apologetix on DailyBooth

apologetix snapped a picture

WORSHIP WEDNESDAY"-We learned there are 3 basic components in worship: PRAISE, GIVING THANKS, and OFFERING OUR LIVES TO GOD. Today we’ll focus on Praise.

Praise is our response to God’s revelation of Himself. It is an acknowledgment of His character and His acts. Look at Psalm 145, take note of what the verses say God is & what God does.

... David begins by "lifting God's name up" (extol). He then goes on to praise God's greatness, works, mighty acts, and great deeds. Go through the rest of Psalm 145 and note the other ways David gives praise to God, then in your own words give praise to God as well.

Praise can be very difficult and unnatural in the beginning; however, God has provided help for sincere believers.

1.)We have the Holy Spirit - The Spirit helps us worship God but we can find comfort, knowing what we see as weak, fumbling efforts are actually being directed by the Spirit.

2.) Worshiping God is a discipline - It’s something that we have to teach ourselves to do over a lifetime of loving God.

3.)There’s God-centered praise in Scripture - By meditating on these passages we can learn how to lift our hearts before God in praise.

4.)Examine even little things in nature - We can praise him for his creativity (like designing the flower) and His knowledge, (because He knows each particular flower)

Finally, we have each other. - When we come together and share God’s greatness and goodness together, we are greatly blessed.

0 comments

February 22nd, 2012

apologetix snapped a picture

“Messiah Monday” We know little of Jesus’ early years. We read about him at birth, then around age 12 and finally pick up with Him again at around age 30. What could have Jesus’ early life looked like? There’s no reason to believe He grew up any different than other boys in His community. After all, He wanted to connect with us and know us on an intimate level. He left His divinity and glory behind. He would’ve had to learn all over again. How did our humble King accomplish this? What was it like?

Boys and girls went to school in Galilee. Study began at age five or six in elementary school, called bet sefer. The subject was the Torah (first five books of Moses) and the method was memorization. Since the learning of the community was passed orally, memorization of tradition and GOD’s Word were essential.

At first students studied only the Torah. Later they began to study the more complicated oral interpretations of the Torah. Question-and-answer sessions between teacher and student were added to the memorization drills. The more gifted students might continue after age 12 or 13 in beth midrash (meaning house of study). The truly gifted would leave home to study with a famous rabbi to “become like him” as a disciple.

The “Mishnah” (the written record of the oral traditions of Jesus’ time and after) recorded that the gifted student began study of the written Torah at age five, studied oral traditions at age 12, became a religious adult at 13, studied the application of Torah and tradition at 15, entered a trade at 20, and entered his full ability at 30. Although this was written after Jesus, it represents the practice of his time. It is significant that he came to Jerusalem at age 12, as was the custom. What custom?

At age 12, if the young boy had memorized Torah, it was recognized by the community by allowing him to sacrifice the lamb on behalf of the family during Passover. If he didn't, the boy's focus became the family trade. We now know that Jesus studied diligently. He was recognized as having accomplished this goal and was prepared to continue His studies with a rabbi. How can we expect any less of ourselves, who claim to be disciples and want to "become like our rabbi"?

0 comments

February 20th, 2012

apologetix snapped a picture

*Philosophy Friday*--What is Christian Philosophy? - Because it requires faith in biblical revelation, you might think that the Christian worldview cannot possibly have a philosophy of its own. According to the secular worldviews, naturalism and materialism are grounded firmly in modern scientific methods and enlightened human experience. How can we as Christians, who are required to claim existence or reality outside the material realm, ever hope to prove that our beliefs are true, reasonable, rational, and worth living and dying for?

Unfortunately, some Christians adopt this kind of attitude, believing that their faith has no defense. They attempt to avoid the whole problem by stating that what they believe is “beyond reason.” These Christians point to Colossians 2:8, where Paul writes “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy . . . “ and from this they believe that God does not want us to be involved in such a worthless and misleading discipline as philosophy. However, people who use this verse as an anti-philosophical proof often skip over its ending, in which Paul describes the KIND OF philosophy he is warning against—philosophy “which depends on *human tradition* and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”

Philosophy involves logic and reasoning, two traits that every believer must have and apply daily. In fact, the Christians who know little about logic and even less about philosophy are exactly the ones who are most easily deceived by unreasonable arguments.

0 comments

February 17th, 2012

apologetix snapped a picture

"Theology Thursday" - Knowing GOD vs Knowing about GOD - Knowing *about* GOD involves information - *Knowing* GOD involves first hand personal experience. Teaching *about* GOD is the responsibility of the teacher – *Knowing* GOD is a personal responsibility.

It is helpful knowing *about* GOD to get to get to know Him. When we know what GOD is like and understand His love, we’ll be drawn to Him. When we understand His holiness, we’ll turn away from sin. When we understand His aseity (pure self existence), we’ll be humbled. When we understand His power, we’ll move forward in confidence and triumph.

We’ll KNOW we can trust Him!

2 comments

February 16th, 2012

apologetix snapped a picture

Worship Wednesday--What exactly is the purpose of worship? To worship God is to declare, through praise, thanksgiving, and our very lives the worthiness of God, as we lift our hearts in love and reverence to Him. It's not for His benefit but totally for ours.

In worship we begin to learn who God is and what God has done. When we start to appreciate God, we are better equipped to live a balanced life. A deeper relationship with God brings a sense of closeness and security that carries over into other areas of our lives (including prayer). Worship unlocks many doors to deeper Christianity.

In worship we PRAISE, then we GIVE THANKS, and finally we OFFER OUR LIVES to God.

1 comment

February 15th, 2012

apologetix snapped a picture

*Tuesday = Truth-day* Isn't it arrogant for Christians to claim that Jesus is the one and only way to GOD? Why do Christians think they're right and everyone else is wrong?

Christianity is not the only religion that claims to have the truth. Muslims believe they have the truth and the only true language to share it. Hinduism allows you to practice your religion as long as blends with different and even opposite beliefs. Atheists say the truth is "there is no god", rejecting any religious belief.

By definition, truth is exclusive, meaning anything oppose to it is false. If that statement isn't true then we can't claim something is true or false, only opinions exist. Anytime truth is spoken, anything oppose to it is false. Meaning something can't be "True for you but not true for me". Truth excludes it's opposite.

Even saying truth doesn't exist is making a truth claim. If someone tells you "Truth doesn’t exist", ask them, "Is THAT true?" Aren't they being arrogant by claiming they have the truth?

Truth is absolute and truth is knowable. In the same way, Jesus is absolute and Jesus is knowable. Seek truth and you'll find it.

3 comments

February 14th, 2012

apologetix snapped a picture

*Sunday Science* - Not only is the Bible filled with the fundamentals of science, but it is as much as 3,000 years ahead of its time. The Bible's statements in most cases directly contradicted the science of the day in which they were made. When modern scientific knowledge approaches reality, the divine accuracy of the scriptures is confirmed. For example:

*Biblical Statement- *Science Then- *Science Now
Earth a sphere (Is. 40:22)-- Earth's a flat disk-- Earth a sphere
Over 1billion stars (Jer. 33:22)-- Stars = 1,100-- Over 1billion stars
Stars different (1 Cor 15:41)-- Stars are the same-- Stars different
Light in motion (Job 38:19-20)-- Light is fixed-- Light in motion
Air has weight (Job 28:25)-- Air is weightless-- Air has weight
Wind's in cyclones (Eccl. 1:6)-- Winds straight-- Wind's in cyclones
Blood=life&healing (Lev. 17:11)--Sick must bleed-- Blood=life&healing

For centuries the theories of science were against Genesis 1 in the origin and development of Earth and of life on Earth. However, science has progressed beyond these theories and now agrees with Genesis 1 in the beginnings of Earth, the description of events, and in the order of these events. The possibility that Moses, writing more than 3,400 years ago, would have guessed all these details is less than one in trillions. Below is a partial list of other fundamentals of science explained in the Bible:

•conservation of mass and energy (Ecclesiastes. 1:9; Eccl. 3:14-15).
•water cycle (Eccl. 1:7; Is. 55:10).
•gravity (Job 26:7; Job 38:31-33).
•Pleiades and Orion as gravitationally bound star groups (Job 38:31).
•effect of emotions on physical health (Prov. 16:24; Prov. 17:22).
•control of contagious diseases (Lev. 13:4546).
•importance of sanitation to health (Lev.; Num. 19: Deut. 23:12-13). control of cancer and heart disease (Lev. 7-19).

Under scientific investigation, the Bible has proven undoubtedly to be correct. No other book, ancient or modem, can make this claim; but then, no other book has been written (through men) by God.

0 comments

February 12th, 2012

apologetix snapped a picture

little Saturday morning fun. It's almost impossible to get people to change their minds now-a-days. Even when we can support our claims with evidence and logic.

It may be a an issue of the heart and not the mind. In other words, they know it's true or can't deny the evidence but they just refuse to accept it into their lives. Continue to be the refreshing example that the people of this world need to see. Be a blessing!

0 comments

February 11th, 2012

First Picture

apologetix snapped a picture

Starting something new here. Follow if you're interested in learning something new everyday with a Biblical world-view supported by facts, logic and reason. Comment if you have questions or *sound* arguments. Should be a great opportunity to share what's been lost in our society.

Looking forward to 1.Science Sundays 2.Messiah Mondays 3.Truthful Tuesdays 4.Worship Wednesdays 5.Theology Thursdays 6.Philosophy Fridays 7.Sabbath Saturdays (which will be nothing :-P)

1 comment

February 10th, 2012