Bible Reading in Idaho Falls (1)

In today’s O.T. reading . . .

Behold a whirlwind of the LORD has gone forth in fury–a violent whirlwind!  It will fall violently on the head of the wicked.  The anger of the LORD will not turn back until He has executed and performed the thoughts of His heart.  In the latter days you will understand it perfectly” (Jeremiah 23:18-20).

In today’s N.T. reading (this is all one sentence) . . .

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angles, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed” (II Thessalonians 1:3-10)

In today’s Psalm reading . . .

O my God, make them like the whirling dust, like the chaff before the wind!  As the fire burns the woods, and as the flame sets the mountains on fire, so pursue them with Your tempest, and frighten them with Your storm” (Psalm 83:13-15)

As I just loosely string these passages together, don’t you get the impression that it is not good to rebel against God?

Do you think that large numbers of people on this globe will be wiped out at the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ?

As a sidenote, this caught my attention in today’s Post Register.  There is a front page article on the black plague.  “In its day, the disease killed between 30 million and 50 million people — about 1 of every 3 Europeans.”  That is a staggering number.

What will be the staggering number of those who will die in the future?

Upcoming Evangelical Events with LDS Focus

1.  Compassionate Boldness Conference this weekend at the Calvary Chapel in Salt Lake.  Special mention:  Mike Ghiglia from Idaho Falls is one of the speakers.

2.  TILM‘s 2011 Campaign Kickoff Event, “Sharing Christ with Mormons” at the Red Lion Inn, Saturday, October 29th, 7 p.m.,  in Pocatello, Idaho.  Michael and Lynn Wilder are the featured speakers for this theme – “Unveiled Grace, An ex-Mormon’s Journey to the Christian faith.”  Mark Cares notes, “Pocatello is the first step to invite one million Mormons to hear the gospel by the end of 2013.  Come hear more about our vision.”  TILM had recently connected with a seminar at the Calvary Chapel in Pocatello.

Dr. Royce Short, BJU, Mormonism, Cult

Straight from my alma mater, Dr. Royce Short says Mormonism is a cult.  But notice his definition.  The emphasis is upon the theological angle – the angle that most people seem to care the least about in association with this term.  Dr. Short came out to Utah and assisted in the church planting of Kaysville Bible Church.  It is good church.  (HT: BCC)

But unlike Dr. Short, Dr. Mouw is ready to throw the “cult” label under the bus.  (HT:  Sharperiron)

Odd & ends locally in Idaho Falls (1)

1.  Pastor Jay of New Life . . .  skydiving.  Looks like a real rush.

2.  Ryan Barnes has just been installed as the pastor of Hope Lutheran.  I like this quote in their October newsletter:

The gospel is first of all a drama. It’s the story of God’s promise of a Messiah in Genesis 3:15 and his fulfillment of that promise in Jesus Christ. This drama gives rise to a doctrine, the gospel announcement that Christ was crucified for our sins and raised for our justification. Then this provokes doxology: faith, hope, praise, and thanksgiving which fuels our discipleship in the world. From commentary by Michael Horton,

The White Horse Inn, September 18, 2011.

3.  Harvest Dinner.  Fun Silent Auction!  Great Raffle Items!  Friday, October 21, 2011 at Christ Community Church.  208-529-0342.  By the way, catch the “How To Study Your Bible” series on their church website.

4.  The Post Register has been posting the articles related to what  Pastor Robert Jeffress, lead pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, said about Mitt Romney.  Melaleuca’s CEO in Idaho Falls (and co-chairman of the national committee to elect Romney president), Frank Vandersloot, let it rip on the issue.  It has been interesting to read the reactions of the various political candidates.  Do you think that Mormonism is a branch of mainstream Christianity? 

5.  A new statue stands in Iona.  Commemorating the pioneers of 1883, it is a mother holding her child in one hand and clutching the scriptures in her other hand.  Do mothers in Idaho Falls still read the scriptures today?

6. This past weekend, it was Yom Kippur.  Ultra-orthodox debate the practice of kaparot.  But the question remains.  What will be the sacrifice for your sins?

7.  The local newspaper highlights the recent SLC underwear run that set a world record.  People are protesting “Utah’s uptight laws” – “2,270 people stripped to their underwear during the Utah Undie Run on Sept. 24.”  Will this event rub off on Idaho Falls?