The Bible Prayer Line

Magic-White-Black

2012-03-04T23:30:00.002-06:00

Bible Questions Answered:
“Pastor I have this friend Noreen, who is involved with White Magic, not evil Black Magic. She does good things for people, and she wants me to join her. I am wondering what you think.”
Debby/ London, United Kingdom

Bible Answer:

Magic: The use of charms, spells, and rituals in seeking or pretending to cause or control events, or govern certain natural or supernatural forces; occultism (such charms, spells, etc.).
New World Dictionary

Someone practicing White Magic, may in their rituals use a crucifix, say the Lord's prayer, and, or use the benediction,” In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost.”

The first thing we would like to ask someone involved in White Magic is this....

1.) Do you believe in the Bible?

2.) Do you believe in salvation, are you “saved?” (Then we must follow that by “just what is a Christian?” And when did you give you heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ?)

3.) Do you realize that Jesus, who healed the sick and raised the dead, because He was energized by the power of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:7-11). He never used chants, charms, spells or rituals!

4.) Do you realize that Satan is a master deceiver, and that he tries to mimic the works of God?
II Corinthians 11:14 KJV
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

5.) Do you realize that just because something may bring results, does not make it a “good,” thing!
In Exodus chapters 7 & 8 Pharaohs magicians could turn their rods into serpents, turn water into blood, and cause frogs to appear, but they with Pharaoh were the enemies of God!

6.) Do you realize that God does “not,” respond to rituals, chants, or incantations, but the enemy does!

7.) Do you realize that God hates magic in all forms.
Isaiah 47:9-12 NLT
9 Well, both these things will come upon you in a moment: widowhood and the loss of your children. Yes, these calamities will come upon you, despite all your witchcraft and magic.
10 “You felt secure in your wickedness. ‘No one sees me,’ you said. But your ‘wisdom’ and ‘knowledge’ have led you astray, and you said, ‘I am the only one, and there is no other.’
11 So disaster will overtake you, and you won’t be able to charm it away. Calamity will fall upon you, and you won’t be able to buy your way out. A catastrophe will strike you suddenly, one for which you are not prepared.
12 “Now use your magical charms!

Leviticus 19:31 KJV
Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.

8.) Do you realize that when a person turns to magic, he is actually turning away from God, (the God who hates all forms of magic.) And opening himself up to evil spiritual powers.

9.) All forms of magic, emanate from Satan. Wouldn't an “Angel of Light,” be a wonderful thing?
II Corinthians 11:14 KJV (See # 4 above.) It sure would seem that way, but the word of God tells us that is just how the enemy of our souls may appear!

A Christian does not use incantations, charms, rituals, etc. He prays from a pure heart to a God who listens and answers.

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.

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

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.

Worship-True

2012-03-03T00:08:00.000-06:00

Bible Questions Answered:
“What does “sin lieth at the door” refer to?”
Godiva/ Sao Paulo, Brazil

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:
Genesis 4:1-8 KJV
1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.
2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the first lings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

This is the story of Cain and his brother Abel.
The worship of Abel was accepted by the Lord, while the worship of Cain, was not!

What a wonderful place pastor, to alert you to the fact that “not-all,” worship is acceptable to the Lord!
How very careful we must be!

True worship, draws attention to “none-other,” than Jesus Christ!
True worship, draws attention to “none-other,” than Jesus Christ!

What, dear worship leader would change in your worship service if that agenda was followed?

No costumes, no flashy clothes, no loud beating rhythms, no singers under the spotlight, no prized musicians performing before the camera, no show, or amateur performances.

“Well, that's absolutely crazy!”
Actually, that's how it used to be in the church years ago.
Choirs, were not before a camera, there were in a hidden loft to the side or rear of the sanctuary.
Organs, were oft to the side of the sanctuary.

How far we have gone.
True worship, true worship, brings any and all attention to only one individual, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Cains worship, was “not, right!”
Yes he worshiped sincerely, but he was sincerely “wrong.”

Yes the Lord gave him warning.
Genesis 4:6 KJV
6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

Doesn't God like farmers?
He surely does, Adam, Cains father had been a husbandman of the garden in Eden.

The problem was Cains worship of the Lord!
Well, just what was wrong with it?
Abel and Cain had been taught as boys the true and proper worship of the Lord!

“Pastor I don't seem to read that in the Bible.”

Yes its there alright.....
Man's answer, carnal religion..
Genesis 3:7,12 KJV
7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

God's answer, the first animal sacrifice, with the shedding of blood, a type of the sacrifice to come.
21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them

Adam and Eve learned true worship that day, and they passed that form of worship on to their sons.

Genesis 4:7 KJV
“...sin lieth at the door.”

Cain knew better, but wanted to do worship his way! Surely, he thought, his religious practice would be just as good that bloody one of Adam, Eve and Abel.

That is what he thought, but he was wrong.

Mark 7:5-9 KJV
5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.
7 Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
9 And He said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Matthew 7:21-23 KJV
21 Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.

How on earth, could our Lord, tell a people who were in church on Sunday, a Charismatic people of prophecy, exorcism, and many wonderful religious works, “depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.”

He could if in their worship, they never had repented of their sins, and taken Him personally as their Saviour and Lord of their lives. And it is apparent, this they never did!

Oh they had tremendous worship, but they were “TERRIBLE, SINISTER, WORKERS OF INIQUITY!”

Why, because their “sham,” worship, was a hollow pretense. A ritualistic show of no personal spiritual merit.

Why? Because in their sham of religious worship, they were leading others into the same dead, ritualistic spiritual anathema, as well.

How very careful, we must be in our worship of the Lord!
True worship, brings attention to none-other than the Lord Jesus Christ, and His sacrifice for sin.
True worship, brings attention to none-other than the Lord Jesus Christ, and His sacrifice for sin.

Salvation Prayer

Work In Heaven?

2012-02-29T06:52:00.002-06:00

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.

Once Saved Always Saved

2012-02-27T16:38:00.002-06:00

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

Hebrews 6:1-6 KJV

2012-02-24T21:35:00.000-06:00

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

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

2012-02-22T21:24:00.001-06:00

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

Contemporary Versus Fundamentalism

2012-02-20T20:59:00.000-06:00

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.

Blood Of The Lost

2012-02-18T16:02:00.000-06:00

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

Fellowship With God

2012-02-16T01:43:00.003-06:00

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

Face Of God

2012-02-13T21:29:00.001-06:00

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.

Salvation Prayer

2012-02-12T02:39:00.000-06:00

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?

Politics In The Church Of Jesus Christ

2012-02-10T02:04:00.001-06:00

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

Lucifer

2012-02-08T03:31:00.000-06:00

Bible Questions Answered:
“How was it that satan received the name lucifer, was that from God?”
Hilda/ Athens, Georgia U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

Bible Text: Isaiah 14:12 KJV (A prophecy of Isaiah from God.)
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

Since the King of Babylon had never been up to heaven (Nebuchadnezzar), then these verses of Isaiah speak of another, and that other we know to be Lucifer.

Lucifer: Hebrew: Heylel (Hay-lale): Sense of brightness; the morning star (evil usurper, title belongs to Christ, Revelation 22:16) (Son of the dawn/morning)(some say: Light bringer, brilliant, splendid, illustrious, the shining one.)

Isaiah 14:9-19 KJV
9 Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.
10 All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?
11 Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
17 That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?
18 All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house.
19 But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet.

And the same is true of Ezekiel 28, these verses of Ezekiel do not refer just to the Prince of Tyrus (Ithobaal II), but again to Lucifer. This is called a dual-prophecy.

Ezekiel 28:1-19 KJV
1 The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus (Tyre), Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:
3 Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:
4 With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures:
5 By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches:
6 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God;
7 Behold, therefore I will bring strangers upon thee, the terrible of the nations: and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall defile thy brightness (Profane thy shining beauty.).
8 They shall bring thee down to the pit, and thou shalt die the deaths of them that are slain in the midst of the seas.
9 Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee, I am God? but thou shalt be a man, and no God, in the hand of him that slayeth thee.
10 Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.
11 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
12 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.
13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.
17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.
19 All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.

Brightness (verses 7,17): Hebrew: Yiphah: (Yif-aw): Splendor, beauty, brightness.

God gave Lucifer his name but he fell from an exalted position of great beauty and power from heaven.
And so God changed his name to....

Abaddon
Accuser
Asversary
Angel of the bottomless pit
Appollyon
Belial
Beelzebub
Devil
God of this world
Murderer
Prince of Devils
Prince of the power of the air
Prince of this world
Ruler of Darkness
Serpent
Tempter
Unclean Spirit
Wicked One

II Corinthians 11:13-15 KJV
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Revelation 20:10 KJV
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet (have already been for 1,000 years/ed.) are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Salvation Prayer

Signs Of Following Jesus

2012-02-06T01:38:00.000-06:00

Bible Questions Answered:
“...I have some Christian friends that don't seem so righteous...”
Randy/ Rgina, Canada

Bible Answer:

SIGNS OF FOLLOWING JESUS:
Matthew 7:20 KJV
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

God's People Are People Of Belief:
I John 5:1 NLT
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God..."

God's People Have A Life Of Righteousness:
I John 2:29 KJV
If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him.

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

God's People Live A Sinless Life:
I John 3:9 NLT
Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.

God's People Have A Heart Of Love Towards Others:
I John 4:7,8 KJV
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

God's People Are Kept By The Power Of God:
I John 5:18 NLT
We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them.

God's People Are Overcomers:
I John 5:4 KJV
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

God's People Have A Lively Hope:
I Peter 1:3 KJV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

God's People Live A Life Of Prayer:
Ephesians 6:18 KJV
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

God's People Live A Life Of Confession:
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.

God's People Live A Life Of Worship:
Psalm 95:6 KJV
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.

God's People Are Faithful Stewards:
I Corinthians 4:2 KJV
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

God's People Are Fruitful:
John 15:5 KJV
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.

Most people questioned today, will reply that they are Christians. And yet if you were to ask them just what a Christian is, what a multiplicity of answers you will receive.
Being a Christian, means being one who has repented of their sins and who has received the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour (born again (John 3:1-21).

It is “not,” by what some one says, that proves discipleship, rather Jesus said, it is “by their fruits ye shall know them. (Matthew 7:20 KJV)”

Matthew 7:21-29 KJV
21 Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a Rock (Psalm 18:2):
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a Rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at His doctrine:
29 For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Salvation Prayer

Castaway

2012-02-03T02:20:00.000-06:00

Bible Questions Answered:
“Why did Paul say he feared being a castaway?”
Sheila/ Berlin, Germany

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:
I Corinthians 9:25-27 KJV
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

I Corinthians 9:25-27 RSV
25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
26 Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air;
27 but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

I Corinthians 9:24-27 NLT
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!
25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.
27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

If any age has ever seen this fulfilled, certainly it is our day.
Whether a person is a mister or not, one's calling does not save him.

The Apostle Paul, who has written no less than 14 books of our New Testament, and who preached and taught the Word of God, knew well, that his own standing with God, was not based upon what he had or would do for others!

It would always be based upon his own personal commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ.

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

How many a dear saint has forgotten those words, and found them selves as Paul has said, a castaway.
A minister of God, more, yes more than any others, must be someone who constantly is a person of prayer, fasting, and Bible reading with personal witnessing.

No one is “saved,” by his or her deeds.
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 (including religious works/ed), lest any man should boast.

Could a person preach from the Bible and be lost?
Yes, if that person never had received the Lord Jesus Christ as their own personal Saviour and Lord of their life!

We live in a world where seminaries send out those who (seemingly) are ready to teach the Word, and yet who have no personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Be sure to always judge people and or their teaching by “Thus saith the Lord.”

And be sure to pray for you pastor, as a congregant this is your duty!
Surely if anyone is under the attack of the enemy, it is the person who fearlessly teaches the Word of God.
And always remind your pastor that you are always praying for him, to be sure, he is praying for you!

So what is the Apostle saying, he is saying, yes I'm involved with the Lord's work, but I must be careful myself , to know just where I stand with the Lord.
And of course this is what all of us must do constantly.

Hebrews 2:1-3 KJV (Apostle Paul)
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..."

Indeed, preacher, priest, or prelate, one shall not escape, if we do not constantly keep in spiritual training.

I Corinthians 9:25-27 NLT
25 “...athletes are disciplined in their training.”
26 “...I run with purpose in every step.”
27 “...I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.

And of course it goes without saying that the Apostle here was not referring to the physical, but rather his spiritual life!

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

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

Luke 2:36,37 KJV
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

Romans 10:9-11 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.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.

Psalm 17:5 KJV
(Oh Lord) “Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.”

Bible Lesson:Miracles Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit: Aeneas And Dorcas Raised Up

2012-02-01T02:00:00.001-06:00

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Power OfThe Holy Spirit: Aeneas And Dorcas Raised Up.

God's Messenger: Peter.

Bible Location: Lydda (Ancient land ofLod, Nehemiah 7:37; some 15 miles from the coast of theMediterranean.)

Bible Text: Acts 9:32-42 NLT

32 Meanwhile, Peter traveled from placeto place, and he came down to visit the believers in the town ofLydda.

33 There he met a man named Aeneas, whohad been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years.

34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, JesusChrist heals you! Get up, and roll up your sleeping mat!” And hewas healed instantly.

35 Then the whole population of Lyddaand Sharon saw Aeneas walking around, and they turned to the Lord.

36 There was a believer in Joppa namedTabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind thingsfor others and helping the poor.

37 About this time she became ill anddied. Her body was washed for burial and laid in an upstairs room.

38 But the believers had heard thatPeter was nearby at Lydda, so they sent two men to beg him, “Pleasecome as soon as possible!”

39 So Peter returned with them; and assoon as he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. The room wasfilled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats andother clothes Dorcas had made for them.

40 But Peter asked them all to leavethe room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, “Getup, Tabitha.” And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she satup!

41 He gave her his hand and helped herup. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and hepresented her to them alive.

42 The news spread through the wholetown, and many believed in the Lord.

Acts 9:32 NLT

Meanwhile, Peter traveled from placeto place, and he came down to visit the believers in the town ofLydda.

Peter was a man who was lead by theHoly Spirit.

Psalm 37:23 KJV

The steps of a good man are ordered bythe LORD: and He delighteth in his way.

Acts 9:33 NLT

There he met a man named Aeneas, whohad been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years.

What age has not known the sick, thehalt and the lame. It was true in our Saviour's day, and it is trueyet today.

A man who for eight long years, lay ona bed, because he was paralyzed, his legs were lifeless, and useless,due to a palsy of uncontrollable tremors. How hopeless his life musthave been, existing on the sympathy, and the generosity of others.

The charge of the Lord Jesus to Hismen.

Matthew 10:5,7,8 KJV

5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, andcommanded them, saying...

7 ...The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers..."

Acts 9:34 NLT

Peter said to him, “Aeneas, JesusChrist heals you! Get up, and roll up your sleeping mat!” And hewas healed instantly.

Luke 17:6 KJV

And the Lord said, If ye had faith as agrain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thouplucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it shouldobey you.

Why, oh why don't Christian people praytoday? And no it has nothing to do with, because it is “not for thisdispensation!” The true answer is what our Lord said!

Matthew 8:26 KJV

And He saith unto them, Why are yefearful, O ye of little faith?

Then He arose, and rebuked the windsand the sea; and there was a great calm.

James 5:13-16 KJV

13 Is any among you afflicted? let himpray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

14 Is any sick among you? let him callfor the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointinghim with oil in the name of the Lord:

15 And the prayer of faith shall savethe sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committedsins, they shall be forgiven him.

16 Confess your faults one to another,and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectualfervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Hebrews 11:6 KJV

But without faith it is impossible toplease Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, andthat He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

God still answers prayer!

Luke 11:9,10 KJV

9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shallbe given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be openedunto you.

10 For every one that asketh receiveth;and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall beopened.

Acts 9:35 NLT

Then the whole population of Lydda andSharon saw Aeneas walking around, and they turned to the Lord.

When the people saw the answer toPeter's prayer, Aeneas healed, they “turned to the Lord.”

Friends, hear this and if you need to,write it down and paste it on your television!

Miracles in the name of the Lord, areto draw individuals to the Precious Lord Jesus, “not to earthlymen!”

Read that again.

Where ever prayer is given and miraclescalled for, remember well Acts 9:35.

Acts 9:35 NLT

Then the whole population of Lydda andSharon saw Aeneas walking around,

and they turned (to Peter!)

Never, and Godly Peter would have“never,” permitted such an abomination!

The People of Lydda and Sharon theyturned to the Lord.

- - - - – --- - - - - - - – - -- -

Acts 9:36 NLT

There was a believer in Joppa namedTabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind thingsfor others and helping the poor.

Proverbs 22:1 KJV

A GOOD name is rather to be chosen thangreat riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.

Much good was said of Tabitha, how shehad helped the helpless, and all the kind things she did for others,such as making coats or cloaks for many of them.

And what then will one day be said ofus? Everyday, we contribute to our own epitaph.

Acts 9:37-39 NLT

37 About this time she became ill anddied. Her body was washed for burial and laid in an upstairs room.

38 But the believers had heard thatPeter was nearby at Lydda (From Joppa to Lydda, 12-15 miles), so theysent two men to beg him, “Please come as soon as possible!”

Many that day testified of their lovefor Dorcas, the care giver.

Some had more than sorrow, some, morethan likely the few, thought, Peter is nearby, “do you think hecould pray and resurrect our loved one?”

And so they begged for Peter to come,and pray for their deceased friend.

What, what was it our Saviour hadtaught His men?

Matthew 10:5,7,8 KJV

5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, andcommanded them,

7 ...saying The kingdom of heaven is athand.

8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers,raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freelygive.

Acts 9:40-42 NLT

40 But Peter asked them all to leavethe room; then he knelt and prayed....

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.

Proverbs 15:29 KJV

The LORD is far from the wicked: but Heheareth the prayer of the righteous.

Isaiah 58:9 KJV

Then shalt thou call, and the LORDshall answer..."

Ephesians 6:18 KJV

Praying always with all prayer andsupplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with allperseverance and supplication for all saints;

I Thessalonians 5:17 KJV

Pray without ceasing.

If the church of the Lord Jesus Christis powerless today, it because its people refuse to bend their kneesand spend time in prayer!

Acts 9:40-42 NLT

….Turning to the body he said, “Getup, Tabitha.” And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she satup!

41 He gave her his hand and helped herup. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and hepresented her to them alive.

42 The news spread through the wholetown, and many believed in the Lord.

When the people saw the answer toPeter's prayer, and Dorcas healed, they “turned to the Lord.”

Friends, hear this and if you need to,write it down and paste it on your television!

Miracles in the name of the Lord, areto draw individuals to the Precious Lord Jesus, “not to earthlymen!”

Read that again.

Where ever prayer is given and miraclescalled for, remember well

Acts 9:42.

The news spread through the whole town,and many believed in the Lord.

All praise, all honor, all thanksgivingbelongs to our Lord, and always will.

Beast Mark

2012-01-30T01:17:00.001-06:00

Bible Questions Answered:
“Pastor how will one come by the”mark of the beast” ?”
Arnold/ Atlanta, Georgia

Bible Answer:

Many have speculated over the years as to just what the mark of the beast is, or just how it will be received.
Clues are found in the following scriptures.

Revelation 13:1-18 NLT
(The First Beast is none other than the Anti-Christ.)

1 Then I saw a beast rising up out of the sea. It had seven heads and ten horns, with ten crowns on its horns. And written on each head were names that blasphemed God.
2 This beast looked like a leopard, but it had the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion! And the dragon (Satan) gave the beast (Anti-Christ) his own power and throne and great authority.
3 I saw that one of the heads of the beast seemed wounded beyond recovery—but the fatal wound was healed! The whole world marveled at this miracle and gave allegiance to the beast.
4 They worshiped the dragon for giving the beast such power, and they also worshiped the beast. “Who is as great as the beast?” they exclaimed. “Who is able to fight against him?”
5 Then the beast was allowed to speak great blasphemies against God. And he was given authority to do whatever he wanted for forty-two months.
6 And he spoke terrible words of blasphemy against God, slandering His name and His dwelling—that is, those who dwell in heaven.
7 And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation.
8 And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life before the world was made—the Book that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered.
9 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.
10 Anyone who is destined for prison will be taken to prison. Anyone destined to die by the sword will die by the sword.

(This Second Beast is a "Religious, worship-Leader, false-Prophet," for the Anti-Christ.

11 Then I saw another beast come up out of the earth. He had two horns like those of a lamb, but he spoke with the voice of a dragon.
12 He exercised all the authority of the first beast. And he required all the earth and its people to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed.
13 He did astounding miracles, even making fire flash down to earth from the sky while everyone was watching.
14 And with all the miracles he was allowed to perform on behalf of the first beast, he deceived all the people who belong to this world. He ordered the people to make a great statue of the first beast, who was fatally wounded and then came back to life.
15 He was then permitted to give life to this statue so that it could speak. Then the statue of the beast commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die.
16 He required everyone—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead.
17 And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name.
18 Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666.

The beast (Anti-Christ), will have a spiritual representative, a religious leader, who's soul position will be to bring about worship of the New World Leader-The Beast-The Anti-Christ..

Revelation 13:12-15 KJV
12 He exercised all the authority of the first beast. And he required all the earth and its people
to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed.
13 He did astounding miracles, even making fire flash down to earth from the sky while everyone was watching.
14 And with all the miracles he was allowed to perform on behalf of the first beast, he deceived all the people who belong to this world. He ordered the people to make a great statue of the first beast, who was fatally wounded and then came back to life.
15 He was then permitted to give life to this statue so that it could speak. Then the statue of the beast commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die.

To be apart of the Beast regime, one will be obliged to “worship the beast,” and that will be the charge of the horned beast, with dragon like voice (Revelation 13:11).

This religious cheerleader of the Anti-Christ...

Revelation 13:14,15 KJV
14... order(s) the people to make a great statue of the first beast, who was fatally wounded and then came back to life.
15 He was then permitted to give life to this statue (Teraphim, see Zechariah 10:2 KJV- Forbidden Divination.) so that it could speak.
Then the statue of the beast commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die.

Worship of a statue.
Centralized worship of the New World Leader, will be man kinds paramount obligation!

Of what religious system, does this so called Spiritual Leader come from?
Of a religious system that has always maintained statues of worship, this will represent just one more of supreme importance.
All forbidden by God.

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.
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me;
6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep My commandments.

Revelation 17 (Be sure to read the chapter.) tell us.

Revelation 17:9 NLT
“This calls for a mind with understanding: The seven heads of the beast (On which the Mystery Woman of Babylon, rides) represent the seven hills where the woman rules..."

There is only one religious system that rules from seven hills and that is the Roman church.
How does one come by the “mark of the beast?”

From the 13th Century, this religious system, has boasted of worship with accompanying STIGMATA, a result of that worship.

This pastor believes that this is how the mark will be received, it will be in essence a spiritual test of those who truly avow their hearts and souls to the new World Leader.

Friends, we are living in the last moments before the secret catching away of the bride of Christ, the rapture of the blood bought church.

Are you ready to meet the Lord, or will you be left behind, that choice is yours.

Hebrews 4:7 KJV
"...To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts."

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

Salvation Prayer

Sounds-Strange-In The Sky

2012-01-28T04:17:00.003-06:00

Bible Questions Answered:
“Pastor I know this isn't exactly a Bible question, have you heard about the reports of sky noises and does the Bible say anything about this?”
Melville/ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada

Bible Answer:
Some may be unaware of such stories if so Google (Strange Sky Sounds/ Strange Sky Noise-etc.).
Reports have come from every country. Rumblings, high pitch noises, thunderings (clear sky), etc. etc.
What can this be, and does the word of God have anything to say?

Matthew 24:24 KJV
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Mark 13:22 KJV
For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

Luke 21:11 KJV
And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and
great signs shall there be from heaven.

Luke 21:25 KJV
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

Acts 2:16, 19-12 KJV
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:
21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

II Thessalonians 2:9-12 NLT
9 This man (Anti Christ) will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles.
10 He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the Truth that would save them.
11 So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies.
12 Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the Truth.

Ephesians 2:2 KJV
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:

What do we know about these strange sounds that have filled the skies in many countries?
As of January 1st....

Ireland, Canada, Russia, Europe, Central America, U.K., Czech Republic, U.S.A., China, South America, Romania, Costa Rica, Chile, Mexico, Hungary, Poland and many other locations.

They are loud and unknown, causing fear, in one case a lady told authorities that her house shook.

What we know:

1.) These sounds are certainly “unnatural.”
2.) These sounds cause fear.
I John 4:18
"...fear hath torment..."
3.) These sounds verge on being harmful.
4.) These conditions certainly do not come from God!

Our God gives good gifts without fear.

Matthew 7:11 KJV
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?

I Corinthians 14:33 KJV
For God is not the author of confusion..."

II Timothy 1:7 KJV
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

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

Last Day Warning:

Luke 21:20-28 KJV
20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Salvation Prayer

Angel Worship

2012-01-25T02:38:00.002-06:00

Bible Questions Answered:

“Pastor what do you think about theworship of angels in the church?”

Glenda/ Venice, Italy

Bible Answer:

Angels are a part of Gods greatcreation, not eternal, created.

Colossians 1:15-17 NLT

15 Christ is the visible image of theinvisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supremeover all creation,

16 for through Him God createdeverything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the thingswe can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones,kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everythingwas created through Him and for Him.

17 He existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together.

And although it is true, angels havemore power than mere mortal man...

Hebrews 2:7 KJV (The Apostle speakingof man stated...)

"Thou madest him a little lowerthan the angels..."

Yet, they are not God, and “not,”to be prayed to or to be worshiped. Who said so, why the very angelsof heaven have said so!

Revelation 19:9,10 NLT

9 And the angel said to me, “Writethis: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of theLamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.”

10 Then I fell down at his feet toworship him, but he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servantof God, just like you and your brothers and sisters who testify abouttheir faith in Jesus. Worship only God. For the essence of prophecyis to give a clear witness for Jesus.

Revelation 22:8,9 NLT

8 I, John, am the one who heard and sawall these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down toworship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me.

9 But he said, “No, don’t worshipme. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers theprophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this book.Worship only God!”

Our God told Israel...

Exodus 20:3-5 KJV

3 Thou shalt have no other gods beforeMe.

4 Thou shalt not make unto thee anygraven 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 theearth.

5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself tothem, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God..."

Exodus 34:14 KJV

For thou shalt worship no other god:for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:

Deuteronomy 4:24 KJV

For the LORD thy God is a ConsumingFire, even a jealous God.

Isaiah 48:11 KJV

"...I will not give My glory untoanother."

No one, be he angel or saint, is tousurp the position of almighty God!

As the angels of heaven told thebeloved John...

Revelation 19:10/ 22:9 “...“No,don’t worship me (Angels of heaven...Worship only God!”

Pole Shift

2012-01-22T22:25:00.003-06:00

Bible Questions Answered:
“Pastor there is so much talk today about something called a Polar Shift. A coming shift between the graphical north pole and the magnetic north pole. Does the Bible have anything to say about something like this?”
Elaine/ Berlin, Germany

Bible Answer:
It does mention many catastrophic last day events (Revelation) that are upcoming. Here are a couple of very interesting verses from the book of Isaiah.

Isaiah 2:19-22 NLT
19 When the LORD rises to shake the earth, His enemies will crawl into holes in the ground (Bunkers /ed.). They will hide in caves in the rocks from the terror of the LORD and the glory of His majesty.
20 On that day of judgment they will abandon the gold and silver idols they made for themselves to worship. They will leave their gods to the rodents and bats,
21 while they crawl away into caverns and hide among the jagged rocks in the cliffs. They will try to escape the terror of the LORD and the glory of His majesty as He rises to shake the earth.
22 Don’t put your trust in mere humans. They are as frail as breath. What good are they?

Isaiah 13:13 KJV
Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of Hosts, and in the day of His fierce anger.

Isaiah 24:1,19,20 KJV
1 Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.
19 The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.
20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.

Signs that this event is coming, may well be the following.

Luke 21:11, 25 KJV
11And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

Great earthquakes with tidal waves. Magnetic poles and geographic poles shifting apart. The earth moving to a different location in the heavens.

Scientists now well about this polar shift. Pilots have to daily adjust their chart setting accordingly.
Friends if the Word of God has warned us of this upcoming day, isn't this a good day to get right with the Lord?

Luke 21:28 KJV
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Salvation Prayer

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit: Saul Of Tarsus Conversion

2012-01-21T02:00:00.000-06:00

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit: Saul of Tarsus Conversion.

God's Messenger: Risen and Glorified Lord Jesus Christ.

Bible Location: Close to Damascus.

Bible Text: Acts 9:1-18 NLT (see also Acts 22:1-16)
1 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest.
2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of The Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains.
3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him.
4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”
5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!
6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one!
8 Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus.
9 He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.
10 Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord!” he replied.
11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to Me right now.
12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”
13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem!
14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”
15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is My chosen instrument to take My message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.
16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.

These few verses speak of the conversion of one Saul of Tarsus.
Perhaps it would be wise at this point to say a word about the sins of men, of which fall into one of three categories.

First of all let there be no doubt that “all, have sinned and come short, of the glory of God .
Romans 3:23 KJV.”

This is inherited sin from Adam.
Romans 3:10 KJV
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

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

Man stained with the curse of sin, he sins, and he does this in one of several ways, besides already being under the curse of sin.

One is by “Commission,” of sin in his life. This is what a person admittedly does, even knowing that it is wrong, in the site of God, and yet does it.

Another is by “Omission,” things that a person knows, he or she should do, to be a child of God, and yet does not, do them.

And the sin of “Ignorance (some say Innocence).” Committing sin, in innocence, i.e. not knowing that something is wrong, and does it.

Acts 9:1-2 NLT
1 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest.
2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of The Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains. (Approximately some 135 miles.)

Saul of Tarsus, was a Jew who was both adamant and, vigorous in his Jewish faith.
Christianity meant the corrupting of his faith. The very idea, that God would come to earth to upend all Jewish laws and customs, was preposterous. Christianity at all costs, in the mind of Saul, had to be stopped.

Saul was a man, and thus a sinner. And Saul was laboring under the sin of “Ignorance,” as well.

Miracles in the life of Saul, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 9:3 NLT
As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him.

May it come as no surprise to anyone, that this “miracle,” of God reaching out to some one, is what God has done since the very beginning of time, to lost humanity, and He calls yet today!

John 7:37-39 KJV
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.
38 He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive..."

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

Revelation 3:20,22 KJV
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith..."

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 9:4,5 NLT
4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”
5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!

Miraculously, Saul heard the voice of the risen Saviour.
And the Lord had a message for Saul of Tarsus.
Saul had been sincere, but he had been sincerely wrong.

Jesus was God's son, now seated on the right hand of the Father in heaven, and He had seen and knew what Saul had done to His followers.
Saul had knowledge, but he did not have perfect knowledge.

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

Now it was Saul's life that was upside down.

Acts 9:6-9 NLT
6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one!
8 Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus.
9 He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.

Once a man full of determination and vigor, now, a blind man, in bewilderment, lead about by the hand of his fellow travelers.

What was it Jeremiah of old said...
Lamentations 3:22,23 KJV
22 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Think how Almighty God, could stop anyone, and for that fact, judge them and send them off to hell.
But oh the Miraculous mercy of God, we are not consumed, we may yet hear His voice and do what He bids us to do!

Acts 9:10-12 NLT
10 Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord!” he replied.
11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to Me right now.
12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”

Miraculous Commission To Ananias.
God always has someone in every city who is serving him, that oncecame as a shock to Elijah, but tis still true today!

I Kings 19:18 KJV
Yet I have left Me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

God had a man in Damascus, that would not be dragged to Jerusalem, his name was Ananias.

It will do well, to say that in our last posting ( Weapons-Christians And ) the wonderful promises of the “protection of God,” for His people was covered. If you missed reading it go back and read them.
God, our God, knows how to protect His people!
God, our God, knows how to protect His people!

That is what would have happened to Ananias, but God, had another idea.

Acts 22:12 KJV (Paul's own testimony of Ananias-some think him a bishop of Damascus.)
And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,

Ananias received a vision from the risen Lord who said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas.” God knows your address, in fact He knows more about you, than you know yourself.

Romans 11:33 KJV
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!

For three days and nights blind Saul had been fasting and praying. A Jew, praying to Jesus, Jesus the risen Messiah.

Godly Ananias had his doubts.

Acts 9:13,14 NLT
13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem!
14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”

If Saul's inclusion had been left up to believers......it never would have happened.
But thank God, it wasn't up to them.

Acts 9:15,16 NLT
15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is My chosen instrument to take My message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.
16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

God saw the repentance in the life of Saul, after his vision on the Damascus road. Saul was to become a chosen instrument in the hand of God for taking the gospel to the Gentiles.

And the Lord would show Saul how much he must suffer for the sake of the Lord.
All the disciples were martyred except beloved John, and for what sin, for the sin of preaching the word of God.

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.

Miraculous healing and infilling.
Acts 9:17,18 NLT
17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.

Where is that poor soul, that says the Great Commission with signs following was only for the disciples?

Ananias hardly was a disciple, a devote man, yes, but certainly “not,” a disciple, and yet, he was following the directives of the Lord for believers.

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

Ananias prayed, and Saul was set free from blindness, physically and spiritually, Saul became Paul.
Miraculously a Born again baptized Jew, filled, and baptized in the Spirit of God. And not only that but called and commissioned by the Lord.

Acts 9:18 NLT
“...Then he got up and was baptized.”

It is a call, yes the very duty of every Christian to witness of his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

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 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:

This is called witnessing, and just as the Great Commission has “not,” been rescinded, neither too has the call to witness of and for the Lord of glory, come to end.

Paul, would go on to write 14 of the epistles of our New Testament. And what of suffering for the Lord? Paul's sufferings are enumerated in ...

II Corinthians 11:22-28 KJV
22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

Matthew 9:37,38 KJV
37 Then saith he unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore The Lord Of The Harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest.

John 4:34-37 KJV
34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent Me, and to finish His work.
35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.

Salvation Prayer

Weapons-Christians And

2012-01-19T03:47:00.001-06:00

Bible Questions Answered:
“My friends all have bought guns and say that everyone should have them because even Jesus said to have a weapon. Because of the world situation and all, the economy being down no one knows whats next. What do you think?”
Gert/ Austin, Texas U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:

Luke 22:35-38 NLT
35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler’s bag, or an extra pair of sandals, did you need anything?” “No,” they replied.
36 “But now,” He said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one!
37 For the time has come for this prophecy about Me to be fulfilled: ‘He was counted among the rebels.’ Yes, everything written about Me by the prophets will come true.”
38 “Look, Lord,” they replied, “we have two swords among us.” “That’s enough,” He said.

Oh, how terribly careful, a man of God must be in interpreting the Word of God!

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

James 3:1 NLT
Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.

James 3:3 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
Many teachers become not, my brethren, having known that greater judgment we shall receive,

Granted, many may not fear this word today, but today of itself, does not necessarily speak of the terror of tomorrow.

Those is favor of having weapons, albeit for defense or offense, often site Luke 22:36, and they do so in serious error.

Friend one has only to realize the nature and character of the Saviour, to know that with this kind of thinking, something is wrong.

Matthew 5:38-48 KJV
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 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.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 7:12 KJV
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Luke 6:27-36 KJV
27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Romans 12:9,10,14,17-21 KJV
9 Let love be without dissimulation (deceit). Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Hebrews 7:26 KJV
For such an High Priest became us, who is Holy, Harmless, Undefiled, Separate from sinners, and made Higher than the heavens;

Luke 22:35 NLT
Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler’s bag, or an extra pair of sandals, did you need anything?” “No,” they replied.

Here Jesus refers to (Luke 9:1-6/ 10:1-24), sending them out to do the Lord's work.

Luke 9:1-6 KJV (The Twelve)
1 Then He called His twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
2 And He sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
3 And He said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.
5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.
6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

Luke 10:1-24 KJV (The Seventy.)
1 After these things the LORD appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place, whither He Himself would come.
2 Therefore said He unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth laborers into His harvest.
3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
6 And if the Son of Peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.
13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.
15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
16 He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me; and he that despiseth Me despiseth Him that sent Me.
17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
18 And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
19 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.
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in Spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
22 All things are delivered to Me of My Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal Him.
23 And He turned Him unto His disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Jesus sent His disciples on evangelistic outings, and they were victorious in His name.
He told them …
Luke 9:3 KJV
“...Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.”

And why was that? It was because, He would provide for them through generous people who would receive them, town after town.

But at the time of the last supper, the scene had changed!
Luke 22:1,2 KJV
1 The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching.
2 The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus..."
Public opinion was now turned against Jesus and His men. And Jesus knew that they would soon have to fend for themselves.

Luke 22:36,37 KJV
36 “But now,” He said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one!
37 For the time has come for this prophecy about Me to be fulfilled (Isaiah 53:12): ‘He was counted among the rebels.’ Yes, everything written about Me by the prophets will come true.”

Not longer after the crucifixion of Jesus, many followers of the Lord would be running for their very own lives.

Yes, they would need their cloak, traveler's bag and sword. A sword not to kill others, but to stave off wild animals or to take them for food, for now they would have to provide for themselves.
The Passover supper over, Jesus and His men went to the Mount of Olives, He told them to pray, but they fell asleep.

Matthew 26:47-54 NLT
47 And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people.
48 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet Him with a kiss.”
49 So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave Him the kiss.
50 Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.” Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested Him.
51 But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.
52 “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword.
53 Don’t you realize that I could ask My Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and He would send them instantly?
54 But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”

Did Jesus want to be defended by swords?
Absolutely not!
Jesus healed the servant of the high priest, restoring his severed ear.
And he had something to say to His sword carrying disciple....

Matthew 26:52 NLT
52 “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword.

As Christian people, our defense is the Lord!

DIVINE PROTECTION:

Genesis 15:1 KJV
"...Fear not... I am thy Shield, and thy exceeding great Reward."

Exodus 14:14 KJV (God told His people.)
The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

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 Samuel 22:2 KJV (David)
And he said, The LORD is my Rock, and my Fortress, and my Deliverer;

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 KJV
"...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 18:1-3 KJV
1 I will love thee, O LORD, my Strength.
2 The LORD is my Rock, and my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my Buckler, and the Horn of my salvation, and my High Tower.
3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

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.

Psalm 32:6-8 KJV
6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
7 Thou art my Hiding Place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye.

Psalm 33:20-22 KJV
20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: He is our Help and our Shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.
22 Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

Psalm 34:7 KJV
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.

Psalm 46:1-3 KJV
1 God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present Help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

Psalm 71:3 KJV
Be thou my strong Habitation, where unto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my Rock and my Fortress.

Psalm 84:10-12 KJV
10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the LORD God is a Sun and Shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of Hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Psalm 91:1-16 KJV
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my Refuge and my Fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.
3 Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my Refuge, even the Most High, thy Habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set His love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him My salvation.

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

Psalm 125:1,2 KJV
1 They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about His people from henceforth even for ever.

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 KJV
For thou hast been a Strength to the poor, a Strength to the needy in his distress, a Refuge from the storm, a Shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.

Isaiah 54:17 KJV
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of Me, saith the LORD.

Nahum 1:7 KJV
The LORD is good, a Strong Hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.

Luke 21:18 KJV
But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

THE WEAPONS AND ARMOR OF THE CHRISTIAN:

I Samuel 17:45 KJV
Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

Nehemiah 8:10 KJV
"... the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Matthew 4:10,11 (also previous verses 4 & 7.)
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
11 Then the devil leaveth him,

Matthew 18:19-20 KJV (Philippians 2:9)
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.

Mark 16:17,18 KJV
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them;
(See the blog... Kept By The Power Of God )
they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

II Chronicles 20:15-22 KJV (Power in Praising the Lord.)
15 And he (Jahaziel) said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.
16 To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.
17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.
19 And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.
20 And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper.
21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for His mercy endureth for ever.
22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

Acts 16:25,26 KJV (Praise to the Lord./ Ephesians 5:19,20)
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

Romans 12:21 KJV
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 13:12 KJV
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.

I Corinthians 2:16 KJV
"...we have the mind of Christ.

II Corinthians 6:7 NLT
We faithfully preach the Truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense.

II Corinthians 10:3-5 KJV
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

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;

Colossians 2:13-15 NLT
13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for He forgave all our sins.
14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.
15 In this way, He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by His victory over them on the cross.

I Thessalonians 5:8 KJV
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

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.

I Peter 5:7-9 KJV
7 Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.
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 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.

Revelation 12:10,11 KJV
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 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.

II Timothy 1:7 KJV

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

1 John 4:18 KJV

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Salvation Prayer

Prayer- Who To Pray To

2012-01-16T17:30:00.000-06:00

Bible Questions Answered:
“...I pray to St. Christopher for his safety and protection....and I know these prayers will keep us...”
Anna/ Santa Rosa, California

Bible Answer:
Here is a great spiritual rule, and “who,” is there that would dare disagree with it?

Oh God:
If Jesus taught us to do so, thank you for your strength to do it!
If Jesus taught us not to do so, thank you for your strength not to do it!
Whatever we do or not do, may it all be according to your word alone!
Amen

Please print this simple three line prayer out, and place it in your Sunday School room, and church sanctuary.

Believing this as every Christian “must,” let us then see what the Word of God says regarding the subject of prayer.

Who should we pray to? That is according to the Word of God, and Jesus Christ, God's Son.

Matthew 6:9-13 KJV (Jesus Christ)
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Who did Jesus Christ, God's Son, tell us to pray to?
To “our Father,” which art in heaven.

Not to saints, not to angels, nor anyone else! Well, just where does this teaching come from? It does “not,” come from the Word of God, it comes from something called “The Traditions* of Men.”

The Traditions of men:
*Tradition: Handed down, oral beliefs, customs from generation to generation.
(New World Dictionary)

Mark 7:8 KJV Jesus Christ
For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men..."

Colossians 2:8 KJV Apostle Paul
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Matthew 15:9 KJV
But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Mark 7:7 KJV
Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

If we as Christian people are truly following the Lord Jesus Christ with all our hearts, than the time must come when we face the question, “Will I follow, Thus Saith The Lord,” or will I hold to the unbiblical “Traditions of men?”

Isaiah 48:11 KJV God told Israel (Read the whole chapter.)
"... I will not give My glory unto another."

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.
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me;
6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep My commandments.

Homily:
Some time ago, someone gave me a recording from a religious college, where the professor got up to address the students, and when he did he said these words. “Students you must realize that 80% of what you will be taught here are the traditions of our fathers.”

No doubt this revelation was to ward off any inquisitiveness later.
Questions such as, “is this in the Bible?”

Oh, how important it is to read and to know the Word of God!
Read it daily and memorize it.

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

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

Friends, if you and I do not read and know the Word of God, for ourselves, we will end up sinning against God, that is for sure!

We cannot abrogate our personal responsibility to another.
To do so, means we do not wish to be bothered with the spiritual safety of our eternal souls.
“Let someone else worry about that.”
If this our motto be, surely we shall reap a “careless” eternal reward.

Our Saviour taught that the Word of God was to be our spiritual daily nourishment.

Matthew 4:4 KJV
But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Luke 4:4 KJV
And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

John 6:35,48,63 KJV
35 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.
48 I am that Bread of Life.
63 It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are Life.

Why do we pray to our Father, and not to anything or anyone else?
We do because at His right hand (not hanging dead on a cross) is the resurrected Lord of glory, the one who intercedes for the people of God.

Romans 8:34 NLT
Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Hebrews 7:24-27 KJV
24 But this Man (Son of Man, Jesus Christ), because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable Priesthood.
25 Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
26 For such an High Priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this He did once, when He offered up Himself.

And when we pray to the Father, we always ask in Jesus name, ...because He told us to.

John 14:13,14 KJV
13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it.

John 16:23, 24 KJV
23 And in that day ye shall ask Me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you.
24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Ephesians 2:18 KJV
For through Him (Jesus Christ) we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

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

God hears and always answers prayer, may we always spend time in His word, and in conversation with Him.

Be sure to read the other blog postings regarding the subject of prayer.

Guidance

2012-01-14T15:32:00.001-06:00

Bible Questions Answered:
“How can we know the way of God.”
Rumbaoa/ Manila, Philippines

Bible Answer:
We can know the perfect will of God, by following His holy word. When we are His children, redeemed by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, He has promised us that we will be infilled and lead by His Spirit.

Our God's Guidance:

Psalm 19:8-11 KJV
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Psalm 25:4,5,8-10 KJV
4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
5 Lead me in thy Truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
8 Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will He teach sinners in the way.
9 The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way.
10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.

Psalm 32:8 KJV
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye.

Psalm 37:23 KJV
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He delighteth in his way.

Psalm 48:14 KJV
For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death.

Psalm 73:24 KJV
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

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

Psalm 143:10 KJV
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

Proverbs 6:23 KJV
For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

Proverbs 16:9 KJV
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

Isaiah 30:21 KJV
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the Way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Isaiah 42:16 KJV
And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

Luke 1:79 KJV
To give Light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

John 16:13-15 KJV
13 Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15 All things that the Father hath are Mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine, and shall shew it unto you.

II Corinthians 4:6 KJV
For God, who commanded the Light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:17-19 KJV
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give unto you the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of Him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power,

II Peter 1:19 KJV
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; where unto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a Light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the Day Star arise in your hearts:

God our creator, will guide us through His word and by His Spirit, if we but remain His faithful children.

Psalm 18:30-32 KJV
30 As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler (Shield) to all those that trust in Him.
31 For who is God save the LORD? or who is a Rock save our God?
32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

Revelation 15:2,3 KJV
2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; Just and True are thy ways, thou King of Saints.

Salvation Prayer

Christ-Only Saviour

2012-01-12T20:38:00.008-06:00

Bible Questions Answered:
“...so according to you, people who do not believe Christ are lost?”
Netanel/ Tel Aviv, Israel

Bible Answer:
John 3:14-18,35,36 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.
35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand.
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 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 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 4:12 KJV
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Genesis 22:1-18 NLT
Abraham’s Faith Tested (Isaac a type of Christ)
1 Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.”
2 “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”
3 The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about.
4 On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.
5 “Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.” (Abraham's faith seen! ed.)
6 So Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them walked on together,
7 Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?”
8 “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together. (Abraham's faith seen! ed.)
9 When they arrived at the place where God had told him to go, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood.
10 And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice.
11 At that moment the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Yes,” Abraham replied. “Here I am!”
12 “Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.”
13 Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son.
14 Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the LORD will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”
15 Then the angel of the LORD called again to Abraham from heaven.
16 “This is what the LORD says: Because you have obeyed Me and have not withheld even
your son, your only son, I swear by My own name that
17 I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies.
18 And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed Me.”

Isaiah 53:1-12 KJV (Who is this suffering Messiah?- It is the Lord Jesus Christ, God's Son.)
1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.
4 Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a Lamb to the slaughter, and as a Sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare His generation? for He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was He stricken.
9 And He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death; because He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth.
10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief: when thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall My Righteous Servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong; because He hath poured out His soul unto death: and He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Luke 23:33 KJV (Mount Calvary)
And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

Here is a partial list of other Old Testament Prophecies concerning Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah.

Genesis
3:15/ 12:3/49:10
Exodus
12:6,46
Deuteronomy
18:15
Psalms
16:10/22:1-31/24:7-10/31:5/34:20/38:11/41:9/45:2/68:18/69:3,8,19-21/78:2/109:24,25/110:1/118:22/132:11/
Isaiah
2:4/ 7:14/ 9:1,2,7/ 11:1,10/22:/25:8/28:16/40:11/42:1/49:4-6/50:6/52:14/53:1-12/55:4/59:16/61:1-3/62:11/63:1
Jeremiah
23:5
Ezekiel
17:22
Daniel
2:34,44/7:13/9:25,26
Hosea
6:2/11:1
Amos
8:9
Micah
5:1,2
Haggai
2:7
Zechariah
3:8/ 6:12,13/ 9:9/11:12,13/12:10/13:7
Malachi
3:1

Salvation Prayer

Bible Lesson- Miracles Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit- Philip Miraculously Transported To Azotus (Ashdod)

2012-01-11T06:23:00.003-06:00

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit: Philip Miraculously Transported To Azotus (Ashdod).

God's Messenger: Philip.

Bible Location: Near Gaza.

Bible Text: Acts 8:26-40 KJV
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a Sheep to the slaughter; and like a Lamb dumb before His shearer, so opened He not His mouth:
33 In His humiliation His judgment was taken away: and who shall declare His generation? for His life is taken from the earth.
34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

Philip, obedient to the voice of the Lord, traveled from Jerusalem onto the desert road that lead to Gaza, there he met the Ethiopian Treasurer. Ridding in his chariot on his way to Gaza, he read aloud from the book of Isaiah.

Philip walking beside his chariot heard him reading and asked the question, “ Understandest thou what thou readest? Acts 8:30 KJV.

Philip lovingly showed him that Isaiah had written about the Messiah.
Acts 8:36 KJV
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

After the eunuch's testimony of faith in Jesus Christ they, “...went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him" (Acts 8:38 KJV-Immersion).

Acts 8:39,40 KJV
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

The Spirit of God miraculously carried Philip miles away to Azotus, where Philip “preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.”

OLD TESTAMENT EXAMPLES OF MIRACULOUS TELEPORTATION:

I Kings 18:7-15 KJV
7 And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?
8 And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.
9 And he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?
10 As the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.
11 And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.
12 And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth.
13 Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the LORD's prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?
14 And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here: and he shall slay me.
15 And Elijah said, As the LORD of Hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day.

II Kings 2:11-25 KJV
11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
13 He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;
14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
15 And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
16 And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.
17 And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.
18 And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?
19 And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren.
20 And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him.
21 And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.
22 So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.
23 And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.
24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
25 And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria.

The people knew that the Elijah the prophet was many times “caught up,” by the Spirit of the Lord, and transported somewhere else. The children mocking Elisha, knew that he too had the ability to be teleported somewhere else, that is why they chanted “go up/ go up” II Kings 2:23.

Acts 8:39,40 KJV
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught* away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

*Caught-Greek-Harpazo (Har-pad-zo): To seize: catch (away-up), pluck, pull, take (by force).

Interesting indeed, is the fact that this very same word is used by the Apostle Paul in the following references.

II Corinthians 12:1-4 (Verses 2,4) KJV
1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

I Thessalonians 4:16-18 (Verse 17) KJV
16 For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

What is the end of the matter?
Genesis 18:14 KJV
Is any thing too hard for the LORD?

Answer: the God who could teleport Elijah, Elisha, and Philip, will one day, teleport millions, and millions of people in God's next, great coming event called “the rapture of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.” The “catching-away,” of the bride of Christ, which could happen at any moment!

Do you know the Lord, are you ready to meet Him?

Salvation Prayer

I Corinthians 15:51-58 KJV
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep (die), but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Perfect Health And Prosperity Gospel

2012-01-08T22:45:00.001-06:00

Bible Questions Answered:
“The tv programs I listen to say that God has promised us prosperity and health, and that is what we should expect. Yet, I don't see this in my family, where and how does one go wrong and not receive this?”

Tony/ Calgary, Canada

Bible Answer:

Hucksters who's desire is to garner in millions of dollars in their coffers, preach a popular“Perfect Health, and Prosperity Gospel,” a gospel that is “not,” in the Word of God!

This is why it is so important for a Christian, to read the Word of God, for him or herself.
What we are promised in this life is the following....

Psalm 34:19 KJV
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

Psalm 73:1-28 NLT
A psalm of Asaph.
1 Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure.
2 But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.
3 For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
4 They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong.
5 They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.
6 They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty.
7 These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!
8 They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others.
9 They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth.
10 And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words.
11 “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”
12 Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.
13 Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
14 I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.
15 If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people.
16 So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!
17 Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
19 In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors.
20 When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.
21 Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.
22 I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
23 Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.
26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.
27 Those who desert Him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you.
28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

Ecclesiastes 7:14 NLT
Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life.

Isaiah 43:2 KJV
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.

Matthew 5:43-45 NLT (Jesus)
43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy.
44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.

Matthew 10:22 KJV (Jesus)
And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Matthew 24:9 KJV (Jesus)
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for My name's sake.

Luke 13:1-5 NLT
1 About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple.
2 “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered?
3 Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God.
4 And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem?
5 No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.”

John 15:18 KJV (Jesus)
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you.

John 16:33 KJV (Jesus)
These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Acts 14:22 KJV (Paul and Barnabas)
"...we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."

Romans 8:28 KJV
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

II Timothy 3:12 KJV (Paul)
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

I Peter 4:19 KJV
Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a Faithful Creator.

Ezekiel's War-Not Armageddon

2012-01-06T10:30:00.001-06:00

Bible Questions Answered:
“With Iran, attempting to shut down the strait of Hormuz, many think Armageddon cannot be far away what do you think?”
Warren/ New York, New York

Bible Answer:

No country walks alone today, for all have alliances and pacts with others much larger than themselves. This is true of Iran, her big brother is without doubt Russia, who has supplied not only atomic supplies to her but most of her weaponry.

Standoffs between Iran and the U.S. have happened before in 1988, 2007-2008 (Iranian speed boats vs. U.S. Naval warships.

Is this a serious situation, yes. Is this Armageddon, no!

There are two upcoming wars, predicted by the Word of God. One is the “war of Ezekiel,” and the other is the battle of “Armageddon,” and they are “not,” the same. And if you hear some one speaking about Armageddon and using Ezekiel scriptures, …..time to listen to some one else!

So many ram, every scripture describing latter day wars into one pot. This is wrong, and without any merit at all.

What is next on God's prophetic clock?
The war predicted and described by the prophet Ezekiel, some 2,599 years ago!
This war is “not,” in any way shape or form the Armageddon war!

All Bible prophecy, has but one object in mind, and that is Jerusalem, and or the area of Palestine.
The prophecy in Ezekiel, regards Jerusalem and the enemy to the north.

Ezekiel 38/39 Be sure to take the time to read.

Ezekiel 38:1-6 KJV
1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,
3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:
4 And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armor, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:
5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:
6 Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee.

Ezekiel 38:2 KJV
Gog is a symbolic name, representing the leader of the world powers antagonistic to God (see also Rev. 20:8).
Meshech and Tubal are understood to have been the same as the Moschi and Tibareni of the Greeks--tribes that inhabited regions in the Caucasus.

Rosh, which some would identify with Russia, must have designated a land and people somewhere in the same area. And therefore the Gog of Ezekiel must be viewed as in some sense the head of the high regions in the northwest of Asia.

Patrick Fairbairn, The Imperial Bible-dictionary.

Many interpret Meshech as Rosh, which means bear, and which of course is the emblem of (Moscow) Russia. Gomer, Germany, Togarmah, as being the Ukraine.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE EZEKIEL WAR AND THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON:

1) Battle of Armageddon has no division of nations/ and nation will not be against nations. In Armageddon, nations will be gathered against Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:1-9/ Joel 3).
2) In Ezekiel's war, Russia is aligned with five other nations against Israel (Ezekiel 38:5,6), whereas in the battle of Armageddon the kings of the earth and all the world is gathered together to battle against Christ (Revelation 13:7,8).
3) The Ezekiel war is fought on the mountains of Israel (Ezekiel 38:8,20,21/ 39:2,4,17). The battle of Armageddon is fought in the “valley of Jehoshaphat,” (Joel 3:2, 12), Megiddo.
4) Ezekiel's war is for “Ezekiel 38:16 KJV"... I will bring thee against My land, that the heathen may know Me...". Armageddon's war is Anti-Christ's war leading the kings of the earth, against Christ.
5) In Ezekiel 39:2, we read that one sixth of the invading army escapes/ but in the battle of Armageddon no one escapes Revelation 19:15,21.
6) Armageddon is a battle to end all battles, ending with the second coming of Christ, with His church, but if the battle of Armageddon is next, the Anti-Christ, has “not,” yet even been on the scene (Revelation 13:7).
7) Ezekiel's war is from the north (Ezekiel 38:15/39:2)/ while Armageddon's war is from three divisions of the Roman Empire (Daniel 7:8,24,26).
8) The war with Israel, is but a stage for the greatest opportunist, deceiver yet, a leader who will desperately sympathizes with desolate Israel, and who will want to help her, including rebuilding her temple (Because Ezekiel's war will have removed the Dome of the Rock.). And his evil reasons will be, so that he may be worshiped, himself, as god (Matthew 24:15,16). That person will be none other than the deceiver the Anti-Christ (Daniel 11:36-39).

Ezekiel's war may be WWIII but it is not Armageddon. Russia and her allies, Iran, Libya, Germany, Ethiopia, and (Togarmah) the Ukraine, will invade Israel. Russia will come upon horseback.

In the 21st Century, this army of horsemen could only mean one thing, Cossacks are employed, because of a Magnetic Pulse Bomb, rendering electronics in any form, useless, or a huge solar flare, which would do the same thing.

This will be a devastating nuclear war, read Ezekiel 38:19-23/ 39:1-8), a time of God's fiery wrath.

This of course is not a full discourse on the subject but clearly one can see that the Ezekiel war, which could happen at any time, is “not,” the battle of Armageddon.

Friends, what is the end of the matter?
It's time to know the Lord, if you do not know Him, ask Him into your heart and life today!
It's time to warn everyone of the hour in which we find our selves.
The rapture of the church of Jesus Christ, could happen at any moment.
It is time to pray, and to have a confessing life that is pleasing to the Lord!

Salvation Prayer

Fear

2012-01-03T07:52:00.001-06:00

Bible Questions Answered:
“Our world is so full of war tension, everyone seems so jittery, worried about jobs, money, their homes and all......”
Liana/ Annecy, France

Bible Answer:

Biblical law of first reference, first appearance of fear, and the one who gave it.

After Eve was deceived by the serpent, and took of the forbidden fruit, from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil...

Genesis 3:6-10 KJV
6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and
I hid myself.

Fear does “not,” come from God.
Fear comes from the devil, the enemy of mankind.
Fear is a tool in the hand of the enemy to destroy.

John 10:10 KJV
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy...”

The thief, comes to steal our peace of mind, our faith in God and His word.
Leaving us in torment.

I John 4:18 KJV
"...fear hath torment."

CONQUER FEAR THROUGH THE PROMISES OF GOD:

Genesis 15:1 KJV
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Deuteronomy 20:3,4 NLT (Moses)
3 "...Listen to me, all you men of Israel! Do not be afraid as you go out to fight your enemies today! Do not lose heart or panic or tremble before them.
4 For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and He will give you victory!’

Deuteronomy 31:8 KJV
And the LORD, He it is that doth go before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Nehemiah 8:10 KJV
"... the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Psalm 23:1-6 KJV
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psalm 27:1 KJV
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 34:4 KJV
I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 91:1-16 KJV
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my Refuge and my Fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.
3 Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my Refuge, even the Most High, thy Habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under
feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him My salvation.

Proverbs 18:10 KJV
The name of the LORD is a Strong Tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Proverbs 29:25 KJV
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

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.

Isaiah 43:1-3 KJV
1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel (God's people), 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 Saviour:

Joel 3:10 KJV
"...let the weak say, I am strong."

Luke 8:50 KJV
But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only..."

Luke 12:32 KJV
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

John 10:10,11 KJV
10 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.
11 I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.

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.

Romans 14:23 KJV
"... for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."

Ephesians 6:10,16 KJV (The Word of God)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Philippians 4:13 KJV
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

II Timothy 1:7 KJV
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

I John 4:4,18 KJV
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Salvation Prayer

Miracles Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit- Philips' Ministry Of Deliverance

2012-01-02T02:43:00.001-06:00

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit: Philips' Ministry Of Deliverance.

God's Messenger: Philip (Deacon)

Bible Location: Samaria.

Bible Text: Acts 8:4-13 NLT

(Philip at Samaria.)

4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.

5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah.

6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did.

7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed.

8 So there was great joy in that city.

9 A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great.

10 Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as “the Great One—the Power of God.”

11 They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic.

12 But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized.

13 Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed.

Oh, how some people due to their cold, hard, dispositions, would like to do away with the 8th chapter of the book of Acts, but they will have to take that up with the Lord.

“Pastor, dear pastor-(the kind of letters received) don't you realize, people aren't possessed, and besides today we have the doctor's office, the Mayo-Clinic, etc. These stories are just to remind us of the glory days as it were of the church, days long gone.”

Well if you don't believe in possession, perhaps you should pick up today's daily newspaper. In the theater section you will see that 70% of all movies made today, deal with the subject of evil and possession! It seems that Hollywood certainly believes.

And isn't it a shame that Jesus of all people, taught His disciples a ministry that was “not”, to be perpetuated! Why, oh why would He do a thing like that?

Mark 16:15-20 KJV

15 And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them;

(Theses words defined, see the blog posting: Kept By The Power Of God )

they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Well, our Lord wouldn't do a thing like that, He taught His followers to preach the word, and to be full of the Spirit, doing the works of Christ, with prayer for the sick, and deliverance to those who are bound by the power of Satan.

And the only difference between our Saviours' day and our day is that it is more evil than ever before!

Has the need of the gospel changed?

Should we stop preaching it?

NEVER!

Has the need of the ministry of healing and deliverance changed?

Should we stop caring for others?

NEVER!

People are just as in need today, as they were in our Saviours' day.

The God of Mount Tower and Babel's tongues of judgment-is also the God of Mount Upper Room, and Pentecosts' tongues of blessing!

Philip, because of persecution of the early church, became an evangelist. _Persecution of the disciples at Jerusalem, forced many to flee, and so Philip fled to Samaria. And as a man of God, he did there what every Christian should do wherever they are, he witnessed of his faith!

Romans 10:8-10 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.

Confession of faith, is to be an integral part of every Christians life!

Philip, a deacon (Acts 6:5/ a member of the laity, called upon to serve the church and its members.),

first preached the word of God.

Mark 16:17 KJV

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Signs, (Healings, miracles, etc.) are always in second place to the word of God, that always comes first!

Acts 8:4-6 KJV

4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.

5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah.

6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message...”

And then secondly, through faith and prayer, miracles were the result.

Acts 8:6-8 KJV

6 “...and see the miraculous signs he did.

7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed.

8 So there was great joy in that city.

Can a member of the “laity,” do these works today?

Yes, if like Philip they are a dedicated, Spirit-endued (Luke 24:49), child of God!

Mark 16:15 is called the “Great Commission,” because it is the mandate handed down to the church, by the Author of salvation, Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Well, what if any was the result of the preaching of the word, with signs following?

Acts 8:8 KJV

“...there was great joy in that city.”

If a multitude of people, were spiritually set free from sin and Satan, their bodies healed, and set free of his bondage, what else could there be in the city, but exceeding joy!

Is it any wonder why the “devil,” and his following hated the powerful Pentecostal Church of Jerusalem, and that of today?

Friends, all one has to do is to open up your own Bible and to read the story of the early church, and the words of our Saviour to know what His will is for His people!

The early church was born in persecution, persecution made it spread to the four corners of the earth.

And what of these last days of the church?

Will it again come under the monstrous hand of Satan, to crush it?

Wherever we will find ourselves, remember well the teaching of our Lord, and the wonderful example of Philip.

Matthew 5:14-16 KJV

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Romans 12:11,12 NLT

11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.

12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

Salvation Prayer

New Year

2011-12-29T02:40:00.002-06:00

Bible Lesson: New Year

Bible Text: Philippians 3:12-14 KJV
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

The dear Apostle Paul spoke these words near the end of his life saying “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:”

The man who wrote 14 of our New Testament Epistles, said of himself....

II Corinthians 11:23-28 KJV
23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

Perhaps one of today's most sinister spiritual diseases is that of complacency.
One's spiritual life having arrived at a place of complete satisfaction.
DANGER..........DANGER AHEAD.....BEWARE!

I Corinthians 10:12 KJV
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Life in Jesus Christ is “not,” static, but dynamic.
The beloved Apostle Paul, knew this to be true.
A mans last words are no doubt his most sincere, and most certainly true of the Apostle.
His words remind us how to face this new year of uncertainty.

FACE THE NEW YEAR WITH CONFESSION:

Philippians 3:12 KJV
“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect...”

Matthew 6:12 NLT (Jesus)
"...and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us."

Lest there be any mistake, Our Lord herein includes everyone! You and I have sinned.
We have transgressed the laws of God. We have done this in at least one of three ways. Sin by innocence, sin by neglect, or sin by design.
We have transgressed.

Sin against another.
Matthew 5:24 KJV
Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

I Corinthians 11:31 KJV
For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

And not only should we confess to men, but to God.

Psalm 51:4 KJV (King David)
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

FACE THE NEW YEAR WITH A GODLY GUIDANCE:

Philippians 3:12 KJV
“... but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”

Psalm 25:5,9 KJV
5 Lead me in thy Truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
9 The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way.

Psalm 27:11 KJV
Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path..."

Psalm 48:14 KJV
For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our Guide even unto death.

Psalm 73:24 KJV
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

Psalm 139:9,10 KJV
9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

Psalm 143:10 KJV
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

Isaiah 30:21 KJV
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the Way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Isaiah 42:16 KJV
And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

Luke 1:78,79 KJV (Zachariah)
78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the Day Spring (Jesus) from on high hath visited us,
79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

John 16:13 KJV (Christ speaking of the Holy Spirit.)
Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.

FACE THE NEW YEAR WITH A FORWARD LOOK:

Philippians 3:13 KJV
“... forgetting those things which are behind...”

The Apostle, never let the heartaches or disappointments of yesterday change his direction.
His sight was fixed on heaven, and the Saviour who awaited him there.

Genesis 19:15,17,24-26 KJV
15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life;
look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;
25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.
26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

Isaiah 1:4 KJV (The people of Judah.)
Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

Jeremiah 7:24 KJV (The people of Judah.)
But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.

To look back, is to go back, and to go back, is to forsake the way of the Lord. As the people of God, our way lies ahead, our way is the leading of our faithful Shepherd.

Matthew 16:24 KJV
Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

John 10:27 KJV
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me:

John 12:26 KJV
If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honor.

FACE THE NEW YEAR WITH DETERMINATION:

Philippians 3:13,14 KJV
13 “...this one thing I do, ...reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

I Corinthians 2:2 KJV
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

Hebrews 12:1-4 KJV
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Starting the new year with a heart of Confession, Godly Guidance, a Forward Look, and spiritual Determination, will put us on the path way of God's blessing.
This year, may we make the Lord Jesus Christ, the Master of our life.

John 13:13 KJV
Ye call Me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

"Work Out Your Own Salvation"

2011-12-27T04:33:00.001-06:00

Bible Questions Answered:
“You say, we are saved only by belief, but in Bible it plainly say...work out your own salvation!”
Riye/ Shibuya, Japan

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:
Philippians 2:12 KJV (The Apostle Paul)
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.

Notice the Apostle Paul did not say, work “for” your salvation, but work “out” your own salvation.

We cannot work “for,” our salvation!
When our Lord hung on the cross of Calvary, He said....

John 19:30 KJV
“...It is finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost.
The sacrifice for mankind's salvation was forever finished. No man can add to it, nor from it take away.

This He did this “once,” for all time.

Hebrews 7:27 KJV
Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this He did once, when He offered up Himself.

Hebrews 9:28 KJV
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Hebrews 10:5-10 KJV
5 Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared Me:
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me,) to do thy will, O God.
8 Above when He said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
9 Then said He, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second.
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Here are the teachings of Apostle Paul.
Paul was not referring to salvation, but to sanctification.

I Corinthians 2:1-3 KJV
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

Ephesians 6:5 KJV (Paul “was not,” endorsing slavery, but using it as an example.)
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness (sincerity) of your heart, as unto Christ;

Salvation, was forever a finished work, but our Christian walk in righteousness, till the end, is a work in progress, never ending until we are with Christ.

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.

When shall we be “fully-sanctified?”
When we shall see Him as He is, and not until.”

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.

Bible teachings continued.

Spiritual Perseverance:

Psalm 2:11 NLT
Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling.

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.

Luke 21:34-36 KJV (Jesus)
34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting (overindulgence), and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.

Salvation a Gift:

Romans 3:24 KJV (Paul)
Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 5:12-21 NLT (Paul)
12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.
13 Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break.
14 Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come.
15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s Gracious Gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His Gift of forgiveness to many through this other Man, Jesus Christ.
16 And the result of God’s Gracious Gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free Gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins.
17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His Gift of Righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one Man, Jesus Christ.
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.
20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.
21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord

Romans 11:5,6 NLT (Paul)
5 It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—His undeserved kindness in choosing them.
6 And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.

Ephesians 2:8,9 KJV (Paul)
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.

Working out our own salvation:
It means to receive through faith, Salvation by the blood of Jesus Christ, a finished work.
Being a member of His body, His people, we are called to live our lives like unto the sinless Saviour.
Doing our best, not to earn our salvation, but to live as He has called us to live through His holy word.

If we should stop being a part of His body, stop living for Him, stop living like Him, stop living in righteousness and His word. We remove ourselves from His body.
If redemption is lost, it will be because we were not willing to live for the Saviour.

Although Salvation is never earned, yet once received, the Author of Salvation, from a heart of thanksgiving, should be loved and followed in our daily lives.
Could it seem right any other way, than to love and live for the one who has redeemed us?

Mark 8:34 KJV
And when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

John 12:26 KJV
If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honour.

Salvation Prayer

Virgin Birth II

2011-12-24T04:18:00.002-06:00

Bible Questions Answered:
“What importance is virgin birth in the Christmas story, why does this make much difference?”
Aakash/ Calcutta India

Bible Answer:

The virgin birth of Christ is all important, first of all it was prophesied many centuries before His birth.

Genesis 3:14,15 KJV
14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
15 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.

Genesis 3:14,15 NLT
14 Then the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live.
15 And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”

(Seed of the woman/ speaks of a miraculous birth, as the seed of offspring originates from the male.)

Isiah 7:14 KJV (700 Years B.C.)
Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Emmanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).

Matthew 1:18-25 KJV
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
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.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 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.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her Firstborn Son: and he called His name JESUS.

Christ was the Son of God, not of Joseph.
God's Son, became flesh and dwelt among us.

Philippians 2:5-11 NLT
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Eternal Son of God, became flesh....

II Corinthians 5:21 KJV
For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

The Eternal Son of God:

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.

Micah 5:2 KJV
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be Ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

John 1:1-4,14-18 KJV
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. (Hebrews 11:3)
4 In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
15 John bare witness of Him, and cried, saying, This was He of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for He was before me.
16 And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
18 No man hath seen God at any time, the Only Begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him.

John 8:58 KJV
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

John 17:5,24 KJV
5 And now, O Father, glorify thou Me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which thou hast given Me: for thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world.

Hebrews 1:1-3 KJV
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed Heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High:

Hebrews 7:3 KJV
Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a Priest continually.

Revelation 22:13 KJV
I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.

Bethlehem

2011-12-22T02:18:00.003-06:00

Bible Questions Answered:
“What was so special about the place bethlehem over the others?”
Brandon/ Birmingham, United Kingdom

Bible Answer:

It was special for several reasons.
First of all it was a time of Roman Census taking. The purpose of most Census taking was for the raising of taxes and or military placement. Rome had as its custom, census taking every 14 years.

Luke 2:1-5 NLT
1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.
2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.
4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.
5 He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.

Bethlehem was the city of David (House of bread).

Prophecy had predicted the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem some 700 years B.C.

Micah 5:2 KJV
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be Ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

(Did Mary bring Jesus Christ into existence? Never, He is, always was, and always be God, with the Father and Holy Spirit. Was Christ a created angel? Never, He is, always was, and always will be God, with the Father and Holy Spirit.)

Isaiah 9:6,7 KJV
6 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.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

This prophecy referring to Christ, says what of Him? “ His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Did you notice the title “Everlasting?”

Bethlehem, a village 5 miles south west of Jerusalem, it was here that the prophet Samuel anointed David to be King of Israel.

I Samuel 17:12 NLT
" Now David was the son of a man named Jesse, an Ephrathite from Bethlehem in the land of Judah..."

I Samuel 16:13 KJV
Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward..."

Luke 2:6,7 NLT
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.
7 She gave birth to her first Child, a Son. She wrapped Him snugly in strips of cloth and laid Him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

On the hills of Bethlehem, are caves, and shepherds put stables in them for their animals, for protection against weather, robbers and, wild animals. The manger in which Jesus was born, no doubt was one of these cave stables.

In the year 328 The Church of the Nativity was built by Helena, mother to Emperor Constantine. It was built over the spot which was believed to have been Christ's birth. In the years 527-565 Emperor Justinian rebuilt the church.

Luke 2:8-20 KJV
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
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 Saviour, 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.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

The hills surrounding Bethlehem, abound with vines, almonds, olives, and figs, but something far, far more wonderful, Bethlehem was home to the Bread of Life.

John 6:35, 47-51 KJV
35 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.
47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.
48 I am that Bread of Life.
49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
50 This is the Bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
51 I am the Living Bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this Bread, he shall live for ever: and the Bread that I will give is My Flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

All who receive the Lord Jesus, have everlasting life.

John 3:16-18 KJV
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.

Have you received the Father's Gift?
Have you eaten of this Bread of Life, is the Lord Jesus Christ your Saviour?

Salvation Prayer

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

2011-12-20T03:56:00.003-06:00

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

God's Messenger: Stephen.

Bible Location: Judea.

Bible Text: Acts 6:8 KJV
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

The early church, after Pentecost, had literally exploded as far as adherents.
And the disciples, became overburdened with the every day to day chores of the church and all its people.

Acts 6:1,2 NLT
1 But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.
2 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program.

The church answer:

Acts 6:3-8 NLT
3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.
4 Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”
5 Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith).
6 These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.
7 So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.
8 Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.

Stephen, became one of the first of seven deacons.

He was a man:
Full of faith (grace/RSV)and power, (who) did great wonders and miracles.
Oh honest report.
Full of the Holy Ghost.
Full of Wisdom
Full of love

Now wherever the blest work of God, certainly the angry enemy is not far away.

Acts 6:9-15 NLT
9 But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia.

Acts 6:9 RSV
Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyre'nians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cili'cia and Asia, arose and disputed with Stephen.

These were freed Jews, freed from being captives of Rome. (Josephus/ Tacitus.)

Cyrenians That is Jews of Cyrene, of Libya, from the coast of Africa.
Cilicia, Saul of Tarsus may well have been among them (a member of the Sanhedrin), and of Asia.

Stephen was a Hellenist Greek, and for that matter so Saul of Tarsus. Both, could have well known each other and debated each other!

10 None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.
11 So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.”
12 This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council.
13 The lying witnesses said, “This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses.
14 We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”
15 At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s.

The Hellenist Jews, trumped up false charges against Stephen, as they had the Lord Jesus.
The Sanhedrin, was called upon, and Stephen gave his defense of faith.

Acts 7:1-60 NLT
1 Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these accusations true?”
2 This was Stephen’s reply: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me. Our Glorious God appeared to our ancestor Abraham in Mesopotamia before he settled in Haran.
3 God told him, ‘Leave your native land and your relatives, and come into the land that I will show you.’
4 So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran until his father died. Then God brought him here to the land where you now live.
5 “But God gave him no inheritance here, not even one square foot of land. God did promise, however, that eventually the whole land would belong to Abraham and his descendants—even though he had no children yet.
6 God also told him that his descendants would live in a foreign land, where they would be oppressed as slaves for 400 years.
7 ‘But I will punish the nation that enslaves them,’ God said, ‘and in the end they will come out and worship Me here in this place.’
8 “God also gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision at that time. So when Abraham became the father of Isaac, he circumcised him on the eighth day. And the practice was continued when Isaac became the father of Jacob, and when Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs of the Israelite nation.
9 “These patriarchs were jealous of their brother Joseph, and they sold him to be a slave in Egypt. But God was with him
10 and rescued him from all his troubles. And God gave him favor before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. God also gave Joseph unusual wisdom, so that Pharaoh appointed him governor over all of Egypt and put him in charge of the palace.
11 “But a famine came upon Egypt and Canaan. There was great misery, and our ancestors ran out of food.
12 Jacob heard that there was still grain in Egypt, so he sent his sons—our ancestors—to buy some.
13 The second time they went, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, and they were introduced to Pharaoh.
14 Then Joseph sent for his father, Jacob, and all his relatives to come to Egypt, seventy-five persons in all.
15 So Jacob went to Egypt. He died there, as did our ancestors.
16 Their bodies were taken to Shechem and buried in the tomb Abraham had bought for a certain price from Hamor’s sons in Shechem.
17 “As the time drew near when God would fulfill His promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt greatly increased.
18 But then a new king came to the throne of Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph.
19 This king exploited our people and oppressed them, forcing parents to abandon their newborn babies so they would die.
20 “At that time Moses was born—a beautiful child in God’s eyes. His parents cared for him at home for three months.
21 When they had to abandon him, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and raised him as her own son.
22 Moses was taught all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was powerful in both speech and action.
23 “One day when Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his relatives, the people of Israel.
24 He saw an Egyptian mistreating an Israelite. So Moses came to the man’s defense and avenged him, killing the Egyptian.
25 Moses assumed his fellow Israelites would realize that God had sent him to rescue them, but they didn’t.
26 “The next day he visited them again and saw two men of Israel fighting. He tried to be a peacemaker. ‘Men,’ he said, ‘you are brothers. Why are you fighting each other?’
27 “But the man in the wrong pushed Moses aside. ‘Who made you a ruler and judge over us?’ he asked.
28 ‘Are you going to kill me as you killed that Egyptian yesterday?’
29 When Moses heard that, he fled the country and lived as a foreigner in the land of Midian. There his two sons were born.
30 “Forty years later, in the desert near Mount Sinai, an angel appeared to Moses in the flame of a burning bush. 31 When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight. As he went to take a closer look, the voice of the Lord called out to him,
32 ‘I am the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ Moses shook with terror and did not dare to look.
33 “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.
34 I have certainly seen the oppression of My people in Egypt. I have heard their groans and have come down to rescue them. Now go, for I am sending you back to Egypt.’
35 “So God sent back the same man his people had previously rejected when they demanded, ‘Who made you a ruler and judge over us?’ Through the angel who appeared to him in the burning bush, God sent Moses to be their ruler and savior.
36 And by means of many wonders and miraculous signs, he led them out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and through the wilderness for forty years.
37 “Moses himself told the people of Israel, ‘God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people.’
38 Moses was with our ancestors, the assembly of God’s people in the wilderness, when the angel spoke to him at Mount Sinai. And there Moses received life-giving words to pass on to us.
39 “But our ancestors refused to listen to Moses. They rejected him and wanted to return to Egypt.
40 They told Aaron, ‘Make us some gods who can lead us, for we don’t know what has become of this Moses, who brought us out of Egypt.’
41 So they made an idol shaped like a calf, and they sacrificed to it and celebrated over this thing they had made.
42 Then God turned away from them and abandoned them to serve the stars of heaven as their gods! In the book of the prophets it is written, ‘Was it to Me you were bringing sacrifices and offerings during those forty years in the wilderness, Israel?
43 No, you carried your pagan gods— the shrine of Molech, the star of your god Rephan, and the images you made to worship them. So I will send you into exile as far away as Babylon.’
44 “Our ancestors carried the Tabernacle with them through the wilderness. It was constructed according to the plan God had shown to Moses.
45 Years later, when Joshua led our ancestors in battle against the nations that God drove out of this land, the Tabernacle was taken with them into their new territory. And it stayed there until the time of King David.
46 “David found favor with God and asked for the privilege of building a permanent Temple for the God of Jacob.
47 But it was Solomon who actually built it.
48 However, the Most High doesn’t live in temples made by human hands. As the prophet says,
49 ‘Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. Could you build Me a temple as good as that?’ asks the Lord. ‘Could you build Me such a resting place?
50 Didn’t My hands make both heaven and earth?’
51 “You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you!
52 Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One—the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered.
53 You deliberately disobeyed God’s law, even though you received it from the hands of angels.”
54 The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage.
55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand.
56 And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”
57 Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him
58 and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
60 He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.

Romans 14:12 KJV
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Stephen, first martyr of the Christian church, was faithful until death.

Dear friend, our life, could end at any time, certainly it is not an eternal life.
Do you know the Lord, that's the most important question!
And if you do, are you serving Him, is He your Lord, and Master?
Will you hear the Saviour one day say to you...

Matthew 25:23 KJV
“...Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

Salvation Prayer

Bible Questions Answered: Truth- Buy The Truth And Sell It Not

2011-12-18T05:47:00.002-06:00

Bible Questions Answered
“....my reading I see the words -buy the truth and do not sell it-what is this?”
Cadao/ Sydney, Australia

Bible Answer:

Bible Text: Proverbs 23:23 KJV
Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

Proverbs 4:3-8 KJV (Solomon, listening to his father King David's lessons.)
3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Proverbs 23:23 KJV
“Buy the truth, and sell it not...”
King David was stressing the importance of having and knowing the truth.
The truth is of great value, do all that you can to have it, which speaks of sacrifice,...but never think of selling it.

This reminds us of the parable of Jesus, the pearl of great price.

Matthew 13:45,46 KJV
45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a Merchant Man, seeking goodly pearls:
46 Who, when He had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that He had, and bought it.

For the explanation of this parable see the following posting.... Parables-Our Lord's: The Pearl Of Great Price

Our Saviour devested Himself of all, to purchase, yeah, to redeem His beloved people!

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

Philippians 2:5-11 KJV
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Heavens ivory palace, His throne, His haliments of glory, all, all, our blessed for ever, Saviour laid aside for our redemption, and that by His own precious blood.
Selah

II Corinthians 5:21 KJV
For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

If this indeed was the mindset of the Saviour, what is our determination, towards Him?

Solomon's instructions were to ….
Proverbs 23:23 KJV
“Buy the truth, and sell it not...”
Whatever, be the sacrifice, there can be no comparison as to the value of truth!

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.

We cannot “buy,” what is free, but nevertheless our possessing this great treasure deserves our best sacrifices.

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.

Romans 3:24 KJV
Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

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

Salvation Prayer

Bible Questions Answered: Christian Confession

2011-12-16T03:51:00.002-06:00

Bible Questions Answered:

“...tell me that phrase “the testimony of Jesus,” what is this meaning?”

Rico/ La Jolla, California U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:

Revelation 1:2 KJV

Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

Revelation 1:9 KJV

I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for

the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 12:17 KJV

And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 19:10 KJV

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for

the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

This is the “witness,” of Christian people, concerning Jesus.

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:

It is the call, nay, duty of any Christian to be ready to give a reason for his faith in Jesus Christ.

Every Christian has been commissioned to witness of his faith.

Mark 16:15 KJV (Jesus speaking to His disciples.)

And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Romans 10:9,10 NLT

9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.

“The testimony of Jesus,” is confession as to your Christian faith, and or Christian instruction, i.e of preaching or teaching the Christian faith.

Matthew 10:32,33 KJV

32 Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.

33 But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.

Luke 12:8 KJV

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

Philippians 2:11 KJV

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

I John 2:23 KJV

Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

I John 4:15 KJV

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

Salvation Prayer

Bible Questions Answered: Seek Ye The Lord

2011-12-14T02:37:00.003-06:00

Bible Questions Answered:

“It says seek the Lord while he may be found, when is that and when will it be that he cannot be found?”

Pat/ New York, New York U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

Text: Isaiah 55:6 KJV

Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near:

This is not some mystical time of appearance or disappearance of the Saviour, rather these words speak of the spiritual condition of the heart.

II Corinthians 6:2 KJV

(For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured (helped) thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Many a person has heard the call of the Saviour, but delayed in their reaction to Him. Not today, they say, or after I graduate from school, after my business is a success, when I am older, etc. etc.

But delay, Is to refuse and the refusal of a day, becomes the refusal of a week, a month, a year. And before one realizes it, the refusal of a life time. And the heart that once could have turned to the Lord, has now become old and hardened to the ways of the world, and no longer desires to turn to the Lord.

This is the unpardonable sin, the total rejection of the calling of the Spirit of God.

Psalm 95:6-11 NLT

6 Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker,

7 for He is our God. We are the people He watches over, the flock under His care. If only you would listen to His voice today!

8 The Lord says, “Don’t harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah, as they did at Massah in the wilderness.

9 For there your ancestors tested and tried My patience, even though they saw everything I did.

10 For forty years I was angry with them, and I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts turn away from Me. They refuse to do what I tell them.’

11 So in My anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter My place of rest.’”

Hebrew 4:7 KJV

"...To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.

Hebrews 12:14-17 KJV

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

15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

Revelation 3:20 KJV

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.

Genesis 71,13,14,16,17 KJV

1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before Me in this generation.

13 In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;

14 They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort.

16 And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.

17 And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth.

Righteous Noah and his family were shut in the ark, while others to whom Noah had preached warning for 120 years, and refused, were shut out.

Zechariah 7:11-13 NLT

11 “Your ancestors refused to listen to this message. They stubbornly turned away and put their fingers in their ears to keep from hearing.

12 They made their hearts as hard as stone, so they could not hear the instructions or the messages that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies had sent them by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. That is why the Lord of Heaven’s Armies was so angry with them.

13 “Since they refused to listen when I called to them, I would not listen when they called to Me, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Brother to rejection, i.e. repentance and surrender postponed, is that of presumption.

Matthew 25:1-13 KJV

1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the Bridegroom.

2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5 While the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him.

7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

10 And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But He answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh.

The virgins are the bride of Christ, while the Bridegroom is Christ.

Matthew 7:16-23 KJV

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.

Workers of iniquity, because though their garments are white, and their hands filled with lamps, yet they are without oil, and blind leaders, “of the dark,” blind.

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.

To refuse to be surrendered to the Lord, as Master, is to rely upon fleshly works that perish. All the rituals, creeds, pomp and circumstance, degrees of great learning all will be as an empty lamp in the dark, on that secret day of the Bridegrooms coming.

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.

I Samuel 15:22 KJV

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Hebrews 12:14 KJV

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

The hour is late, the night far spent, each one must decide for himself, whether “poor in spirit,” or “full and self satisfied.”

Once the Bridegroom comes and takes His bride to heavens marriage feast, the doors will be shut.

Hebrew 4:7 KJV

"...To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.

Deuteronomy 4:29 KJV

But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

I Chronicles 16:11 KJV

Seek the LORD and His strength, seek His face continually.

Isaiah 31:1 KJV

Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

Hosea 10:12 NLT

I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that He may come and shower righteousness upon you.’

Salvation Prayer

Bible Questions Answered: Christmas Celebrated

2011-12-11T21:07:00.006-06:00

Bible Questions Answered:

“When was Christmas first celebrated?”

Camargo/ Temecula, California U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

Tradition tells us that in 220 A.D. The Eastern/ or Greek Christian church celebrated the nativity.

A century later the Latin (Western) church celebrated it.

In the year 380 A.D. a uniform date was agreed upon that of 5 B.C.

The celebration of Christmas was first observed upon January 6th, but at the end of the 4th century it was moved to December 25th.

The Christmas tree was first introduced to Europe in the 8th century, by a German.

The Magi, were thought to have come from Arabia, Egypt, Mesopotamia, or another location in the East.

Some early church traditions state, that there were three Magi Princes, and that their names were Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. It has been said of the Magians, that they were Semitic, and were known as Chaldeans.

These Magians Princes believed in one God, they had a hatred for idolatry and were diligent in looking for a coming Messiah.

Numbers 24:17 KJV

"I shall see Him, but not now: I shall behold Him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel..."

When the Magians saw the star leading to Judah, they believed the prophecy, come to life.

Christmas Gifts For The Lord Jesus Christ

Shepherds Of Bethlehem

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit: Angelic Deliverance

2011-12-10T00:13:00.003-06:00

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit: Angelic Deliverance.

God's Messenger: The Angel Of The Lord. (Could have been Gabriel.)

Bible Location: Jerusalem.

Bible Text: Acts 5:17-25 NLT

17 The high priest and his officials, who were Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.

18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.

19 But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them,

20 “Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!”

21 So at daybreak the apostles entered the Temple, as they were told, and immediately began teaching.

When the high priest and his officials arrived, they convened the high council—the full assembly of the elders of Israel. Then they sent for the apostles to be brought from the jail for trial.

22 But when the Temple guards went to the jail, the men were gone. So they returned to the council and reported, 23 “The jail was securely locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!”

24 When the captain of the Temple guard and the leading priests heard this, they were perplexed, wondering where it would all end.

25 Then someone arrived with startling news: “The men you put in jail are standing in the Temple, teaching the people!”

Acts 5:17 NLT

The high priest and his officials, who were Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.

Only the gospel of the Apostles, had power and purpose, all the others were mad and jealous.

Luke 4:32 KJV

And they were astonished at His doctrine: for His word was with power.

Acts 5:18 NLT

They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.

Oh, the millions of saints who have been martyred for their faith in Jesus Christ, and the many yet to follow.

Revelation 6:9-11 KJV

9 And when He had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, Holy and True, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

Persecution, Jesus said we should expect it.

The Word of the Lord:

Matthew 10:16-22 KJV

16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

22 And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Matthew 24:9 KJV

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for My name's sake.

Luke 21:12-17 KJV

12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.

13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

17 And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake.

John 15:20 KJV

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also.

John 16:1-3 KJV

1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.

2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor Me.

II Timothy 3:12 KJV

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Revelation 2:10 KJV

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Acts 5:19 NLT

“But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out....”

Genesis 18:14 KJV (Our Lord asked Abraham.)

"Is any thing too hard for the LORD?..."

Daniel 3:16-18 KJV

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.

17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.

18 But even if He doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

Daniel 3:19-25 KJV

19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.

20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counselors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.

25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

God, can deliver, but we have no promise of that, instead we are called to be faithful til death.

Hebrews 11:36-38 KJV

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.

Whether it be by deliverance or by death, our Saviour has promised His people...

Hebrews 13:5 KJV

"...I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

Acts 5:19-21 NLT

19 But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them,

20 “Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!”

21 So at daybreak the apostles entered the Temple, as they were told, and immediately began teaching.

The mighty angels of God, realized that the Apostles had the “message of life,” and that it is so important for them to share that gospel.

The angels are desirous to fully understand the gospel, one day, during the great tribulation, they will be preaching it to the nations of earth.

I Peter 1:12 KJV

Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Revelation 14:6 KJV

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

If the mighty angles of God, realize how important it is to tell the Good News of the gospel, how important do we think it is?

Mark 16:15,16 KJV

15 And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Acts 5:21-25 NLT

21 So at daybreak the apostles entered the Temple, as they were told, and immediately began teaching.

When the high priest and his officials arrived, they convened the high council—the full assembly of the elders of Israel. Then they sent for the apostles to be brought from the jail for trial.

22 But when the Temple guards went to the jail, the men were gone. So they returned to the council and reported,

23 “The jail was securely locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!”

24 When the captain of the Temple guard and the leading priests heard this, they were perplexed, wondering where it would all end.

25 Then someone arrived with startling news: “The men you put in jail are standing in the Temple, teaching the people!”

Matthew 10:28 KJV (Jesus)

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

I Peter 4:16-19 KJV

16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

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

18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

Bible Questions Answered: Slander

2011-12-08T00:38:00.003-06:00

Bible Questions Answered:

“...these people have said everything false about me....”

Brunella/ Archhamps, France

Bible Answer:

There has down through time, always been busy bodies, who spread gossip and malicious false stories.

But the people of God, have a great defense.

THE WORD OF THE LORD:

Genesis 15:1 KJV

After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy Shield, and thy exceeding Great Reward.

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 Samuel 22:3 KJV

The God of my Rock; in Him will I trust: He is my Shield, and the Horn of my Salvation, my High Tower, and my Refuge, my Saviour; thou savest me from violence.

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 favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

Psalm 18:2 KJV

The LORD is my Rock, and my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my Strength, in whom I will trust; my Buckler, and the Horn of my Salvation, and my High Tower.

Psalm 31:2 KJV

Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong Rock, for an House of Defence to save me.

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 50:15 KJV

And call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.

Psalm 84:11 KJV

For the LORD God is a Sun and Shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Psalm 91:4 KJV

He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Psalm 144:2 KJV

My Goodness, and my Fortress; my High Tower, and my Deliverer; my Shield, and He in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.

Proverbs 30:5 KJV

Every word of God is pure: He is a Shield unto them that put their trust in Him.

Matthew 5:11,12 KJV (Beatitudes, Jesus.)

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Matthew 15:15-20 KJV (Mark 7:18-23)

15 Then answered Peter and said unto Him, Declare unto us this parable.

16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Luke 6:22,23 KJV

22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake.

23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

Galatians 5:19-21 NLT

19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,

20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

I Peter 4:14 KJV

If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of Glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified.

Bible Questions Answered: God's Knowledge

2011-12-06T02:51:00.000-06:00

Bible Questions Answered:

“...so how will God will know when the rapture comes who are the people to take or not to take...”

Bob/ Detroit, Michigan U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

God's knowledge is perfect.

I Samuel 2:3 KJV

"...the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed.

Job 26:6 KJV

Hell is naked before Him, and destruction hath no covering.

Job 31:4 KJV

Doth not He see my ways, and count all my steps?

Job 34:21 KJV

For His eyes are upon the ways of man, and He seeth all His goings.

Psalm 139:4-6 KJV

4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Psalm 147:5 KJV

Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite.

Isaiah 40:28 KJV

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.

Daniel 2:22 KJV

He revealeth the deep and secret things: He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with Him.

Hebrews 4:13 KJV

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

The Lord knows those that are His.

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 Timothy 2:19 KJV

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

God knows our thoughts.

Psalm 44:21 KJV

Shall not God search this out? for He knoweth the secrets of the heart.

Luke 16:15 KJV

And He said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

I Corinthians 3:20 KJV

"... The Lord knoweth the thoughts..."

I John 3:20 KJV

For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

God knows those who trust in Him.

Nahum 1:7 KJV

The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.

II Peter 2:9 KJV

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations (trials), and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

God knows our physical limitations.

I Kings 19:5 KJV (Elijah running from Jezebel.)

And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.

Psalm 103:14 KJV

For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.

God knows what we need.

Matthew 6:8 KJV

"...your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.

Philippians 4:19 KJV

But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

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John 1:12 KJV

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

Salvation Prayer