Pro 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
Pro 29:26 Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.
Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Saturday, October 30, 2004
The Fundamentals
A group of theologians, pastors and laypeople published a series of volumes titled "The Fundamentals". Published between 1910 and 1915, these booklets defined what had been the non-negotiables of the faith since the Apostles' Creed:
1) the infallibility of Scripture
2) the deity of Christ
3) the Virgin Birth and miracles of Christ
4) Christ's substitutionary death
5) Christ's physical resurrection and eventual return.
These were then, as they are today, the backbone of orthodox Christianity. If a fundamentalist is a person who affirms these truths, then there are fundamentalists in every denomination - Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Brethren, Methodist, Episcopal .... Everyone who believes in the orthodox truths about Jesus Christ - in short, every Christian - is a fundamentalist. And we should not shrink from the term nor allow the secular world to distort its meaning.
- An excerpt from "The Body" by Charles Colson.
1) the infallibility of Scripture
2) the deity of Christ
3) the Virgin Birth and miracles of Christ
4) Christ's substitutionary death
5) Christ's physical resurrection and eventual return.
These were then, as they are today, the backbone of orthodox Christianity. If a fundamentalist is a person who affirms these truths, then there are fundamentalists in every denomination - Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Brethren, Methodist, Episcopal .... Everyone who believes in the orthodox truths about Jesus Christ - in short, every Christian - is a fundamentalist. And we should not shrink from the term nor allow the secular world to distort its meaning.
- An excerpt from "The Body" by Charles Colson.
Monday, October 25, 2004
Intercessions
Luk 1:17 And he shall go before his face in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to walk in the wisdom of the just; to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him.
1Ki 19:15 And Jehovah said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, thou shalt anoint Hazael to be king over Syria;
1Ki 19:16 and Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
3 Annointings
Hazael - Government
Jehu - Military
Elisha - Ministry
1Ti 2:1 First of all, then, I exhort that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
1Ti 2:2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
1Ti 2:4 who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1Ti 2:5 For God is one, and there is one Mediator of God and of men, the Man Christ Jesus,
1Ti 2:6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
1Ti 2:7 To this I am ordained a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie), a teacher of the nations, in faith and truth.
1Ti 2:8 Therefore, I desire that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
- Pray for All Men
- Pray for Kings and all in authority
- Pray for Ministry
1Ki 19:15 And Jehovah said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, thou shalt anoint Hazael to be king over Syria;
1Ki 19:16 and Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
3 Annointings
Hazael - Government
Jehu - Military
Elisha - Ministry
1Ti 2:1 First of all, then, I exhort that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
1Ti 2:2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
1Ti 2:4 who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1Ti 2:5 For God is one, and there is one Mediator of God and of men, the Man Christ Jesus,
1Ti 2:6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
1Ti 2:7 To this I am ordained a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie), a teacher of the nations, in faith and truth.
1Ti 2:8 Therefore, I desire that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
- Pray for All Men
- Pray for Kings and all in authority
- Pray for Ministry
Saturday, October 16, 2004
My Sheep Know My Voice
Joh 10:4 And when he puts forth his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him. For they know his voice.
Joh 10:5 And they will not follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.
I'm not sure where i got it, but somehow "my sheep will hear my voice and not hear the voice of another" got stuck in my head. I can't find a verse like that. Instead it could be summarized "my sheep will hear my voice and not HEED the voice of another". Otherwise, according to John 10:5, the sheep can hear the voice of the good sheepherd and the voice of the stranger, however, they follow the voice they KNOW and flee from the voice they don't recognize.
Now, how do we KNOW the Master's voice? The answer is to have His word abide in us. What you spend time on, you will be sensitive to.
Joh 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Joh 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Joh 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Joh 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Joh 10:5 And they will not follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.
I'm not sure where i got it, but somehow "my sheep will hear my voice and not hear the voice of another" got stuck in my head. I can't find a verse like that. Instead it could be summarized "my sheep will hear my voice and not HEED the voice of another". Otherwise, according to John 10:5, the sheep can hear the voice of the good sheepherd and the voice of the stranger, however, they follow the voice they KNOW and flee from the voice they don't recognize.
Now, how do we KNOW the Master's voice? The answer is to have His word abide in us. What you spend time on, you will be sensitive to.
Joh 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Joh 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Joh 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Joh 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Cost/Benefit Analysis
Luk 14:28 "For which of you*, the one wanting to build a lookout tower, does not first, having sat down, calculate the cost, whether he has the [resources] for [its] completion?
Luk 14:29 "Lest perhaps, after he has laid a foundation, and not being able to finish, all the ones watching begin to be ridiculing him,
Luk 14:30 saying, 'This man began to be building and was not able to finish.'
Luk 14:31 "Or what king going to engage another king in battle, does not, having sat down, first consider if he is able with ten thousand [soldiers] to encounter the one with twenty thousand [soldiers] coming against him?
Luk 14:32 "But if not, while he is still far away, having sent a delegation, he asks the [terms] for peace.
Luk 14:33 "So likewise, every [one] of you* who does not give up all his own possessions is not able to be My disciple.
Mat 13:44 "Again, the kingdom of the heavens is like treasure hid in the field, which a person having found hid, and as a result of his joy, he goes, and all, as much as he has, he sells, and buys that field.
Mat 13:45 "Again, the kingdom of the heavens is like a person, a merchant, seeking precious pearls,
Mat 13:46 who having found one very valuable pearl, having gone away, has sold all, as much as he has, and bought it.
If you truly understand the greatness of God and weigh that against any of your wordly possessions, then it is obvious that the cost is miniscule compared to the gain.
Contrary to the opinions of many media moguls, those who follow Christ are not uneducated fools who don't know what they are missing. All the believers I have ever met have been very intelligent, educated individuals who have tried what the world had to offer and found it wanting. They finally found what they were looking for by following Jesus, and the kingdom of heaven caused anything in this world to pale in comparison.
Luk 14:29 "Lest perhaps, after he has laid a foundation, and not being able to finish, all the ones watching begin to be ridiculing him,
Luk 14:30 saying, 'This man began to be building and was not able to finish.'
Luk 14:31 "Or what king going to engage another king in battle, does not, having sat down, first consider if he is able with ten thousand [soldiers] to encounter the one with twenty thousand [soldiers] coming against him?
Luk 14:32 "But if not, while he is still far away, having sent a delegation, he asks the [terms] for peace.
Luk 14:33 "So likewise, every [one] of you* who does not give up all his own possessions is not able to be My disciple.
Mat 13:44 "Again, the kingdom of the heavens is like treasure hid in the field, which a person having found hid, and as a result of his joy, he goes, and all, as much as he has, he sells, and buys that field.
Mat 13:45 "Again, the kingdom of the heavens is like a person, a merchant, seeking precious pearls,
Mat 13:46 who having found one very valuable pearl, having gone away, has sold all, as much as he has, and bought it.
If you truly understand the greatness of God and weigh that against any of your wordly possessions, then it is obvious that the cost is miniscule compared to the gain.
Contrary to the opinions of many media moguls, those who follow Christ are not uneducated fools who don't know what they are missing. All the believers I have ever met have been very intelligent, educated individuals who have tried what the world had to offer and found it wanting. They finally found what they were looking for by following Jesus, and the kingdom of heaven caused anything in this world to pale in comparison.
Sunday, October 10, 2004
Pride is the source of contention
Pro 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
Pride is the source of contention.
The well-advised are those who are willing to listen to others. Pride prevents you from listening to correction or good advice.
Jam 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
2Ti 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Pride is the source of contention.
The well-advised are those who are willing to listen to others. Pride prevents you from listening to correction or good advice.
Jam 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
2Ti 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Friday, October 08, 2004
Love God, Hate Sin
Note: This is a study in not tolerating sin. There is a difference between hating sin and hating people. Nowhere in the bible is there an advocacy that we should hate people. We are to love people even if they are unlovable the same as God has shown us love when we were unlovable. What we cannot give place to is the bondage of sin. Loving someone does not mean you approve of their behavior.
Mat 6:24 "No one is able to be serving as a slave to two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other; _you_ are not able to be serving as a slave to God and to worldly wealth.
Lev 19:17 Let there be no hate in your heart for your brother; but you may make a protest to your neighbour, so that he may be stopped from doing evil.
Amo 5:15 Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish justice in the gate: it may be that Jehovah, the God of hosts, will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.
Zec 8:17 and let none of you devise evil in your hearts against his neighbor; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith Jehovah.
Psa 5:4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
Psa 5:5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
Psa 5:6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
Psa 11:5 The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
Psa 26:5 I hate the assembly of evil-doers, And will not sit with the wicked.
Psa 97:10 O ye that love Jehovah, hate evil: He preserveth the souls of his saints; He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
Psa 101:1 I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.
Psa 101:2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
Psa 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
Psa 101:4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
Psa 101:5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
Psa 101:6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
Psa 101:7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
Psa 101:8 I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
Psa 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
Psa 119:113 SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
Psa 119:127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
Psa 119:128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
Psa 119:163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
Psa 139:20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
Psa 139:21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
Psa 139:22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
Psa 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
Psa 139:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Pro 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
Pro 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
Pro 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
Pro 6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Pro 8:13 The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil: Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, And the perverse mouth, do I hate.
Psa 31:6 I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.
Isa 61:8 For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
Exo 18:21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
Deu 12:31 Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.
Deu 16:22 Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the LORD thy God hateth.
Rev 2:6 But you have this, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Jud 1:23 But save others with fear, snatching them out of the fire, hating even the garment being stained from the flesh.
Mat 6:24 "No one is able to be serving as a slave to two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other; _you_ are not able to be serving as a slave to God and to worldly wealth.
Lev 19:17 Let there be no hate in your heart for your brother; but you may make a protest to your neighbour, so that he may be stopped from doing evil.
Amo 5:15 Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish justice in the gate: it may be that Jehovah, the God of hosts, will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.
Zec 8:17 and let none of you devise evil in your hearts against his neighbor; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith Jehovah.
Psa 5:4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
Psa 5:5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
Psa 5:6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
Psa 11:5 The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
Psa 26:5 I hate the assembly of evil-doers, And will not sit with the wicked.
Psa 97:10 O ye that love Jehovah, hate evil: He preserveth the souls of his saints; He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
Psa 101:1 I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.
Psa 101:2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
Psa 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
Psa 101:4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
Psa 101:5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
Psa 101:6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
Psa 101:7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
Psa 101:8 I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
Psa 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
Psa 119:113 SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
Psa 119:127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
Psa 119:128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
Psa 119:163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
Psa 139:20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
Psa 139:21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
Psa 139:22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
Psa 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
Psa 139:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Pro 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
Pro 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
Pro 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
Pro 6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Pro 8:13 The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil: Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, And the perverse mouth, do I hate.
Psa 31:6 I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.
Isa 61:8 For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
Exo 18:21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
Deu 12:31 Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.
Deu 16:22 Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the LORD thy God hateth.
Rev 2:6 But you have this, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Jud 1:23 But save others with fear, snatching them out of the fire, hating even the garment being stained from the flesh.
Thursday, October 07, 2004
Storms
It rains on just and unjust alike.
The same storm came against the man who built his house on the sand as came against the man who built his house on the rock.
After the storm, which house was still standing?
The same storm came against the man who built his house on the sand as came against the man who built his house on the rock.
After the storm, which house was still standing?
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Don't be a victim
I'm 34 years old, married for 9 years and have two great kiddos. I spent the majority of my 34 years struggling and drifting from extremes of guilt on one side, to trying to rationalize or legitimate the sin in my life on the other.
Finally I got to a point where I found I had to stop struggling under my own power and submit to God and trust Him to show me. What I needed was a teachable heart that would receive God's Word and wisdom. I also began asking God to plant in my heart a desire to learn everything I can about Him, about what Jesus has done for me, and about what it means to have His Holy Spirit living in me. Since then, I have had the greatest turnaround in my life and I have learned so much (though have barely scratched the surface), and am eager to learn more.
Below are some practical things that I found I could do to overcome sin. Each point could easily be a book on its own, but I'll hit on some ideas and explain them further in future posts. I encourage folks to get a bible and concordance and dig further.
1. Get a revelation of what Jesus has done for us and who we are in Christ.
The devil's #1 priority is to make us forget who we are. The fact is, Jesus took our sin and iniquity to the cross and bore the curse so that we don't have to. Satan lies to us and tries to make us a slave to sin in order to separate us from the love of God. What we can do is resist these lies by speaking back to them according to the Word, according to the fact that we are set free through Jesus. The battle has already been won, Satan is defeated. He has no power over us except that which we allow him.
2. We are not victims.
Everything that God has commanded we know we can do, because we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. We can't do it alone, but we don't have to. Jesus has already promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He wants you delivered and free more than you do. God has delivered us and given us the strength to resist. It is up to us to believe it and not let it pass out of remembrance. God has set before us death and life. The ball is in our court, it is up to us to choose.
3. God is not in love with our behavior -- He is in love with us
God loves you unconditionally and independent of your behavior. We are saved by grace, through faith in Christ Jesus. It is not by works of the law that we are saved.
When we get a realization of this, what Jesus has done for us, how much God loves us, how much it hurts God and breaks His heart when we rebel against Him our actions cannot help but change. We have works of Love and His love reflects in our lives.
4. Crucify the flesh
Jesus took away our sin and our spirit is reborn. It is then up to us to master our desires. The more you feed the flesh, the hungrier it gets -- it always wants more. Satan cannot tempt us except with that which is common to man. Where God works through our spirit, Satan comes at us through our flesh. The more we feed the flesh in any one area, the more we "give place to the devil" and the stronger foothold he gets.
I had problems with masturbation, internet porn, overeating (gluttony), hiding things from my wife, lying, slothfulness, fear, depression, feeling sorry for myself, complaining, (just to name a few).
Each of these would feed off each other. Guilt from one would drive me to indulge in another to try and quiet or at least "drown out" the guilt and the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. Trying to tackle these individually under my own strength did no good.
Realize that God has already delivered us. Receive that in the spirit as a fact and you will have the strength to resist. We have an alternative.
The key is to believe God's Word and not feelings.
Ok. So... Now what. We are supposed to be doers of the Word. What are some practical things to do to demonstrate being an overcomes instead of a victim?
If you try to just fight and suppress thoughts and/or urges, they only come back stronger.
Get the focus off of the sin, the more you spend time thinking about and dwelling on the sin, the stronger the hold it has on you.
Redirect thoughts and attention onto God's Word.
Here's some things I started doing (in no particular order):
A. Have verses ready to fill my mind with and/or speak them out loud (keep a bible handy, put verses on notecards, put up sticky notes, have a bible program in the PC)
B. Thank Jesus that He set me free
C. Sing songs of praise and worship (praise God in all things. Don't wait around for feelings. Feelings will catch up when you offer a sacrifice of praise)
D. Look at pictures of my wife and kids and pray for them
E. Listen to bible teaching tapes/CD's
F. Listen to Christian music/radio
G. Pray in the spirit and with understanding, fellowship with God
H. Fasting. Fasting definitely disciplines the flesh. Keep in mind, that you are not trying to kill your body, your body needs food and water. The goal is to subjugate the flesh. Start out small: fast off sweets/sodas, fast for a meal, or fast for a day or two. Continue to drink water. You are not out to do "penance" or try and impress God. You are telling your flesh that it isn't in control anymore and that you are no longer a victim.
Over time there have been lots of things that I quit doing, but I didn't realize I quit doing them because the desires of my heart have changed. What my attention is focused on, I want more of.
5. Hardness of heart
'Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable; if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.' (Phil 4:8)
It is very true and worth repeating. Matter of fact, in the bible, repetition is used as a way to emphasize a point. It is repetition and "mulling" God's Word over and over that gets it off the page, in your mind, and dropped down into your heart.
Your heart "softens" to whatever you dwell on, and hardens to whatever you don't spend time on. The more time you spend meditating on God's Word, the "hungrier" you will be for more.
God never leaves us or forsakes us, He speaks to us all the time. The reason we don't have a sense of His presence or hear His voice is because our hearts are hardened to Him.
Don't take my word for it, find out for yourself. If you don't know where to start, then personalize Ephesians 1:17-23 as a prayer for yourself. Read Romans, Galatians, the Gospels and James. Prepare your heart to be fertile ground, plant seeds of the Word, fertilize with repetition and prayer, water with love.
6. Passion is not bad
Feelings, emotions, and passion are not bad things. God created them. Just like everything else they can be a positive tool for you to use to be an overcomes, or they can utterly defeat you if you let them.
One example I'll deal with here is that you need to hate sin.
As long as you are tolerant of sin--as long as you justify, legitimate, make excuses for, and rationalize sin--it will rule your life.
Does that mean you hate or are angry at people? Does this mean you get angry at youself? Absolutely not. I'm talking about hating the sin, hating the bondage, hating the sickness. Hate the same things God hates.
You love people, you are compassionate with people, you listen to people.
Listening empathetically does not mean that you condone, approve of, or tolerate their behavior. Focus in on what is causing pain in people's lives. If you spend time judging people, that means you are focusing on the sin and not the person.
In our personal lives, we need to get back to the point that the mere mention of adultery or fornication get us angry and outraged. The mere thought of lying to your wife should cause anger to rise up in you. The thought of participating in any kind of sexual impurity should get get you mad at the devil.
This whole politically correct society that wants you be tolerant of every kind of sin is right out of satan's playbook. Today's society wants everyone to be passive watered down milquetoast where nobody gets angry about anything and men are supposed to be passionless wimps. If you tolerate sin, it will rule your life.
We are taught that these "negative" feelings are bad, and we should feel guilty because we have them. This is wrong, the problem is that we not being taught how to deal with them and direct them into the right things. So we end up striking out at people and the ones we love. Anger and hatred need to be directed at sin, the devil, bondage, and slavery; not at people.
Hating sin will harden your heart against sin, and you won't hear the voice of the stranger.
--
Whew, ok I'm off my soapbox. I haven't "arrived" yet, but I believe that I've left the station and am on my way. In and of myself I'm not better or different than anyone else. There's nothing special about me, God's love and deliverance from bondage is available to everyone. The only thing we need to do is choose to believe God and His Word instead of our feelings and circumstances.
Finally I got to a point where I found I had to stop struggling under my own power and submit to God and trust Him to show me. What I needed was a teachable heart that would receive God's Word and wisdom. I also began asking God to plant in my heart a desire to learn everything I can about Him, about what Jesus has done for me, and about what it means to have His Holy Spirit living in me. Since then, I have had the greatest turnaround in my life and I have learned so much (though have barely scratched the surface), and am eager to learn more.
Below are some practical things that I found I could do to overcome sin. Each point could easily be a book on its own, but I'll hit on some ideas and explain them further in future posts. I encourage folks to get a bible and concordance and dig further.
1. Get a revelation of what Jesus has done for us and who we are in Christ.
The devil's #1 priority is to make us forget who we are. The fact is, Jesus took our sin and iniquity to the cross and bore the curse so that we don't have to. Satan lies to us and tries to make us a slave to sin in order to separate us from the love of God. What we can do is resist these lies by speaking back to them according to the Word, according to the fact that we are set free through Jesus. The battle has already been won, Satan is defeated. He has no power over us except that which we allow him.
2. We are not victims.
Everything that God has commanded we know we can do, because we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. We can't do it alone, but we don't have to. Jesus has already promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He wants you delivered and free more than you do. God has delivered us and given us the strength to resist. It is up to us to believe it and not let it pass out of remembrance. God has set before us death and life. The ball is in our court, it is up to us to choose.
3. God is not in love with our behavior -- He is in love with us
God loves you unconditionally and independent of your behavior. We are saved by grace, through faith in Christ Jesus. It is not by works of the law that we are saved.
When we get a realization of this, what Jesus has done for us, how much God loves us, how much it hurts God and breaks His heart when we rebel against Him our actions cannot help but change. We have works of Love and His love reflects in our lives.
4. Crucify the flesh
Jesus took away our sin and our spirit is reborn. It is then up to us to master our desires. The more you feed the flesh, the hungrier it gets -- it always wants more. Satan cannot tempt us except with that which is common to man. Where God works through our spirit, Satan comes at us through our flesh. The more we feed the flesh in any one area, the more we "give place to the devil" and the stronger foothold he gets.
I had problems with masturbation, internet porn, overeating (gluttony), hiding things from my wife, lying, slothfulness, fear, depression, feeling sorry for myself, complaining, (just to name a few).
Each of these would feed off each other. Guilt from one would drive me to indulge in another to try and quiet or at least "drown out" the guilt and the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. Trying to tackle these individually under my own strength did no good.
Realize that God has already delivered us. Receive that in the spirit as a fact and you will have the strength to resist. We have an alternative.
The key is to believe God's Word and not feelings.
Ok. So... Now what. We are supposed to be doers of the Word. What are some practical things to do to demonstrate being an overcomes instead of a victim?
If you try to just fight and suppress thoughts and/or urges, they only come back stronger.
Get the focus off of the sin, the more you spend time thinking about and dwelling on the sin, the stronger the hold it has on you.
Redirect thoughts and attention onto God's Word.
Here's some things I started doing (in no particular order):
A. Have verses ready to fill my mind with and/or speak them out loud (keep a bible handy, put verses on notecards, put up sticky notes, have a bible program in the PC)
B. Thank Jesus that He set me free
C. Sing songs of praise and worship (praise God in all things. Don't wait around for feelings. Feelings will catch up when you offer a sacrifice of praise)
D. Look at pictures of my wife and kids and pray for them
E. Listen to bible teaching tapes/CD's
F. Listen to Christian music/radio
G. Pray in the spirit and with understanding, fellowship with God
H. Fasting. Fasting definitely disciplines the flesh. Keep in mind, that you are not trying to kill your body, your body needs food and water. The goal is to subjugate the flesh. Start out small: fast off sweets/sodas, fast for a meal, or fast for a day or two. Continue to drink water. You are not out to do "penance" or try and impress God. You are telling your flesh that it isn't in control anymore and that you are no longer a victim.
Over time there have been lots of things that I quit doing, but I didn't realize I quit doing them because the desires of my heart have changed. What my attention is focused on, I want more of.
5. Hardness of heart
'Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable; if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.' (Phil 4:8)
It is very true and worth repeating. Matter of fact, in the bible, repetition is used as a way to emphasize a point. It is repetition and "mulling" God's Word over and over that gets it off the page, in your mind, and dropped down into your heart.
Your heart "softens" to whatever you dwell on, and hardens to whatever you don't spend time on. The more time you spend meditating on God's Word, the "hungrier" you will be for more.
God never leaves us or forsakes us, He speaks to us all the time. The reason we don't have a sense of His presence or hear His voice is because our hearts are hardened to Him.
Don't take my word for it, find out for yourself. If you don't know where to start, then personalize Ephesians 1:17-23 as a prayer for yourself. Read Romans, Galatians, the Gospels and James. Prepare your heart to be fertile ground, plant seeds of the Word, fertilize with repetition and prayer, water with love.
6. Passion is not bad
Feelings, emotions, and passion are not bad things. God created them. Just like everything else they can be a positive tool for you to use to be an overcomes, or they can utterly defeat you if you let them.
One example I'll deal with here is that you need to hate sin.
As long as you are tolerant of sin--as long as you justify, legitimate, make excuses for, and rationalize sin--it will rule your life.
Does that mean you hate or are angry at people? Does this mean you get angry at youself? Absolutely not. I'm talking about hating the sin, hating the bondage, hating the sickness. Hate the same things God hates.
You love people, you are compassionate with people, you listen to people.
Listening empathetically does not mean that you condone, approve of, or tolerate their behavior. Focus in on what is causing pain in people's lives. If you spend time judging people, that means you are focusing on the sin and not the person.
In our personal lives, we need to get back to the point that the mere mention of adultery or fornication get us angry and outraged. The mere thought of lying to your wife should cause anger to rise up in you. The thought of participating in any kind of sexual impurity should get get you mad at the devil.
This whole politically correct society that wants you be tolerant of every kind of sin is right out of satan's playbook. Today's society wants everyone to be passive watered down milquetoast where nobody gets angry about anything and men are supposed to be passionless wimps. If you tolerate sin, it will rule your life.
We are taught that these "negative" feelings are bad, and we should feel guilty because we have them. This is wrong, the problem is that we not being taught how to deal with them and direct them into the right things. So we end up striking out at people and the ones we love. Anger and hatred need to be directed at sin, the devil, bondage, and slavery; not at people.
Hating sin will harden your heart against sin, and you won't hear the voice of the stranger.
--
Whew, ok I'm off my soapbox. I haven't "arrived" yet, but I believe that I've left the station and am on my way. In and of myself I'm not better or different than anyone else. There's nothing special about me, God's love and deliverance from bondage is available to everyone. The only thing we need to do is choose to believe God and His Word instead of our feelings and circumstances.
Monday, October 04, 2004
the test
If your child were to die right now would you:
A) Curse God and wonder why He would allow this to happen
B) Cry "Why Me" and fall into depression
C) Miss them dearly, yet rejoice that they are in heaven
D) Pray in faith that they be raised from the dead
A) Curse God and wonder why He would allow this to happen
B) Cry "Why Me" and fall into depression
C) Miss them dearly, yet rejoice that they are in heaven
D) Pray in faith that they be raised from the dead
Sunday, October 03, 2004
compassion
How "compassionate" is it to try and make someone feel "ok" about being sick or "learn to cope".
Wouldn't it be more compassionate to see the person healed and freed from the bondage of sickness. Isn't living in health a more preferable condition?
Look in the bible for instances where Jesus had compassion on the people. How did He demonstrate this compassion?
Did He pat people on the back and sit in on their pity party?
No, He did something about thier situation.
Mat 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Mat 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Mat 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
Mat 20:34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
Mar 1:40 And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
Mar 1:41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
Mar 1:42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
Mar 6:34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
See Also:
Mark 5:1-20, Mark 8:1-8, Matthew 15:3--38, Luke 7:12-15
Luk 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luk 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Wouldn't it be more compassionate to see the person healed and freed from the bondage of sickness. Isn't living in health a more preferable condition?
Look in the bible for instances where Jesus had compassion on the people. How did He demonstrate this compassion?
Did He pat people on the back and sit in on their pity party?
No, He did something about thier situation.
Mat 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Mat 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Mat 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
Mat 20:34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
Mar 1:40 And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
Mar 1:41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
Mar 1:42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
Mar 6:34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
See Also:
Mark 5:1-20, Mark 8:1-8, Matthew 15:3--38, Luke 7:12-15
Luk 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luk 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Saturday, October 02, 2004
Thoughts on Feelings
- It's not our problems that make use feel a certain way, it is what we think of them that makes us feel that way.
- All too often we look for something that gives us a "tingle in the flesh" to distract us from what is really bothering us.
- We look out to someone else expecting them to fill the void but then we are disappointed when they don't.
- It really isn't the other person that makes us feel a certain way, it is what we think about them that makes us fell one way or another.
- All too often we look for something that gives us a "tingle in the flesh" to distract us from what is really bothering us.
- We look out to someone else expecting them to fill the void but then we are disappointed when they don't.
- It really isn't the other person that makes us feel a certain way, it is what we think about them that makes us fell one way or another.
Friday, October 01, 2004
What I Don't Believe: Heresy and Apostasy
Heresy and Apostasy
Please note that the following points are not meant to be an outright condemnation of people who may hold to one or more of these beliefs. Pointing out that something is contrary to scripture is not the same as saying that someone who holds this view is going to hell. I may speak passionately against false doctrines, but the motivation is a love and compassion for people and the truth, not hatred or malice toward anyone. I, myself, have held several unscriptural views and as I've grown to better know God through scripture, I have been corrected; and, continue to be corrected...
(a) Calvinism - worships a different "god", perverse understanding of God's nature and motivations, based on Augustine's gnostic and manichaeistic influences. You know these folks because they say you are going to hell if you don't believe in all 5-points of Calvinism. The ultimate "man-centered" gospel is the one that is defined by man and not God. Often hides behind terms such as "historical Christianity" and "reformed theology". Claims to literally interpret the Bible, however, places more emphasis on what select reformers said above what the Bible actually says.
And, no, I don't agree with Arminianism either.
Total Depravity (also known as Total Inability and Original Sin) - we are dead in sin, cannot save ourselves [scripture reveals that we would not be able to choose salvation without the drawing of the Holy Spirit and each man being given a measure of faith]
Unconditional Election - God creates some destined for heaven and others destined to hell [outright false]
Limited Atonement (also known as Particular Atonement) - Jesus only died for the elect [false, Jesus died for the WHOLE world John 1:29, John 3:16, John 4:42, 1Tim 4:10, 1John 2:2, 1John 4:14]
Irresistible Grace - Because God is soveriegn, we have no free will or choice in response [false dillema, in God's sovereignty He gave us a free will to choose whom we will server, our free will is not a challenge to God being Almighty]
Perseverance of the Saints - Unconditional Once-Saved-Always-Saved [false, more of a Conditional Once-Saved-Always-Saved, nothing can take us out of His hand, but we can walk away, we cannot preserve ourselves, God preserves those who endure to the end]
(b) Mormonism/Latter Day Saints - Generally really nice people... however, they are polytheists who follow a works based religion, deifying man in that man can become a god, and believes Jesus was God's first creation.
(c) Roman Catholicism - works based religion, idolatry of Mary, invests priests with power to forgive sins, dictates of the Pope and tradition supersede scripture, forbidding marriage is a doctrine of devils, advocates praying to saints and Mary instead of Jesus.
(d) Emergent/Emerging Church - incorporation of new age and pagan spirituality into Christianity. For example: "contemplative prayer" is really repackaged transcendental meditation. They keep changing names to stay ahead of criticism, so also known as "New Spirituality", "Hipster Christianity", "Attractional", etc. Includes Spiritual Formation, spiritual disciplines of the "desert fathers", walking labyrinths, breath prayers, contemplative prayer, mindless repetitions, in addition to various Roman Catholic mystical practices.
(e) Kingdom Now/Dominion Theology/Reconstruction-ism/New Apostolic Reformation - believes that it is up to Christians to establish God's kingdom on earth before Jesus will return. This puts them in the position of God in that they can glory in their works to change the world. The Glory of the Kingdom belongs to God alone. The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus Himself will establish His Kingdom with a single word when he returns in the same manner that He departed and sets his foot on the Mt. of Olives.
(f) Social Gospel/Liberation Theology/Christian Socialism - believes salvation is achieved by transferring wealth and power from oppressor to the oppressed
(g) Replacement Theology/Antisemitism - believes the church replaces Israel, sides with Satan against God's chosen nation
(h) Universalism - belief that everyone is saved regardless of what they believe
(i) Ecumenism/Syncretism - merging of diverse faiths (note: classical ecumenism was cooperation between different Christian denominations, contemporary ecumenism is merging of Christian and non-Christian religions)
(j) Happiness Gospel / Easy-Believism / Cheep Grace - this says that if you follow these steps or join this church (or sometimes even "receive Jesus"), then your life will be carefree and full of happiness. Tell that to Stephen or any of the other martyrs who have died for the sake of the cross. While there are innumerable benefits and blessings to following Jesus, there is also pruning, correction, and persecution.
(k) Prosperity Gospel - this is a perversion of scriptural giving. Basically says "send me money and God will make you rich." While God does bless us greatly, He meets our "needs" NOT our "greeds". Our giving should be to helping fellow believers, helping unbelievers in order to open their hearts for the Gospel, and spreading the Gospel -- not making TV preachers rich. (see 2 Peter 2:3) If it really worked the way they say, then those TV preachers should be sending me money...
(l) Faith in Faith - this heresy believes that the power is in OUR faith and words. That if you have strong enough faith, then you can get what you want and if something bad happens to you or you don't get healed it is because you don't have enough faith (or are not donating enough money). This exalts man to "godhood" and reduces God to a vending machine. God is our provider and we look to Him to provide as He wills for the purpose of equipping us for performing His service.
(m) "Law of Attraction" / The Secret / hedge witchcraft / positive confession - this heresy believes that if you visualize, concentrate, or repeat affirmations over and over then you can draw things to yourself and reshape your world. This is witchcraft, divination, and doctrines of demons. This has infiltrated the Church and also exalts man to "godhood" and reduces God to a vending machine. God is our provider and we look to Him to provide as He wills for doing His service.
(n) Sacred Names - believes only the hebrew names and pronunciations for Yaweh and Yashua are valid and anything else is the name of a false pagan god. The problem is, nobody can agree on the right spelling and pronunciations of. It is not knowing the right symbols, spelling, syllables, and sounds to produce with your vocal chords, it is knowing the character and personality that is important. Over emphasis on syllables and pronunciation is called "enchantments" in the Bible and has more in common with kabbalah, mystery religions, and witchcraft where the belief is in the power of certain words... God's truth is that He is the source of power and it has more to do with trust in Him than enchantments and incantations.
(o) Judiazers - beware of Judiazers and legalists that seek to put believers back under the law. I agree that it is good to get to know the culture of the people in biblical times, however, we should be careful about being lured into legalism often accompanied by kabbalism Gal 5:1; Gal 2:14-16, 21; Acts 15:8-9; 1Tim 4:3
Please note that the following points are not meant to be an outright condemnation of people who may hold to one or more of these beliefs. Pointing out that something is contrary to scripture is not the same as saying that someone who holds this view is going to hell. I may speak passionately against false doctrines, but the motivation is a love and compassion for people and the truth, not hatred or malice toward anyone. I, myself, have held several unscriptural views and as I've grown to better know God through scripture, I have been corrected; and, continue to be corrected...
(a) Calvinism - worships a different "god", perverse understanding of God's nature and motivations, based on Augustine's gnostic and manichaeistic influences. You know these folks because they say you are going to hell if you don't believe in all 5-points of Calvinism. The ultimate "man-centered" gospel is the one that is defined by man and not God. Often hides behind terms such as "historical Christianity" and "reformed theology". Claims to literally interpret the Bible, however, places more emphasis on what select reformers said above what the Bible actually says.
And, no, I don't agree with Arminianism either.
Total Depravity (also known as Total Inability and Original Sin) - we are dead in sin, cannot save ourselves [scripture reveals that we would not be able to choose salvation without the drawing of the Holy Spirit and each man being given a measure of faith]
Unconditional Election - God creates some destined for heaven and others destined to hell [outright false]
Limited Atonement (also known as Particular Atonement) - Jesus only died for the elect [false, Jesus died for the WHOLE world John 1:29, John 3:16, John 4:42, 1Tim 4:10, 1John 2:2, 1John 4:14]
Irresistible Grace - Because God is soveriegn, we have no free will or choice in response [false dillema, in God's sovereignty He gave us a free will to choose whom we will server, our free will is not a challenge to God being Almighty]
Perseverance of the Saints - Unconditional Once-Saved-Always-Saved [false, more of a Conditional Once-Saved-Always-Saved, nothing can take us out of His hand, but we can walk away, we cannot preserve ourselves, God preserves those who endure to the end]
(c) Roman Catholicism - works based religion, idolatry of Mary, invests priests with power to forgive sins, dictates of the Pope and tradition supersede scripture, forbidding marriage is a doctrine of devils, advocates praying to saints and Mary instead of Jesus.
(d) Emergent/Emerging Church - incorporation of new age and pagan spirituality into Christianity. For example: "contemplative prayer" is really repackaged transcendental meditation. They keep changing names to stay ahead of criticism, so also known as "New Spirituality", "Hipster Christianity", "Attractional", etc. Includes Spiritual Formation, spiritual disciplines of the "desert fathers", walking labyrinths, breath prayers, contemplative prayer, mindless repetitions, in addition to various Roman Catholic mystical practices.
(e) Kingdom Now/Dominion Theology/Reconstruction-ism/New Apostolic Reformation - believes that it is up to Christians to establish God's kingdom on earth before Jesus will return. This puts them in the position of God in that they can glory in their works to change the world. The Glory of the Kingdom belongs to God alone. The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus Himself will establish His Kingdom with a single word when he returns in the same manner that He departed and sets his foot on the Mt. of Olives.
(f) Social Gospel/Liberation Theology/Christian Socialism - believes salvation is achieved by transferring wealth and power from oppressor to the oppressed
(g) Replacement Theology/Antisemitism - believes the church replaces Israel, sides with Satan against God's chosen nation
(h) Universalism - belief that everyone is saved regardless of what they believe
(i) Ecumenism/Syncretism - merging of diverse faiths (note: classical ecumenism was cooperation between different Christian denominations, contemporary ecumenism is merging of Christian and non-Christian religions)
(j) Happiness Gospel / Easy-Believism / Cheep Grace - this says that if you follow these steps or join this church (or sometimes even "receive Jesus"), then your life will be carefree and full of happiness. Tell that to Stephen or any of the other martyrs who have died for the sake of the cross. While there are innumerable benefits and blessings to following Jesus, there is also pruning, correction, and persecution.
(k) Prosperity Gospel - this is a perversion of scriptural giving. Basically says "send me money and God will make you rich." While God does bless us greatly, He meets our "needs" NOT our "greeds". Our giving should be to helping fellow believers, helping unbelievers in order to open their hearts for the Gospel, and spreading the Gospel -- not making TV preachers rich. (see 2 Peter 2:3) If it really worked the way they say, then those TV preachers should be sending me money...
(l) Faith in Faith - this heresy believes that the power is in OUR faith and words. That if you have strong enough faith, then you can get what you want and if something bad happens to you or you don't get healed it is because you don't have enough faith (or are not donating enough money). This exalts man to "godhood" and reduces God to a vending machine. God is our provider and we look to Him to provide as He wills for the purpose of equipping us for performing His service.
(n) Sacred Names - believes only the hebrew names and pronunciations for Yaweh and Yashua are valid and anything else is the name of a false pagan god. The problem is, nobody can agree on the right spelling and pronunciations of. It is not knowing the right symbols, spelling, syllables, and sounds to produce with your vocal chords, it is knowing the character and personality that is important. Over emphasis on syllables and pronunciation is called "enchantments" in the Bible and has more in common with kabbalah, mystery religions, and witchcraft where the belief is in the power of certain words... God's truth is that He is the source of power and it has more to do with trust in Him than enchantments and incantations.
(o) Judiazers - beware of Judiazers and legalists that seek to put believers back under the law. I agree that it is good to get to know the culture of the people in biblical times, however, we should be careful about being lured into legalism often accompanied by kabbalism Gal 5:1; Gal 2:14-16, 21; Acts 15:8-9; 1Tim 4:3
What I Believe: Concerning Doubtful Things
Non-fellowship-breakers
The following doubtful things are things that I may not agree with, however do not see them as necessarily "fellowship-breakers" or "salvation issues". Of course, some of these things followed to their extreme may lead to apostasy, but for the most part folks adhere to some things just because that's all they've ever heard.
(a) Old earth creationism, gap-theory, pre-Adamite, day-age, Theistic evolution - with the preponderance of evidence against them, I don't know why anyone holds to these beliefs anymore. Theologically, if there was death before Adam sinned, then how could through one man (Jesus) death be defeated (Rom 5:12-17)?
(b) Moderate Calvinism - we probably don't disagree as much as you'd think we would. If you read Scripture in context without adding in the traditions of men, then there is no real controversy.
(c) Cessation-ism - I can find no support for the doctrine of "cessation-ism". While I do not necessarily consider this doctrine outright "heresy" or a fellowship-breaker, it sadly does practice a form of godliness but denies the power thereof and robs Christians of part of their inheritance and empowerment to carry out God's work in their lives. Also, people robbed of true Biblical spirituality are likely to be drawn into forms of occult and new age mysticism to satisfy a desire for spirituality.
(d) Hyper-Charisma - While the work of the Holy Spirit has not "ceased", I do know that the Holy Spirit does not contradict Himself. He does all things "decently and in order", and He glorifies Jesus and the Father.
(d) Hyper-Charisma - While the work of the Holy Spirit has not "ceased", I do know that the Holy Spirit does not contradict Himself. He does all things "decently and in order", and He glorifies Jesus and the Father.
(e) Preterism/Amillenialism/Post-Millenial - Most of these folks think anything that doesn't agree with them is heresy, but I'm willing to have lunch with them and discuss it.
(f) Harpatzo - I only know two points regarding the catching away or "rapture" for sure: 1) there will be a catching away, and 2) it will happen sometime between now and when Jesus places His feet on the Mount of Olives at His second coming.
The only debate is concerning the timing, which will become clearer and more apparent the closer we get to the time. Many of the details concerning end time events have been sealed up until the appropriate time, so while there is no "new" revelation, there is an increased understanding of what has been revealed the closer we get to the time of fulfillment.
The danger concerning many teaching of the rapture is the belief that we will escape all persecution and rise of the anti-christ system. Jesus tells us in John 16:33 that in this life we will have tribulation. While we will be preserved from the outpouring of God's Wrath (1Thess 5:9), we do need to be prepared to experience and endur the wrath of the enemy and the world system against God's children and the shaking of the world leading up to our Lord's return.
What I Believe: Positions
Section 1: Priorities
1.1. The scientific aspects of creation
are important, but are secondary in importance to the proclamation of the
gospel of Jesus Christ as Sovereign, Creator, Redeemer, and Judge.
1.2. The doctrines of Creator and Creation
cannot ultimately be divorced from the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Section 2: Foundations
2.1. The books of the Bible are the
written Word of God. The Bible is divinely inspired and inerrant throughout. It is the
supreme authority in everything it teaches. Its authority is not limited to
spiritual, religious, or redemptive themes but includes its assertions in such
fields as history and science.
2.2. The final guide to the interpretation
of Scripture is Scripture itself. The account of origins presented in Genesis
is a simple but factual presentation of actual events and therefore provides a
reliable framework for scientific research into the question of the origin and
history of life, mankind, the earth and the universe.
2.3. The various original life forms
(kinds), including mankind, were made by direct creative acts of God. The
living descendants of any of the original kinds (apart from man) may represent
more than one species today, reflecting the genetic potential within the
original kind (variations within kind). Only limited biological changes (including mutational
deterioration) have occurred naturally within each kind since creation.
2.4. The great Flood of Genesis was an
actual historic event, worldwide (global) in its extent and effect.
2.5. The special creation of Adam (the
first man) and Eve (the first woman), and their subsequent fall into sin, is
the basis for the necessity of salvation for mankind.
2.6. Death (both physical and spiritual)
and bloodshed entered into this world subsequent to and as a direct consequence
of man’s sin.
Section 3: Theology
3.1. There is one God, the Godhead is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
3.2. All mankind are sinners, inherently
from Adam and individually (by choice), and are therefore subject to God’s
wrath and condemnation.
3.3. Freedom from the penalty and power of
sin is available to man only through the sacrificial death and shed blood of
Jesus Christ and His complete and bodily resurrection from the dead.
3.4. The Holy Spirit draws the sinner to
repent and believe in Jesus Christ.
3.5. The Holy Spirit lives and works in
each believer to produce the fruits of righteousness.
3.6. Salvation is a gift received by faith
alone in Christ alone and expressed in the individual’s repentance, recognition
of the death of Christ as full payment for sin, and acceptance of the risen
Christ as Savior, Lord, and God.
3.7. All things necessary for our
salvation are expressly set down in Scripture.
3.8. Jesus Christ was conceived by the
Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
3.9. Jesus Christ rose bodily from the
dead, ascended to heaven, and is currently seated at the right hand of God the
Father, and shall return in person to this earth as Judge of the living and the
dead.
3.10. Satan is the personal spiritual
adversary of both God and mankind.
3.11. Those who do not believe in Christ
are subject to everlasting conscious punishment, but believers enjoy eternal
life with God.
3.12. The only legitimate marriage is the
joining of one man and one woman. Any forms of homosexuality, lesbianism,
bisexuality, incest, fornication, adultery, pornography, polyamory, etc., are sinful
perversions of God’s gift of sex in the context of marriage.
3.13. It is the duty of Christians to
share the Gospel with the lost and fellowship with other believers, as
portrayed in the New Testament.
Section 4: General
4.1. Scripture teaches a recent origin for
man and the whole creation, spanning approximately 4,000 years from creation to
Christ.
4.2. The days in Genesis do not correspond
to geologic ages, but are six [6] consecutive twenty-four [24] hour days of
creation.
4.3. The Noachian Flood was a significant
geological event and much (but not all) fossiliferous sediment originated at
that time. The gap theory has no basis in Scripture.
4.4. The view, commonly used to evade the
implications or the authority of biblical teaching, that knowledge and/or truth
may be divided into secular and religious, is rejected.
4.5. By definition, no apparent, perceived
or claimed evidence in any field, including history and chronology, can be
valid if it contradicts the scriptural record. Of primary importance is the
fact that evidence is always subject to interpretation by fallible people who
do not possess all information.
Controversial Topics
1. Scripture - God's word is so simple to
understand, you have to have help to misunderstand it... (1Cor 1:27)
2. Baptism
of the Holy Spirit
(a) The Holy Spirit indwells believers
when the believer is born again in Jesus Messiah. However, the Holy Spirit is a
"gentleman" and does not impose anything on the believer that they do
not accept, trust, and/or understand. The "Baptism of the Holy
Spirit" is the point, after salvation, where a believer understands and
receives who the Holy Spirit is, that the same power that raised Messiah from
the dead now dwells in them, and what gifts, ministries, and fruits can now
work in their lives due to the empowerment and influence of the Holy Spirit.
(b) The Baptism of the Holy Spirit, according to Acts 2:4, is given to believers who ask for it. The Holy Spirit in a person’s life is evidenced by changes in his life, including a renewed love for God, and people, a commitment to the scriptures and holy living. All believers are entitled to, and
should ardently expect and earnestly seek, the promise of the Father, the
Baptism of the Holy Spirit, according to the command of Jesus Messiah. With
this comes the endowment of power for life and service, the bestowal of gifts
and their uses in the work of the ministry: This experience is distinct from
and subsequent to the experience of the new birth (Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:4-8,
2:38-39, 10:44-46, 11:14-16, 15:7-9; I Cor. 12:1-31).
(c) The Holy Spirit is continuing the work
He started at Pentecost, empowering believers to live a godly life and continue
in all the works of Jesus. The full consummation of the Baptism of believers in
the Holy Spirit is evidenced by the subsequent manifestation of spiritual power
in public testimony and service. Can be and often is accompanied by speaking
with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance (Acts 1:8, 2:4, 10:44-46,
19:2,6). The spirit filled believer has the capability of speaking with new tongues whether or not he or she chooses to exercise this gifting. However tongues or emotional experiences should not be construed as
"proof" of the Holy Spirit. Instead we know the Holy Spirit indwells
us the same way we know we are saved, because scripture says so and we can
recognize the source from its fruit (Matt 7:16)
(d) The Holy Spirit will not contradict
Himself. Supposed "new" revelations or prophecies that contradict,
add to, or "reinterpret" scripture are doctrines of demons or
traditions of men and are NOT from the Holy Spirit.
(e) Everything is to be done
"decently and in order", to the glory of God, to bring attention to
Jesus and NOT to bring attention to self.
(f) The gifts, ministries, and fruits of
the Holy Spirit are spiritual and supernatural. While the gifts may at times
complement and cooperate with your natural talents, interests, and abilities;
the gifts of the Holy Spirit should not be confused with natural talents. Which
gift is exercised and when it is to be exercised is directed by the Holy Spirit
for the purpose glorifying God and edification of fellow believers (the
church). It is not for our convenience or to bring attention to ourselves.
(Note that really the "gift" is for the one who benefits from the
gift, not the one through whom the Holy Spirit works through to
"deliver" the gift).
3. Israel - Israel is still God's chosen people.
Neither the church, America, or any other nation replaces the children of
Israel as recipients of God's covenant with Abraham. Gentile believers are
spiritually reborn, grafted, and adopted into sharing the inheritance of
Abraham. The best and highest way to show your love for Jews is to let
them know that their Messiah has come and is coming again.
4. Body,
Soul, Spirit - The Bible
clearly teaches that man is a unified being. However, this unity is divisible
into at least two aspects, material and immaterial. In the Bible these aspects
are variously termed, body and soul (Matt 10:28), body and mind (Rom 12:1-2),
body and spirit (1 Cor 7:34; James 2:26), flesh and spirit (1 Cor 5:5; 2 Cor
7:1), flesh and heart (Rom 2:28-29), and the outer man and inner
man (2 Cor 4:16). Human beings, though they were created to live in the
physical world, are also capable of existing in the spiritual realm as a
soul/spirit without the physical body (Heb. 12:23; Rev. 6:9-11). While at times
the bible uses spirit and soul interchangeably (when referring to the human
spirit, not the Holy Spirit), the bible also makes a distinction between the
soul and spirit (Heb. 4:12; 1 Cor. 14:14). The doctrine of body,
soul, spirit is known as "Trichotomy" or "Tripartite" and can be substantiated -- however, conclusions about the
distinctions between soul and spirit and what it signifies cannot go any
farther what is actually in Scripture.
5. Healing - The bible instructs us to pray
for and anoint the sick and expect them to get well (James 5:14). Healing is
part of the Atonement. Jesus bore the curse of sin, sickness, and death
on the cross (Isa 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24). Does this mean we don't go to the
doctor or don't take medication? No, we should pray before, during, and after going to the doctor
and/or taking medication. If I'm not healed, is that because I don't have
enough faith? It is NOT the "power of faith" that heals you, it
is the power of God and you put your trust in God. God heals for His
glory and purposes (which ultimately is in your best interest) and not for your
immediate convenience. The work on the cross was complete and eternal,
however any healing we experience currently in this body is still incomplete
and temporary as this body was born under the curse and still grows old and
dies. In the future we will have a new body that is created free of the curse,
this new body was purchased as part of the atonement as well. We will
finally have the manifestation of complete and eternal regenerative healing in
the resurrection body being prepared for us.
6. Free
Will - God reveals in
scripture that, in His Sovereignty and according to His Design, He gave man
free will to choose who he would serve. The gift of free will does not
limit God, in fact it demonstrates that God is so Great that His Sovereignty is
not challenged or compromised by our having free will.
7. "Once
saved, always saved" -
No, you don't have to get re-saved again after every sin you commit and live in
worry about dying suddenly with an unconfessed sin and loosing your salvation.
Jesus died once for your sin and you cannot re-crucify Him. (1Peter 3:18; Heb
6:4-6)
This, however, is not a license to
sin. The Bible does speak of "falling away" and "he that endureth to the end shall be saved". While God
will not reject one of His children and nothing can take you out of His hands,
you can walk away from Him. If someone is
habitually living in blatant sin and never comes under conviction to change
their ways, then that is a sign that they either have willfully and knowingly
rejected the Gospel or never really received salvation to begin with.
Probably the most pervasive problem among
so-called Christians is false-conversion. There are "false
converts" who may mentally ascend (agree with in their mind) to the
gospel, but do not truly receive it (Mat 7:21-23). For a time or in some areas
of life they may appear to be christian in their works, but their secret sins
will eventually bear fruit and be brought out into the light. It is also
possible for someone to knowingly and willfully reject the Holy Spirit
(reprobate). You cannot accidentally "lose" your salvation, but you can reject your salvation. This article actually says it better than I can: http://www.crivoice.org/security.html
How do you know if you are reprobate or
have committed the unforgivable sin? If it concerns you, then you can
still be saved. A reprobate is no longer concerned about salvation
because their hearts have been seared and can no longer respond to the Holy
Spirit.
Believers cannot preserve themselves in their own strength. It is God who preserves the believer. The part for the believer is to continue in the faith (act of will) and God does the preserving.
Who is preserved? Those who endure to the end.
Believers cannot preserve themselves in their own strength. It is God who preserves the believer. The part for the believer is to continue in the faith (act of will) and God does the preserving.
Who is preserved? Those who endure to the end.
8. Dispensationalism - God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. While He has not changed, He has dealt with individuals, families, nations, and
mankind in differing ways over time as appropriate to the generation. This should
not be seen as dividing lines where one replaces the other, but more of
building of one off the other. It is similar to the way a parent treats a child
differently as he/she matures: a six month old baby is treated different than a
toddler, a six year old, a teen, young adult, older adult, etc. The nature of
the parent does not change, but the way the parent treats the child changes as
the child matures. From cover to cover, scripture is a consistent and
unveiling revelation of God's nature and Jesus.
All scripture if profitable. Rightfully dividing does not mean chopping up the Bible into pieces and picking and choosing which pieces you want to follow.
Salvation has always been and continues to be salvation by faith through grace. The law never saved anyone. Before the cross it was about looking forward to Messiah's coming (old testament). After the cross, it is about looking to Jesus's completed work on the cross and Resurrection (new testament).
All scripture if profitable. Rightfully dividing does not mean chopping up the Bible into pieces and picking and choosing which pieces you want to follow.
Salvation has always been and continues to be salvation by faith through grace. The law never saved anyone. Before the cross it was about looking forward to Messiah's coming (old testament). After the cross, it is about looking to Jesus's completed work on the cross and Resurrection (new testament).
9. Laying
of Hands - Biblically based
"laying on of hands" is still valid today. However, Satan
is a deceiver and seeks to pervert everything of God. Keep in mind that Satan
has a false, perverted version of most every work of the Holy Spirit.
False religions such as Reiki also use laying of hands to impart a demon
spirit that imparts a form of "healing". This does not mean that all
healing or laying of hands is "of the devil" -- it is just doubly
important that you know and follow the Bible when it comes to these things and
not get duped into a false practice.
10. Canon
and Bible Versions - If
we are to be held accountable to a standard, it is imperative that we have that
standard available to test against. God promised to preserve His
Word through the ages for this purpose. I spent over two
years researching before I came to the conclusion that the canon of 66
books in what we call the Bible can be reliably trusted as scripture. I then spend another two years learning about bible versions before coming to the conclusion that the 1611 Authorized Version (aka King James) is God's preserved word in English.
As far as material not considered cannon, here are three categories:
a) Gnostic books - there are hundreds of
these "so-called" books written by other apostles, but they all
appeared well after the first century church, these are clearly heretical as
many of the epistles directly warn against gnosticism
b) Apocrypha - the apocrypha has some historical background information for the 400 silent years of the
inter-testamental period between the time of the prophet Malachi and John the
Baptist. These were not preserved with the same rigor and
reliability of the canon.
c) Extra-Biblical Texts - the books of Enoch, Jubilees, and Jasher are referenced
and quoted in the Bible. Their trace-ability and text has not been preserved
with the same rigor and reliability as with the canon, so one must be careful about
anything in these books that is not mentioned in the Bible or seems to go
contrary to something in the Bible. These books may give
additional information relevant to events described in the Bible; however, doctrine should not be based on them.
11. Ordinances -vs- Sacraments
There are many who confuse the meanings of
the terms ordinance and sacrament. When I use the terms I differentiate
between them as follows:
a) A sacrament is a work that contributes to
or necessary for salvation. If an institution portrays a religious
activity as a requirement for salvation, then it is a sacrament regardless of
what they call it otherwise.
b) An ordinance is merely an outward
expression of something that has already taken place internally and
spiritually. The two ordinances identified in scripture as continued practices of believers include immersion
(baptizo) and the "Lord's supper".
Jesus was immersed to fulfill all
righteousness and believers throughout the gospels, the book of Acts and the
first century church were immersed as an outward testimony of their belief.
They weren't saved by immersion, but immersion was an expression and
testimony to others of their salvation.
The same with perceiving the body and
blood of Messiah represented by the unleavened bread and wine used in the
Passover meal. Jesus instructed "As often as you do this,
this do in remembrance of me" and Paul goes on to say that we should not
partake of it unless we understand this representation (1 Cor 11:23-27)
What I Believe
Essentials
• The Bible - the inspiration, authority, and inerrant preservation of scripture by God
• The nature of God - One God, Creator, all knowing, all powerful, the Godhead is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
• The nature of the Messiah Jesus - Jesus is God and man, the only begotton Son of God, the Word made flesh, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, shows us the Father
• Mankind - lost to sin and cannot save himself through good works
• Mankind - lost to sin and cannot save himself through good works
• Salvation - salvation only by grace through trusting in the finished work of Jesus's death on the cross and bodily resurrection
1. The Bible is the inspired Word of God and the revealed nature and will of God. The Bible is inspired and empowered by God, infallible, authoritative, and preserved. (II Tim. 3:15-17; I Peter 1:23-25; Heb. 4:12).
2. There is one true living God. He is infinite, all knowing Spirit, perfect in all His attributes, eternally existing as the Godhead: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—each co-equal, co-eternal, and equally deserving worship and obedience. (Deut 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-7; Mat 28:19; Jn 1:1, 1:14, 4:24; 1Cor 8:4; 2Cor 13:14)
(a) God the Father - orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace (Ps 145:8-9; 1Cor 8:6; Gen 1:1-31; Eph 3:9; Ps 103:19; Rom 11:36; Eph 4:6; Rom 8:14; 2Cor 6:18). He has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass (Ephesians 1:11). He continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events (1 Chronicles 29:11). He is neither author nor approver of sin (Habakkuk 1:13; John 8:38-47), nor does He abridge the accountability of moral, intelligent creatures (1 Peter 1:17; Eph 1:4-6); He saves from sin all who come to Him through Messiah Jesus; He adopts as his own all those who come to Him; and He becomes, upon adoption, Father to His own (Jn 1:12; Rom 8:15; Gal 4:5; Heb 12:5-9).
(b) God the Son - Jesus is God the Word made flesh, the Son of God, the Messiah (Christ). He was simultaneously God and man (John 10:33); born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:34-35); lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15, 7:26); performed miracles (John 2:11); His death was the atonement (I Corinthians 15:3, Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 2:9, Romans 5:12-21); His resurrection was victory over death (John 11:25, I Corinthians 15:4); and He ascended to the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19). His personal return to earth will be in power and glory (Acts 1:11, Revelation 19:11-16).
(c) God the Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit is eternal, underived, possessing all the attributes of personality and deity including intellect (1Cor 2:10-13), emotions (Eph 4:30), will (1Cor 12:11), eternality (Heb 9:14), omnipresence (Ps 139:7 10), omniscience (Isa 40:13 14), omnipotence (Rom 15:13), and truthfulness (Jn 16:13). In all the divine attributes He is coequal with the Father and the Son (Matt 28:19; Acts 5:3 4; 28:25 26; 1Cor 12:4-6; 2Cor 13:14; Jer 31:31-34; Hebrews 10:15-17). He is active in creation (Gen 1:2), the incarnation (Matt 1:18), the written revelation (2Pet 1:20-21), and the work of salvation (Jn 3:5-7).
3. Salvation of man
(a) Man was created in God's image. God, in His sovereignty, gave man free will, and by voluntary transgression man fell.(Gen. 1:26-31, 3:1-7; Rom. 5:12-21).
(b) Man's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus the Messiah. On the cross Jesus took our sin and judgement once and for all, providing salvation for all mankind (Ps. 103:3). It is essential for man to repent of sin and by faith receive the finished work of Messiah. This salvation comes by believing in your heart that Jesus rose from the dead, and confessing with your mouth, Jesus as Lord (Rom. 3:24, 10:8-10; Eph. 2:8).
(c) The inward evidence, to the believer, is the direct witness of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of true holiness and love (I Jn. 3:23; Jn. 13:35).
(d) Salvation is by faith in Messiah Jesus and not by human works. Our works are are a response to what Jesus has done, evidence of our faith, and will determine our rewards in eternity (Rom. 10:9-10, 14:10-12; II Cor. 5:10; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7; James 2:18).
4. Baptism of the Holy Spirit
The work of the Holy Spirit in this age began at Pentecost when He came from the Father as promised by Jesus (Jn 14:16-17, 15:26) to initiate and complete the building of the Body of Christ, which is His church (1Cor 12:13). His activity includes convicting the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; glorifying the Lord Jesus and transforming believers into the image of Messiah (Jn 16:7-9; Acts 1:5; 2:4; Rom 8:29; 2Cor 3:18; Eph 2:22). The Holy Spirit is the supernatural and sovereign Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the Body of Christ (1Cor 12:13). The Holy Spirit also indwells, sanctifies, instructs, empowers them for service, and seals them unto the day of redemption (Rom 8:9; 2Cor 3:6; Eph 1:13). Every believer receives the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit upon salvation, and it is the duty of all those born of the Spirit to be filled with the Spirit (Jn 16:13; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18; 2Pet 1:19 21; 1 Jn 2:20, 27). The Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts to believers and glorifies neither Himself nor His gifts by ostentatious displays, but He does glorify Christ by implementing His work of redeeming the lost and building up believers in the most holy faith (Jn 16:13 14; Acts 1:8; 1Cor 12:4-11; 2Cor 3:18).
5. Ordinances - Ordinances are not religious requirements for salvation, they are simply outward physical expressions of faith that reflect what is going on spiritually in a believer.
(a) Immersion in water (baptizo) is a declaration to the world that a believer has died with Messiah and that they have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life (Mt. 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Rom. 6:4).
(b) The participation in the "Lord's Supper" by eating of the bread and drinking of the cup is a remembrance of Jesus (I Cor. 11:24-30).
6. The true Church is composed of all born-again believers in Messiah, regardless of location or denominational affiliation. Each believer is an integral part of the Body of Christ (Eph. 1:22, 2:19-22; Heb. 12:23).
7. God blesses us and is the supplier of our needs (not 'greeds') in all areas of our life as one of the ways He equips us to carry out His will. He is our source of provision and promotion for His purposes, His glory, and His timing, not our convenience.
(a) Spiritual (Jn. 3:3, 11; II Cor. 5:17-21;Rom. 10:9-10).
(b) Mental (II Tim. 1:7; Rom. 12:2; Is. 26:3).
(c) Physical (Is. 53:4-5; Mt. 8:17).
(d) Financial (III Jn. 2; Lk. 6:38; II Cor. 9:6-10; Phil. 4:19).
(e) Social (Pr. 3:4).
8. We [believers] shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed (Matthew 24:30-31; Mark 13:24-27; I Cor. 15:51-52; I Thess. 4:15-17; II Thess. 2:1-4; Phil 3:20-21).
9. The Day of the Lord/The Millennial Reign of Jesus: The return of our Lord Jesus the Messiah in the clouds, in like manner that he departed, with His saints from Heaven to rule and reign for one thousand years on earth as the Scripture promised (Rom. 11:25, 27; II Thess. 1:7; Rev. 19:11-16, 20:1-7). After this, there will be a new heaven and new earth (Rev. 21).
10. Those who die in their sin will be resurrected and judged and ultimately join Satan and other rebellious angels in everlasting punishment in the Lake of Fire (Rev. 19:20, 20:10-15).
11. All born-again believers have been commissioned to share the Gospel to all the world and make disciples of all nations. (Mat 28:19, Luke 10:2)
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)