How God Used a Little Book Called 'Power for Living' to Save Me 28 Years Ago

Most of you have probably never heard of a little book called Power for Living.  It was first published in 1983 -- the year President Ronald Reagan declared as "the Year of the Bible" -- and ran through several editions through 1998.

The first edition came out in October of 1983.  That's the edition I read, and that was when I read it.  The book had been commissioned by the Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation, to celebrate the Year of the Bible, and was published by American Vision.

It was advertised on TV and in magazine ads at the time, so my mom ordered a free copy.  It arrived and sat around the house for a few days.  Maybe a few weeks.  But eventually I picked it up.  And I read it.

And I'll tell you right now, it was the evangelistic tool that God used to finally open up my heart and give me the saving faith I needed to take the all-important step of acknowledging my sins, realizing that I was completely incapable of providing for myself what I really needed to get out of the spiritual malaise I was in -- and the eternal misery I was headed for -- and admitting my need for a personal and readily available Savior (whom I already knew was JESUS CHRIST the Lord)!

First Step in a Lifetime Journey

That first step involved doing what every repentant sinner needs to do: ask God for immediate forgiveness of all sins, past, present (and future), and to beg Him for one more chance, an opportunity to "start over fresh" with a new life, which would commence just as soon as I would ask His Son Jesus to be my all-sufficient Redeemer and Lord of my life, and renounce the tyranny of Satan and his "reign of error" that I had, until that moment, voluntarily placed myself under.

It's not an understatement to say that reading that book and doing what it said totally changed my life.  Forever.

Deja Worldview

Why do I mention Power for Living now, almost 28 years later?

Well, because it's a good example of how God seemingly uses an isolated event in your life to bring you to saving faith and knowledge of Him, and then, months or perhaps years later, He brings you to a place where you come "full circle" with that event, and reconnects you with it somehow. 

Let me explain.  But, first, a little background.

Power for Living, Extreme Makeover

The first edition of Power for Living was written by a team of authors that, I later learned, were Calvinistic in their theology.  Which means the book reflected a "Reformed" view of salvation, discipleship and Christian living, one that was God-centered, comprehensive and systematic in its approach to helping the new believer cultivate and nurture a "biblical-worldview" as part of this life of walking with Christ.

Well, for whatever reason, the tone and content of the book didn't sit well with some of the folks who were underwriting the Power for Living project, so that first edition was scrapped.  The book was then completely (and quickly) rewritten by a different author -- with a more Arminian, evangelistic tone and focus -- and a second edition was issued (one month after the first one) in November 1983.  And to my knowledge this "revised version" became the basis for all subsequent edtions of the book.)

Full Circle to a Full-Orbed Faith

The prevailing perspective in evangelical Christianity back then was (and still mostly is) Arminian.  So, consequently, that was the first "school of Christ" I encountered and embraced as a new believer.

But, after my walk with God had passed through its first six or seven years, I lost my taste for man-centered, Arminian theology and was drawn to the more satisfying, biblically consistent doctrines of Reformed theology, mainly because of its unsentimental yet deeply devotional quality and its Christ-centered, sovereign-God-honoring, practical approach to Christianity.

After a few years of being a Reformed Christian, I came to discover that THREE out of the FIVE authors who originally wrote that first edition of Power for Living -- David Chilton, Gary DeMar and Ray Sutton -- were Calvinist writers that I had become familiar with and highly respected -- YEARS after I had unwittingly read their book!

Lesson Learned

Sometimes, God uses a moment like that in our lives to "lock us in" to our faith, and then He brings us back to it later on, somehow, to use as a spiritual reference point to gauge "how we're doing" and whether or not we've grown in grace and in our knowledge of Him.

And revisiting the roots of my "salvation experience" along with the origins of the book God used to bring that about, causes me to appreciate even more, his sovereign working in my life, and maybe explains why I sort of "came home" to the Reformed faith after spending a few years trying to find a theological safe haven for myself.  But, enough about me. It's all about HIM!

For More Information...

If you're interested in learning more about this obscure little book I've been talking about, here's a helpful article on the nearly three-decades-long history of Power for Living.

Update: it looks like the book is no longer available from the Arthur DeMoss Foundation, but you can find it used at Amazon.com and through other online resellers.

My prayer is that God will continue to use this little book however He sees fit, to bring other sons and daughters to glory in Christ in the same mysterious way He did me, and enable those of us, unworthy sinners whom He has called and chosen to be redeemed by His grace, to glorify and enjoy Him forever!

Boasting About Tomorrow: James 4:13-17

James is an extremely practical book.  The lessons contained in it seem to hit us right where we live!

Last Sunday, our executive pastor Tim Maughan (Redemption Church, Gilbert), taught on James, finishing chapter 4, verses 13 - 17.

If you haven't had the opportunity to see (or hear) Tim preach, now's your chance!


James #10 - Boasting About Tomorrow from Redemption Church on Vimeo.

Tim's message focuses on how even Christians can become "practical atheists."  Meaning, they profess to believe in God and trust in Him and call themselves followers of Christ, yet they can still, at times, be guilty of living their lives, making their plans, thinking about the things they want to do and how they want to do them, and how it'll all turn out -- without giving a second thought to what GOD might have to say about it, or even that the outcome depends on HIM!

James warns us not to "boast" about what we'd like to do, whether now or in the future ("we'll go into such and such a city to buy and sell and get gain") because the reality is, we really don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month, next year or even in the next five minutes, because none of that is within our ability to control, it's in God's.

Tim cites some personal examples from his own life (including a serious car accident that nearly left him dead), that convinced him in a powerful way that all of us, no matter how godly or spiritual we think we are, sometimes take life for granted and presume that things will turn out exactly the way we think (and hope and plan) that they will -- because it's what we want -- and we forget just how fragile, temporary and transitory (like a "vapor") life is.  We forget that GOD is the absolute, sovereign authority in and over our lives, and it's Him who governs and directs everything that happens to us (and through us), as well as how it all happens, and why it all happens -- for our benefit and for His glory.

Watch this video, from beginning to end (it's that good!), and you'll learn some amazing truths from God's Word about His infinite wisdom, mercy and goodness towards us who are His children (through faith in His Son).

Warning Against Worldliness: James Ch. 4

Last Sunday, my pastor Tom Shrader (Redemption Church, Gilbert) continued preaching on the book of James.

Here's the video of his message, James 4:1-12:


James #9 - Warning Against Wordliness from Redemption Church on Vimeo.

A key theme that Tom talks about, which runs through the entire book of James, is that if we've been redeemed and saved by grace through Jesus Christ and our hearts have been changed and our minds have been changed and we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, then our lives should (and will) "look" differently from the world.

So, if we find ourselves constantly caught up in quarrels, arguments and conflicts with others -- spouse, co-worker, overly sensitive gym rat (one of Tom's illustrations!) -- clearly the problem is with us, not with them!

The Word of God (as James says) is like a mirror to show us how we REALLY are, not how we think we are.  (Here, take a look!....)

What John 3:16 Really Says--and What It Really MEANS

"For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (KJV)

Today is "3/16" (March 16th), so it seemed like a fitting occasion to take a fresh look at a very familiar verse of Scripture -- the Gospel of John, chapter 3, verse 16 -- a verse that even people who never crack open a Bible or call themselves Christians or go to church (except for weddings and funerals), are acquainted with.

Unfortunately, a lot of people who do go to church and do call themselves Christians and do read the Bible -- and do have everlasting life as a result of this verse -- still sometimes misinterpret it.

Here's a helpful video from Pastor Jim McClarty of Grace Christian Assembly in Nashville, Tennessee, dealing with the subject of a correct understanding of what John 3:16 says and what it means.

Now, this is not a detailed exegesis of the passage -- though he does touch on the Greek just a little for a few of the words -- but it is a helpful treatment of a sometimes difficult (for some) passage in John's Gospel.



His point is this.  John 3:16 does not teach universalism (i.e., that the whole world will be saved) and it does not teach Arminianism (i.e., that man, not God, determines who will believe and be saved, and who will not).  Most importantly, it does not teach anything contrary to what the rest of the Bible says about God's sovereignty in salvation.

What it does teach is simply what the rest of the New Testament teaches, i.e., that all those who believe and ONLY those who believe will receive the benefit promised, i.e., salvation or, "everlasting life." Moreover, ONLY those who believe will be the ones who DO NOT perish -- everyone else will.  (See v. 18 and v. 36 of John chapter 3 for confirmation of this.)  The heaviness of that truth places even more urgency and an even greater responsibility on those of us who do believe and are saved, for sharing the Gospel with a world around us that is perishing!

Watch the video for a "Reformed" take on this all-important verse dealing with an all-important doctrine!

An Evening of Eschatology: A Millennial Discussion Among Brothers in Christ

If you like theology -- at least enough to know a little something about eschatology (doctrine of "last things") and you're interested in the different positions regarding the Second Coming of Christ and the nature and time of the Millennium (Christ's "thousand year" reign, Revelation ch. 20) -- you might like this.

In Sept. 2009, John Piper (Desiring God Ministries) held an "Evening of Eschatology" at the church he pastors in Minneapolis, Minnesota: Bethlehem Baptist Church.

He invited three learned, respected and godly men (all pastors and teachers) to come and spend a lively, impassioned yet friendly evening with him, discussing before a live audience the issues surrounding an important theological subject -- eschatology -- and the three major millennial views that are held within the orthodox evangelical Christian and Reformed churches.

This video was a sheer delight for me to watch!  Three Christian men (actually four with Piper as moderator), deeply committed in their positions on a matter of vital biblical teaching. Yet the brotherly affection, love, kindness and respect shown between them is obvious, demonstrated throughout the discussion and very encouraging to watch.

Watch for yourself and see if you agree.

It's scintillating theological conversation that radiates a love for the Lord Jesus Christ and a reverence for the Word of God.

When you're ready, you can click on the link below.  This will take you to Desiring God's website and the page where this video is hosted from their online resource library.

Watch the presentation here:

An Evening of Eschatology

John Piper, B.D, D. Theol., is senior pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church. The three gentlemen accompanying him are: Jim Hamilton, Th.M., Ph.D., associate professor of Biblical Theology at Southern Baptist Seminary, pastor of Kenwood Baptist Church, representing the premillennial position; Doug Wilson, M.A. Phil., pastor of Christ Church, Moscow, Idaho, founding board member of Logos School, trustee, senior fellow of theology at New Saint Andrews College, editor of Credenda Agenda, representing the postmillennial position; Sam Storms, Th.M., Ph.D., pastor of Bridgeway Church, Oklahoma City, OK, president of Enjoying God Ministries, past professor at Wheaton College, representing the amillennial position.

By the way, this discussion is a perfect example of brothers in Christ differing in opinion while loving and serving the same God of the Bible and the same Savior, Jesus Christ!

Watch it all the way through. The conclusion is especially gratifying.

Then let me know what your thoughts are (watch it a couple of times!)....

An Evening of Eschatology

Is God's Love for His People Really 'Crazy?' Francis Chan Says It Is...

Have you read Francis Chan's 2008 bestselling book, Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God?

My home group from church is currently studying its way through it.

The book probably never would have made it onto my radar screen, except that it was highly recommended by several of the pastors at our church last year.  So our group took a vote, and decided to read-and-discuss our way through it.

So far so good!

I'll save my "review" of Crazy Love for after we finish reading it.  in the meantime, I'll say it has fostered some good discussions.

It's written in a very laid-back, southern-California style (Chan formerly pastored Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California), but, make no mistake, Chan puts forth some very un-laid-back accusations and Holy-Spirit-convicting points that are directed at lukewarm, comfort-loving, affirmation-and-approval-seeking (from man), AMERICAN Christians!

You know something is afoot just by looking at the chapter titles:

"Stop Praying." "You Might Not Finish This Chapter." "Profile of the Lukewarm." "Serving Leftovers to a Holy God." "Your Best Life... Later." And so forth.

In any case, the book has amassed 381 overwhelmingly positive reviews on Amazon.com and is currently (as of this writing) #48 on their top 100 books, and climbing.

I'll give you my overall impressions and observations once we're done.

Why American Vision's "National Prophecy Conference" in June Will Not Be Preempted by a Rapture in May...

It was, no doubt, providential that my first "content" post on this site should be about the Rapture. But I happened to spot this brief promo video today of Gary DeMar announcing American Vision's National Prophecy Conference, slated for June 2011 to follow Harold Camping's heralded prediction of the Rapture of the Church on May 21st.

Not to be cynical or disrespectful about it, but dispensational premillennialism has been promising a rapture for going on 200 years now. Each new generation sees another crop of teachers and "prophets" prognosticating about an event that Jesus told us we have insufficient data about which to prognosticate.  But each new generation sees another crop of adherents who embrace this system of prophetic interpretation that provides fertile ground for date-setters.

I've never been a big fan of "prophecy," though briefly, during the mid to late 1980s (1986-1989 to be exact), when still a fairly new and theologically impressionable Christian, I fell victim to the extra-biblical paramours of certain Bible teachers and preachers and embraced the school of thought known as dispensational premillennialism.  But after the deflating disappointment of Edgar Whisenant's failed prediction of the Rapture in 1988, I then emigrated to historic premillennialism and then later, during the mid-1990s, after ruling out what was, to me, the uninspiring position of amillennialism, I began to embrace wholeheartedly the optimistic eschatology of postmillennialism -- largely through the influence of John Calvin, the 17th century Puritans and modern-day Calvinists like R.J. Rushdoony, Gary North, David Chilton, Kenneth Gentry, Gary DeMar and others.

In any case, the specter of dispensational premillennialism is still haunting the Church well into the 21st century. And this latest announcement by Harold Camping is the latest manifestation of that specter.

Pray for the success of American Vision's upcoming conference, that it will give many Christians a glimpse into real, honest-to-goodness, biblical prophecy.  And pray of course, for Gary DeMar.  (God bless you, Gary!)

Redeemed and Reformed's Inaugural Post

After giving Wordpress a try with numerous blogs, both free and hosted versions (I'll call them blog attempts), as well as several on Google's free Blogger platform, I've decided to launch this new, theologically-driven site using Blogger.  I'll probably write a separate article discussing why I chose Blogger over Wordpress for this one.  Stay tuned.

REDEEMED and REFORMED will focus on the intensely practical doctrines of the biblical Christian faith (not that I'm an expert or even a pastor because I'm neither) and look at how they apply to the myriad and sundry issues, questions, situations and problems of life--providing answers and solutions as only God's Word can--and it will do so, by design, from an explicitly and self-consciously Calvinist, Christian worldview, since that's the worldview that I hold.

Of course, this doesn't mean that I won't write about, post or share content that does not fit this perspective. Because I certainly will.  God's kingdom is more inclusive than man's denominational and theologically-imposed boundaries. (It's going to end up filling the whole earth anyway!)

Well, with the above as "full disclosure," let me invite you to come back and visit as we begin to build this blog into something substantive, enduring and, hopefully, long-term.