A young man had been to Wednesday Night Bible Study. The
Pastor had shared about listening to God and obeying the
Lord's voice. The young man couldn't help but wonder,
'Does God still speak to people?'
After service, he went out with some friends for coffee and
pie and they discussed the message. Several different ones
talked about how God had led them in different ways.
It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving
home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, 'God...If
you still speak to people, speak to me. I will listen. I will
do my best to obey.'
As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the
strangest thought to stop and buy a gallon of milk. He shook
his head and said out loud, 'God is that you?' He didn't get
a reply and started on toward home. But again, the thought,
buy a gallon of milk. The young man thought about Samuel and
how he didn't recognize the voice of God, and how little Samuel
ran to Eli. 'Okay, God, in case that is you, I will buy the
milk.' It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience. He
could always use the milk. He stopped and purchased the gallon
of milk and started off toward home.
As he passed Seventh Street , he again felt the urge, 'Turn down
that street.' This is crazy he thought, and drove on past the
intersection. Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh
Street. At the next intersection, he turned back and headed
down Seventh.
Half jokingly, he said out loud, 'Okay, God, I will.'
He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should
stop. He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in a
semi-commercial area of town. It wasn't the best but it wasn't
the worst of neighborhoods either. The businesses were closed
and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already
in bed.
Again, he sensed something, 'Go and give the milk to the people
in the house across the street.' The young man looked at the
house. It was dark, and it looked like the people were either
gone or they were already asleep. He started to open the door
and then sat back in the car seat. 'Lord, this is insane.
Those people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are going
to be mad and I will look stupid.' Again, he felt like he should
go and give the milk. Finally, he opened the door, 'Okay God,
if this is you, I will go to the door, and I will give them the
milk. If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want
to be obedient. I guess that will count for something, but if
they don't answer right away, I am out of here.'
He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some
noise inside. A man's voice yelled out, 'Who is it? What do you
want?' Then the door opened before the young man could get away.
The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked
like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face
and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on
his doorstep. 'What is it?'
The young man thrust out the gallon of milk, 'Here, I brought
this to you.' The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway.
Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward
the kitchen. The man was following her holding a baby. The baby
was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face. The man
began speaking and half crying, 'We were just praying. We had
some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn't
have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking God
to show me how to get some milk.'
His wife in the kitchen yelled out, 'I ask him to send an Angel
with some. Are you an Angel?'
The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the
money he had on him and put in the man's hand. He turned and
walked back toward his car with tears streaming down his face.
He knew that God still answers prayers.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
The Coming of the Messiah
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census
should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the
first census that took place while Quirinius was governor
of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee
to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged
to the house and line of David. He went there to register
with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was
expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for
the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a
son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,
keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord
appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be
afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all
the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born
to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you:
You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with
the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on
whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the
shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and
see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us
about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby,
who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they
spread the word concerning what had been told them about this
child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds
said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and
pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying
and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen,
which were just as they had been told.
On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was
named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had
been conceived.
When the time of their purification according to the Law of
Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the
Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"),
and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law
of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was
righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of
Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed
to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had
seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the
temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do
for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in
his arms and praised God, saying:
"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your
servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which
you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for
revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about
him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother:
"This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many
in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that
the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will
pierce your own soul too."
There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of
the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her
husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow
until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but
worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them
at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the
child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of
Jerusalem.
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of
the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom,
and the grace of God was upon him.
should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the
first census that took place while Quirinius was governor
of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee
to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged
to the house and line of David. He went there to register
with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was
expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for
the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a
son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,
keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord
appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be
afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all
the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born
to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you:
You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with
the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on
whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the
shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and
see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us
about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby,
who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they
spread the word concerning what had been told them about this
child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds
said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and
pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying
and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen,
which were just as they had been told.
On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was
named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had
been conceived.
When the time of their purification according to the Law of
Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the
Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"),
and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law
of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was
righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of
Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed
to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had
seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the
temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do
for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in
his arms and praised God, saying:
"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your
servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which
you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for
revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about
him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother:
"This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many
in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that
the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will
pierce your own soul too."
There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of
the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her
husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow
until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but
worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them
at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the
child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of
Jerusalem.
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of
the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom,
and the grace of God was upon him.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Christians and the Rapture
I really don't understand Christians who are uninformed
about the catching up of the Church to be with the Lord.
Do they read the Bible? It is strange to hear someone
say that they "love the Lord" and observe that they have
no desire to spend time with Him!
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep,
but we shall all be changed - in a moment, in the twinkling
of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound,
and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be
changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and
this mortal must put on immortality.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so
God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this
we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive
and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means
precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an
archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in
Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain
shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet
the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Therefore comfort one another with these words.
about the catching up of the Church to be with the Lord.
Do they read the Bible? It is strange to hear someone
say that they "love the Lord" and observe that they have
no desire to spend time with Him!
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep,
but we shall all be changed - in a moment, in the twinkling
of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound,
and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be
changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and
this mortal must put on immortality.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so
God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this
we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive
and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means
precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an
archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in
Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain
shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet
the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
God Loves You
Through times of grief and sorrow;
Through times of pain and woe;
Through times of deep dark valleys;
We wondered which way to go.
Through times when we forgot you,
You never left our side
When we turned our backs upon you,
And we tried to run and hide.
You caught each tear of sorrow,
And you've kept each tear of fear
In a bottle to remind us
You're God, and you are near.
As we climb out of the valleys;
Once again to the mountain top;
You've shook those tears upon us
To say your love won't stop.
For every tear we've ever shed,
I think God's shed one too,
And I think that they're recorded
In his book of love for you.
by Billy Arrington
Through times of pain and woe;
Through times of deep dark valleys;
We wondered which way to go.
Through times when we forgot you,
You never left our side
When we turned our backs upon you,
And we tried to run and hide.
You caught each tear of sorrow,
And you've kept each tear of fear
In a bottle to remind us
You're God, and you are near.
As we climb out of the valleys;
Once again to the mountain top;
You've shook those tears upon us
To say your love won't stop.
For every tear we've ever shed,
I think God's shed one too,
And I think that they're recorded
In his book of love for you.
by Billy Arrington
Sunday, October 11, 2009
O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!
My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of your name.
Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
’Tis music in the sinner’s ears,
’Tis life, and health, and peace.
He breaks the power of canceled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.
He speaks, and, listening to His voice,
New life the dead receive,
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
The humble poor believe.
Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosened tongues employ;
You blind, behold your Savior come,
And leap, you lame, for joy.
In Christ your Head, you then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.
Glory to God, and praise and love
Be ever, ever given,
By saints below and saints above,
The church in Earth and Heaven.
On this glad day the glorious Sun
Of Righteousness arose;
On my benighted soul He shone
And filled it with repose.
Sudden expired the legal strife,
’Twas then I ceased to grieve;
My second, real, living life
I then began to live.
Then with my heart I first believed,
Believed with faith divine,
Power with the Holy Ghost received
To call the Savior mine.
I felt my Lord’s atoning blood
Close to my soul applied;
Me, me He loved, the Son of God,
For me, for me He died!
I found and owned His promise true,
Ascertained of my part,
My pardon passed in heaven I knew
When written on my heart.
Look unto Him, ye nations, own
Your God, you fallen race;
Look, and be saved through faith alone,
Be justified by grace.
See all your sins on Jesus laid:
The Lamb of God was slain,
His soul was once an offering made
For every soul of man.
Awake from guilty nature’s sleep,
And Christ shall give you light,
Cast all your sins into the deep,
And wash the Æthiop white.
Harlots and publicans and thieves
In holy triumph join!
Saved is the sinner that believes
From crimes as great as mine.
Murderers and all ye hellish crew
In holy triumph join!
Believe the Savior died for you;
For me the Savior died.
With me, your chief, you then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.
Charles Wesley, 1739
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!
My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of your name.
Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
’Tis music in the sinner’s ears,
’Tis life, and health, and peace.
He breaks the power of canceled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.
He speaks, and, listening to His voice,
New life the dead receive,
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
The humble poor believe.
Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosened tongues employ;
You blind, behold your Savior come,
And leap, you lame, for joy.
In Christ your Head, you then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.
Glory to God, and praise and love
Be ever, ever given,
By saints below and saints above,
The church in Earth and Heaven.
On this glad day the glorious Sun
Of Righteousness arose;
On my benighted soul He shone
And filled it with repose.
Sudden expired the legal strife,
’Twas then I ceased to grieve;
My second, real, living life
I then began to live.
Then with my heart I first believed,
Believed with faith divine,
Power with the Holy Ghost received
To call the Savior mine.
I felt my Lord’s atoning blood
Close to my soul applied;
Me, me He loved, the Son of God,
For me, for me He died!
I found and owned His promise true,
Ascertained of my part,
My pardon passed in heaven I knew
When written on my heart.
Look unto Him, ye nations, own
Your God, you fallen race;
Look, and be saved through faith alone,
Be justified by grace.
See all your sins on Jesus laid:
The Lamb of God was slain,
His soul was once an offering made
For every soul of man.
Awake from guilty nature’s sleep,
And Christ shall give you light,
Cast all your sins into the deep,
And wash the Æthiop white.
Harlots and publicans and thieves
In holy triumph join!
Saved is the sinner that believes
From crimes as great as mine.
Murderers and all ye hellish crew
In holy triumph join!
Believe the Savior died for you;
For me the Savior died.
With me, your chief, you then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.
Charles Wesley, 1739
Friday, October 2, 2009
Aspects of Salvation
Regeneration To be given or imparted life. Titus 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.
Adoption God placing a believer as an adult son into His family; giving him access to all of the privileges that go with it. Eph 1:5 He predestined us to an adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
Justification To be pronounced righteous. It is the legal and judicial act whereby God declares the believer righteous in Jesus Christ. It is not only the taking away of the believer's guilt, but also the imputation of Christ's righteousness in its place. Rom 3:24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.
Imputation To put something on a person's account or charge. To attribute or reckon something to an individual. Rom 4:23,24 Now not for his sake only was it written, that it was reckoned [imputed] to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be reckoned [imputed] as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,
Sanctification To be set apart unto God for God's use. To be set apart from sin unto holiness. God consecrates the believer unto Himself. 1 Cor 1:30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,
Reconciliation To be brought from enmity to friendship. To bring peace where there was once hatred and strife. Man is reconciled to God. 2 Cor 5:18,19 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Propitiation To appease or satisfy someone. To make amends for a wrong that was committed. God is completely satisfied by Jesus Christ's atonement. 1 John 2:2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
Redemption To purchase or buy back something that originally belonged to the purchaser. The death of Jesus Christ buys back the sinner. His blood is the payment. Col 1:14 in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Adoption God placing a believer as an adult son into His family; giving him access to all of the privileges that go with it. Eph 1:5 He predestined us to an adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
Justification To be pronounced righteous. It is the legal and judicial act whereby God declares the believer righteous in Jesus Christ. It is not only the taking away of the believer's guilt, but also the imputation of Christ's righteousness in its place. Rom 3:24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.
Imputation To put something on a person's account or charge. To attribute or reckon something to an individual. Rom 4:23,24 Now not for his sake only was it written, that it was reckoned [imputed] to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be reckoned [imputed] as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,
Sanctification To be set apart unto God for God's use. To be set apart from sin unto holiness. God consecrates the believer unto Himself. 1 Cor 1:30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,
Reconciliation To be brought from enmity to friendship. To bring peace where there was once hatred and strife. Man is reconciled to God. 2 Cor 5:18,19 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Propitiation To appease or satisfy someone. To make amends for a wrong that was committed. God is completely satisfied by Jesus Christ's atonement. 1 John 2:2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
Redemption To purchase or buy back something that originally belonged to the purchaser. The death of Jesus Christ buys back the sinner. His blood is the payment. Col 1:14 in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Obama and the 4 Pillars
"Today, I put forward four pillars that are fundamental to
the future that we want for our children:
pillars of Islam -
called Islam.
Since Obama's formative years were spent in Muslim schools,
it is only natural for him to suggest 4 pillars.
the future that we want for our children:
- non-proliferation and disarmament;
- the promotion of peace and security;
- the preservation of our planet; and
- a global economy that advances opportunity for all people."
pillars of Islam -
- fasting,
- prayers,
- Zakat (alms-giving) and
- Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).
called Islam.
Since Obama's formative years were spent in Muslim schools,
it is only natural for him to suggest 4 pillars.
Friday, September 18, 2009
My Trumpet is Ready!
I got my old beat-up trumpet out and tested it. Dave
Rumbaugh has a real shofar. Rosh HaShanah starts this
evening and lasts until Sunday evening. The shofar is
to be blown 100 times each day during the period.
Mens' breakfast is Saturday at 0830.
Even so, come Lord Jesus!
Rumbaugh has a real shofar. Rosh HaShanah starts this
evening and lasts until Sunday evening. The shofar is
to be blown 100 times each day during the period.
Mens' breakfast is Saturday at 0830.
Even so, come Lord Jesus!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Inside the Revolution
In Islam there are 3 groups:
The Radicals believe that
Islam is the answer, and jihad is the way.
The Reformers believe that
Islam is the answer, and jihad is not the way.
The Revivalists believe that
Islam is not the answer, and jihad is not the way;
Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6).
The Revivalists group is growing rapidly!
The Radicals believe that
Islam is the answer, and jihad is the way.
The Reformers believe that
Islam is the answer, and jihad is not the way.
The Revivalists believe that
Islam is not the answer, and jihad is not the way;
Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6).
The Revivalists group is growing rapidly!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Rosh HaShanah 2009
In 2009 Rosh HaShanah (Jewish New Year) begins at sundown on
Friday September 18 and ends at nightfall on Sunday September 20.
The shofar is an important symbol of Rosh HaShanah. It is an
instrument often made of a ram's horn and is blown one hundred
times during each of the two days of Rosh HaShanah. The sound
of the shofar blast reminds people of the importance of reflection
during this important holiday.
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with
the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the
dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will
be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in
the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
Friday September 18 and ends at nightfall on Sunday September 20.
The shofar is an important symbol of Rosh HaShanah. It is an
instrument often made of a ram's horn and is blown one hundred
times during each of the two days of Rosh HaShanah. The sound
of the shofar blast reminds people of the importance of reflection
during this important holiday.
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with
the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the
dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will
be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in
the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The Mahdi and The Messiah
I am reading Inside the Revolution, How the followers of Jihad,
Jefferson and Jesus are battling to dominate the Middle East and
transform the world by Joel C. Rosenberg.
The Jews are looking for the imminent return of the Messiah.
The Muslims are looking for the imminent return of the Mahdi.
The Christians are looking for the imminent return of the Messiah.
The President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, claims that his life
purpose is to prepare the world for the Mahdi. He started his
speeches by praying for the reemergence of the Twelfth Imam.
Only the Mahdi could solve mankind's problems.
At the U.N. General Assembly, Ahmadinejad declared:
"O Mighty Lord, I pray to you to hasten the emergence of your
last repository, the Promised One, that perfect and pure human
being, the One who will fill this world with justice and peace."
Jefferson and Jesus are battling to dominate the Middle East and
transform the world by Joel C. Rosenberg.
The Jews are looking for the imminent return of the Messiah.
The Muslims are looking for the imminent return of the Mahdi.
The Christians are looking for the imminent return of the Messiah.
The President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, claims that his life
purpose is to prepare the world for the Mahdi. He started his
speeches by praying for the reemergence of the Twelfth Imam.
Only the Mahdi could solve mankind's problems.
At the U.N. General Assembly, Ahmadinejad declared:
"O Mighty Lord, I pray to you to hasten the emergence of your
last repository, the Promised One, that perfect and pure human
being, the One who will fill this world with justice and peace."
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Original Sin
A pastor provided pre-marital counseling for a couple. All went well
except the man rejected the idea of original sin.
Twenty years later the pastor and the man - now happily married with
3 teenagers - had an opportunity to sit down and talk. Reflecting on
the counseling long ago, the pastor asked if the man still rejected the
idea of original sin. "No," said the man, "I not only believe in original
sin; I believe in demon possession!"
except the man rejected the idea of original sin.
Twenty years later the pastor and the man - now happily married with
3 teenagers - had an opportunity to sit down and talk. Reflecting on
the counseling long ago, the pastor asked if the man still rejected the
idea of original sin. "No," said the man, "I not only believe in original
sin; I believe in demon possession!"
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
The 5 points of Calvinism
This is a contentious subject, and it is best left to more mature
believers. At the Synod of Dort, a meeting of theologians in 1618-19,
ideas were presented and debated. Five ideas of Jacob Arminius
were put forth and ultimately rejected. The responses are called the
five points of Calvinism since Calvin's Institutes of Christian Theology,
1536, set forth theological ideas which differed.
Will "five-pointers" who are trusting in Jesus for salvation be saved?
Absolutely! Will "zero-pointers" who are trusting in Jesus for
salvation be saved? Absolutely!
The 5 points of Calvinism are easily remembered using the TULIP
acrostic. The verses provided are not intended as proof texts:
T - Total depravity; Ps 14-1
U - Unconditional election; Eph 2:8,9; Rom 9:11
L - Limited atonement; Matt 26:28; John 3:16,17
I - Irresistable grace; John 6:44,45
P - Perserverance of the saints; John 6:37
Wikipedia gives a good description at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvinism
believers. At the Synod of Dort, a meeting of theologians in 1618-19,
ideas were presented and debated. Five ideas of Jacob Arminius
were put forth and ultimately rejected. The responses are called the
five points of Calvinism since Calvin's Institutes of Christian Theology,
1536, set forth theological ideas which differed.
Will "five-pointers" who are trusting in Jesus for salvation be saved?
Absolutely! Will "zero-pointers" who are trusting in Jesus for
salvation be saved? Absolutely!
The 5 points of Calvinism are easily remembered using the TULIP
acrostic. The verses provided are not intended as proof texts:
T - Total depravity; Ps 14-1
U - Unconditional election; Eph 2:8,9; Rom 9:11
L - Limited atonement; Matt 26:28; John 3:16,17
I - Irresistable grace; John 6:44,45
P - Perserverance of the saints; John 6:37
Wikipedia gives a good description at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvinism
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Kings of Judah and Israel
| Enemies | Judah | Reigned | Israel | Reigned | ||
| Saul | 40 | Saul | 40 | |||
| David | 7.5 | R | David | 33 | R | |
| Soloman | 40 | R | Soloman | 40 | R | |
| Rehoboam | 17 | E | Jeroboam | 22 | ||
| Abijam/Abijah | 3 | E | Nadab | 2 | E | |
| Asa | 41 | R | Baasha | 24 | E | |
| Jehoshaphat | 25 | Elah | 2 | |||
| Jehoram/Joram | 8 | E | Zimri | 7dys | E | |
| Ahaziah | 1 | E | Omri | 12 | E | |
| Athaliah | E | Ahab | 22 | E | ||
| Jehoash/Joash | 40 | R | Ahaziah | 2 | E | |
| Amaziah | 29 | R | Jehoram/Joram | 12 | E | |
| Azariah/Uzziah | 52 | R | Jehu | 28 | R | |
| Jotham | 16 | R | Jehoahaz/Joahaz | 17 | E | |
| Ahaz | 16 | E | Jehoash/Joash | 16 | E | |
| Sennacherib | Hezekiah | 29 | R | Jeroboam | 41 | E |
| Berodach-baladan | Manasseh | 55 | E | Zechariah | 6mths | E |
| Amon | 2 | E | Shallum | 1mth | ||
| Josiah | 31 | R | Menahem | 10 | E | |
| Pharoah Neco | Jehoahaz | 3mths | E | Pekahiah | 2 | E |
| Nebuchadnezzar | Eliakim/Jehoiakim | 11 | E | Pekah | 20 | E |
| Jehoiachin | 3mths | E | Hoshea | 9 | E | |
| Mattaniah/Zedekiah | 11 | E | ||||
| Evil-merodach | Gedeliah (Governor) | 7mths | ||||
| Labashi-Marduk | ||||||
| Nabonidus | ||||||
| Belshazzar | ||||||
| Cyrus | ||||||
| Cambyses | ||||||
| Darius | ||||||
| Xerxes/Ahasuerus | ||||||
| Artaxerxes | Nehemiah (Govenor) | |||||
Geneology from Adam
| Luke3 | Years | Scripture |
| Adam | ||
| Seth | 130 | Gen 5:3 |
| Enosh | 105 | Gen 5:6 |
| Cainan (Kenan) | 90 | Gen 5:9 |
| Mahalaleel | 70 | Gen 5:12 |
| Jared | 65 | Gen 5:15 |
| Enoch | 162 | Gen 5:18 |
| Methuselah | 65 | Gen 5:21 |
| Lamech | 187 | Gen 5:25 |
| Noah | 182 | Gen 5:28 |
| Shem | 500 | Gen 5:32 |
| Arphaxad | 100 | Gen 11:10 |
| Cainan | ||
| Shelah | 35 | Gen 11:12 |
| Heber (Eber) | 30 | Gen 11:14 |
| Peleg | 34 | Gen 11:16 |
| Reu | 30 | Gen 11:18 |
| Serug | 32 | Gen 11:20 |
| Nahor | 30 | Gen 11:22 |
| Terah | 29 | Gen 11:24 |
| Abraham | 70 | Gen 11:26 |
| Isaac | 100 | Gen 21:5 |
| Jacob | 40 | Gen 25:20 |
| Judah | Gen 29:35 | |
| Perez | Gen 38:29 | |
| Hezron | Gen 46:12 | |
| Ram | Ruth 4:19 | |
| Admin | ||
| Amminadab | Ruth 4:19 | |
| Nahshon | Ruth 4:20 | |
| Salmon | Ruth 4:20 | |
| Boaz | Ruth 2:1 | |
| Obed | Ruth 4:21 | |
| Jesse | Ruth 4:22 | |
| David | Ruth 4:22 | |
| Nathan | 2Sam 5:14 | |
| Mattatha | Luke 3:31 | |
| Menna (Menan) | Luke 3:31 | |
| Melea | Luke 3:31 | |
| Eliakim | Luke 3:30 | |
| Jonam (Jonan) | Luke 3:30 |
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
No God, No Hope; Know Jesus Know God
I have good news and bad news! The good news (gospel) is that you
can be saved and spend eternity with God. The bad news is that if you
deny the free gift, then you will spend eternity in the lake of fire
separated from God.
Good news: Salvation is available to all:
John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have
eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the
world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who
believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged
already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten
Son of God.
We cannot earn salvation. It is a free gift to be accepted by faith:
Eph 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that
not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that
no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would
walk in them.
Our purpose is good works, but they do not save us. God's unmerited
favor does that.
Bad news: Everyone's name is initially in the Book of Life. If you reject
the free gift of Jesus' sacrifice, then your name is blotted out:
Rev 20:11-15 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it,
from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was
found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing
before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was
opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the
things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And
the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up
the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them
according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the
lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's
name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the
lake of fire.
can be saved and spend eternity with God. The bad news is that if you
deny the free gift, then you will spend eternity in the lake of fire
separated from God.
Good news: Salvation is available to all:
John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have
eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the
world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who
believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged
already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten
Son of God.
We cannot earn salvation. It is a free gift to be accepted by faith:
Eph 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that
not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that
no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would
walk in them.
Our purpose is good works, but they do not save us. God's unmerited
favor does that.
Bad news: Everyone's name is initially in the Book of Life. If you reject
the free gift of Jesus' sacrifice, then your name is blotted out:
Rev 20:11-15 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it,
from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was
found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing
before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was
opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the
things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And
the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up
the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them
according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the
lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's
name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the
lake of fire.
Are you ready?
God created everything in 6 days and "rested" on the seventh day.
This had a double purpose:
He came first as the suffering Savior (Psalm 22). Now He will come
as the conquering King that the Jews were looking for. The phrase
"a day is AS 1000 years" is the clue to God's timing.
In Luke's geneology of Adam to Jesus, the timing is confirmed. There
have been about 6,000 years since creation.
The Lord will first return for His Church (1 Thes 4:13-17). Since all
events involving Jesus take place on significant Jewish feasts, then
the next and most liklely date is 19 September 2009. The trumpet
of God will sound for the Feast of Trumpets.
The world will then enter the 7-year Tribulation period. After this
time, the Lord will return (Rev 19:11-21) to conquer Antichrist and
establish His 1,000-year kingdom on the Earth.
This had a double purpose:
- Set a pattern for everyday life
- Show the plan for God's Kingdom to believers
He came first as the suffering Savior (Psalm 22). Now He will come
as the conquering King that the Jews were looking for. The phrase
"a day is AS 1000 years" is the clue to God's timing.
In Luke's geneology of Adam to Jesus, the timing is confirmed. There
have been about 6,000 years since creation.
The Lord will first return for His Church (1 Thes 4:13-17). Since all
events involving Jesus take place on significant Jewish feasts, then
the next and most liklely date is 19 September 2009. The trumpet
of God will sound for the Feast of Trumpets.
The world will then enter the 7-year Tribulation period. After this
time, the Lord will return (Rev 19:11-21) to conquer Antichrist and
establish His 1,000-year kingdom on the Earth.
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