam was told not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good & evil before Eve was created (Genesis 2:18-22). However, Eve must have been told at some point later because she knew about it (Genesis 3:1-3). The Bible does not describe the fruit that tree had beyond that it looked good & tasted good (Genesis 3:6). I like the Answers in Genesis cartoon that draws the forbidden fruit in the shape of a grenade because of the consequences it would have. Because it was a special tree, I would say that it was an unknown extinct fruit that only came from that tree & because the Garden of Eden was destroyed in Noah’s Flood, it doesn’t not exist today. Thanks for asking for my opinion.
#233 (01/04/2010 7:53 P.M.) i really hate my life right now. I don't know what to do with myself. Sometimes I think about running away. Actually...all the time. I always fight with my parents everyday, and it justs gets old. I pray to God and try to work it out, but i dont know. Just doesnt seem like anything is happening. hmm....
Only if we all could just honor, obey & not provoke: Ephesians 6:1-4 NCV "1 Children, obey your parents as the Lord wants, because this is the right thing to do. 2 The command says, "Honor your father & mother."This is the first command that has a promise with it— 3 "Then everything will be well with you, & you will have a long life on the earth." 4 Fathers, do not make your children angry, but raise them with the training & teaching of the Lord." Since we all don't live up to that ideal...I'm praying for a REAL dose of grace & forgiveness for you all. Call me if you ever need a time out. 520-490-6678 & 480-837-3374.
#232 (12/30/2009 6:32 P.M.) could you make an album of all the group pictures ever taken at Pulse Youth Group?
Great idea. I'll even throw in some funny ones.
#231 (11/17/2009 5:52 P.M.) hey David i've got a great sermon writen down and i've even got verses to go with it so if i can do a sermon one of these days just send me an e-mail at ***@yahoo.com or call me at (480) ***-****.
Dude...sweet...we'll go thru the process we talked about & you'll join the many students who have spoken before at Pulse. I was 17 when my youth pastor was crazy enough to let me speak to my peers for the first time.
#230 (11/10/2009 12:50 P.M.) I have a response to your response to YV #229: I believe that you don't always need a reason to do fun things as a youth group. I realize that yes, our main purpose is to focus on Christ and tell other about him, but sometimes it's nice to just fellowship in a safe and fun group, rather than our own friends, which for some of us, provide negative influences. Also, I don't think doing fun activities or going on trips doesn't always have to have justification, it can be just for fun! and it's also an opportunity to invite friends and non Christians so it kind've shows them that being a Christian is not all serious, and we can have fun living our way of life too. Just a thought :D
So let me make sure I understand your stated reason: "We don't need a reason, just to have fun". My response to that is... I am all for fun...in fact God invented it. I have been on 2 school trips & 3 youth group trips to D-land. I am not opposed to youth group trips like that. I am however, very intentional about WHY we do things as a youth group. Consider the question: What makes us different than just another social group?: We have 5 distinct purposes as a youth group (as posted on this site & printed in every meeting handout & hanging on the walls of the youth room):
“Our youth group exists to DELIVER God’s message to teens,
To LINK them with other believers,
To help them THRIVE in their relationship with God;
To help equip them for their MISSION
So they can EXPRESS their love for God in all they do.”
This statement should frame our thinking as we continually stay open to God the Holy Spirit's leading. We can have & have had fun fulfilling these purposes; in my almost 3 years here. However, (& I've said this countless times before) we do not exist as a youth group just to have fun. We have limited time & resources as a church body, so everything we do needs to have a great reason behind it. So I'd like to see you propose your D-land idea within the framework of our 5 purposes (Evangelism, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry & Worship). So for example, your proposal could go something like this:
"I desire for the youth group to go to Disneyland for these reasons A.) to build & strengthen relationships with other Christians {Fellowship} & B.) to build & strengthen relationships with non-believers to earn the privilege of sharing Jesus with them {Evangelism}.
Step #2, is to ask, "Is this the best way to accomplish the stated purpose(s)?" Then ask, "Is this the best use of our time & resources?" I respectfully disagree, what we do (especially BIG investments of time & resources) always needs a phenomenal justification. The 'WHY we do' is the most important thing, rarely is the 'WHAT we do' so important.
#229 (11/08/2009 9:19 P.M.) Pulse Youth Group trip to Disneyland? yes please.
I would be interested in your reasons WHY you want to do this kind of trip? I am open to it for sure. Also consider the reasons we exist & do things as a youth group in your response. WHAT we do always flows from why.
#228 (11/03/2009 11:20 A.M.) What a blessing you are, David. Thank you for all the updates while you were away. How exciting that you had such a blessed time every day and at the Creation Museum. We all are happy that you are home safe and we thank and praise God for you and all that He is doing through you.
Thanks for taking the time to be updated & your love for me.
#227 (10/26/2009 3:50 P.M.) I really hope that monster was worth drinking a used sock.
32 ounces of YES!
#226 (10/24/2009 12:03 A.M.) pics dont work for skillet concert
Sorry. I added the date to the title & didn't edit the HTML. Thanks for being my Hero. Fixed.
#225 (10/09/2009 11:13 A.M.) Hey PYG, It's Daniel Potter, I just wanted to stop by and say that I've been thinking about the church out here on deployment a lot and been praying for you guys. Sounds like everything is going well for you guys. Hope all is well and maybe sometime I'll get back to Arizona to visit. Keep Going Strong and Know No Boundaries.
You are in our thoughts and prayers also! So are Joy & the baby in the belly. Thanks for your service to us & our country. Have fun singing, "I'm on a boat, tell your mother father..."
#224(10/05/2009 9:19 P.M.) Mason is my favorite person in the world. Just sayin
Totally understandable.
#223(10/01/2009 9:27 P.M.) Hi Youth Pastor David, Just wanted to express my appreciation for your hard work with the youth of FBCFH. You and Ricky are a blessing to our church and an answer to my prayers. In observing you and our Youth, I am hopeful that our world can change for the better. It is encouraging to see how insightful and committed you two are to our next generation of world leaders. We love you both very much.
Thank you. Rikki & I appreciate the encouragement & the special Bugs Bunny tie.
#222(9/28/2009 11:37 P.M.) can we go to the tobymac concert in december?!?
I will loook into it. Sounds like a good idea.
#221(9/25/2009 4:47 P.M.) HAPPY 1000th DAY OF BEING OUR YOUTH PASTOR!!! WE LOVE YOUUUUUUUU!
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!!! :D
It is great to be loved.
#220(9/18/2009 4:06 P.M.) skillet concert starts at 7p not 7:30p.
Thank you.
#219 (8/27/2009 5:45 P.M.) "After years spent hunting for the buried remains of prehistoric animals, a Canadian palaeontologist now plans to manipulate chicken embryos to show he can create a dinosaur. Hans Larsson, a researcher in macro-evolution at Montreal's McGill University, said he aims to develop dinosaur traits that disappeared millions of years ago in birds.
Mr Larsson believes by flipping certain genetic levers during a chicken embryo's development, he can reproduce the dinosaur anatomy, he said.
Although still in its infancy, the research could eventually lead to hatching live prehistoric animals, but Mr Larsson said there are no plans for that now, for ethical and practical reasons - a dinosaur hatchery is "too large an enterprise".
"It's a demonstration of evolution," said Mr Larsson, who has studied bird evolution for the past 10 years.
"If I can demonstrate clearly that the potential for dinosaur anatomical development exists in birds, then it again proves that birds are direct descendants of dinosaurs."
The research is funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Canada Research Chairs program and National Geographic.Related Coverage
The idea for the project, Mr Larsson said, came about during discussions with renowned American palaeontologist Jack Horner, who served as technical adviser for the Jurassic Park films.
Horner recently wrote a book titled How to Build A Dinosaur, in which he refers to the embryo experiment as part of a quest to create a "chickenosaurus".
Mr Larsson's team has previously worked to uncover prehistoric animal remains, including eight unknown species of dinosaurs and five new types of crocodile in Niger. He also recently uncovered the remains of a new carnivorous dinosaur in Argentina."
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25983404-401,00.html
David, I know that evolution is false and stuff. But since we've actually cloned a lamb before do you think it's possible to make a new breed or possibly a new species by messing around with an embryos DNA? If so do you think God wants us to do this kind of stuff?
What this scientist is doing is different than cloning. He is not trying to copy but re-engineer. Dolly the sheep died prematurely & cloned animals have lots of issues. http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v21/i4/news.asp
Mr. Larsson is operating on the assumption that evolution is true so he will not succeed. Dinosaurs did not evolve into birds so you cannot reverse a process that never happened. Not even all evolution believers agree on the dinosaurs to bird idea anyways.
These articles may be helpful when it comes to cloning: http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v21/i1/cloning.asp
Cloning is a God created mechanism that operates all the time in plants, animals & humans (identical twins are clones & are examples of asexual human reproduction). Humans use & benefit from the artificial cloning of plants & animals all the time. As the articles above point out, I believe God is okay with those uses of artificial cloning. However, human cloning would not be God approved. Humans are not advanced animals, like evolutionist believe, but are special beings created in the image of God.
Genetic engineering is not evidence of evolution. Genetic engineering is done by intelligent designers, rearranging DNA they did not create.
I hope that helps & please feel free to ask for any follow-up.
#218 (8/27/2009 4:54 P.M.) What do you think about Twilight?
I think a better question is, “What does God think about it?” I am thankful you seek my opinion & I am willing to give it since you asked. However, my opinion is irrelevant when asking the question, “What should I do?” God’s opinion is all that matters.
I understand why Twilight is so popular. It is a well written series that strikes a chord with many people. My wife & I liked the movie (Red Box free rental! -"youth group research") but we have not read the books. I tongue-in-cheek say that, “Vampires suck”. However, I do think that any fiction involving mythical quasi-eternal beings that feast on blood is, not for me & not a good use of my time. I would not let my own daughters or son read the series or see the movies. The imagery, themes & worldview presented are some of my concerns. I would never be so arrogant to say that’s what all parents should do. As a youth pastor, I hope I do not always teach WHAT to think, but HOW to think, in this case…What does God think? Does God want me to do this? "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive. 1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV.
#217 (8/11/2009 8:34 P.M.) Ok I have a question. In my English class we were told that since the Bible has been passed around for so long and has many copies, many things probably got changed. He said the Bible isn't legit because it's a bunch of stories that got passed around and changed by the time it was written down and then changed more once it got passed on. Is this true? Are things in the Bible not the way there supposed to be?
I know I have spoken with you in person & have given you several materials, but i wanted to answer this publicly as well. It is difficult when teachers (people who are intelligent & worthy of respect) attack your faith for no apparent reason relevant to the class work. The Bible is more historically reliable than any historcal document - more than the writings of Aristole, Plato & Ceasar.
Here are some resources in addition to the ones you already have:
Video & Audio: Great link for your teacher.
The Church library has the book (when you return it): The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict
PART ONE: THE CASE FOR THE BIBLE
CHAPTER 1. The Uniqueness of the Bible page 3
page 3CHAPTER 2. How We Got the Bible page 17
page 17CHAPTER 3. Is the New Testament Historically Reliable? page 33
CHAPTER 4. Is the Old Testament Historically Reliable? page 69
page 69Bible history:
Remeber to always be respectful to any critics of our faith.
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 NIV (July Memory Verse of the Month)
Use this as an opportunity to strengthen your faith as you pursue the answers. Be the best student you can be in that class. And remember your June memory verse of the month: Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV
#216 (7/28/2009 7:08P.M.) are non christians under Gods perfect timing? You know how people say that Gods timing is perfect, well does that apply to non believers??
I am not entirely sure what you mean by "God's perfect timing", but I will assume you mean God's work in our lives that seems to appear at the perfect moment. The answer is YES. God worked in Saul's life (the Apostle Paul) while he was not a believer (Acts 9). God desires that everyone believes (2 Peter 3:9) & I am sure He is at work in the lives of non-believers & the timing is always perfect.
#215 (7/27/2009 5:55P.M.) Wow this guy is so cool!
Yeah JESUS is.
#214 (7/23/2009 9:46P.M.) I LOVE PULSE YOUTH GROUP!
pUlse yoUth groUp loves U too.
#213 (7/21/2009 4:33P.M.) So my dogs totally just ate my Bible!
We'll get you a new one dawg.
#212 (7/21/2009 4:33P.M.) I'm Sorry
Forgiveness is given (Luke 17:3).
#211 (7/21/2009 2:00 P.M.) okay so i have a question.well actually i have questions. anyways why is it that people say "well thats in the old testament, it doesnt apply to modern day anymore." yet when they want it to apply it applies. how is it that the bible can not apply yet apply when wanted to? i know that a lot of times the bible is used out of context, is this one of those times? ive had relatives tell me that if you get a tattoo/mark your body its wrong and God will have it with you and all this other stuff, however thats in the old testament...so is it wrong or not? does it not apply or does it? and if it doesnt why do people say it does?
This is a great question centered on deep theology. Many Christians do not understand these fundamental truths. I suggest studying Romans, Hebrews & Galatians for understanding on this issue The Law vs. Grace. I know that is a lot of homework, but a rewarding endeavor for the next year. The “First” Testament (what I like to call the “Old”) contains what is called the “Law” (God’s rules). The First Testament is about 75% of the Bible. The New Testament is full of quotes from the First. We are not under the Law as Christians we are under grace through faith. We don’t want to be under the Law because the Law can only condemn. The Law does not bring us closer to God it shows us how far away we really are. Jesus fulfilled every requirement of the Law, not so we did not have to, but because we could not. So First Testament Law does not apply, but a higher standard does: Grace. Here is a sampling of verses on the topic.
Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. Matthew 15:7 NKJV
Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law. Romans 3:31 NKJV
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8 NKJV
Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:10 NKJV
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:18 NKJV
6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8 Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the LORD. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 11 None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 13 In that He says, “A new covenant, ” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. Hebrews 8:6-13 NKJV
10 But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.” 11 So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” 12 This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, “It is through obeying the law that a person has life.” 13 But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” Galatians 3:10-13 NLT
7 Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is sinful? Of course not! In fact, it was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said, “You must not covet.” 8 But sin used this command to arouse all kinds of covetous desires within me! If there were no law, sin would not have that power. Romans 7:7-8 NLT
23 Before this faith came, we were all held prisoners by the law. We had no freedom until God showed us the way of faith that was coming.24 In other words, the law was our guardian leading us to Christ so that we could be made right with God through faith.25 Now the way of faith has come, and we no longer live under a guardian. Galatians 3:23-25 NLT
(We disussed this topic on Sun. July 26 9:00am in youth group).
#210 (7/01/2009 hand-written) "Hi David! I was looking at the puzzle framed on the wall, and their is prehistoric animals and animals around today...So i'm just wondering, why where only dinosaurs go extinct?"
Besides the resources I gave you (What Really Happened To The Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs & the Bible DVD) & the simple "they died" answer; I wanted to help you further with this great question. I decided to move that picture from my office to the youth room to spark exactly your same question. You used the word "prehistoric". That word means before mankind & recorded history. That word assumes that there was this long "evolutionary" period of time that existed before mankind. The Bible teaches in Genesis that all land animals were created on the same day as Adam & Eve. So according to the Bible there is no such thing as "prehistoric" animals. I hope those resources answer your questions (like the section: Why Don’t We See Dinosaurs Today?).
#209 (6/20/2009 4:00 P.M.) Whats up p.y.g.? I miss yall in FH on my very short vacation...will be back on wednesday! Im fixin to hangout with everyone as soon as I get back from bama and georgia!...I love yall...and David...Bye Now...Anonymous...(Ha-reeeed yall)
It was J-read.
#208 (6/17/2009 2:00 A.M.) Why are the VBS pictures non-accessible? oh and are you changing the high school time back to normal? oh and another question (it may not be yv box "appropriate" but oh well): is it normal for boys to become nicer randomly for no apparent reason?
Sorry. Picasa problem. I will try to work it out. I am still on vacation & in L.A. right now. The High School time will remain 5:00pm. It works from everything I've heard. BOYS: nothing is normal. They are confused themselves so you will be too. Simple direct questions are best.
#207 (6/11/2009 10:15 A.M.) Are we still going to the Lecrae concert since it is on a Wednesday??
Yes. Depending on interest in the concert there might still be Wednesday night youth, but I am absolutely going to see Lecrae.
#206 (6/04/2009 8:14 A.M.) Hey David, I just wanted to know the website for that one Christian/Secular music comparison chart in the youth room. Thx
Interlinc http://www.interlinc-online.com/free/index.html?PHPSESSID=8a6e39ba101e51456b8e599ee2451cb8
#205 (6/01/2009 8:10 P.M.) :D
@@
-
\_/
#204 (6/01/2009 3:08 P.M.) i wanna do a scavenger hunt :O oh and btw i like the stars too!!!
I'll work something up.
#203 (5/27/2009 2:10 P.M.) i really like the stars on the website :]
They fill in the space on the side quite nicely.
#202 (5/22/2009 8:15 A.M.) i just wanted to ask whats the point of being a good devout Christian now? cant you have fun now, and get back to God later? I just dont see the point of being a "strong" christian, when I can just get back to God some other time
Thanks for making my day with a great question asked & answered directly in the Bible. I suggest reading & thinking about Romans 6 & Romans 8 (in a readable translation) while I prepare a more thoughtful response...H.S. Lesson 5:00pm on 5.27.09 we discussed this great question…
UPDATE: 6.05.09: I have done some talking to God & some meditating on His Word & I have a longer than normal response…my short response is bold, underlined & highlighted...if you want more depth you can read my full response...I would love to discuss this question with you in person…your responses would help me understand more precisely where you are coming from, but anonymity is respectfully yours here…
Yes there is “fun” in sin for a short time (Hebrews 11:25)…like sky diving without a parachute…it’s fun for a while until the end…God’s boundaries on our lives are not burdens, but they keep us safe…Just like a lane line on a road can be crossed & can even be crossed without consequences, but is that the best way for all of us to live? It may seem “fun” to swerve in & out of traffic at top speed, but is that what an all-knowing super loving God wants for us? In a similar way, I do not want my children to play in the street or crawl into an oven. NOT because I want to kill their fun, but because I love them…the Bible says a life of sin ends in death: “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” Proverbs 14:12. The life of sin is a pathway to destruction (Matthew 7:13). Why would you want to travel on a road that leads there?… Romans 5:1-11 (NLT) tells us that our faith in Jesus brings joy. In a relationship with God we have access to God, the hope of heaven, purpose in our suffering, God’s love in our hearts & the very presence of God the Holy Spirit within us. Who wants to be God’s enemy when you can be His friend? Like my youth pastor always says: Jesus is not a kill-joy. Jesus is the source of joy (John 10:10). “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him” Psalm 34:8 NIV. The Christian life may not seem fun & I would be lying if I said it was not difficult at times. But I can share with you what Jesus said: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT. Light & easy seems to be the best burden to choose. I urge you to choose the way of life! (Jeremiah 21:8).Yes, God offers His love & forgiveness as long as you have breath, but who says you’ll get a chance to “come back to God”? Why should God leave you on Earth just to “live it up”? If you don’t like walking with God your short time on Earth, you’ll hate it forever in Heaven. The Bible says “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). If you are not living for God, you have reason to question your salvation. “If we say that we share in life with God and keep on living in the dark, we are lying and are not living by the truth” 1 John 1:6 CEV. It is true that as Christians we are capable of “doing what we do not want to do” (Galatians 5). However, a purposeful desire to live like a lost person seems like you just might be lost. So the idea of a “strong Christian” is a misunderstood idea. We are strong only when we are weak & totally dependant on Him (2 Corinthians 12:10). “5 I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me. 6 If you don't stay joined to me, you will be thrown away. You will be like dry branches that are gathered up and burned in a fire. 7 Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you. Then you can pray for whatever you want, and your prayer will be answered. 8 When you become fruitful disciples of mine, my Father will be honored. 9 I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain faithful to my love for you. 10 If you obey me, I will keep loving you, just as my Father keeps loving me, because I have obeyed him. 11 I have told you this to make you as completely happy as I am.” John 15:5-11 CEV#201 (3/17/2009 7:15 P.M.) Hey David i wanted to know if we still hav youth group even tho its spring break. thx
Yes we will have youth group. There is no AWANA but the PYG will rock on.
#200 (3/15/2009 9:30 A.M.) I AM THE 200TH YV. PERSON!!!!! MY NAME IS JARED ALEXANDER LOWELL THE 1ST!!!!!! WHATS MY PRIZE???
200 deserves 200.
Pulse Youth Group 2012
.
