Pastor Joseph J. Reine's two new books.


" Unlocking The Mysteries Of Prayer"

This short ebook could change your thinking about prayer, forever!


and

"SALVATION We Are Not Afraid!"

Catholicism Versus The Word Of God.

Traditions Of Men And What Saith The Lord.

Read first hand what your Bible says, you'll be

surprised to learn The Truth!

This book was written for thousands of people

to be liberated from ecclesiastical prisons.


http://www.amazon.com


Thursday, September 29, 2011

Bible Questions Answered: Satan's Limitations.

Bible Questions Answered:
“Pastor the fellows having been talking about satan, and if he knows what we are thinking....”
Rasta/ Melbourne, Australia

Bible Answer:
No, Satan, does not know the thoughts, of the minds of men. He is a created angel (not eternal) and being so has his limitations.
He is not “Omnipotent: All powerful/ Omnipresent: Every where existent/ Omniscient: All knowing, only God is that.

God knows our thoughts:

Psalm 94:11 KJV
The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.

Matthew 9:4 KJV
And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

Matthew 12:25 KJV
And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

Luke 5:22 KJV
But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?

Luke 6:8 KJV
But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.

Luke 11:17 KJV
But He, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.

I Corinthians 3:20 KJV
And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

Hebrews 4:12 KJV
For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Be all this as it may, yet are we to take great caution in guarding our minds against the enemy and his wiley ways.
Our Lord gave the beloved John a vision of Satan's man and his horde.

Revelation 6:1-8 KJV
1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

Our enemy, is a deceiver. Yes he comes crowned, riding on a white horse (Mimicking the conquering Saviour.), with his bow in his hand, his empty bow (a deception). And we know this to be the coming Anti-Christ (In a figurative sense, son of Satan.) because of the company he keeps, and yes we are known by the company we keep!
Who are his comrades? The blood red rider of hate, madness and war, the black rider of famine, and the pale rider of death and hell.

This is Satan's representative (Anti-Christ) soon to be made known. And why will the world embrace him?
Because their hearts and minds have become corrupt.

2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

2 Corinthians 11:3 KJV
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

No, Satan does not know your thoughts, but he will do his best to introduce evil thoughts to you.
He has a bow, and with it the Apostle tells us he shoots evil imaginations at us.

Ephesians 6:10-18 KJV
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Only the helmet of Salvation, can properly guard your mind. Only the shield of Faith, can quench all the fiery darts of the enemy. And as God's soldier, we need the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the boots of the gospel of peace, the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, and prayer.

Then and only then, when we put on “the whole armour of God, (we) may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11KJV

Philippians 4:7 KJV
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Bible Questions Answered: Created In The Image Of God.

Bible Questions Answered:
“...what then is more valuable child or cow?”
Satyen/ Patna, India

Bible Answer:

Child.
It was never said, by the living God, that animals were created in the image of God.

Genesis 1:27 KJV
So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.

Genesis 9:6 KJV
Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made He man.

To say that things of the earth, rocks hills, streams, animals, etc. are God, is to embrace pantheism.

Pantheism: The doctrine that God is “not,” a personality, but that all laws, forces, manifestations, etc. of the self-existing universe are God.
(New World Dictionary)

Our Living God:

Omnipotent: All Powerful.

Job 42:1,2 KJV
1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withheld from thee.

Psalm 115:3 KJV
But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased.

Isaiah 43:13 NLT
“From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done.”

Matthew 19:26 KJV
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Luke 1:37 KJV
For with God nothing shall be impossible.


Omnipresent: Everywhere present.

Deuteronomy 4:39 KJV
Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD He is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.

Psalm 139:7-13 KJV
7 Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

Proverbs 15:3 KJV
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

Isaiah 66:1 KJV
Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool: where is the house that ye build unto Me? and where is the place of My rest?

Jeremiah 23:24 KJV
Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

Acts 17:27 KJV
That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us:


Omniscient: All Knowing.

Job 26:6 KJV
Hell is naked before Him, and destruction hath no covering.

Job 31:4 KJV
Doth not He see my ways, and count all my steps?

Job 34:21 KJV
For His eyes are upon the ways of man, and He seeth all his goings.

Psalm 147:5 KJV
Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite.

Hebrews 4:13 KJV
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

I John 3:20 KJV
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.


Idolatry:
Our Gods' first two commandments at Sinai were....

Exodus 20:3-6 KJV
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.

It does not matter the country, or people, all who bow to the things of nature, or of idols and statues, all are in the anger of Almighty God. And why is this....
Exodus 20:5 KJV “....for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God,...”

God, will “not,” allow others to receive the glory and honor, due to God alone.

Psalm 115:1-18 NLT
1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness.
2 Why let the nations say, “Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in the heavens, and He does as He wishes.
4 Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands.
5 They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see.
6 They have ears but cannot hear, and noses but cannot smell.
7 They have hands but cannot feel, and feet but cannot walk, and throats but cannot make a sound.
8 And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them.
9 O Israel, trust the Lord! He is your Helper and your Shield.
10 O priests, descendants of Aaron, trust the Lord! He is your Helper and your Shield.
11 All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord! He is your Helper and your Shield.
12 The Lord remembers us and will bless us. He will bless the people of Israel and bless the priests, the descendants of Aaron.
13 He will bless those who fear the Lord, both great and lowly.
14 May the Lord richly bless both you and your children.
15 May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
16 The heavens belong to the Lord, but He has given the earth to all humanity.
17 The dead cannot sing praises to the Lord, for they have gone into the silence of the grave.
18 But we can praise the Lord both now and forever!
Praise the Lord!

Acts 17:16-34 NLT
Paul Preaches in Athens

16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city.
17 He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there.
18 He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and His resurrection, they said, “What’s this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he’s picked up?” Others said, “He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods.”
19 Then they took him to the high council of the city. “Come and tell us about this new teaching,” they said.
20 “You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it’s all about.”
21 (It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.)
22 So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way,
23 for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.
24 “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since He is Lord of heaven and earth, He doesn’t live in man-made temples,
25 and human hands can’t serve His needs—for He has no needs. He Himself gives life and breath to everything, and He satisfies every need.
26 From one Man (Jesus Christ, His Son.) He created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and He determined their boundaries.
27 “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him—though He is not far from any one of us.
28 For in Him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’
29 And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone.
30 “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now He commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to Him.
31 For He has set a day for judging the world with justice by the Man He has appointed, and He proved to everyone who this is by raising Him from the dead.”
32 When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.”
33 That ended Paul’s discussion with them,
34 but some joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the council, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Bible Questions Answered: Purity

Bible Questions Answered:
“...so other kids do this to and all my christian friends don't think anything bad...”
Beth/ London, United Kingdom

Bible Answer:
The Apostle Paul said it best when he spoke to the Roman Christians saying...

Romans 6:1-23 NLT
1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of His wonderful grace?
2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?
3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined Him in His death?
4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
5 Since we have been united with Him in His death, we will also be raised to life as He was.
6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.
7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.
8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with Him.
9 We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and He will never die again. Death no longer has any power over Him.
10 When He died, He died once to break the power of sin. But now that He lives, He lives for the glory of God.
11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.
12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.
13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.
14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.
15 Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not!
16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.
17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you.
18 Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.
19 Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.
20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right.
21 And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom.
22 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

And Paul's warning to the Corinthian believers....

I Corinthians 6:19,20 NLT
19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,
20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

II Corinthians 6:14-18 KJV
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Homily:
A person in the hospital, on life support, receiving a transfusion of life saving blood, would hardly be found to say “let's see how can I turn this flow down some.” What! That blood is saving you from certain death!

Then how can it be, that a Christian, dare think of what “sin,” he can get away with?

Hebrews 10:26,27 NLT
26 Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins.
27 There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume His enemies.

Ezekiel 18:20 KJV
"The soul that sinneth, it shall die..."

GOD HAS CALLED HIS PEOPLE TO PURITY:

The Lord Jesus Christ our example.

Hebrews 4:14,15 NLT
14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.
15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin.

Hebrews 9:14 KJV
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

I Peter 1:18,19 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:

I Peter 2:22-25 NLT
21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in His steps.
22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone.
23 He did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.
24 He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds you are healed.
25 Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.

GODS PEOPLE ARE TO BE A PEOPLE OF PURITY:

Psalm 1:1-3 NLT
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

Matthew 5:8 KJV
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Ephesians 5:6 NLT (Read verses 1-20.)
Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey Him.

Philippians 4:8 KJV
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

I Thessalonians 4:1-8 NLT
1 Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more.
2 For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
3 God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin.
4 Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—
5 not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and His ways.
6 Never harm or cheat a Christian brother in this matter by violating his wife, for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before.
7 God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives.
8 Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives His Holy Spirit to you.

I Timothy 5:22 KJV
"... keep thyself pure."

I Timothy 6:11 KJV
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

II Timothy 2:22 KJV
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

II Timothy 3:17 KJV
That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

TITUS 2:13,14 NLT
13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
14 He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

James 1:27 KJV
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

CHRISTIANS ARE KEPT PURE THROUGH:


The precious blood of Christ.

Romans 5:8,9 KJV
8 But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

Hebrews 9:14 KJV
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

I John 1:7 KJV
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Revelation 1:5 KJV
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood,

Revelation 7:14 KJV
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.


Christians are,Washed, Sanctified, and Justified by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I Corinthians 6:11 KJV
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Titus 3:5 KJV
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

I Peter 1:2 NLT
God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and His Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed Him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Christians are kept pure through the word.

Psalm 119:1-20 NLT
Aleph
1 Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord.
2 Joyful are those who obey His laws and search for Him with all their hearts.
3 They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in His paths.
4 You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully.
5 Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!
6 Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands.
7 As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should!
8 I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me!

Beth
9 How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.
10 I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
12 I praise you, O Lord; teach me your decrees.
13 I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us.
14 I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches.
15 I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.
16 I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word.

Gimel
17 Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word.
18 Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.
19 I am only a foreigner in the land. Don’t hide your commands from me!
20 I am always overwhelmed with a desire for your regulations.

John 15:3 KJV
Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

John 17:17 KJV
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Ephesians 5:26 KJV
That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

I Peter 1:22 NLT
You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.

Christians are kept pure, by living holy lives, in anticipation of their Lord's coming.

I John 3:2,3 KJV
2 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.
3 And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.

Titus 2:11-14 KJV
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Bible Lesson- Miracles Of The Holy Spirit- Empowered Disciples- Work The Works Of Christ

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Holy Spirit: Empowered Disciples, Work The Works Of Christ.

Bible Location: In Galilee.

Bible Text: Mark 6:7-13 KJV (Matthew 10:1, 9-11,14 Matthew 11:1/ Luke 9:1-3-6)
7 And He called unto Him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;
8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:
9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.
10 And He said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.
11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

Mark 6:7 KJV
And He called unto Him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

The time had come, the disciples, must travel from that of apprentice to that of journey-man.
And who our Lord God calls, He so mercifully equips, “...and gave them power over unclean spirits;”

If this were “not,” an observance to be forever perpetuated by God's called ones, what a conundrum!
Our Lord went on later to also call the seventy and “all” His followers.

Luke 10:1,17 KJV
1 After these things the LORD appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place, whither He Himself would come.
17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

Mark 16:15-18 KJV
15 And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Oh how the weak of mind and heart, love to make silly these precious words of our Lord and Master.
The Serpent our Lord refers to here, is none other than Satan, and all his deadly poisons (the enemy), as our Lord was metaphorically speaking.

Luke 10:19 KJV
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

When our Master said these words, He hardly was giving license to showmanship for religious charlatans.
And our Lord explicitly told Satan, three times (Matthew 4:1-11) He "did not,"perform miracles for works of show.

Mark 16:18 also speaks of divine protection from evil things, that can come upon one, such as the Apostle Paul's experience at the island of Melita (Acts 28:1-6).

God empowers His people, for the work of God, and not only that, He, Himself, never leaves nor forsakes them.

Mark 6:8,9 KJV
8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:
9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.

If you were to use the above verse as a guide, how many religious television programs do you think you would continue to watch?

Jesus, the Son of God, could have had riches untold, yet claimed nothing for Himself.
Matthew 8:20 KJV
And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head.

Jesus, never made merchandise of His message.

Homily:
Acts 3:6 KJV
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

It has been well said, that the church today, cannot say “silver and gold have I none,” but neither can it say “rise up and walk.”

We live in a world, undreamt of by the early disciples. Ministers oft are millionaires and some, yes billionaires. Private jets (plural), yachts, homes across Europe and the far east, etc. etc.
Owners from diamond mines in Africa, and who knows what all else.

I Timothy 6:10 KJV
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Read again the dear words our Saviour spoken to His men.
And yes it is true….

Luke 10:7 KJV
And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

But how far afield we have gone from those words.
One of the best litmus tests of the church is, are those who are “called of God,” prepared to perform their ministry, for nothing, if they are indeed, called of God.

This hardly is the basis for some niggardly old church tightwads to try and starve some poor pastor and his family. But any one “called of God,” should be willing, indeed to face hardships for the love of the Saviour, while making Him alone, their Lord and Master.

The Roman Church, at one time, had a gathering of priests, who were of the “vow of poverty,” sect.
This one facet can be appreciated, and perhaps taken up by others.
If there is one thing the church of the Lord Jesus Christ needs to be cleansed of today, it is the terrible sin of hypocrisy.

And needless to say, this may not only be a sin of the officiary but of the pew as well.
Who is our God? Who is our Lord and Master? A good question to research at the altar.

Mark 6:10,11 KJV
10 And He said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.
11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

As monstrously evil as the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were, yet they will receive less punishment in judgment, than any city that has had the gospel preached in it, and which without any resignation refuses to hear or obey its message.

Shaking the city's dust off their feet was a symbolic gesture, of the day, God will forever cast them from His mercy.

Hebrews 10:31 KJV
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Mark 6:12, 13 KJV
12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

The first message of the church must always be the message of repentance of sin and faith in the finished work of Christ the Saviour.

Acts 4:10-12 KJV
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the Stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the Head of the Corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

In our Lord's day, there were those who were desperate and in need. Did that day end with the disciples, how ludicrous.
If, indeed we have no longer need for prayer for the sick, what of salvation?
Yes, there are those who would say-both are past. Certainly to deny one is to deny the other.
No, the day of salvation is “not,” over, and by means of association, if by none other, neither is the work of praying for those in need.

What is the end of the matter?

Acts 2:38-47 KJV (Peter)
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Bible Questions Answered: Search The Scriptures.

Bible Questions Answered:
“...so reading the word among our people encourages us so.”
Quade/ Pelotas, Brazil South America

Bible Answer:

One thing Christian people, should hunger to do is to read the wonderful word of God.

John 5:39 KJV (Jesus.)
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.

Acts 17:10-12 NLT (Apostle Paul and Silas.)
10 That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue.
11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.
12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES:

For Spiritual preparedness:
II Timothy 3:16,17 NLT
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
17 God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.

Ephesians 6:17 NLT
Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

For a life of Godly works:

Matthew 5:14-16 KJV
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

James 1:21,22 KJV
21 ...receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

I Corinthians 3:13,14 KJV
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

For spiritual nourishment:

Deuteronomy 8:3
"...man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live."

Job 23:11,12 KJV
11 My foot hath held His steps, His way have I kept, and not declined.
12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

For spiritual life:

John 6:63 KJV
It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are Life.

Philippians 2:16 KJV
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

For a life of purity:

Psalm 119:9-12 KJV
9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.

John 15:3 KJV
Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

John 17:17 KJV
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Ephesians 5:26 KJV
25...Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it;
26 That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

For Spiritual understanding:

Psalm 19:8 KJV
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Psalm 119:105,130 KJV
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
For the way of salvation:

John 5:24 KJV
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.

John 14:6 KJV
Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.

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.

Romans 1:16 KJV
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

For a life that is blessed:

Joshua 1:8 KJV
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Psalm 19:9-11 KJV
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Matthew 7:24,25 KJV
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a Rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a Rock.

Luke 11:28 KJV
...He said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

John 8:31,32 KJV
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free.

Revelation 1:3 KJV
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Bible Questions Answered: Drugs.

Bible Questions Answered:
“Some friends of mine are doing drugs. Are they going to hell?”
Romona/ Malibu, California U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

Whether one is lost or not depends on their being a born-again child of God.
John 3:3 KJV
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:16 KJV
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.

No Christian can continue in sin, and expect the blessing of God.

Galatians 5:19-21 NLT
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,
21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

The Apostle Paul warns...
I Corinthians 6:9,10;19-20 KJV
9 Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality,
10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Drugs and wine may be different, but the results are the same.
Ephesians 5:18 KJV
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Romans 14:7 KJV
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

Everyday, you and I influence someone for good or evil, may that influence be for the living God.

I Corinthians 10:31 KJV
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Psalm 19:14 KJV
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my Redeemer.




Sunday, September 18, 2011

Bible Questions Answered: Lies.

Bible Questions Answered:
“My parents have grounded me for a full week just because of a little kinda white lie whats the big deal about? How does this make sense?”
Mike/ Andrew Afb, Maryland

Bible Answer:

So a kid tells his folks a lie, a worker tells their boss a lie, a politician tells his constituency a lie, a commander in the service tells a lie, where does a little white lie end?
And how serious is it, when that little white lie is told?

Lie: To make a statement that one know is false especially with the intent to deceive.
New World Dictionary of American English.

Lying is a sin, and there are, “no,” little white sins.

Psalm 12:1-8 NLT
1 Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth!
2 Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts.
3 May the Lord cut off their flattering lips and silence their boastful tongues.
4 They say, “We will lie to our hearts’ content. Our lips are our own—who can stop us?”
5 The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for Me to do.”
6 The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over.
7 Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation,
8 even though the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land.

Psalm 36:1,2 NLT
1 Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all.
2 In their blind conceit they cannot see how wicked they really are.

Psalm 63:11 KJV
But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by Him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

Proverbs 12:5 KJV
The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

Proverbs 14:5,25 KJV
5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

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

Mark 7:17-23 NLT
17 Then Jesus went into a house to get away from the crowd, and His disciples asked Him what He meant by the parable He had just used.
18 “Don’t you understand either?” He asked. “Can’t you see that the food you put into your body cannot defile you? 19 Food doesn’t go into your heart, but only passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer.” (By saying this, He declared that every kind of food is acceptable in God’s eyes.)
20 And then He added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you.
21 For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder,
22 adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.
23 All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”

Acts 5:4 KJV
"... thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God."

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.


Our Lord told us who He was!
John 14:6 KJV
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.

Ezekiel 18:4 KJV
Behold, all souls are Mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is Mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

Romans 6:23 KJV
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Proverbs 28:13 KJV
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

I John 1:8-10 KJV
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He 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.

James 3:1-12 NLT
1 Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.
2 Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.
3 We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth.
4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong.
5 In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.
6 And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
7 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish,
8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!
11 Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water?
12 Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.



Friday, September 16, 2011

Bible Questions Answered: Marks Of A Christian.

Bible Questions Answered:
“...I see a lot of difference between some of my friends that are christian. Some can do every thing I do, some say they cant do it. Why that difference?”
Hadarah/ Pune, India

Bible Answers:
These kinds of things didn't startle the Lord, He knew only too well, that men would rather be saved by their own good works, then bow down to Him, confessing, and forsaking their sins, claiming Him as their Saviour.
Many "claimed," Him, but He did not "claim," them.

Matthew 7:16-23 KJV
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.

In life, there will always be the false and the true, the counterfeit and the genuine.

(MARKS OF A CHRISTIAN:)

ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD:
I Corinthians 15:58 KJV
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

ABSTAINING FROM ALL APPEARANCES OF EVIL:
I Thessalonians 5:22 KJV
Abstain from all appearance of evil.

CONFESSION:
Matthew 10:32,33 KJV
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.
33 But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.

Romans 10:9,10 KJV
9 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.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

I John 4:15 KJV
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

FORSAKING FLESHLY LUSTS:
Romans 8:1,5,8,9,13 KJV
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Romans 13:14 KJV
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.

I Corinthians 9:27 KJV
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Galatians 5:13,16,17,24 KJV (Read the whole chapter.)
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Galatians 6:8 KJV
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.

Colossians 3:5-6 KJV
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.

I John 2:16 KJV
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

LIVING A LIFE OF HUMILITY:
James 4:10 KJV
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.

I Peter 5:5,6 KJV
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time:

HUNGER AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS:
Matthew 5:6 KJV
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Luke 6:21 KJV
Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

IMAGE OF CHRIST:
II Corinthians 4:10 NLT
Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

Philippians 2:5 KJV
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

IN CHRIST:
John 15:1-7 KJV
1 I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Husbandman.
2 Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the Vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.
5 I am the Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Colossians 3:1-4 KJV
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.

INCREASING IN FAITH:
Luke 17:5 KJV
And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

Ephesians 6:16 KJV
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

INDEWELT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT:
John 14:17 KJV
Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Romans 8:9 KJV
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.

I John 4:13 KJV
Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because he hath given us of His Spirit.

NEAR TO GOD:
Hebrews 10:22 KJV
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

James 4:8 KJV
Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

NEW CREATURE IN CHRIST JESUS:
II Corinthians 5:17 KJV
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Galatians 6:15 NLT
It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation.

PATIENCE:
Luke 21:19 KJV
In your patience possess ye your souls.

Hebrew 10:36 KJV
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

James 1:4 KJV
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing

James 5:7,8 KJV
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the Husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until He receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

PRAYER:
I Chronicles 16:11 KJV
Seek the LORD and His strength, seek His face continually.

John 16:24 KJK
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Ephesians 6:18 KJV
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

I Thessalonians 5:17 KJV
Pray without ceasing.

REJOICING:
Psalm 19:8 KJV
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Psalm 33:1 KJV
Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.

Psalm 45:15 KJV
With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the King's palace.

Psalm 107:22 KJV
And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing.

Psalm 118:15 KJV
The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.

Psalm 126:6 KJV
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

I Thessalonians 5:16 KJV
Rejoice evermore.

RIGHTEOUSNESS:
Luke 1:6 KJV
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

Hebrews 12:14 KJV
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

STEADFAST:
John 8:31 KJV
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed;

John 15:9 KJV
As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love.

Acts 14:22 NLT
where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.

I Corinthians 15:58 KJV
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Colossians 2:5 KJV
For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

SACRIFICE:
Mark 10:28-30 NLT
28 Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow You,” he said.
29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for My sake and for the Good News,
30 will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.

Luke 5:27,28 KJV
27 And after these things He went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and He said unto him, Follow Me.
28 And he left all, rose up, and followed Him.

THANKFULNESS:
Colossians 3:17 KJV
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.

I Thessalonians 5:18 KJV
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

TRUST:
Job 13:15 KJV
Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him: but I will maintain mine own ways before Him.

Psalm 56:3,4,11 KJV
3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. (D.L.Moody's favorite Bible verse.)
4 In God I will praise His word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.


Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Bible Questions Answered: God Of Judgment-God Of Love

Bible Questions Answered:
“...you god was a god of anger and now he is god of love.....”
Lut/ Saudi, Arabia

Bible Answer:

In Christian doctrine, one of the first studies we do, is to realize that the Living God, is unchangeable, we call that His immutability.

The Word of God:

Psalm 102:27 NLT
But you are always the same; you will live forever.

Jeremiah 18:7-10 NLT (One moment, judgment, the next moment blessing- - Who Changed?)
7 If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed,
8 but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned.

9 And if I announce that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom,
10 but then that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would.

Malachi 3:6 KJV
For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Hebrews 1:12 KJV
And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

Hebrews 13:8 KJV
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

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.

Now, if God, is changeless, and we see that, according to His unerring word, that He is, is it true that the God of the Old Testament was a God of wrath, and the New Testament, a God of love?

No, God is always the same!

The Old Testament:
God a God of wrath?

Nehemiah 9:1-38 NLT (Who changed?)
The People Confess Their Sins
1 On October 31 the people assembled again, and this time they fasted and dressed in burlap and sprinkled dust on their heads.
2 Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners as they confessed their own sins and the sins of their ancestors.
3 They remained standing in place for three hours while the Book of the Law of the Lord their God was read aloud to them. Then for three more hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the Lord their God.
4 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Kenani—stood on the stairway of the Levites and cried out to the Lord their God with loud voices.
5 Then the leaders of the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah—called out to the people: “Stand up and praise the Lord your God, for He lives from everlasting to everlasting!” Then they prayed: “May your glorious name be praised! May it be exalted above all blessing and praise!
6 “You alone are the Lord. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve them all, and the angels of heaven worship you.
7 “You are the Lord God, who chose Abram and brought him from Ur of the Chaldeans and renamed him Abraham.
8 When he had proved himself faithful, you made a covenant with him to give him and his descendants the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Girgashites. And you have done what you promised, for you are always true to your word.
9 “You saw the misery of our ancestors in Egypt, and you heard their cries from beside the Red Sea.
10 You displayed miraculous signs and wonders against Pharaoh, his officials, and all his people, for you knew how arrogantly they were treating our ancestors. You have a glorious reputation that has never been forgotten.
11 You divided the sea for your people so they could walk through on dry land! And then you hurled their enemies into the depths of the sea. They sank like stones beneath the mighty waters.
12 You led our ancestors by a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night so that they could find their way.
13 “You came down at Mount Sinai and spoke to them from heaven. You gave them regulations and instructions that were just, and decrees and commands that were good.
14 You instructed them concerning your holy Sabbath. And you commanded them, through Moses your servant, to obey all your commands, decrees, and instructions.
15 “You gave them bread from heaven when they were hungry and water from the rock when they were thirsty. You commanded them to go and take possession of the land you had sworn to give them.
16 “But our ancestors were proud and stubborn, and they paid no attention to your commands.
17 They refused to obey and did not remember the miracles you had done for them. Instead, they became stubborn and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt! But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them,
18 even when they made an idol shaped like a calf and said, ‘This is your god who brought you out of Egypt!’ They committed terrible blasphemies.
19 “But in your great mercy you did not abandon them to die in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud still led them forward by day, and the pillar of fire showed them the way through the night.
20 You sent your good Spirit to instruct them, and you did not stop giving them manna from heaven or water for their thirst.
21 For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell!
22 “Then you helped our ancestors conquer kingdoms and nations, and you placed your people in every corner of the land. They took over the land of King Sihon of Heshbon and the land of King Og of Bashan.
23 You made their descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and brought them into the land you had promised to their ancestors.
24 “They went in and took possession of the land. You subdued whole nations before them. Even the Canaanites, who inhabited the land, were powerless! Your people could deal with these nations and their kings as they pleased.
25 Our ancestors captured fortified cities and fertile land. They took over houses full of good things, with cisterns already dug and vineyards and olive groves and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate until they were full and grew fat and enjoyed themselves in all your blessings.
26 “But despite all this, they were disobedient and rebelled against you. They turned their backs on your Law, they killed your prophets who warned them to return to you, and they committed terrible blasphemies.
27 So you handed them over to their enemies, who made them suffer. But in their time of trouble they cried to you, and you heard them from heaven. In your great mercy, you sent them liberators who rescued them from their enemies.
28 “But as soon as they were at peace, your people again committed evil in your sight, and once more you let their enemies conquer them. Yet whenever your people turned and cried to you again for help, you listened once more from heaven. In your wonderful mercy, you rescued them many times!
29 “You warned them to return to your Law, but they became proud and obstinate and disobeyed your commands. They did not follow your regulations, by which people will find life if only they obey. They stubbornly turned their backs on you and refused to listen.
30 In your love, you were patient with them for many years. You sent your Spirit, who warned them through the prophets. But still they wouldn’t listen! So once again you allowed the peoples of the land to conquer them.
31 But in your great mercy, you did not destroy them completely or abandon them forever. What a gracious and merciful God you are!
32 “And now, our God, the great and mighty and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of unfailing love, do not let all the hardships we have suffered seem insignificant to you. Great trouble has come upon us and upon our kings and leaders and priests and prophets and ancestors—all of your people—from the days when the kings of Assyria first triumphed over us until now.
33 Every time you punished us you were being just. We have sinned greatly, and you gave us only what we deserved. 34 Our kings, leaders, priests, and ancestors did not obey your Law or listen to the warnings in your commands and laws.
35 Even while they had their own kingdom, they did not serve you, though you showered your goodness on them. You gave them a large, fertile land, but they refused to turn from their wickedness.
36 “So now today we are slaves in the land of plenty that you gave our ancestors for their enjoyment! We are slaves here in this good land.
37 The lush produce of this land piles up in the hands of the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins. They have power over us and our livestock. We serve them at their pleasure, and we are in great misery.”

The People Agree to Obey

38 The people responded, “In view of all this, we are making a solemn promise and putting it in writing. On this sealed document are the names of our leaders and Levites and priests.”
(To read their vow to the Lord, read Nehemiah chapter 10.)

Psalm 25:7 KJV
Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, LORD, are good.

Psalm 31:7 KJV
I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.

Psalm 36:5 KJV
Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.

Psalm 40:11 KJV
Do not withhold your mercy from me, LORD; may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

Psalm 57:10 KJV
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Psalm 59:16 KJV
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

Psalm 63:3 KJV
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.

Isaiah 38:17 KJV
Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.

The New Testament:
God a God of love?

Acts 5:1-11 KJV
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

Luke 12:5 KJV
But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear Him, which after He hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear Him.

II Corinthians 5:11 KJV
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

John 8:16 KJV
And yet if I judge, My judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent Me.

John 9:39 KJV
And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Hebrews 10:26,27 NLT
26 Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins.
27 There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume His enemies.

I Peter 4:17 KJV
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

God, always has been and always will be an unchanging God. Yes, He is a God of Love, but if His people turn from His warning and live in evil ways, He will judge them accordingly.
How thankful we should be, that our Living God never changes!

James 1:17 NLT
Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit-Zacharias Mute

Bible Lesson: Miracles By The Power Of The Holy Spirit:

Bible Location: The Temple at Jerusalem (Judea).

God's Messenger: Angel Gabriel.

Bible Text: Luke 1:11-23, 57-79 KJV

Luke 1:5-25, 57-79 KJV
5 THERE was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,
9 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
17 And he shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried so long in the temple.
22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein He looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
57 Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
58 And her neighbors and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marveled all.
64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea.
66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.
67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people,
69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David;
70 As He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant;
73 The oath which He sware to our father Abraham,
74 That He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life.
76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways;
77 To give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins,
78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the Dayspring from on high hath visited us,
79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

Luke 1:5,6 KJV
5 THERE was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

Luke tells us that John the Baptist, was descended from a priestly line, for both his parents were descendents of priests. Elizabeth, with lineage to Aaron, and Zacharias descended from a class of priests, known as Abia. I Chronicles 24, tell us there some twenty four such priestly classifications. At the time of our Lord, there were some 20,000 priests.

There had been a prayer that Zacharias as a young man, he had prayed, and prayed, and now as an old man, praying the same prayer, perhaps unconsciously, by rote. That prayer was that his wife Elizabeth would have a son. Year after year came and went, and that prayer was not answered, and Elizabeth's
personal sorrow, not taken away.

Luke 1:7 KJV
And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

In this story told by the beloved physician Luke, The God who always hears all prayers, decided it was time to answer Zacharias' prayer.

Psalm 141:1,2 KJV
1 LORD, I cry unto Thee! Make haste unto me! Give ear unto my voice when I cry unto Thee.
2 Let my prayer be set before Thee as incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Revelation 8:3,4 NLT
3 Then another angel with a gold incense burner came and stood at the altar. And a great amount of incense was given to him to mix with the prayers of God’s people as an offering on the gold altar before the throne.
4 The smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of God’s holy people, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out.

The Angel of the Lord, stood before Zacharias, as he was burning incense at the golden altar in the Holy Place. And Zacharias, became afraid.

Luke 1:13-17 KJV
13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
17 And he shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Old Testament Prophecy:
Malachi 4:5,6 KJV
5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

But, as splendid and overwhelming as this revelation was, Zacharias, began to doubt. His Doubt was based upon Eliazbeths' old age, and his own.

Isn't it so like human nature, to forget the truths we have learned and know only so well, just when we need them most!
Certainly Zacharias, knew well the story of Abraham and Sarah, and that Abraham became a father at 100 years of age, and Sarah a mother at 90. And yet, all was not applied to his own life.

The Lord told Abraham...
Genesis 18:14 KJV
Is any thing too hard for the LORD?..."

Apply God's promise to your own life, and remember it, when you need it.

Luke 1:18-23 KJV
18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried so long in the temple.
22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

The Angel Gabriel, stands in the very presence of God.

Daniel 8:15-17 NLT
15 As I, Daniel, was trying to understand the meaning of this vision, someone who looked like a man stood in front of me.
16 And I heard a human voice calling out from the Ulai River, “Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of his vision.”
17 As Gabriel approached the place where I was standing, I became so terrified that I fell with my face to the ground..."

Daniel 9:21,22 NLT
21 As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice.
22 He explained to me, “Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding.

To please the Lord, we as His people must have a heart of faith.

Hebrews 11:6 KJV
But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Zacharias, would not be able to speak for nine months, silenced by his own doubt.
The God who had given Adam and Eve speech, and who had confused the speech of Nimrod and his followers at Babel, could not only bless, but with hold His blessings.

The power of God's Spirit is seen in this story through the muting of Zacharias' speech, and the miraculous birth of John.

Faith, gives life while doubt brings sin and death.

Romans 14:23 KJV
And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

The Lord Jesus came to earth to tell men...
Mark 11:23 KJV
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Luke 1:23-25,57-80 KJV
23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein He looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
57 Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
58 And her neighbors and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marveled all.
64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea.
66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.
67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people,
69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David;
70 As He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant;
73 The oath which He sware to our father Abraham,
74 That He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life.
76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways;
77 To give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins,
78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the Dayspring from on high hath visited us,
79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

John the baptist,the last Old Testament Prophet was born, a miracle of God.

Matthew 11:7-10 KJV
7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send My messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

Mark 6:5 KJV
And He could there do no mighty work, save that He laid His hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

Doubt, always costs us. The people of Nazareth lost so many opportunities, but may that not be said of you or I. Our God, through the power of His Holy spirit, longs to guide, heal and help us, if only our hearts are full of faith, in the God of miracles.

Isaiah 43:10 KJV
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.