Association for Christian Development
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"Actions Speak Louder" -- by Brian Knowles

The seventh annual seminar series investigating the nature of the One God and His Son was held in Seattle where it all began seven years ago.

Below, a recent Virtual Church broadcast live-streamed over the web. Picture taken by Pat Brady as he watched from his office in southern Oregon, USA. Tune in each week for an in-depth biblical exposition and inspirational message.

2008 Feast of Tabernacles Celebration
Sun River, Oregon
October 14 - 21

You are invited to join me and our ACD friends to attend the annual celebration of the biblical Feast of Tabernacles. This year will be joining other Christian friends at at the central Oregon location of Sun River. This has been an independent festival site for 22 years and my family and I haves attended there in years past. Please click the link below for photos of the area and links to make lodging reservations. --Ken Westby

http://www.sunriverfot.org/index.html
 

Actions Speak Louder   Right doctrine, wrong doctrine, half-right, half-wrong...where do you stand? Is being right on doctrine the end to which Christians must strive? Is this true religion? Brian Knowles says no and he makes his case from the words of Jesus.

The Bible and the Life we're Supposed to Live  Christianity seems to be caught in a crossfire of criticism and persecution. Opinions swirl about the reliability of the Gospels and about what they really reach. The life of Jesus, however, speaks with a clarity no one with ears should miss. --Article by Brian Knowles

Where Biblical Scholars Meet, Discuss, and Debate Their Work  My report on the annual meetings of the Society of Biblical Literature in San Diego this past November. This is the biggest event in Biblical Studies and draws about seven thousand members from around the world. --Ken Westby

The Prophecy Pit  How could so many be so wrong? History is littered with failed prophecies and missed dates. And yet the prophecy preachers are still date-picking and will soon fall into the same pit. What is there about prophecy that leads people into such error? -- Ken Westby

Anna the Prophetess and the Hope of Israel  She pops up in the NT story of the birth of Jesus. Who is this devout old woman from the tribe of Asher? What was her revelation from God? Why is she significant to the story? Dr. Doug Ward investigates this amazing episode of biblical history. --Article by Dr. Doug Ward

The Perfect Prayer  One could rightly say that any prayer that God listens to, likes, and most importantly, answers, is a “perfect prayer.” How does one go about praying such prayers?  Article by Ken Westby.

Sorting & Sifting   Something happened to the Christianity of the Apostles and the Early Church. The big turning point was a church council in 325 AD.  An article by Brian Knowles.

The Man Who Circumcised Jesus  Jesus was just another 8-day-old Jewish boy to him. He did his cutting upon the baby boy marking him as a Son of the Covenant. He handed the babe back to his parents and went on his way having no idea he had touched the firstborn Son of His Majesty in heaven. The circumciser was among the first to handle the Son of God who now rules from the Heavenly Father's throne in heaven. He encountered the sacred, the holy, and he knew it not. A mistake most of us repeat on a daily basis.

 Apocaholics Anonymous:   "Hi, I’m Gary and I’m a recovering Apocaholic.  I am currently Apocalypse free for nearly 18 years.  I left the church of the Religious Apocalypse in 1976, over 30 years ago, and I resigned from the secular church of the Financial Apocalypse in 1989.  Yes, I still feel the urge to proclaim the end of all things, from time to time, but I white-knuckle my way to a history book for a little perspective, and then I breathe easier. If you wish to join AA, the only requirement is that you give up the adrenaline rush of media-fed fantasies." (read more...but doomsdayers beware!)

Michael Medved, columnist and national talk show host, writes about the 4th Commandment and how it can improve your life in 2007. Read it.
The Latest:
New Booklet by Brian Knowles: "First Principles of the Christian Faith" Read Part One: "Repentance from Dead Works."   Part Two: Faith Toward God   Part Three: The Doctrine of Baptisms   Part Four: The Laying on of Hands Part Five:  The Resurrection of the Dead  Part Six:  Eternal Judgment

Also read these outstanding articles by Brian Knowles: "Three Commandments for Long Life"  "Looking for God in all the Wrong Places"   "Lessons from the Temptation of Jesus"  Recent: "What is the Spirit of Antichrist?";   "A Rambling Moan about the State of The Faith" "Just what do you mean, Orthodox?" "Love Covers, Hate Exposes" and "Putting God to the Test: What is so bad about it?"

A Proverb or Psalm to Live By

Today's Pick:

Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again. 
                                                                                                                                                                                     (Ecclesiastes 11:1) 

This proverb from the wisdom book of Ecclesiastes has been understood in various ways. Most commonly it suggests a man must be willing to take risks, to invest in the future, to be adventurous, and to step out in faith in hopes of future benefits. It caries an entrepreneurial message. Too often we hold back from taking considered and even sensible risks in order to play it safe. The parable of Jesus about the man who buried his money lest he lose any of it by investing drew condemnation and Jesus labeled him an unprofitable servant. The guy should have used the money to make money, rather that bury it. He was small minded, afraid, and perhaps even selfish being so tied to his cash he dared not risk it even to increase it.

This proverb is also used of Christian Stewardship--the giving of support with voluntary tithes and offerings to Godly causes and ministries. One gives in faith that God sees the gift and will use it to produce fruit for His Kingdom and for the proclaiming of his message. This is truly an act of casting upon the waters of the future since there is no quid pro quo, no immediate pay back. As the angel said to the Roman officer, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God" (Acts 10:4). His "bread" came back to him in a different and unexpected form; he received a special visitation and became the firstfruits of God's mission to the Gentiles. When people give offerings to God (his servants, ministers, the truly needy--both physically and spiritually) it is a casting out to sea in the hope that one day it will in some manner return. That "return" might be measured in the lives helped and changed, the true teachings of Scripture spreading, and the pleasure and reward of God. Recently I wrote the following to those who donate to our Christian ministry:

Your gifts to the Cause of Christ are deeply appreciated. I say “Cause of Christ” since his cause—preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God—is our cause. He has commissioned his followers to continue the ministry which was given him by his Father, and our Father. That message summarizes the plan of God to bring all into His fellowship and share his Divine Image. Your donations enable the ACD to share that hope with thousands of people.

Christian giving is often referred to as “stewardship.” That is an old-fashioned sounding word not used much outside of religious circles. It means smartly managing things—especially assets and money—to produce increase. The word is best known from Jesus’ various parables on stewardship (Luke chapters 12, 16, 19) in which he makes numerous spiritual lessons. How we manage “our things” counts with God, as Jesus said: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Lk 12:34).

Christ’s parables counsel us to wisely use the talents we possess. Some will say, I’m not rich, I don’t have much, and I’m not talented. Well, God knows we all have something to offer. God didn't make “empty” people in His image. We may not have much, but we have something to offer. A wise poet said:

                               The woods would be silent if only the birds sang that sing the best.

 You have chosen to include spiritual things in your financial commitments. I commend you. Money, as you know, is a bad master … but a good servant. We are wise to consider our money as a servant. A servant to whom and to do what? That is our decision. Another wise man, Robert E. Speer, put it this way:

                              We cannot serve God and mammon [money]; but we can serve God with mammon.

Many of us have learned the “Grace of Giving” (2Cor 8:7) that calls us to give of our best to the Master—our Firstfruits, not our leftovers. May God bless you as a Good Steward of the talents and bounty He has given you. --Ken Westby 

                               (Visit our Proverb Archives for previous, daily picks)

A Virtual Church !

It's Here!!  --  The VC on the Internet

Now available with Live Streaming over the Web at 11 AM . . . or . . . on demand later. See Above.

Trinity Debate: Listen to Pastor Sean Finnegan as he takes on a Trinity advocate. http://kingdomready.org/blog/2008/01/15/debating-the-trinity/  and on the internet Byte Show:
http://www.thebyteshow.com/Audio/RussDizdar/RussDizdar_SeanFinnegan_DiscussionOnTheTrinity1_TBS.mp3

You may donate directly to the Association for Christian Development. We are a non-profit religious organization and all donations are tax-deductible (USA). We are funded entirely by donations from our readers. Receipts will be sent by ACD. Your regular gifts to the Cause of Christ further His message and bring hope to a world in need. Thank You!!

 
Latest Articles
See Archives for a complete list

Why God Requires Moral Behavior  Brian Knowles posits that Happiness is a moral obligation

In the Lord's Interests  Usually things are done for and in our own interests. We are challenged by Christ to reach higher.

Islam's "Sabbath"  Allah, Islam’s God, didn’t rest after the six days of creation and Moslems see no need to rest on their “Sabbath” which is Friday, the sixth day of the week.

Cain and His Family  The man and the family that determined the fate of the pre-flood world. A thorough investigation.

Angels and the Thirteen Sabbath Songs  One of the most intriguing discovering among the Dead Sea Scrolls.

A Sabbath Journey  An Assembly of God pastor decided Saturday is the Sabbath and life took a major turn.

The Humor of Jesus  The Savior had a well developed sense of humor--unlike a lot of prune-faced religious people.

Scholars...Who Needs Them?  Only the ignorant think they don't.

A Sermon to the Wind  Why do most messages fly over the head, or through the ears without stopping to visit the mind?

Profaning the Sabbath Day  What is the necessary work that the Bible allows to be done on the Sabbath Day?

Stingy Christians and a Generous God  If you can describe yourself as a generous Christian— as evidenced by your acts of generosity toward God and man—feel free to skip this article.

The Sovereignty of God: His Place and Ours  Go ahead and question God, but keep a few things in mind when you do. You'll find those things in Job's direct encounter with God.

Abortion and the Sabbath  There is one command among The Ten that specifically protects the vulnerable, the powerless, and the weak. There are no more vulnerable souls in the world than the unborn.

What About Hanukkah? This non-biblical Jewish celebration holds a fascinating adventure story right out history. Read Dr. Doug Ward's account of the history behind the Maccabee warriors and the book they left the world.

Two Scenes from Israel My recent trip left two impressions that seem to capture the contrasts of Israel. --Ken Westby

Does Col 2:16 Do Away with Sabbath Celebrations?  The late biblical scholar Charles V. Dorothy wrote this paper in the early 1990s before he died. We believe it is one of the explanations available of this hotly disputed text. This article is in an Adobe PDF file format so please be patient while it loads.

 On Being A Christian In Troubled Times

Making Yourself Sick  Happiness is a choice, and so is unhappiness. "Stinking thinking" is what make most of us miserable. But isn't the world full of negativity and evil? Isn't that reality? How can we be positive and happy in such an environment?

Reconciling Myself to Art  Brian Knowles unburdens himself.

Rest In Peace  Graveyards are places to do serious meditation. Meditation may be a lost practice for many of us -- to our detriment. But one doesn't need to visit a cemetery to begin this deepening practice. 

Is There Buried Treasure in King David's Tomb?
Gary Arvidson's book: In Search of King David's Lost Tomb and Treasure comes under the reviewing eye of Dr Doug Ward. This insightful survey of material gets to the heart of the treasure mystery and offers a valuable summary of the book.

Why Be Religious?   What does being religious mean? Is it commitment to one's church organization? Church commitment and church politics have little to do with the true practice of Christianity. In fact, they may inhibit or destroy the light God intends to be reflected from us to a world in need.

Who is America in Prophecy? Some believe that the ancient tribe of Ephraim is modern day Britain. Others believe that if a modern Ephraim exists is would be none other than the USA. See a transcript of a recent discussion on this subject.

Miracle on Highway 93  Do Miracles still happen? Well, one did on a Montana highway last December. Read the compelling account from the eye witnesses. 

The First Holy Thing First Mentions and First Occurrences in Scripture are significant. In all the Bible what is the first  "thing" made holy? What can it tell us about the ultimate purpose of everything? 

November 2002 ACD Newsletter -- Special report from Africa; Susan Richardson on "Commitment"; and a don't-miss article by Brian Knowles, "For Christians: An Increasingly Dangerous World."

The Ephrata Cloister -- A Sabbatarian Commune in Colonial Pennsylvania  Read the remarkable story of what happened to the utopian dream of its founders.

A New Look At Prophecy  What has been your model for "the end"? Have you revised your understanding with new data--biblical, historical, current political trends and realities? Many folks haven't. Taking a fresh look at some old prophetical assumptions, Steve Collins in a lengthy article presents his view of future events. Perhaps it will stimulate you to revisit and test your old prophetical scenario.   

Christian Faith and Military Service Steve Collins weighs in on the thorny issue of should a Christian bear arms for his country. Some Christian groups teach against any military service and advise their young men to be conscious objectors. Do they have a biblical case?

The Real "Ark Mystery" Doug Ward, PhD, takes us on an exciting journey to discover what happened to the sacred Ark of the Covenant. He also addresses the larger question, Does it Matter?

The Sabbath: "Worthless Manna"?  Manna was a gift from God to newly liberated Israel. The former slaves now found themselves in a desert without food. God provided food from heaven; a food some soon came to despise as worthless. Another gift, the Sabbath, has received a similar welcome.

The Politicization of Doctrine--Why It Happens Why can't people just let the Bible speak for itself? The question is naive, of course, and ignores how churches operate and how doctrine and theology are done. But it is still a darn good question that deserves an answer..

Views expressed on this web site are those of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Association for Christian Development.