Convicting the World of Judgment

Posted on October 24, 2020 by Dean W.

And when He (the Helper, v.7) has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. John 16:8-11*

My previous two blogs dealt with the Holy Spirit’s ministry of convicting the world of sin and righteousness. The third area in which the Holy Spirit convicts the world is judgment.

    …of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged

Why would the world be concerned about judgment? If someone doesn’t trust in Jesus because he has no consciousness of sin and hasn’t seen Jesus to believe in Him, why would they even think about judgment? If there is no God to be seen, there is no one to whom we are accountable. Without accountability, who’s to judge?

The proof of judgment is all around us. While a close examination of the physical world will show God’s glory, that same examination will also show the reality of judgment for each person. Paul described it in the last half of Romans. Here is a quick breakdown how Paul proves God’s judgment:

  1. The creation is easily observed and it shows God’s eternal power.
  2. Humans are without excuse because even though they can see God’s invisible power through the created world, they hide that truth under their own wickedness, worshiping other images instead.
  3. Humans refuse to give God glory because their hearts are evil, so they descend into more wickedness, receive active judgment in their own bodies, and continue even more evil deeds.
  4. Though they understand the judgment, they still continue and encourage others to do so.

The world understands the judgment around them, but that’s not what the Holy Spirit uses to convict unbelievers of judgment. The fact that Satan is judged is what convicts us to repent.

Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, through whom and for whom the creation exists, says that the ruler of this world is judged. The ruler of this world is Satan, the serpent of old, the accuser of the brethren.

And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish…” Luke 4:6

So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. Revelation 12:9-10

Satan’s judgment was declared when he caused sin to enter the world. After Adam and Eve sinned, God told Satan about his judgment:

“…I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” Genesis 3:15

Jesus told us of Satan’s judgment and loss of authority.

“Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.” John 12:31

“I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.” John 14:30

“…of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” John 16:11

“I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” John 17:15

Revelation tells us of the future judgment of the ruler of this world:

He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years… Revelation 20:2

The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:10

If the ruler of this world is judged, so what? Why would that knowledge convict an unbeliever?

Here’s how: Revelation shows us that after Satan is cast into the lake of fire, all unbelievers will also be thrown into the same lake of fire. If a powerful eternal being can be sentenced to eternal flames for his sin, what are our chances of standing before a righteous Judge?

The Holy Spirit uses the evidence of real judgment in the world we inhabit to remind us that the ruler of this world is already judged, and that our judgment will certainly follow.

For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. Romans 8:20-22

The world can see that the creation is suffering decay because of its subjection caused by our sin (Genesis 3:17-19). The Holy Spirit uses that evidence to remind the world of judgment and remove everyone’s excuse.

The Holy Spirit, the Helper, the Spirit of Truth, will convict the world of their unbelief in Jesus, their need of faith for righteousness, and their certain judgment and punishment if they do not repent.

Our duty is to proclaim the truth and let Him convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

    Our first book, “Families from the Beginning: Your Family, God’s Design” is available in paperback or Kindle on Amazon. Click here to order your copy.
    Follow this link Families from the Beginning, Chapter 1 to see the first chapter.

*All Scripture quotations for this article are from the New King James Version (NKJV).

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Convicting the World of Righteousness

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Dean W.

And when He (the Helper, v.7) has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. John 16:8-11*

In my previous blog I discussed how the Holy Spirit convicts the unbeliever of his sin “because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:18)
In this article I want to explain the conviction of the Holy Spirit about righteousness.

“of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more”

What is righteousness and why does Jesus going to the Father convict the sinner? In a broad sense, righteousness is the “state of him who is as he ought to be.”** Man was created in the image and likeness of God, but because of the fall of Adam, all men are condemned under sin. (Rom 5:12 NKJV) None of us are as we ought to be.

When Jesus ascended into Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, His disciples could no longer see or touch Him. Neither can we. Thomas did not see Jesus shortly after His resurrection, and stated that he would not believe that the crucified Jesus was risen from the dead unless he saw the nail prints in the hands of the risen One. When he saw Jesus and repented,

“Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” John 20:29

We must have faith in Jesus to be righteous. Paul reminded us about righteousness by faith:

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness… Romans 4:3-5

The Holy Spirit convicts the unbeliever because he relies on his senses, not on faith. The naturalistic world tells us that if we cannot touch, taste, smell, hear, see or measure something, it does not exist. Since the risen Christ cannot be sensed physically, they do not believe for righteousness.

Spiritist and new-age unbelievers believe in unseen forces, but do not see Christ in their world because they cannot channel Him like other spirits and forces. They refuse to believe in Him because they cannot “sense” Him.

The Holy Spirit convicts the world of that Jesus can only be seen by faith, and they refuse to believe. The Holy Spirit uses their refusal as the reminder that Jesus is real. The unbeliever who actively refuses to believe in Jesus has set his mind against belief and that decision fuels the Holy Spirit’s conviction. They must deal with the question, “What if I’m wrong?”

Because Jesus is with the Father, faith in Him is the only way to be justified from being ungodly, to be considered righteous by God, and to be as we ought to be. The Holy Spirit uses His invisible attributes to convict the world and lead unbelievers to Him.

How do you show your faith in the God you cannot see?

My next blog will discuss how the Holy Spirits convicts the world of judgment.

Our first book, “Families from the Beginning: Your Family, God’s Design” is available in paperback or Kindle on Amazon. Click here to order your copy.

Follow this link Families from the Beginning, Chapter 1 to see the first chapter.

    *All Scripture quotations for this article are from the New King James Version (NKJV).
    **G1343 – dikaiosynē – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (KJV). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1343&t=KJV
Posted in Lessons from Scripture | Leave a comment

Convicting the World of Sin

Posted on October 9, 2020 by Dean W.

In my last blog I pointed out that Bible believers should not be surprised when the world’s unbelievers do what the Bible says they will do. Christians also need to understand that the work of convincing unbelievers of their error is not the Christian’s job, task, or duty.
Jesus said a Christian’s duty is to spread the gospel:

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations… Matthew 28:19*

Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15

…that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Luke 24:47-48

Paul reminded the Romans that the world needs the church to preach:

For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:13-15

As much as Christians can work to lovingly express God’s love to the world, Jesus said the unbeliever cannot come to Him unless the Father draws him.

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; John 6:44

How does the Father draw sinners? By his goodness:

…the goodness of God leads you to repentance… Romans 2:4

God the Father wants all people to repent:

The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Before someone can repent, they must be made aware of their need. Gospel preachers are the instrument by which sinners hear the gospel, but the unbeliever is only convicted by the Holy Spirit. Jesus explained this to His disciples in John 16:

And when He (the Helper, v.7) has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. John 16:8-11 (my parentheses)

When I read this passage about the Holy Spirit’s work, I wondered why these three topics were the focus of His conviction. Jesus explained it in verses 9-11. This blog is the first of a series that will discuss how he works in men’s hearts in these areas.

Conviction #1: of sin, because they do not believe in Me
The world has been condemned under sin since the fall of Adam.(Romans 5:12) The only way out of our condemnation is through Jesus Christ. If we do not believe in Him, we are still lost.
Salvation from sin is based solely on someone’s belief in Jesus as the Son of God, crucified, buried and raised from the dead. Jesus told Nicodemus,

…he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:18

And He told the Jews who did not believe in Him,

Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” John 8:24

The Holy Spirit convicts the unbeliever of sin because they don’t believe Jesus is the Son of God. When an unbeliever is convicted of his sins, he isn’t just convicted of the commandments he has broken, but the fact that his sins are still held against him because he hasn’t believed in Jesus’ authority to remove those sins.
The Holy Spirit reminds unbelievers that whatever they do, it is sinful because they do it without faith.

“for whatever is not from faith is sin.” Romans 14:23

My next blog will discuss how the Holy Spirits convicts the world of righteousness.

    *All Scripture quotations for this article are from the New King James Version (NKJV).

Our first book, “Families from the Beginning: Your Family, God’s Design” is available in paperback or Kindle on Amazon. Click here to order your copy.

Follow this link Families from the Beginning, Chapter 1 to see the first chapter.

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Unbelievers Being Biblical-Should We be Surprised?

Posted on September 30, 2020 by Dean W.

I did not watch last night’s presidential debate, but I did read some reactions to it. Of course, there were lots of vehement accusations and other expressions of hate from both sides, but something else concerned me more. It was the reactions of Christians who expressed surprise or disgust with the responses to the debate.

Here is my question to Christians who are upset by what is happening in the world: Why are you upset about unbelievers being biblical? Why are you even surprised by it?

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 15:18-19

Current events in the world, and especially in our country, have upset a lot of people. But we’re really not upset by the events as much as we’re upset by other people’s reactions to the events.

Some have reasons to fear the coronavirus, and they get especially upset by other’s refusal to be concerned with it. These others recognize that it’s out there, but they are upset by how some governments have reacted to the perceived danger.

The riots in many cities were reactions to inappropriately violent answers to wrongdoing of individuals or groups. Many people responded to the riots with threats about protecting their own homes with force.

A lot of the most vehement reactions I have seen have come from people in the church. They are upset by the “overreach” of the governmental responses to the coronavirus. They are upset by the actions both the rioters and those whom they are rioting against. They are upset by how all this is affecting the church, both their local churches and other churches in the country.

I ask again: Why are believers upset or surprised by unbelievers’ actions or reactions? Unbelievers don’t know! In fact, they cannot know! But you know this, so why be surprised?
Jesus told us this would happen long ago:

…the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:17

Paul reinforced that unbelievers cannot understand the truths of God:

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:7-8

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14

When the unbeliever acts in a way that is offensive to God and/or believers, they are only doing what the scriptures says they will do. Sinners will sin, that’s what they do. So why should it upset Christians? The unbeliever is proving the truth of the Bible.

I am not saying believers in Jesus should just allow the world to go to Hell unimpeded. That’s not God’s message. While God values the death of his believers, He does not cherish the death of unbelievers.

Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’ Ezekiel 33:11

Didn’t Jesus appeal to sinners? Check out Matthew 9, Mark 2 and Luke 5. Didn’t Jesus come for the sinner? How does the Bible teach us to react to what sinners do?

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5: 44-45

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 1 Thessalonians 5:15

Some Christians are involved in ministries that actively confront the world’s evil in loving and giving ways. We don’t all do that, but maybe we should. I simply want to challenge the rest of us to change how we react to events in the world.

Instead of getting upset that the world is so evil, expect it to be evil and act appropriately. Pray for our government officials “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” Pray for the rioters because God is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” Reach out to the hungry, thirsty stranger.

Understand that our battle is with the world, but not with the people in the world. Our war is with the unseen rulers in the spiritual realms of the world, and our duties in this war are prayer in the spiritual world and kindness in the physical world.

Don’t be surprised when the world acts like the world, but surprise the world by your response of love, joy, peace, and kindness.

Here’s another perspective from Robby Dawkins that drives home what our priority should be when dealing with the world.

Our first book, “Families from the Beginning: Your Family, God’s Design” is available in paperback or Kindle on Amazon. Click here to order your copy.

Follow this link Families from the Beginning, Chapter 1 to see the first chapter.

Posted in Other stuff, Thoughts about Scripture | Leave a comment

Stick Your Tongue Out (and Your Neck)

Posted on September 25, 2020 by admin

In the world we say someone who takes a risk for something they believe is important has “stuck their neck out.” It’s a reference to a turtle’s need to reach their head out of their shell to walk. It’s also a reference to extending the neck for execution, depending on the likelihood of the risk. Essentially, sticking my neck out is to say “I’m going to take this stand because it’s the right thing to do, even if it doesn’t turn out the best way for me.”

But sticking my neck out is usually connected to sticking my tongue out, not in a mocking or defiant manner, but saying something that may open me up to censure or argument. But speaking truth is the most powerful thing we can do, and I want to challenge you to stick your tongue out, too.

Lynn and I learned about the power of our tongues from our first pastor, Bill Inman. He was an advocate of speaking blessings instead of curses, especially in our families. He and his wife, Arlene, taught us to refrain from saying things to our children like “You’re going to fall and break your neck!” Arlene especially spoke encouraging words even in difficult situations, expressing caution without fear.

While we saw the self-centeredness of the “name it and claim it” doctrines that were popular in the 80’s and 90’s, we still understood that our words had power in our lives. Solomon described the strength of our words in our lives this way:

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

If you want an early indication of the power of words, start in Genesis. The creation was catalyzed on the first day by “God said, ‘Let there be light.’” God spoke creation into being eight times in that first week, and spoke blessings twice. Paul references the creative power of God’s word when he describes him as He who “calls those things which do not exist as though they did.”

God spoke blessings to Abraham multiple times, and the New Testament writers refer to God’s promises over and over. Paul reminds us that our judgment is determined by our words.

For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” Romans 14:11

This references a passage in Isaiah that displays God’s word calling out our words:

I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath. Isaiah 45:23

Paul echos this passage again when he writes to the Philippians, …that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11

So why is speaking out loud so important? Because it’s the action that ensures our salvation. It is faith activated.

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:8-10

It’s simply consistent. God spoke the heavens and the earth into existence, verbally blessed mankind with dominion and authority on earth, and spoke to us throughout history by His prophets including His Son, Jesus. John put it together when he opened his gospel with “In the beginning was the Word…” and then showed that in Jesus “the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.” When John described Jesus’ return as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, he records “his name is called The Word of God.”

It is consistent with God’s character of truth that we who are made in His image and after his likeness should speak the truth of Jesus’ resurrection for our salvation. Therefore, if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead,then say so. Audibly confess Jesus as Lord now. Don’t wait until the judgment (see Philippians 2 above), but tell the world about your Savior and Redeemer so others may know.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
And gathered out of the lands,
From the east and from the west,
From the north and from the south. Psalm 107:1-3

Our first book, “Families from the Beginning: Your Family, God’s Design” is available in paperback or Kindle on Amazon. Click here to order your copy.

Follow this link Families from the Beginning, Chapter 1 to see the first chapter.

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Blog Restart

Posted on September 18, 2020 by admin

It’s been long time since I posted a blog. It’s time to start again.

We published Families from the Beginning in September 2014 and did a weekend conference based on the book in October. In the beginning of 2015 I had the opportunity to retire from my civil service job and work for Answers in Genesis in their department that oversaw the construction of the Ark Encounter attraction and designed and built all the exhibits inside the Ark. Our daughter was the seamstress that made or oversaw all the character costumes (proud daddy moment). It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help with the creation of something that was recognized around the world and reached over a million people in its first year.

Five years went by in a blur. The work schedule leading to the Ark’s opening was crazy for everyone involved, and did not let up for a few months after the opening. Before the dust settled we started renovations of the Creation Museum exhibits and repeated smaller cycles of craziness right up to the time Covid-19 restrictions shut down all Kentucky attractions in March of this year.

From April to June I completed several projects in our house because, well, I had the time. I also wrote a book that my brothers and I had discussed the previous fall. It’s a memoir of sorts, a collection of stories about life lessons we learned while growing up on the hog farm in northwest Indiana. Our family tells stories all the time, and some of the stories that we tell and laugh about whenever we gather simply had to be put down on paper. My mom loved the idea and because she was 95 and failing my goal was to finish it before she died. I was at about 80% when she passed, but that was fine because it allowed me to include her final story. I plan to have the book published before Christmas.

So now back to blogging. Jeff Goins, (Goinswriter.com) wrote an encouraging blog about writing everyday. It got me started on the book, then I signed up for his Write a Bestseller workshop which laid out the process for book writing, but also reminded me that God has given me things to say and that I need to say them. That requires regular writing, so I’m restarting this blog.
Here’s my goal: at least once a week I will post a blog. Those of you that know me can probably guess what my themes will be: Biblical Authority, Family, Parenting, Marriage, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray this blog will challenge you to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and that it turns the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers.

Our first book, “Families from the Beginning: Your Family, God’s Design” is available in paperback or Kindle on Amazon. Click here to order your copy.

Follow this link Families from the Beginning, Chapter 1 to see the first chapter.

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North Judson FftB Conference October 3-4, 2014

Posted on August 15, 2014 by Dean W.

We are excited to be going to my hometown to present a Families from the Beginning Marriage and Family conference.  Mark Bailey of Bailey’s Discount Center will open The Carpenter’s Yard for this conference, and we are working with area churches, WKVI radio, and The Market Advertising to reach out to the local area.

As we began to try to connect with Starke county churches, I sensed God leading me to not focus entirely on churches, but to expect this to be an evangelistic outreach:  “There are more than Christians who need to hear this.”  I still don’t know what that will look like,  but it is the reason we are using secular advertising channels.  We are praying that God will change Starke County for His kingdom.

Today I spoke with Eric Rodgers, worship pastor at Elevation Church in Scottsburg, Indiana.  We are extremely blessed that he and his wife Shala will lead the music for the conference.  Also today, I set up the registration page, which is on the North Judson Conference link above along with the details about the conference.

We have been teaching the concepts from our book to a small couple’s group this summer, which gave us the opportunity and motivation to go through the whole book again and make revisions.  We presented the last chapter this week, and today I wrote the last revisions, so we are down to final edits and formatting.  One of the reasons this is so exciting is we hope to self-publish and have the book in print for the conference.

God has been putting things together for this conference, which has been a joy to watch.  We only know what we see on our list of what has to be done, and we are excited to discover how much more God sees and does.  We ask that you pray for this conference, that God will bring all the people He wants to touch, and that we will be faithful to prepare and speak as we ought.

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Marriage Chapter, Excerpt 1

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Dean W.

I am currently working on the chapter in my book tentatively entitled “Marriage Redeemed.”    I want to post some excerpts here for comment, of which this is the first.   Feel free to comment below.

Marriage is the first institution established by God, and also the only institution of human government required before the fall. Other institutions, such as civil government, Mosaic law, covenants, religious rituals and even the church, were not necessary before sin. It is the sin of man that makes all these necessary, but if mankind were still perfect, family would be the sole structure of human society and marriage would be its foundation.

Even after the fall, marriage between one man and one woman is still the basic unit of society. All cultures have a marriage institution that is based on the union of man and woman. Human forms of government take many shapes with varying degrees of success. Religious organizations are established and destroyed, often at the whim of others. Various laws can establish many institutions for purposes of good and evil. But marriage continues as the foundational unit of society. You can call all sorts of other arrangements a marriage, but only the male/female covenant establishes a foundation for successful societies. Every civilization that has embraced other behaviors and called them “marriage” has collapsed. I’m not saying that officially labeling relationships that are not male/female as marriage causes the collapse of civilization. Rather, when a civilization begins to regard what the Bible calls sin as acceptable, that culture has already descended into a degraded society that will turn from the family as its foundation and from other proven societal norms that uphold it. Those who would argue that modern man no longer needs such an institution forget that their own existence was created by a marriage, maybe generations before, but there was marriage in their personal history without which they would not exist.

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“Understanding Why” Seminar

Posted on May 26, 2013 by Dean W.

Because we have received some requests and encouragement to record some of the teachings God has given us, Dean is going to present the session “Understanding Why” in our church’s sanctuary, where we can record video and audio versions to hand out to those who are interested.  This session helps explain the foundation for many of the rules by which we live, and gives encouragement for obedience with purpose.  It was a part of the Home Education Encouragement Day, and will be encouraging for your personal walk.  Parents will find it helpful as they encourage their children toward proper behavior and healthy decisions.

Some excerpts from a pamphlet on the teaching are below. We hope to post the audio recording soon.

  • We usually consider knowledge to be facts, like “2+3=5” or “the airplane will depart at 1:30 PM.” But knowledge can also be described as “knowing what to do.”
  • The Bible depicts rules as laws, statutes, commandments, or precepts.
  • Knowing how to do what we know to do is wisdom. Knowing how to do something also includes a grasp of the principles behind the actions.
  • Behind every precept in the Bible, like “do not lie,” are principles, the underlying values that the rule or command is designed to develop in our life.
  • Understanding is knowing why we do something.
  • Each principle revealed by precepts in the Scripture is a reflection of the Person, or Characteristics of God.
  • Understanding will give us motivation to follow the commandments and precepts. David stated it this way, “Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” If our children understand why the rule is important to follow, based on the character of God, they will more willingly follow it.
  • If we can help them understand by explaining the principles that express the character of God as the ultimate standard upon which the commands are founded, our children will have a foundation upon which to live a righteous life, and can avoid the frustration that is a part of the foolishness of the world.
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Home Education Encouragement Day 2013 Follow-up

Posted on May 26, 2013 by admin

  We are thankful to God that the Home Education Encouragement Day was a success. We had attendees that were just considering home education, some who were just starting, and some who were continuing a long life of family discipleship. The evaluations showed that the sessions were very beneficial and offered some excellent ideas for improvement.

We will be planning another Home Education Encouragement Day next year, on or around February 8th, 2014. Watch the website for details.

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