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Saturday, December 29, 2012

Calling And Election.


Bible Questions Answered:
“...so how is it made, our calling and election?
Jerome/ Copenhagen, Denmark

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:
II Peter 1:10 KJV
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

II Peter 1:10 NLT
So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.

First of all, it must of necessity be said that “we are not,” saved by works, religious or otherwise!

Romans 3:23-25 NLT
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins.
25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed His life, shedding His blood..."

Ephesians 2:8,9 KJV
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.

Titus 3:4-8 NLT
4 But—“When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love,
5 He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.
7 Because of His grace He declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.”

Here is the complete context of II Peter 1:10 KJV:

II Peter 1:3-10 KJV
3 According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

Virtues or Fruits of the Spirit, all are Godly attributes, to be found in the life of God's child.

Galatians 5:22-25 KJV
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Ephesians 5:9 KJV
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

Philippians 2:12,13 KJV
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

And what is God's good pleasure in the life of a Christian?

Luke 1:74,75 KJV
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.

II Corinthians 7:1 KJV
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

I Thessalonians 3:12,13 KJV
12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
13 To the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

Hebrews 12:9,10,14 KJV
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.
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

I Peter 1:16 KJV
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

I Peter 2:9 KJV
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

II Peter 3:11 KJV
Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

Homily:
If you were taking out citizenship in another country, you would be required to know their constitution and laws, so that you would live by them.

Should it be any different for God's city?

Hebrews 11:13,16 NLT (Be sure to read the whole chapter.)
13 All these people (God's people of faith) died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth.
16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.




Friday, December 28, 2012

Heaven-Who Goes There?


Bible Questions Answered:
“...who goes to heaven?”
Ben/ Frankfurt, Germany (Hessen)

Bible Answer:

The Old Testament:
Psalm 15:1-5 NLT A psalm of David.
1 Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
3 Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.
4 Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts.
5 Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.

Psalm 24:3-6 KJV
3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in His holy place?
4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of them that seek Him..."

The New Testament:

John 3:14-18,36 KJV
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must The Son Of Man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of The Only Begotten Son Of God.
36 He that believeth on The Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not The Son shall not see Life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

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 8:24 KJV
I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins.

John 10:9 KJV
I am the Door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved..."

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.

Acts 4:10-12 KJV
10 Be it known unto you all... that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead...
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.

Acts 16:31 KJV
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..."

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 Corinthians 3:11 KJV
For other Foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:18 NLT
Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

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

I Timothy 2:3-6 KJV
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, The Man Christ Jesus;
6 Who gave Himself a ransom for all..."

I John 5:1,12 KJV
1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God...
12 Whoever has the Son has Life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have Life.

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

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




Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Christian Protection


Bible Questions Answered:
“How can we protect ourselves from evil?”
Lucy/ London, England (United Kingdom)

Bible Answer:
A Christian, may rebuke the enemy through God's Word, and the name and blood of Christ!

God's promises to His people:

Exodus 14:14 KJV
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Deuteronomy 33:27 KJV
The Eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and He shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.

II Chronicles 16:9 KJV
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him..."

II Chronicles 32:8 KKJV
"...with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles..."

Psalm 5:11,12 KJV
11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
12 For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

Psalm 27:5 KJV
For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a Rock (Christ).

Psalm 31:20 KJV
Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence..."

Psalm 32:7 KJV
Thou art my Hiding Place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble..."

Psalm 33:20 KJV
Our soul waiteth for the Lord: He is our help and our shield.

Psalm 34:7 KJV
The Angel Of The Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.

Psalm 44:5 KJV
Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.

Psalm 46:1 KJV
God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 119:114 KJV
Thou art my Hiding Place and my Shield: I hope in thy word.

Proverbs 14:26 KJV
In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge.

Proverbs 18:10 KJV
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Proverbs 30:5 KJV
Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.

Isaiah 25:4 NLT
But you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O Lord, a tower of refuge to the needy in distress.
You are a refuge from the storm and a shelter from the heat.

Matthew 26:28 NLT
for this is My blood, which confirms the covenant between God and His people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many. (Christians, justified, by the blood of Christ.)

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.

John 1:29 KJV
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold The Lamb Of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

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.

Acts 20:28 KJV
"... the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood.

Romans 5:9 NLT
And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.

Romans 8:35,37 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?
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved 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 armor 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 armor 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;

Hebrews 2:14 KJV
For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

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.

Hebrews 9:14 NLT
Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of The Eternal Spirit, Christ offered Himself to God as a Perfect Sacrifice for our sins.

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

I Peter 1:18,19 KJV
18 For as much 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 5:8,9 KJV
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith..."

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.

I John 3:8 KJV
The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason The Son Of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.

I John 5:4 KJV
For whatsoever is born of God over cometh the world: and this is the victory that over cometh the world, even our faith.

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.

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.

See also the blog posting......    Protection-God's

Monday, December 24, 2012

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Old Testament: Judgment Of Fiery Serpents And Their Cure.


Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Old Testament: Judgment Of Fiery Serpents, And Their Cure.

Occasion: Ingratitude Brings Judgment.

Location: Desert of Zin.

Bible Text:
Numbers 21:4-9 NLT
(Weary)
4 Then the people of Israel set out from Mount Hor, taking the road to the Red Sea to go around the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient with the long journey,

(Ingratitude, A Sin.)
5 and they began to speak against God and Moses. “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?” they complained. “There is nothing to eat here and nothing to drink. And we hate this horrible manna!”

(Judgment)
6 So the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people, and many were bitten and died.
(Conscience and confession.)

(Confession)
7 Then the people came to Moses and cried out, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take away the snakes.” So Moses prayed for the people.

(Remedy)
8 Then the Lord told him, “Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole. All who are bitten will live if they simply look at it!”
9 So Moses made a snake out of bronze (Bronze speaks of judgment.) and attached it to a pole. Then anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake and be healed!

Numbers 21:4-9 KJV
4 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.
5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
6 And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
8 And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

(Weary)
Numbers 21:4 NLT
...the people grew impatient (discouraged) with the long journey,”

John Bunyan, was right, it is a pilgrims progress. The journey, may indeed be long, and the way uneasy, cluttered with snares, laid by the enemy.

Yet, the Apostle maintains...
Philippians 3:14 KJV
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Strength Promised The Child Of God:

Psalm 28:8 KJV
The Lord is their strength, and He is the saving strength of His anointed.

Psalm 46:1 KJV
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 73:26 KJV
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Isaiah 40:28-31 KJV
28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator Of the Ends Of The Earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of His understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 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.

Isaiah 41:10 KJV
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.

Daniel 11:32 KJV
"...but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits."

Ephesians 3:16 KJV
That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;

(Ingratitude, A Sin.)
Numbers 21:5 NLT
5 and they began to speak against God and Moses. “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?” they complained. “There is nothing to eat here and nothing to drink. And we hate this horrible manna!”

What a dark and hideous sin, that of ingratitude.
And what a commentary on not only ancient Israel, but our people today!

Deuteronomy 32:3-6 NLT (Moses)
3 I will proclaim the name of the Lord; how glorious is our God!
4 He is The Rock; His deeds are perfect. Everything He does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright He is!
5 “But they have acted corruptly toward Him; when they act so perversely, are they really His children? They are a deceitful and twisted generation.
6 Is this the way you repay the Lord, you foolish and senseless people? Isn’t He your Father who created you? Has He not made you and established you?

Nehemiah 9:26 NLT (The Levites.)
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.

Ezekiel 16:17-19 NLT
17 You took the very jewels and gold and silver ornaments I had given you and made statues of men and worshiped them. This is adultery against me!
18 You used the beautifully embroidered clothes I gave you to dress your idols. Then you used my special oil and my incense to worship them.
19 Imagine it! You set before them as a sacrifice the choice flour, olive oil, and honey I had given you, says the Sovereign Lord.

Luke 17:17,18 KJV
17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

Romans 1:21,22 KJV
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

II Timothy 3:1-5 KJV
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

(Judgment)
Numbers 21:6 NLT
6 So the Lord sent poisonous snakes (fiery serpents) among the people, and many were bitten and died.

Sin is a fiery burning venom unto spiritual death.

I Samuel 15:23 KJV
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry..."
Proverbs 11:19 KJV
As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

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.

Can God, send destruction, to individuals or to nations, in answer to sinnful rebellion?
Answer, yes, and He lovingly does it to stop sinners, before it is too late!

Psalm 119:67 KJV
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

Psalm 119:67 NLT
I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word.

Hebrews 5:12-14 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.
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

(Conscience and confession.)
Numbers 21:7 NLT
7 Then the people came to Moses and cried out, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take away the snakes.” So Moses prayed for the people.

Ezra 10:11 KJV
Now therefore make confession unto the Lord God of your fathers, and do His pleasure..."

Psalm 66:18 KJV
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

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

I John 1:9-10 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.

(Remedy)
Numbers 21:8,9 NLT 
8 Then the Lord told him, “Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole. All who are bitten will live if they simply look at it!”
9 So Moses made a snake out of bronze (Bronze speaks of judgment.) and attached it to a pole. Then anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake and be healed!

The Israelites were to look at the serpent of bronze, and live.
Now, this was “more,” than just looking and living! This meant that by looking in Faith, to
The Promise given, then they would be healed of their deadly wounds.

What was the promise?

Numbers 21:8,9 KJV
8 And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole:
and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass,
that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

One had to look in Faith, believing The Promise, to live!
By looking, one was believing in The Promise for deliverance!

These actions were but a prefiguring, a type of the ultimate remedy for sin, the Lord Jesus Christ.

I Corinthians 10:9-13 NLT
9 Nor should we put Christ to the test, as some of them did and then died from snakebites.
10 And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death.
11 These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.
12 If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.
13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.

(Look and live!)
John 3:14-18 KJV
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must The Son Of Man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in (Looketh on) Him (The Promise) 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 (Looketh on) 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 (Looketh) on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed (Had Faith) in the name of The Only Begotten Son Of God.



Saturday, December 22, 2012

Washing - Of The Word


Bible Questions Answered:
“...so I do not understand this washing, to make clean...”
Waheed/ Bangalore, India (Tamil Nadu)

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:
Ephesians 5:25-27 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.

One may wash in a river or sea, and it will not help make one clean, spiritually.
Paul's writings to the Ephesian believers states that, “Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it;”

Romans 3:23-25 NLT (Apostle Paul)
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins.
25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed His life, shedding His blood..."

Romans 5:1 NLT
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God
because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

We are “justified,” through faith in the finished work of our Savior Jesus Christ.
This is “not,” anything we could ever do, but that only God's Son could do for us!

Romans 5:18,19 NLT
18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.
19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because One other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.

Now, being justified, we are to live a life of righteousness.

Homily:
Wouldn't it be foolish for a doctor to remove a tumor, caused by the bad habit of smoking, only to tell his patient, OK, now you can resume your smoking.
How foolish that would be, for that is what almost killed him.

Our precious Savior has saved us from sin and death, and now calls us to live a holy life.

Romans 8:2 KJV
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Leviticus 20:7 KJV
Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.

I Peter 1:15 KJV
But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

I Peter 1:16 KJV
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Well, how may one keep pure before his Savior?

Ephesians 5:26,27 KJV
26 That He (Christ) might sanctify and cleanse it (His Church) 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.

Psalm 119:9 KJV
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Psalm 119:11 KJV
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Psalm 119:105 KJV
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psalm 119:130 KJV
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Psalm 119:133 KJV
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Psalm 119:160 KJV
Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

Psalm 119:172 KJV
My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

John 17:17 KJV
Sanctify them through thy Truth: thy Word is Truth.

We are kept clean, by “the washing of water by the word,
When we read the holy Word of God, and apply it to our lives, we are kept clean.

Matthew 7:21 KJV
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.

Our Lord prayed for His church saying...)
John 17:14-17 NLT
14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.
15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.
16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do.
17 Make them holy by your Truth; teach them your word, which is Truth.

If there is one thing our enemy hates, it is the Word of God. Three times the enemy, tried to tempt the Savior, and three times He quoted the Word of God, to refute him (Matthew 4:1-11).

Keep reading the wonderful word of God!



Thursday, December 20, 2012

Faith-Found On The Earth?


Bible Questions Answered:
“Just how are we to understand Christ's words “nevertheless, when the Son of man commeth, shall he find faith on the earth?”
Ashley/ Manilia, Philippines

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:
Luke 18:1-8 NLT
1 One day Jesus told His disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.
2 “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people.
3 A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’
4 The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people,
5 but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”
6 Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge.

7 Even he rendered a just decision in the end.
So don’t you think God will surely give justice to His chosen people who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off?
8 I tell you, He will grant justice to them quickly! But when The Son Of Man returns, how many will He find on the earth who have faith?”

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?

For full comment on this parable, see the blog posting.... Parables-Our Lord's: The Unjust Judge

View a listing of subjects:
Trials And Temptations End Times Signs Falling Away-The Great (See View A List Of Subjects....5 listings under “Last Days.”) Suffering-Christian


But to say a word about

Luke 18:7,8 NLT
7...So don’t you think God will surely give justice to His chosen people who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off?
8 I tell you, He will grant justice to them quickly! But when The Son Of Man returns, how many will He find on the earth who have faith?”

Our Lord's words here, in now way, state or imply that God's child, will not under go trials, and tribulations!

Isaiah 43:1-3 KJV (Promises for Israel, and God's children today.)
1 But now thus saith the Lord that created thee..., and He that formed thee..., Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
3 For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior..."

Matthew 5:45 KJV
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Hardships happen to one and all.
Does God hear prayer, and will He answer? Yes!

Prayer Answered See “View A List Of Subjects” (9 different categories of “prayer answered.”)

Yes, our God answers prayer for His people, but, do not necessarily deduce that He will answer always in the affirmative, for His answer may be no, or to wait for the answer later.

And any and all of these answers are to the betterment of the spiritual success of His child.

But pastor in verse 8, doesn't it say God will answer them “speedily?”

Luke 18:7,8 KJV
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?

Yes, it certainly does, but let us fully understand, the context in which it does.

May there indeed be a waiting involved in answer to prayer? Yes, one would only need to read the story of Godly Daniel to see that, or that of the Apostle Paul (Daniel 10:13/II Corinthians 12:7-10).

And notice if you will, in this verse our Lord's open honesty on answered prayer.

Verse 7 His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him,” (Certainly, a period of time, though not specified.)
Verse 7 though He bear* long* with them?”

*Bear, Greek: Makrothumeo (Mak-roth-oo-meh-o): To be long-spirited, forbearing or patient: bear (suffer) long, be long suffering, have (long) patience, be patient, patiently endure.

*Long, Greek: (Same as Makrothumeo.)

So, in proper exegetical interpretation, it is not, "the answer” (in prayer), that is instant (speedily-quickly), for we have just seen that that may not be the case at all!

What God does “speedily-quickly,” is that when the time comes (determined by Him, and Him alone.), for His action, it will be more than swift!

We must “not,” confuse the two!
A poem by Friedrich von Logau written in 1694, stated...."God's mill grinds slow but sure."

Yes, it may seem at times that God's answers are “slow.”
But let us never, ever mistake that with blatant stoicism!
For our living God, sees, knows and yes, feels our pain!

Hebrews 4:14-16 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 (infirmities), for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin.
16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

God's delays are, God's business.

Being that as it may, be pleased to understand this.

Philippians 2:12 KJV
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

The misunderstood answer, regarding prayer.
Oh, how many are mad a God, when they should be down on their knees in unending praise.

God in His infinite wisdom, something which may not be measured or ever fully understood by man, is doing something (Psalm 145:17/Isaiah 55:8,9/ Romans 11:33,34)! He is helping and guiding (through His precious Spirit), to mold us according to our yieldedness, into His glorious image.

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

No, it is “not,” always best for us to have our prayers answered instantly!
For this, God, is often maligned by His own people, a people, who have been called to live in and by their faith.

Romans 1:17 KJV
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

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

This dear saints, should not, be so.

II Peter 3:9 KJV
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

God hears the prayers of His people, and will answer, in this rest assured.
And if we be yielded and faithful...

I Corinthians 15:49 KJV
And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

But knowing all of this, will our returning Savior, “find faith on the earth?”

The question, brings with it, the hint of pessimism.
In an age of instant, this and instant that, we as God's people, had better be more careful and redeem the precious time that we have.

Ephesians 5:15,16 AMP
15 Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),
16 Making the very most of (Redeem) the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.



Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Jesus-His Name -2


Bible Questions Answered:
“...why was Mary's baby called Jesus?”
Debbie/ Charlotte, North Carolina U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

Bible Texts:

Jesus:
Matthew 1:21,22 KJV
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus*: for He shall save His people from their sins.

Luke 1:30,31 KJV
30 And the angel (Gabriel) said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His name Jesus*.

*Jesus, Greek: Iesous (Ee-ay;-sooce): Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord..

Christ/ Lord:
Matthew 1:16 KJV
And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ*.

Luke 2:11 KJV
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ* the Lord*.

*Christ, Greek: Christos (Khris-tos): The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus: Christ.

*Lord, Greek: Kurios (Koo-ree-os): Supreme in authority, i.e. controller; (as a respectful title): God, Lord, Master.

The Anointed:
Luke 4:18,19 KJV
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed* Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

*Anointed;Greek, Chrio (Khree-o): To smear or rub with oil, i.e. to consecrate to an office or religious service: Anoint.

Jesus is our King, Prophet, and Priest, The Anointed One.

The “seed of the woman:”
Genesis 3:15 KJV
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.

Abraham's Seed:
Genesis 22:18 KJV (The Angel of the Lord, promise to Abraham.)
And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Great Prophet:
Luke 7:16 KJV
And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.

Priest:
Psalm 110:4 KJV
The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

The Branch:
Isaiah 11:1,2,10
1 And there shall come forth a rod (a twig) out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,
10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign (A banner-standard) of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and His rest shall be glorious.

Jeremiah 33:15 KJV
In those days, and at that time, will I cause The Branch Of Righteousness to grow up unto David; and He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.

Immanuel:
Isaiah 7:14 KJV
Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel*.

*Immanuel, Hebrew: Immanuwel (Im-maw-noo-ale): God is with us.

Emmanuel:
Matthew 1:23 KJV
Behold, a virgin shall be with Child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel*, which being interpreted is, God with us.

*Emmanuel, Greek: Emmanuel (em-man-oo-ale): God with us. Name of Christ: Emmanuel.

The Messenger:
Malachi 3:1 KJV
Behold, I will send My Messenger, and He shall prepare the way before Me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even The Messenger (Angel) Of The Covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith The LORD Of Hosts.

Lord Of The Temple:
Psalm 11:4 KJV
The LORD is in His holy temple..."

Isaiah 9:6 KJV
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father,
The Prince Of Peace.

I Timothy 3:16 KJV
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.




Sunday, December 16, 2012

Swaddling


Bible Questions Answered:
“What is swaddled?”
Corrie/ Auckland, New Zealand

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:
Luke 2:6,7,10-12 KJV
6 And so it was, that, while they were there (Bethlehem), the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her Firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling* clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

*Swaddling – Greek: Sparganoo (Spar-gan-o-o): A strip; to strap or wrap with strips; to swathe (an infant) : wrap in swaddling clothes.

It was not a new custom:

Ezekiel 16:4 KJV (A metaphor, concerning Jerusalem.)
...thou wast not salted at all, nor swaddled at all.”

What did it mean for a baby to be swaddled?
Swaddling consisted of rubbing a baby with salt, this was thought to make the child strong.
And the baby was bound, arms and legs with tightly wound cloth, this was thought to make the child grow straight. A child was swaddled not less than 40 days, and yes, this was true of the Lord Jesus.

And in case you were wondering, yes, swaddling is still practiced in many countries yet today!

Child of God, have you asked the heavenly Father, to swaddle, and equipped you, to be straight and strong in the Lord?

Ephesians 6:10-18 KJV (Divine Protection)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor 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 armor 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;

Seven guides, to keep you straight and strong in the Lord. Make them apart of your life!