Bible Lesson: Symbols Of The Church Of Jesus Christ
Church Symbol: The Censer
On Mount Sinai, the Lord told Moses, His plans for the Tabernacle, in it (the Holy Place), was to be an Incense Altar of gold.
Exodus 30:1-10 NLT
1 "Then make another altar of acacia wood for burning incense.
2 Make it 18 inches square and 36 inches high, with horns at the corners carved from the same piece of wood as the altar itself.
3 Overlay the top, sides, and horns of the altar with pure gold, and run a gold molding around the entire altar.
4 Make two gold rings, and attach them on opposite sides of the altar below the gold molding to hold the carrying poles.
5 Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.
6 Place the incense altar just outside the inner curtain that shields the Ark of the Covenant, in front of the Ark's cover—the place of atonement—that covers the tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant. I will meet with you there.
7 "Every morning when Aaron maintains the lamps, he must burn fragrant incense on the altar.
8 And each evening when he lights the lamps, he must again burn incense in the LORD's presence. This must be done from generation to generation.
9 Do not offer any unholy incense on this altar, or any burnt offerings, grain offerings, or liquid offerings.
10 "Once a year Aaron must purify the altar by smearing its horns with blood from the offering made to purify the people from their sin. This will be a regular, annual event from generation to generation, for this is the LORD's most holy altar."
Every morning and every evening, fragrant incense was to be burned upon it.
And once a year on the Day of Atonement.
The incense formula, was given by the Lord.
Exodus 30:34-38 NLT
34 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Gather fragrant spices—resin droplets, mollusk shell, and galbanum—and mix these fragrant spices with pure frankincense, weighed out in equal amounts.
35 Using the usual techniques of the incense maker, blend the spices together and sprinkle them with salt to produce a pure and holy incense.
36 Grind some of the mixture into a very fine powder and put it in front of the Ark of the Covenant, where I will meet with you in the Tabernacle. You must treat this incense as most holy.
37 Never use this formula to make this incense for yourselves. It is reserved for the LORD, and you must treat it as holy.
38 Anyone who makes incense like this for personal use will be cut off from the community."
Leviticus 16:12 KJV "And he (Aaron)shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar (altar of burnt offerings) before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail (the most Holy Place):"
Exodus 30:8-10 KJV
[8] And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.
[9] Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon.
[10] And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD.
Incense is a sign of prayer, the prayers of God's people.
Revelation 5:6-8 NLT
6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth.
7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne.
8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God's people.
Revelation 8:3,4 NLT
3 Then another angel with a gold incense burner came and stood at the altar. And a great amount of incense was given to him to mix with the prayers of God's people as an offering on the gold altar before the throne.
4 The smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of God's holy people, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out.
Psalm 141:1,2 KJV
[1] LORD, I cry unto Thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto Thee.
[2] Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
In prayer we must be...
Repentant
Sincere
In Submission
Full of Faith
In the Spirit of Consecration
Be encouraged to pray!
Psalm 65:2 KJV "O Thou that hearest prayer, unto Thee shall all flesh come."
James 5:16 KJV "...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Ephesians 6:18 NLT "Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere."
Romans 8:26,27 NLT
26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will.
I John 5:14,15 NLT
13 I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.
14 And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him.
15 And since we know He hears us when we make our requests, we also know that He will give us what we ask for.
Matthew 6:1-13 NASB
1."Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
2."So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
3."But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
4.so that your giving will be in secret ; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
5."When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites ; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
6."But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father
who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
7."And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.
8."So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
9."Pray, then, in this way : 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your Name.
10.'Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
11.'Give us this day our daily bread.
12.'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13.'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.'
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Bible Questions Answered: Christian - Hardships
Bible Questions Answered:
Why do Christian people, have to go through hard times of sickness, poverty, and other trouble?
Toby/ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Bible Answers:
How many times has a tearful parent, looking down at a dead child, a wife receiving news of a fallen husband in combat, parents, who've received a report from the police, yes, there's been an accident, has the question been asked from broken hearts,"Why, of God, why?"
Scriptures give us the answers, and the spiritual balm, that is needed in such times of sorrow.
Isaiah 55:8,9 KJV
[8] For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD.
[9] For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 46:9,10 KJV
[9] ...for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me,
[10] Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure:
Romans 11:33-36 NLT
33 Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways!
34 For who can know the LORD's thoughts? Who knows enough to give Him advice?
35 And who has given Him so much that He needs to pay it back?
36 For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen.
God alone, knows His reasons.
Do bad things happen to good people?
There are some, erroneous, spurious,teachers,"with itching ears.
II Timothy 4:3-5 KJV
[3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
[4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
[5] But watch thou in all things.."
There are teachers today, who teach that the righteous, will never suffer any hardship.
They teach this false gospel, for filthy lucre.
They teach what some want to hear, and seek their reward for doing so.
How contrary to the True Word of God.
Romans 3:4 KJV "God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar..."
The Word of God:
Psalms 34:19 KJV "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."
Isaiah 43:1-3 KJV
[1] But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel (true for the church of Jesus Christ as well!), Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.
[2] When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
[3] For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour:
Matthew 5:45 KJV "That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."
John 16:33 KJV "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Acts 14:22 KJV "... we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."
Calamities, will come, but the most important thing, our Saviour said, is to be prepared, our selves, our loved ones, and as many as we can witness to!
Luke 13:1-5 NLT
1 About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple.
2 "Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?" Jesus asked. "Is that why they suffered?
3 Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God.
4 And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem?
5 No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too."
When hardships come and they will, what great and wonderful promises we find in the Word of God!
Hebrew 13:5 KJV "...He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
Psalms 18:1-3 KJV
[1] I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
[2] The LORD is my Rock, and my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my Strength, in whom I will trust; my Buckler, and the Horn of my Salvation, and my High Tower.
[3] I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
Psalms 27:14 KJV "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."
Psalms 37:23,24,39 KJV
[23] The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He delighteth in his way.
[24] Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand.
[39] But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: He is their strength in the time of trouble.
Psalms 46:1-3 KJV
[1] God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
[2] Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
[3] Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
Selah.
Psalms 55:22 KJV "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."
Matthew 11:28 KJV "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Nahum 1:7 KJV "The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him."
Remember that faithfulness in trials, leads to reward!
James 1:2-4 NLT
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
I Peter 1:3-9 NLT
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by His great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation,
4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.
5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by His power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.
7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
8 You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.
9 The reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls.
Psalms 66:10 KJV "For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried."
Isaiah 48:10 KJV "Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction."
Zechariah 13:9 KJV "And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God."
Malachi 3:3 KJV "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifer of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness."
I Corinthians 3:11-15 KJV
[11] For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
[12] Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
[13] Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
[14] If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
[15] If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Job 23:10 KJV "But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."
II Corinthians 4:17,18 KJV "
[17] For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
[18] While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Hebrews 10:35-39 KJV
[35] Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
[36] For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
[37] For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
[38] Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him.
[39] But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Isaiah 63:9 KJV "In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them: in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bare them, and carried them all the days of old."
I Corinthians 10:13 KJV
For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not [b]adjusted and [c]adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear].
But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to [d]a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.
Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT
14 So then, since we have a Great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.
15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin.
16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Always remember:
Psalms 145:17 KJV " The LORD is Righteous in all His ways, and Holy in all His works."
I Peter 4:12,13 KJV
[12] Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
[13] But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Why do Christian people, have to go through hard times of sickness, poverty, and other trouble?
Toby/ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Bible Answers:
How many times has a tearful parent, looking down at a dead child, a wife receiving news of a fallen husband in combat, parents, who've received a report from the police, yes, there's been an accident, has the question been asked from broken hearts,"Why, of God, why?"
Scriptures give us the answers, and the spiritual balm, that is needed in such times of sorrow.
Isaiah 55:8,9 KJV
[8] For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD.
[9] For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 46:9,10 KJV
[9] ...for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me,
[10] Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure:
Romans 11:33-36 NLT
33 Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways!
34 For who can know the LORD's thoughts? Who knows enough to give Him advice?
35 And who has given Him so much that He needs to pay it back?
36 For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen.
God alone, knows His reasons.
Do bad things happen to good people?
There are some, erroneous, spurious,teachers,"with itching ears.
II Timothy 4:3-5 KJV
[3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
[4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
[5] But watch thou in all things.."
There are teachers today, who teach that the righteous, will never suffer any hardship.
They teach this false gospel, for filthy lucre.
They teach what some want to hear, and seek their reward for doing so.
How contrary to the True Word of God.
Romans 3:4 KJV "God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar..."
The Word of God:
Psalms 34:19 KJV "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."
Isaiah 43:1-3 KJV
[1] But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel (true for the church of Jesus Christ as well!), Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.
[2] When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
[3] For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour:
Matthew 5:45 KJV "That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."
John 16:33 KJV "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Acts 14:22 KJV "... we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."
Calamities, will come, but the most important thing, our Saviour said, is to be prepared, our selves, our loved ones, and as many as we can witness to!
Luke 13:1-5 NLT
1 About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple.
2 "Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?" Jesus asked. "Is that why they suffered?
3 Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God.
4 And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem?
5 No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too."
When hardships come and they will, what great and wonderful promises we find in the Word of God!
Hebrew 13:5 KJV "...He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
Psalms 18:1-3 KJV
[1] I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
[2] The LORD is my Rock, and my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my Strength, in whom I will trust; my Buckler, and the Horn of my Salvation, and my High Tower.
[3] I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
Psalms 27:14 KJV "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."
Psalms 37:23,24,39 KJV
[23] The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He delighteth in his way.
[24] Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand.
[39] But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: He is their strength in the time of trouble.
Psalms 46:1-3 KJV
[1] God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
[2] Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
[3] Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
Selah.
Psalms 55:22 KJV "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."
Matthew 11:28 KJV "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Nahum 1:7 KJV "The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him."
Remember that faithfulness in trials, leads to reward!
James 1:2-4 NLT
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
I Peter 1:3-9 NLT
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by His great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation,
4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.
5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by His power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.
7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
8 You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.
9 The reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls.
Psalms 66:10 KJV "For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried."
Isaiah 48:10 KJV "Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction."
Zechariah 13:9 KJV "And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God."
Malachi 3:3 KJV "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifer of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness."
I Corinthians 3:11-15 KJV
[11] For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
[12] Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
[13] Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
[14] If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
[15] If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Job 23:10 KJV "But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."
II Corinthians 4:17,18 KJV "
[17] For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
[18] While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Hebrews 10:35-39 KJV
[35] Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
[36] For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
[37] For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
[38] Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him.
[39] But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Isaiah 63:9 KJV "In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them: in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bare them, and carried them all the days of old."
I Corinthians 10:13 KJV
For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not [b]adjusted and [c]adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear].
But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to [d]a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.
Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT
14 So then, since we have a Great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.
15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin.
16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Always remember:
Psalms 145:17 KJV " The LORD is Righteous in all His ways, and Holy in all His works."
I Peter 4:12,13 KJV
[12] Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
[13] But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Bible Lesson: Church Symbol-The Candle
Symbols Of The Church Of Jesus Christ
Symbols Of The Church Of Jesus Christ
Church Symbol: The Candle
The Candle, emblem of Jesus Christ, "The Light of the world."
John 1:1-9 KJV
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
[2] The same was in the beginning with God.
[3] All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made.
[4] In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.
[5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
[6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
[7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through Him might believe.
[8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
[9] That was the True Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
John 8:12 KJV "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of life."
John 9:5 KJV "As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the world."
I John 1:5 KJV "This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all."
Revelation 21:23 KJV "And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof."
Psalms 18:28 KJV "... the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness."
Matthew 5:14-16 KJV
[14] Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
[15] Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
[16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Moses, was shown on the mount, the description of the "Candlestick (Actually lamp stand), that would be placed within the Tabernacle.
Exodus 25:31-37 KJV
[31] And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.
[32] And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side:
[33] Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.
[34] And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers.
[35] And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick.
[36] Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold.
[37] And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.
For those who believe in God, Candle Light has always stood for the Divine Presence of God, and the presence of the risen Christ.
Revelations 1:12-18 KJV
[12] And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks (In this case, the candlesticks represented the churchs);
[13] And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
[14] His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire;
[15] And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters.
[16] And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
[17] And when I (John) saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the First and the Last:
[18] I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
1 John 1:5-10 KJV
[5] This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.
[6] If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
[7] But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
[8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
[9] If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.
[10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and his word is not in us.
When we see the candle, in our stained glass windows, and at the altar of our church, how thankful we should be that, the light (of God-has) shined in (a world of) darkness.
Symbols Of The Church Of Jesus Christ
Church Symbol: The Candle
The Candle, emblem of Jesus Christ, "The Light of the world."
John 1:1-9 KJV
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
[2] The same was in the beginning with God.
[3] All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made.
[4] In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.
[5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
[6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
[7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through Him might believe.
[8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
[9] That was the True Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
John 8:12 KJV "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of life."
John 9:5 KJV "As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the world."
I John 1:5 KJV "This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all."
Revelation 21:23 KJV "And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof."
Psalms 18:28 KJV "... the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness."
Matthew 5:14-16 KJV
[14] Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
[15] Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
[16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Moses, was shown on the mount, the description of the "Candlestick (Actually lamp stand), that would be placed within the Tabernacle.
Exodus 25:31-37 KJV
[31] And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.
[32] And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side:
[33] Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.
[34] And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers.
[35] And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick.
[36] Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold.
[37] And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.
For those who believe in God, Candle Light has always stood for the Divine Presence of God, and the presence of the risen Christ.
Revelations 1:12-18 KJV
[12] And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks (In this case, the candlesticks represented the churchs);
[13] And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
[14] His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire;
[15] And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters.
[16] And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
[17] And when I (John) saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the First and the Last:
[18] I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
1 John 1:5-10 KJV
[5] This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.
[6] If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
[7] But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
[8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
[9] If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.
[10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and his word is not in us.
When we see the candle, in our stained glass windows, and at the altar of our church, how thankful we should be that, the light (of God-has) shined in (a world of) darkness.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Bible Lesson: Symbols Of The Church: The Butterfly
Symbols Of The Church Of Jesus Christ
Church Symbol: The Butterfly
The Butterfly, speaks of Resurrection.
John 11:25,26 KJV
[25] Jesus said unto her (Martha), I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
[26] And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?
The Stages Of The Butterfly
1) The adult butterfly lays her eggs.
2) Butterfly eggs hatch into caterpillars.
3) Then comes the "Pupation," or dormant stage, of change.
4) Emergence from pupal stage to that of the Butterfly.
What a witness this is to the Christian, and his faith!
By the design of the Creator, we have begun as an embryo.
just a dot on a page, but with such a great potential! A Creation of Almighty God.
Zechariah 4:10 KJV "For who hath despised the day of small things?..."
Jeremiah 1:4,5 KJV
[4] Then the word of the LORD came unto me (Jeremiah), saying,
[5] Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Isaiah 44:2 KJV "Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not,..."
Isaiah 49:1 KJV "...The LORD hath called me (Isaiah) from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath He made mention of my name."
Psalms 139:13-18 NLT
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
18 I can't even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!
Psalm 71:5,6 NLT
5 O Lord, You alone are my hope.
I've trusted You, O LORD, from childhood.
6 Yes, You have been with me from birth;
from my mother's womb You have cared for me.
No wonder I am always praising you!
The egg, does not stay an egg, it matures into the larva, the catepillar.
The young catepillar is an eating machine, always hungry, and it should be, because it is destined for greater things!
The Catepillar eats plants, and grows, eats plants and grows.
And God's creation, man, is to feed as well!
Matthew 4:4 KJV "But He (Jesus) answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
John 6:32-35 KJV
[32]...my Father giveth you the true Bread from heaven.
[33] For the Bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
[34] Then said they unto Him, Lord, evermore give us this Bread.
[35] And Jesus said unto them, I am the Bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.
Upon what, are you feeding today?
Jesus said, that only the Bread of God, gives life!
Isaiah 55:1-3 KJV
[1] Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
[2] Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto Me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
[3] Incline your ear, and come unto Me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
The next stage is the Pupa, or Chrysalis stage.
This time in the life of the Butterfly may last any where from several weeks to six months.
During this time, the caterpillar, by instinct from the Creator, climbs a tree, and weaves a cocoon around his body, which then hangs from the tree.
For all outside purposes, the cater-pillar is as dead.
Friends, your Creator, has called you to the tree, have you come?
It is a tree of death, and life.
Genesis 3:22 KJV "...the tree of life,..."
Philippians 2:5-11 KJV
[5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
[6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
[7] But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
[8] And being found in fashion as a Man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
[9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name:
[10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
[11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Hebrews 12:2 KJV "Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him." endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Matthew 10:38,39 KJV
[38] And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.
[39] He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it.
Matthew 16:24-26 KJV
[24] Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
[25] For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.
[26] For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
James 1:12 NLT "God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."
Dear friend, have you come to the tree, (the cross of Calvary)?
Christian baptism, speaks of our dying to self, and being raised into newness of life-the resurrected life of the Lord Jesus!
II Timothy 2:11 KJV
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him:
Warning! Warning! Warning! Warning! warning! Warning! Warning!
There are those today, who are caught up in "the pleasures of sin for a season" (Hebrews 11:25).
"Lovers of pleasures, more than lovers of God" (II Timothy 3:4 KJV)
"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (II Timothy 3:5 KJV)
Ever gnawing on (Spiritual Deadly) worldly fruits of sin, with no desire to "die to self," and climb the tree of life.
"Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
(II Timothy 3:7 KJV)
Proberbs 14:12 KJV "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
Proverbs 2:12-19 KJV
[12] To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
[13] Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
[14] Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
[15] Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
[16] To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;
[17] Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
[18] For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
[19] None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
Proverbs 15:9 KJV "The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD:..."
Isaiah 59:7,8 KJV
[7] Their feet run to evil, and they make hast to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.
[8] The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.
Matthew 7:13 KJV "...broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:"
NOt, to find the "Tree of Life," and to die to self, in this life, now, is to forever-----Hear it dear friend---
forever be that gnawing worm.
Three times! Three Times Jesus warned...
Mark 9:42-48 KJV
[42] And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in Me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
[43] And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
[44] Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
[45] And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
[46] Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
[47] And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
[48] Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
Butterfly, rising up to the Son (Resurrection-Life), or eternally,cursed, gnawing worm, opportunity (Calling and Blessing of God) forever lost!
The choice is ours.
This is the "Time of Decision!"
Hebrews 3:15 KJV "...To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts,..."
Matthew 25:13 KJV "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh."
See-BPL-Index: Bible Lessons: Salvation Prayer
Church Symbol: The Butterfly
The Butterfly, speaks of Resurrection.
John 11:25,26 KJV
[25] Jesus said unto her (Martha), I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
[26] And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?
The Stages Of The Butterfly
1) The adult butterfly lays her eggs.
2) Butterfly eggs hatch into caterpillars.
3) Then comes the "Pupation," or dormant stage, of change.
4) Emergence from pupal stage to that of the Butterfly.
What a witness this is to the Christian, and his faith!
By the design of the Creator, we have begun as an embryo.
just a dot on a page, but with such a great potential! A Creation of Almighty God.
Zechariah 4:10 KJV "For who hath despised the day of small things?..."
Jeremiah 1:4,5 KJV
[4] Then the word of the LORD came unto me (Jeremiah), saying,
[5] Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Isaiah 44:2 KJV "Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not,..."
Isaiah 49:1 KJV "...The LORD hath called me (Isaiah) from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath He made mention of my name."
Psalms 139:13-18 NLT
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
18 I can't even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!
Psalm 71:5,6 NLT
5 O Lord, You alone are my hope.
I've trusted You, O LORD, from childhood.
6 Yes, You have been with me from birth;
from my mother's womb You have cared for me.
No wonder I am always praising you!
The egg, does not stay an egg, it matures into the larva, the catepillar.
The young catepillar is an eating machine, always hungry, and it should be, because it is destined for greater things!
The Catepillar eats plants, and grows, eats plants and grows.
And God's creation, man, is to feed as well!
Matthew 4:4 KJV "But He (Jesus) answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
John 6:32-35 KJV
[32]...my Father giveth you the true Bread from heaven.
[33] For the Bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
[34] Then said they unto Him, Lord, evermore give us this Bread.
[35] And Jesus said unto them, I am the Bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.
Upon what, are you feeding today?
Jesus said, that only the Bread of God, gives life!
Isaiah 55:1-3 KJV
[1] Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
[2] Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto Me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
[3] Incline your ear, and come unto Me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
The next stage is the Pupa, or Chrysalis stage.
This time in the life of the Butterfly may last any where from several weeks to six months.
During this time, the caterpillar, by instinct from the Creator, climbs a tree, and weaves a cocoon around his body, which then hangs from the tree.
For all outside purposes, the cater-pillar is as dead.
Friends, your Creator, has called you to the tree, have you come?
It is a tree of death, and life.
Genesis 3:22 KJV "...the tree of life,..."
Philippians 2:5-11 KJV
[5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
[6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
[7] But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
[8] And being found in fashion as a Man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
[9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name:
[10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
[11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Hebrews 12:2 KJV "Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him." endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Matthew 10:38,39 KJV
[38] And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.
[39] He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it.
Matthew 16:24-26 KJV
[24] Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
[25] For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.
[26] For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
James 1:12 NLT "God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."
Dear friend, have you come to the tree, (the cross of Calvary)?
Christian baptism, speaks of our dying to self, and being raised into newness of life-the resurrected life of the Lord Jesus!
II Timothy 2:11 KJV
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him:
Warning! Warning! Warning! Warning! warning! Warning! Warning!
There are those today, who are caught up in "the pleasures of sin for a season" (Hebrews 11:25).
"Lovers of pleasures, more than lovers of God" (II Timothy 3:4 KJV)
"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (II Timothy 3:5 KJV)
Ever gnawing on (Spiritual Deadly) worldly fruits of sin, with no desire to "die to self," and climb the tree of life.
"Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
(II Timothy 3:7 KJV)
Proberbs 14:12 KJV "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
Proverbs 2:12-19 KJV
[12] To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
[13] Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
[14] Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
[15] Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
[16] To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;
[17] Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
[18] For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
[19] None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
Proverbs 15:9 KJV "The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD:..."
Isaiah 59:7,8 KJV
[7] Their feet run to evil, and they make hast to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.
[8] The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.
Matthew 7:13 KJV "...broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:"
NOt, to find the "Tree of Life," and to die to self, in this life, now, is to forever-----Hear it dear friend---
forever be that gnawing worm.
Three times! Three Times Jesus warned...
Mark 9:42-48 KJV
[42] And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in Me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
[43] And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
[44] Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
[45] And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
[46] Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
[47] And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
[48] Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
Butterfly, rising up to the Son (Resurrection-Life), or eternally,cursed, gnawing worm, opportunity (Calling and Blessing of God) forever lost!
The choice is ours.
This is the "Time of Decision!"
Hebrews 3:15 KJV "...To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts,..."
Matthew 25:13 KJV "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh."
See-BPL-Index: Bible Lessons: Salvation Prayer
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Bible Questions Answered: Christians And Worldly Things
BiBle Questions Answered:
========================
My Freind is a Christian, and isn't allowed to go to dances with me, just why is it that Christians can't do this can't do that?
Helen/ Woodland, California
Bible Answers:
=============
Proverbs 14:12 KJV "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
Hebrews 12:14 KJV "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:"
In the flesh, we think what's wrong with:
Card playing
Dances
Rock Concerts
The way we dress, or lack of it
Taste in music
The people we associate with
Videos we watch
The kind of language we use
Drinking
Smoking
Sexual Prefferences
Sexuality
Etc.etc.etc.....
To the Christian, who has dedicated his life as being a "Servant, of the Lord Jesus Christ (Lord, means "Master"),we are servant to Him, in all that we do.
The words of the Lord Jesus.
Matthew 6:24 NLT "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other..."
The Apostle Paul.
I Corinthians 10:31 KJV "... whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
As a Christian, can you do one of the listed things above and say....
"I'm doing this, to the glory of God!"
No?
Then, you as a Christian, have "No," business doing it.
Philippians 4:8 KJV
Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue, and
if there be any praise,
think on these things.
Colossians 3:23 KJV "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord..."
II Corinthians 6:14-18 KJV
[14] Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
[15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial (Satan)? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
[16] And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
[17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
[18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Romans 6:1-13 KJV
[1] What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
[2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
[3] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?
[4] Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
[5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection:
[6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
[7] For he that is dead is freed from sin.
[8] Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him:
[9] Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him.
[10] For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God.
[11] Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
[12] Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
[13] Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
I Corinthians 8:13 NLT
1 Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.
2 Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much.
3 But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.
4 So, what about eating meat that has been offered to idols? Well, we all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God.
5 There may be so-called gods both in heaven and on earth, and some people actually worship many gods and many lords.
6 But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for Him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life.
7 However, not all believers know this. Some are accustomed to thinking of idols as being real, so when they eat food that has been offered to idols, they think of it as the worship of real gods, and their weak consciences are violated.
8 It’s true that we can’t win God’s approval by what we eat. We don’t lose anything if we don’t eat it, and we don’t gain anything if we do.
9 But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble.
10 For if others see you—with your “superior knowledge”—eating in the temple of an idol, won’t they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol?
11 So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed.
12 And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ.
13 So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.
I Corinthians 10:1-33 NLT
1 I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground.
2 In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses.
3 All of them ate the same spiritual food,
4 and all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ.
5 Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
6 These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did,
7 or worship idols as some of them did. As the Scriptures say, “The people celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry.”
8 And we must not engage in sexual immorality as some of them did, causing 23,000 of them to die in one day.
9 Nor should we put Christ to the test, as some of them did and then died from snakebites. 10 And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death.
11 These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.
12 If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.
13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
14 So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols.
15 You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am saying is true.
16 When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ?
17 And though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body. 18 Think about the people of Israel. Weren’t they united by eating the sacrifices at the altar?
19 What am I trying to say? Am I saying that food offered to idols has some significance, or that idols are real gods?
20 No, not at all. I am saying that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. And I don’t want you to participate with demons.
21 You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too.
22 What? Do we dare to rouse the Lord’s jealousy? Do you think we are stronger than He is?
23 You say, “I am allowed to do anything” but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial.
24 Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.
25 So you may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace without raising questions of conscience.
26 For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”
27 If someone who isn’t a believer asks you home for dinner, accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you without raising questions of conscience.
28 (But suppose someone tells you, “This meat was offered to an idol.” Don’t eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you.
29 It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person.) For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks?
30 If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it?
31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
32 Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles[f] or the church of God.
33 I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.
========================
My Freind is a Christian, and isn't allowed to go to dances with me, just why is it that Christians can't do this can't do that?
Helen/ Woodland, California
Bible Answers:
=============
Proverbs 14:12 KJV "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
Hebrews 12:14 KJV "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:"
In the flesh, we think what's wrong with:
Card playing
Dances
Rock Concerts
The way we dress, or lack of it
Taste in music
The people we associate with
Videos we watch
The kind of language we use
Drinking
Smoking
Sexual Prefferences
Sexuality
Etc.etc.etc.....
To the Christian, who has dedicated his life as being a "Servant, of the Lord Jesus Christ (Lord, means "Master"),we are servant to Him, in all that we do.
The words of the Lord Jesus.
Matthew 6:24 NLT "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other..."
The Apostle Paul.
I Corinthians 10:31 KJV "... whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
As a Christian, can you do one of the listed things above and say....
"I'm doing this, to the glory of God!"
No?
Then, you as a Christian, have "No," business doing it.
Philippians 4:8 KJV
Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue, and
if there be any praise,
think on these things.
Colossians 3:23 KJV "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord..."
II Corinthians 6:14-18 KJV
[14] Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
[15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial (Satan)? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
[16] And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
[17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
[18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Romans 6:1-13 KJV
[1] What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
[2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
[3] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?
[4] Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
[5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection:
[6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
[7] For he that is dead is freed from sin.
[8] Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him:
[9] Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him.
[10] For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God.
[11] Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
[12] Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
[13] Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
I Corinthians 8:13 NLT
1 Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.
2 Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much.
3 But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.
4 So, what about eating meat that has been offered to idols? Well, we all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God.
5 There may be so-called gods both in heaven and on earth, and some people actually worship many gods and many lords.
6 But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for Him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life.
7 However, not all believers know this. Some are accustomed to thinking of idols as being real, so when they eat food that has been offered to idols, they think of it as the worship of real gods, and their weak consciences are violated.
8 It’s true that we can’t win God’s approval by what we eat. We don’t lose anything if we don’t eat it, and we don’t gain anything if we do.
9 But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble.
10 For if others see you—with your “superior knowledge”—eating in the temple of an idol, won’t they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol?
11 So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed.
12 And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ.
13 So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.
I Corinthians 10:1-33 NLT
1 I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground.
2 In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses.
3 All of them ate the same spiritual food,
4 and all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ.
5 Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
6 These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did,
7 or worship idols as some of them did. As the Scriptures say, “The people celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry.”
8 And we must not engage in sexual immorality as some of them did, causing 23,000 of them to die in one day.
9 Nor should we put Christ to the test, as some of them did and then died from snakebites. 10 And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death.
11 These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.
12 If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.
13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
14 So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols.
15 You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am saying is true.
16 When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ?
17 And though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body. 18 Think about the people of Israel. Weren’t they united by eating the sacrifices at the altar?
19 What am I trying to say? Am I saying that food offered to idols has some significance, or that idols are real gods?
20 No, not at all. I am saying that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. And I don’t want you to participate with demons.
21 You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too.
22 What? Do we dare to rouse the Lord’s jealousy? Do you think we are stronger than He is?
23 You say, “I am allowed to do anything” but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial.
24 Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.
25 So you may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace without raising questions of conscience.
26 For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”
27 If someone who isn’t a believer asks you home for dinner, accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you without raising questions of conscience.
28 (But suppose someone tells you, “This meat was offered to an idol.” Don’t eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you.
29 It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person.) For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks?
30 If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it?
31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
32 Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles[f] or the church of God.
33 I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Bible Questions Answered: Confession-Christian Responsibility
Bible Questions Answered:
Only Christians who suffer for Christ will reign with Him?
Jerry/ Springfield, Illinois
Bible Answers:
The scripture to which you refer is....
II Timothy 2:11,12 KJV
[11] It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him:
[12] If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us:
II Timothy 2:11,12 NLT
11 This is a trustworthy saying:
If we die with Him,
we will also live with Him.
12 If we endure hardship,
we will reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He will deny us.
There is no such thing as a “Closet-Christian!”
Romans 10:9-10 KJV
[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
[10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:9,10 NLT
9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
“All True Born-Again Christians,” suffer at the hands of the world.
John 15:18-20 KJV
[18] If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you.
[19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
[20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also.
Matthew 10:32-39 KJV
[32] Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.
[33] But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.
[34] Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
[35] For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
[36] And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
[37] He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
[38] And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.
[39] He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Mark 8:38 KJV
“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
Luke 12:8,9 KJV
[8] Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
[9] But he that denieth Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
I John 4:15 KJV
“Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
If you are a Christian today, and you say, “but I'm not suffering!”
The question must then be asked, but are you a “Confessing, Christian?”
More than likely the answer, is no.
All Christians will suffer at one time or another. (Certainly not, something sought after! But a result of living a holy life, in a sinful world.)
If we are faithful, we will yet reign with our Lord, one day, soon.
II Timothy 2:11,12 KJV
[11] It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him:
[12] If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us:
The time of rewards for faithful living is coming!
I Corinthians 3:11-15 KJV
[11] For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
[12] Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
[13] Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
[14] If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
[15] If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Victory in the Christians life is through, the Blood of the Lamb, and Confession of Faith.
(Notice Salvation is by the Blood of Christ alone! Works of righteousness, including confession, etc..etc...can not by themselves, save us! Ephesians 2:8,9 KJV “[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works (religious or otherwise), lest any man should boast.)
Revelation 12:9-12 KJV
[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.
[10] And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
[11] And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
[12] Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
I Peter 3:12-15 KJV
[12] For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
[13] And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
[14] But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
[15] But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Isaiah 62:6 KJV “I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,
II Timothy 1:8 KJV “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; “
Acts 4:20 KJV “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
II Corinthians 4:13 KJV “We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;”
Only Christians who suffer for Christ will reign with Him?
Jerry/ Springfield, Illinois
Bible Answers:
The scripture to which you refer is....
II Timothy 2:11,12 KJV
[11] It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him:
[12] If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us:
II Timothy 2:11,12 NLT
11 This is a trustworthy saying:
If we die with Him,
we will also live with Him.
12 If we endure hardship,
we will reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He will deny us.
There is no such thing as a “Closet-Christian!”
Romans 10:9-10 KJV
[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
[10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:9,10 NLT
9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
“All True Born-Again Christians,” suffer at the hands of the world.
John 15:18-20 KJV
[18] If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you.
[19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
[20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also.
Matthew 10:32-39 KJV
[32] Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.
[33] But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.
[34] Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
[35] For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
[36] And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
[37] He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
[38] And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.
[39] He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Mark 8:38 KJV
“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
Luke 12:8,9 KJV
[8] Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
[9] But he that denieth Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
I John 4:15 KJV
“Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
If you are a Christian today, and you say, “but I'm not suffering!”
The question must then be asked, but are you a “Confessing, Christian?”
More than likely the answer, is no.
All Christians will suffer at one time or another. (Certainly not, something sought after! But a result of living a holy life, in a sinful world.)
If we are faithful, we will yet reign with our Lord, one day, soon.
II Timothy 2:11,12 KJV
[11] It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him:
[12] If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us:
The time of rewards for faithful living is coming!
I Corinthians 3:11-15 KJV
[11] For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
[12] Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
[13] Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
[14] If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
[15] If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Victory in the Christians life is through, the Blood of the Lamb, and Confession of Faith.
(Notice Salvation is by the Blood of Christ alone! Works of righteousness, including confession, etc..etc...can not by themselves, save us! Ephesians 2:8,9 KJV “[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works (religious or otherwise), lest any man should boast.)
Revelation 12:9-12 KJV
[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.
[10] And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
[11] And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
[12] Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
I Peter 3:12-15 KJV
[12] For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
[13] And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
[14] But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
[15] But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Isaiah 62:6 KJV “I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,
II Timothy 1:8 KJV “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; “
Acts 4:20 KJV “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
II Corinthians 4:13 KJV “We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;”
Friday, August 29, 2008
Bible Lesson: Church Symbol-The Open Book
Bible Lessons: The Symbols of the Church of Jesus Christ:
The Open Book
V. D. M. A. (Latin) Verb um Dei Manet In Aeternum (The Word of God endures forever).
Matthew 24:35 KJV “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.”
Old Testament (39 books-written in Hebrew, by some 25 different authors). These books were written approximately 1400 years before Christ up until 400 years before His birth. These books were written primarily for the people of Israel.
Old Testament Sections:
The Law:
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
History:
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
I Samuel
II Samuel
I Kings
II Kings
I Chronicles
II Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Books of Wisdom, Literature, and Poetry:
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Songs
Prophecy:
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
- -- - - - -
The New Testament (27 books written in Greek, by eight authors who were followers of Jesus Christ). Written to the Christian Church.
New Testament Sections:
The Gospels:
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
History:
Acts
The Letters of the Apostle Paul:
Romans
I Corinthians
II Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
I Thessalonians
II Thessalonians
I Timothy
II Timothy
Titus
Philemon
General Letters:
Hebrews
James
I Peter
II Peter
I John
II John
III John
Jude
Prophecy:
Revelation
-- - -- - - - - -
The Bible, mentions twelve books that are lost, to us.
Numbers 21:14, The Book of the Wars of the Lord.
Joshua 10:13; II Samuel 1:18, The Book of Jasher.
I Chronicles 29:29, The Books of Samuel, the Seer.
I Chronicles 29:29, The Book of Nathan, the Prophet.
I Chronicles 29:29, The Book of Gad the Seer.
II Chronicles 9:29, The Book of Ahijah, the Shilonite.
II Chronicles 9:29, The Vision of Iddo, the Seer.
I Chronicles 9:1, The Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah.
II Chronicles 12:15, The Book of Shemaiah, the Prophet.
II Chronicles 13:22, The Story of the Prophet Iddo.
II Chronicles 20:34, The Book of Jehu, the Son of Hanani.
Jude 14, The Prophecy of Enoch.
- - - - - -- - -- - - -- - -- - --- - - - - - --- - - -- -
Bible Facts:
John Wycliffe, first complete English translation of the Bible.1380-1382
Between 1450-1455, first Bible printed, at Maintz, Gutenberg, the printer.
William Tyndale, first New Testament printed in English (1525).
Miles Coverdale, first printed the Bible in English (1535).
Cardinal Hugo, divided Old Testament into chapters (middle of the thirteenth century).
Rabbi Nathan, divided these chapters into verses (Vulgate 1555).
Authorized Version 1611.
Oxford Bible 1675.
Revised Version begun in America on 1872.
Revised New Testament 1881.
Revised Old Testament 1885.
Apocrypha:
Although these books were included in the Septuagint and Vulgate, they were not considered, authentic. These writings not, written in Hebrew, were discounted by the Jews, and excluded from the Reformations' Canon.
Septuagint:
This writing was the translation of the Old Testament (Hebrew) into Greek. This work included the Apocrypha. The Septuagint was written at 270 B.C. By some seventy translators.
Pentateuch:
First five books of the Old Testament.
Hexateuch:
First six book of the Old Testament.
- - - - - - - -
Great Men Speak of the Bible:
John Quincy Adams
“So great is my veneration for the Bible that the earlier my children begin to read it the more confident will be my hopes that they will prove useful citizens of their country and respectable members of society.”
Thomas Jefferson
“The studious perusal of the sacred volume will make better citizens.”
William Ewart Gladstone
“I have known ninety-five great men of the world in my time, and of these eighty-seven were all followers of the Bible.”
Horace Greeley
“It is impossible to mentally or socially enslave a Bible-reading people! The principles of the Bible are the groundwork of human freedom.”
Patrick Henry
“There is a Book worth all other books which were ever printed.”
William McKinley
“The more profoundly we study this wonderful book, and the more closely we observe its divine precepts, the better citizens we will become and the higher will be our destiny as a nation.”
Abraham Lincoln
“In regard to this great Book, I have only to say that it is the best Book that God has given to man.”
Theodore Roosevelt
“No other book of any kind ever written in English-perhaps no other book ever written in any other tongue has ever so affected the whole life of a people as this authorized version of the Scriptures has affected the life of the English-speaking peoples.”
Lord Tennyson
“The Bible ought to be read, were it only for the sake of the grand English in which it is written, an education in itself.”
Daniel Webster
“If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity.”
ΆΓΙΟΣ ΒΙΒΔΟΣ
The next time you see the “Open-Book,” in your church's stained glass window, remember that it is the “Hagios Biblos,”the”Holy Book,” who scores of Godly men and women of faith, have given their lives, so that you may know the truth.
Amen
The Open Book
V. D. M. A. (Latin) Verb um Dei Manet In Aeternum (The Word of God endures forever).
Matthew 24:35 KJV “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.”
Old Testament (39 books-written in Hebrew, by some 25 different authors). These books were written approximately 1400 years before Christ up until 400 years before His birth. These books were written primarily for the people of Israel.
Old Testament Sections:
The Law:
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
History:
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
I Samuel
II Samuel
I Kings
II Kings
I Chronicles
II Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Books of Wisdom, Literature, and Poetry:
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Songs
Prophecy:
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
- -- - - - -
The New Testament (27 books written in Greek, by eight authors who were followers of Jesus Christ). Written to the Christian Church.
New Testament Sections:
The Gospels:
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
History:
Acts
The Letters of the Apostle Paul:
Romans
I Corinthians
II Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
I Thessalonians
II Thessalonians
I Timothy
II Timothy
Titus
Philemon
General Letters:
Hebrews
James
I Peter
II Peter
I John
II John
III John
Jude
Prophecy:
Revelation
-- - -- - - - - -
The Bible, mentions twelve books that are lost, to us.
Numbers 21:14, The Book of the Wars of the Lord.
Joshua 10:13; II Samuel 1:18, The Book of Jasher.
I Chronicles 29:29, The Books of Samuel, the Seer.
I Chronicles 29:29, The Book of Nathan, the Prophet.
I Chronicles 29:29, The Book of Gad the Seer.
II Chronicles 9:29, The Book of Ahijah, the Shilonite.
II Chronicles 9:29, The Vision of Iddo, the Seer.
I Chronicles 9:1, The Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah.
II Chronicles 12:15, The Book of Shemaiah, the Prophet.
II Chronicles 13:22, The Story of the Prophet Iddo.
II Chronicles 20:34, The Book of Jehu, the Son of Hanani.
Jude 14, The Prophecy of Enoch.
- - - - - -- - -- - - -- - -- - --- - - - - - --- - - -- -
Bible Facts:
John Wycliffe, first complete English translation of the Bible.1380-1382
Between 1450-1455, first Bible printed, at Maintz, Gutenberg, the printer.
William Tyndale, first New Testament printed in English (1525).
Miles Coverdale, first printed the Bible in English (1535).
Cardinal Hugo, divided Old Testament into chapters (middle of the thirteenth century).
Rabbi Nathan, divided these chapters into verses (Vulgate 1555).
Authorized Version 1611.
Oxford Bible 1675.
Revised Version begun in America on 1872.
Revised New Testament 1881.
Revised Old Testament 1885.
Apocrypha:
Although these books were included in the Septuagint and Vulgate, they were not considered, authentic. These writings not, written in Hebrew, were discounted by the Jews, and excluded from the Reformations' Canon.
Septuagint:
This writing was the translation of the Old Testament (Hebrew) into Greek. This work included the Apocrypha. The Septuagint was written at 270 B.C. By some seventy translators.
Pentateuch:
First five books of the Old Testament.
Hexateuch:
First six book of the Old Testament.
- - - - - - - -
Great Men Speak of the Bible:
John Quincy Adams
“So great is my veneration for the Bible that the earlier my children begin to read it the more confident will be my hopes that they will prove useful citizens of their country and respectable members of society.”
Thomas Jefferson
“The studious perusal of the sacred volume will make better citizens.”
William Ewart Gladstone
“I have known ninety-five great men of the world in my time, and of these eighty-seven were all followers of the Bible.”
Horace Greeley
“It is impossible to mentally or socially enslave a Bible-reading people! The principles of the Bible are the groundwork of human freedom.”
Patrick Henry
“There is a Book worth all other books which were ever printed.”
William McKinley
“The more profoundly we study this wonderful book, and the more closely we observe its divine precepts, the better citizens we will become and the higher will be our destiny as a nation.”
Abraham Lincoln
“In regard to this great Book, I have only to say that it is the best Book that God has given to man.”
Theodore Roosevelt
“No other book of any kind ever written in English-perhaps no other book ever written in any other tongue has ever so affected the whole life of a people as this authorized version of the Scriptures has affected the life of the English-speaking peoples.”
Lord Tennyson
“The Bible ought to be read, were it only for the sake of the grand English in which it is written, an education in itself.”
Daniel Webster
“If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity.”
ΆΓΙΟΣ ΒΙΒΔΟΣ
The next time you see the “Open-Book,” in your church's stained glass window, remember that it is the “Hagios Biblos,”the”Holy Book,” who scores of Godly men and women of faith, have given their lives, so that you may know the truth.
Amen
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Favorite Bible Verses- End To War- Make Peace
Our verse we like from Bible, speaks much of fearful minds that need rest.
Kaushal/ Hyderabad, India
"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:7
Kaushal/ Hyderabad, India
"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:7
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Bible Questions Answered: Jesus - Created Son?
Bible Questions Answered:
Hebrews 1:5 plainly states that Jesus was a created son!
George/ Rochester, New York
Bible Answers:
Hebrews 1:5 KJV “For unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten Thee? And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to me a Son?
Oh, how careful we must be, when interpreting the most wonderful, and precious, Word of God!
This is perhaps a harsh rendition, but accurate, none the less.
“Any man, living under a bridge and drinking his meals, can walk into a church, and say “This is what this scripture means.”
James 3:1 KJV “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.”
Hebrews 13:17 KJV “ Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”
In every church, there is “one,” pastor (leader, there may be subordinate pastors, but still only one, leader.).
And it is our duty as Christian people, to care and, pray for the man of God, and his family, and to take very seriously what he teaches, as he is God's spokesman to us.
This is why deacon boards (representatives of the body), screen would be pastor's for a church vacancy, looking for a man of the book who has been educated in “rightly dividing” the Word of God.)
While studying theology at the university, I had an English Professor, who said on many more than one occasion, to his students. “Don't preach on Daniel and the book of Revelation, until you have been in the ministry a minimum of twenty years.”
I held to that formula, and now many, many years later, still carefully, prayerfully, search the Word of God, to be sure just what it says.
-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
No, Jesus Christ is not, a created Son!
Hebrews 1:1-5 Amplified Bible
1 IN MANY separate revelations [[a]each of which set forth a portion of the Truth] and in different ways God spoke of old to [our] forefathers in and by the prophets,
2 [But] in [b]the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order].
3 He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the [c]out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God's] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high,
4 [Taking a place and rank by which] He Himself became as much superior to angels as the glorious Name (title) which He has inherited is different from and more excellent than theirs.
5 For to which of the angels did [God] ever say, You are My Son, today I have begotten You [established You in an official Sonship relation, with kingly dignity]? And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He will be to Me a Son?
II Samuel 7:14/Psalms 2:7 “I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto Me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten Thee.”
This a scriptural reference which refers to Christ's resurrection from the dead, the day He was begotten of the Father, from the dead.
Colossians 1:15 KJV “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: the first born of all creation)”
Colossians 1:18 KJV “And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.”
Acts 13:33 KJV “God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that He hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten Thee.”
Revelation 3:14 KJV “ And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;”
Hebrews 3:6 KJV “But Christ as a son over His own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”
- - - -- -
The Apostle Paul, in writing to the Hebrews, showed how that Christ was in all creation, “Superior!”
He is the Eternal Creator Son of God.
Hebrews 7:1-3 KJV
[1] For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
[2] To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all;
First being by interpretation (Melchisedec)
King of righteousness, and after that also
King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
[3] Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
John 1:1-5 KJV
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
[2] The same was in the beginning with God.
[3] All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made.
[4] In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.
[5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Colossians 1:16,17 KJV
[16] For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him:
[17] And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.
Psalms 45:6,7 KJV
[6] Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of Thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
[7] Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows.
Psalms 102:25-27 KJV
[25] Of old hast Thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of Thy hands.
[26] They shall perish, but Thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they shall be changed:
[27] But Thou art the same, and Thy years shall have no end.
How much higher and exalted is the Eternal Son of God, then created angels!
And now the end of the matter.
If God is an “Everlasting Father,” and surely the Word of God says so.....
Isaiah 9:6 KJV “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Christ, the “Everlasting Father (without beginning, or end-the Word of God).
or
If God the Father, then, He must out of necessity, have had to have had an Eternal Son! (Or at one time,He would not have been a Father!)
Eternal Father/Eternal Son/Eternal Holy Spirit.
- - - - - - - -
Genesis 1:1 KJV “In the beginning God...”
The Hebrew word here for God, is the word “Elohiym: Gods” (Plural)
God the Father
God the Son
God the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19 KJV “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”
Selah
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Bible Questions Answered: Judas-Close To The Lord?
Bible Questions Answered:
Was Judas close to the Lord?
Sandy/ Billings, Montana
Bible Answers:
Judas was ...
Chosen by the Lord.
Prophetically called by the Lord, “Mine own familiar friend.”
Yes, Jesus was close to Judas.
He Called and trained him as He did His other Disciples.
Christ knew Judas' destiny, but He cared and reached out for Judas as He did all others, because....
I Timothy 2:3,4 KJV
[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
[4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
But something happened to Judas.
His greed for money, over came his love of the Saviour.
Proverbs 4:23 KJV “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Proverbs 23:7 KJV “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: ...”
Luke 6:45 KJV “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”
Hebrews 3;12 KJV “ Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”
Psalm 95:8 KJV “Harden not your heart,...”
Proverbs 29:1 KJV “ He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
John 6:63-65; 70,71 KJV
[63] It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
[64] But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray Him.
[65]And He said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. (The Foreknowledge of God
[70] Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil ?
[71] He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray Him, being one of the twelve.
John 13:18 KJV
[18] I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
Psalms 41:9 KJV “Yea, mine own familiar friend (”the man of my peace.”), in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.”
Now there are some today, who dare teach, that once “Saved,” one may never be lost.
These same, then say of Judas, that, “he was a devil from the beginning.” But there is no scripture to attest to that, I John 3:8 was spoken of John concerning Satan.
How on the contrary prophetic, Psalms 41:9 KJV.
I John 3:8 KJV “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”
Psalms 41:9 KJV “Yea, mine own familiar friend (”the man of my peace.”), in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread,
hath lifted up his heel against me.”
There is a man today, in the regions of the lost, who has the distinction of having “been a trusted, friend of the Lord.” Nonetheless who betrayed Him.
- - - - - - -- ---
John 17:12 KJV
[12] While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Thy Name: those that Thou gavest Me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but
the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
Acts 2:23 KJV “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:”
Was Judas “Chosen from the beginning by God, to be the betrayer?”
Absolutely not!
God does not roll dice (Albert Einstein) to determine the order of things.
Romans 8:29,30 KJV
[29] For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
[30] Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.
There are those who wrongly believe today, that God, arbitrarily calls some to be saved, while others are called to be the lost.
How foolish!
Romans 3:4 KJV “...let God be true, but every man a liar...”
I Timothy 2:4 KJV “Who will have All MEN to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
John 3:16 KJV “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.”
Revelation 22:17 KJV “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come.
And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Now although God did not, predetermine Judas as a betrayer....it goes without saying that He Foreknew that Judas would be.
Doesn't the Apostle Paul say (Romans 8:29,30) that God, predestines the lives of men?
Yes!
But He does it, based upon His “ForeKnowledge, of the choices that men will take!
[29] For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate t
God knew before the world was, who it would be that would love and follow Him, and who would not, and so He charted their courses, appropriately.
Psalms 37:23 KJV “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He delighteth in his way.”
Psalms 37:22 KJV “...and they that be cursed of Him shall be cut off.”
Friday, August 22, 2008
Bible Lesson: Church Symbol: The Anchor
Symbols Of The Church Of Jesus Christ:
The Anchor
The Anchor, a symbol in the church, represents, hope.
Hebrews 6:17-20 NLT
17 God also bound Himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that He would never change His mind.
18 So God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.
19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary.
20 Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Many ships come to anchor in the storm, and the storms will come. But during the relentless pounding of the sea, and the crashes of the lightning, some, anchors fail, some hold.
Certainly it is not during the storm, to discover that one's anchor, is worthless. Because to discover such, is also to discover that one will, be lost.
The Apostle Paul told the Hebrew believers, that the Oath and Promises of God, like a mighty tried and tested anchor, hold the believer fixed in his faith.
Yes the storms will come, sickness, death, discouragement, poverty, and loss of friends, but they cannot prevail, against the child of God, whose anchor is the Lord Jesus Christ, Saviour, and Intercessory High Priest.
What is your anchor, today? Upon what does the eternal destiny of your soul, rest?
II Corinthians 1:20 NLT “For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen,...”
II Corinthians 5:21 KJV “For He (God the Father) hath made Him (Jesus Christ His Son) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
I Timothy 2:3,4 KJV
[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
[4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
John 1:12,13 KJV
[12] But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:
[13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Proverbs 11:28 KJV “He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.”
Hebrews 13:5 KJV “...I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
See The Bible Prayer Line Index: Bible Lessons-Salvation Prayer
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