SINGING SONGS OF PRAISE

ISRAEL'S SONGS OF PRAISE TO THE LORD

1 Chronicles 6:32 - "And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order."
1 Chronicles 13:8 - "And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets."
2 Chronicles 23:18 - "Also Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD by the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD, as it is written in the Law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as it was ordained by David."
Nehemiah 12:27 - "And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps."
Psalm 100:2 - "Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing."
Psalm 126:2 - "Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them."
Isaiah 51:11 - "Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away."

BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS ARE TO SING PRAISE TO THE LORD

Ephesians 5:17-20 - "Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Colossians 3:16 - "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
Hebrews 2:12 - "Saying, I will declare Thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee."

AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THE LORD SINGS BECAUSE OF US

Zephaniah 3:17 - "The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing."

OUR SINGING IS THE OUTPOURING OF GRATITUDE TO THE LORD!

     

BONUS POST - SOMETHING ABOUT WHICH TO THINK

MY LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

I am writing this post as my last will and testament.  If you are reading it, then know that if I have died today (something I have expected for many years due to health issues, and which my family has repeatedly joked about as though I am "Chicken Little"), or better yet,  I am "missing" because Almighty God has told His Son to "Go get My children," then let this guide how you distribute my vast wealth (sarcasm)!

1)  If I am dead, everything I own belongs to my wonderful wife Judy.  She has stood by me for over fifty-four years, and she is my all-time favorite gift from God (excluding my salvation which was THE GIFT above all gifts (Ephesians 2:4-9; Romans 5:15-18; 6:23; etc.).

2)  If the Lord has come for His children through the Rapture of the Body of Christ (John 14:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:50-55; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; etc.), then those left here of my family shall have all our (Judy's and mine) earthly possessions.  They shall all go to those remaining following the Rapture of born again believers. 

3)  The order of inheritance shall be as follows:  (I am listing all my family members because unlike God, I do not know who is born again, and who is not.  Everything we have will go to the one person highest on this list, who is still here:
     a)  Our Daughters:  Laurie, Dawn, Cheryl.  We would like Dawn to remain in our home as long as she is able to do so.
     b)  Our Grandchildren:  Kyle, Erin, Hope, Jesse, Bethany, Hannah, Stephen, Jessica, Amy, Michael, Luc.
     c)  Our Great Grandchildren:  Alex, Aurora, Rhys, Woody, Audrey, Kara, Joshua, Henry, Emerson.
    
4)  As I said earlier, I do not know who has called upon Jesus to be Lord of his or her life, but ideally, all of the above named family members will have accompanied Judy and me in Christ's Rapture of His Church!  However, being realistic, and having seen no evidence that Jesus is the Lord of some of those listed above, I am not naïve enough to believe that that will occur.  And in reality, that is so sad! 

I have preached the funerals of fifteen folks while pastoring Bethany Baptist Church in Sturgis, Kentucky, and attended dozens of funerals officiated by others.  The one thing that made all the difference in each of them, was whether or not their loved ones could say they felt certain that he or she loved the Lord!  Of course, it is impossible to be absolutely certain, but it has been my experience, that those who truly love the Lord, will publicly say so, and their lives will be guided by Him as much as they possibly can. 

Noone is perfect; certainly not me; but those who know me, know the place Jesus Christ has in my life - He is Lord!  And while they all have seen me fail Him from time to time, they should know that the instant I am gone, I will have become like Jesus.  1 John 3:2 says, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is." 

If this offends any of my "heirs," I am truly sorry!  Nevertheless, what I have written is truth.  Born again believers are those who truly belong to Christ, those whose lives are truly focused upon pleasing Him.  I am not your judge.  I am just a man who wants, more than anything, to spend eternity with ALL of you!  I love you ALL!

JESUS CHRIST - THE PASSOVER LAMB

CHRIST'S SACRIFICE IS PROPHESIED IN THE FEAST OF PASSOVER

Exodus 12:1-11 - "And the LORD spoke unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.  Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:  and if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.  Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:  and ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.  And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.  And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.  Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.  And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.  And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD's Passover."

JOHN AND PAUL SHOW JESUS' CRUCIFIXION FULFILLED THE PROPHECY

John identified Jesus as "the Lamb" twenty-eight times in the New Testament; twenty-six of them are found in the Book of Revelation!  Paul actually made the connection between the Lamb of Exodus Twelve, which was to be eaten with unleavened bread, and Jesus as the Lamb of God being honored in the taking of the Lord's Supper!

John 1:28-36 - "These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.  This is He of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for He was before me.  And I knew Him not:  but that He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.  And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him.  And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon Whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.  And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.  Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!"

1 Corinthians 5:7-8 - "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:  therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - "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.  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come."

CHRIST'S IMPERFECT CHURCH

In the parables about the Church Age (Matthew 13; Mark 4; Luke 13), Jesus taught about two kinds of people in our churches:  the born again believers, and those professing to be believers.  In the Book of Revelation, John shares Christ's message describing seven churches (Revelation 2-3).  In both cases, it is clear that the visible church is larger than the Body of Christ.  Here is a brief summary of my understanding of what these passages have to say:

The Parable of the Sower - There are four responses to the Gospel:  three result in the Word of God being believed, but only one remains focused upon the will of the Lord.
The Parable of the Tares - There are two kinds of church members:  those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord, and those who remain lord of their own lives.
The Parable of the Mustard Seed - What starts out as the single "tree trunk," becomes so divided and varied that its "branches" provide a "home" for "birds" (unbelievers- Mt. 8:20).
The Parable of the Leaven - Leaven always represents sin in the Bible.  Even genuine believers will continue to sin (Rom. 7:15-25; 1 Jn. 1:8-10).
The Hidden Treasure - True born again believers will be a "mystery" hidden from the rest of the church and the world (2 Cor. 4:7).
The Parable of the Pearl - Within the "sea of humanity," there are those who are like a worthless grain of sand, which the Lord has covered and made precious.
The Parable of Dragnet - When the Lord comes for God's children, He will separate those that are His from those who are not.

The Church of Ephesus - The Apostolic Age (to A.D. 100) - It slowly began to lose its love for the brethren, and began to focus on doctrinal purity.  Perhaps it consists of believers, many of whom are concerned with "the rocky soil and the thorny soil" of the Parable of the Sower.
The Church in Smyrna - The Age of Suffering Persecution (A.D. 100-312) - The Church was considered the enemy of the status quo, and was hated world-wide.
The Church in Pergamos - The Age of Acceptance (A.D. 313-606) - Constantine made Christianity the official religion of Rome.  The union of the unequally yoked.
The Church in Thyatira - The Age of Roman Catholicism (A.D. 606-the Tribulation) - Roman Catholicism became a religion controlling nations.  The R.C.C. mistakenly sees itself as the Kingdom of God, totally ignoring Revelation 20:1-15! 
The Church in Sardis - The Age of the Reformation (A.D. 1520-the Tribulation) - Protestantism, merely a divided Church which focuses upon doctrinal differences.
The Church in Philadelphia - The Age of Brotherly Love (A.D. 1750-the Rapture) - These are the born again believers who love the Lord and love His children (see Gal. 5:13-14).
The Church of the Laodiceans - The Age of Churchianity (A.D. 1900-will continue during the Tribulation) - Laodicea means "the people rule" as opposed to the Lord ruling.

The Church began on the Jewish Feast of Pentecost, and it consists of former Jews and former Gentiles, who, though they still sin (Pentecost involves two leavened loaves - Lev. 23:15-25), they recognize Jesus as their resurrected Lord!  He died to save all who will call upon Him as their Lord (Rom. 10:9-13)!  If Jesus is not your Lord, you are not God's child!  

 

HIS DEATH, HIS BURIAL, AND HIS RESURRECTION

AN OLD TESTAMENT PICTURE OF SALVATION BY FAITH

Numbers 21:5-9 - "And the people spoke against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?  For there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.  And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.  Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that He take away the serpents from us.  And Moses prayed for the people.  And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.  And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived."

A NEW TESTAMENT PROPHECY OF SALVATION BY FAITH

John 3:14-18 - "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:  that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.  He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
John 12:32-33 - "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.  This He said, signifying what death He should die."

THE LORD WAS RAISED UP ON A CROSS

John 19:14-20 - "And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!  But they cried out, Away with Him, away with Him, crucify H im. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King?  The chief priest answered, We have no king but Caesar.  Then delivered he Him therefore unto them to be crucified.  And they took Jesus, and led Him away.  And He bearing His cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:  where they crucified Him, and two other with Him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.  And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.  This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin."

THE LORD WAS RAISED UP FROM THE GRAVE

John 20:26-31 - "And after eight days again His disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.  Then saith He to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not faithless, but believing.  And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God.  Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.  And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book:  but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name."

WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE LORD JESUS, SHALL BE SAVED!

LONGING TO SEE JESUS FACE-TO-FACE!

Praise the Lord!  Although my "one click icon" quit working, I am still able to get to my blog!  Earlier, around four this morning, I posted a "trial run" to see if I could get to my blog through the Edge Web Browser;  well, it worked!  I wrote:

"Ever since my computer was high-jacked in the middle of the night by Microsoft, I have had nothing but problems with Windows 10.  I keep getting requests to add something, or change something, and when I click on the request to see what it is about, I am usually informed that there is a cost for the "new service."  Trust me, I want nothing more than to have Windows 7 back!  Today, my blog "short-cut" went blank.  The only reason I am able to write this, is because I put in my blog address, and when it showed up, I clicked on "new post."  I am not certain where this will work or not, so I will now "publish it" as a test.  Please pray for me - I have absolutely no comprehension of computers, and this blog is a ministry God gave me when my health deteriorated in 2009.  Thanks."

I had "fiddled with" my computer from three to six, and having successfully arrived at this destination, I went back to bed and slept another three plus hours!  Thank You Lord!

Now, I am returning to this post after being told that my computer just had a problem and it needed to shut down.  Of course, after waiting for it to do so for a few minutes, I had to literally shut off the power and restart the aggravating thing!  Oh well, what else do I have to do today - I am home alone as my daughter is visiting her daughter, and my wife is at work all day!  What amazes me, is that through all this:  being "computer-napped" by Windows 10, losing my access to this blog, and the "emergency shut-down," I have been completely calm.  Normally, my frustration would have resulted in taking a sledge hammer to this "modern scientific marvel," and then have to endure listing to my wife tell me about "my problem with anger and impatience."  Who knows, maybe, at age 73, I am finally growing up?  Just in time for the Lord to "beam me up!"  LOL (most believe LOL is "laughing out loud," but I always think of it as "lots of laughs").  See, I told you I am old!

With what little space I have left, I would like to quote a couple of very important Bible passages:  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God....And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth....Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (Jn. 1:1, 14; Jn. 14:1-3)!

The risen Christ will soon remove God's children and we will never need computers again! 

O Happy day - Come Lord Jesus, for the days of Lot and Noah are upon us!

A TRIAL / TEST OF THIS SITE

Ever since my computer was high-jacked in the middle of the night by Microsoft, I have had nothing but problems with Windows 10.  I keep getting requests to add something, or change something, and when I click on the request to see what it is about, I am usually informed that there is a cost for the "new service."  Trust me, I want nothing more than to have Windows 7 back!  Today, my blog "short-cut" went blank.  The only reason I am able to write this, is because I put in my blog address, and when it showed up, I clicked on "new post."  I am not certain where this will work or not, so I will now "publish it" as a test.  Please pray for me - I have absolutely no comprehension of computers, and this blog is a ministry God gave me when my health deteriorated in 2009.  Thanks.

HOW MUCH PROOF DOES MAN NEED?

WHY DID JESUS WORK MIRACLES?

He did them to prove His identity to the Jews:  "Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe" (Jn. 4:48).  Paul wrote:  "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom" (1 Cor. 1:22).  John wrote:  "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth His glory; and His disciples believed on Him" (Jn. 2:11).  "If I do not the works of My Father, believe Me not.  But if I do, though ye believe not Me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in Me, and I in Him" (Jn. 10:37-38).    "Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works' sake" (Jn. 14:11).

HOW DID JESUS WORK MIRACLES?

Jesus, Who had "become lower than the angels" (Ps. 8:5; Heb. 2:7-9), did so voluntarily; Paul wrote:  "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Phil. 2:5-8). 

Because Jesus chose to come as one of us, one might ask how did He work miracles?  The answer is found in Matthew 12:28, which reads:  "...I cast out devils by the Spirit of God...."  We are told that Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit; that is, He had the Spirit of God in His fullness as He walked the earth as a man:  "And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness" (Lk. 4:1); and "For He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God:  for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him" (Jn. 3:34).

WHAT DID THE MIRACLES PROVE?

The miracles of Jesus proved He had the approval of Almighty God (Jn. 3:2), and that he had power over:
Chemistry:  He changed water into wine (Jn. 2:1-11).  Jesus fed over 5000 (Mt. 14:15-21; etc.); over 4000 (Mt. 15:32-39).
Meteorology:  He calmed the storm (Mt. 8:23-27).
Zoology:  He controlled sea life (Lk. 5:1-11; Jn. 21:4-11); the swine (Mt. 8:32).
Botany:  He caused a fig tree to wither (Mt. 21:18-22).Medicine:  He healed the nobleman's son (Jn. 4:46-47; Peter's mother-in-law (Mk. 1:30-31); lepers (Mk. 1:40-45; Lk. 17:11-19); the Centurion's servant (Mt. 8:5-13); a paralytic (Mt. 9:1-8); the woman with an issue of blood (Lk. 8:43-48); the blind (Mt. 9:27-31; 20:30-34; Mk. 8:22-26; Jn. 9:1-38); the mute (Mt. 9:32-33); the deaf (Mk. 7:31-37); an invalid (Jn. 5:1-9); a "bowed" woman (Lk. 13:10-17);
 a withered hand (Mt. 12:10-13); a man with "dropsy" (Lk. 14:1-4); the high priest's servant (Lk. 22:50-51).
Human Life:  He raised the dead:  the widow's son (Lk. 7:11-18); the ruler's daughter (Mt. 9:18-26); Lazarus (Jn. 11:1-46); and Jesus Himself rose from the dead (Lk. 24:5-6; etc.).
The Spirit World:  He cast out demons (Mk. 1:23-28; Mt. 8:28-34; Mt. 12:22; Mt. 15:22-28; Mt. 17:14-21).

 

THESE ARE BUT THE "TIP OF THE ICEBERG"

"Jesus did many other things as well.  If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written" (Jn. 21:25)!

ONE DAY, TIME WILL BE NO MORE

I began writing this blog in 2009.  I had been hospitalized for numerous blood clots in my lungs, and was actually told that if I was not admitted immediately, that I would not make it through the night.  I am obviously still here, but have often wondered if I didn't make a mistake!  Like the Apostle Paul, I would much rather be "absent from the body and present with the Lord" (2 Cor. 5:8)!  And, like him, I realize I am still here because the Lord wills that I stay for the sake of others; Paul wrote:

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I (know) not.  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:  nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.  And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith" (Phil. 1:21-25).

In the past twenty months, I have lost a grandson who died in a head-on collision, and my dear sweet Mother-in-Law who entered the Lord's presence exactly seven months after Corey died.  Although my grieving has been comforted by knowing they no longer suffer the trials and tribulations of this sorry world, it is also very comforting knowing I will see them again!  My wife has had a difficult time with her mother's passing, as has my daughter with the death of her oldest child at the age of twenty-nine.  Of course, there will come a time, perhaps today, when I am no longer needed by those who need me now.  At that time, I will either enter Christ's presence having "put off this mortal shell," or I will enter it with the entire Body of Christ at the "twinkling of an eye" commonly known as the Rapture.  In two passages of Scripture, the Lord assures us that we will be okay:

Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions:  if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (Jn. 14:1-3).  And Paul wrote, "...the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words" (1 Th. 4:16-18).

So, since I am still here, I will make the best of my time praising Jesus, my Lord and my God!

THE JEWS ARE "FROM MISSOURI!"

THE JEWS REQUIRE A SIGN IN ORDER TO BELIEVE

*   Matthew 12:38 - "Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from Thee."
*   Matthew 16:1 - "The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired Him that He would show them a sign from heaven."
*   Luke 11:16 - "And others, tempting Him, sought of Him a sign from heaven."

THE LORD'S RESPONSE TO THE JEWS

*   Matthew 12:38-41 - "But He answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah:  for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.  The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it:  because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and, behold, a greater than Jonah is here."
*   Matthew 16:4 - "A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah.  And He left them, and departed."
*   Luke 11:29-30 - "And when the people were gathered thick together, He began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonah the prophet.  For as Jonah was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of Man be to this generation."

 

JESUS HAD ALREADY PROVIDED ENOUGH SIGNS

       *   Matthew 8:1-4 - He healed a leper.
       *   Matthew 8:5-13 - He healed of the Centurion's servant.
       *   Matthew 8:1-4 - He healed Peter's mother-in-law.
       *   Matthew 8:23-27 - He calmed the storm.
       *   Matthew 8:28-34 - He cast out demons.
       *   Matthew 9:1-8 - He healed the paralytic.
       *   Matthew 9:18-26 - He raised the daughter of Jairus.
       *   Matthew 9:27-31 - He opened the eyes of two blind men.
       *   Matthew 9:32-33 - He healed the man unable to speak.
       *   Matthew 12:10-13 - He restored a withered hand.
       *   Matthew 12:22 - He healed the demon-possessed man.
       *   Luke 5:1-11 - He provided a huge catch of fish.
       *   Luke 7:11-18 - He raised the widow's son.
       *   Luke 8:43-48 - He healed a woman with an issue of blood.

 

WHY IS "THE SIGN OF JONAH SO IMPORTANT?

*   Romans 1:16-17 - The Apostle Paul wrote:  "...I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."
*   1 Corinthians 15:1-4 - Paul defined the Gospel:  "...I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved....For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures!"
*   Romans 10:9-13 - Paul explained how one becomes a born-again believer:  "...if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed....for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

 

JESUS DIED TO BE OUR SAVIOR!

 GOD RAISED HIM TO BE OUR LORD! 

IT IS NOT WORKS TO ACKNOWLEDGE JESUS AS LORD

John 13:13 - "Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am."

Acts 2:21-24 - "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be saved.  Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:  Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:  Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He (could be held by) it."

Acts 3:13-15 - "The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified His Son Jesus; Whom ye delivered up, and denied Him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.  But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, Whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses."

Romans 10:9, 13 - "...if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved."

Romans 14:8-9 - "For whether we live, we live unto the LORD; and whether we die, we die unto the LORD:  whether we live therefore, or die, we are the LORD'S.  For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be LORD both of the dead and living."

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 - "...I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand...Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures...He was buried, and...He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures!"

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 - "For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if One died for all, then were all dead:  and that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again."

Those who claim to be Christians, and fail to recognize Jesus as LORD, are deceived!

Whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD, shall be saved!

RIGHTLY DIVIDING GOD'S WORD

We all know that the original manuscripts of the Bible was not divided by chapters and verses, but unfortunately, we frequently forget and miss the connection between two chapters.  A perfect example is found in Matthew 16 and 17.  Jesus tells His disciples that some of those standing there would live to witness Jesus "coming in His kingdom" (Mt. 16:27-28).  We know that Christ's Millennial Kingdom is at least seven years from today (the seven-year Tribulation must occur first before Christ returns to rule for 1000 years - Rev. 20), so how is it possible that some standing there with Him would live to witness the event?  The answer is found in the following chapter.  Jesus' Transfiguration was witnessed by Peter, James, and John (Mt. 17:1-9)! 

The same issue occurs in separating 1 Thessalonians 4 & 5.  The subject of the Rapture of the Church is presented; Paul does not want believers to fear that they, or their dead relatives will miss the removal of the Church prior to the Tribulation!  Some of the persecution the early Church was experiencing had many believing they were already in the Tribulation.  The two chapters should be read together so that the full message can be conveyed:

       "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.  For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
       But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.  For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do" (1 Th. 4:13 - 5:11).

 

Rightly dividing the Word of God does not have to do with chapters and verses.

Rightly dividing the Word has to do with understanding the seven dispensations.

HE IS YOURS, MINE, AND OURS

TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN JESUS, GOD IS YOUR FATHER

*   Matthew 5:16 - "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
*   Matthew 10:20 - "For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you."
*   John 20:17 - "Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father: but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God."

JESUS CAME TO REVEAL HIS FATHER

*   Matthew 12:50 - "For whosoever shall do the will of  My Father which is in heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother."
*   Matthew 18:10 - "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of  My Father which is in heaven."
*   Matthew 25:24 - "Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of  My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
*   Luke 10:22 - "All things are delivered to Me of  My Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal Him."
*   Luke 24:49 - "And, behold, I send the promise of  My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."
*   John 10:30 - "I and My Father are one."

 

BY FAITH IN CHIRST, HIS FATHER BECOMES OUR FATHER

*   Matthew 6:9 - "After this manner therefore pray ye:  our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name."
*   Romans 1:7 - "To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."
*   1 Corinthians 1:3 - "Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."
*   Philippians 4:20 - "Now unto God and our Father be glory forever and ever.  Amen."
*   Philemon 1:3 - "Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

When you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior,

you made your Heavenly Father's Day! 

HOW DID AMERICA FALL SO QUICKLY?

Written about 1950 years ago, this passage from the Book of Romans could easily have been written about America in today's newspapers!  What the Apostle Paul described was not a picture of a world-wide problem, but more of a description of the evil nature of Roman itself!  Today, it describes the nature of man in general.  Our world has devolved into the cesspool such as described by Luke; it is as bad as "the days of Noah" and "the days of Lot" (Lk. 17:26-30)!  What it proves to me that this world we live in is long overdue for God's wrath to be poured out!  The following is based upon Romans 1:18-32 from the New Living Translation.  I have chosen this translation because I do not want anyone to say they couldn't understand my warning due to it being written in King James English!

 

     "But God shows His anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.  They know the truth about God because He has made it obvious to them.  For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky.  Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature.  So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

     Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship Him as God or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like.  As a result, their minds became dark and confused.  Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools.  And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.
     So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired.  As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies.  They traded the truth about God for a lie.  So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator Himself, Who is worthy of eternal praise!  Amen.  That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires.  Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other.  And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other.  Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved. 
     Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, He abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done.  Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip.  They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful.  They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents.  They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy.  They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway.  Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too."

 

What has formerly been hidden, men now flaunt openly!

Repent and turn to Jesus while there is still time! 

REVELATION'S UNHOLY TRINITY

In Revelation Chapter Thirteen, we are told that two men will come, and that they will take control in what has commonly come to be called, the New World Order.  Here are a few observations revealed about these two men:
 
1)  In verse one, the man known as "the first beast" (see v. 12) is said to rise from "the sea."  The sea is John's description of the Gentile nations.  We know this because in Rev. 17:1-3, we read of an evil woman, "the great whore that sitteth upon many waters"; she is guilty of committing fornication with the kings of the earth (leaders of nations other than Israel).  What she is said to be sitting upon, "many waters"(v. 3), is not literally "on the sea," but is in the wilderness.  Therefore, "the first beast" (a.k.a. "the son of perdition" (2 Th. 2:3) and the "antichrist" (1 Jn. 2:18), will surely be a Gentile.

2)  By contrast, notice that the "second beast" rises out of the "earth" (v. 11); "earth" here is the Greek γῆ (gē), which occurs 252 times in the KJV, 42 of which are translated "land" (examples:  Mt. 2:6; Mk. 4:1; Lk. 4:25; Jn. 3:22; Act. 7:3; Heb. 8:9; etc.).  "Land" frequently refers to the "land of promise," or Israel.  For example, Matthew 2:6 says, "And thou Bethlehem, in the land (the Greek γῆ (gē) of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule My people Israel."  The "False Prophet" (Rev. 16:13), is most likely a Jew.

These two, working in the power of the "dragon" (Rev. 13:2, 12), attempt to eradicate the world of all Jews (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15-22; Rev. 12:1-6).  Note that the "dragon" is identified in Revelation 12:9 - "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." 

Together, these three, Satan, Antichrist, and the False Prophet constitute "the unholy trinity."  Satan has always aspired to be equal to Almighty God; Isaiah 14:12-14 says:  "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!  How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!  For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High."

The Antichrist (antichrist can have either of two meanings:  "against Christ," or "in place of Christ.") comes to "rescue Israel" (Dan. 9:26), and he comes riding on a white horse (compare Rev. 6:2 w/ 19:11). 

The False Prophet seems to be imitating the Holy Spirit, in that, the Holy Spirit's chief function is to reveal Christ, and to bring mankind to worship Him (Jn. 16:7-15).  It is the Holy Spirit Who empowered Jesus (Mt. 12:24-32; Act. 10:38), and it is the Holy Spirit Who enables believers to do miraculous things (Act. 2:4; 1 Cor. 12:1-10).  Notice that the False Prophet works miracles to get people to worship the Antichrist (Rev. 13:11-14)! 

Born again believers recognize God as being the Holy Trinity.  John wrote:  "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?  This is He that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood.  And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one" (1 Jn. 5:5-7).

READY OR NOT, JESUS IS COMING!

THE BIBLE DECLARES THAT WE ARE ALL SINNERS

 

*   Romans 3:10 - "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one!"

*   Romans 3:23 - "...all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

*   Romans 6:23a - "...the wages of sin is death!"

 

THE BIBLE DECLARES THAT GOD LOVES SINNERS

 

*   Romans 5:6 - "...when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."

*   Romans 5:8 - "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

 

THE BIBLE DECLARES FAITH IN THE GOSPEL SAVES SINNERS

 

*   Romans 1:16 - "...I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

*   Romans 10:9 - "...if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

 





THE BIBLE DEFINES THE GOSPEL

*   1 Corinthians 15:1-6 - "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:  and that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:  after that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep." 

JESUS CHRIST: 

CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE (JN. 1:1-3);

VIRGIN BORN (MT. 1:23);

SINLESS LIFE (HEB. 4:15) ;

DIED BY CRUCIFIXION (LK. 23:33);

ROSE FROM THE DEAD (ACTS 10:41);

ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN (EPH. 4:8);

HE IS COMING AGAIN SOON! (JAM. 5:8)!

CREATED IN HIS IMAGE; CHANGED INTO HIS LIKENESS

GOD'S GOAL IS THAT MAN SHOULD BE LIKE HIM

*   Genesis 1:26 - "And God said, Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."

 

NOTICE MAN WAS NOT CREATED IN HIS LIKENESS

*   Genesis 1:27 - "So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them."
*   Exodus 8:10 - "And he said, Tomorrow.  And he said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the LORD our God."
*   2 Samuel 7:22 - "Wherefore Thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like Thee, neither is there any God beside Thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears."
*   Psalm 71:19 - "Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto Thee!"
*   Psalm 113:5 - "Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high?"
*   Isaiah 46:9 - "Remember the former things of old:  for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me."
*   Jeremiah 10:6 - "Forasmuch as there is none like unto Thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.
*   Micah 7:18 - "Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?  He retaineth not His anger forever, because He delighteth in mercy."

 

ONLY BELIEVERS IN CHRIST WILL ONE DAY BE LIKE HIM

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

GOD'S PLAN TO MAKE MAN LIKE HIMSELF, REQUIRED HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, JESUS, TO BE CRUCIFIED FOR MAN'S SIN, TO BE BURIED, AND TO BE RAISED FROM THE DEAD.  OUR FAITH IN THE RISEN LORD, HIM BEING "THE LAMB SLAIN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD," IS HOW GOD INTENDED TO COMPLETE HIS GOAL FOR US!  GOD OFFERS THE FREE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE, TO ALL WHO WILL BELIEVE IN CHRIST!  DO YOU BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE RISEN LORD?  TRUST HIM TODAY!

THE SAVED KNOW HIM AS LORD!

*   Luke 2:11 - "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."  [once in the Bible]

 *   Matthew 8:19 - "And a certain scribe came, and said unto Him, Master, I will follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest."  [45 times in the Gospels]

*   John 5:18 - " Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill Him, because He not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God."  [compare w/ Philippians 2:5-6 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God."]

*   John 20:28 - "And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God."  [Jesus is called God in Isaiah 9:6; also compare John 1:1 w/ 1:14]

*   Acts 4:33 - "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all."  [117 times in the Bible]

*   Mark 16:19 - "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God."  [462 times in the New Testament]

*   Romans 15:6 - "That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."  [54 times in the Bible]

*   Colossians 3:24 - "Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ."  [once in the Bible]

*   Philippians 2:11 - "And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  [once in the Bible]

*   Acts 16:31 - "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved...."  [28 times in the Bible]

- - - Bottom Line - - -

"...if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. 10:9-10)!

READY OR NOT, CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN

Below is a copy of a post on Facebook from Cathy McCoy.  In all of human history, there is but one person who literally fulfilled ALL of the Old Testament's prophecies concerning the First Coming of Israel's Messiah:  Jesus!  After His Resurrection, and prior to His Ascension, Jesus appeared to two of His discouraged disciples (Lk. 24:13-35), and during the brief encounter, "He said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:  ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?  And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself" (verses 25-27).  The web site, Good News Dispatch, had this to say about the probability of one man fulfilling just eight of these prophecies:  "1 times 2.8 x 10⁵ x 10³ x 10² x 10³ x 10³ x 10⁵ x 10³ x 10⁴) gives us 2.8 x 10²⁸, or for simplicity sake 1 x 10²⁸ or 1 in 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000."  Can you even imagine what the odds would be for Him having fulfilled all twenty-six of these? 

 

Because the Bible has proven itself to be 100% accurate, I am absolutely convinced that the Bible's prophecies concerning Christ's Second Coming, will also be literally fulfilled! 

ARE YOU READY? 

PRAYER IS DIFFICULT

HOW BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS ARE TO PRAY

*   Matthew 6:5-13 - "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are:  for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do:  for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.  After this manner therefore pray ye:  Our Father Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.  Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:  For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen."

BUT BELIEVERS DON'T ALWAYS KNOW GOD'S WILL

*   Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."

*   Romans 8:26-27 - "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:  for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:  but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

*   Romans 11:33-34 - "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!  For who hath known the mind of the Lord?  Or who hath been His counselor?"

 

SO PRAY FOR THOSE THINGS WE DO KNOW ARE HIS WILL

*   1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 - "Pray without ceasing.  In everything give thanks:  for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
 
*   1 Timothy 2:1-4 - "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

*   James 5:16-17 - "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

GALATIANS 5:13-14

"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.  For all the Law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

 

*   "brethren" - Galatians 1:1-2 - "Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead); and all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia."

*   "liberty" - Galatians 4:22-31 - [Context:  Christians have freedom from the bondage which is the Law received by Moses on Mount Sinai]  "For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.  But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.  Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.  For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.  But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.  For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.  Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.  But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.  Nevertheless what saith the Scripture?  Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.  So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free."

*   "flesh" - Galatians 5:16-23 - [Walking "in the flesh" is the opposite of being led by the Spirit of God]  "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.  But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the Law.  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

*   "love" - 1 John 5:1-3 - "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth Him that begat loveth Him also that is begotten of Him.  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments.  For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous."

The Law reveals our need for a Savior.

We honor our Savior when we love others.

The Law shows us how to love others.

JESUS CAME TO DIE; HE ROSE TO RULE!

BELIEVING THE GOSPEL MESSAGE IS WHAT SAVES

*   Romans 1:15-17 - "So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you that are at Rome also.  For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ:  for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."

PAUL DEFINED THE GOSPEL MESSAGE

*   1 Corinthians 15:1-4 - "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures."

 

PAUL PREACHED THE GOSPEL MESSAGE TO THE GENTILES

*   Romans 10:8-13 - "But what saith it?  The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the Word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek:  for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
*   Galatians 1:1-5 - "Paul, an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead; and all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:  Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:  To whom be glory forever and ever.  Amen."

PETER PREACHED THE GOSPEL MESSAGE TO THE JEWS

*   Acts 2:22-24 - "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:  Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:  Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He should be holden of it."
*   Acts 3:13-15 - "The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified His Son Jesus; Whom ye delivered up, and denied Him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.  But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, Whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses."
*   Acts 10:38-41 - "...God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power:  Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.  And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:  Him God raised up the third day, and showed Him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead."

DO YOU BELIEVE JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS?

DO YOU BELIEVE HIS FATHER RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD?

THEN YOU KNOW HIM AS BOTH YOUR SAVIOR AND YOUR LORD!

SAVED, SEALED, DELIVERED!

*   2 Chronicles 20:20 - "And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper."
*   Psalm 31:24 - "Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD."
*   Psalm 40:3 - "And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD."
*   Psalm 73:28 - "But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all Thy works."
*   Psalm 115:10-11 - "O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD:  He is their help and their shield....Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD:  He is their help and their shield."
*   Psalm 118:8-9 - "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man....It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes."
*   Psalm 125:1 - "They that trust in the LORD shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever."
*   Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding....In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."
*   Proverbs 28:25 - "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe."
*   Mark 11:22 - "And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God."
*   Acts 16:31 - "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
*   Acts 20:21 - "Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."
*   Ephesians 1:12-14 - "That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ....In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise...Who is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory."
*   Colossians 1:3-4 - "We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you...since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints."
*   2 Timothy 3:15 - "And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
*   1 Peter 1:3-5 - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you...who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

WE HAVE TRUST IN THE TRUSTWORTHY ONE;
 WE HAVE FAITH IN THE FAITHFUL ONE;
AND BY GRACE, WE BELIEVE IN THE UNSEEN ONE!

GOD'S WORD DOES NOT CONTRADICT ITSELF

NO ONE HAS SEEN GOD THE FATHER

*   John 1:18 - "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him."
*   1 John 4:12 - "No man hath seen God at any time.  If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us."

 

THESE FOLKS SAID THEY SAW GOD

*   Genesis 32:30 - "And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel:  for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved."
*   Judges 13:22 - "And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God."

 

THEY DID - THEY SAW THE SON OF GOD!

*   John 8:56 - "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see  My day: and he saw it, and was glad."
*   John 14:9 - "Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip?  He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?"
*   1 Timothy 3:16 - "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:  God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."
*   Hebrews 1:1-3 - "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, Whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds;  Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high."
*   1 John 1:1-3 - "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us); That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ."

 

YHVH = YEHOVAH = JEHOVAH = LORD = JESUS = GOD, THE SON!

DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT!

One of the greatest Christians, if not the greatest, was the Apostle Paul.  Not only did he write nearly half of the New Testament, he continually suffered for his faith, eventually being martyred (2 Cor. 11:24-31; Paul's death is not recorded in the Bible, but is clearly implied - Acts 9:16; 2 Tim. 4:6-8)!  Paul certainly demonstrated his apostleship through performing miracles, and he even was used of the Lord to raise the dead (Acts 14:7-9; 16:16-18; 19:11-12; 20:9-12; 28:7-9; etc.).  If there was ever a man of God who could be trusted, it was the Apostle Paul!  And yet, Paul hoped that those listening to his preaching would not take his word for it, but would go home and compare what he preached with the Scriptures, to see if what he said was true!  Luke wrote:

"And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.  Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women who were Greeks, and of men, not a few" (Acts 17:10-12).

What was true in the days of the Apostles, is even more true today!  They had only the Old Testament Scriptures to verify what was being taught, while we have the benefit of having both the Old and the New Testament revelation of God's truth.  And while all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, it requires diligent study, comparing Scripture with Scripture (1 Cor. 2:13; 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16; etc.)!  My favorite example of how one must take ALL that the Scripture says on a subject in order to know God's thoughts on the matter, is the Bible's teaching on divorce.  Divorce was permitted, but it certainly was not God's will (Deut. 24:1-4; Mal. 2:16; Mt. 5:31-32; 19:3-12).  God only allowed divorce for one reason, and believe it or not, it was not adultery; it was "because of the hardness of your hearts!"  The real sin is not loving one's spouse! 

I have said all this to say, any individual who insists his church blindly follow his leadership without consulting God's Word to verify what he is teaching, is certainly a "wolf in sheep's clothing!"  That goes for Sunday school teachers, deacons, elders, pastors, bishops, cardinals, and even popes!  The Word of God is the standard against which all teaching must be compared!  If you are in a church where questioning the leadership is forbidden, where the leader insists that he or she is infallible, then "run for the hills!"  Your leader is a heretic, an apostate, an instrument of Satan!  Even Jesus said that His followers should observe His miraculous works so that they could trust Him (Jn. 14:10-11)!

 

All men are fallible, and those who blindly follow them are headed for destruction! 

THE POPE MUST LEAD ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES!

Recently, I posted that the foundation of the Church, the Body of Christ, was not Peter, but was Jesus Christ Himself.  I gave several passages of Scripture which supported my statement, but apparently I offended some who saw what I had written as an attack on the Roman Catholic Church.  I have written several posts, over the years, that have made it clear that my criticism of the R.C.C. was not with the church itself, but with the mishandling of, and the misinterpretation of, the Bible.  I have even gone out of my way to make sure I use the Douay-Rheims Version, the version published by the R.C.C.!  The current Pope has not only rejected the Bible as the basis for church doctrine, but has even made statements equating the Bible with the Koran.  In addition, he has stated that one does not need to be a Christian to go to heaven; he even stated that an atheist can be assured of sharing eternity with Jesus Christ.  Here, again, is what the Douay-Rheims Version says about what is required for a person to go to heaven:  

John 1:1, 3, 10-13 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God....All things were made by Him: and without Him was made nothing that was made....He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not.  He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.  But as many as received Him, He gave them power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in His name.  Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." 

John 3:15-18 - "That whosoever believeth in Him, may not perish; but may have life everlasting.  For God so loved the world, as to give His only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in Him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting.  For God sent not His Son into the world, to judge the world, but that the world may be saved by Him.  He that believeth in Him is not judged.  But he that doth not believe, is already judged: because he believeth not in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

John 6:29, 35, 39-40, 44 - "Jesus answered, and said to them: This is the work of God, that you believe in Him Whom He hath sent.  And Jesus said to them: I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall not hunger: and he that believeth in Me shall never thirst.  Now this is the will of the Father who sent Me: that of all that He hath given Me, I should lose nothing; but should raise it up again in the last day.  And this is the will of My Father that sent Me: that every one who seeth the Son, and believeth in Him, may have life everlasting, and I will raise him up in the last day.  No man can come to Me, except the Father, who hath sent Me, draw him; and I will raise him up in the last day."

John 14:6 -

"Jesus saith to him: I am The Way, and The Truth, and The Life. 

No man cometh to the Father, but by Me."