http://charlesfowler.comQuick Blogcasthttp://charlesfowler.com/2010/02/22/god-loves-jerks.aspx?ref=rss <form><input id="post_form_id" name="post_form_id" value="7bb59683233e8b2dc07dcd57e35f9188" autocomplete="off" type="hidden"></form> <div class="note_content text_align_ltr direction_ltr clearfix"> <div> <h1>God Loves Jerks</h1> <br> <br> <strong>"Jacob I loved." (Rom 9:13)</strong><br> <br> God loves jerks. That is an unusual thought and one that is difficult for us to accept. But there are many biblical examples of this. One of the most profound is the bible character named Jacob. And in regards to Jacob the term bible "character" can be taken quite literally. Jacob was quite the character. The fact ...</div></div> Charles Fowler2010-02-23T03:49:00Zhttp://charlesfowler.com/2009/12/24/spiritual-abuse.aspx?ref=rss <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">I am of the opinion that spiritual abuse is the absolutely worst abuse of all. I believe that the words of Christ in the Gospels should sound a warning to all in leadership to not think more highly of themselves and place themselves on a pedestal above others.<br></span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;"><br></span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">Some abuse is <em>spiritual</em> abuse because it introduces ...</span></strong></p> Charles Fowler2009-12-24T16:03:00Zhttp://charlesfowler.com/2009/11/18/christ-alone-saves.aspx?ref=rss <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Notes for study and points to ponder<br> <br> <br></font> <br> <h3><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><strong>What we need is . . . a spiritual Reformation and thus a conversion of Christians and of the Christian churches themselves -- a conversion to the<br> truth of their own message. -- Karl Barth</strong></font></h3> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> The protestant reformation was birthed with the simple truth that we are justified by faith in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, apart from our own works or worthiness. <br> ... Charles Fowler2009-11-19T04:29:00Zhttp://charlesfowler.com/2009/10/03/bible-study-notes--atonement-of-christ.aspx?ref=rss<h3><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Bible Study Notes</font></h3><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><br><em>Notes taken from New Testament Biblical Theology at Knox Theological Seminary taught by Paul B. Fowler, Ph.D. <br><br> <br>With commentary by Charles Fowler</em><br><font size="4"><br></font></font> <br> <br> <br> <br><h1><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Atonement</font></h1><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><br> <br><strong>God demonstrated His love for us, while we were yet sinners, Christ <br>died for us. How much more then, being now justified by His blood, we <br>shall be saved from wrath through Him. . . now being reconciled, we <br>shall be saved by his life. . . by Whom we have now received ...AtonementCharles Fowler2009-10-03T21:15:00Zhttp://charlesfowler.com/2009/10/03/god-loves-jerks.aspx?ref=rss<h1><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><strong>God Loves Jerks</strong></font></h1><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><strong><br><br></strong><strong>"Jacob I loved." (Rom 9:13)<br><br> <br>God loves jerks. That is an unusual thought and one that is difficult <br>for us to accept. But there are many biblical examples of this. One of <br>the most profound is the bible character named Jacob. And in regards to <br>Jacob the term bible "character" can be taken quite literally. Jacob <br>was quite the character. The fact is, Jacob was a real jerk.<br><br> <br>You can read the entire life of Jacob starting at Genesis 25:21 and <br>going to Genesis 50:26. The Bible narrative holds nothing ...Christian LifeCharles Fowler2009-10-03T21:13:00Zhttp://charlesfowler.com/2009/10/02/not-i-but-christ.aspx?ref=rss<font face="Times New Roman" size="2"><strong>Not I, but Christ<br><br> <br>Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:<br> <br>And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. <br>Psalms 139:23-24<br><br> <br>What I believe to be the first step in becoming a disciple of Christ <br>can be described as a total commitment or surrender of our lives to <br>Christ. Various terms have been used down through the years to describe <br>this vital step in the Christian's life. Terms like absolute surrender, <br>consecration, dedication, submission, yielding and absolute surrender <br>as I ...Christian LifeCharles Fowler2009-10-02T15:24:00Zhttp://charlesfowler.com/2009/09/30/pray-and-obey.aspx?ref=rssFor me the christian life can be summed up in two words, prayer and obedience.&nbsp; At least in the practical day to day living as a disciple, learner and follower of Jesus Christ.&nbsp; To quote Pastor Cho "I pray and I obey."<br><br>Jesus said "without Me you can do nothing."<br><br>Is it really more human effort that makes the different.&nbsp; Or prayer and simple trust in the Lord.&nbsp; Is it our work or His work.&nbsp; Is it our effort or His grace at work within us.&nbsp; Is it something that comes from mere human effort, or is it the Holy Spirit, the ...Christian LifeCharles Fowler2009-09-30T15:15:00Zhttp://charlesfowler.com/2009/08/22/the-righteousness-of-god-in-christ-jesus.aspx?ref=rss<font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><font size="5"><strong>The Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus</strong></font><br><br><strong><em><font size="4">"The Letters" are written to the Church</font></em></strong><br><br>2 Corinthians 5:21&nbsp; Paul shares . . . for He hath made Him (Jesus) to be sin <em><strong>for us&nbsp; </strong></em>(He) who knew no sin, (in order) that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.&nbsp; You see, God took the sinless Christ and placed upon Him our sin, and in exchange He took the righteousness of Christ and poured it into us.&nbsp; By faith declaring us righteous, justified. <br><br>We are justified by the blood of Jesus Christ.&nbsp; The word justified ...Letters to Churches (Series)Charles Fowler2009-08-22T17:42:00Zhttp://charlesfowler.com/2009/08/22/letters-to-churches.aspx?ref=rss<font face="Times New Roman" size="6">Letters to Churches </font><br><br>"The letters are written to the Churches"<br><br>When I was a Pastor in rural Colorado people in town would approach me and ask when I was going to start a series on a particular subject or book of the bible.&nbsp; Most of the time they asked me about the end times, the antichrist or something from the book of Revelation.&nbsp; There is nothing wrong with these things and I would of course do my best to answer their questions.&nbsp; However, I learned early in my ministry that what Christians need, especially new believers, is ...The Letters of Paul SeriesCharles Fowler2009-08-22T16:49:00Zhttp://charlesfowler.com/2009/08/20/the-nuts-and-bolts-of-romans-chapter-6.aspx?ref=rss<font face="Times New Roman" size="4"><font size="5"><strong>Recommended Reading:&nbsp; Romans 6</strong></font><br><br><em>Romans 6: 8 - 14; <br><br>But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him; <a href="http://bible.cc/romans/6-9.htm"><strong></strong></a><a href="http://bible.cc/romans/6-10.htm"><strong></strong></a> For the death that he died, he died unto sin once: but the life that he liveth, he liveth unto God.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br><strong></strong>Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus.</em> knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death no more hath dominion over him.&nbsp; <br></font><p><em><font face="Times New Roman" size="4">&nbsp; <br>Let not sin therefore reign in your ...Living Free SeriesCharles Fowler2009-08-20T14:51:00Zhttp://charlesfowler.com/2009/08/19/a-little-arrogance-and-a-bit-of-ignorance-take-you-along-way-down-the-wrong-road.aspx?ref=rssAre you in the ditch today?<br><br>Jesus said the blind lead the blind and everybody winds up in the ditch.&nbsp; The reason?&nbsp; Just plain old fashioned pride.&nbsp; We all have it and all must deal with it. <br><br>Psalms 25:9 <br><br>Regarding the religious leaders of the day, Jesus told his disciples simply:&nbsp; "Leave them alone."<br><br>"Leave them alone"&nbsp; When the Son of God says "leave them alone" it is ultimately the worse thing that can happen to a person.&nbsp; You see "He knows the proud from a far off"&nbsp; in other words He is distant from the proud.&nbsp; The real trade mark of ...Living Free SeriesCharles Fowler2009-08-19T14:33:00Zhttp://charlesfowler.com/2009/08/18/living-free.aspx?ref=rss<h2><font size="5">Living Free</font></h2><br><h3><font size="4"><br>Living free, living free, living free . . . is that not the heart cry of humanity.&nbsp; All over this planet, people want to be free.&nbsp; It doesn't matter if they are in Iran, Japan or America.&nbsp; It is a fact:&nbsp; People want to be free!!!</font></h3><br><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Jesus said that you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. The ultimate freedom is spiritual freedom which only comes through the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus and in his testimony Paul quotes Jesus, the Risen Lord, ...Freedom in Christ: The Living Free SeriesCharles Fowler2009-08-18T15:41:00Zhttp://charlesfowler.com/2009/08/08/criticism-of-others.aspx?ref=rss<font size="4" face="Times New Roman"><a href="http://bible.cc/mark/9-38.htm"><strong>38</strong></a>&nbsp;John said unto him, Teacher, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followed not us. <br><a href="http://bible.cc/mark/9-39.htm"><strong>39</strong></a>&nbsp;But Jesus said, <br>Forbid him not: for there is no man who shall do a mighty work in my <br>name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me. <br><a href="http://bible.cc/mark/9-40.htm"><strong>40</strong></a>&nbsp;For he that is not against us is for us. <br><a href="http://bible.cc/mark/9-41.htm"><strong>41</strong></a>&nbsp;For whosoever <br>shall give you a cup of water to drink, because ye are Christ's, verily <br>I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.</font> ...Charles Fowler2009-08-08T23:33:00Zhttp://charlesfowler.com/2009/08/08/the-word-of-their-testimony.aspx?ref=rss<h2>And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony;</h2><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><br>In its context the Greek text is saying that they overcame because of the atoning blood of the Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ and by the word of their testimony as to the blood of the Lamb.&nbsp; In other words, it is their affirmation, confession or testimony as to what the blood of Christ has done for us that causes us to overcome.&nbsp; <br><br>We overcome by the word of our testimony of what the blood of the Lamb ...Charles Fowler2009-08-08T16:24:00Zhttp://charlesfowler.com/2009/07/31/grace-is-not-a-doctrine-grace-is-a-person.aspx?ref=rss<font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><strong>We are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.</strong><br><br> <br>God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement through FAITH in His blood. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.&nbsp; He took our place on the cross, He bore the penalty for our sins.&nbsp; He paid the full and complete price for our salvation.<br><br>Jesus saves. We do not save ourselves, religion does not save us, not even the church can save us.&nbsp; Only Jesus Christ can save us.&nbsp; When we turn to Him, looking to Him and Him alone.&nbsp; ...Charles Fowler2009-07-31T15:30:00Zhttp://charlesfowler.com/2009/07/29/daily-time.aspx?ref=rss<font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><strong>Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain <br> mercy and find grace to help in time of need Hebrews 4:16<br><br></strong></font><strong><font size="2" face="Trebuchet MS, Arial"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">Be merciful to me, O Lord; for I cry to You daily. Psalms 86:3<br><br>Evening, morning and at noon, I will pray and cry aloud and He shall hear my voice. Psalms 55:17<br><br>One of the purposes of this blog is to encourage believers to spend time alone with the Lord in prayer and in the word.&nbsp; My experience is that it ...Charles Fowler2009-07-29T13:27:00Zhttp://charlesfowler.com/2009/07/28/not-i-but-christ.aspx?ref=rss<h2>Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: <br>And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalms 139:23-24</h2><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><br>What I believe to be the first step in becoming a disciple of Christ can be described as a total commitment or surrender of our lives to Christ.&nbsp; Various terms have been used down through the years to describe this vital step in the Christian's life.&nbsp; Terms like absolute surrender, consecration, dedication, submission, yielding and absolute surrender as I have said. <br><br>I was in ...Charles Fowler2009-07-28T15:53:00Zhttp://charlesfowler.com/2009/07/26/colossians-310-put-on-the-new-man.aspx?ref=rss<h2>Colossians 3:10</h2><br><br><strong><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">Colossians 3:10 "put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him" <br></font></strong><br><br><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">Some practical steps to putting on the new mans:<br><br><strong>Step 1 </strong>is understanding that the new man is being renewed in the knowledge of Christ. <br><br>Borrowing from the Navigators and their bible memory program there is the five finger illustration of grasping the Word of God. <br><br>And you can start with any finger you want, I start with the thumb.&nbsp; But it is a great memory add in remembering the five ...DiscipleshipCharles Fowler2009-07-26T15:27:00Zhttp://charlesfowler.com/2009/07/25/god-loves-jerks.aspx?ref=rss"Jacob I loved." (Rom 9:13)God loves jerks. That is an unusual thought and one that is difficult for us to accept. But there are many biblical examples of this. One of the most profound is the bible character named Jacob. And in regards to Jacob the term bible "character" can be taken quite literally. Jacob was quite the character. The fact is, Jacob was a real jerk.You can read the entire life of Jacob starting at Genesis 25:21 and going to Genesis 50:26. The Bible narrative holds nothing back, his life is a tell all story ...DevotionalCharles Fowler2009-07-25T17:08:00Zhttp://charlesfowler.com/2009/07/20/bible-study-notes-on-the-atonement-of-christ.aspx?ref=rss"God demonstrated His love for us, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. How much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. . . now being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. . . by Whom we have now received the atonement." (Romans 5:8-11)There are at least 8 keys to understanding the atonement of Christ. By studying the revelation of Paul the Apostle in his letters to the churches that we can gain a real understanding of the finished work of Christ on the cross. #1. ...Bible Study NotesCharles Fowler2009-07-20T01:27:00Z