I Got Faith You Got Faith All God’s Children Got Faith December 11, 2018
Posted by Dr. Robert Owens in Religion, Uncategorized.Tags: believe and receive, confess in faith, Dr. Robert Owens, Faith, our confession
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Pastor John Osteen the father of Mega Church Joel used to lead his congregation in this confession, “This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do.” while waving his big black Bible in the air. He started every service this way encouraging the faithful to stand on God’s Word.
It’s our confession of God’s Word that opens the door to miracles. For if we don’t believe God’s Word how can we say we believe God? And if we don’t believe God who and what do we believe?
Many of us have been told we’re losers. Many of us have been told we’re worthless, unwanted, unnecessary, and unloved. Not all of us grew up with Mom and Pop Cleaver protecting, supporting, and affirming us. Many of us have told ourselves we’re no good, forgotten, and useless. And sad to say many of us believe what the world says about us. We often believe ourselves and allow these beliefs to shape and guide our lives.
May be we should try God? Let’s believe His Word and let that shape and guide our lives.
Now think about God’s Word for a moment. He says that His word is truth, and that His judgments endure forever. He also says He watches over His Word to perform it. If He’s lying about all that He’s a liar, and we know God isn’t a liar. The devil is. That’s his very nature. And since the devil’s original sin was his desire to be recognized as God, when we say or act as if God is a liar we’re giving the devil exactly what he wants, because we’re saying the liar is our God.
Spiritual things can only be understood by those who are spiritual. To the natural man they’re foolishness and the fool has said in his heart there is no God. In this article I’m speaking to believers and hopefully to those without hope who might become believers. To those who’ve confessed Jesus as Lord and who believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead. If we’ve done those things His Word says we will be saved. It doesn’t say might be. It doesn’t say could be. It says will be. Which also means you can be.
He also says we overcame the devil by the blood of the Lamb AND the word of our testimony, that we will be judged by the words that come out of our mouth, and that whatever we ask in the name of Jesus we shall receive that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
That is some powerful stuff. Our words are important. Some people interpret all this in such a way that believe God becomes their servant and that He’s honor bound to give us anything we ask for. But in His Word He tells us that we need to ask for the right stuff when He says you ask and don’t receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
We need to get lined up with Him. We need to allow Him to put the desires in our heart and then use the power of confession in the Name of Jesus to move forward in the ministry He’s called us to, and then we’ll receive the desires of our heart, the ones He put there. For make no mistake if you’re a believer you’ve been called to minister the Word to a world dying to receive it. That ministry is your witness. You don’t have to be a Bible scholar. God will always give you the words to say if you testify of Him. Share your witness, your testimony. Simply tell what the Lord has done for you. And if you don’t have a testimony seek the Lord until you have one.
All it takes is faith to walk out on God’s Word and expect Him to accomplish it. That’s what we do to get saved. And that’s what we must do to be who He says we are, to have what He says we have, and to do what He’s called us to do.
And if the believers among us think we don’t have enough faith remember we had enough faith to believe God for salvation. And I don’t know about you but if I have enough faith to believe God will welcome someone like me into heaven I’ve got more than a mustard seed’s worth so mountain you better start jumping. Also remember faith itself is a gift from God. We can always ask for more. So if you don’t have enough faith to believe God for salvation ask God and He will give it to you.
I got faith, you got faith, all God’s children got faith, and the only kind of faith for me is faith in Jesus Christ.
Dr. Owens teaches History, Political Science, and Religion. He is the Historian of the Future @ http://drrobertowens.com © 2018 Contact Dr. Owens drrobertowens@hotmail.com Follow Dr. Robert Owens on Facebook or Twitter @ Drrobertowens or visit Dr. Owens Amazon Page / Edited by Dr. Rosalie Owens
Third Temple Revealed December 6, 2018
Posted by Dr. Robert Owens in Religion, Uncategorized.Tags: Ark of the Covenant, Dr. Robert Owens, End Times, Red Heifer, the Third Temple
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Do you think we’re living in the End Times?
If you spend much time with Evangelical Christians you’re bound to be asked this question. Perhaps, more times than you’ll be able to remember. I know I have.
Those who believe that the Revelation of John found in the New Testament foretells future evets are constantly looking for signs that the End Times have begun. They’re always on the lookout for the birth of the Red Heifer, the discovery of the Ark of the Covenant, and the building of the Third Temple.
News flashes from around the world:
- The writer of the Book of Hebrews in the New Testament tells us that the end times were already upon us back in the first century when he said, “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son…”
- The Temple Institute in Jerusalem announced in September of 2018 that the first red heifer born in Israel in 2,000 years “was certified by a board of rabbis as fulfilling all the Biblical requirements.”
- According to the Smithsonian.com the Ark of the Covenant may not have been lost at all. “Through the centuries, Ethiopian Christians have claimed that the ark rests in a chapel in the small town of Aksum, in their country’s northern highlands. It arrived nearly 3,000 years ago, they say, and has been guarded by a succession of virgin monks who, once anointed, are forbidden to set foot outside the chapel grounds until they die.”
And there are scholars who agree with the Ethiopian Christians. “While the idea that the Ark was taken to Ethiopia is not new there has been renewed interest after evidence was unearthed by the Bible Archaeology, Search & Exploration Institute (BASE). In a blog post on the organization’s website it said: “As unusual as this may sound, the BASE team has uncovered compelling evidence that the Ark may well have been spirited up the Nile River to an eventual resting place in the remote highlands of ancient Kush–modern-day Ethiopia.
According to their research the Ark was taken out of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem during the reign of Manasseh where it was first taken to a Jewish colony on Elephantine Island in Egypt.
After that it is thought it was taken down the Nile to Lake Tana in Ethiopia and in particular Tana Kirkos Island, which is considered to be a holy island only populated by Christian monks.”
- And in this article I will reveal the location of the Third Temple.
Let me digress:
When I gave my life to Christ and was born-again into a new life I was an alcoholic drug addict.
I’d never thought that was a bad or unusual thing, either before I was born-again or immediately afterward. Let me explain. You see I thought everyone was an alcoholic drug addict except of course for those bland bobble-heads I called squares or citizens and they meant no more to me than the gravel under my feet. Everyone who was anyone in my life was someone who either helped me get alcohol and drugs or enjoyed them with me.
I didn’t think there was anything wrong with using and abusing alcohol and drugs because where I came from everyone did. At least everyone I knew or interacted with. The local priest had his own stool at a local bar and was famous for his capacity to drink people under the table. The pastor of the church my parents attempted to make me attend was a notorious drunk. I knew police officers who got high and arrested people just to seize their drugs. I sat in police cars drinking with on duty officers. My best connection for weed was a Chicago police captain. In my neighborhood teachers, judges, doctors, everyone self-medicated.
I figured the only reason drugs were illegal was because the government had to throw a bone to the mob when they made alcohol legal. And besides in my mind the government made more money running people through the system then they would if they just taxed drug sales. I figured the presidents and others running the country got high they just had the real good stuff.
After I was born-again I was consumed with reading the Bible. As much as possible that was all I did. I would walk around my house reading the Bible drinking whiskey while chain-smoking cigarettes and joints. I just figured I was getting a spiritual high to augment my self-medicated continuous life buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
It was beautiful.
Then I ran headfirst into I Corinthians 3:16-17, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”
This brought me up short. “I’m the temple of God!” I thought. Looking at the eight ounce tumbler of whiskey in one hand and the cigarette in the other I thought, “What am I doing?”
Right there and right then I set down that glass of whiskey, put out that cigarette looked at the bag of weed lying next to my hands on the desk and gave them up. That was it. No withdrawals. No regrets. God did all the heavy lifting and He made me clean.
Since that day I’ve never been drawn off course by anyone wondering about when the Third Temple was going to be built because God makes it clear that we are the temple of God. In I Corinthians 3:16-17 He says it straight out, “you are the temple of God.” And if that wasn’t enough there are other references to this fact in the Bible as well. Such as I Peter 2:4-5, “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
What is the Temple besides God’s house? What is it for? It is where the priests offered sacrifices. In the new world, the New Earth we inhabit when we become a new creation the sacrifices are spiritual and they are offered up in God’s house, His Holy Temple, which temple we are.
Secret revealed:
Where is the Third Temple? It is right here right now … it is the body of Christ made up of all believers collectively and individually.
So don’t be drawn off base looking for that which has been revealed. Our Father God calls every Christian to be Christ to the world around us. To see with His eyes, hear with His ears, touch with His hands, and love with His heart. He told us that we will do the same kind of works He did while He walked among us only greater. So let’s not waste our time navel gazing into a reflecting glass of superimposed meanings when Revelation tells us clearly; Jesus is God, God wins in the end, and no matter how bad it gets we should pray, “Even so come Lord Jesus.”
Dr. Owens teaches History, Political Science, and Religion. He is the Historian of the Future @ http://drrobertowens.com © 2018 Contact Dr. Owens drrobertowens@hotmail.com Follow Dr. Robert Owens on Facebook or Twitter @ Drrobertowens or visit Dr. Owens Amazon Page / Edited by Dr. Rosalie Owens
Dr. Owens’ Next Book Signing Event November 29, 2018
Posted by Dr. Robert Owens in Uncategorized.add a comment
When:
Friday November 30 5 PM – 9 PM
Saturday December 1 9 AM – 5 PM
Sunday December 2 9 AM – 3PM
Where:
Mall of the Bluffs
1751 Madison Ave
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Bring in a book to be signed or purchase one new. All ten of Dr. Owens’ titles will be available. His books include: Two novels –America’s Trojan War, and a sequel America’s Odyssey: You Can’t Go Home Again. Three books on Political Science: The Constitution Failed, Constitutional Philosophy in Action, and Then Came Trump. Four History Books: America Vol. One: Colonial History, The Azusa Street Revival, The More Things Change the More They Stay the Same (describes how the elites in America use presidential assassinations to create and sustain a secular political religion), and America Won the Vietnam War! And a book on Leadership: COGIC History: The Dark Years. All of these books are available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle.
Coming Soon: Dr. Owens’ Third Novel
America’s Odyssey : You Must Go Home Again
Do You Want To Be Free? November 26, 2018
Posted by Dr. Robert Owens in Religion, Uncategorized.Tags: a new commandment, Dr. Robert Owens, free from the Law, Mosaic Law, Old Testament Law, the Ten Commandments
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In America today how many laws are there?
The simple answer is no one knows. Does that mean no one can count that high or that they’ve never been collected into one massive code. Where’s Hammurabi or Justinian when you need them?
When the federal laws were first codified in 1927, they fit into a single volume. By the 1980s, there were 50 volumes of more than 23,000 pages. By 2015 it was over 80 volumes and more than 80,000 pages. Today you can’t even find out the most recent count using the all-knowing Google. In other words all of us have broken a law somewhere along the line the government just hasn’t decided to pick us up yet.
That’s sort of how the Mosaic Law is. No one can keep it. Jews couldn’t and we can’t.
And praise God we don’t have to.
The Law of God is called the Mosaic Law. The Mosaic Law consists of the rules of conduct given to Moses by God, as described in the Old Testament. The Mosaic Law begins with the Ten Commandments, but it also includes the rules set forth in the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament. These codes and the resulting explanation of them in the Talmud enumerate to the nth degree what every Jew should do about everything.
This burden was too heavy for any human to carry which is why Jesus came to fulfill the Law. And that is what He said He came to do, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”
He accompanied this statement with a small commentary on the law which spiritualized what the Jews had taken literally.
He said, “You’re familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder.’ I’m telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder.” And as if that didn’t make it impossible to fulfill He went even further, “Carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!’ and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!’ at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.”
Sure we might be able to resist the temptation to murder people but does that mean we’ve fulfilled the law? No Jesus tells us if we get angry with people, if we call people names we’re guilty. Have you ever done that? All I can say is, “Guilty.”
If we’re going to try to live under the Law we’re lost. We’re convicted and worthy of nothing but the hellfire of eternal separation from God which sounds like a real drag.
My advice: Don’t go there.
The Mosaic Law is like the Federal Law. It’s so all-encompassing and so heavy no one can lift it. In other words all of us have broken one of the Mosaic Laws somewhere along the line God just hasn’t decided to judge us yet.
My advice: Get out from under the Law.
You might ask, “How are we supposed to do that?”
My advice: Refer to the operator’s manual for the planet Earth; the Bible.
Jesus himself gives us the answer. When asked by the super-sized religious folks of His day, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
He gave them the answer, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
That’s it. All the rest was for the Jews under the Old Covenant. That deal was completed back when Jesus hung on the cross and said, “After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”
He even gave us a physical sign that the Old Covenant was over “Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split.” And since God always has to go the extra mile to get it through our thick heads and dull spirits in 70 AD the Romans fulfilled the prophecy of Jesus concerning Jerusalem and the Temple, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
No one not even the Jews can even attempt to fulfill the Law without the Temple and the sacrifices it calls for. So why are so many Christians trying to do it? Why are so many preachers and teachers leading people into a way that leads to a dead end?
Paul tried to warn us, “Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.”
And of course he had to explain this a little further so maybe we’d get the idea, “The moment any one of you submits to circumcision or any other rule-keeping system, at that same moment Christ’s hard-won gift of freedom is squandered. I repeat my warning: The person who accepts the ways of circumcision trades all the advantages of the free life in Christ for the obligations of the slave life of the law.”
And fearing even this was not enough he added, “When you attempt to live by your own religious plans and projects, you are cut off from Christ, you fall out of grace. Meanwhile we expectantly wait for a satisfying relationship with the Spirit. For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love.”
Isn’t that plain. When we try to earn our way to heaven by keeping rules we’re bound to fail because as soon as we accept anything as a “must do” the whole of the Law become a “better get it done.” And no one can do it.
Paul laments that no matter how hard he tried it was impossible for him to keep all the law. He realized this inability meant he was condemned no matter how good he tried to be. Because of that he cried, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” And I believe anyone who is honest with themselves will admit we all have an apple out of that sack.
Luckily for us Paul also gave us the answer, “I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” for since we have been made alive in the Spirit towards God by being born-again we can also cry out with him, “So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.”
My advice: Die to the flesh and live to the Spirit. Discard the Old Law and embrace what Christ has done for us. He died to set us free so let’s be free indeed.
Dr. Owens teaches History, Political Science, and Religion. He is the Historian of the Future @ http://drrobertowens.com © 2018 Contact Dr. Owens drrobertowens@hotmail.com Follow Dr. Robert Owens on Facebook or Twitter @ Drrobertowens or visit Dr. Owens Amazon Page / Edited by Dr. Rosalie Owens
Dr. Owens’ Next Book Signing Event November 21, 2018
Posted by Dr. Robert Owens in Uncategorized.Tags: Dr. Robert Owens
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When:
Friday November 23 5 PM – 9 PM
Saturday November 24 9 AM – 5 PM
Sunday November 25 9 AM – 3PM
Where:
Iowa State Fairgrounds
3000 E Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50317
Bring in a book to be signed or purchase one new. All ten of Dr. Owens’ titles will be available. His books include: Two novels –America’s Trojan War, and a sequel America’s Odyssey: You Can’t Go Home Again. Three books on Political Science: The Constitution Failed, Constitutional Philosophy in Action, and Then Came Trump. Four History Books: America Vol. One: Colonial History, The Azusa Street Revival, The More Things Change the More They Stay the Same (describes how the elites in America use presidential assassinations to create and sustain a secular political religion), and America Won the Vietnam War! And a book on Leadership: COGIC History: The Dark Years. All of these books are available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle.
Coming Soon: Dr. Owens’ Third Novel America’s Armageddon
I’m Blessed November 19, 2018
Posted by Dr. Robert Owens in Religion, Uncategorized.Tags: Dr, Evangelism, I’m blessed, Robert Owens, sharing the Gospel, the Gospel
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When asked by the Barna Group, “Do we have a personal responsibility to share our faith with others?” a majority of Christians answer in the affirmative.
100% of Evangelicals and 73% of born again Christians said yes. When this conviction is put into practice however, the numbers shift downward. Only 69% of Evangelicals and 52% of born again Christians say they actually did share the Gospel at least once this past year to someone with different beliefs in the hope that they might accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.
“Born again Christians” were defined in these surveys as people who said they have made “a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life today” and who also indicated they believe that when they die they will go to Heaven because they had confessed their sins and had accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. Respondents were not asked to describe themselves as “born again.” Being classified as “born again” is not dependent upon church or denominational affiliation or involvement.
“Evangelicals” meet the born again criteria described above plus seven other conditions. Those include: saying their faith is very important in their life today; believing they have a personal responsibility to share their religious beliefs about Christ with non-Christians; believing that Satan exists; believing that eternal salvation is possible only through grace, not works; believing that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth; asserting that the Bible is accurate in all the principles it teaches; and describing God as the all-knowing, all-powerful, perfect deity who created the universe and still rules it today. Being classified as an evangelical is not dependent upon church attendance, the denominational affiliation of the church attended, or self-identification.
Many people have a hard time sharing their faith in Christ. They feel as if they don’t want to be perceived as pushy. Possibly they’re afraid to speak to strangers or they don’t know how to get a conversation to a place where speaking about faith might be appropriate.
Here’s an easy, comfortable way that my wife introduced me to many years ago.
In America a common greeting is, “Hi how’re you doing?”
Most people aren’t really concerned with how we’re doing it’s just a greeting. However, when someone asks us a question we’re free to answer it and it’s a natural and comfortable thing to do.
Whenever I’m asked America’s greeting “Hi how’re you doing?”
I answer, “I’m blessed.”
The reactions are very interesting. Some just give a quizzical look. Some say, “You are?” which is another question.
And as in the initial situation answering a question is an easy natural thing to do. I’ll answer, “You are?” with something like “I am and I won’t accept anything less.”
Sometimes people will answer with another question something like, “Why are you blessed?” and this opens the door for easily speaking about Jesus gave it to me and the world can’t take it away or some other friendly answer that leads directly to speaking of Jesus. Not often but every once in a while it leads to an actual chance to share the hope of the Gospel. If nothing else it opens the door to speak the name of Jesus in public. And you never know who might be listening and what the sound of that Name may have in the ripple effect of reality.
Sometimes our initial response of “I’m blessed” is met with, “I am too.” This opens a door for fellowship with a fellow believer and the collateral opportunity for others to hear people who aren’t afraid to share their faith in public and another opportunity to speak the Name of Jesus into the air of a world that needs him.
This type of conversational evangelism is reflected in one T-shirt I have. It says, “I’m Blessed” and then under that large headline it offers an answer to anyone who might ask why, “You better ask Jesus.”
It’s also reflected in the words to an old song from the hills of Missouri:
I’m Blessed and I know that I am since Jesus took control of my life.
I’m blessed and I know that I am since He gave to me a new life.
I’m blessed and if you happen to ask how I am my friend.
I’m Blessed, I’m Blessed, I’m Blessed
So for any of us who find it hard to get started with sharing the good news of the Gospel with others why not give, “I’m blessed,” a try since we are. Then get ready to walk through any doors God decides to open.
Dr. Owens teaches History, Political Science, and Religion. He is the Historian of the Future @ http://drrobertowens.com © 2018 Contact Dr. Owens drrobertowens@hotmail.com Follow Dr. Robert Owens on Facebook or Twitter @ Drrobertowens or visit Dr. Owens Amazon Page / Edited by Dr. Rosalie Owens
Dr. Owens’ Next Book Signing Event November 15, 2018
Posted by Dr. Robert Owens in Uncategorized.add a comment
When:
Saturday November 17 9 AM – 5 PM
Sunday November 18 9 AM – 3PM
Where:
North Iowa Events Center
Olsen Building
3700 4th St SW
Mason City, IA 50401
Bring in a book to be signed or purchase one new. All ten of Dr. Owens’ titles will be available. His books include: Two novels –America’s Trojan War, and a sequel America’s Odyssey: You Can’t Go Home Again. Three books on Political Science: The Constitution Failed, Constitutional Philosophy in Action, and Then Came Trump. Four History Books: America Vol. One: Colonial History, The Azusa Street Revival, The More Things Change the More They Stay the Same (describes how the elites in America use presidential assassinations to create and sustain a secular political religion), and America Won the Vietnam War! And a book on Leadership: COGIC History: The Dark Years. All of these books are available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle.
Coming Soon: Dr. Owens’ Third Novel America’s Armageddon
Faith is the Answer and Prayer is the Key November 13, 2018
Posted by Dr. Robert Owens in Religion, Uncategorized.Tags: born again, Dr. Robert Owens, Faith, filled with the spirit, Salvation, walking in faith
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It’s time for us to grow up, to put away childish things and delve into the deep things of God.
Some may ask, “How do I do that?”
We need to study to show ourselves approved rightly dividing the word of God for it’s sharper than a two edged sword or a surgeon’s scalpel. It divides soul and spirit and it reveals all things. We need to speak to God and listen to God. We need to learn to hear His voice and recognize it. In other words we need to be in a constant conversation with God so that we can be about His business in this world.
Often we pray for God to guide our steps and then do nothing as we wait. God cannot guide our steps if we aren’t stepping. Step out in faith and He’ll sustain us as we work for Him. That’s right. It may have been free admission but it isn’t a free ride. God has called us to work. And He has given us the tool to do the work: faith.
Don’t believe me believe Him.
It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. And part of that faith is knowing that He didn’t send us out to work for Him without equipping us with what we need to accomplish that work.
Jesus said, “Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can’t believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I’ll do it. That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I’ll do.”
And He didn’t just say it once or twice. He said it over and over, “This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I’ve revealed to you. Ask in my name, according to my will, and he’ll most certainly give it to you.”
Jesus wasn’t keeping this ability to accomplish the work He’s called us to do miraculously through the power of His Name a secret. He told us numerous times that praying in His Name, in line with His purposes was more than just effective it’s powerful.
He also told us that we’ve been chosen to do His work in the world in His Name, “You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.”
The time for hesitation is through. Once we confess Him as Lord and believe that God has raised Him from the dead we are born again. There’s no time to linger at the edge of the pool waiting for someone else to do the heavy lifting. Dive head first into the deep end. Turn away from the weak and beggarly elements of this world and embrace life in His eternal presence which begins the moment we’re born again and translated from the kingdom of darkness in this world into the kingdom of light in His presence.
We all have questions for God. I know my first was “Why me.” Then once we’ve taken up residence in His city on a hill we move on to, “What do You want me to do?” quickly followed by “How am I supposed to do that?” He isn’t looking so much for ability as He is for availability. And remember: where God guides God provides. If He’s called you to it you can do it. Just have faith, talk to Him, listen to Him, and watch as He turns your life into Acts Chapter twenty-nine.
Whatever questions, whatever problems, whatever opportunities we face in this life prayer is the answer and faith is the key.
Dr. Owens teaches History, Political Science, and Religion. He is the Historian of the Future @ http://drrobertowens.com © 2018 Contact Dr. Owens drrobertowens@hotmail.com Follow Dr. Robert Owens on Facebook or Twitter @ Drrobertowens or visit Dr. Owens Amazon Page / Edited by Dr. Rosalie Owens
Dr. Owens’ Next Book Signing Event November 8, 2018
Posted by Dr. Robert Owens in Uncategorized.add a comment
When:
Friday November 9 5 PM – 9 PM
Saturday November 10 9 AM – 5 PM
Sunday November 11 9 AM – 3PM
Where:
Hawkeye Downs
4400 6th St SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Bring in a book to be signed or purchase one new. All ten of Dr. Owens’ titles will be available. His books include: Two novels –America’s Trojan War, and a sequel America’s Odyssey: You Can’t Go Home Again. Three books on Political Science: The Constitution Failed, Constitutional Philosophy in Action, and Then Came Trump. Four History Books: America Vol. One: Colonial History, The Azusa Street Revival, The More Things Change the More They Stay the Same (describes how the elites in America use presidential assassinations to create and sustain a secular political religion), and America Won the Vietnam War! And a book on Leadership: COGIC History: The Dark Years. All of these books are available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle.
Coming Soon: Dr. Owens’ Third Novel America’s Armageddon
Vote For God’s Candidate November 6, 2018
Posted by Dr. Robert Owens in Politics, Politiocal Philosophy, Religion, Uncategorized.Tags: Casting Crowns, Dr. Robert Owens, Election 2018, redemption, Salvation
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Election Day 2018 and everything is on the line. At least as far as the direction this country is going to take America First or Globalism, capitalism or socialism. Tune in to any one of the talking heads that litter the airwaves and this is it. This is the BIG one.
As a political science teacher I always tell my students don’t let anyone indoctrinate you. Don’t let anyone blindly lead you into supporting something you may really disagree with if you knew more. Study the candidates. Study the issues. And then make an informed decision. I also add one more step. Ask God who you should vote for.
One side says if the other side wins they’ll make America miserable again. They’ll put the brakes on an economy ready to go in orbit, erase the border, and unleash the mob.
The other side says if their opponents win they’ll gut social security, close the hospitals, keep illegal children in cages, and continue to confirm judges who will stop common sense gun control and generally bring back slavery.
It’s all a soap opera. Yes, it makes sense here in a world ruled by sense knowledge. Yes, it’s important who wins here and now but what about in eternity? Ten billion years from now will it make much difference if you were a diehard red or a fanatic blue?
I’m not trying to discourage any one from voting. We should all do our civic duty. We should all study the issues and then vote our conscious. As a pastor I’ve always counselled vote for God’s candidate. Vote for the one who stands up for the things of God. And remember a vote for the lesser of two evils is still voting for evil.
These things intrude upon us from a world that doesn’t want to take no. It bombards us 24/7 from TV, radio, and even our phones. The voices and the images fill social media, the wall-to-wall news spigots, and anywhere else anyone might care to look.
Being a history junky and a politicalholic I have battled my entire life to get my mind right. I can easily become obsessed with the History of the Future or current events as some people call it. Until I was thirty years old that was all I had. I only believed in what I could see, touch, and feel. I was ruled by sense knowledge.
But then praise God I met Jesus. He’d been there all along just waiting for me to notice Him. Once I did I realized there was no one else I needed to know. It’s like the Bible. Once I realized it is God’s Word, His revelation to humanity, the operator’s manual for the planet earth I realized that it was the most important book in the world. And as a readaholic that’s saying something.
So this morning I wake up on what might be the most important election day of my life and what do I find?
Well, woke up this morning with my mind, my mind stayin’ on Jesus.
Casting Crowns describes and defines our situation well in their hit song Jesus Friend of Sinners:
First they aptly describe our current situation:
Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away
We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth’s become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they’re tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up I’m so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided.
Then after more insightful verses that expose who we are and what we’re doing they define what we should do with a question:
Nobody knows what we’re for only what we’re against when we judge the wounded what if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did?
Then they offer a prayer:
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours.
The inspiration, knowledge, and hope I always gain from Casting Crowns’ songs always leads me back to the place they got it all: the Bible.
We find a story in the Word of God:
The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him.
Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.” Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt.
Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. “Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?”
“No one, Master.”
“Neither do I,” said Jesus. “Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.”
We’ll never know until we can ask Him in heaven what Jesus wrote that day in the sand. But the Pharisees and scholars were attempting to trap Him by using the commandments He came to fulfill. And he not only fulfilled the old He also gave us a new commandment when He said, “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”
As we enter the voting booth today remember as important as this is there is something much more important, something of eternal significance.
Another prayer from Casting Crowns might help us focus:
Help us to remember we are all the least of these
Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees.
Pray before you vote and listen to God. If you are His; His voice is ever there guiding and leading you into the paths of righteousness. If we do what He tells us to do we’ll always make the right choice and remember His guiding will never conflicts with His Word.
May God bless us one and all as we strive to follow Him and may God bless the United States of America.
Dr. Owens teaches History, Political Science, and Religion. He is the Historian of the Future @ http://drrobertowens.com © 2018 Contact Dr. Owens drrobertowens@hotmail.com Follow Dr. Robert Owens on Facebook or Twitter @ Drrobertowens or visit Dr. Owens Amazon Page / Edited by Dr. Rosalie Owens
