In this Christimas season, we often hear (or perhaps we used to hear it more, haha) the saying, "It is more blessed to give than receive." That's from the Bible, by the way. Acts 20:35, to be exact. Admittedly, I always thought it was a nice, fluffy thing to say when I was younger, but is it? IT IS.
How exactly does a return come to the giver. Aside, from the nice feeling you may get from helping someone less fortunate, I thought it would be fun to jot down some of the more tangible blessings of giving.
They include:
*Favor, from God and man. Giving honors Proverbs 3:3-4, so you get favor from "God and man" as that verse indicates. Even pursusing righteousness by caring for your pets (Proverbs 12:10), provides favor from God according to Proverbs 21:3.
*Perhaps, like me, your eyes may be opened, to character issues or a trait you may be weak on that could help you materially, if addressed.
*Kindness to the poor makes God your debtor, as Proverbs 19:17 notes, and He will repay you for your good deed. Good deeds don't save your soul, but God will repay you.
*A recent offering I made, saved me money as the Lord led me to a less expensive but more effective choice in business.
*Giving can be returned by receiving insight about some assets that you aren't using or forgot about, a comforter for your bed or a crock pot, you received as gifts but never opened, for example.
*Or insight again, about an unused item that can be sold, if not used or needed. Perhaps, you realize those old dumbbell weights could be sold at a place like Play-It Again Sports, without being missed.
*Perhaps, your previously closed mind, may be humbled or opened to new options or closed to unprofitable ones you may be currently pursuing.
*Customers you didn't have before, suddenly show up.
*Maybe, you suddenly, easily lose a few of those stubborn lbs (empowered by God), and the return is feeling better about yourself or saving money on, buying some new clothes.
The Word tells us that the return on giving can be enhanced--by being cheerful (II Corinthians 9:7) or praising God (Psalm 100:4). It can be shriveled by murmuring or complaining against God. I know I've done it. It can delay your blessing. The Lord said of the children of Israel in Numbers 14:34-35, "According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, for each day you shall bear your guilt one year, namely forty years, and you shall know my rejection. I, the Lord, have spoken this. I will surely do so to all this evil congregation who are gathered together against Me. In this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die."
Every so often, I've hear folks get down on giving....saying "the Bible doesn't work," "that used to work but recently not so much." Big time, caution though....murmuring is hated by God. It is yet another reason we need to fear Him, and not presume on His grace. As noted previously, the children of Israel had to wander 40 years in the wilderness because of it.
Well, I have kind of "preached myself happy", as Kenneth Copeland says, by writing this message because I realize the true power in giving....and the different forms God gives back to you when you give.
Originally written 12/24/2013.
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
WORK OF PASTOR O IN AFRICA (Lion's Den Society has supported ).
Photos and detailed information about Pastor O kept confidential due to government regulations and concerns in this particular country in Africa.
Pastor O (intentionally cropped off on the left) preaching at a market in Africa.
What we are doing in the markets when we have money to hire a Public Address System. Below is the work that we do in Prisons and take bibles to inmates.
PRISON PHOTO OMITTED DUE TO GOVERNMENT REGULATION, HOSTILITY IN PASTOR O'S HOME COUNTRY
Bible study is our main tool to bring people back into the ways of God. Through small savings, I have been purchasing few copies of the bibles which are enabling them to find the truth and live Biblical standard life.
One of the schools I am visiting and teaching young people the ways of God.
Pastor O (intentionally cropped off on the left) preaching at a market in Africa.
What we are doing in the markets when we have money to hire a Public Address System. Below is the work that we do in Prisons and take bibles to inmates.
PRISON PHOTO OMITTED DUE TO GOVERNMENT REGULATION, HOSTILITY IN PASTOR O'S HOME COUNTRY
Bible study is our main tool to bring people back into the ways of God. Through small savings, I have been purchasing few copies of the bibles which are enabling them to find the truth and live Biblical standard life.
One of the schools I am visiting and teaching young people the ways of God.
Dear brother Daniel, these are just a sample of the
work God is doing through us. Without finances it is hard to fulfill what we
want to do for God. I really want to reach more souls in markets when I have
our own equipments and if God bless us with a vehicle will be nice to move
around markets, schools, Prisons to spread the gospel.
Pray for our needs as we also pray for you.
Friday, December 8, 2017
The Pope wants to change the Lord's Prayer....and other thoughts!
December 8, 2017, a day which will live in infamy....OK, that date was already set aside for December 7th for another infamous event! But today, Pope Francis (aka Jorge Bergoglio), or as some like to call him "Red" Francis, for his socialist tendencies and/or sympathies, came out today calling for a change to the Lord's Prayer. It is the Lord's Prayer since it was instituted by the Lord, Jesus Christ, called the Word in John 1. That is some chutzpah...audacity, temerity or blasphemy, in my view of the Pope! In fairness, he got the idea from the French Catholic Church, it seems.
Anyway, the Bishop of Rome seems to think that the line, "lead us not into temptation.." in the Lord's Prayer leads people to believe that God causes temptation. First of all, James 1:13-14 notes, "Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed." In an article on www.npr.org, the Pope basically reiterated James 1:13-14, saying "it's not the Lord that tempts". He is right about that!
However, a close reading of the Lord's Prayer doesn't say that God tempts people, either. Instead, of exercising his papal desire to "become holier than the Bible" or more holy than Christ Himself, Pope "Red" could have merely directed "the faithful" to James 1:13-14, as well as urging a careful reading of the Lord's Prayer itself. But as we shall see, popes like to make a name for themselves, perhaps thinking they are "holier than the Bible." In fairness, he thinks this line is a "bad translation." Really...after hundreds of years??? He is the first pope to be so concerned about this?
The Roman Catholic Church, in my first-hand experience as a former Roman Catholic, tends to like to "dumb down" doctrine or make up its own doctrine, so folks don't have to be "bothered" with actually reading the Bible, it seems. An example is the distinction between mortal and venial sins, which is a Roman Catholic innovation carved from I John 5:16-17, perhaps.
The Pope could have and should have--if he were exercising the role of a true spiritual shepherd--also pointed out that the Bible is "living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword" per Hebrews 4:12 and also II Timothy 2:15, which notes the need to "rightly divide the word of truth." Instead, Mr. Bergoglio and most Roman Catholic clergy don't seem to like to have their members "hang out" in the Bible too long in my experience. My personal informed opinion is that this would undermine their spiritual authority, their mediation (instead of allowing Jesus alone to be our mediator per I Timothy 2:5) . The Roman Catholic Church likes to point folks quickly back to its tradition, "reason-based" doctrine (instead of the Bible) that keeps them under the Church's control. Jesus warned, in one way or another, continually about making "doctrines out of the traditions of men" (Mark 7), ultimately being betrayed by the Pharisees', the champion "tradition keepers" of his day! Proverbs 3:5-6 urges us to "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding..."
Perhaps the Pope's announcement today is appropriate? December 8th is the Roman Church's feast day for another extra-biblical innovation based in human reason and tradition....the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, pronounced as a dogmatic truth by Pope Pius IX in 1854. Mary, it is reasoned, "was just too special to have sinned"; this conflicts with Romans 3:23 and makes her effectively divine, as well. Pope Pius IX took a break for a number of years and then added Papal Infallibility as another dogmatic doctrine in 1870, based in a hyper-literal exaggeration of Matthew 16:18. Pope Paul VI added the idea that birth control was immoral, again not biblical. Pope John Paul II, although correctly urging holiness and speaking out boldly against abortion during his tenure, did encourage a misguided unity among so-called monotheistic religions (even though Islam is pagan and antichrist, not worshiping the true God). Popes like to be remembered but they forget Revelation 22:18-19 warning!
And back to Pope Francis, who championed the cause of Muslim immigrants, becoming a naive partner in the Muslim invasion of Europe and other nations with their deceitful agenda, while not addressing strongly the truly persecuted refugees, Christians! Mr. Bergoglio also ventured into science, speaking out for the environment and the climate-change hoax/ "junk science" agenda. This type of "crusade" engenders favor with the misguided world while giving the Vatican "a seat at the table" as a moral authority! The rabidly antichrist secularists who typically squeal about the separation of church and state were quite happy to welcome this misguided, apostate Pope as a "moral stamp" on their globalist agenda! The Catholic Church really excels at giving the gift of guilt! It seems the lesson of the Catholic Church's misguided ventures into science, persecuting Galileo many years ago, has been forgotten by an even more misguided world, today.
Pope Francis has been warmly received, even given "rock star" treatment by the world and misguided politicians like Barack Obama. True Christians should refer to I John 4:5-6 as a test. An excerpt notes, "...They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them." This biblical test and Pope Francis' ongoing unwillingness to quote the Bible but rather attempt to change it, should raise "red flags" about him!
In summary, the question/ objection raised by Pope Francis about the Lord's Prayer would have been an excellent opportunity to teach the Bible and point out it needs to be "rightly divided" as the "double-edged sword" of truth that it is, as well as to encourage believers to pursue the "full counsel of God" available in the Bible. Instead, the Catholic Church tends to like to dismiss the Word (aka Jesus Christ per John 1), saying, ".. you can't take it literally"... or, if you are as nervey as Pope "Red" Francis, you just go ahead and change the Word! Roman Catholics, in my experience, get quite defensive when you jokingly challenge them to pray to their pope. Actions, as they say, speak louder than words! Do they not seem quite willing to dismiss the Bible and cling to "rock star", Pope "Red" Francis' "cooler, hipper" path! Following him on the path of apostasy endangers their soul!!!
Anyway, the Bishop of Rome seems to think that the line, "lead us not into temptation.." in the Lord's Prayer leads people to believe that God causes temptation. First of all, James 1:13-14 notes, "Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed." In an article on www.npr.org, the Pope basically reiterated James 1:13-14, saying "it's not the Lord that tempts". He is right about that!
However, a close reading of the Lord's Prayer doesn't say that God tempts people, either. Instead, of exercising his papal desire to "become holier than the Bible" or more holy than Christ Himself, Pope "Red" could have merely directed "the faithful" to James 1:13-14, as well as urging a careful reading of the Lord's Prayer itself. But as we shall see, popes like to make a name for themselves, perhaps thinking they are "holier than the Bible." In fairness, he thinks this line is a "bad translation." Really...after hundreds of years??? He is the first pope to be so concerned about this?
The Roman Catholic Church, in my first-hand experience as a former Roman Catholic, tends to like to "dumb down" doctrine or make up its own doctrine, so folks don't have to be "bothered" with actually reading the Bible, it seems. An example is the distinction between mortal and venial sins, which is a Roman Catholic innovation carved from I John 5:16-17, perhaps.
The Pope could have and should have--if he were exercising the role of a true spiritual shepherd--also pointed out that the Bible is "living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword" per Hebrews 4:12 and also II Timothy 2:15, which notes the need to "rightly divide the word of truth." Instead, Mr. Bergoglio and most Roman Catholic clergy don't seem to like to have their members "hang out" in the Bible too long in my experience. My personal informed opinion is that this would undermine their spiritual authority, their mediation (instead of allowing Jesus alone to be our mediator per I Timothy 2:5) . The Roman Catholic Church likes to point folks quickly back to its tradition, "reason-based" doctrine (instead of the Bible) that keeps them under the Church's control. Jesus warned, in one way or another, continually about making "doctrines out of the traditions of men" (Mark 7), ultimately being betrayed by the Pharisees', the champion "tradition keepers" of his day! Proverbs 3:5-6 urges us to "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding..."
Perhaps the Pope's announcement today is appropriate? December 8th is the Roman Church's feast day for another extra-biblical innovation based in human reason and tradition....the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, pronounced as a dogmatic truth by Pope Pius IX in 1854. Mary, it is reasoned, "was just too special to have sinned"; this conflicts with Romans 3:23 and makes her effectively divine, as well. Pope Pius IX took a break for a number of years and then added Papal Infallibility as another dogmatic doctrine in 1870, based in a hyper-literal exaggeration of Matthew 16:18. Pope Paul VI added the idea that birth control was immoral, again not biblical. Pope John Paul II, although correctly urging holiness and speaking out boldly against abortion during his tenure, did encourage a misguided unity among so-called monotheistic religions (even though Islam is pagan and antichrist, not worshiping the true God). Popes like to be remembered but they forget Revelation 22:18-19 warning!
And back to Pope Francis, who championed the cause of Muslim immigrants, becoming a naive partner in the Muslim invasion of Europe and other nations with their deceitful agenda, while not addressing strongly the truly persecuted refugees, Christians! Mr. Bergoglio also ventured into science, speaking out for the environment and the climate-change hoax/ "junk science" agenda. This type of "crusade" engenders favor with the misguided world while giving the Vatican "a seat at the table" as a moral authority! The rabidly antichrist secularists who typically squeal about the separation of church and state were quite happy to welcome this misguided, apostate Pope as a "moral stamp" on their globalist agenda! The Catholic Church really excels at giving the gift of guilt! It seems the lesson of the Catholic Church's misguided ventures into science, persecuting Galileo many years ago, has been forgotten by an even more misguided world, today.
Pope Francis has been warmly received, even given "rock star" treatment by the world and misguided politicians like Barack Obama. True Christians should refer to I John 4:5-6 as a test. An excerpt notes, "...They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them." This biblical test and Pope Francis' ongoing unwillingness to quote the Bible but rather attempt to change it, should raise "red flags" about him!
In summary, the question/ objection raised by Pope Francis about the Lord's Prayer would have been an excellent opportunity to teach the Bible and point out it needs to be "rightly divided" as the "double-edged sword" of truth that it is, as well as to encourage believers to pursue the "full counsel of God" available in the Bible. Instead, the Catholic Church tends to like to dismiss the Word (aka Jesus Christ per John 1), saying, ".. you can't take it literally"... or, if you are as nervey as Pope "Red" Francis, you just go ahead and change the Word! Roman Catholics, in my experience, get quite defensive when you jokingly challenge them to pray to their pope. Actions, as they say, speak louder than words! Do they not seem quite willing to dismiss the Bible and cling to "rock star", Pope "Red" Francis' "cooler, hipper" path! Following him on the path of apostasy endangers their soul!!!
Saturday, July 1, 2017
Dangers to the Soul
The Parable of the Sower found in Matthew 13 provides the inspiration for this posting, at least in part.
This parable addresses how the human heart will respond to the Gospel.
The parable addresses four possible responses:
Originally written 8/25/2016.
This parable addresses how the human heart will respond to the Gospel.
The parable addresses four possible responses:
- Either total rejection from the hard path,
- Initial joy squelched by worldly pressures,
- Growth being choked out by the thorns of worldly concerns of life, wealth, etc., and
- Finally the good soil that produces "thirty, sixty and one-hundred fold."
- Sexual sins and lusts
- Misplaced loyalty to a person or organization rather than ultimately to God's Word/ Jesus Christ
- A desire to conform to or be part of the world
- A concern for worldly promotion, wealth and advancement
- Dissipation, i.e. reckless living, partying, vain pursuit of pleasure
- Societal pressures
- Fear
- And even being misled by false teaching about God's Word by not "rightly dividing" it properly according to II Timothy 2:15.
Originally written 8/25/2016.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
The USA is choosing wickedness and a curse!
The situation in the USA is truly becoming appalling on the moral front! God's grace and mercy towards this nation is truly amazing!
The recent despicable and lawless actions of the Obama Administration, specifically Attorney General Eric Holder's statement that state Attorneys General could pick and choose which laws to defend is a case a point. Holder's statement was in reference to the numerous traditional marriage amendments in place in states across the nation.
Also, sadly Arizona's Gov. Jan Brewer caved to the browbeating and bullying from far-reaching sources from GOP Senator John McCain to Apple, and vetoed a religious freedom protection bill.
And then there are the Non-Discrimination Ordinances sweeping cities across the nation, including cities in sparsely populated Montana like Butte, Helena and Missoula with consideration in Billings and Bozeman. These laws have been used as a way to vilify and silence moral objection to the sinful homosexual lifestyle choice. They also show the truly "in-your-face", foolishly, wicked attitude of many Americans toward God.
Another appalling and galling thing is that so many professing Christians are effectively on the side of the wicked. I say this because, while many Christians profess to acknowledge the sin of homosexuality and others, they won't take a stand against sin, or they condemn those who do. Proverbs 28:4 is instructive! Such folks seem to resemble the Foolish Virgins of Matthew 25 or the lukewarm Laodicean church of the book of Revelation, or perhaps even those with a "form of godliness but denying its power" noted in II Timothy 3:5. I have encountered true malice and hatred from such church-going folks and the Bible does note in Psalm 34:21, "...all those who hate the righteous will be condemned." I pray that God would have mercy on them to open their eyes to this truth!
But God's Word does say He brings wrath and judgment as well. The Lord does not owe mercy to us, America! Grace, no. He doesn't owe you that either! He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah and punished His chosen people, Israel. He is certainty able to do the same to the USA.
China, Russia and perhaps Iran and others could quite easily attack this nation without the Lord's hand of protection. Why would the Lord have any reason to hold back our destruction in the face of our wholesale arrogant sell-out to wickedness? His wrath is promised in Romans 1:18 to those that "suppress the truth in unrighteousness." Or perhaps China could simply lead an economic war against this nation as she moves to liquidate her holdings of US debt and dollars in favor of gold. It's happening...in December 2013 China sold off nearly $50 billion worth. The U.S. dollar could resemble the German mark in the hyper-inflation days of the Weimar Republic. Obama-Care could be irrelevant.
Hosea 9:7, Psalm 9:17, Habakkuk 1:1-4 and Proverbs 1:20-32 are relevant to this apostate, once great nation. In Proverbs 1:26, the Lord perhaps speaking directing to America says, "I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you--when calamity overtakes you like a storm..."
May God have mercy on America to open our eyes to the danger of our situation!
Also, I must add a reference to Psalm 105:15 and Genesis 12:3 to those who wish me harm. "Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me" is my biblical prayer.
I would also ask for your donations, per Ecclesiastes 11:2, which notes, "Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land." Also see Proverbs 11:24.
The recent despicable and lawless actions of the Obama Administration, specifically Attorney General Eric Holder's statement that state Attorneys General could pick and choose which laws to defend is a case a point. Holder's statement was in reference to the numerous traditional marriage amendments in place in states across the nation.
Also, sadly Arizona's Gov. Jan Brewer caved to the browbeating and bullying from far-reaching sources from GOP Senator John McCain to Apple, and vetoed a religious freedom protection bill.
And then there are the Non-Discrimination Ordinances sweeping cities across the nation, including cities in sparsely populated Montana like Butte, Helena and Missoula with consideration in Billings and Bozeman. These laws have been used as a way to vilify and silence moral objection to the sinful homosexual lifestyle choice. They also show the truly "in-your-face", foolishly, wicked attitude of many Americans toward God.
Another appalling and galling thing is that so many professing Christians are effectively on the side of the wicked. I say this because, while many Christians profess to acknowledge the sin of homosexuality and others, they won't take a stand against sin, or they condemn those who do. Proverbs 28:4 is instructive! Such folks seem to resemble the Foolish Virgins of Matthew 25 or the lukewarm Laodicean church of the book of Revelation, or perhaps even those with a "form of godliness but denying its power" noted in II Timothy 3:5. I have encountered true malice and hatred from such church-going folks and the Bible does note in Psalm 34:21, "...all those who hate the righteous will be condemned." I pray that God would have mercy on them to open their eyes to this truth!
But God's Word does say He brings wrath and judgment as well. The Lord does not owe mercy to us, America! Grace, no. He doesn't owe you that either! He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah and punished His chosen people, Israel. He is certainty able to do the same to the USA.
China, Russia and perhaps Iran and others could quite easily attack this nation without the Lord's hand of protection. Why would the Lord have any reason to hold back our destruction in the face of our wholesale arrogant sell-out to wickedness? His wrath is promised in Romans 1:18 to those that "suppress the truth in unrighteousness." Or perhaps China could simply lead an economic war against this nation as she moves to liquidate her holdings of US debt and dollars in favor of gold. It's happening...in December 2013 China sold off nearly $50 billion worth. The U.S. dollar could resemble the German mark in the hyper-inflation days of the Weimar Republic. Obama-Care could be irrelevant.
Hosea 9:7, Psalm 9:17, Habakkuk 1:1-4 and Proverbs 1:20-32 are relevant to this apostate, once great nation. In Proverbs 1:26, the Lord perhaps speaking directing to America says, "I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you--when calamity overtakes you like a storm..."
May God have mercy on America to open our eyes to the danger of our situation!
Also, I must add a reference to Psalm 105:15 and Genesis 12:3 to those who wish me harm. "Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me" is my biblical prayer.
I would also ask for your donations, per Ecclesiastes 11:2, which notes, "Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land." Also see Proverbs 11:24.
Sunday, June 14, 2015
On religious freedom...
The USA seems more and more to be on a path of destruction!
Many in the Republican Party, it seems, are disowning or ignoring the concerns of their socially conservative supporters, in order to gain the "favor" of those in the media who will never support Republicans anyway!
I speak specifically of GOP Governor Mike Pence who signed a religious freedom bill in Indiana. Then after pressure from the mainstream media and corporate supporters of homosexual wickedness, Pence agreed to revise the law. I got a mailing from my Republican Congressman Ryan Zinke the other day. It had a whole list of issues of concern to check. However, the list did not include one socially conservaitve issue like relgiious freedom, school prayer, pro-life or opposing the homosexual agenda!
Republicans, it seems, are embarrassed by such issues. They are indeed foolish! Freedom is a social issue! What they don't get is that the Lord can cause them to be as weak at defending other issues as they are in defending the socially conservative causes they avoid. This seems to be the case as they caved and confirmed the new radical Attorney General, caved on closing down the government, caved on supporting Bush's reasons for the Iraq war, etc. and etc. Such treachery is repugnant!
In his statement Pence did not even make the effort to stand for religious liberty, the basis for this nation.
The USA was founded by Pilgrims seeking religious freedom. Despite the perverse nonsense about "spearation of church" and state, the founding fathers of this nation were godly men, holding to a Judeo-Christian world view and religion.
The Arkansas governor followed suit and caved on a bill he signed.
A nation that is founded on freedom, with religious freedom being pre-eminent, that then turns from its founding by showing contempt for religious freedom is on a collision course with God's wrath!
The same fate came on God's chosen nation, Israel. Babylon invaded and exiled many of Israel's citizens!
Romans 1:18 notes, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness..."
Also, Psalm 9:17 notes, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."
Many in the Republican Party, it seems, are disowning or ignoring the concerns of their socially conservative supporters, in order to gain the "favor" of those in the media who will never support Republicans anyway!
I speak specifically of GOP Governor Mike Pence who signed a religious freedom bill in Indiana. Then after pressure from the mainstream media and corporate supporters of homosexual wickedness, Pence agreed to revise the law. I got a mailing from my Republican Congressman Ryan Zinke the other day. It had a whole list of issues of concern to check. However, the list did not include one socially conservaitve issue like relgiious freedom, school prayer, pro-life or opposing the homosexual agenda!
Republicans, it seems, are embarrassed by such issues. They are indeed foolish! Freedom is a social issue! What they don't get is that the Lord can cause them to be as weak at defending other issues as they are in defending the socially conservative causes they avoid. This seems to be the case as they caved and confirmed the new radical Attorney General, caved on closing down the government, caved on supporting Bush's reasons for the Iraq war, etc. and etc. Such treachery is repugnant!
In his statement Pence did not even make the effort to stand for religious liberty, the basis for this nation.
The USA was founded by Pilgrims seeking religious freedom. Despite the perverse nonsense about "spearation of church" and state, the founding fathers of this nation were godly men, holding to a Judeo-Christian world view and religion.
The Arkansas governor followed suit and caved on a bill he signed.
A nation that is founded on freedom, with religious freedom being pre-eminent, that then turns from its founding by showing contempt for religious freedom is on a collision course with God's wrath!
The same fate came on God's chosen nation, Israel. Babylon invaded and exiled many of Israel's citizens!
Romans 1:18 notes, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness..."
Also, Psalm 9:17 notes, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."
Monday, February 16, 2015
Historical Jesus? Or the Truth?
I had a lady teacher back in Religion class at the Roman Catholic high school I attended who introduced me to the latest in liberal, but misguided views on the Bible and Old Testament characters.
Similarly, Bill O'Reilly of Fox News, who also happens to be a Roman Catholic, who wrote a book called "The Killing of Jesus" advocated a difference between the Historical Jesus and the Jesus of the Bible. This is a heresy!
Basically, O'Reilly and modern "scholars" attempt to make a secular approach, which I would maintain is hostile to Jesus Christ's divinity, toward Jesus to be the "truth" about Jesus rather than the Gospels or even the prophecies about him in the Old Testament and in the future in the book of Revelation.
The idea that science is somehow "neutral" about religious topics is absurd. Secular approaches typically dismiss the supernatural and are typically quite biased about this topic. Furthermore, the idea that modern "science" has accepted the human-caused "global warming" or "climate change" hoax without raising the fundamental flaws in this earth-worshipping dogma shows that a consensus of scientific opinion, swayed by peer pressure and grant money, is not always the final word on issues of importance.
Wikipedia defines the term, "Historical Jesus" as referring to scholarly reconstructions (not open to the accounts provided in the Gospel) of the life of Jesus of Nazareth, based on historical methods including critical (i.e. often hostile) analysis of gospel texts as the primary source for his biography, along with consideration of the historical and cultural context in which he lived.
Wikipedia notes some of the possible agendas:
"A number of scholars have criticized the various approaches used in the study of the historical Jesus—on one hand for the lack of rigor in research methods, on the other for being driven by "specific agendas" that interpret ancient sources to fit specific goals. These agendas range from those that strive to confirm the Christian view of Jesus, or discredit Christianity, or interpret the life and teachings of Jesus with the hope of causing social change. By the 21st century the "maximalist" approaches of the 19th century which accepted all the gospels and the "minimalist" trends of the early 20th century which totally rejected them were abandoned and scholars began to focus on what is historically probable and plausible about Jesus."
The problem for the modern scholars is that they can't bring themselves to admit the inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible. Furthermore, they can't seem to admit that just because their evidence doesn't confirm something doesn't mean it didn't happen. The Bible and not Harvard, Princeton or Yale is the last word about Jesus Christ and the Bible itself. I Corinthians 1:22-23 NKJV notes, "For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom (Greeks represented a more secular approach to life similar to modern scholars): but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness..."
But it was and is the Greeks and their modern secular cousins who are foolish for their insufferably arrogant closed-minded approach to Jesus Christ and His Word, the Bible.
As Jesus said, "I am the Way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
Similarly, Bill O'Reilly of Fox News, who also happens to be a Roman Catholic, who wrote a book called "The Killing of Jesus" advocated a difference between the Historical Jesus and the Jesus of the Bible. This is a heresy!
Basically, O'Reilly and modern "scholars" attempt to make a secular approach, which I would maintain is hostile to Jesus Christ's divinity, toward Jesus to be the "truth" about Jesus rather than the Gospels or even the prophecies about him in the Old Testament and in the future in the book of Revelation.
The idea that science is somehow "neutral" about religious topics is absurd. Secular approaches typically dismiss the supernatural and are typically quite biased about this topic. Furthermore, the idea that modern "science" has accepted the human-caused "global warming" or "climate change" hoax without raising the fundamental flaws in this earth-worshipping dogma shows that a consensus of scientific opinion, swayed by peer pressure and grant money, is not always the final word on issues of importance.
Wikipedia defines the term, "Historical Jesus" as referring to scholarly reconstructions (not open to the accounts provided in the Gospel) of the life of Jesus of Nazareth, based on historical methods including critical (i.e. often hostile) analysis of gospel texts as the primary source for his biography, along with consideration of the historical and cultural context in which he lived.
Wikipedia notes some of the possible agendas:
"A number of scholars have criticized the various approaches used in the study of the historical Jesus—on one hand for the lack of rigor in research methods, on the other for being driven by "specific agendas" that interpret ancient sources to fit specific goals. These agendas range from those that strive to confirm the Christian view of Jesus, or discredit Christianity, or interpret the life and teachings of Jesus with the hope of causing social change. By the 21st century the "maximalist" approaches of the 19th century which accepted all the gospels and the "minimalist" trends of the early 20th century which totally rejected them were abandoned and scholars began to focus on what is historically probable and plausible about Jesus."
The problem for the modern scholars is that they can't bring themselves to admit the inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible. Furthermore, they can't seem to admit that just because their evidence doesn't confirm something doesn't mean it didn't happen. The Bible and not Harvard, Princeton or Yale is the last word about Jesus Christ and the Bible itself. I Corinthians 1:22-23 NKJV notes, "For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom (Greeks represented a more secular approach to life similar to modern scholars): but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness..."
But it was and is the Greeks and their modern secular cousins who are foolish for their insufferably arrogant closed-minded approach to Jesus Christ and His Word, the Bible.
As Jesus said, "I am the Way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Modern-Day Hypocrisy?
This post is due to God's leading per Proverbs 3:5-6. I often wonder if the typical, run-of-the-mill American Christian (no offense intended) actually believes that God can lead someone, especially if said leading violates their own religious traditions.
After attending the local Roman Catholic church last Sunday, I found the Lord bringing to mind for meditation repeatedly, Hebrews 4:12. This verse notes, "...the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword...a discerner of the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
And, also I was led to Mark 7:7-8, where Jesus said, "And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men--the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."
Now, not to just pick on the Roman Catholic Church, I thought I would share some of the modern-day American "traditions of men" following by many professing Christians of various denominations such as:
*Reciting three Hail Marys in the morning and in the evening as a proven way to become perfect or holy,
*Bowing before receiving Holy Communion at Mass,
*Avoiding taking a stand against sin for fear of being labeled "judgmental",
*Criticising the Catholic Church correctly for considering the Pope to be infallible in matters of "faith and morals" when in reality many Protestant, Evangelical and Pentecostal church pastors are considered or consider themselves to be "Popes", in their own right,
*Concluding foolishly that one in need of financial assistance is necessarily violating the apostle Paul's injunction in II Thessalonians 3:10, that "...If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat" without listening to such a person's particular situation (Proverbs 18:13).
*Putting the laws of men above the commands of God or even a higher human law such as the U.S. Constitution. An example would be the aversion, to the point of almost considering to be evil, political thoughts, comments or speech in religious meetings. The prophet Daniel clearly showed there is a time for disregarding human laws when they conflict with a higher divine law,
*Considering foolishly and misguidedly that building the Keystone pipeline through the heartland of America is to be evil because it contributes to the human-caused global warming hoax,
*Considering oneself to be superior when faced with human need, justifying a lack of helping someone because they aren't good stewards, typically in the eyes of the one being asked, when in actuality they may themselves be tested per Proverbs 28:27,
*Becoming disgruntled or self-righteously offended at a bold Christian who is perceived or judged wrongly to be "unloving" because of their stands for God's commands, such as opposing the sin of homosexuality, which shows a Proverbs 28:4 issue, and
*Sadly, a tendency to adopt the foolish, wrath-provoking attitude of Job's friends (Job 42:7-8) in the face of another's adversity to soothe one's own self-righteous ways and superficial, "feel-good" theology.
I hope this posting will encourage some of you to live by the Bible, and not men's commands. Also, if you are feeling genuine hatred towards me because of my thoughts see Psalm 34:21, or wish to suppress me see Romans 1:18, or wish to harm me see Psalm 105:15 or curse me with your thoughts, words or actions see Genesis 12:3.
God Bless!
After attending the local Roman Catholic church last Sunday, I found the Lord bringing to mind for meditation repeatedly, Hebrews 4:12. This verse notes, "...the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword...a discerner of the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
And, also I was led to Mark 7:7-8, where Jesus said, "And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men--the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."
Now, not to just pick on the Roman Catholic Church, I thought I would share some of the modern-day American "traditions of men" following by many professing Christians of various denominations such as:
*Reciting three Hail Marys in the morning and in the evening as a proven way to become perfect or holy,
*Bowing before receiving Holy Communion at Mass,
*Avoiding taking a stand against sin for fear of being labeled "judgmental",
*Criticising the Catholic Church correctly for considering the Pope to be infallible in matters of "faith and morals" when in reality many Protestant, Evangelical and Pentecostal church pastors are considered or consider themselves to be "Popes", in their own right,
*Concluding foolishly that one in need of financial assistance is necessarily violating the apostle Paul's injunction in II Thessalonians 3:10, that "...If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat" without listening to such a person's particular situation (Proverbs 18:13).
*Putting the laws of men above the commands of God or even a higher human law such as the U.S. Constitution. An example would be the aversion, to the point of almost considering to be evil, political thoughts, comments or speech in religious meetings. The prophet Daniel clearly showed there is a time for disregarding human laws when they conflict with a higher divine law,
*Considering foolishly and misguidedly that building the Keystone pipeline through the heartland of America is to be evil because it contributes to the human-caused global warming hoax,
*Considering oneself to be superior when faced with human need, justifying a lack of helping someone because they aren't good stewards, typically in the eyes of the one being asked, when in actuality they may themselves be tested per Proverbs 28:27,
*Becoming disgruntled or self-righteously offended at a bold Christian who is perceived or judged wrongly to be "unloving" because of their stands for God's commands, such as opposing the sin of homosexuality, which shows a Proverbs 28:4 issue, and
*Sadly, a tendency to adopt the foolish, wrath-provoking attitude of Job's friends (Job 42:7-8) in the face of another's adversity to soothe one's own self-righteous ways and superficial, "feel-good" theology.
I hope this posting will encourage some of you to live by the Bible, and not men's commands. Also, if you are feeling genuine hatred towards me because of my thoughts see Psalm 34:21, or wish to suppress me see Romans 1:18, or wish to harm me see Psalm 105:15 or curse me with your thoughts, words or actions see Genesis 12:3.
God Bless!
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Abraham, A Case Study of Salvation.
It is intriguing and interesting to observe that the Bible has both general commands and then actual real-life examples or case studies of people actually ignoring or obeying His commands.
The Christian idea of justification by faith, and the proving of such faith, called sanctification, is but one:
Many Bible verses address the topic of justification by faith and the sanctification of souls to show that we actually prove our faith and fear of God.
Abraham, is referred to as, our father in faith, in the Roman Catholic Church's Eucharistic Prayer. I would concur!
In early human history, God waited patiently for the man to fulfill His desire for a family of those who would follow Him. Abraham was also one of Jesus Christ's literal historical ancestors (Luke 3:34), the line of the promised Messiah!
We are introduced to Abram (his initial name) in Genesis 12. Here God told Abram to "get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house." In Genesis 12:3 God promised Abram, "I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you..." Abram did as he was told, (Case Study I Justification, or faith in God's promise).
In Genesis 12:10-20, Abram left Canaan (the land God showed him) and went down to Egypt. Afraid of being killed by the Egyptians, Abram said that his wife Sarai was his sister (she was a half-sister). The Pharaoh admired her and took her as his wife. Despite, being misled, the Pharaoh was cursed (Case Study I Sanctification, or promised fulfilled) for cursing Abram. Genesis 12:17 notes, "...the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai..." After Pharaoh discovered this, he let Sarai and Abram go on their way.
After that Egyptian adventure, Abram, Sarai and his nephew, Lot, went back to Canaan and were blessed materially there. Actually, Lot and Abram split up since they became too numerous for the land to support them. After having to rescue Lot in his newly chosen land, and acknowledging his material blessings, Abram poured out his heart to God in complaint, saying, 'Look, You have given me no offspring...'
Here, in Genesis 15:5, God promised, 'Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.' And he said to him, 'So shall your descendants be.' In Genesis 15:6 we have Case Study II Justification, as the verse says, "And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted to him for righteousness." This is the same type of faith the new Christian possesses. John 3:16 notes, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes (like Abraham, our father, active belief is required) in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
So, we continue with Abraham's literal, historical life. His name is changed to Abraham, meaning "father of many nations." Sarai, getting old, decides to give Abram a child through his servant girl, Hagar. This son, Ishmael grows. But in Genesis 18:8 the promise of a son between Abraham and Sarai is affirmed. Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed for rampant homosexuality (Genesis 19:4-5, 24).
And, after all this, Abraham's wife Sarai gives him a son, Isaac. Abraham was literally 100 years old (Genesis 21:5) when Isaac was born. Case Study II Sanctification, partially.
And, finally Abraham's faith was tested again when God asked him to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering. Only when he was ready to slay him did the Angel of the Lord stop him. Case Study Sanctification II Final for testing Abraham's faith. However, Abraham didn't actually see the descendants as the stars part, but it has happened.
The Christian idea of justification by faith, and the proving of such faith, called sanctification, is but one:
Many Bible verses address the topic of justification by faith and the sanctification of souls to show that we actually prove our faith and fear of God.
Abraham, is referred to as, our father in faith, in the Roman Catholic Church's Eucharistic Prayer. I would concur!
In early human history, God waited patiently for the man to fulfill His desire for a family of those who would follow Him. Abraham was also one of Jesus Christ's literal historical ancestors (Luke 3:34), the line of the promised Messiah!
We are introduced to Abram (his initial name) in Genesis 12. Here God told Abram to "get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house." In Genesis 12:3 God promised Abram, "I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you..." Abram did as he was told, (Case Study I Justification, or faith in God's promise).
In Genesis 12:10-20, Abram left Canaan (the land God showed him) and went down to Egypt. Afraid of being killed by the Egyptians, Abram said that his wife Sarai was his sister (she was a half-sister). The Pharaoh admired her and took her as his wife. Despite, being misled, the Pharaoh was cursed (Case Study I Sanctification, or promised fulfilled) for cursing Abram. Genesis 12:17 notes, "...the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai..." After Pharaoh discovered this, he let Sarai and Abram go on their way.
After that Egyptian adventure, Abram, Sarai and his nephew, Lot, went back to Canaan and were blessed materially there. Actually, Lot and Abram split up since they became too numerous for the land to support them. After having to rescue Lot in his newly chosen land, and acknowledging his material blessings, Abram poured out his heart to God in complaint, saying, 'Look, You have given me no offspring...'
Here, in Genesis 15:5, God promised, 'Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.' And he said to him, 'So shall your descendants be.' In Genesis 15:6 we have Case Study II Justification, as the verse says, "And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted to him for righteousness." This is the same type of faith the new Christian possesses. John 3:16 notes, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes (like Abraham, our father, active belief is required) in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
So, we continue with Abraham's literal, historical life. His name is changed to Abraham, meaning "father of many nations." Sarai, getting old, decides to give Abram a child through his servant girl, Hagar. This son, Ishmael grows. But in Genesis 18:8 the promise of a son between Abraham and Sarai is affirmed. Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed for rampant homosexuality (Genesis 19:4-5, 24).
And, after all this, Abraham's wife Sarai gives him a son, Isaac. Abraham was literally 100 years old (Genesis 21:5) when Isaac was born. Case Study II Sanctification, partially.
And, finally Abraham's faith was tested again when God asked him to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering. Only when he was ready to slay him did the Angel of the Lord stop him. Case Study Sanctification II Final for testing Abraham's faith. However, Abraham didn't actually see the descendants as the stars part, but it has happened.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Thoughts on God's wisdom...
Proverbs 4:7 notes, "WISDOM IS THE PRINCIPAL THING; Therefore get wisdom,
And in all your getting, get understanding." Why? Because wisdom--or the understanding of what is true, right or lasting--is the essence of living a successful life.
*Here are some of the reasons why the Bible calls wisdom the principal thing:
She is a shelter and a protection. Ecclesiastes 7:12 ESV notes, "For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it."
She is a guide. "Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path." Proverbs 2:9 NKJV
She makes life pleasant. Proverbs 3:17 declares, "Her (wisdom) ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace."
She will promote and honor you. Proverbs 4;8 notes, "Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you."
She brings wealth and long life. Proverbs 3:16 NIV says, "Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor. Also see Proverbs 8:18-19,21.
...AND HOW YOU GET IT:
Fear of God. Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."
Trust in God. Proverbs 3:5-6 adds, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."
Humility. Proverbs 22:4 declares, "Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life."
Delighting in God's Word. Psalm 112:1 notes, "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in His commands. Also see Psalm 119, Psalm 1 and Joshua 1:8.
Respect & embrace her. See Proverbs 4:8 above.
Consider her your sister. In the current, modern-day American vernacular..be on wisdom, like white on Wonder Bread, green on grass. Proverbs 7:4 declares, "Say to wisdom, 'you are my sister'..."
And in all your getting, get understanding." Why? Because wisdom--or the understanding of what is true, right or lasting--is the essence of living a successful life.
*Here are some of the reasons why the Bible calls wisdom the principal thing:
She is a shelter and a protection. Ecclesiastes 7:12 ESV notes, "For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it."
She is a guide. "Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path." Proverbs 2:9 NKJV
She makes life pleasant. Proverbs 3:17 declares, "Her (wisdom) ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace."
She will promote and honor you. Proverbs 4;8 notes, "Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you."
She brings wealth and long life. Proverbs 3:16 NIV says, "Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor. Also see Proverbs 8:18-19,21.
...AND HOW YOU GET IT:
Fear of God. Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."
Trust in God. Proverbs 3:5-6 adds, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."
Humility. Proverbs 22:4 declares, "Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life."
Delighting in God's Word. Psalm 112:1 notes, "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in His commands. Also see Psalm 119, Psalm 1 and Joshua 1:8.
Respect & embrace her. See Proverbs 4:8 above.
Consider her your sister. In the current, modern-day American vernacular..be on wisdom, like white on Wonder Bread, green on grass. Proverbs 7:4 declares, "Say to wisdom, 'you are my sister'..."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)