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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Work In Heaven?


Bible Questions Answered:
“...and so some may have more rest in heaven then others, is that possible?”
Elizabeth/ Edmonton, Canada

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:
Revelation 14:13 KJV
And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest* from their labors; and their works do follow them.

*Rest-Greek-Anapauo (An-ap-ow-o): To repose, take ease, refresh, (give, take) rest.

What these dead were resting from, was their earthly labors, and their works would follow them.
In the book of Genesis we read...
Genesis 2:2 KJV
And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made.

Does this mean, that God, is idle? Never, He is anything but idle.
Psalm 40:5 KJV
Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

John 5:17 KJV
But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

Adam while in the garden of Eden, was commissioned to...(Before his fall.)
Genesis 2:15 KJV
And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress* it and to keep it.

*Dress-Hebrew-Abad-(Aw-bad): To work, to serve, till, husbandman, do service...

This was not work as we think of work, to do the will of God, was and is great pleasure. Only after his fall, and out of the garden did work become more of a curse of toil and labor.

Genesis 3:17-19 KJV
17 And unto Adam He said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Is there “work in heaven?” Not this kind of labor, no.
But there is occupation, a calling for every one of heaven to do.

Hebrews 1:14 KJV
Are they (Angels) not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Revelation 7:15 KJV
Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

Rest in heaven? Yes, perfect rest, so much so, that doing God service, will be “joy unspeakable and full of glory (I Peter 1:8)!

God has given talent and abilities to all.
Romans 11:29 KJV
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

For some it is the love of Horticulture and Botany, still others Astronomy, others Carpentry, Cooking, Counseling, Teaching, etc. etc.

How these talents will come to play in heaven, and the new earth, right now we do not know, but to be sure they are and will be!

And will they be gross labor? Never, they will be a joy and a blessing, beyond human comprehension.
Rest does “not,” mean idleness. Rest, God's rest, means total blessings and joy in whatever a person does.

Exodus 33:14 KJV
And He said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Once Saved Always Saved


Bible Questions Answered:
The teaching of some is a doctrine of “Once Saved, Always Saved.”
This posting is an addendum to the blog of Hebrews 6:1-6, if you haven't read it, use this hyper-link to read it first.....   Hebrews 6:1-6

At the start a word must be said concerning the subject of God's grace.
What is it?
A very fine acrostic for the word grace is as follows.

God's
Riches
At
Christ's
Expense.

Everything we as Christians enjoy from salvation to the joys of eternity, come at Christ's expense.
Yes, this certainly includes the precious gift of God's mercy, without which we would be lost.

The fact is, Christian or not, we sin every day!
Don't think so?
If that's you, you are very sadly mistaken, and have “not,” had a true experience with the living God.


Matthew 17:1-6 KJV
1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
2 And was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light.
3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with Him.
4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him.
6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

Lamentations 3:22 KJV
It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassion's fail not.

“Pastor, I'm sorry, but I am sanctified, I don't sin!”
Well, if that's you, sorry, but of course that is totally incorrect, and it is because the Word of God says so.

No one will be fully set apart from sin, until we are all in the presence of the living Saviour!

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

And seeing how this event has not happened yet, neither has the sanctification spoken of.

Sin, yes, we all fall under sin every day, and we do so in one of three ways.

By sins of:
Commission: Things we shouldn't do, that we do any way..
Omission: Things we should do, but we don't.
Ignorance: We sin, we slight God, and we aren't even aware of it. In our fallen nature, sin comes naturally.

This is all mentioned so that we may fully understand that when a Christian makes a mistake, God doesn't throw him away, or write him off. No, by His everlasting grace, He waits for such an one to confess their short comings and repent of them, forsaking them, God forgives, this is called the Grace of Gd.

In this fashion, where a Christian does their best to live for God, but is still human, and comes by mistakes in his life, there is a very real sense, that God Keeps Them!

When a person, waits upon the Lord, He has promised to strengthen them!


Isaiah 40:31 KJV
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.


Thee all important distinguishing fact is, is a person, truly living for the Lord, loving and serving Him. And if that is the case, he will beyond all doubt be Kept of the Lord!

Isaiah 26:3 KJV
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

But, may a person who at one time has accepted the Lord, from him turn away, and sadly come to a place of no longer being a son? Yes.

God certainly is not a fool.
I heard a pastor say on T.V. Thee other day, "and as a rule, I refuse to listen to so called religious T.V," say the following...”If you've accepted the Lord some time in your life, why you can sin all you want, and you'll never be lost, you'll have less rewards maybe, but you will never be lost.”

God help the person who would teach such a gross error.

Homily:
That would be akin to telling a citizen of our country, “go abroad have the time of your life and if you happen to get in a fight and kill someone, that's OK, come home you'll always be accepted!.”

No, that's not right, we have extradition laws, and you will reap what you have sown.

Some Scriptural Examples:

Judges 16:15-21 NLT
15 Then Delilah pouted, “How can you tell me, ‘I love you,’ when you don’t share your secrets with me? You’ve made fun of me three times now, and you still haven’t told me what makes you so strong!” 
16 She tormented him with her nagging day after day until he was sick to death of it.
17 Finally, Samson shared his secret with her. “My hair has never been cut,” he confessed, “for I was dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as anyone else.”
18 Delilah realized he had finally told her the truth, so she sent for the Philistine rulers. “Come back one more time,” she said, “for he has finally told me his secret.” So the Philistine rulers returned with the money in their hands. 
19 Delilah lulled Samson to sleep with his head in her lap, and then she called in a man to shave off the seven locks of his hair. In this way she began to bring him down, and his strength left him.
20 Then she cried out, “Samson! The Philistines have come to capture you!” When he woke up, he thought, “I will do as before and shake myself free.” But he didn’t realize the LORD had left him.
21 So the Philistines captured him and gouged out his eyes. They took him to Gaza, where he was bound with bronze chains and forced to grind grain in the prison.

Samson had been a judge of Israel for twenty years, and yes the Lord had been “with,” him!
God had blessed him with great bravery, and physical strength.
But Samson made some moral mistakes, mistakes that led him away from the Lord!
How do we know this? We know it because the Word of God tells us so!

Judges 16:20 KJV
Then she cried out, “Samson! The Philistines have come to capture you!” When he woke up, he thought, “I will do as before and shake myself free.” But he didn’t realize the LORD had left him.

Moral mistakes, coupled with his broken vow (Numbers 6:1-8) to the Lord, meant only one thing, the Lord was no longer with Samson. (For to have "left him," certainly declares, that at one time He had been with him!)

Will the living Good, forsake those who turn against Him, Yes, if they have determined in their hearts too do so!

Thank God, that wasn't the end of Samson's story, for in prison, grinding grain, as a brute beast, Samson's thoughts turned again to the Lord, in his last hours he cried out to the Lord for strength one more time, and God heard him.

Scripture: (A favorite verse used by “once saved always saved,” people.)

John 10:28 KJV
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.

This verse is so wonderfully true! But what is it saying?
It is saying, that no man, or angel or any other thing is capable of taking a child of God, from the hand of God!

Romans 8:35-39 KJV
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

But, please let us look at this verse closely (John 10:28 KJV).
This verse “says-nothing,” about the individual himself, if he or she wishes to be away from God!
How could anyone ever use this verse to prove “once saved always saved?”

Everyone certainly knows that no one can take a Christian away from God!
But, can a Christian himself/ herself live a life (by their own constant choices)  take themselves away from God? Yes!

Friends, we are talking about can a person “know,” the Lord, and then one day walk away and be lost?
And the Biblical answer time and time again is yes!
“Once save always saved,” theology (falsely called), does this promote common sense or spirituality?
Never, for one can become a Christian and live like the devil, and will still make it it.
False teaching! False teaching and the Word of God says so!

Our God keeps those who stay “in Christ,” no man can take them out of His hand, but if a Christian himself, herself decides to go back to the world, as did Lot's wife, only separation from God and destruction await!

Scripture:


II Peter 2:20-22 KJV
20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

II Peter 2:20-22 NLT
20 And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. 
21 It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. 
22 They prove the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit.” And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud.”

Let us take the words of Peter step-by-step.

II Peter 2:20 KJV
For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ...”

Who are these people, peter? Why they are Christians of course! It is the Christian who has escaped “the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ...”

Would anyone like to deny that? Of course not!

II Peter 2:20 KJV
“... they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.


Peter tell us...
Christian people who become “entangled therein, and overcome, the later end is worse with them than the beginning.”

Christian people, as Lot's wife, who have “looked back,” because their desires were still in the world.
Who came to the place of knowing the Lord “hav(ing) escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ...”and yet turned back from the Lord.

“Once saved always saved,” people would be the first to tell us that any one who goes into sin, was never saved in the first place, but they had better take that up with the Apostle Peter!

II Peter 2:21,22 KJV
21 It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. 

Did you hear that verse? These people KNEW THE WAY,  THEY KNEW THE LORD!
But they didn't want to pay the ultimate price of living for the Lord!
But they didn't want to make the Saviour the Lord of their life!

22 They prove the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit.” And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud.”

“Once saved (NOT ALWAYS SAVED!)”

Not, if a Christian won't live a holy life separated to the Lord!
How much more plain could the word of Peter be?

Scripture:


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

*Slip-Greek-Pararrhueo-(Par-ar-hroo-eh-o): To flow by, i.e. carelessly pass (miss): let slip.

*Neglect-Greek-Ameleo-(Am-el-eh-o): Make light of, neglect, be negligent, not regard.

Who is the Apostle speaking to? Why Christians of course.

Hebrews 2:1 KJV
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip*.

Slip, yes Christians if not careful, if not living a life of holiness before the Lord, can wonder away from the Lord!

And if a Christian does not live a life of righteousness, pleasing to the Lord, then what?

Hebrews 2:2,3 KJV
2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

The Watchers (Angels) of old, did just that “watched,” the affairs of men and judged them.

Genesis 19:13 KJV (Angels talking to Lot)
For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.

Luke 17:29 KJV
But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

3 How shall we escape, if we neglect* so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

How shall any Christian escape, if we neglect (neglect, or pay no regard for -see above definition.) so great salvation:

The answer, why we will “not,” escape God's judgment, if we will not obey, nor live by the commandments our God has given us!

Scripture:


Hebrews 10:26-31 KJV
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of Grace?
30 For we know Him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto Me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge His people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Hebrews 10:26-31 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. 
28 For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 
29 Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us. 
30 For we know the one who said, “I will take revenge.  I will pay them back." He also said, “The LORD will judge His own people.”
31 It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the Living God.

And yet one more scripture. Who is the Apostle speaking to? Again, Christian people!
Hebrews 10:26 KJV
“ Dear friends...”

What, can Christian people, return to sin, after having come to the Lord? Yes!


Hebrews 10:26 KJV
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. 

The key word here is “deliberate.
A person, a Christian may become a backslider, but by God's grace (as has already be alluded to), be restored, when repentant.

And yet there may be a Christian, who though he has known the truth, and received the Saviour, through his or her “deliberate,” continuous actions, fall away from God grace, and into judgment.

Adam Clarke:
Verse 26. "For if we sin wilfully" - If we deliberately, for fear of persecution or from any other motive, renounce the profession of the Gospel and the Author of that Gospel, after having received the knowledge of the truth so as to be convinced that Jesus is the promised Messiah, and that he had sprinkled our hearts from an evil conscience; for such there remaineth no sacrifice for sins; 
for as the Jewish sacrifices are abolished, as appears by the declaration of God himself in the fortieth Psalm, and Jesus being now the only sacrifice which God will accept, those who reject Him have none other; therefore their case must be utterly without remedy. This is the meaning of the apostle, and the case is that of a deliberate apostate - one who has utterly rejected Jesus Christ and His atonement, and renounced the whole Gospel system. It has nothing to do with backsliders in our common use of that term. A man may be overtaken in a fault, or he may deliberately go into sin, and yet neither renounce the Gospel, nor deny the Lord that bought him. 
His case is dreary and dangerous, but it is not hopeless; no case is hopeless but that of the deliberate apostate, who rejects the whole Gospel system, after having been saved by grace, or convinced of the truth of the Gospel. To him there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin; for there was but the ONE, Jesus, and this he has utterly rejected.

We have seen many speak, time and time again, simply and truthfully.
What is the end of this matter?
Christian, are you listening?

John 15:1-8 KJV (Jesus)
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.
8 Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples.

“Branch in Me, Abide in Me,” appears some six times in these few verses, you think the Lord is trying to tell us something here? He is telling us that some branches, “don't,” abide (stay) in the Vine.
Anyone who confesses Christ, must “live of the gospel.”

I Corinthians 9:14 KJV
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

We must “abide in the Vine.”
Christian people, must “not,” play with sin, and see just how much they can get away with!
Remember well the story of Samson...

Judges 16:20 KJV
But he didn’t realize the LORD had left him.
Selah

Salvation Prayer




Friday, February 24, 2012

Hebrews 6:1-6 KJV


Bible Questions Answered:
“Pastor I have heard at least a dozen or so explanations of Hebrews 6:4-6. And no two commentaries seem to be the same. I'd be interested just what your view is of these verses.”
John/ Columbus, Ohio

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:
Hebrews 6:1-6 KJV
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame.

The group of people who espouse to “once save always saved,” will be more than glad to inform us that  these people were “never,” saved to begin with. And the reason is that once saved, one can never be lost!

Let us take a look at what the Apostle Paul is saying here.

Hebrews 6:1 KJV
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Verse one, tells us right off, that Paul is talking about growing from the milk of the word, to the meat of the word (Spiritual growth.)

(Spiritual Growth, by the Apostle Paul.)

I Corinthians 3:1,2 KJV
1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

I Peter 2:2 KJV (Peter)
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Hebrews 5:12-14 KJV
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Hebrews 6:1,2 KJV
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

The Apostle is speaking about Christian people.
Do you notice something important in these two verses? The thing to notice, as verse one has told us is, “spiritual-progression.”

First: (Verse 1)
Hebrews 6:1 KJV
“...the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,”

Second: (Verse 2)
Baptism
The confession of a believing Christian.

Third: (Verse 2)
Laying on of hands.
Something done by the pastor and or deacons when elected within a special office in or for the church.

Fourth: (Verse 2)
Resurrection of the dead.
The spiritual promise for every Christian.

Fifth: (Verse 2)
Judgment:
Hebrews 9:27 KJV
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

On this spiritual journey one cannot “skip steps,” such as one and two and expect to be a minister of God!
Because one would “not,” be a Christian in the faith, nor would one be ordained by
God's church to the office of ministry!

This spiritual journey is one of progression!

And yes, this logic holds true also of spiritual regression!
One cannot, on their spiritual journey, go backwards!

A Christian who has passed into the portals of heaven, cannot wish once again to return to earth to have hands laid on him so that he may again be sent into ministry.
Anyone with any sense at all, would know this just can not happen!

Hebrew 6:3-6 KJV
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame.

Alright, who, just who is the Apostle talking about in these verses? Well let's take a look.

1.)  Enlightened (verse 4)
2.) Have tasted of the heavenly gift (verse 4)
3.) Made partaker of the Holy Ghost (verse 4)
4.) Have tasted of the good word of God (verse 5)
5.) “          “       “   “   powers of the world to come (verse 5)
                                                                                                                                                                   
These five categories refer to, without contradiction, the child of God!

1.)
It is the child of God, that has been enlightened......
John 8:12 KJV
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the Light of the World: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of life.

2.)
It is the child of God, that has had his spiritual hunger satisfied by the Bread of Life.
John 6:35 KJV
And Jesus said unto them, I am the Bread of Life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.

3.)
It is the child of God, that is a vessel of the Spirit of God.
I Corinthians 6:19 KJV
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God..."

4.)
It is the child of God, that feeds upon the Word of God.
Jeremiah 15:16 KJV
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of Hosts.

5.)
It is the child of God, that has tasted of the powers of the world to come.
Matthew 28:19 KJV
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

I Peter 3:21,22 KJV
21"...Jesus Christ:
22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him.

Yes verses 1-6 of Hebrews chapter 6, speak of Christians.
Well, if that be so, and it is, what is the Apostle saying.

Can Christians go back on their faith, yes, Paul says so, but ….

Hebrew 6:4-6 KJV
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance;.....

One cannot skip ahead in his spiritual progression, nor go backwards!

Homily:
If you and I were in Minneapolis (Minnesota) and got on a train to go to Seattle, and we talked much, had our meals and saw the great scenery. And yet along the three day trip, while the train had stopped in Bismarck, North Dakota, for fuel, you got off, and of course the train left you behind.

I arrived at Seattle, but you were not there.  Later you called me and said, “I went shopping and missed the train, what should I do?”

Well, what do you think anyone would have told them?
“Well, go back to Minneapolis, and get another train to Seattle!”

Are you “kidding?” Of course not, he was told (at Bismarck) to wait until the next train headed for Seattle comes by, and get on, after all, better late, than never.

Well, that's fairly simple isn't it.
The Apostle from the very beginning has told us that spirituality is a progression, cant' skip ahead, can't skip back!

That is how time flows, we are in the present, can't travel back to the past, can't jump to the future, we are in the present, and in the present we must act.

Whats all this mean.
Christians that have “fall(en/ ed.) away (Hebrews 6:6 KJV)” cannot again be “renew(ed/ed) ...again unto repentance.” (By the way, "renew," means they once were Christians.)

Repentance and faith in Christ, is the (1.) first step in Christian life.
Hebrews 6:1 KJV
“...repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God”

A fallen Christian cannot backtrack to the place of "original repentance and confession of faith,"  no matter if if were 30 years ago, or just last month.

What then is this person to do?
When a fallen Christian, comes to himself, like a Prodigal son, he must, in repentance and faith, “resume,” where he left off in his Christian faith.

Just as a man, who has regrettably committed many faults, cannot wish himself back to the womb, to start over, so to the spiritual man.

If we have gotten off God's Spiritual train of life and blessings, in repentance and renewed strength we must “not,” look back, but get back on track and continue the race for “the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14 KJV).

Hebrews 6:6 KJV
 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame.

A person may not spiritually go back to his salvation experience, but must go on from where he left off.
When a person comes to Christ, it is seen in their life that Christ was crucified, Christ died for them as individuals.

II Corinthians 5:21 NLT
For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

When a person comes back from having fallen away, he cannot “re-crucify Christ afresh!”
Again, he must (in repentance and faith) pick up where upon he left his Christian calling, and go on.

Galatians 6:1 KJV
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (Please note, this is referring to restoring one to Christian faith, "not," to religious office!)

Isaiah 40:31 KJV
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

This writing has not attempted to answer the question “once saved, always saved.” If the subject has not already been addressed it will be.

Romans 13:11-14 KJV
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of Light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.

Hebrews 12:1-4 NLT
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 
2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 
3 Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. 
4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

Be sure to read the blog ....    Once Saved Always Saved


Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit: Herod Agrippa I Slain


Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Power Of  The Holy Spirit: Herod Agrippa I, slain.

God's Messenger: The Angel Of The Lord.

Bible Location: Caesarea.

Bible Text: 
Acts 12:20-24 NLT
20 Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they sent a delegation to make peace with him because their cities were dependent upon Herod’s country for food. The delegates won the support of Blastus, Herod’s personal assistant, 
21 and an appointment with Herod was granted. When the day arrived, Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to them. 
22 The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, “It’s the voice of a god, not of a man!”
23 Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died.
24 Meanwhile, the word of God continued to spread, and there were many new believers.

Herod Agrippa I king of Palestine, was himself from Caesarea. Herod persecuted believers of The Way. There was nothing, including murder, that the king would not do, for public acceptance.

Acts 12:1-3 KJV (Herod's persecution of the church.)
1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also..."

Acts 12:20,21 NLT
20 Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they sent a delegation to make peace with him because their cities were dependent upon Herod’s country for food. The delegates won the support of Blastus, Herod’s personal assistant, 
21 and an appointment with Herod was granted. When the day arrived, Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to them. 

For some reason Herod, was at extreme odds with the coastal cities of Tyre and Sidon.  The people of Tyre and Sidon, could not let this condition exist for long because they derived their grain and supplies from Palestine.

In a plan to come by acceptance they gained the friendship of one Blastus, King Herod's finance minister, some think, through bribery. Having done so, they came into his and Herod's good graces.
The King being pleased as the to the issuance of peace, he was inclined to address the delegations from Tyre and Sidon. Arrayed in regal splendor he gave a forceful oration.

Acts 12:22 NLT
The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, “It’s the voice of a god, not of a man!”

How contrived! These people, no doubt despised King Herod, but in their selfish desire they were more than willing to deify him, as a means to an end.
Sound like politics, where you live?

Acts 12:23 NLT
Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died.

In Old Testament days, angels were called Watchers, that is they watched the affairs of men, and judged  them accordingly. (See  e.g. Jeremiah 4:16/ Daniel 4:13, 17, 23).

Why had the angel of the Lord, stricken Herod?
“because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God.”

Isaiah 42:8 KJV
I am the LORD: that is My name: and My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images.

Isaiah 42:8 NLT
“I am the LORD; that is My name!  I will not give My glory to anyone else,  nor share My praise with carved idols. 

Exodus 20:1-6 KJV
1 And God spake all these words, saying,
2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.


(First Commandment)
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.

(Second Commandment)
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.

Only one, is to be worshiped, and that is the one and only living God.
No one is to be worshiped in His place, ever! (Isaiah 42:8 KJV)

Leviticus 26:1,2 KJV
1 Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.
2 Ye shall keep My Sabbaths, and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD.

Deuteronomy 4:24 KJV
For the LORD thy God is a Consuming Fire, even a jealous God.

Matthew 17:5 KJV
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him.

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

Acts 12:24 NLT
Meanwhile, the word of God continued to spread, and there were many new believers.

With Herod dead, the church had time to grow and prosper, the Word being preached everywhere,  converts to the faith were added.

James was dead, but the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, were willing to lay down their lives.

Revelation 12:11 KJV
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

What was it Tertullian said?
“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”

Yes there would be persecution, there would be martyrdom but the church of Jesus Christ will always prevail!

Matthew 16:18 KJV
And I say also unto thee... upon this Rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

I Corinthians 10:4 KJV
And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that Spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

Salvation Prayer

Monday, February 20, 2012

Contemporary Versus Fundamentalism


Bible Questions Answered:
“What is the difference between the contemporary and other beliefs?”
Maariya/ Leeds, United Kingdom

Bible Answer:

Modernism (Contemporary belief), versus Fundamentalism:

The Bible:
Fundamentalists believe that the Bible is the Word of God, while the Modernist, believes that the Bible contains the Word of God. (In other words, the Modernist, can't tell, which part is inspired or not.)

Incarnation:
Fundamentalists believe that the birth of Jesus was supernatural (virgin birth), while the Modernists believes that Christ's birth was natural.

Son of God:
Fundamentalists believe that Jesus Christ, is the Only, Eternal Son of the Father, Modernists believe that Jesus was a son of God, as all men are sons of God.

Christ's Death On The Cross:
Fundamentalists believe that the death of the Lord Jesus, was  atonement or expiation for mans sins.
Modernists believe that Christ's death was at best noteworthy, praiseworthy.

Creation:
Fundamentalists believe that from the beginning, man is God created, a God breathed living soul.
Modernists believe that man is end result of evolution.

Sin:
Fundamentalists believe that as a direct result of Adams' sin, mankind is under the curse of sin and lost. Redeemed by and only by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ God's Eternal Son.
Modernists believe that individuals are good or bad as a result of their surrounding conditions.

Justification:
Fundamentalists believe that one is only justified by faith in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ.
Modernists believe that a man may be justified by his good works.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Blood Of The Lost


Bible Questions Answered:
“Ezekiel says that if we don't preach to sinners all their blood is on us. What is the total meaning of this?”
Austin/ Melbourne, Australia

Bible Answers:


Bible Text:
Ezekiel 3:17-21 KJV
17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman* unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at My mouth, and give them warning from Me.
18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.

*Watchman-Hebrew-Tsaphah (Tsaw-faw): To lean forward, i.e. to peer into the distance; to observe, await;-behold, look up, wait for, (keep the) watch (man).

Ezekiel 33:1-9 KJV
1 Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:
3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;
4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; 
but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.
7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from Me.
8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

God's call to Ezekiel, His watchman over God's people was to “ warn the wicked” (Ezekiel 3:18 KJV).
Yes, that meant, that God's people often fell into sin. And what would be the result of their sins, they would meet with early physical death (in essence, to be stopped from further sinning.) Though this may seem cruel, yet in reality is most kind, for rather than a life time of doing wrong, they had been stopped, short of that happening.
When the watchman, faithful to his calling warns the righteous man, and he stops doing what is wrong, he will no longer be in the category of backsliding, but perseverance. Thus God in His mercy, will not stop him, but grant him life (physical).

But if the righteous man not heed the watchman's call, God has the prerogative to place a stumbling block in his way (Chastening of the Lord), yes even death! And if that should be the case of last resort, any good works that the individual had done, will not be remembered as to receive any reward, a life, saved as by fire, saved yes, but without reward.

Jude 1:23 KJV
And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Hebrews 12:5-11 KJV
5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him:
6 For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of Spirits, and live?
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

A good example of Gods mercy is ….

I Corinthians 11:27-32 KJV (The Apostle Paul)
27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation (See NLT) to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

I Corinthians 11:27-32 NLT
27 So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 
28 That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. 
29 For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself. 
30 That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died.
31 But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way. 
32 Yet when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned along with the world.

Yes, some Corinthian Christians, had died, by the hand of God/ some Corinthian Christians, had been stopped from further sinning, by the merciful hand of God.

Did that mean they were sent to hell? Never, it meant, that they were stopped, from doing what was wrong. They had taken communion lightly or without  reverence understanding the symbolism of communion, and so God, not wanting error to be perpetuated within His church, stopped them.

And when the watchman, faithful to his callings warns the sinful man, and he stops doing what is wrong, he will no longer be in the category of willful sin, but righteous living. Thus God in His mercy, will not stop him, and grant him life (physical).

Should the sinful man take no heed of warning, he will die in his sins, but the watchman will have delivered, in obedience, his soul from judgment.

In either case, be it a wicked individual, or a righteous one who is doing wrong, if the watchman does not warn them, “(their) blood will I require at thine hand.” (Ezekiel 3:18 KJV)

What does it mean?
It means as Christian people, God has called us to do some things! As Christian people, we do, have responsibilities!
And our responsibility is to live a life pleasing to the Lord, and a life of continual confession to any and all who need to hear the gospel of the “Good News.”


I Peter 3:15 KJV
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:


Matthew 5:13-16 KJV
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
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.


Mark 16:15 KJV (The Great Commission.)
And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Romans 10:8-11 KJV
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
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.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.

Today the church, is searching, diligently ever so searching for new acts for Sunday morning  service. Special numbers, singers, bands, Interpretive dancers, Sunday suppers, etc. etc. etc. All while a world is lost and going full speed to hell.

The church of some years back, spent its time on its knees praying and weeping before God, for His forgiveness of sins and lethargy. Praying for family and friend, pastor and church. Praying to be used of God, to win sinners into the kingdom.

How far, we have come. This old pastor remembers years back, that come Sunday, when you turned the radio on from morning to night all the air waves were filled with gospel broadcasts. Today on a Sunday, its a miracle if you search the dial back and forth to ever find a one!

Friends, something, something, is terribly wrong with this picture!
What is it?
It is the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, retreating to the closet, when others are boldly coming out!

Will there be blood on the hand of the Bride of Christ?
Yes!

And what then, will be the judgment?
Loss of reward, failure of doing ones duty, unmeasurable sorrow in the presence of the Lord.

Revelation 21:4 KJV (Remorse in heaven, believe it!)
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes...neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain..."

Souls lost forever.

Today, many, so called Christians, stand with their wallets closed, hands in their pockets, mouths closed, eagerly waiting to get to heaven.

Isaiah 43:10 KJV
Ye are My witnesses, saith the LORD, and My servant whom I have chosen..."

Acts 20:31 KJV (Paul)
Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

II Timothy 4:1-5 KJV (The Apostle Paul, told young Timothy.)
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Salvation Prayer

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Fellowship With God


Bible Questions Answered:
What do you think “fellowship of the mystery,” means?”
Emiko/ Naniwa, Japan

Bible Answer:

The Lord told Isaiah...
Isaiah 59:2 KJV
"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God..."

Yahweh told Moses...
Exodus 33:20 KJV
"...Thou canst not see My face: for there shall no man see Me, and live."

Man since Adam was separated from God, by something called sin. He was “out,” of fellowship.

In the temple, the Holy Holies, was the place where God's presence rested upon the Ark of the Covenant, a place where only the High Priest entered but once a year. It was separated by a heavy veil, from the Holy place and outer court of the people, The Holy of Holies was a place where the people could "not," come.

Because of our Lord's life giving sacrifice at Calvary, upon the cross, something wonderful happened.

Matthew 27:50-51 NLT (Christ on the cross.)
50 Then Jesus shouted out again, and He released His Spirit.
51 At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart,

Christ had forever made an offering for sin, through His own precious blood, and the veil that separated man from the presence and fellowship of God, was torn in two, from the top to bottom. This is very    
specifically stated, showing openly that it was “not,” the work of man, but God!

Ephesians 3:9-21 KJV
And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Ephesians 3:9-21-NLT (Apostle Paul)
9 I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.
10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 
11 This was His eternal plan, which He carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 
13 So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.
14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 
15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 
16 I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. 
17 Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 
18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. 
19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 
21 Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:9 KJV
“The fellowship of the mystery, “ to which the Apostle refers to is fellowship with God, through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 3:12 KJV
Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 

I John 1:3 KJV
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.

Through our repentance, and acceptance of our Lord's sacrifice for sin (Atonement), we are brought into fellowship with God.

Ephesians 2:1-22 KJV
1 And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner Stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

The Apostle Paul writes....
Romans 8:15 KJV
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of Adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Galatians 4:6 KJV
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, 
Abba, Father.

When we receive Jesus Christ, God's love gift to the world as our Lord and Master, we enter into “fellowship,” with God.

John 3:13-18 KJV
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of Man which is in heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Salvation Prayer


Monday, February 13, 2012

Face Of God


Bible Questions Answered:
“...will we ever be able to see God?”
Stojanka/ Pleszew, Poland

Bible Answer:
Answer Yes, the righteous will!

Job 19:25-27 KJV
25 For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

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

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

Matthew 18:10 (Angels see God.)
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven.

Luke 1:18,19 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.

John 14:6-11 KJV
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.
7 If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him.
8 Philip saith unto Him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works.
11 Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works' sake.

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

Jude 24
24 Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Revelation 5:6-14 NLT
6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. 
7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the One sitting on the throne. 
8 And when He took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 
9 And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll  and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God  from every tribe and language and people and nation. 
10 And you have caused them to become  a Kingdom of priests for our God.  And they will reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. 
12 And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—  to receive power and riches  and wisdom and strength  and honor and glory and blessing.”
13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power  belong to the one sitting on the throne  and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
14 And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.

One thing and one thing only hides the face of God, and that is sin.

Deuteronomy 31:16-18 NLT
16 The LORD said to Moses, “You are about to die and join your ancestors. After you are gone, these people will begin to worship foreign gods, the gods of the land where they are going. They will abandon Me and break My covenant that I have made with them. 
17 Then My anger will blaze forth against them. I will abandon them, hiding My face from them, and they will be devoured. Terrible trouble will come down on them, and on that day they will say, ‘These disasters have come down on us because God is no longer among us!’ 
18 At that time I will hide My face from them on account of all the evil they commit by worshiping other gods.

Psalm 44:20,21,24,26 KJV
20 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;
21 Shall not God search this out? for He knoweth the secrets of the heart.
24 Wherefore hidest thou thy face...
26 Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake.

Isaiah 59:1,2 KJV (Read the whole chapter.)
1 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.

Isaiah 64:6,7 KJV
6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
7 And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.

Ezekiel 39:23,24 KJV
23 And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against Me, therefore hid I My face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword.
24 According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions have I done unto them, and hid My face from them.

Micah 3:4 KJV
Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but He will not hear them: He will even hide His face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.

Isaiah 1:15-20 KJV
15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide Mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil;
17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.



Sunday, February 12, 2012


Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit: Peter's Miraculous Release From Prison.

God's Messenger: The Angle of the Lord.

Bible Location: Jerusalem.

Bible Text:
Acts 12:1-19 NLT
1 About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. 
2 He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword. 
3 When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (This took place during the Passover celebration. 
4 Then he imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover. 
5 But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.
6 The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. 
7 Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists. 
8 Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat and follow me,” the angel ordered.
9 So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening. 
10 They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him.
11 Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent His angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!”
12 When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer. 
13 He knocked at the door in the gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it. 
14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, “Peter is standing at the door!”
15 “You’re out of your mind!” they said. When she insisted, they decided, “It must be his angel.”
16 Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed. 
17 He motioned for them to quiet down and told them how the Lord had led him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers what happened,” he said. And then he went to another place.
18 At dawn there was a great commotion among the soldiers about what had happened to Peter. 
19 Herod Agrippa ordered a thorough search for him. When he couldn’t be found, Herod interrogated the guards and sentenced them to death...”

Acts 12:1,2 NLT
1 About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. 
2 He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword. 

Revelation 12:10 KJV
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Hebrews 11:32-40 KJV
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Acts 12:3,4 NLT
3 When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (This took place during the Passover celebration. 
4 Then he imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover. 

Perhaps more so than any other age, today's masses are enslaved in Satan's prison camps.
Prisons of the sins of the flesh, prisons of unbridled greed, prisons of hatred, prisons of sickness, prisons of war, etc. etc.

Luke 13:16 KJV
"...whom Satan hath bound..."

Acts 12:5 NLT
But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.

No devilish obstacle may stand in the way of God's praying people.

Mark 11:23,24 KJV
23 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.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

If there is one thing our enemy fears, it is a praying church!

James 4:7 KJV
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Homily:
D.L Moody was once asked what gave him his great speaking power. He took the individual to the basement of that great Chicago church, where scores of people were on their knees praying for souls and that D.L. Moody would indeed be the blessed servant of God, to lead many to Christ. Here said D.L. Moody is the source of that power.

Is there strength is numbers?  Yes!

Matthew 18:18-20 KJV (Jesus)
18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Is it any wonder why “disunity,” is uppermost on our enemies mind.
For as long as he can divide the people of God, through any evil means, he wins.

But for the church of unity, brotherly love and Godliness, there is tremendous spiritual strength!

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

Proverb 15:29 KJV
The LORD is far from the wicked: but He heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Matthew 7:7,8 KJV
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

John 15:7 KJV
If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Acts 12:6,7 NLT
6 The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. 
7 Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists. 

This song by William A. Ogden, says it best.

’Tis the grandest theme through the ages rung;
’Tis the grandest theme for a mortal tongue;
’Tis the grandest theme that the world e’er sung,
“Our God is able to deliver thee.”

Refrain:
He is able to deliver thee,
He is able to deliver thee;
Though by sin oppressed, go to Him for rest;
“Our God is able to deliver thee.”

’Tis the grandest theme in the earth or main;
’Tis the grandest theme for a mortal strain;
’Tis the grandest theme, tell the world again,
“Our God is able to deliver thee.”

’Tis the grandest theme, let the tidings roll,
To the guilty heart, to the sinful soul;
Look to God in faith, He will make thee whole,
“Our God is able to deliver thee.”

Are you in prison today, chained by sin? God is your answer, He is able to deliver thee!

Psalm 146:7 KJV
"...The LORD looseth the prisoners:"

Isaiah 42:6,7 KJV
6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Isaiah 61:1 KJV
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me; because the LORD hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

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

I John 3:8 KJV
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

Acts 12:8-19 KJV
8 Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat and follow me,” the angel ordered.
9 So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening. 
10 They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him.
11 Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent His angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!”
12 When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer. 
13 He knocked at the door in the gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it. 
14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, “Peter is standing at the door!”
15 “You’re out of your mind!” they said. When she insisted, they decided, “It must be his angel.”
16 Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed. 
17 He motioned for them to quiet down and told them how the Lord had led him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers what happened,” he said. And then he went to another place.
18 At dawn there was a great commotion among the soldiers about what had happened to Peter. 
19 Herod Agrippa ordered a thorough search for him. When he couldn’t be found, Herod interrogated the guards and sentenced them to death... 

Peter delivered, by the angel of the Lord, his captors dead.
What victories the church of Jesus Christ could have, if our lives were Godly, given to Love and Unity among brethren, but sadly, our Saviour says....

 Luke 18:1-8 KJV
1 And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them?
8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. 
Nevertheless when the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?

Friday, February 10, 2012

Politics In The Church Of Jesus Christ


Bible Questions Answered: 
“Pastor I don't see where you might have addressed politics in the church. We had a Republican speaker in our church, but I was thinking if we really a people of truth, shouldn't we also have a representative of the Democratic party as well. What do you think?”
Edward/ Boston, Massachusetts U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:
Mark 11:15-18 NLT
15 When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, 
16 and He stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. 
17 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a House of Prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”
18 When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill Him. But they were afraid of Him because the people were so amazed at His teaching.

Oh, how, indeed, the mighty have fallen!
Pastors, there is coming a day soon, when you will stand before the Lord, the Husband of the church, and give an account.

James 3:1 KJV
My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

When a powerless church finds it needs something to keep the attention of its people, such as rock music, interpretative dancing, talent hour, great orchestral manifestations, politicians or anyone else with given agendas, God help us!

Jesus Christ said it Himself, “My Temple will be called a House of Prayer for all nations,” which of the above fit that category? Answer, none, and these list only a few of the factions that exhaust the church of Jesus Christ of her strength, and blessing.

Nehemiah 9:1-5 NLT (Be sure to read the whole chapter.)
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!

Reading this story of Israel in true worship, and observing some cold lifeless churches today, is like  comparing light to darkness, warmth to cold.

Revelation 3:16 KJV (Our Lord warned the church of Laodicea, saying...)
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth.

Daniel 9:3 KJV (Godly Daniel)
And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

Joel 2:12 KJV
Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

I Thessalonians 5:6 KJV
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober (alert).

I Peter 4:7 KJV
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

I Peter 5:8 KJV
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Ephesians 5:16 KJV
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Nehemiah 8:4-6 NLT
4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. To his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah. To his left stood Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 
5 Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet.
6 Then Ezra praised the LORD, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

No, these were not Muslims at prayer, they were the people of God, Israel.
Sounds like the church today..............................................................................where?

Friends we have lost the glory and the presence of Almighty God.
Don't think so?

I Kings 8:10-14 KJV (Solomon dedicates the temple to the Lord.)
10 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,
11 So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the House of the LORD.
12 Then spake Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
13 I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever.
14 And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of Israel stood;

II Chronicles 5:11-14 KJV
11 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course:
12 Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:
13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;
14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.

Could the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, in this late, late hour see what Ezra and Solomon saw?

II Chronicles 7:14-22 KJV
14 If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
15 Now Mine eyes shall be open, and Mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.
16 For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there for ever: and Mine eyes and Mine heart shall be there perpetually.
17 And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before Me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe My statutes and My judgments;
18 Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel.
19 But if ye turn away, and forsake My statutes and My commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;
20 Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of My land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for My name, will I cast out of My sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations.
21 And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and unto this house?
22 And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath He brought all this evil upon them.

Salvation Prayer