Showing posts with label Christianity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christianity. Show all posts
Monday, March 21, 2016
160320 Palm Sunday Teaching Part 2
What did that take? In JCOP, pp. 99-280 recount the last two weeks of Jesus's life on earth.
[The event of the thirteenth and fourteenth of Nisan are documented in more detail that any other two days in the entire Word of God. This alone should demonstrate to us the vital necessity of rightly dividing these records with minute accuracy. if God thought these two days important enough to merit such full reporting, then surely we can consider them important enough to merit our careful scrutiny. Jesus Christ Our Passover, Dr. V.P. Wierwille, American Christian Press, 1980, p. 281]
After a full day, Monday night was the Last supper, which included a lot of teachings.
1. Walk to Garden for prayer - Apostles exhausted.
2. Soldiers come, fall back, healing
3. Before Annas - some beatings
4. Peter's first three denials. and cock crows.
5. Before Caiapas with Sanhedrin, beaten and mocked
6. Death sentence and more torture
7. Peter's second three denials, cock crows again, this time Jesus sees.
8. Dawn, taken to Pilate, beaten again
9. Send Herod. Beaten again.
10.Sent back to Pilate, vote sent to crowd, who chooses Barabbas
11.Beaten so that he could not stand anymore
12.That took another day and dawn comes again.
13.Lead out with two others at 9am.
14.Two more were led out at noon.
He had not slept in 60 hours and more than half of that time was painful torture, but he still had the presence of mind to take care of his mother! He also witnessed to one of the guys hanging next to him, and he obeyed God in everything he did.
1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
When we are healthy, we are more apt to speak the Word.
2 Corinthians 5:21 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.
Do you enjoy your righteousness when you are sick? Remember, sickness is a curse!
Hebrews 12:2 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.
Why do we talk about these horrible things? Because nothing comes for free! [I received a 'free' hat.] Everything cost somebody something, and valuable things cost a lot!
Not one bone was broken, but every other injury was inflicted. He was marred beyond human recognition so that we can be healed.
1 Corinthians 11:23-30
23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
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 to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
The New Birth is a gift, a valuable gift that came with a high price. Don't waste it by accepting sickness and weakness. Recognize that you have been forgiven through the shed blood! Recognize that you have been healed! All that torture that went on for a day and a half covered all the sickness and injury you will ever have! Allow yourself to be healed! Allow yourself to be blessed by God, because Jesus paid it all.
160321 Palm Sunday Teaching Part 1
Most Christians are rather familiar with the meaning of the shed blood. They understand forgiveness of sins, and some even know how remission differentiates from forgiveness, but few give a thought to the broken body.
What is the broken body?
Why is the broken body important?
What do we learn by studying the broken body?
Do you believe that the Bible is the revealed Word and Will of God? Does God mean what He says?
Malachi 3:6
(6) For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
[When the Corinthian church was manifesting sickness, division, and strife, Paul did not applaud them for their sickness. He did not say, "it is a sign of God's love that your are sick." Nor did Paul say, "ear your sickness patiently, for God is trying you." The Apostle Paul, according to the epistle to the Corinthians, rebuked them and endeavored to correct them for being sick. He rebuked them not as individuals but as a congregation. as Christians, because they did not properly discern the Lord's body. They did not realize that Jesus, who was sacrificed on the cross of Calvary, had accomplished something for them in his body. Paul pointed out that it was no longer necessary to suffer sickness and disease. Bible Tells Me So, Dr. V.P. Wierwille, American Christian Press, 1999, pp. 86,87]
Ill health is a curse according to Deuteronomy 28:15,22,27,28,35,60,61. This was the law administration. We live in the Grace administration,
and have been redeemed from the WHOLE Curse.
Galatians 3:13
(13) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Psalms 105:37
(37) He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.
How does that happen? How do 2.5 millions servants become well at the same time? Are we servants of God or His children? Do you treat the people who work for you better than you do your children?
If you are sick or feeble or somehow not getting what God has promised, then ask yourself, Why? Is it God's fault, or is it on your end?
In the Passover, and in the Last Supper, God told people to do two things: Blood and Body. [explain]
If God can heal 2.5 million people in one day, can He heal the nine of us right here and right now?
Matthew 8:17
(17) That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
JC took our sicknesses. We don't own them anymore!
1 Corinthians 5:7
(7) Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us:
The lamb of Passover was a shadow of things to come, a shadow of reality. Christ was far, far more valuable than a little lamb.
Romans 5:13
(13) (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
The word 'imputed' is used twice.
ἐλλογέω
ellogeō
el-log-eh'-o
From G1722 and G3056 (in the sense of account); to reckon in, that is, attribute: - impute, put on account.
Total KJV occurrences: 2
Philemon 18
(18) If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
Why did we need to have anything put on our account? The first man, Adam, was a sinless human, right up until that moment where he sinned! His sin was passed from father to son, and increased with each generation. (Life is in the blood, Leviticus 17:11)
Romans 5:17
(17) For if by one man's offence death reigned by one;
[The sin of Adam multiplied with geometric progression through the thousands of years since Adam let that one little sin into his life.]
... much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
The second man, Jesus Christ, resisted the Devil and maintained his sinless state. He always did the Father's will, and thus became the perfect Passover Lamb. He was more perfect than any animal could ever be. Then, by his free will, he suffered and endured ALL the consequences for the sin of Adam.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
160127 Pro-Choice and Pro-Life
I taught my children the
Word of God, and that they should think for themselves. Although it
was a surprise, it was perfectly in character for my daughter to slap
a Gary Johnson sticker on the back of her car in 2012. Since Gary
announced his candidacy recently, I expect to see another one on her
second car. If my younger daughter had a car, she'd probably put
something like, "When you speak, I always here 'Punch me in the
face,' but it's usually subtext." She's wordy like that, and
hates politics.
Why do some people assume
that because Person A supports Option A, that it automatically puts
Person A into Catagory C? All my life, this kind of muddled thinking
has frustrated me. Since the 1980s, which was the last time any idiot
shot an abortionist, someone has tried to tell me how stupid I was to
support the Pro-Life cause. The person(s) telling me this just
assumed that I was going to go out and shoot an abortion doctor
because I happen to confess Jesus as Lord in my life.
- First of all, labels are lazy shortcuts that let people get angry without thinking.
- Second, every person has to determine in his or her own heart and mind whether to believe anything. Smart people avoid blanket statements.
- Third, very few people, even among Christians, actually know what the Bible says about most subjects. Even if they can quote something, most forsake context and the most basic principles of research.
- Fourth, it behooves the Christian to study and to follow those who have worked even more diligently to unlock what God said. God did not give His Word in English, so we each need to learn Aramaic and study Classical Greek to find out what God really said.
Abortion is a complicated
subject, but the loudest people reduce it to slogans and support
politicians who agree with the slogans. Slogans circumvent thinking.
That's why I hate labels. Forget labels and think about the words
themselves. Everyone should be pro-life, because we all have a right
to live. We should all be pro-choice, even if the choices of others
disagree with the choices we ourselves would make. (For instance,
while I agree with many Libertarian ideals, I will not be voting for
Gary Johnson.)
Just because I am pro-life
does not mean that I disagree with the death penalty, as more than
one commenter has touted. Some people have proven their inability to
judge between right and wrong. The Bible trumpets forgiveness, but
also supports the death penalty in certain cases. Just because I am
pro-choice doesn't mean that I agree with getting an abortion.
Abortion is heart-breaking, and the costs verses the benefits should
be weighed very carefully. This is an individual decision, not a
legislative one.
Do you know what a
"spontanious abortion" is? It is, or it used to be, a
medical term for a miscarriage. A spontanious abortion occurs when a
woman's own body detects that a fetus is not viable. This happened to
me four times. I wanted those children, but my body refused. The
Bible says that children are blessings. Some people just don't want
to be blessed. Those are their choices. They don't have to be
blessed. We'll all be much happier if we just let people make their
own choices and deal with their own consequences instead of trying to
make 'moral' laws. Legislatively forcing morality may in itself be
immoral. That also goes for the environmental issues that some view
as moral, but that's another story.
Sunday, January 10, 2016
160110 NO Condemnation
Romans 8:1-4
(1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
(2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
(3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
(4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Quoting the Word is not condemnation, it is simply restating what the rules are. Human nature, which is not from God, may make iy seem that way, and the recipient may take it that way from hidden guilt, but quoting the Word is not condemnation. God merely wants everyone to be saved.
1 Timothy 2:3-4
(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.
Therefore, anyone who feels oppressed by someone quoting the Word, that oppression is not coming from God, and the person quoting may only have the recipient's best interests in mind. The only thing tricky about this comes from our Adversary, the devil, who walks about seeking whom he may devour. God doesn't trick people. He has no darkness at all.
Remember, no one can make you angry without your permission.
(1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
(2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
(3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
(4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Quoting the Word is not condemnation, it is simply restating what the rules are. Human nature, which is not from God, may make iy seem that way, and the recipient may take it that way from hidden guilt, but quoting the Word is not condemnation. God merely wants everyone to be saved.
1 Timothy 2:3-4
(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.
Therefore, anyone who feels oppressed by someone quoting the Word, that oppression is not coming from God, and the person quoting may only have the recipient's best interests in mind. The only thing tricky about this comes from our Adversary, the devil, who walks about seeking whom he may devour. God doesn't trick people. He has no darkness at all.
Remember, no one can make you angry without your permission.
Monday, December 14, 2015
151214 Rights We Have
Romans
3:22-24
(22)
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto
all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
(23)
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
(24)
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is
in Christ Jesus:
We
have the right to ask God for help, and He will always supply it.
Sometimes, we don't know how to ask, or we don't think we can ask.
Some even think that it is weakness to ask. I believe that my
ex-husband fell into all three categories.
He
never, ever wanted to admit to a weakness. He had to do everything on
his own. He also felt so much guilt for certain things that he
projected that guilt onto everyone else. That is, he compared his own
sins with the "bigger" sins of others. Finally, he wouldn't
just let go and let God handle his problems.
It's
no secret what happened to him and to us, but is it profitable to
discuss it further? Let's just say that in 2010, this stay at home
mom of sixteen years was fighting for her life in the hospital while
CPS, ATF, and certain state agencies were trying to take her
children, her farm, and her freedom over something her unbelieving
husband had done.
It's
good to have friends, because they helped me to survive. My greatest
Friend, however, has been God. He healed me. He made me free. He
preserved my children. He it is that prospered me. He gave unto me
righteousness, as stated in 1 Corinthians 1:30. He never forsakes the
righteous, Psalm 37:25. A person has to walk away from God to lose
righteousness. One has to remove himself from God's protection in
order to get away from it. God is not a man that He should lie! If
He made a promise, He will keep it!
Therefore,
with faithfulness and adherence to good nutrition, I shall regain all
of my health!
Saturday, December 5, 2015
151205 Not Magic
The Word of God is not a massive list of magic spells. A person cannot just chant in rhythm and expect a miracle. One cannot mouth the words without engaging the mind and the heart in believing. If that were true, then what happened in Acts 19?
Acts 19:13-16
(13) Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
(14) And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
(15) And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
(16) And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Another incident that shows this is in Mark 9:14-29.
Mark 9:28-29
(28) And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?
(29) And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
The mismatched verb, 'shall', indicates that the result is certain. God does not use words haphazardly. Dare to believe, and see the results.
No, it is not magic, but it is power. We don't need to go though rituals and meaningless repetitions to receive blessings from God. Only our Adversary, the devil, requires that. Once, I asked a friend if he wanted me to minister healing to him. He told me that he has already burned a few candles and appealed to some dead people. I tried to tell him that God didn't really work that way. God expects us to talk directly to Him in prayer.
John 14:12-14
(12) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
(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.
Acts 19:13-16
(13) Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
(14) And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
(15) And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
(16) And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Another incident that shows this is in Mark 9:14-29.
Mark 9:28-29
(28) And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?
(29) And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
Honest prayer is believing, and believing is prayer. The world wants the Christian to believe that he doesn't have a prayer, indicating that prayer is weak and ineffectual. In contrast, prayer is actually mighty and certain when applied with believing.
Matthew 21:22
(22) And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
No, it is not magic, but it is power. We don't need to go though rituals and meaningless repetitions to receive blessings from God. Only our Adversary, the devil, requires that. Once, I asked a friend if he wanted me to minister healing to him. He told me that he has already burned a few candles and appealed to some dead people. I tried to tell him that God didn't really work that way. God expects us to talk directly to Him in prayer.
John 14:12-14
(12) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
(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.
Think about the things that Jesus did. Verse twelve says that we can do more.
Dare to believe.
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
150825 Believing
Mar 11:23,24
"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.
"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."
"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.
"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."
No stress, no strain. Simply believe.
Sunday, July 12, 2015
150712 Lying Liars Lie, So Choose
The art of politics concerns lying convincingly. Politicians lie. Who knew? Therefore, I encourage everyone, both young and old, to choose a standard, make a hard copy, and refer to it frequently. From an early age, I took an interest in politics. I was ten when I followed my first presidential election. Yes, at age ten I read about Humphery, Wallace, and Nixon. I have opinions on today's issues, but they pale when compared to the standard I have chosen.
My standard is God's Word. If God said it, that settles it. Most people have no idea what God really said, but often those same people are not shy about proclaiming what they think He meant. God claims neither side of any political debate despite what any person or group or historical society may claim. God supersedes politics. God transcends political boundaries. God takes care of those who trust in Him despite any political affiliations. Trust God. Humans lie. :(
How does one trust God? Study His Word. There were deliberate forgeries, but they can be ferreted out and overcome. God's Word is perfect, so any 'mistake' is glaring. Some people hate Christians. They yell and scream, but not from the mistakes. They hate when the perfection shows. That's because there is an Adversary, as noted in 1 Peter 5:8, 2 Corinthians 4:4, The Book of Job, Genesis 3, and the Gospels. God loves it when we study, 2 Timothy 2:15. It's how we get to spend time with Him.
My standard is God's Word. If God said it, that settles it. Most people have no idea what God really said, but often those same people are not shy about proclaiming what they think He meant. God claims neither side of any political debate despite what any person or group or historical society may claim. God supersedes politics. God transcends political boundaries. God takes care of those who trust in Him despite any political affiliations. Trust God. Humans lie. :(
How does one trust God? Study His Word. There were deliberate forgeries, but they can be ferreted out and overcome. God's Word is perfect, so any 'mistake' is glaring. Some people hate Christians. They yell and scream, but not from the mistakes. They hate when the perfection shows. That's because there is an Adversary, as noted in 1 Peter 5:8, 2 Corinthians 4:4, The Book of Job, Genesis 3, and the Gospels. God loves it when we study, 2 Timothy 2:15. It's how we get to spend time with Him.
Sunday, June 7, 2015
150607 Big Day in the Word
I fellowship with a small, tight group of believers who happen to be scattered world-wide. We laugh when we talk about membership. There are four members, and the rest of us simply stand with them. We research the Word of God, and we teach what we learn. Then, we fellowship together in small groups. Even though we have many small groups, we endeavor to obey 1 Corinthians 1:10. Truly, we attempt to obey God in all things with the theme that if God said it, that settles it. We have a lot of teachings and a lot of classes. (2 Timothy 2:15)
In light of this, today is a big day. Today, the Advanced Class on the Way of Abundance and Power opens. Great healing will occur. The Adversary may kick up his heals. (1 Peter 5:8) Although I am not physically present with the new students, I am praying for them, and I shall study my own notes from the times I have been there. Tonight, I shall attend a teleconference with others in this town. We shall hear the opening teaching. I love this. I rejoice at God's Word as one who finds great spoil.
More and more, it seems as if those in power and in education frown on Christians. They laugh at us for lack of intelligence, or call us mean and unjust for some supposed infraction. They delight in finding one! I know who will have the last laugh, and we won't be laughing against those poor sops who reject God. We'll be laughing for joy as we see the glory set before us.
I had birthday cake yesterday, but at least I exercised.
In light of this, today is a big day. Today, the Advanced Class on the Way of Abundance and Power opens. Great healing will occur. The Adversary may kick up his heals. (1 Peter 5:8) Although I am not physically present with the new students, I am praying for them, and I shall study my own notes from the times I have been there. Tonight, I shall attend a teleconference with others in this town. We shall hear the opening teaching. I love this. I rejoice at God's Word as one who finds great spoil.
More and more, it seems as if those in power and in education frown on Christians. They laugh at us for lack of intelligence, or call us mean and unjust for some supposed infraction. They delight in finding one! I know who will have the last laugh, and we won't be laughing against those poor sops who reject God. We'll be laughing for joy as we see the glory set before us.
I had birthday cake yesterday, but at least I exercised.
Sunday, March 1, 2015
150301 Politically Correct Lies
People use euphemisms to soften a hard truth, but that is not what political correctness does. Political correctness disguises the truth. Leonard Nimoy, a respected entertainer, passed and was laid to rest. That says it much more nicely than, "The old coot freakin' died!" (Strangely, I was more saddened when another Russian Jew left the land of the living. I still mourn the death of Isaac Asimov.) Euphemisms help us to cope with harsh truths. This explains why we have such a hilarious number of them for the end of life.
This morning, I read some trollings concerning opposing political opinions. The PC crowd cannot handle facts. They have to explain them with corrections. They have to massage the numbers into a lie. One of my favorite lies says that when 17% of the population commits 39% of all non-drug related crime, it has to be the fault of the other 83% of the population. Part of that lie says that education has to be acquired without discipline, because discipline means oppression. Tell that to an Olympic gold-metalist. Another lie says that culture doesn't matter. It doesn't matter unless that culture is Christian, because Christians are oppressive, divisive, and destructive, (unlike Muslims,who are simply misunderstood).
Where do I get these ideas? Mainstream American news outlets and the trolls who follow them beat these messages on the relentless drums of propaganda. In 2012, I made the dark prediction that we Americans have had our last free election. Now more and more people are starting to agree. Few adults know history without the filter of the progressive agenda. Fewer children have any idea what brought about our Declaration of Independence, nor what true freedom entails.
2 Corinthians 3:17
"Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."
Obviously, in order to bring about a totalitarian government, they have to get rid of God. Only God can bring us back to freedom.
This morning, I read some trollings concerning opposing political opinions. The PC crowd cannot handle facts. They have to explain them with corrections. They have to massage the numbers into a lie. One of my favorite lies says that when 17% of the population commits 39% of all non-drug related crime, it has to be the fault of the other 83% of the population. Part of that lie says that education has to be acquired without discipline, because discipline means oppression. Tell that to an Olympic gold-metalist. Another lie says that culture doesn't matter. It doesn't matter unless that culture is Christian, because Christians are oppressive, divisive, and destructive, (unlike Muslims,who are simply misunderstood).
Where do I get these ideas? Mainstream American news outlets and the trolls who follow them beat these messages on the relentless drums of propaganda. In 2012, I made the dark prediction that we Americans have had our last free election. Now more and more people are starting to agree. Few adults know history without the filter of the progressive agenda. Fewer children have any idea what brought about our Declaration of Independence, nor what true freedom entails.
2 Corinthians 3:17
"Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."
Obviously, in order to bring about a totalitarian government, they have to get rid of God. Only God can bring us back to freedom.
Monday, January 19, 2015
150119 Still Alive and Watching X-Files
I haven't been writing much lately. I even quit posting on the Atkins site. No time, or no thoughts, or a combination of both.
On my Amazon Prime account, I noticed that I could watch the X-Files for free, so started doing that. I'm glad I don't believe that stuff. My sister was really into it, and is a first class conspiracy theorist. Sometimes, it is hard to talk to her when she latches onto a theory. I have only one: Satan. It's all his fault. ;) God, however, is stronger. Without God, I'd be in hot water.
Right now, I am out of hot water. Cold water is missing, too. Something under the house broke, and I'm waiting on a plumber. Thankfully, I have two five-gallon jugs with which to get water from the neighbors. It's not a problem; it's an adventure.
If this drags on, it could become a problem.
On my Amazon Prime account, I noticed that I could watch the X-Files for free, so started doing that. I'm glad I don't believe that stuff. My sister was really into it, and is a first class conspiracy theorist. Sometimes, it is hard to talk to her when she latches onto a theory. I have only one: Satan. It's all his fault. ;) God, however, is stronger. Without God, I'd be in hot water.
Right now, I am out of hot water. Cold water is missing, too. Something under the house broke, and I'm waiting on a plumber. Thankfully, I have two five-gallon jugs with which to get water from the neighbors. It's not a problem; it's an adventure.
If this drags on, it could become a problem.
Friday, January 16, 2015
150116 Of Hebrews 4:12
Three decades ago, I was on a year long Bible outreach program. For two weeks, we posted an ad on the ‘church’ page, which ran in the local newspaper on Saturdays. On the second Saturday, we received a phone call from a man who declined to visit our Christian fellowships. He called every night with Bible questions. Why would he not visit? For the sake of clarity, I’ll call him “J”.
After a couple of weeks of daily calls, J revealed why he could not visit. He told us an amazing story, and it shows why Hebrews 4:12 lives for me and should imprint itself on every believer’s mind. Never devalue the power of God’s Word! J was in federal prison.
J was born and raised in East LA. He was quite intelligent, and quickly discovered that the way to get money was to sell drugs, but not to use them. He enjoyed violence. By the time he was a young adult, he was taken down in a sting and went to federal prison for twenty-five years. He didn’t like that, so escaped. They caught him and tacked five years onto his sentence. They moved him to another location where he escaped again and got another five years. He was moved to yet another prison, where he escaped again, so the judge tacked another five years onto his sentence. He got fifteen years just for attempting to escape. He pushed the envelope as often as he could, so one by one he lost every privilege he had. He was confined to solitary. Finally, he demanded a Bible, simply because they could not deny him that. Alone and bored, he started reading.
He told us that several times he grew frustrated and threw the book against the wall and called God a liar. He screamed and yelled, but boredom drew him into reading some more. One day, something stuck in his brain: God really existed. People really followed Him. Miracles really happened. He believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and believed that God had raised him from the dead. All the need for violence left him, and he was released from solitary. He had access to the newspaper, so searched for a church to answer his questions. He found our ad. It was the only one that listed ‘research’ and ‘teaching’. He knew that we would have answers and called. We were planning to run a Bible class. With special permission, he took it over the phone. For three hours a night for twelve nights, he sat on the phone, listening.
Would this work again? I don’t know. Ask God. Our ad appeared only twice, and to this day, I have not heard of another that has received this kind of response. As far as I know, this man is still in prison. Because of his history, he had been moved to other federal prisons frequently and without warning. Last I heard, he had changed locations twice, and is not scheduled for release until 2017. He quit writing me several years ago.
All hell can’t stop this man from being with the Lord in paradise. We will meet again.
After a couple of weeks of daily calls, J revealed why he could not visit. He told us an amazing story, and it shows why Hebrews 4:12 lives for me and should imprint itself on every believer’s mind. Never devalue the power of God’s Word! J was in federal prison.
J was born and raised in East LA. He was quite intelligent, and quickly discovered that the way to get money was to sell drugs, but not to use them. He enjoyed violence. By the time he was a young adult, he was taken down in a sting and went to federal prison for twenty-five years. He didn’t like that, so escaped. They caught him and tacked five years onto his sentence. They moved him to another location where he escaped again and got another five years. He was moved to yet another prison, where he escaped again, so the judge tacked another five years onto his sentence. He got fifteen years just for attempting to escape. He pushed the envelope as often as he could, so one by one he lost every privilege he had. He was confined to solitary. Finally, he demanded a Bible, simply because they could not deny him that. Alone and bored, he started reading.
He told us that several times he grew frustrated and threw the book against the wall and called God a liar. He screamed and yelled, but boredom drew him into reading some more. One day, something stuck in his brain: God really existed. People really followed Him. Miracles really happened. He believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and believed that God had raised him from the dead. All the need for violence left him, and he was released from solitary. He had access to the newspaper, so searched for a church to answer his questions. He found our ad. It was the only one that listed ‘research’ and ‘teaching’. He knew that we would have answers and called. We were planning to run a Bible class. With special permission, he took it over the phone. For three hours a night for twelve nights, he sat on the phone, listening.
Would this work again? I don’t know. Ask God. Our ad appeared only twice, and to this day, I have not heard of another that has received this kind of response. As far as I know, this man is still in prison. Because of his history, he had been moved to other federal prisons frequently and without warning. Last I heard, he had changed locations twice, and is not scheduled for release until 2017. He quit writing me several years ago.
All hell can’t stop this man from being with the Lord in paradise. We will meet again.
Saturday, December 6, 2014
141206 Race Rants
Why does this yelling about race so infuriate me? I know why. I can't talk about it. It sticks in my throat as the bile in my stomach threatens to erupt in a violent spew of disgusting matter. No one knows. Well, my little sister knows some of it, but she wants to talk about it as much as I do. We keep our mouths closed. Karnes City was a far, far better place than that from whence we came.
Sometimes, I want to record how daily I was threatened with bodily harm for being blond. I want to explain why I had to walk six blocks out of my way to get home from school. I want to reveal why I feared other children. Occasionally, someone left both physical and emotional scars with words, a ball, a fist, a wooden bat. I once feared for my life. Then, it doesn't matter. My narrative doesn't fit the race-baiters narrative. Speaking does no good. It doesn't change minds. No one cares.
Those people are somewhere else, and no longer scare me. Certain leaders call for a 'dialogue on race', but they don't want an honest discussion. They want to lay blame. They don't want to hear about the two-way street. They don't want to hear that success takes work. They don't want to hear about the Renewed Mind. (Romans 12:1-3)
Romans 12:1-3
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, your reasonable service.
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."
In other parts of the Word, the 'measure of faith' is all there is, so how can one think higher than everything? It is a figure of speech to emphasize that we don't think highly enough of what God gives. God is no respecter of persons, so race does not matter. God does not care what is on the outside. Is a person born again, or is that person an empty vessel?
The Word of God healed me. Even though I post stuff about race, I fight the bitterness of it. I want people to see that race doesn't matter. Investing in 'fairness' causes strife and envying. Life is not fair; it never has been, and it never will be. God is not fair. He withholds merited judgement from the guilty, and gives unmerited favor to anyone who is willing to receive it.
If God were fair, we'd all be dead -- for all have sinned an come short of the glory of God.
Aren't you glad that God wasn't fair?
Sometimes, I want to record how daily I was threatened with bodily harm for being blond. I want to explain why I had to walk six blocks out of my way to get home from school. I want to reveal why I feared other children. Occasionally, someone left both physical and emotional scars with words, a ball, a fist, a wooden bat. I once feared for my life. Then, it doesn't matter. My narrative doesn't fit the race-baiters narrative. Speaking does no good. It doesn't change minds. No one cares.
Those people are somewhere else, and no longer scare me. Certain leaders call for a 'dialogue on race', but they don't want an honest discussion. They want to lay blame. They don't want to hear about the two-way street. They don't want to hear that success takes work. They don't want to hear about the Renewed Mind. (Romans 12:1-3)
Romans 12:1-3
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, your reasonable service.
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."
In other parts of the Word, the 'measure of faith' is all there is, so how can one think higher than everything? It is a figure of speech to emphasize that we don't think highly enough of what God gives. God is no respecter of persons, so race does not matter. God does not care what is on the outside. Is a person born again, or is that person an empty vessel?
The Word of God healed me. Even though I post stuff about race, I fight the bitterness of it. I want people to see that race doesn't matter. Investing in 'fairness' causes strife and envying. Life is not fair; it never has been, and it never will be. God is not fair. He withholds merited judgement from the guilty, and gives unmerited favor to anyone who is willing to receive it.
If God were fair, we'd all be dead -- for all have sinned an come short of the glory of God.
Aren't you glad that God wasn't fair?
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
140916 My Voice Came Back
On Monday, September 8, a friend left a message on my phone to call her. We connected on Tuesday. She asked me to sing at her wedding. Cool! Once before, I sang at a wedding, and I have sung with various amateur choirs before dozens, even hundreds of people. It was an honor to be asked.
Usually, I get significant notice before public singing. This wedding was on Saturday, September 13.
She needed my help and loved my voice, so we agreed on a song I already knew, and I practiced it. Friday night was rehearsal, but the song didn't fit. About 10pm, the minister called with a replacement song. He also informed me that I had to be my own accompaniment. Never before had I successfully sung and played the piano at the same time, and I had sixteen short hours to learn! To add to the stress, both of my girls had respiratory ailments. A scratch had invaded my throat.
This was truly an exercise in believing! Nothing can be accomplished without at least a kernel of belief. God strengthened me and helped me to rise above my fear.
Getting to the hall early, I familiarized myself with the electric piano. I worked out the cords for the left hand, since the music available to me was written for singing and had only the melody. I rested my voice by practicing sotto voice instead of from the diaphragm. When I felt confident enough, I found someone to minister healing to me for that irritated throat.
My throat ceased its clamoring. I was determined to bless my friends!
The time appointed arrived. With a mixture of friends and strangers before me, my heart played.
♫"There's a peace in heart that the World never gave! A peace it cannot take away..."♪
Several people told me it was beautiful. God made it beautiful. He blessed me mightily.
Usually, I get significant notice before public singing. This wedding was on Saturday, September 13.
She needed my help and loved my voice, so we agreed on a song I already knew, and I practiced it. Friday night was rehearsal, but the song didn't fit. About 10pm, the minister called with a replacement song. He also informed me that I had to be my own accompaniment. Never before had I successfully sung and played the piano at the same time, and I had sixteen short hours to learn! To add to the stress, both of my girls had respiratory ailments. A scratch had invaded my throat.
This was truly an exercise in believing! Nothing can be accomplished without at least a kernel of belief. God strengthened me and helped me to rise above my fear.
Getting to the hall early, I familiarized myself with the electric piano. I worked out the cords for the left hand, since the music available to me was written for singing and had only the melody. I rested my voice by practicing sotto voice instead of from the diaphragm. When I felt confident enough, I found someone to minister healing to me for that irritated throat.
My throat ceased its clamoring. I was determined to bless my friends!
The time appointed arrived. With a mixture of friends and strangers before me, my heart played.
♫"There's a peace in heart that the World never gave! A peace it cannot take away..."♪
Several people told me it was beautiful. God made it beautiful. He blessed me mightily.
Monday, February 24, 2014
140224 Baptism of the Spirit
2 Peter 1:20,21
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Guessing and tradition are nothing to God's Word. If there is no private interpretation, then there is either none available, or only God's interpretation counts. Let's read what is written.
Act 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
This sets a new way of doing things. The dramatic thing that happened not many days from the Ascension was the outpouring of the holy spirit in Acts 2:
Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:41
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Since the last mention of baptism was of the Spirit, that is what is happened here. Later in Acts, the Ethiopian Eunuch was baptized with water, but further records didn't use water. In fact, there was a correction recorded in Acts 10 and 11. In his excitement, Peter went back to the standard taught while Christ walked the earth:
Act 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Later, he returned to the standard set at the beginning of the Book of Acts:
Act 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
1 Corinthians addresses wrong thinking, and one of the first items Paul mentions concerns baptism:
1 Corinthians 1:13-17
Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
The last enemy to be destroyed will be death. Death is not a friend, it is an enemy. The Son of God lives. Baptism of the Spirit is not through death, but through life. Christ was raised from the dead and dies no more. He is the first of many who shall rise when Christ Jesus returns. The dead in Christ shall rise. According to Figures of Speech Used in the Bible by E.W. Bullinger, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 is a parambole, a brief insertion. The thought leading to verse 29 come directly from verse 19.
1 Corinthians 15:16-19,29
For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
Then, he tells people to wake up and believe the Truth. Acts marks a change in who would be called God's People. Formerly, God's people were those of Abraham's children who proceeded from Isaac and Israel and kept the Law. After the Day of Pentacost, all in any place could believe to be born again of God's Spirit. Christ rose, so that is our promise that we will rise, too. We are not baptized to die, but to live.
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Guessing and tradition are nothing to God's Word. If there is no private interpretation, then there is either none available, or only God's interpretation counts. Let's read what is written.
Act 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
This sets a new way of doing things. The dramatic thing that happened not many days from the Ascension was the outpouring of the holy spirit in Acts 2:
Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:41
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Since the last mention of baptism was of the Spirit, that is what is happened here. Later in Acts, the Ethiopian Eunuch was baptized with water, but further records didn't use water. In fact, there was a correction recorded in Acts 10 and 11. In his excitement, Peter went back to the standard taught while Christ walked the earth:
Act 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Later, he returned to the standard set at the beginning of the Book of Acts:
Act 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
1 Corinthians addresses wrong thinking, and one of the first items Paul mentions concerns baptism:
1 Corinthians 1:13-17
Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
The last enemy to be destroyed will be death. Death is not a friend, it is an enemy. The Son of God lives. Baptism of the Spirit is not through death, but through life. Christ was raised from the dead and dies no more. He is the first of many who shall rise when Christ Jesus returns. The dead in Christ shall rise. According to Figures of Speech Used in the Bible by E.W. Bullinger, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 is a parambole, a brief insertion. The thought leading to verse 29 come directly from verse 19.
1 Corinthians 15:16-19,29
For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
Then, he tells people to wake up and believe the Truth. Acts marks a change in who would be called God's People. Formerly, God's people were those of Abraham's children who proceeded from Isaac and Israel and kept the Law. After the Day of Pentacost, all in any place could believe to be born again of God's Spirit. Christ rose, so that is our promise that we will rise, too. We are not baptized to die, but to live.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
140202 Trusting God to Live Abundantly
Trusting God to Live Abundantly:
Believers in the Early Church
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Anytime you get into the Word, you want to know what the context is. You want to see how God brought people into or out of a situation. You want to see that real people did real things, and that God cared.
I cannot begin to tell you all the resources I used to put this teaching together, because so much of it is in my head or just notes in my Bible from years of listening to teachings and doing my own research.
(List books from collateral to RECC.)
Acts 19:20
So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
Seventh Great Statement of Acts on the heals of a massive movement of God's Word. What follows is the Adversary's reaction.
Acts 19:24-32
Gov. Scott Brown tries to balance the budget, and a riot ensues.
Acts 19:33-41
This is like the political mobs and their rants of today. The mob blamed Alexander for their ills, but all Alexander wanted was to speak the Word. God's Word heals people.
1Co 11:23-25
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
Paul wrote this during the events of Acts 19. What else is in 1 Corinthians? The manifestations, which includes healing.
Isa 53:5 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.
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Acts 20:1,6,15-17,38 Paul wrote 2 Corinthians on board ship.
Acts 20:7-12
...
And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
Young man falls, and is healed. What did Paul write in this section of Acts? His timing included Passover, Resurrection, Pentecost...
2Co 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
For longer than I have been in this ministry, the principle of the tithe has been in my heart. This ministry expanded my understanding of it. More than twenty years ago, I made this and hang it in my home.
1. Demetrius and the silver smiths had their false prosperity, but Alexander. Gaius, and Aristarchus escaped had physical and eternal life.
2. The unnamed youth was healed and restored to life.
The believers of the early church were real people who faced real challenges. They believed what God said. Paul tells them how to abound. Together they trusted God to live abundantly.
Believers in the Early Church
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Anytime you get into the Word, you want to know what the context is. You want to see how God brought people into or out of a situation. You want to see that real people did real things, and that God cared.
I cannot begin to tell you all the resources I used to put this teaching together, because so much of it is in my head or just notes in my Bible from years of listening to teachings and doing my own research.
(List books from collateral to RECC.)
Acts 19:20
So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
Seventh Great Statement of Acts on the heals of a massive movement of God's Word. What follows is the Adversary's reaction.
Acts 19:24-32
Gov. Scott Brown tries to balance the budget, and a riot ensues.
Acts 19:33-41
This is like the political mobs and their rants of today. The mob blamed Alexander for their ills, but all Alexander wanted was to speak the Word. God's Word heals people.
1Co 11:23-25
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
Paul wrote this during the events of Acts 19. What else is in 1 Corinthians? The manifestations, which includes healing.
Isa 53:5 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.
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Acts 20:1,6,15-17,38 Paul wrote 2 Corinthians on board ship.
Acts 20:7-12
...
And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
Young man falls, and is healed. What did Paul write in this section of Acts? His timing included Passover, Resurrection, Pentecost...
2Co 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
For longer than I have been in this ministry, the principle of the tithe has been in my heart. This ministry expanded my understanding of it. More than twenty years ago, I made this and hang it in my home.
1. Demetrius and the silver smiths had their false prosperity, but Alexander. Gaius, and Aristarchus escaped had physical and eternal life.
2. The unnamed youth was healed and restored to life.
The believers of the early church were real people who faced real challenges. They believed what God said. Paul tells them how to abound. Together they trusted God to live abundantly.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
131219 What Does Prosperity Have to do with Politics?
On Facebook, I post a verse a day, but today's verse inspired a long message.
2 Corinthians 8:14
But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
I have heard people argue that this proves that God is for communism. Saying so demonstrates that they know neither the heart nor the scope of what God has written. There are differences between sharing, coercion, and actively stealing. Communism steals. There is nothing voluntary about it.
The previous two verses clarify:
2 Corinthians 8:12-14
For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
An unwilling mind may be undesirable, but it is a choice that God allows. Also, we must choose not to give until it hurts! Communism and socialism give only superficial equality, and they hurt. They hurt individuals who are different from the established norms, they hurt creativity, they hurt innovation, and they hurt the collective hearts of the people. The theory may look good on paper, but it ignores reality and practice. The omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent God and Father of our lord Jesus Christ understands practical reality.
God wants us to give out of our abundance, which includes the abundance of the heart. Give to whom? Not the government. The government is not God. Give to God. If God is Spirit, how do we give to Him? Seek those who have dedicated their lives to speaking, teaching, and living God's Word. For most of us, this means finding an organization that puts God first.
Use a concordance and check out how many times the words 'give', and 'heart' lead to 'abundance' and 'prosperity' in the Bible. Even to simply list the verses takes more room than I have here!
3 John 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Luke_6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
God's Word is truth. There is a reason that the wisdom of the ages got to be so old. It works. Don't press it into a false mold by trying to make it fit a modern philosophy. Stick with the original. Use what works. Believe God.
2 Corinthians 8:14
But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
I have heard people argue that this proves that God is for communism. Saying so demonstrates that they know neither the heart nor the scope of what God has written. There are differences between sharing, coercion, and actively stealing. Communism steals. There is nothing voluntary about it.
The previous two verses clarify:
2 Corinthians 8:12-14
For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
An unwilling mind may be undesirable, but it is a choice that God allows. Also, we must choose not to give until it hurts! Communism and socialism give only superficial equality, and they hurt. They hurt individuals who are different from the established norms, they hurt creativity, they hurt innovation, and they hurt the collective hearts of the people. The theory may look good on paper, but it ignores reality and practice. The omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent God and Father of our lord Jesus Christ understands practical reality.
God wants us to give out of our abundance, which includes the abundance of the heart. Give to whom? Not the government. The government is not God. Give to God. If God is Spirit, how do we give to Him? Seek those who have dedicated their lives to speaking, teaching, and living God's Word. For most of us, this means finding an organization that puts God first.
Use a concordance and check out how many times the words 'give', and 'heart' lead to 'abundance' and 'prosperity' in the Bible. Even to simply list the verses takes more room than I have here!
3 John 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Luke_6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
God's Word is truth. There is a reason that the wisdom of the ages got to be so old. It works. Don't press it into a false mold by trying to make it fit a modern philosophy. Stick with the original. Use what works. Believe God.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
131031 Reform
Four hundred and ninety-six years ago today, my hero nailed a list of topics for discussion among his peers. He simply wanted his bosses to make a few changes in the organization to bring it back into line with the original Statement of Purpose, but because he wouldn't sacrifice his principles, the face of Europe changed.
Yes, I taught fellowship last night, and once again, recited the last bit of Luther's speech at the Diet of Worms. Every time I look at what he did and see the depth of his desire to adhere to the Word of God, fire lights in my heart. (No, it wasn't the spicy food I had for supper....)
The Word has examples:
Jeremiah 20:9
Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
Acts 4:20
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
It has to come back to the Word. The Word is first, because it is the Word of God that reveals God. People like to say that they can 'see' God in children, or in nature, or in something else. This may be true, but the Word says that our Adversary, the Devil, wants to deflect us from God, and will use any means possible. According to the Word, THE WORD reveals God. Other things may reflect God, but only the Word reveals Him. I am thankful that someone took the time to teach me the Word; many continued the lessons, so that now I may teach others.
Yes, I taught fellowship last night, and once again, recited the last bit of Luther's speech at the Diet of Worms. Every time I look at what he did and see the depth of his desire to adhere to the Word of God, fire lights in my heart. (No, it wasn't the spicy food I had for supper....)
The Word has examples:
Jeremiah 20:9
Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
Acts 4:20
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
It has to come back to the Word. The Word is first, because it is the Word of God that reveals God. People like to say that they can 'see' God in children, or in nature, or in something else. This may be true, but the Word says that our Adversary, the Devil, wants to deflect us from God, and will use any means possible. According to the Word, THE WORD reveals God. Other things may reflect God, but only the Word reveals Him. I am thankful that someone took the time to teach me the Word; many continued the lessons, so that now I may teach others.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
130418 Lightening Rod
Everyone has an opinion. Everyone discriminates. If they don’t, how is that there is more than one item on a menu? How do people get dressed in the morning without discerning one item of clothing as more worthy than another? Some decisions are easy, and others incredibly complicated. Then, to make matters worse, along comes political correctness with the diseased finger of pre-judgement. (See any recent news item.)
When I look at the crazy standards that this country and much of the world have, I am tempted to despair. I don’t, because I know that this will pass. Every generation thinks that their ideas are new, but there is nothing new under the sun, only new labeling over a fresh coat of paint. Progressive policy resembles what Plato deemed perfect. How long ago did Plato live? Did it work then? Did Utopia happen? Where is the Worker’s Paradise?
All things new are of God. Intellectuals have been taught to disdain anything related to God, and to embrace secular humanism. Humans stink, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Even a cute little baby has the decay of sin flowing through his or her cute little veins. Babies are selfish and have to be taught to think outside themselves. No one grows up being ‘perfect’, and perfect conditions cannot exist because of sin. We need a standard. God gave us the standard, and then provided the way to reach Him despite the standard. It was not anything we puny humans could do on our own.
Not just one train has busted through the station of my thoughts. Everyday, a new crisis emerges: gun (non)control, bombs that kill, redefining marriage, porous vs. sovereign borders, crime, debt, hedonism, disease, education, and on and on and on. Many Americans feel that we are losing ourselves. We have, only if we have completely lost God. God, however, works well with small, committed groups. A friend of mine posted a graphic. She may have made it herself, for it appears no other place that I could find. Here is the link to her show, and where the graphic, with this quote, was posted.
"If the Bible is just a book of fairy tales, why is it banned in at least 52 countries? No one goes to jail for reading the Illiad, the Odyssey, or Aesop's Fables."
Enjoy.
Everyone has an opinion. Everyone discriminates. If they don’t, how is that there is more than one item on a menu? How do people get dressed in the morning without discerning one item of clothing as more worthy than another? Some decisions are easy, and others incredibly complicated. Then, to make matters worse, along comes political correctness with the diseased finger of pre-judgement. (See any recent news item.)
When I look at the crazy standards that this country and much of the world have, I am tempted to despair. I don’t, because I know that this will pass. Every generation thinks that their ideas are new, but there is nothing new under the sun, only new labeling over a fresh coat of paint. Progressive policy resembles what Plato deemed perfect. How long ago did Plato live? Did it work then? Did Utopia happen? Where is the Worker’s Paradise?
All things new are of God. Intellectuals have been taught to disdain anything related to God, and to embrace secular humanism. Humans stink, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Even a cute little baby has the decay of sin flowing through his or her cute little veins. Babies are selfish and have to be taught to think outside themselves. No one grows up being ‘perfect’, and perfect conditions cannot exist because of sin. We need a standard. God gave us the standard, and then provided the way to reach Him despite the standard. It was not anything we puny humans could do on our own.
Not just one train has busted through the station of my thoughts. Everyday, a new crisis emerges: gun (non)control, bombs that kill, redefining marriage, porous vs. sovereign borders, crime, debt, hedonism, disease, education, and on and on and on. Many Americans feel that we are losing ourselves. We have, only if we have completely lost God. God, however, works well with small, committed groups. A friend of mine posted a graphic. She may have made it herself, for it appears no other place that I could find. Here is the link to her show, and where the graphic, with this quote, was posted.
"If the Bible is just a book of fairy tales, why is it banned in at least 52 countries? No one goes to jail for reading the Illiad, the Odyssey, or Aesop's Fables."
Enjoy.
Monday, June 25, 2012
120625 Back
I was gone for two weeks. I did not post the actual physical departure, because it was not necessary for the world to know that my teens were home alone. The 18yo had her job, and the 14yo had a mature guardian, but the entire Internet community didn't need to know that Mom had left the building. Mom has returned.
For two weeks, I have been taking a class known as The Advanced Class on the Way of Abundance and Power. It was the final portion of a three part series that took years to complete. Jesus Christ said that he was the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one came to the Father, but by him. Kind of puts a kink in the 'many roads' interpretation of salvation. Well, believe what you will. We'll all find out in the end.
What I really like about this class series is how one is shown principles from God's Word. We have power. We don't have to be doormats. We can be confident, polite, loving, and most of all: completely sure of what God says. God gave us power, more power than most Christians will admit. Evil trembles as the one who believes approaches. Who can be stronger than the True God?
The first night, a man from Togo, in Africa, ministered healing to my knee. I no longer walk with a cane. This wasn't one of the showy fake healings that one can see on TV. No. After the first teaching, which was on the subject of the accuracy of the Word, he asked me in private why I used a cane. Then, he prayed and asked God to fulfill His promise of healing for me.
I was ready. The pain completely disappeared. The swelling left. The muscles and ligaments worked again. Many were blessed. There were many more stories of deliverance. The most impressive to me were the sad people who learned to smile. Two girls in particular came looking like waifs, and left as confident women. One claimed a physical healing, but did not elaborate
.
I don't care who believes me, (that's between you and God), but I know that signs, wonders, and miracles followed us. My life has moved up a notch.
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