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Ben Light

Pastor, United Church of God

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  • benjaminlight
    Ben Light Author in "Forgiveness and Reconciliation"
    Greetings Kim - I'm glad that it resonated with you, particularly in this Passover season. God is good!
  • benjaminlight
    Ben Light Author in "Are You Missing Out?"

    Hello Jerry! Thanks so much for reaching out, and I am so glad to hear that you haven't missed a Sabbath since your baptism! That is wonderful dedication to God's way! Regarding online vs. congregation, it's hard to know the best set of circumstances with every individual depending on their location. The goal is to assemble with a group of individuals of like mind - that is the intent behind the command. To gather together with the ekklesia - not just for a sermon, but for everything else that goes with it. The encouragement, the opportunity for godly interaction, etc. If you would like to reach out - I can try to help in your individual circumstances. ben_light@ucg.org

  • benjaminlight
    Ben Light Author in "Darwinism Unraveling"

    Greetings, and thanks for reaching out. When you consider the argument of a common ancestor which we share with primates, and thereby a great deal of similarity between our genetics. It's important to put that into perspective. We are also 90% similar to Abyssinian cats. We are 85% similar to mice, 80% similar to cattle and for that matter we are 60% similar genetically to a banana. That doesn't mean that we are those things, it means that a certain amount of that genetic code is just normal and codes for basic housekeeping.

    When you consider primates, we are quite similar structurally. It stands to reason that as a result of that structural similarity - the genetic code used to create that structure and enable its function would be similar.

    It is not a coincidence that most structures built today are built on a concrete foundation - with stud walls that are spaced 16 or 24 on center, with electrical and plumbing that follows specific rules... it is because it is a good design, and results in a more effective building.

    With all this said - it is important to gauge whether any argument presented will be successful, if not - it may not be worth engaging.

    Take Care!

  • benjaminlight
    Ben Light Author in "Subduing the Four Enemies of Faith"
    Thank you for the encouragement!
  • benjaminlight
    Ben Light Author in "Subduing the Four Enemies of Faith"
    Thank you Marion for your encouraging comment! I'm so glad to hear that it resonated with you. God is so good -- and He gives us what we need when we need it. Thanks for listening!
  • benjaminlight
    Ben Light Author in "Where's the Beef?"
    In the tail end of Hebrews 5 and the beginning of Hebrews 6, the writer of Hebrews is making the point that all believers must progress from the foundational doctrines of the Church and mature spiritually. The writer of Hebrews (not me) states that the doctrines of the early church were milk. He doesn't say that so that they throw them out and forget them, never talking about them again. Instead, that they move toward the sorts of things that require them to USE what they've learned in those doctrines. To practice living this way of life day to day. I believe it is that application which the writer of Hebrews is talking about... and that is Christian Living. That is meat. Thanks for reaching out. Cheers, Ben (Part 3 - End)
  • benjaminlight
    Ben Light Author in "Where's the Beef?"
    For example, I can believe in the doctrine of 3 Days and 3 Nights. It's important. It's essential, Christ gave it as a specific sign of his identity as Messiah, but what is the application in my daily life? I already believe Christ is the Messiah, I believe He died for me, that He was resurrected, and that He spent 3 days and 3 nights in the grave as He declared He would. I'm bought in. What's the application for me in my life, tomorrow? How will I implement that understanding in my interactions with others? Personally, I would argue that the meat comes from the application of our understanding of these things - How can I repent and change to become more LIKE my Messiah? How do I keep the Sabbath? How do I honor God? How do I maintain cleanliness in an unclean world? By teaching the application, we teach the doctrine. That application, by definition IS Christian Living. As I brought out in the message, everyone's definition is different - so it is important to let the bible define our terms. (Part 2)
  • benjaminlight
    Ben Light Author in "Where's the Beef?"
    Greetings Geoffrey! I'm sorry to hear of your disappointment in the message that I delivered, and I appreciate that you took the time to reach out and express your concern. I want to be clear in case for whatever reason I was not in the message. I'm not advocating that doctrine and prophecy are not important - they absolutely are. As I stated in the sermon - nearly 1/3 of the bible is prophecy. It's obviously important. I would challenge you on one point that you made however, can you explain to me how prophecy specifically helps a person "discern good from evil", and thereby helps them become more spiritually mature? A knowledge of who Israel is in prophecy for example, or an understanding of the 70 weeks prophecy? I would be interested in your thoughts. Doctrine can help someone discern good from evil by helping them to recognize false doctrine from true. But once you've identified true doctrine and choose to believe it, follow it, become baptized - Sabbath, Clean and Unclean Meats, Holy Days, Nature of God, Baptism, 3 Days and 3 nights, etc... where is the meat? (Part 1)
  • benjaminlight
    Ben Light Author in "What Is Man That You Are Mindful of Him?"

    Thank you for taking the time to write! I'm glad that it resonated with you - I find we all need a reminder now and again. :)

  • benjaminlight
    Ben Light Author in "Repentance That Works"

    Thanks for the comment John.

  • benjaminlight
    Ben Light Author in "Repentance That Works"

    I'm very glad to hear that it was something helpful John. To God be the Glory!

  • benjaminlight
    Ben Light Author in "What Is Man That You Are Mindful of Him?"

    Thank you! I'm glad you appreciated it. We recently had a chance to attend and serve at Camp Hye Sierra in Kings Canyon outside of Fresno, CA - little to no light pollution - just gorgeous skies. I hadn't seen the Milky Way myself in quite some time - so it was wonderful to lay out on the basketball court at night and ponder. I'm with you - I greatly appreciate the help along the way. Thanks for your encouraging comment!