Craig T. Owens

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The Cross Of Jesus (book review)

March 17, 2015 — Craig T. Owens

Warren Wiersbe writes early on in The Cross Of Jesus, “Unless we go back to the Cross, we can’t go forward in our Christian life.” How true this is, and what a wonderful job Rev. Wiersbe does in taking us back to the Cross!

This book is divided into four sections: What Jesus saw in the Cross, why Jesus died on the Cross, what Jesus said from the Cross, and how believers should live by the Cross. In essence we go back to the beginning to learn how we should now live because of the work Christ completed on the Cross.

Wiersbe quotes Charles Spurgeon as saying, “On whatever subjects I may be called to preach, I feel it to be a duty which I dare not neglect to be continually going back to the doctrine of the Cross—the fundamental truth of justification by faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

Whether you are wondering what significance Christ’s death at Calvary has for anything, or if you have been a believer in Christ’s atoning death for decades, or you are anywhere in between, going back for a fresh look at the old rugged Cross―and the Savior Who was sacrificed there―is always beneficial. And The Cross Of Jesus is an excellent book to guide you through your journey.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: book review, Calvary, Charles Spurgeon, Cross, crucifixion, Easter, Good Friday, Jesus Christ, sacrifice, salvation, Warren Wiersbe. 1 Comment »

Links & Quotes

March 16, 2015 — Craig T. Owens

Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, had some messed up values! Check out this video where she is interviewed by Mike Wallace of 60 Minutes. If you cannot watch the whole thing, fast forward to the 19:50 mark where she answers a question about sin. She says one of the greatest sins is to bring unfit children into the world(!). Disgusting.

“I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.” ―Harriet Tubman

“We do our Lord an injustice when we suppose He wrought all His mighty acts in days of old, and showed Himself strong for those in the early time, but does not perform wonders or lay bare His arm for the saints that are now upon the earth. … Surely, beloved, the goodness of God of old has been repeated unto us.” —Charles Spurgeon

“Not one life spent in the cause of world evangelization is spent in vain. Not one prayer or one dollar or one sermon or one letter of encouragement mailed or one little light shining in some dark place—nothing in the cause of the advancing kingdom is in vain. The triumph is sure.” —John Piper

“Perfect humility dispenses with modesty. If God is satisfied with the work, the work may be satisfied with itself.” —C.S. Lewis

“Christ lived the life we could not live, and took the punishment we could not take, to offer the hope we cannot resist. Why? Jesus was angry enough to purge the temple, distraught enough to weep in public, winsome enough to attract kids, poor enough to sleep on dirt, responsible enough to care for His mother, tempted enough to know the smell of satan. Why? Why would heaven’s finest Son endure earth’s toughest pain? So you would know that He is able. . .able to to run to the cry of those who are being tempted, tested and tried.” —Max Lucado

Comedian Tim Hawkins shares what songs may be sung at an “atheist church”―

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: atheism, atheist, C.S. Lewis, Charles Spurgeon, children, church, comedy, God's Kingdom, God's strength, Harriet Tubman, humility, Jesus Christ, John Piper, Margaret Sanger, Max Lucado, Planned Parenthood, quotes, saints, satan, sin, slavery, temptation, Tim Hawkins, video. Leave a Comment »

Attitude Check

March 16, 2015 — Craig T. Owens

When we realize that nothing can thwart God’s plan, and that you and I are a part of that plan, I think there could be a couple of attitudes that might pop up: (1) Confidence―not in my abilities, but in God’s; or (2) Humility―not thinking less of myself, but thinking of myself less.

Confidence without humility leads to self-destructive pride, and humility without confidence leads to self-destructive fear. We need confidence with humility, just like Jesus demonstrated in going to the old rugged Cross.

We can see the confidence in Jesus when He claims to be the “I AM” (John 8:54-59). But we can also see the humility of Jesus when He said He would lay His life down (John 10:11, 15:13).

These two attitudes converge powerfully in John 13:1-17 when we read that Jesus knew that God had put all authority under His command (vv. 1, 3), and then He used His confident authority to serve His friends by washing their feet.

Confidence without humility won’t serve because it thinks others must serve them. Humility without confidence won’t serve because it thinks others will take advantage of them. But Jesus was confidently humble (or humbly confident) so He could serve. It’s the only time Jesus said “I have set you an example” (v. 15). Our attitude is to mirror His, and we are to confidently and humbly serve.

A humbly-confident / confidently-humble servant is known by his or her:

Heart―E.G.O. (edging God out) or E.G.O. (exalting God only) [*]
Head―having his/her thoughts aligned with the Word of God
Hands―serving God and others (Matthew 20:25-28)

If you were to honestly reflect on this, where do you rate yourself?

Are you confident that God loves you and has a plan for your life, a plan that cannot be thwarted?
Are you humble enough to serve others? To give up your own agenda so that God is glorified?
Can you honestly say you have the right E.G.O.?
Are your thoughts becoming more and more aligned and shaped by God’s Word?

We’ll be continuing our series on The Old Rugged Cross next Sunday, and I would love to have you join us.

[*] My thanks to Kenneth Blanchard for his insightful description of E.G.O. in his book Lead Like Jesus

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: attitude, Bible, Calvary, Calvary Assembly of God, confidence, Cross, crucifixion, ego, example, God's glory, God's Word, humility, introspection, Jesus Christ, Kenneth Blanchard, reflection, Scripture, sermon, servant, thought life. Leave a Comment »

Links & Quotes

March 14, 2015 — Craig T. Owens

Today is pi day (3.1415), and Seth Godin has a great look at this day in his post Magical and Irrational.

Sadly, religious persecution is alive and well … IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA?!? This Navy chaplain has been removed from his unit for―gasp!―preaching from the Bible!

Some very good pro-life news. Scientists have called on their peers to agree not to modify human embryos — even for research. Just because scientists can do something doesn’t mean it should be done.

“Cancer research disagrees with the assumptions of beneficial mutations, millions of years, and junk DNA.” Read more in Cancer Research Inadvertently Refutes Evolution.

“Yes, I know one doesn’t even want to be cured of one’s pride because it gives pleasure. But the pleasure of pride is like the pleasure of scratching. If there is an itch one does want to scratch: but it is much nicer to have neither the itch nor the scratch. As long as we have the itch of self-regard we shall want the pleasure of self-approval; but the happiest moments are those when we forget our precious selves and have neither, but have everything else (God, our fellow-humans, animals, the garden and the sky) instead.” ―C.S. Lewis

Who Needs Sex? An insightful post from Pastor Dave Barringer.

Jim Cymbala asks, “Does anyone really think that America today is lacking preachers, books, Bible translations, and neat doctrinal statements? What we really lack is the passion to call upon the Lord until He opens the heavens and shows Himself powerful.” Read more in Prayer Revival.

“Let me say that for comfort, there is no thought more full of sweetness than that of an eternal God engaged in Christ Jesus to His people; to love, and bless, and save them all. One Who has made them the distinguished objects of His discriminating regard from all eternity, it is the eternal God.” —Charles Spurgeon

Poetry Saturday―There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood

March 14, 2015 — Craig T. Owens

There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.
Washed all my sins away, washed all my sins away;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.

Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its power
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.
Be saved, to sin no more, be saved, to sin no more;
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.

E’er since, by faith, I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.
And shall be till I die, and shall be till I die;
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.

Then in a nobler, sweeter song, I’ll sing Thy power to save,
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave.
Lies silent in the grave, lies silent in the grave;
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave.

Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared, unworthy though I be,
For me a blood bought free reward, a golden harp for me!
’Tis strung and tuned for endless years, and formed by power divine,
To sound in God the Father’s ears no other name but Thine. —William Cowper

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: blood, Calvary, church, Cross, faith, forgiveness, freedom, God's love, hymn, Jesus Christ, poetry, salvation, William Cowper. 1 Comment »

Links & Quotes

March 13, 2015 — Craig T. Owens

“Just as God saved man by taking upon Himself man’s flesh, so everywhere in the world He calls men by speaking to them through men of their own flesh and blood. God incarnates Himself—in His Spirit, incarnates Himself in the chosen men, especially in His church, in which He dwells as in a temple; and then through that church He is pleased to bless the world.” —Charles Spurgeon

J. Warner Wallace does an excellent job using his skills as a police detective to investigate the claims of Scripture. Here is a really good post entitled 4 Reasons The New Testament Gospels Are Reliable.

“Most Christians know we’re not saved by our works, but we are often prone to be satisfied by them,” writes Marshall Segal in his post Work With Your Hands, Not With Your Worship. Check out how we can worship and work in a God-glorifying way.

I grew up in the Detroit area, so the Tigers, Lions, Red Wings and Pistons were―and mostly still are (except for the Lie-downs)―my teams. Here’s a really cool post on how these teams got their names.

This phone call from a Planned Parenthood employee reveals the dishonesty this abortion provider is steeped in.

“Forgiving a financial debt costs your balance sheet. Forgiving an owed apology frees you to be generous again.” —Seth Godin

“Prayer and humility, along with a hatred for sin, produces a ‘mind to work.’ ‘So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work’ (Nehemiah 4:6). True revivals of holiness always produce workers. Books and seminars and lectures don’t—but revival does!” —David Wilkerson

Links & Quotes

March 12, 2015 — Craig T. Owens

Max Lucado told this story―A man was bitten by a dog. When he learned the dog had rabies, he began a list. The doctor said, “There’s no need to make a will—you’ll be fine.” “Oh, I’m not making a will,” he said, “I’m making a list of all the people I want to bite!”

“There is a problem in the church of North America today. The problem is, for the most part, she isn’t hungry for God.” Read more in A Burning Church Is The Only Hope For America.

Evolutionists cannot agree on the mutation rate that holds their theory together.

“You can do two things with pumpkin seeds. Eat them, an excellent source of protein, or plant them, and watch a successful seed bring back 100 more. The farmer who plants the seeds aggressively, without regard for, ‘hey, be careful, I could have eaten that seed,’ often ends up with many more pumpkins and many more seeds. On the other hand, the person who guards all the seeds and then eats them ends up with not much. And of course, money works the same way. Time, too.” —Seth Godin

“According to Christian teachers, the essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere fleabites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind.” ―C.S. Lewis

Good read: Nothing In Constitution Requires States To Redefine Marriage.

John Stonestreet said, “One reason to stand for religious freedom in America is so that we can speak for our persecuted brethren elsewhere. But turning religion in the U.S. into a purely private matter makes coming to the aid of our persecuted brethren less, not more, likely.” Read the rest of his commentary here.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: C.S. Lewis, church, Constitution, devil, DNA, evolution, John Stonestreet, marriage, Max Lucado, mutation, Pentecostal, persecution, prayer, pride, quotes, religious freedom, return on investment, revenge, revival, science, SCOTUS, Seth Godin, short story, Supreme Court, time. Leave a Comment »

21 Benefits From Doing Things God’s Way

March 12, 2015 — Craig T. Owens

I was reading Proverbs 3 this morning, and the opening words are, “My son, do not forget my teaching….” As if to emphasize why we shouldn’t forget how God tells us to live, Solomon lists at least 21 benefits that come from doing things God’s way―

A life worth living
Tranquility
Favor
Good reputation with God and people
God will keep you on track
Health and strength
Overflowing success
God’s discipline
Wisdom and understanding
Better return on investments
Riches and honor
Peace
Blessing
Safety
Sweet sleep
Fearlessness
Confidence
God’s friendship
A blessed home life
Grace
Honor

Now that’s a list worth having! And it’s all there for the one who will heed God’s Word and obediently live out what He says.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Bible study, confidence, discipline, friendship, God's blessing, God's favor, God's wisdom, God's Word, grace, health, home, honor, no fear, obedience, peace, reputation, return on investment, ROI, safety, sleep. Leave a Comment »

William Shakespeare On Prayer

March 12, 2015 — Craig T. Owens

Some great lines from William Shakespeare on prayer―

“We do pray for mercy, and that same prayer doth teach us all to render the deeds of mercy.” —William Shakespeare

“Now I am passed all comforts here, but prayers.” —William Shakespeare

“My words fly up, my thoughts remain below; Words without thoughts never to heaven go.” —William Shakespeare

“Sweet are the uses of adversity; which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears a precious jewel in his head; and this our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.” —William Shakespeare

“I commend my soul into the hands of God my Creator, believing through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Savior, to be made a partaker of life everlasting.” —William Shakespeare’s opening line in his last will and testament

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: adversity, Creator, Heaven, Jesus Christ, mercy, prayer, quotes, Savior, thought life, William Shakespeare. Leave a Comment »

Who Gets Praised?

March 11, 2015 — Craig T. Owens

Jerusalem’s walls had been rebuilt, but the city remained empty. Everyone wanted to stay put on their family property; no one wanted to make a sacrifice for the good of the country.

So Nehemiah, the governor of the territory, came up with the fairest solution he could think up―“the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten to live in Jerusalem” (Nehemiah 11:1). If no one would volunteer, people would have to be drafted to leave their lands and move into the city.

Although this seemed fair, no one was happy about this.

But check out the very next verse―“The people commended all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem” (v. 2).

The Amplified Bible says, “The people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem.”

And The Message says, “The people applauded those who voluntarily offered to live in Jerusalem.”

Commendation, blessing and applause are reserved for those who volunteer … for those who choose for themselves, and don’t wait around for someone else to choose for them.

Here’s a good way to live: Be the one who chooses. Don’t do it for the applause, but the blessing and the commendation will follow your choice.