I have been thinking a lot lately about how much truth God has given me. He's "told" me so many practical, life changing facts of the universe.

John Piper talks to a group of pastors about the importance of testing the soul to find out what is actually valued and loved. Is it Christ or other things?

Since moving to Vegas, I've learned that first, it gets COLD here, and second, the odds of all members of my family being healthy at the same time are just slightly better than me hitting the jackpot at the Bellagio. (I suppose I'd have to actually go to the Bellagio, huh?)

For those of you that I haven't shared this sermon with yet... I strongly encourage you to sacrifice an hour of your time. Personally, this message struck me harder than I ever expected. I know it's just an Internet video, but truth is still truth.

John Bunyan said, "A man shall show his heart and life, what they are, more by one Lord's Day than by all the days of the week besides. To delight ourselves in God's service upon His Holy Day gives a better proof of a sanctified nature than to grudge at the coming of such days."

Okay... the title is intentionally misleading. I recently made a statement that was taken out of context (I believe) and reduced to the title of this post.

The statement:
"Say a prayer" and "100% sure you are going to heaven" and "once saved always saved" is another gospel (2 Cor. 11:4).

Friend, if you were to die today, do you know for certain where you will spend eternity? I have good news for you!

In my search for Internet articles about deacons, I came across a statement in an introduction that struck a cord with me. I have long believed that even when a man (including myself) rephrases (or translates) scripture, there are certain necessary inaccuracies introduced. There is only one interpretation of the scriptures and I firmly believe no modern man has ever completely, properly interpreted anything more than a small excerpt of scripture.

"...there is much misunderstanding relative to this subject so that the truth needs to be clearly set forth..."

Ain't that a fact! Recently, I've decided that I needed to research this topic a lot more than I have in the past. I have seen deacons mostly sitting in positions of honor, and perhaps even making decisions for the church. But what does the Bible really say about their duties and qualifications? Because that's really all that matters.

“Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend” (Psa. 15:1-3).