An excerpt from the book New Old Sayings Volume Two by Dr. Robert Owens April 18, 2024
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To know the fullness of Christ we must first know the emptiness of everything else.
This is an excerpt from the book New Old Sayings Volume Two by Dr. Robert Owens. This and all his books are available from Amazon in paperback or kindle at Amazon
I’m Blessed April 17, 2024
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When asked by the Barna Group, “Do we have a personal responsibility to share our faith with others?”[1] most 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 occasionally, 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
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.
[1] Barna https://www.barna.com/research/is-evangelism-going-out-of-style/ 1-25-19
Season Three Episode Eight April 16, 2024
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In Episode Eight / Season Three of I Took a Right Turn: We share two old revival songs: Look What the Lord Has Done and an old song from the Ozarks I’m Blessed. We also shareone of our homegrown songs: There’s a Reason. In our Bible study this week we look into Luke 6:21-23, looking at the many ways we are blessed by the Lord. Robert reads another essay from the first in a series of books on Christian living, (Faith, Hope, and Love) Robert reads Essay # 12 I’m Blessed. The text of this essay will be posted the day after the release of this episode at www.itookarighturn.com All of Robert’s more than thirty books are available through Amazon. We also invite everyone to visit our online art store, The Pair a Docs Shop where we offer our original paintings, prints and merchandise.
An excerpt from the book New Old Sayings Volume Two by Dr. Robert Owens April 15, 2024
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When a weatherman says a storm is coming everyone panics. When the Word tells us Jesus is coming, why do we yawn and roll over?
This is an excerpt from the book New Old Sayings Volume Two by Dr. Robert Owens. This and all his books are available from Amazon in paperback or kindle at Amazon
An excerpt from the book New Old Sayings Volume Two by Dr. Robert Owens April 14, 2024
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We shouldn’t seek comfort in the past when God’s promise always beckons us towards the future.
This is an excerpt from the book New Old Sayings Volume Two by Dr. Robert Owens. This and all his books are available from Amazon in paperback or kindle at Amazon
Dr. Owens’ Newest Book April 12, 2024
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Volume Five of the New Old Sayings series adds one thousand more nuggets to the treasure trove I seek to bequeath to all who take the time to dive deep into this capstone of the life work of a servant of God.
I pray that all glory is given to God for it’s all His. May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be acceptable in your sight oh Lord.
The pages of these books may molder and smolder on dusty bookshelves for years my hope is that they will prove to be a blessing to someone somewhere somehow.
An excerpt from the book New Old Sayings Volume Two by Dr. Robert Owens April 11, 2024
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True wisdom is being present in the present wide awake to all God is doing right now.
This is an excerpt from the book New Old Sayings Volume Two by Dr. Robert Owens. This and all his books are available from Amazon in paperback or kindle at Amazon
I Got Faith You Got Faith All God’s Children Got Faith April 10, 2024
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Pastor John Osteen the father of Mega Church pastor 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 and allow these beliefs to shape and guide our lives.
Maybe 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[1] that His word[2] is truth,[3] and that His judgments endure forever. He also says He watches over His Word to perform it.[4] If He’s lying about all that He’s a liar, and we know God isn’t a liar. The devil is.[5] That’s his very nature. And since the devil’s original sin[6] 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[7] by those who are spiritual. To the natural man they’re foolishness[8] and the fool has said[9] 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.[10] It doesn’t say might be saved. It doesn’t say could be saved. It says will be saved. Which also means you can be. It doesn’t leave anyone out, everyone is included.
He also says we overcame the devil by the blood of the Lamb AND the word of our testimony,[11] that we will be judged by the words[12] that come out of our mouth, and that whatever we ask in the name of Jesus[13] 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,[14] 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[15] 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.[16] You don’t have to be a Bible scholar. God will always give you the words to say if you testify of Him.[17] 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.[18] Also remember faith itself is a gift from God.[19] We can always ask for more.[20] 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.
[1] Bible Gateway https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+119%3A160&version=NKJV 1-25-19
[2] Bible Gateway https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+7%3A28&version=NKJV 1-25-19
[3] Bible Gateway https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+17%3A17&version=NKJV 1-25-19
[4] Bible Gateway https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+1%3A12&version=NKJV 1-25-19
[5] Bible Gateway https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8%3A44&version=NKJV 1-25-19
[6] Bible Gateway https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+14%3A13&version=NKJV 1-25-19
[7] Bible Gateway https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+2%3A13-15&version=NKJV 1-25-19
[8] Bible Gateway https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+2%3A13-15&version=NKJV 1-25-19
[9] Bible Gateway https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+14%3A1&version=NKJV 1-25-19
[10] Bible Gateway https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+10%3A9&version=NKJV 1-25-19
[11] Bible Gateway https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=REV+12%3A11&version=NKJV 1-25-19
[12] Bible Gateway https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+12%3A37+&version=NKJV 1-25-19
[13] Bible Gateway
[14] Bible Gateway https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=+James+4%3A3&version=NKJV 1-25-19
[15] Bible Gateway https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+37%3A4&version=NKJV 1-25-19
[16] Bible Gateway https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts+1%3A8&version=NKJV 1-25-19
[17] Bible Gateway https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+12%3A12&version=NKJV 1-25-19
[18] Bible Gateway https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+17%3A20&version=NKJV 1-25-19
[19] Bible Gateway https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A8&version=NKJV 1-25-19
[20] Bible Gateway https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+9%3A24-25&version=NKJV 1-25-19
Season Three Episode Seven April 9, 2024
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In Episode Seven / Season Three of I Took a Right Turn: We share two old revival song: There’s Power in the Blood and Put Your Hand in the Hand of the Man From Galilee, and one of our homegrown songs: I Am. In our Bible study this week we speak about Psalm 37:4; Matthew 17:19-20; and James 4:3, looking at the faith we need to stand for what God has promised. Robert reads another essay from the first in a series of books on Christian living, (Faith, Hope, and Love) Robert reads Essay # 11 I Got Faith You Got Faith All God’s Children got Faith. The text of this essay will be posted the day after the release of this episode at www.itookarighturn.com All of Robert’s more than thirty books are available through Amazon. We also invite everyone to visit our online art store, The Pair a Docs Shop where we offer our original paintings, prints and merchandise.
An excerpt from the book New Old Sayings Volume Two by Dr. Robert Owens April 8, 2024
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When we dream of the future we should do so through the lens of prayer.
This is an excerpt from the book New Old Sayings Volume Two by Dr. Robert Owens. This and all his books are available from Amazon in paperback or kindle at Amazon
Dr. Robert Owens Chronicles the History of the Future 