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Saturday, November 29, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Predestination-Election

Bible Questions Answered:
Doesn't the Bible teach, that we all are ordained to be saved or lost, if that's the case, we might just as well live the way we want.
Bill/ Wilhelmsburg, Germany

Bible Answers:
The Scripture to which you refer is ...
Acts 13:47,48 KJV
[47] For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
[48] And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord:
and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

[49] And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.

Acts 13:47,48: RSV
[47] For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, `I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles,that you may bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.'"
[48]And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of God;
and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.


Question:
Does God Predestinate, Ordain, all of humanity?

Answer:
Absolutely! But there is an all important Proviso!

Almighty God, Predestinates, He Ordains, the lives of men according to His infinite ForeKnowledge!

Romans 8:28-30 KJ V
[28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.
[29] For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate * to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
[30] Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them he also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.

Greek word: Proorizo (Pro-or-id-zo), To limit in advance, predetermine, ordain, predestinate.

Almighty God in His infinite Wisdom and Understanding,
Foresaw, those who would choose Him, when called.

And these people, He ordained, He predestinated, to be His blessed children.

Psalm 37:23.24 KJV
[23] The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He delighteth in his way.
[24] Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand.


A simple homily:

Mother always determined (ordained) to put the freshly baked cookies up on the top shelf of the cupboard.

Now why would mother do that?
Well, she would do that, because she knew, right well, that Johnny would smell those cookies, and sooner or later come rummaging through the kitchen, looking for them, to have himself a feast, until he got sick!

But, oh the wisdom of mom, she knew better.
Cookies were for after dinner, not before!
And because she knew that, she acted accordingly, and Johnny, well, he just had to wait.


Oh the wonderful wisdom and, understanding of our Living God.

Psalm 145:17 KJV
The LORD is righteous in all His ways, and Holy in all His works.

Isaiah 46:9,10 KJV
[9] Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me,
[10] Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Isaiah 55:8,9 KJV
[8] For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD.
[9] For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Romans 11:33,34 KJV
[33] O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!
[34] For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counseller?

God foreknew, before the very foundations of the world, who would, and who would not, turn to Him in repentance and faith, and those that He saw, that would, He ordained that they would be the blessed children of God.

Now an all important question, is the call of salvation open to “all,” men, do all men have a choice?
Yes!

Ezekiel 18:23,32 KJV
Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

Ezekiel 33:11 KJV
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die,..."

Luke 12:8 KJV
Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God:

John 1:12 KJV
But as many as received Him (The Lord Jesus Christ), to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:

John 3:14-21 KJV
[14] And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up:
[15] That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
[16] 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.
[17] For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.
[18] He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only Begotten Son of God.
[19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
[20] For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
[21] But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

John 5:24,39,40 KJV
[24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
[39] Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.
[40] And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life.

John 6:37 KJV
All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.

John 11:25 KJV
Jesus said unto her (Martha), I am the Resurrection, and the Life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

John 12:46 KJV
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness.

John 20:31 KJV
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.

Acts 2:21 KJV
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Acts 10:34,35,43 KJV
[34] Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
[35] But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.
[43] To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.

Romans 10:9 KJV
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Ephesians 1:3-14 KJV
[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
[4] According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:
[5] Having predestinated (Greek; Proorizo:Determine) us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
[6] To the praise of the glory of His Grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved.
[7] In whom we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His Grace;
[8] Wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
[9] Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself:
[10] That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him:
[11] In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will:
[12] That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.
[13] In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,
[14] Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His Glory.

I Timothy 2:3,4 KJV
[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
[4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

I John 5:1 NLT
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves His children, too.

Revelation 22:17 KJV
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.


Should we receive the Lord as the Master of our lives, living for Him, everyday?
Yes.
Our God, calls men to repentance, to refuse Him, only means judgment later, and separation form God.

Ezekiel 33:9 KJV
Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

Acts 28:26,27 NLT
26 ‘Go and say to this people:When you hear what I say,you will not understand. When you see what I do,you will not comprehend.
27 For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to Me and let Me heal them.’

Hebrews 2:1-3 KJV
[1] Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
[2] For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
[3] How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him;

Hebrews 12:24-26 KJV
[24] And to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant, and to the Blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
[25] See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused Him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from Him that speaketh from heaven:
[26] Whose voice then shook the earth: but now He hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.


God's Foreknowledge:

Isaiah 42:9 KJV
[8] I am the LORD: that is My name: and My Glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images.
[9] Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

Isaiah 46:10 KJV
[9] Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me,
[10] Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure:

Matthew 25:34 KJV
Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Acts 15:18 KJV
Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world.

I Peter 1:1,2 KJV
[1] Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
[2] Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.


Predestination:

I Peter 1:18-21 KJV
[18] Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
[19] But with the Precious Blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot:
[20] Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
[21] Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.


Chosen, Election:

Psalm 4:3 KJV
But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for Himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto Him.

I Corinthians 1:25-31 KJV
[25] Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
[26] For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
[27] But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
[28] And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
[29] That no flesh should glory in His presence.
[30] But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
[31] That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Ephesians 1:3-4 KJV
[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
[4] According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:

James 2:5 KJV
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him?

I Peter 2:9,10 KJV
[9] But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light:
[10] Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.


Foreordained:

Acts 13:48: RSV
And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of God; and as many as were
ordained (Greek; Tasso: appointed.)to eternal life believed.

Matthew 25:34 KJV
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

I Corinthians 2:7 KJV
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

II Timothy 1:8,9 KJV
[8] Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
[9] Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Titus 1:1,2 KJV
[1] Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
[2] In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

I Peter 1:1,2 KJV
[1] Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
[2] Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.


We may always trust our Living God, to do the very best!

Deuteronomy 29:29 KJV
The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Friday, November 28, 2008

Bible Lesson: Church Symbol-Sheaf Of Wheat

Bible Lesson: Symbols Of The Church Of Jesus Christ.

Church Symbol: Sheaf of Wheat, which represents, the gifts of God, the fullness, the bounty of the Lord.

Psalm 68:19 KJV
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

Psalm 36:8 KJV
They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house; and Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures.

Psalm 145:16 KJV
Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

John 10:10 KJV
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

II Corinthians 9:8 KJV
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having
all sufficiency
in all things, may abound to every good work:


Ephesians 3:20 KJV
Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Philippians 4:19 KJV
But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Deuteronomy 30:9 KJV
And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous (successful) in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as He rejoiced over thy fathers:

James 1:17 KJV
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Ephesians 5:20 KJV
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Prayer Request: Mumbai-India

Prayer Requests:
11-26-08
Please remember in prayer the many hurting people of Mumbai, India.

Gunmen stormed hotels, restaurants, and a train station, killing one hundred and nineteen people, with some two hundred wounded, and taking many people as hostages.

Psalm 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Christian-Who Was The First

Bible Questions Answered:
A friend and I have a debate going as to who was the first Christian. What does the Bible say?
Ryan/ Salvador, Brazil S.A.

Bible Answers:
Acts 11:25,26 KJV tells us that....
[25] Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
[26] And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Cursory, investigation, would seem to limit the answer to this.

But this knowledge, however wonderful, would seem to negate, something called the "Magnificat."

Luke 1:46-55 KJV Mary's song of rejoicing.
[46] And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
[47] And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
[48] For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
[49] For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and Holy is His Name.
[50] And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation.
[51] He hath shewed strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
[52] He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
[53] He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away.
[54] He hath holpen His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy;
[55] As He spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to His seed for ever.

How many times have you read these wonderful words?
How many times have you spoken these wonderful words?
But did you ever notice?
Did you ever happen to see, that Mary made a confession in this song of rejoicing?
What was Mary's confession?

It was verse ...
[47] And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

The angel Gabriel, had visited Mary and told her...
Luke 1:26-38 KJV
[26] And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
[27] To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
[28] And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed (Greek-Eulogeo: To speak well of) art thou among women.
[29] And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
[30] And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
[31] And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
[32] He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David:
[33] And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.
[34] Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
[35] And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that Holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
[36] And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
[37] For with God nothing shall be impossible.
[38] And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.


This was in confirmation to Joseph's dream visit by the Angel of the Lord.
Matthew 1:20,21 KJV
[20] But while he (Joseph) thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
[21] And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.

Jesus was to be the Saviour of the world.
Mary knew she was not sinless, she needed to be saved, by this miraculous Saviour come into the world.

[47] And "my" spirit hath rejoiced in God "my Saviour."

Romans 3:10,23 KJV
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 5:12 KJV
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

I Kings 8:46 KJV
If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near;

Isaiah 53:6 KJV
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 64:6 KJV
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

I John 1:8 KJV
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

I John 5:19 KJV
And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

Psalm 14:2,3 KJV
[2] The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
[3] They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Psalm 53:3 KJV
Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Proverbs 20:9 KJV
Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

Ecclesiastes 7:20 KJV
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Galatians 3:20 KJV
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Yes, Mary knew, she too was under the curse of sin, she too, needed the Saviour!

Now then, getting back to the question at hand.
Who was the first Christian?

Seeing how that Mary confessed that Jesus was her Saviour, without a doubt, makes her the first Christian, as that is what one does to become a Christian.

See The Bible Prayer Line -Index-Bible Lesson: Salvation Prayer

Favorite Bible Verse: The Love Of God

Favorite Bible Verses:

My husband lost his job of 23 years, I, his wife am working only part time.
Our mortgage is taking practically all our income.
Yet we have faith, the Lord, the creator of the universe, is with us, and all who are in this predicament.
The verse we always call to remember is...
Romans 8:38,39
Debra/ South Bend, Indiana

Romans 8:38,39 KJV
[38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
[39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Sabbath Or Sunday

Bible Questions Answered:
Just how are we to approach the Sabbath, and what day is the Sabbath?
Helen/ Shelby, North Carolina

Bible Answers:

Genesis 2:2,3 KJV
[2] And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made.
[3] And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made.

The Sabbath, was observed by God, in creation. On the seventh day, He rested (ceased creating) from all His works.

The Sabbath, was not a decree from Mount Sinai, or some Levitical decree.

Seeing how we as Christian people are under God's Grace, should we observe the day of rest, now properly called "The Lord's Day?"

Revelation 1:10 KJV John
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day,...

Yes.

As been already seen above, this ordinance of God, came at creation, has creation ceased? No.

Not only that but the Apostle Paul wrote the Hebrews saying....

Hebrews 10:25 KJV
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

What day is the "Lord's Day?"
The early church, worshiped on Sunday, the first day of the week, because that was the day of
Christ's resurrection! Every Sunday, is a celebration of that fact!

Is a person lost or saved by their observance of which day they observe the day of rest?
Absolutely Not!
This kind of "False Thinking,” verges on "legalism," and we are not under the law, but grace!

Ephesians 2:8,9 KJV
[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves (religious works included!): it is the gift of God:
[9] Not of works (religious, humanitarian, academic, etc), lest any man should boast.

II Corinthians 3:4-18 NLT
4 We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ.
5 It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.
6 He has enabled us to be ministers of His new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life.
The Glory of the New Covenant
7 The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away.
8 Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life?
9 If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God!
10 In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way.
11 So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever!
12 Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold.
13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away.
14 But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ.
15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.
16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the Glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His Glorious image.

Galatians 3:19-26 NLT
19 Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child (Isaiah 9:6 the Lord Jesus Christ) who was promised. God gave His law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people.
20 Now a mediator is helpful if more than one party must reach an agreement. But God, who is one, did not use a mediator when He gave His promise to Abraham.
21 Is there a conflict, then, between God’s law and God’s promises? Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it.
22 But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.
23 Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed.
24 Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith.
25 And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.
26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:14 KJV
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Romans 7:1-4 KJV
[1] Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
[2] For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
[3] So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
[4] Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

The Sabbath, was not changed, it was abolished.

Colossians 2:16,17 NLT
16 So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths.
17 For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ Himself is that reality.

Prayer Request: China Province of Sichuan

China's May earthquake left some ninety thousand people dead, nineteen thousand of which were young children. Millions of Chinese people have been left homeless.
The earthquake was centered in the southwestern Province of Sichuan. Wei Hong executive vice governor of Sichuan, has said that with winter coming on, quilts and clothing donations are needed.

Can you help?

American Red Cross Organization.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Bible Lesson: Church Symbol- Rose Of Sharon

Bible Lesson: Symbols Of The Church Of Jesus Christ.

Church Symbol: the Rose. (Speaks of the glory of the Lord, of Messianic hope, Nativity.)

Numbers 6:5 KJV (Nazarite Vow)
All the days of the vow of His separation there shall no rasor come upon His head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which He separateth Himself unto the LORD, He shall be Holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of His head grow.

Psalm 27:4 KJV
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the Beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.

Psalm 45:1-8 NLT
1 Beautiful words stir my heart. I will recite a lovely poem about the King,
for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet.
2 You are the most handsome of all. Gracious words stream from your lips. God Himself has blessed You forever.
3 Put on Your sword, O Mighty Warrior! You are so Glorious, so Majestic!
4 In Your Majesty, ride out to victory, defending truth, humility, and justice.
Go forth to perform awe-inspiring deeds!
5 Your arrows are sharp, piercing Your enemies’ hearts. The nations fall beneath Your feet.
6 Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of Justice.
7 You love Justice and hate evil. Therefore God, Your God, has Anointed You,
pouring out the oil of Joy on You more than on anyone else.
8 Myrrh, Aloes, and Cassia perfume Your robes. In ivory palaces the music of strings entertains you.

Psalm 90:17 KJV
And let the Beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

Psalm 96:6 KJV
Honour and Majesty are before Him: Strength and Beauty are in His sanctuary.

Song of Solomon 2:1 KJV
I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.

Song of Solomon 5:10-16 KJV
[10] My Beloved is white and ruddy, the Chiefest among ten thousand.
[11] His head is as the most fine gold, His locks are bushy, and black as a raven.
[12] His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set.
[13] His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: His lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh.
[14] His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: His belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.
[15] His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: His countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.
[16] His mouth is most sweet: yea, He is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

Isaiah 33:17 KJV
Thine eyes shall see the King in His Beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.

Isaiah 35:1,2 NLT
[1] The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
[2] It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.

Isaiah 63:1 KJV
Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in His apparel, travelling in the Greatness of His Strength? I that speak in Righteousness, Mighty to save.

Ezekiel 16:14 NLT
Your fame soon spread throughout the world because of your (Israel) beauty. I dressed you in my splendor and perfected your beauty, says the Sovereign Lord.

Luke 9:29 KJV
And as He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistering.

John 1:14 KJV
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His Glory, the Glory as of the only Begotten of the Father,) full of Grace and Truth.

II Corinthians 3:18 KJV
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the Glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Philippians 3:21 KJV
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His Glorious Body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.

II Peter 1:4 KJV
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Do you know this Beautiful Saviour?
He is the Lamb of God, His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
He gave His life so that your life, might become beautiful.

Psalm 149:4 KJV
For the LORD taketh pleasure in His people: He will beautify the meek with salvation.

I John 3:2 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.

See, The Bible Prayer Line - Index: Bible Lesson: Salvation Prayer.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Bible Lesson: Ten Commandments

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

The Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20:1-17.

1: And God spake all these words, saying,
2: I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3: Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.
4: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
5: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me;
6: And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep My commandments.
7: Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.
8: Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9: Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
10: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
11: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
12: Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
13: Thou shalt not kill.
14: Thou shalt not commit adultery.
15: Thou shalt not steal.
16: Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
17: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.:

These Codes For Conduct for Israel, and the whole world, bring with them the promise of God's blessing.


NUMBER ONE


Exodus 20:3:
Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.

We know what this means, loved ones, husbands, wives or children, and grandchildren, money, power, finances,...etc,. are not to be more important than God!

Material worship, would be oh so easy. The love of power and goods, houses or lands whatever it might be, if not checked, can be all consuming.

"No other Gods," it means, nothing that usurps His place! Nothing that consumes us. Nothing should ever take God's rightful worship!

Do people actually "worship" their possessions, money, their land, their power?
When something consumes our lives, leaving less room for God, ...it has become an idol and a false god.

Isaiah 43:10,11 KJV
[10] Ye are My witnesses, saith the LORD, and My servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He: before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me.
[11] I, even I, am the LORD; and beside Me there is no Saviour.

Isaiah 44:6 KJV
Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and His redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside Me there is no God.

Isaiah 45:18 KJV
For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.

I Timothy 2:5 KJV
For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

I John 5:7 KJV
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.


NUMBER TWO

Exodus 20:4-6
4: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
5: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
6: And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

God's image is too great to be cast in stone!
No earthly man, or object is to be venerated (worshiped)!
No earthly man or object is to stand in the place of God, and be bowed down to (in worship)!

In Revelation 19:10 and Revelation 22:9 John fell at the feet of a mighty angel (Revelation 18:1/Revelation 22:8), after having received a vision of future events, but the angel told John...

Revelation 19:10 "And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethern that have the testimony of Jesus: Worship God: ..."

Ungodly men unwilling to bow to the God of the universe, and Redeemer of Calvary, gladly in Pomp and Circumstance, will bow to a lifeless shrine or another person, in open "self-righteousness."

**************
Interesting note:
One church, cuts verses four, five, and six from the Commandment list, and to make up for the loss of one commandment, they divide the tenth Commandment into two parts (verse 17), namely coveting a neighbors mate, and house/ and coveting all his goods.

And why, would they do this?
They would do it, because their churches are "full," of "graven images."
Full of images, and individuals, who they bow down to.
That is why.

Oh how easy it is to murder the plain word of God for our own hidden agendas! We can do that, but we will answer to God, one day if we do.

Isaiah 42:8 KJV
I am the LORD: that is My name: and My glory will I not give to another (No Holy Vicar-ship), neither My praise to graven images.

I John 5:21 KJV
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.


NUMBER THREE

Exodus 20:7
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.

Men are not to take the name of the Lord in vain, cursing, oaths etc.
God knew from the beginning, that man under sin would come to the place of anger and wrath.
And in that anger, curse God for his problems.

God knows when things upset us!
God knew from the beginning that things would.
And God's message to mankind is ..."Be Above It!" Master the things that want to overwhelm you....or they will master you!

Matthew 12:36,37 KJV
[36] But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
[37] For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

I just happen to be old enough to remember as a kid growing up....that if in a restaurant, someone took the name of the Lord in vain, some dear Christian saint would get up and go over to the gentleman, and kindly point out the fact that there were women and children present, and that taking God's name in vain was not appropriate in public.
And believe it or not, the offender would often say, that he was sorry...loud enough for those around him to hear.

How far, we have come from those days!
We need more Christian people to stand up! What are we afraid of?
When you go to Mc Donald's, a children's fast food restaurant, and hear a bunch of truck drivers cursing using the name of our Saviour, there ought to be some kind of Holy Ire that mounts up to propel us to have a word with gentlemen like that.

If a Christian, could care less how people use the name Jesus, of what reverence, is it to, himself?
Mans enemy hates the name of Jesus, for he is forever defeated by that name.

Matthew 6:9 NLT
Our Father in heaven,may Your Name be kept Holy.

Acts 4:12
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name (No, Saint, no Apostle, no prophet, priest or king, only the name of Jesus Christ) under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

James 5:12 KJV
But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.


NUMBER FOUR

Exodus 20:8
8: Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9: Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
10: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
11: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

In the United States, there was a time and for some time, when all shops and stores were closed on Sundays. Originating from our forefathers, the so called “blue laws,” because they were written on blue parchment. Many shops would hang a sign in the window, "Closed on Sunday, we'd rather see you in church," how far we have gone from those days.

Sabbath keeping, involves setting apart the first day of the week, which should be started by worship to the Lord, no work, a time of rest.
Man the worker, from Adam's days in the garden, has been called to work. And its so easy to always be doing "Our-Thing."
But God wishes for man to rest on the seventh day, because on the seventh day, after making all of creation, He rested.

Genesis 2:2,3
"And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made."

The Lord's Day, causes us to stop and think about the Great God, who has made all things, and He is greater than all!

Exodus 34:21 KJV
“You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working, even during the seasons of plowing and harvest.

Isaiah 56:2 KJV
Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.

Isaiah 58:13,14 NLT
13 “Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day,but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s Holy Day.
Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day,and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.
14 Then the Lord will be your delight. I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob.
I, the Lord, have spoken!”


NUMBER FIVE

Exodus 20:12
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

A person who has no respect for his parents, will certainly have no respect for anyone else.
No respect for his teachers
No respect for his peers
No respect for the law
No respect for government
No respect for God

The Apostle Paul thought this important enough to repeat it.

Ephesians 6:1-3 KJV
[1] Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
[2] Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
[3] That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Proverbs 23:22 KJV
Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.


NUMBER SIX

Exodus 20:13 KJV
Thou shalt not kill.

All “Life” is a “Gift,” of God!
Abortion is a hideous crime, because it is taking life, away from the hand of God.

Jeremiah 1:5 KJV
“Before I formed thee (God speaking to Jeremiah) in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”

Isaiah 49:1 KJV
Listen to me, all you in distant lands! Pay attention, you who are far away! The LORD called me (Isaiah) before my birth; from within the womb He called me by name.

Psalm 139:13-16 NLT
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

Jesus said that Satan, mankind's arch enemy, is a murder.

John 8:44 KJV
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

I John 3:15 KJV (Hatred, in a new light)
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

Revelation 21:8 KJV
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.


NUMBER SEVEN

Exodus 20:14 KJV
Thou shalt not commit adultery.

This blog, does not lend room to the horrors of “Socially Transmitted Diseases.”
(See: World Health Organization)

Syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, venereal disease, AIDS, herpes, etc. etc. etc, just to name a few. The World Health Organization, states, the world is in a STD epidemic!

All because of a lack of MORALITY, Pure and simple!

Fornication: Immorality among the unmarried.
Adultery: Immorality among the married.

In a world that glamorizes, sex in the country, city and world, disease, heartache, broken homes and broken lives are not far away, a story never shown, on the big screen!

Proverbs 6:27,28,32,33 KJV
[27] Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
[28] Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
[32] But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
[33] A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.

An old saying use to be, “Anyone can hammer a nail into a wall, regret doing so and pull the nail out, but the hole will remain!”

Oh how millions of precious young people in the world today are being led astray by Hollywood, and it's glitz and glimmer lies.

Dear young person, if you happen to be reading this, not everyone has gone the way of immorality!
Not everyone has left off following the ways of the Living God!
Not everyone has thrown morality to the wind!
Don't fall for the devil's lies, and wiley ways!

Find Christian young people and pray and band together to serve the Great Almighty God, who will one day judge this godless world!

Matthew 5:27,28 KJV
[27] Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
[28] But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

I Corinthians 6:9 KJV/ 13-20 (NAS)
(9)Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God ? Do not be deceived ; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,
13. Food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food, but God will do away with both of them. Yet the body is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.
14. Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power.
15. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ ? Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute ? May it never be!
16. Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, "THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH."
17. But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
18. Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the
immoral man sins against his own body.
19. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own ?
20. For you have been bought with a price : therefore glorify God in your body.

Galatians 6:
[7] Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
[8] For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
[9] And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Colossians 3:5,6 NLT
5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.

Revelation 21:8 KJV
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.


NUMBER EIGHT

Exodus 20:15 KJV
Thou shalt not steal.

Oh, the wiles of the evil one. Thievery comes in many forms!
The stealing of goods, the stealing of ones character by means of false and malicious gossip, inocense taken of the young by some molester, taking from God, which is rightfully His, such as money (The Tithe), His time, and His work, etc. etc..etc....

I Corinthians 6:10 NASB
Nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

Robbery, costs our country and the countries of the world, hundreds of millions of dollars every year.
The Apostle Paul warns, all thieves, everywhere of whatever variety, “Nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. “


NUMBER NINE

Exodus 20:16 KJV
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Proverbs 19:5,9 KJV
[5] A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
[9] A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

Isaiah 29:15 KJV
Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?

Micah 2:1 KJV
Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.

Revelation 21:8 KJV But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Matthew 12:36 KJV But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

NUMBER TEN

Exodus 20:17 KJV
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Covetousness: To want ardently, something that another person has; long for with envy. (New World Dictionary)

Luke 12:15 KJV
And He (Jesus) said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Colossians 3:5,6 NLT
5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.

Hebrews 13:5 KJV
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Dear friend, have you broken these commandments?
What a wonderful promise in ...

I John 9,10 KJV
[9] If we confess our sins, He (The Lord Jesus Christ) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
[10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Covenants

Bible Questions Answered:
God gave Noah a rainbow to show the flood was over, so why do we still have it today?
Sheila/ White Plains, New York

Bible Answers:
The Rainbow was God's Covenant sign, that He, would never allow another flood to destroy all the earth.

Genesis 9:11 KJV
And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.

The Word of God, tell us of six Covenants, God has had with mankind.

1) The Adam and Eve Covenant.

God had given them the beautiful Garden of Eden, for them to live in.
Their responsibility was to "...dress (care for) and to keep it." Genesis 1:15 KJV.

And they were not to touch the tree of the "knowledge of good and evil."
Genesis 2:16,17 KJV
[16] And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
[17] But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

The serpent in the garden tempted Eve, she did eat of the forbidden fruit and gave to Adam to eat as well.

The Covenant was broken, mankind had sinned.
Adam and Eve were banished from the garden.
Later, they would, die.


2) The Noah Covenant.

The earth had been full of sin and violence, and so the earth was destroyed by flood, save righteous Noah and his family.

In Genesis 9:4 God, give them a new command.

Genesis 9:3-7 KJV

[3] Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.
[4] But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.
[5] And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.
[6] Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
[7] And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.

God promised never to destroy humanity again by a flood, and that, it would be so, could be seen by His sign in the sky, the rainbow.


3) The Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 15-18).

The human race again had failed, though they did multiply, so did their sins.

God called Abraham from the Ur of the Chaldees, and promised him that he would be the father of a great nation, and that his descendants would be as the sand of the sea.

God had called him to the land of Canaan.

God said of Abraham....
Genesis 18:19 KJV
For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him.

Abraham's children became the Israelites, a chosen people of God.


4) The Mosaic Covenant of the law (Exodus 19-20).

After Joseph had died, four hundred years of slavery, followed for the people of God.
They had not wanted to live in the land of plenty, instead of their own promised land, but slavery and dread was its result.

God brought them out of Egypt, and gave them a new Covenant, the Covenant of the Ten Commandments, through Moses.
If only they would remain faithful to Him, He would protect and keep them as a people.
The instruction to build the ark, was a symbol to the people, that God was with them.


5)The Davidic Covenant (II Samuel 7).

Again, the people of God, failed to keep the laws of God.
And so, God allowed the enemies of Israel to come against them.

God make a Covenant with David, He would deliver them from their enemies, if they would only will be faithful to Him.
God, said of David and his descendants, they would have an everlasting dynasty.

God, gave David plans of construction for a temple that would replace the tabernacle, to be built by his son Solomon.

The new temple would be a sign among the people, that God's presence was with them, in a new Covenant.


6) The Covenant of Jesus Christ (The New Covenant-New Testament).

Jesus sent by God into the world, was the very "Word," of the Father.
He had come to introduce a New Covenant.
As God's Eternal Son, He came into our world to mediate a New Covenant between God and Man.

The Lord Jesus Christ, came to be the Saviour of mankind.

John 3:13-21 KJV

[13] And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
[14] And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up:
[15] That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
[16] 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.
[17] For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.
[18] He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the Only Begotten Son of God.
[19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
[20] For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
[21] But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Christ's death and resurrection, were signs of God's New Covenant with mankind.
Symbols of which are:
Baptism, dead to self, buried with Christ, and risen up in His likeness and newness of life.
Eucharist, death, and resurrection, into newness of life, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

I Peter 1:17-23 KJV
[17] And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
[18] Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
[19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
[20] Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
[21] Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
[22] Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
[23] Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Veil-The

Bible Questions Answered:
I have a lady friend, who says she grew up in the church, when all women wore hats, they sure don't today.
What was this hat custom?
Melany/ Morristown, Kentucky

Bible Answers
Yes, so many Godly customs of the church have fallen by the wayside.
The church of Jesus Christ is in desperate need of revival! And revival, does not start in mass, it starts with one determined person, may that person be you!

The scripture to which you refer is The Apostle Paul's words to the Corinthian believers.

I Corinthians 11:1-16 KJV
[1] Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
[2] Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
[3] But I would have you know, that....
the head of every man is Christ; and
the head of the woman is the man; and
the head of Christ is God.

[4] Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
[5] But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
[6] For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

[7] For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as....
1) He is the image and glory of God:
2) The woman is the glory of the man.

[8] 3) For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.

[9] 4) Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

[10] 5) For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

[11] Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
[12] For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of god.
[13] Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
[14] Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
[15] But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
[16] But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

I Corinthians 11:1-16 NLT
1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
2 I am so glad that you always keep me in your thoughts, and that you are following the teachings I passed on to you.
3 But there is one thing I want you to know: The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
4 A man dishonors his head if he covers his head while praying or prophesying.
5 But a woman dishonors her head if she prays or prophesies without a covering on her head, for this is the same as shaving her head.
6 Yes, if she refuses to wear a head covering, she should cut off all her hair! But since it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut or her head shaved, she should wear a covering.
7 A man should not wear anything on his head when worshiping, for man is made in God’s image and reflects God’s glory. And woman reflects man’s glory.
8 For the first man didn’t come from woman, but the first woman came from man.
9 And man was not made for woman, but woman was made for man.
10 For this reason, and because the angels are watching, a woman should wear a covering on her head to show she is under authority.
11 But among the Lord’s people, women are not independent of men, and men are not independent of women.
12 For although the first woman came from man, every other man was born from a woman, and everything comes from God.
13 Judge for yourselves. Is it right for a woman to pray to God in public without covering her head?
14 Isn’t it obvious that it’s disgraceful for a man to have long hair?
15 And isn’t long hair a woman’s pride and joy? For it has been given to her as a covering.
16 But if anyone wants to argue about this, I simply say that we have no other custom than this, and neither do God’s other churches.

The Apostle listed five reasons why a woman should have her head covered in church.

1) He (man) is the image and glory of God:

Genesis 1:26
And God said, Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness:.." Adam was created in the image and glory of God. Adam ruled in freedom, with power given him by God.

Genesis 5:1 KJV
This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made He him;

James 3:8,9 NASB
8. But no one can tame the tongue ; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.
9. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God ;


2) but the woman is the glory of the man.


Eve was the glory of Adam. Her position of dignity came from her husband. Her reign was to be in the home.

3) For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. (First human giver of life, was Adam.)

Genesis 2:18-25 KJV
[18] And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
[19] And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
[20] And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
[21] And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
[22] And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
[23] And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
[24] Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
[25] And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

Ephesians 5:22-24 KJV
[22] Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
[23] For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and He is the Saviour of the body.
[24] Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

I Timothy 2:11-15
[11] Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
[12] But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
[13] For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
[14] And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
[15] Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

I Peter 3:1-5 KJV
[1] Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
[2] While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
[3] Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
[4] But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
[5] For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
[6] Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

4) Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

I Corinthians 11:20-22 KJV
[20] And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
[21] And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
[22] And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

Genesis 3:16 KJV
Unto the woman he (God) said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

5) For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

Daniel 4:13 KJV
I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;

See Acts 5:1-11, the story of Ananias and Sapphira.

Angels have been called "Watchers," they watch the actions of men, and often determine their fate, accordingly.
For women,to disrespect their place of submission, shows to the angles of God, that they disrespect Him.

Now, The Apostle, could hardly end on this note!

I Corinthians 11:11-16 NLT
11 But among the Lord’s people, women are not independent of men, and men are not independent of women.
12 For although the first woman came from man, every other man was born from a woman, and everything comes from God.

Are women, some how inferior, to men, never!
Men and women are heirs together in God's grace.

I Peter 3:7 KJV
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them (wives) according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Galations 3:28 KJV
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Acts 10:34 KJV
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

Romans 10:12,13 KJV
[12] For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
[13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.


Well, what is the end of the matter?
Why has this issue ever come up?
Because though both men and women are equal sharing in the Grace of God, yet God has a scheme, a hierarchy to His planning!

Just so as the human form has an inward skeleton, to cling to, so that the man may live, move and work.
So to has the Living God, so incorporated into His creation, the frame work that which may propel His workmanship to a place of eternal blessing, and habitation with Him.

Again, the Apostle has given no less than five reasons why women should keep their heads covered in the church.
Will many do this, sadly no.

Should Christian women, yet today, cover their heads in the church, yes!
Never in the Word of God, has this command (ordinance) of the Apostle, ever been rescinded.

The Veil:

Genesis 24:65 KJV
[64] And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.
[65] For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.