tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48151305719386719062024-02-08T05:35:04.850-06:00THE WORDMISSION STATEMENT: JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN. THE BIBLE IS GOD'S WORD, WRITTEN BY MEN, INSPIRED BY GOD. SALVATION COMES THROUGH REPENTANCE & BELIEF THAT CHRIST IS GOD'S SON, FURTHERMORE THAT HE DIED ON THE CROSS FOR YOU, ME, & THE WORLD ONLY TO BE RAISED ON THE THIRD DAY. WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE ALONE. I PRAY YOU FIND THIS SITE HELPFUL ON YOUR WALK THROUGH LIFE. LISTEN! THE LORD IS KNOCKING ON THE DOOR OF YOUR HEART.Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-9452960194281509672013-01-29T19:29:00.001-06:002013-01-29T19:29:11.949-06:00Faith, Belief, and One Question <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> Religious observances completed in the eyes of the masses are sadly done at times to make us look good on Sunday in front of others the aforementioned masses who ironically are feeling the same way. Religion is a list of things one must accomplish to be right in the sight of their god or deity. Jesus of Nazareth however is the only One who claimed to be God. He is the One who proclaims, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." He proclaimed, "It is finished" when he paid a sin debt that you and I owed with His life. The story does not end there. This Jesus, the son of Mary, this man who is God in human form defeated death by rising from its grasp providing a way for us to return to God through the sacrificial death on that cross. Do not mock faith when historical records, <a href="http://www.clarifyingchristianity.com/science.shtml">secular science</a> and even <a href="http://www.sciencespeaks.net/">mathematical equations</a> proclaim Jesus Christ's validity as God. Yet, despite all that, The Bible proclaims it. It all comes down to a question Christ asked: "Who do you say I am?"</span>Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-19783367135858999932013-01-01T16:07:00.000-06:002013-01-01T16:07:48.323-06:00A new year and new beginnings mean nothing if the old habits reign. <br />Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-3926661837589194082012-12-13T23:41:00.002-06:002012-12-13T23:41:55.384-06:00Christmas Gift With college work and life taking hold, I have not been able to really spend the time on the site delivering messages like I would like, but then again, no one may be reading, but then again, I do this for God. It is December, it is Christmas time, heavy on the Christ little on time, so let us look for a minute or hopefully think for a minute about the reason of the season. If you are one figuratively speaking ,“hell bent” on despising Christmas programs because of Christmas songs, plastic babies that depict the birth of Christ, or simply aggravated by the thought that a holy God exists, and loves you despite your being a secular, educated ass, then this may not be for you. However, it is just for you. There is a story about a young woman who went away to college in the fall, leaving her plants and her goldfish in the care of her mother, who had a tendency to be forgetful. Some of us may know somebody with a "brown thumb." This mother had one. The plants that the daughter left behind in the care of her mother died at the end of the month. The mother dutifully broke the bad news to her. When the young woman called a week later, her mother confessed that the goldfish had died too.
There was a long pause, then in a fearful voice the girl asked, "How’s Dad?"
As we come into the Christmas season, it is easy to forget what is important…like feeding Dad.
Seriously though, we easily get our priorities mixed up.
And the true meaning of Christmas gets lost.
We begin to think it is about presents, decorations and parties.
But the truth is…
The true meaning of Christmas is not found in the wrappings, but in the gift
Did you know Jesus is apparently more lost than Waldo because every time someone is saved or even people mock those people who have gotten saved both ironically cry the same thing?
“I’ve found Christ,” weeps the sinner turned saint through faith in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
“Have you found, God?” smirks the mocker.
God has never been lost, folks. God the Father has been here with us the entire time. Jesus as the Bible teaches is knocking at the door of our hearts wanting nothing from us except our trust, or love, our faith in Him alone. Let us go to the most read chapter of the Bible in December with a heavy re-read okay of the first half of verse 12.
Luke 2: 1-14
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And this shall be a sign unto you.
The redneck comedians albums of “Here’s Your Sign” really should hit us in the head. For over two thousand years, generation after generation has grown hearing as the hymn refers, “the old, old story.” It has been 401 years since King James published the Holy Bible as one unit. There we go! As I stated it, we can have people say, “Well, man made this book.”
Yes, man published it, but I challenge you along with your skeptical belief and fear to prove the Bible wrong. Perhaps you can show inconsistencies within. People have tried and will continue to try holding themselves above God believing their own hype if you will.
Do you need Jesus? Redundant even if you think you do not, of course you do. Look at the Word! Verse 10: And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
We are all people. You are all people. Think about the shepherds, the ones who got the memo first, think about how the church grew out of the faith of 12 regular men. God often chooses to do his greatest work through people or things we normally think of as weak or unimportant.
This is what- Paul means in I Corinthians when he writes:
Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.
To God, nobodies are somebodies.
To God, each one needs to hear the good news.
The good news is this friend: Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, is real. He came to earth to save us all from sin. He died on the cross, but rose from the dead by the grace of God the Father. Today at this moment, He waits for you to accept Him as Lord. Do not miss the Savior and His gift of eternal life. All you can do is realize that He is real and that you need him. Turn away from the crap, the stuff you do in life that you know is wrong and just focus on Jesus. You don’t have to know all the scriptures or even understand anything except that Jesus loves you, the Bible tells you that anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. We can’t work our way to Heaven friend. Jesus is the only way.
Romans 10:9-13
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. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
This day, the Christmas season, do not miss out. There are four kinds of folks that miss seeing Baby Jesus:
Some miss the baby because they are too distracted by all the world offers now.
-Some miss the baby because they are too busy and don’t have time to find out about him.
-Some miss the baby because they are too scared to let him take control of their lives.
-Some miss the baby because they are indifferent or ignorant of their need for a Savior.
Look to Christ today, while yo still can. Tomorrow may not be as kind.
Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-89920004684090427062012-07-26T14:37:00.001-05:002012-07-26T14:37:24.307-05:00Gehenna Dnoora. Most educated skeptics of the Bible being totally God's Word and Truth usually refer to Gehenna Dnoora, the burning garbage dump being Jesus' reference point to Hell. They love to gloat how Gehenna Dnoora is now a wonderful place that does not burn and such. The idea of Christ dying on a cross is foolish in their eyes. They are right from their pov. Until they humble themselves before God they will never see their need for God. The Bible will be to them a fairy tale written by mentally unstable men. The question we all answer at one time or another is who do we say Jesus is to us? We weigh the evidence and we run from the truth when it does not add up to what we think it should. 2+2 equals four. However, 1 Christ plus 3 nails also equals 4 (given) too. Before you can believe in Christ and confess Him as Lord you have to acknowledge your need for Him. That's the toughest part. The 12 that died in the theater massacre thought not of taking their last breath there. We never do think that today could be our last. What if it is? Christ taught the way to Heaven, not a way, but the way. He said He was the way. I will not convince you that Jesus is the Christ. God will. Look to the Bible and you will see.Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-8934433565098740192012-04-03T16:15:00.000-05:002012-04-03T16:15:25.441-05:00THE F WORD WITH 2 EXAMPLES<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Whether or not one calls Jesus the Lord comes down to one word; faith. It is through faith that a belief occurs. What about your faith? When thinking about your faith, is it as solid as a barrel cactus that is unwavering, focused, immovable, growing steadily-- oblivious to blazing days and cold nights? Or is it more like the delicate African violet. The smallest disturbance bruises a leaf, the slightest variance in moisture causes our faith to wilt?<br />
How can we strengthen our faith in troubled times when we sometimes have a difficult time under normal conditions? Sometimes we feel a sense of being overwhelmed when things start coming at us from all directions. When pressures increase, we often find that our faith starts to waver. Is it possible to strengthen our faith in troubled times? Is it possible to have strong, unwavering faith? Let’s look at two examples of faith and belief in action.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We find Jesus in Matthew chapter eight returning from the mountains:<br />
1 When He came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him. 2 Right away a man with a serious skin disease came up and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Right away we see the man’s trust, his belief, and his faith in Christ being the healer. Notice he did not demand or throw his arms up in a dramatic fashion for the entire world to see. This man, this leper demonstrates three things that everyone should do when calling upon Jesus. First, he kneels to Christ showing his humility to Jesus. We as Christians are to emulate Christ; therefore we take up the humility shield if you will. The second thing he shows us is his request to Christ that demonstrates that it is His not our, but His will that will be done. Remember that before the crucifixion occurred, Christ prayed too that not His own will, but rather God the Father’s will be done.<br />
3 Reaching out His hand He touched him, saying, “I am willing; be made clean.” Immediately his disease was healed.[a] 4 Then Jesus told him, “See that you don’t tell anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses prescribed, as a testimony to them.” <br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Nowhere in the Bible does Jesus ever refuse to heal someone. The man, the leper, acknowledged Who Jesus is, humbled himself before Jesus, and then thirdly, accepted the gift of healing from the King of kings.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Jesus tells him to go to the priests and so forth because frankly most commentators explain that His time to reveal had not yet occurred. I understand. So, from a leper, a man most ran from, were terrified of, we see how we are and need to approach Christ. Now there is another that approached Christ that was not a despised man, but a respected military veteran so to speak.<br />
When He entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible agony!”<br />
7 “I will come and heal him,” He told him.<br />
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8 “Lord,” the centurion replied, “I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But only say the word, and my servant will be cured. 9 For I too am a man under authority, having soldiers under my command.[b] I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”<br />
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10 Hearing this, Jesus was amazed and said to those following Him, “I assure you: I have not found anyone in Israel with so great a faith! 11 I tell you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus told the centurion, “Go. As you have believed, let it be done for you.” And his servant was cured that very moment.<br />
On his way into Capernaum Jesus encountered a Roman centurion. A centurion meant that he was a career military person who was in charge of 100 men. Centurions were the military backbone throughout the empire maintaining discipline and executing orders. He understood the Roman military system where all authority was delegated. When he spoke to his men, he spoke with the emperor’s authority and so his command was obeyed without question. A soldier who defied him would not just be defying a centurion but the emperor himself.<br />
He was a God-fearing man although he was a Gentile, an outsider. He lacked the background of Old Testament revelation that the Jews had in order to help him understand Jesus. Although this man might have had some gaps in the Old Testament heritage concerning Jesus, yet it was the knowledge he had concerning authority in his career that applied to Jesus and which was a big key to strengthening his faith during a time of great need.<br />
In his thinking Jesus was under God’s authority and when He spoke--God is speaking. To defy Jesus was to defy God.<br />
When Christian Herter was governor of Massachusetts, he was running hard for a second term in office. One day after a busy morning chasing votes and (no lunch) he arrived at a church barbeque. It was late afternoon and he was famished. As he moved down the serving line, he held out his plate to the woman serving chicken. She put a piece on his plate and turned to the next person in line.<br />
“Excuse me,” Governor Herter said, “do you mind if I have another piece of chicken.”<br />
“Sorry,” the woman told him. “I’m supposed to give one piece of chicken to each person.”<br />
“But I’m starved” the governor said.<br />
“Sorry,” the woman said again. “Only one to a customer.”<br />
Governor Herter was an unassuming man, but he decided that this time he would throw his weight around a little.<br />
“Do you know who I am?” he said. “I am the governor of this state.”<br />
“Do you know who I am?” the woman said. “I’m the lady in charge of the chicken. Move along mister!”<br />
The centurion knew that Jesus had a whole lot more authority than that. He had authority over sickness and suffering, and the centurion was very concerned about his servant who was at the point of death. He had a genuine concern for his man. In the Matthew account, he spoke to Jesus calling him, “Lord” which was a sign of his belief in Jesus’ deity. He says, “Lord, my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.” He defined the need clearly to Jesus. It was not vague and generalized. In the Message Bible he says, “Master, my servant is sick. He can’t walk. He’s in terrible pain.” He stuck to his point when making his request.<br />
In Luke 7 we have more information about this servant--he was highly valued by the centurion and he was sick and near death (vs. 2). The Luke account tells us that the centurion sent some highly respected Jewish leaders on ahead to ask Jesus to come and heal this servant. They spoke highly of this Roman centurion. They said, “if anyone deserves your help, it’s this man. He loves the Jews and even built a synagogue for us.” So Jesus went with them.<br />
When the need was presented clearly to Jesus, He answered the man, “I will go and heal him.” It was no big problem to Jesus. He says, “Sure, I will come and take care of the problem.”<br />
At this point the man says, “Oh, no, I don’t want you to go to all that trouble. I’m not worthy for you to enter my house. But just say the Word from where you are. He is not backpedaling here. He is saying, I have so much confidence in you that I know that if you just say the word, it will be done. I too am a person under authority. I say go here or go there or do this or do that and it is taken care of. He didn’t need to see Jesus come to his home or lay his hands on the sick servant. He said to Jesus--”Lord, just SAY THE WORD.”<br />
How many of us pray, yet we do not believe that the Father, Son, and Spirit hear our needs and desires? Granted, He knows them, but the act of prayer is more than lip service to make ourselves feel better, folks. God wants to hear from us. Just say the word above I believe can be understood as an answered prayer.<br />
When G. Campbell Morgan was a young Christian he used to visit several elderly ladies once a week to read the Bible to them. When he came to the end of Matthew’s Gospel, Morgan read, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age." He added, "Isn’t that a wonderful promise?" One of the ladies quickly replied, "Young man, that is not a promise. It is a fact!" Warren W. Wiersbe, MEET YOUR The centurion said, “Just say the word and my servant will be healed.” That’s a fact.<br />
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In what way do you picture the authority of Jesus when it comes to answering your prayers? If we could see this clearly, it would strengthen our faith tremendously. What does scripture tell us about His authority?<br />
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STORY: Believing things ’on authority’ only means believing them because you have been told them by someone you think trustworthy. Ninety-nine percent of the things you believe are believed on authority. A person who balked at authority in other things, as some people do in religion, would have to be content to know nothing all his life.<br />
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Matthew 7:29 says that “Jesus taught as one who HAD authority.”<br />
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Matthew 9:6 says, “the Son of man HAS authority on earth.”<br />
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Matthew 28:18 says, “ALL authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.”<br />
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If he has all authority, then wouldn’t he be able to take care of your problem?<br />
The centurion’s word was law to his soldiers. His faith in the power of Christ to heal was illustrated by the dominion he had as a centurion over his soldiers. His faith in the word that Jesus spoke was certain. Because he knew all about the power of authority--he recognized Jesus’ power and authority over disease. Jeremiah 23:23 says, “Am I only a God nearby? and not a God far away?” This shows both the immanence and the transcendence of God. When we pray for people at a distance, know that God hears that prayer just as if you were right with the person.<br />
Are we a people that, as the leper did, humble ourselves to God Almighty, acknowledging His will first? Are like the Centurion that despite the earthly prestige we hold, hold Christ most high above all others? Do we possess a faith that believes that the very words of Christ will make it so? Do we possess the faith that is real and lasts?<br />
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</div>Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-71417186134476926102012-03-31T15:10:00.000-05:002012-03-31T15:10:00.341-05:00Word of God *collection of previously written documents<a href="http://www.tinin.com/compilationtininv2.pdf">Word of God (compilation of previously written items including testimony) Can save as a pdf. </a>Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-1969629086488999012012-03-28T16:17:00.000-05:002012-03-28T16:17:17.679-05:00When is it okay to kill a baby in the womb?<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7y2KsU_dhwI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-26965231285213683352012-01-30T21:19:00.002-06:002012-01-30T21:19:34.822-06:00Journey Through 1 CorinthiansI Corinthians Journey <br />
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Let’s get the demographics out of the way. The church at Corinth was established as reported in Acts 18:1-17. Paul wrote the following letter to address the divisions. Sounds like today, right? I come to you today to tell you about Jesus and what He has done for me and to tell you that He will do the same for you.<br />
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Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, came down to this small speck of dust somewhere in the vast greatness of the universe that Jesus created, leaving the splendor and glory of His throne in Heaven, to be born into poverty and a world filled with sin and darkness.<br />
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He was Light that is come into this world of darkness is the way the John said it. He came to shine forth as the only source of hope and life to a world of men who lived in absolute darkness of sin and without hope. He came to illuminate our path that we could see those pitfalls that were already there ready for us to plunge into eternity without God.<br />
He came as the source of light and truth to bring a reason for existing to man who was created in God’s own image.<br />
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His Light gives us the energy source needed to sustain life. His light brings illumination so that we can what is already there and that Satan is our foe to destroy us because we were blind in darkness and could not see what our adversary was doing. His light gives us the revelation Let’s jump in. <br />
1Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's: <br />
We first read a standard greeting. Then in verse two we see the S WORD. We see two S words. Sanctified we are in Christ and then we are Saints because of the sanctification. Paul in one line simply states that all people who call upon Christ are saints. <br />
3Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. <br />
4I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; <br />
5That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; <br />
6Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: <br />
7So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: <br />
8Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. <br />
We are blameless because we are Saints by accepting God’s Grace. <br />
9God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. <br />
10Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. <br />
We as a people are too worried about trash in our churches. A home’s structure will not stand storms if the foundation is cracked. We cannot have divisions if we are to win a lost world. Christian churches that argue over musical instruments the use or lack thereof, when baptisms occur, and most importantly, issues of scripture’s relevance are doomed to fail and mock the very cross of Christ when we cannot see when focus on our own needs. <br />
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11For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. <br />
12Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. <br />
13Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? <br />
14I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; <br />
15Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. <br />
16And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. <br />
17For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. <br />
Paul, as usual, pulls no punches. He tells them that God, Jesus Christ called him to preach the Gospel not baptize. As I’ve taught before from the Word, baptism the act thereof is not a saving act. Getting dunked in city water, well water, or river water doers not save anyone from anything except dirt. Salvation comes from Christ, the cross, and the belief. <br />
18For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. <br />
Foolishness. The thought of a man claiming to be God is nothing but stupid to those who are filled with their own wonder. The only thing more ridiculous than a man dying on the cross is the same man saying he will save the world by dying. Crazy, wild stuff! <br />
If you ever meet anyone who claims to be God-<br />
you’ve only got 3 choices:<br />
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1. Believe he’s an idiot. Doesn’t know what he’s saying.<br />
Diminished capacity. Mentally unstable.<br />
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2. Believe he’s a con-man. Rip-off artist. Swindler<br />
He pretends so can take advantage of you. (plenty around)<br />
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3. Believe he’s telling the truth.<br />
In that case- you have to worship & obey him!<br />
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You already believe something about Jesus. The question is what? <br />
Is he a Liar? Lunatic? or Lord? <br />
a Deceiver? Deluded? or Deity?<br />
19For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. <br />
20Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?<br />
Paul alludes to Isaiah. <br />
21For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.<br />
Think about this. Who spread Christianity? Jesus is the cornerstone, the centerpiece of Christianity, the reason we worship, but the spread goes to twelve ordinary, diverse, men from simple fisherman to tax collectors to a man, Paul, that pursued and killed Christians in the early days. What did they preach? The crucified, Risen Christ. <br />
22For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: <br />
23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; <br />
Jews hold the scriptures of old that prophesized the Savior, but they simply refuse to admit Jesus Christ is Lord. The Greeks have too many gods and they worshipped everything. Sounds like today. <br />
24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. <br />
25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. <br />
Is God foolish? Is that what Paul is saying? No, no. It is a metaphor just showing that God is well, um, God and that men for all their learned knowledge pales in comparison. New Atheism: A guy named Chris Hitchens claims that the teaching about Jesus is unethical. He believes that the teaching about Jesus becoming a sacrifice for all humanity is wrong and unhealthy. It is unethical. For what it does, according to Hitchens, is absolve people from the responsibility of their actions. Without a sense of responsibility and consequence, chaos will reign unchecked.<br />
That’s something isn’t it. We have so many educated morons claiming to know how it all started based on theories and evolutionary equations-well, um, no they can’t. But hey, at least they are the first ones to tell us how it didn’t start; you know God really didn’t just speak us into existence, right? Man is ever searching for knowledge. Knowledge is growing at an exponential rate as man’s hunger to know all things is every increasing. Man’s desire to have complete control and power over his environment has pushed his power to know and understand to the limits of sanity. We are ever searching for deeper meanings and great discoveries but the one thing we lack is the wisdom to handle all that we know.<br />
26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: <br />
27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; <br />
David kills Goliath, Moses, an old, stuttering murderer leads God’s people to freedom, a baby born to a young girl grows up a humble carpenter only to die on a tree at the same time he is saving the world. <br />
28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: <br />
29That no flesh should glory in his presence. <br />
30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: <br />
This is my God, your God, our Jesus! Not Islam’s god, prophet, not Hindu’s Sheeva, but Jesus! Three big words are here and should be looked at: Righteousness. We receive this the moment we believe in Christ. Sanctification is the ongoing work Christ does in our lives as believers. Redemption is the sum of the two parts above. Christ redeemed us, he has made us righteous and He continues to sanctify us by the Holy Spirit. <br />
31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.<br />
Chapter 2 deals with wisdom. Not mine or yours, but God’s.<br />
1And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. <br />
Paul does not boast. He was a well-educated man. Yet, he clings to the only real knowledge in this life; Jesus is the Christ. <br />
2For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. <br />
3And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. <br />
4And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: <br />
5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.<br />
Paul does demonstrate some key points. We as God’s chosen children like Paul are to witness and spread the Gospel. How can we do this if we are scared and frightened? We think we do stuff all the time. In sports, we catch the game winning throw, or hit a run or basket. “I DID IT!” We say these things. When we witness to people about God, it is not us speaking. Jesus promised his disciples that when they spoke of the things of God, the Holy Spirit would assist them. That friends, has not changed. The Spirit dwells inside of us as Christians. The smartest people on the planet have yet to figure out a way to stop death. Yet, Jesus has. The wisdom of men is oxymoronic ask any woman. <br />
6Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: <br />
7But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: <br />
8Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. <br />
9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. <br />
In verse six, I think Paul is being a bit ironic or maybe sarcastic to the “educated” people that look down on we mortals. These verses are profoundly simplistic despite the intricate beauty of how they are woven together. God is a mystery. We know him through the son and by study of the Word. God allows us to know what we need to know when we need to know it. There’s not a preacher alive that can say, “I know all about this book. I understand it all.” If they say it, they are lying and just want a donation. Verse nine speaks of the promise to come; Heaven. <br />
10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. <br />
11For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. <br />
Like I said earlier, God will let us know what God wants us to know. Many of you own Bibles. That in itself is God’s complete manuscript for us. <br />
12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. <br />
13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. <br />
14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.<br />
There isn’t that many men that can really explain how a person is saved. We quote scripture, tell of how our own lives have changed, but when it gets down to it, who among us short of Christ can explain how the Spirit actually transforms a person. <br />
15But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.<br />
This does not mean that Christians judge others, but rather the Christian is different and set apart from those who are of the world. <br />
16For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.<br />
Even though we cannot truly know the mysteries of God unless he reveals them to us, the sinner turned Christian saint lives life with a focus on Christ. <br />
Just like job evaluations, Paul started out complimentary before addresses the area of need. Chapter three starts out blasting the church for their lack of growth. <br />
1And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. <br />
2I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. <br />
3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? <br />
How many times does a down on their luck person find Jesus in a church, prison, or any place when they feel lost? How many times does person sometimes well, forget about the cross, the grace of God, and you know, worshipping Christ when things in life go smoother than the rough patch that made them realize the Christ void in their life? We focus on ourselves and not Jesus. <br />
4For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? <br />
5Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? <br />
Paul again focus on the issue of divisions in this one church, but really can we not apply it to ourselves and all other churches that at times seem to give people a reason to stay away than invite them in. <br />
6I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. <br />
7So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. <br />
Christian people forget that Jesus saves. We sometimes feel like we are the ones doing it for the church. It’s true. Many Christians forget that each member of the church has a role to play, a job to do for the Kingdom of God. Ultimately, even though God uses us, He, the Father, Son, and Spirit are the ones who save. <br />
8Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. <br />
By no means is this saying salvation is a work based system. However, Christians do get rewards in Heaven. <br />
9For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. <br />
10According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. <br />
We all work through God with God to expand knowledge of God to those who truly do not know. <br />
11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. <br />
Why choose Jesus over the other religious teachings and teachers? Christ is the only one that lives. All others are dead. History if it does nothing else has taught that those other guys have faded into memories whereas Christ despite recent government and court decisions that state otherwise is still on the throne. <br />
12Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; <br />
13Every 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. <br />
What do you think of when you think of fire? It is a cleansing element without question. Fire strengthens us at times. In the Bible many times, God is seen through/as fire. The day in question is I believe Judgment Day. A consistent principle taught throughout scripture is yes, friends, we will all give account of our lives and our actions on that day. <br />
14If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. <br />
15If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. <br />
Salvation is something once obtained cannot be lost. I know many Christians believe otherwise, but to do so is honestly contrary to the Bible’s teachings. Jesus said no one could take his children from him. Rewards are a different story. Christians can be saved, but not live in God’s will. The true Christian will feel the Holy Spirit convict them when they are out of God’s will. Once that conviction tears away at the heart, the Christian will make amends to repent and ask forgiveness. <br />
16Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? <br />
17If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. <br />
Nothing like being called the temple of God to make you want to put down the doughnut. All kidding aside, God creates us in his image. Once saved, the Spirit dwells within. So pro-choice people, our bodies not really ours. <br />
18Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. <br />
19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. <br />
Let us look at this list of people. God used them to accomplish mighty things. In many cases, some men were not wise, but God accomplished much with so little. <br />
Noah - drunkenness<br />
Abraham - lack of trust in God<br />
Lot - drunkenness<br />
Moses - avoiding God's call, killing the Egyptian<br />
Isaac and Rebekah - favoritism<br />
Jacob - stealing the birthright<br />
Joseph - deceiving his brothers<br />
David - adultery and murder<br />
Job - justified himself<br />
Jonah - ran from God<br />
John Mark - left Paul on a missionary journey<br />
Paul - unable to free himself from a "thorn in the flesh"<br />
Ole Peter ran his mouth a lot you know. He fits the verses above quite nicely. Peter himself admitted to Jesus that he was "a sinful man." In one instance, Jesus blessed Peter6 and not five verses later called him "Satan." Peter made the pronouncement that he would never leave Jesus, being even willing to die before denying Him. However, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times after He was arrested and fled.<br />
20And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. <br />
21Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's; <br />
22Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your's; <br />
23And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.<br />
To translate verses twenty through twenty-three into a simpler statement: “God knows what you are thinking, you aren’t that great, you belong to Christ therefore you belong to God. <br />
<br />
1 Corinthians 4<br />
1Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. <br />
2Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. <br />
3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. <br />
Ministers are called. They are to be held to a higher standard. That being said:<br />
4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.<br />
God is the judge. Now that is not to say that we as Christians turn a blind or complacent eye to sin and more to the point the people doing the sin. If we look at Christ and His ministry, He walked and talked daily with the the so called by today’s standards, bad types, the whores, the drunks, the low lifes. He had n problem speaking with them because He educated them ontheir need to repent, their need to change, their need for the grace of God. We should be that way if we call ourselves Christians. <br />
5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. <br />
Again we are not to think sin is commonplace, but as far as the people go, we must night be like the Pharisees of old with our noses up in the air judging every person that does or does not go to our church. <br />
6And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. <br />
7For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?<br />
Ever hear someone say, “If preacher X leaves church Y, I’ll stop going”? Why do we do to church? Is it to socialize, an attempt to feel better about ourselves, that Christian friend just kept asking us, is to stand during worship and half-heartedly hum the tune while not bringing ourselves to you know, actually praise the Lord? The preacher or the church’s roll or even the denomination does not matter. What does matter is Jesus Christ at the center of ministry and outreach. <br />
8Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. <br />
9For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. <br />
Paul says he and the others are appointed to die and that they are like a circus act for all the world to see. When Paul became an apostle, Jesus said he would suffer for the namesake of Christ. All of the disciples turned apostles knew the cost of following Christ. One of the biggest truths detractors cannot grasp if Jesus was just a man, how and why did the church form under ignorant men, and why did these men die for a lie? <br />
10We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. <br />
11Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; <br />
12And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: <br />
13Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. <br />
Paul lays down the line in the sand so to speak by listing the differences between himself and the apostles and the people, the Christians, at the church. The apostles were considered fools because they preached Christ, his gospel, his grace, his love, his truth. Going back to why we go to church, many times, I feel, we, are like the Corinthians. We use our church status, our relationship with Christ whether genuine or not, like a social media, status update. We want people to know we are there on Sunday maybe Wednesday, but Monday-Saturday, it is business as usual. The Corinthians were using their Christian status to look more um, uppity I suppose. <br />
14I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. <br />
15For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. <br />
16Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. <br />
Paul is in no way attempting to equal himself to Christ, but reminds the church that although there are many instructors in Christ, he is the one that first established the church through the Christ’s gospel. He just simply wants them to remember and return to their roots. <br />
17For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. <br />
Paul is preparing the path for a young preacher, his traveling buddy, protégé, Timothy. <br />
18Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. <br />
Even in this time there are those who run their melee mouths about the church and those who serve Christ. <br />
19But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. <br />
20For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. <br />
21What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?<br />
The Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. Does that extinguish the power of the word in the Bible? No. Jesus is the Word of God. Notice the capital W. Paul loves rhetoric too. Think of an older uncle that is not pleased with your behavior as he is trying to watch the game. He hollers to you from the other room, “Don’t make come in there!” Paul is doing that when asking the people if they want to do things the easy way or the hard way. He knew the arrogant, self-righteous, pious people would no doubt at this point is his letter be offended. Keep Paul’s last comment as we read the next line. <br />
<br />
Chapter 5<br />
1It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. <br />
Some son married his stepmother. Sex. Something God designed has become Satan’s best weapon against us. Lust creeps in and destroys the moral fabric that the Holy Spirit has woven in our marriages if said marriage is between a man and a woman that are Christians. Sorry, lesbians, homosexual males, God’s Word defines marriage no matter how many states add constitutional amendments; one man, one woman. Today, we stand defending marriage. We stand defending our young people from porn, sexting, and other filth. The world calls it entertainment, they call it choice, they call it America. God calls it an abomination. <br />
2And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. <br />
3For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,<br />
Didn’t Paul just write not to judge, but here he is judging the fornication and those involved? The Bible presents the formula in dealing with matters of sin within its own ranks. Paul is going forward in this manner.<br />
4In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, <br />
5To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. <br />
Many educated theologians debate this. Here is my simplistic take on it: The body of a believer is a temple for the Holy Spirit. If the person will not repent of the sin, sadly they are giving themselves up perhaps physically to Satan. I dare say Paul is advocating expulsion from the church, but as we will read later, the Church, people, we, are the bridge of Christ, and in being that, we must be found blameless and pure for our Lord. Since we are failed flesh turned saints by the blood, when we fall to sin and we will, we listen to conviction from the Holy Spirit, repent and look to Christ. If the person committing the sin is not saved, that is ultimately what the church family wants to shoot for, introducing the lost to Christ’s grace. <br />
6Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? <br />
7Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: <br />
8Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. <br />
The Bible is making the case that it does take a big sin or a lot of sin to corrupt us<br />
When we allow even a small amount of sin in our lives, it has the ability to spread. We deceive ourselves into thinking that a little sin is acceptable and controllable. Satan has us right where he wants us when we start to believe that we can handle a little sin. As soon as we feel that we are in control, sin can easily take control of us. The truth is that sin sours us from a right relationship with God. It causes us to be puffed up in pride just like dough is puffed up with yeast. Not only can a little bit of sin contaminate our lives, but it also will affect others. Our sin has a way of contaminating our families and polluting the church.<br />
9I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: <br />
10Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. <br />
Paul says tell them about Jesus, but don’t hang out with them every Saturday night. We have to church, speak to those who are not like ourselves. Follow Christ. He spoke, taught, and extended his grace to the whores and drunks of the world. We should offer to them the witness and love of Christ, but at the same time, we don’t have to hang out at the bars with ‘em, okay. <br />
11But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. <br />
12For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? <br />
Paul’s strong words certainly can apply to sin in general, but his message appears to be directed at the church family and her members who are sinning or refuse to admit they need to stop sinning, fall on their face before God, and get right with Jesus. <br />
13But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.<br />
Strong words from Paul. He says God will judge those outside the church. Put away, deal with, kick out, and eliminate the sin from within the church. <br />
Chapter six is split dealing with civil issues and a return to purity among believers. <br />
1Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? <br />
2Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? <br />
3Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? <br />
4If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. <br />
5I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? <br />
6But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. <br />
What an embarrassment on a church in generality when two Christians duke it out in court over something stupid. In a nutshell, Paul advises Christians to not take civil matters to a secular, worldly, not Christian, court. <br />
7Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? <br />
8Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. <br />
It makes the church look bad in the eyes of the world. The business of the church and her members should be introducing the lost to Christ not airing out laundry in a courtroom. <br />
9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, <br />
10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. <br />
Who isn’t mentioned in these verses? Not one of us can get to Heaven based on our own work and sins. Paul mentions these to lead into the next verse slamming the pseudo-use of Christ. You cannot claim Christianity and Christ and still wallow in the same sins. <br />
11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.<br />
Paul reminds THE PEOPLE THAT HEY, SOME OF YOU USED TO BE DRUNK and so on. We are all washed, sanctified, and justified by the Holy Spirit. <br />
12All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. <br />
Those in the Christian realm and those who attack Christianity share a bond. What? I know it sounds crazy, but listen. Certain denominations preach that salvation given freely by Christ on the cross can be lost. Those others who attack Christianity attack the scripture written by Peter inspired by God that says, “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.” They argue that the scriptures give Christians the right to sin even as a believer. Some in the Christian realm believe that as well. The Bible forbids certain things. We crazy Christians don’t do those things. If grace and salvation worked like an automated carwash, we could sin all we wanted with no regard for Christ, get all nasty with whoever and whatever, ask forgiveness, and repeat the process the next day or night without any thought or reverence to God. It does not work that way, folks. <br />
13Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. <br />
14And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. <br />
15Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. <br />
Remember what I said about being the temple? Sex with your marriage partner good. Sex with whore bad. <br />
16What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. <br />
17But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. <br />
18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. <br />
19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? <br />
Holy temple again. <br />
20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.<br />
Sounds pretty simple, right? We should glorify God in our bodies and spirit by living right, teaching others about him, and basically sharing the Gospel by our actions and words. <br />
<br />
To be or Not to Be Married <br />
<br />
1Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. <br />
First, the above verse does not promote homosexuality. This is a verse like the whole of scripture that must be read in context with the following verses. <br />
2Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. <br />
3Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. <br />
4The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. <br />
5Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. <br />
Let me simple and clear on verses two-five. Husbands, wives, neither of you have the right to say or do anything in opposition to the other. Have sex with ONLY your spouse a lot. <br />
6But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. <br />
7For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. <br />
8I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I. <br />
9But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.<br />
Paul stayed single with his eye on Jesus the whole time. He is not saying, “Hey, let everyone hook up and marry for the wrong reason.” If you are in a loving, Christ centered relationship called marriage, it is good, but if you are not married, the lustful temptations will be present. Why do you think marriage partners stray? Are they bored? Yes, probably. Are they bored with you? Not exactly. If they are treated the same way, badly all the time, they will look for positive attention elsewhere, men and women. Be good to your spouse. <br />
10And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: <br />
11But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. <br />
12But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. <br />
13And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. <br />
14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. <br />
15But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. <br />
16For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife? <br />
More times than not it is the lady, the mom, the wife taking the kids to church because the husband is not a Christian or it just doesn’t go for God’s Word saying do not forsake the fellowship. Regardless, the concept remains, do not give up the marriage. Continue to pray despite the hardship that God’s Word will not come back void. <br />
17But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. <br />
And so ordain I in all churches. <br />
18Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. <br />
19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. <br />
20Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. <br />
21Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. <br />
22For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. <br />
23Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. <br />
24Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.<br />
This set of verses may not seem like they are important to this generation, but I believe they are very detailed for this generation. We spend time worrying about what people think of us, don’t we? Many people today go to a church and treat it like a social club. The Jewish customs were just that, customs. In order to be considered holy or right with God, certain events had to happen and so forth. Paul is saying simply, “Let God shine through you despite you.” <br />
25Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. <br />
26I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be. <br />
27Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. <br />
28But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you. <br />
29But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; <br />
30And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; <br />
31And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. <br />
32But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: <br />
33But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. <br />
34There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. <br />
In all things we do, God should receive glory. A wife is going to please her husband and so forth. If a person is single they can focus all their time on God rather than the dishes and family outings. Paul is not choosing one over the other, but the truth is, some people are better servants if they are single. Some are better servants with a spouse. <br />
35And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. <br />
36But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry. <br />
37Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. <br />
38So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better. <br />
39The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. <br />
40But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.<br />
You’re a Christian?<br />
1 Corinthians 8<br />
The most heartbreaking comment anyone can makes to a Christian is, “I did not know you were a Christian.” We are our actions. Peter had the biggest hang up about Jewish customs and meat. Paul addresses somewhat this situation that bothered many people in the church. <br />
1Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. <br />
2And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. <br />
3But if any man love God, the same is known of him. <br />
4As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. <br />
5For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) <br />
6But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. <br />
There is one God. Focusing on what we eat is not at all what we should be doing. We should focus living this life for Christ and not worry about useless matters.<br />
7Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. <br />
8But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. <br />
9But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. <br />
10For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; <br />
11And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? <br />
12But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. <br />
13Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.<br />
Let me sum it up. At this time, young Christians were having trouble understanding the concept of faith. They were still under the impression of the Law that one could not do certain things like eat certain kinds of meat. Remember now that the reason why God gave us the Law, the Commandments was not so we could keep each one because we cannot. The Law was given to show us our need for Him, Christ. Now, let us take this to a modern sense. Paul spoke about him and other, more mature Christians not causing those weaker in the faith to fall. Our actions define us. We do not want to be told by someone, “Wow, you are a Christian, I had no idea.” If we say we are Christians, we will resemble Christ if we are in truth what we say we are. <br />
1 Corinthians 9<br />
1Am I am not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? <br />
2If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. <br />
3Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, <br />
4Have we not power to eat and to drink? <br />
5Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? <br />
6Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? <br />
7Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? <br />
8Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? <br />
9For it is written in the law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? <br />
10Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. <br />
11If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? <br />
12If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. <br />
13Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? <br />
14Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. <br />
15But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. <br />
16For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! <br />
17For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. <br />
18What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. <br />
19For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. <br />
20And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; <br />
21To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. <br />
22To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. <br />
23And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. <br />
24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. <br />
25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. <br />
26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: <br />
27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.<br />
<br />
<br />
Verses 1-14 can be summed up simply by saying this: Provide for the minister. Paul denied himself having a family to carry on the work of God. Look at 1-14 again translated into I suppose modern language that all can understand from The Message Bible:<br />
1-2 And don't tell me that I have no authority to write like this. I'm perfectly free to do this—isn't that obvious? Haven't I been given a job to do? Wasn't I commissioned to this work in a face-to-face meeting with Jesus, our Master? Aren't you yourselves proof of the good work that I've done for the Master? Even if no one else admits the authority of my commission, you can't deny it. Why, my work with you is living proof of my authority! <br />
3-7I'm not shy in standing up to my critics. We who are on missionary assignments for God have a right to decent accommodations, and we have a right to support for us and our families. You don't seem to have raised questions with the other apostles and our Master's brothers and Peter in these matters. So, why me? Is it just Barnabas and I who have to go it alone and pay our own way? Are soldiers self-employed? Are gardeners forbidden to eat vegetables from their own gardens? Don't milkmaids get to drink their fill from the pail? <br />
8-12I'm not just sounding off because I'm irritated. This is all written in the scriptural law. Moses wrote, "Don't muzzle an ox to keep it from eating the grain when it's threshing." Do you think Moses' primary concern was the care of farm animals? Don't you think his concern extends to us? Of course. Farmers plow and thresh expecting something when the crop comes in. So if we have planted spiritual seed among you, is it out of line to expect a meal or two from you? Others demand plenty from you in these ways. Don't we who have never demanded deserve even more? <br />
12-14But we're not going to start demanding now what we've always had a perfect right to. Our decision all along has been to put up with anything rather than to get in the way or detract from the Message of Christ. All I'm concerned with right now is that you not use our decision to take advantage of others, depriving them of what is rightly theirs. You know, don't you, that it's always been taken for granted that those who work in the Temple live off the proceeds of the Temple, and that those who offer sacrifices at the altar eat their meals from what has been sacrificed? Along the same lines, the Master directed that those who spread the Message be supported by those who believe the Message. <br />
In relation to chapter 9:15-23, Matthew Henry wrote this: <br />
By preaching the gospel, freely, the apostle showed that he acted from principles of zeal and love, and thus enjoyed much comfort and hope in his soul. And though he looked on the ceremonial law as a yoke taken off by Christ, yet he submitted to it, that he might work upon the Jews, do away their prejudices, prevail with them to hear the gospel, and win them over to Christ. <br />
In my humble opinion, this is at the heart of why we do what we do in the name of Christianity. Why do we go to church and sing? Is church a social club? For many it is. When those in the church act like the world, those who are in church will never come to church based solely on the actions of the self-proclaimed Christian that does not live a life for Christ. Paul preached, taught, presented, lived, and died for the Gospel of Christ. Are we doing that for Christ, the very one that died for us? Paul said, ‘Woe be to me if I do not preach the Gospel.’ It is one thing to do something in ignorance, but to do something you know is wrong or not do something that is right, is more terrifying than the former not knowing. <br />
In verse 24-27, Paul refers to the Isthmian games to make his point. This life, good people, is one big race. Just as athletes prepare to win a race, so must we. We grow in Grace when we spend time with God daily. We must focus our lives on Jesus Christ, what he has done for us so that we can run the race, live our life for him alone. <br />
<br />
Paul, in chapter 10 gives a history lesson of Israel’s past. Here is chapter 10 from Holman’s: <br />
1 Now I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers (A) were all under the cloud, (B) all passed through the sea, (C) 2 and all were baptized (D) into Moses (E) in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food, (F) 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from a spiritual rock (G) that followed them, and that rock was Christ. (H) 5 But God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the desert. (I)<br />
6 Now these things became examples for us, so that we will not desire (J) evil as they did. (K) [a] 7 Don't become idolaters (L) as some of them were; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to play. (M) [b] (N) 8 Let us not commit sexual immorality (O) as some of them did, [c] and in a single day 23,000 people fell dead. (P) 9 Let us not tempt Christ as some of them did, [d] and were destroyed by snakes. (Q) 10 Nor should we complain (R) as some of them did, (S) [e] and were killed by the destroyer. (T) [f] 11 Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written as a warning to us, (U) on whom the ends of the ages (V) have come. (W) 12 Therefore, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall! (X) 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful (Y) and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, (Z) so that you are able to bear it.<br />
Christ is the Rock on which the Christian church is built; and of the streams that issue there from, all believers drink, and are refreshed. People love verse thirteen when troubles come. It is true that God does test our faith and trust at times, but we must remember that the temptation comes not from God. <br />
Warning against Idolatry<br />
14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. 15 I am speaking as to wise people. Judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup (AA) of blessing (AB) that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread (AC) that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one (AD) body, for all of us share that one bread. 18 Look at the people of Israel. [g] Are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar? (AE) 19 What am I saying then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, but I do say that what they [h] sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons! 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot share in the Lord's table and the table of demons. 22 Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? (AF)<br />
Focus on verse twenty-one. The good do not tarry or hang out with the bad. We cannot say we are Christians, ones who imitate Christ by going to a place of worship one day and act like the world the next day. We must be true in our beliefs in every area of worship. <br />
Christian Liberty<br />
23 "Everything is permissible," [i] [j] but not everything is helpful. "Everything is permissible," [k] [l] but not everything builds up. 24 No one should seek his own [good], but [the good] of the other person. (AG)<br />
25 Eat everything that is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience' sake, for 26 the earth is the Lord's, (AH) and all that is in it. (AI) (AJ) 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you over and you want to go, eat everything that is set before you, without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, "This is food offered to an idol," do not eat it, (AK) out of consideration for the one who told you, and for conscience' sake. [m] 29 I do not mean your own conscience, but the other person's. For why is my freedom judged (AL) by another person's conscience? 30 If I partake with thanks, (AM) why am I slandered because of something for which I give thanks?<br />
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God's glory. (AN) 32 Give no offense (AO) to the Jews or the Greeks or the church of God, 33 just as I also try to please all people in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, (AP) that they may be saved. <br />
The dietary customs were in question in these verses. Again, we are not to hang out so to speak with the unbeliever, but one should not focus on the food presented before them. Let me make it clear for today’s people: I do not drink alcohol. I do not look down on those who do drink like so many did years ago involving food rather than alcohol. Now I will witness to those who are drinking without passing judgment. <br />
Chapter 11<br />
Now I praise you because you always remember me and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of the woman, and God is the head of Christ. Every man who prays or prophesies with something on his head dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since that is one and the same as having her head shaved. So if a woman's head is not covered, her hair should be cut off. But if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, she should be covered.<br />
Let us be clear on this: Paul was addressing specific situations and occurrences in the church at this time. We each have a place so to speak. That place as demonstrated in the next verses show ou place isvhonoring God. <br />
A man, in fact, should not cover his head, because he is God's image and glory, but woman is man's glory. For man did not come from woman, but woman came from man. And man was not created for woman, but woman for man. This is why a woman should have [a symbol of] authority on her head, because of the angels. In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, and man is not independent of woman. For just as woman came from man, so man comes through woman, and all things come from God.<br />
Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair it is a disgrace to him, but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her as a covering. But if anyone wants to argue about this, we have no other custom, nor do the churches of God. (1 Corinthians 11:2-16 HCSB)<br />
Is the covering of the head a veil or hair concerning the woman? Both. At this time, roles of men and women were somewhat ambigious. Doesbthis mean that men with long hair are not godly Christians? No, of course not. At the time, long hair on men symbolized at leastbin this area, prostitution. Let us look at the Word concerning The Lord's Supper. <br />
<br />
Now in giving the following instruction I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. For to begin with, I hear that when you come together as aurch there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. There must, indeed, be factions among you, so that those who are approved may be recognized among you. Therefore, when you come together in one place, it is not really to eat the Lord's Supper. For at the meal, each one eats his own supper ahead of others. So one person is hungry while another gets drunk! Don't you have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you look down on the church of God and embarrass those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I praise you? I do not praise you for this!<br />
<br />
Sound familiar? How many churches do we hve right now arguing over when or how many times to partake in The Lord's Supper? At this time, basically, people were abusing the sancity of the act by doing it just to get drunk. <br />
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and said, "This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me."<br />
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Real simple folks. We do it in memory of Christ. <br />
In the same way, after supper [He] also [took] the cup and said, "This cup is the new covenant established by My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.<br />
Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy way will be guilty of sin against the body and blood of the Lord. So a man should examine himself; in this way he should eat the bread and drink from the cup. For whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen asleep. If we were properly evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged, but when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned with the world.<br />
Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you gather together you will not come under judgment. And I will give instructions about the theer matters whenever I come. (1 Corinthians 11:17-34 HCSB)<br />
<br />
Do not participate in the holy ritual symbolizing Christ's sacrifice if we first are not Christians and if we are living a sinful life not apart of Chist's will. <br />
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Chapter 12<br />
<br />
Now concerning what comes from the Spirit: brothers, I do not want you to be unaware. You know that when you were pagans, you used to be led off to the idols that could not speak. Therefore I am informing you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.<br />
Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different activities, but the same God activates each gift in each person. A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial:<br />
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to one is given a message of wisdom<br />
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through the Spirit,<br />
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to another, a message of knowledge<br />
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by the same Spirit,<br />
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to another, faith by the same Spirit,<br />
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to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit,<br />
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to another, the performing of miracles,<br />
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to another, prophecy,<br />
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to another, distinguishing between spirits,<br />
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to another, different kinds of languages,<br />
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to another, interpretation of languages.<br />
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But one and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as He wills. (1 Corinthians 12:1-11 HCSB)<br />
<br />
Nothing. We think we know so much, but we do not. Everything occurs in God's time. We come to Christ not by our own intellect, but by the grace of The Holy Spirit. For those you who are Christian, you know that God's Spirit is not easily explained, but we know it is real and living within. The amazing part of God's gifts to us starts with eternity through the shed blood of Christ and Grace at the cross, but extends to every believer. We all have spiritual gifts that we areo use to further the kingdom. <br />
<br />
For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body-so also is Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free-and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. So the body is not one part but many. If the foot should say, "Because I'm not a hand, I don't belong to the body," in spite of this it still belongs to the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I'm not an eye, I don't belong to the body," in spite of this it still belongs to the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole [body] were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed each one of the parts in one body just as He wanted. And if they were all the same part, where would the body be? (1 Corinthians 12:12-19 HCSB)<br />
<br />
People get too riled up about the denomination. Christian people sealed by the blood of Christ are one people, period. We are the church, we represent the One who heals. <br />
Now there are many parts, yet one body.<br />
So the eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" Or again, the head can't say to the feet, "I don't need you!" But even more, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are necessary. And those parts of the body that we think to be less honorable, we clothe these with greater honor, and our unpresentable parts have a better presentation. But our presentable parts have no need [of clothing]. Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.<br />
Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it. And God has placed these in the church:<br />
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first apostles, second prophets,<br />
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third teachers, next miracles,<br />
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then gifts of healing, helping,<br />
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managing, various kinds of languages.<br />
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Are all apostles? Are all prophets?<br />
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Are all teachers? Do all do miracles?<br />
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Do all have gifts of healing?<br />
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Do all speak in [other] languages?<br />
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Do all interpret?<br />
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But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way. (1 Corinthians 12:20-31 HCSB)<br />
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Again, each believer makes up a part of the body, the church body. We need to keep that in mind. We work for the Kingdom of God not for our own benefits, but for Christ. What is the even better way? In a word, GRACE. <br />
Love <br />
<br />
John wrote that God is love. We read 3:16 and hear that God so loved....Look at these verses from chapter thirteen:<br />
If I speak human or angelic languages<br />
<br />
but do not have love,<br />
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I am a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal.<br />
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If I have [the gift of] prophecy<br />
<br />
and understand all mysteries<br />
<br />
and all knowledge,<br />
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and if I have all faith<br />
<br />
so that I can move mountains<br />
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but do not have love, I am nothing.<br />
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And if I donate all my goods to feed the poor,<br />
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and if I give my body in order to boast<br />
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but do not have love, I gain nothing.<br />
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Love is patient, love is kind.<br />
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Love does not envy,<br />
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is not boastful, is not conceited,<br />
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does not act improperly,<br />
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is not selfish, is not provoked,<br />
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and does not keep a record of wrongs.<br />
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[Love] finds no joy in unrighteousness<br />
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but rejoices in the truth.<br />
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[It] bears all things, believes all things,<br />
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hopes all things, endures all things.<br />
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Love never ends.<br />
<br />
But as for prophecies,<br />
<br />
they will come to an end;<br />
<br />
as for languages, they will cease;<br />
<br />
as for knowledge, it will come to an end.<br />
<br />
For we know in part,<br />
<br />
and we prophesy in part.<br />
<br />
But when the perfect comes,<br />
<br />
the partial will come to an end. (1 Corinthians 13:1-10 HCSB)<br />
<br />
We can be the smartest dude in the world, have everything the world offers, but if we do not have love, we are nothing. So if God is love, and we know him not, no ,matter what we think, we do not have anything. Husbands and wives, love one another tenderly and completely as Christ loves us.<br />
When I was a child,<br />
<br />
I spoke like a child,<br />
<br />
I thought like a child,<br />
<br />
I reasoned like a child.<br />
<br />
When I became a man,<br />
<br />
I put aside childish things.<br />
<br />
For now we see indistinctly, as in a mirror,<br />
<br />
but then face to face.<br />
<br />
Now I know in part,<br />
<br />
but then I will know fully,<br />
<br />
as I am fully known.<br />
<br />
Now these three remain:<br />
<br />
faith, hope, and love.<br />
<br />
But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:11-13 HCSB)<br />
<br />
I once feared those verses about putting away childish things. We grow spiritually in Christ maturity so to speak. Remember that God is love. love as Paul teaches is the greatest, so I.e., therefore Christ, God the Son is the greatest. <br />
Chapter 14<br />
<br />
Paul in other instances says to let your yes mean yes and no mean no. The whole chapter 14 reiterates this ideal. <br />
<br />
Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and above all that you may prophesy. For the person who speaks in [another] language is not speaking to men but to God, since no one understands him; however, he speaks mysteries in the Spirit. But the person who prophesies speaks to people for edification, encouragement, and consolation. The person who speaks in [another] language builds himself up, but he who prophesies builds up the church. I wish all of you spoke in other languages, but even more that you prophesied. The person who prophesies is greater than the person who speaks in languages, unless he interprets so that the church may be built up.<br />
But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in [other] languages, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you with a revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? Even inanimate things that produce sounds-whether flute or harp-if they don't make a distinction in the notes, how will what is played on the flute or harp be recognized? In fact, if the trumpet makes an unclear sound, who will prepare for battle? In the same way, unless you use your tongue for intelligible speech, how will what is spoken be known? For you will be speaking into the air. There are doubtless many different kinds of languages in the world, and all have meaning. Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker will be a foreigner to me. So also you-since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in building up the church.<br />
Therefore the person who speaks in [another] language should pray that he can interpret. For if I pray in [another] language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with my understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with my understanding. Otherwise, if you praise with the spirit, how will the uninformed person say "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? For you may very well be giving thanks, but the other person is not being built up. I thank God that I speak in [other] languages more than all of you; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, in order to teach others also, than 10,000 words in [another] language.<br />
Brothers, don't be childish in your thinking, but be infants in regard to evil and adult in your thinking. (1 Corinthians 14:1-20 HCSB)<br />
<br />
We are to grow as mature Christians, but shy away from evil. Despite the world's stance on evil not existing and the Bible being an outdated ideal written by drug crazed sexist men, it is either real and correct or the biggest hoax committed against all of history. <br />
<br />
It is written in the law:<br />
<br />
I will speak to these people<br />
<br />
by people of other languages<br />
<br />
and by the lips of foreigners,<br />
<br />
and even then, they will not listen to Me,<br />
<br />
says the Lord. It follows that speaking in [other] languages is intended as a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers. But prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers. Therefore, if the whole church assembles together and all are speaking in [other] languages and people who are uninformed or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all are prophesying and some unbeliever or uninformed person comes in, he is convicted by all and is judged by all. The secrets of his heart will be revealed, and as a result he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, "God is really among you." (1 Corinthians 14:21-25 HCSB)<br />
<br />
Speaking in tongues is a highly debated subject, but here we see in God's Word, the way things are. If you are speaking in tongues and say a non-believer witnesses the ordeal, how is Christ being glorified? Speaking in tongues is not discouraged it serves a purpose and exalts Christ as opposed to sounding as Mr. T said like jibberjabber.<br />
From the Message Bible, <br />
So here's what I want you to do. When you gather for worship, each one of you be prepared with something that will be useful for all: Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight. If prayers are offered in tongues, two or three's the limit, and then only if someone is present who can interpret what you're saying. Otherwise, keep it between God and yourself. And no more than two or three speakers at a meeting, with the rest of you listening and taking it to heart. Take your turn, no one person taking over. Then each speaker gets a chance to say something special from God, and you all learn from each other. If you choose to speak, you're also responsible for how and when you speak. When we worship the right way, God doesn't stir us up into confusion; he brings us into harmony. This goes for all the churches-no exceptions. (1 Corinthians 14:26-33 MSG)<br />
<br />
The above stated verses give us an indication on how Paul instructed the Corinth church through God's inspiration to function. Now here comes the part that will no doubt anger many liberal feminist, girl power activists. Get ready. <br />
<br />
the women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak, but should be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, they should ask their own husbands at home, for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church meeting. (1 Corinthians 14:34, 35 HCSB)<br />
<br />
Again, women are not being treated like second class citizens, but here in Corinth, women were well, usurping authority and worship was not worship like it needed to be hence he, Paul had to read them the riot act of the rules of engagement from The Lord's Supper to the rules of worship. <br />
<br />
Did the word of God originate from you, or did it come to you only?<br />
If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, he should recognize that what I write to you is the Lord's command. But if anyone ignores this, he will be ignored. Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in [other] languages. But everything must be done decently and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:36-40 HCSB)<br />
<br />
Paul here like he wrote to Timothy repeats that what he is writing is from God. Paul speaks of how important it is to worship God in an orderly fashion. <br />
What is the Gospel? Man is separated from God because of sin. God sent Jesus out of love to bring us back to him, to provide a way through the cross. If Jesus had just died and stayed dead, what a foolish belief we have, right? Chapter 15 deals with the idea of the resurrection. There are key concepts that one has to understand or at least earnestly believe when considering the Gospel. First, one must not miss the virgin birth. Mary had a little lamb in deed. Jesus, the Son of God, Immanuel, the Son of man, the Cornerstone, was born of a virgin. He lived a winless life, fully man, but also fully God. He died on the cross as a sacrifical substitute for ALL people that heed his call and accept His Grace by acknowledging their need for Him. We turn from sin because we want to live for Him. Finally, we know beyond belief through faith that He, the Living God, the King of kings, through the power of God the Father rose from death's shroud and is alive forever more at the right hand of the Father. Without the resurrection, the point of salvation does not exist. You cannot miss this.<br />
Now brothers, I want to clarify for you the gospel I proclaimed to you; you received it and have taken your stand on it. You are also saved by it, if you hold to the message I proclaimed to you-unless you believed for no purpose. For I passed on to you as most important what I also received:<br />
that Christ died for our sins<br />
according to the Scriptures,<br />
that He was buried,<br />
that He was raised on the third day<br />
according to the Scriptures,<br />
and that He appeared to Cephas,<br />
then to the Twelve.<br />
Then He appeared to over 500 brothers at one time;<br />
most of them are still alive,<br />
but some have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:1-6 HCSB)<br />
<br />
Notice first that Paul states people are saved unless they believed with no purpose. Jesus in the parable of the seeds falling on rocky ground clearly mentioned the people that would hear the message, but would not allow the gospel to take root. Real belief and acceptance saves. This is taught throughout all of scripture. I say this not as a Baptist or overly religious, self righteous blowHard, but as a Christian. What is interesting is how Paul lists the appearances of the resurrected Jesus. Paul lists a number of appearances Christ made in front of Peter, the Twelve, even though Judas was no longer a member and to get this, five hundred people. Skeptics of the Bible deny it's authority for many reasons. One reason they try to argue is the very existence of Jesus. The Gospels were written generally years after the birth, death, and resurrection, but Paul states that many that saw Christ were still living at the time of his epistle to Corinth. It is not out of the realm of reality to think that people looking to discredit the Gospel would arise and scream heresy against Paul for making such outlandish claims, but, still God's Word stands firm after all these years. <br />
Then He appeared to James,<br />
then to all the apostles.<br />
Last of all, as to one abnormally born,<br />
He also appeared to me.<br />
For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by God's grace I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not ineffective. However, I worked more than any of them, yet not I, but God's grace that was with me. Therefore, whether it is I or they, so we proclaim and so you have believed. (1 Corinthians 15:7-11 HCSB)<br />
Paul reminds us that he trashed, hunted down and killed those who loved Christ. There is a word I have repeated that God used so many times before. The word Paul uses to explain his being: GRACE. <br />
Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, "There is no resurrection of the dead"? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is without foundation, and so is your faith. In addition, we are found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified about God that He raised up Christ-whom He did not raise up if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Therefore, those who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished. If we have put our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone. (1 Corinthians 15:12-19 HCSB)<br />
Allow me to keep this simple: If the resurrection of Christ is not real, if it did not happen, boy are we stupid fools. Life is a gift from God Almighty, but let us be real. Life, at times, sucks and blowsblike a tornado in April. If we only have this life to live in and cherish, what a mucked up existence, we have. <br />
But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at His coming, those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when He abolishes all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He puts all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be abolished is death. For God has put everything under His feet. But when it says "everything" is put under Him, it is obvious that He who puts everything under Him is the exception. And when everything is subject to Christ, then the Son Himself will also be subject to the One who subjected everything to Him, so that God may be all in all. (1 Corinthians 15:20-28 HCSB)<br />
Remember the Gospel? We had/have a sin debt thanks to one man named Adam. Through Christ, we are healed. At the end of days if you will, the King will return. However, He will not return as a meek, humble man as some think Him to be. Oh no. Just Wait. <br />
Otherwise what will they do who are being baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, then why are people baptized for them? Why are we in danger every hour? I affirm by the pride in you that I have in Christ Jesus our Lord: I die every day! If I fought wild animals in Ephesus with only human hope, what good did that do me? If the dead are not raised, Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." Come to your senses and stop sinning, for some people are ignorant about God. I say this to your shame. (1 Corinthians 15:29-34 HCSB)<br />
Baptism. In the past in Corinth, people were baptized for those who had previously died. They worked under the assumption that those who were dead, could be prayed or at least baptized into eternity. Paul restates that if our hope in Christ is not real then all we have to live for is right now. Wow, again, life while a gift sucks a lot of the time. Now, he finishes with two epic statements that should sober us up. First, bad company will rub off on us and two, we are given the burden of responsibility Christian people to inform the folks who do not know about God. <br />
The next piece of scripture focuses on the transformation of our dusty, broken, failed, and well, useless bodies compared to what we as Christians will have in eternity. <br />
But someone will say, "How are the dead raised? What kind of body will they have when they come?" Foolish one! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And as for what you sow-you are not sowing the future body, but only a seed, perhaps of wheat or another grain. But God gives it a body as He wants, and to each of the seeds its own body. Not all flesh is the same flesh; there is one flesh for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is different from that of the earthly ones. There is a splendor of the sun, another of the moon, and another of the stars; for [one] star differs from [another] star in splendor. So it is with the resurrection of the dead:<br />
Sown in corruption, raised in incorruption;<br />
sown in dishonor, raised in glory;<br />
sown in weakness, raised in power;<br />
sown a natural body, raised a spiritual body.<br />
If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So it is written: The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam became a life-giving Spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, then the spiritual.<br />
The first man was from the earth<br />
and made of dust;<br />
the second man is from heaven.<br />
Like the man made of dust,<br />
so are those who are made of dust;<br />
like the heavenly man,<br />
so are those who are heavenly.<br />
And just as we have borne<br />
the image of the man made of dust,<br />
we will also bear<br />
the image of the heavenly man. (1 Corinthians 15:35-49 HCSB)<br />
Seriously now, there are many preachers that say we in Heaven will look like Jesus because of verse 49. I cannot even begin to tell you how wrong that is. Anyway, let us move on to the end of this chapter: <br />
Brothers, I tell you this: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and corruption cannot inherit incorruption. Listen! I am telling you a mystery:<br />
We will not all fall asleep,<br />
but we will all be changed,<br />
in a moment, in the blink of an eye,<br />
at the last trumpet.<br />
For the trumpet will sound,<br />
and the dead will be raised incorruptible,<br />
and we will be changed.<br />
Paul says in another epistle that to be absent in the body is to be present with Christ. Whenever Christ returns, those Christian saints who live will not taste death. <br />
For this corruptible must be clothed<br />
with incorruptibility,<br />
and this mortal must be clothed<br />
with immortality.<br />
When this corruptible is clothed<br />
with incorruptibility,<br />
and this mortal is clothed<br />
with immortality,<br />
then the saying that is written will take place:<br />
Death has been swallowed up in victory.<br />
Death, where is your victory?<br />
Death, where is your sting?<br />
Now the sting of death is sin,<br />
and the power of sin is the law.<br />
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory<br />
through our Lord Jesus Christ!<br />
Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord's work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:50-58 HCSB)<br />
Death is something that the Christian should not fear. We as Paul wrote have victory in Jesus. <br />
Chapter 16 concludes the epistle with Paul instructing the church on how to give, complete with his travel itinerary and a command to stay firm in the faith.Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-17255602544253977072012-01-15T19:38:00.000-06:002012-01-15T19:38:21.198-06:00Video Devotional Challengehttp://youtu.be/_UXx42GDGoETinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-81433593530373337312011-12-10T07:50:00.000-06:002011-12-10T07:50:15.774-06:00FREEDOM FROM AND OF WHAT? What is the difference, the real, semantic difference between the words of and from? According to grammar books, both are prepositions. The binding law of our great, free country is stitched and held together by the Constitution of the United States of America. One of the highest contested, most controversial issues of the Constitution is the freedom of-not from religion. Some under the guise of tolerance and liberty appear to want to champion causes that protect the rights of all save as some believe the rights of the Christian citizen. One of the reasons why America became America according to history is the desire for and concept of religious freedom. People did not like the Church of England being if you will excuse the expression, the one true church imposing rites and practices. In America, we are free to practice or not practice religion. We as a people are free to express or not express out values to others. That was true until The ACLU vs. Sumner County, Tennessee case came to an agreement. <br />
<br />
<br />
The Associated Press and News Channel 5 posted the following statement from the ACLU: <br />
<br />
"In accordance with the settlement, school officials can no longer promote their personal religious beliefs to students. Religious symbols and items may not be displayed in a place publicly visible to students. Teachers may supervise student clubs but can no longer participate in their activities and school officials cannot encourage or solicit prayer at school functions. School events may not be held in religious venues except under certain limited conditions and the schools can no longer take field trips to religious sites. Only family members will be permitted to visit schools at lunchtime. Groups wishing to distribute materials to students, such as members of Gideons International, must do so in a neutral way, minimizing contact with students and no groups will be given preferential access to students. Non-religious clubs shall not have "chaplain" positions and all course materials and choral music must have a clear pedagogical purpose."<br />
<br />
Instead of quoting case after case where either the ACLU or the forces of Christianity won or lost, I want to focus on an issue that many may have forgotten. Where in the Constitution is religion or religious expression prohibited? The supporters of tolerance and liberty will quickly answer that the Constitution’s Establishment Clause answers that. The what? You may never have heard of that until now. A closer look at it clearly shows what it supports and does not support. According to law2.umkc.edu:<br />
<br />
At an absolute minimum, the Establishment Clause was intended to prohibit the federal government from declaring and financially supporting a national religion, such as existed in many other countries at the time of the nation's founding. It is far less clear whether the Establishment Clause was also intended to prevent the federal government from supporting Christianity in general.<br />
<br />
The majority of the Founding Fathers held Christianity as their practice. They did not however want to set up a government entangled with the church like the one they fled from in England. School systems and school employees are state employees, i.e. government workers apart of the government, so following this line of thinking, teachers or government officials should not in their capacity declare their beliefs or moral code onto others as the only way of thinking. If a student asks the teacher a “religious” question privately or publicly, it is the teacher’s First Amendment right to answer the question without fear of reprimand from some offended party thinking Suzie may become an intolerant, Bible thumping, bigot if the name of a certain carpenter is spoken. Now that I have said that, allow me to make the following statement as well:<br />
<br />
“Little Jimmy’s civil rights and liberties are not going to be devastated or trampled upon if he sees his second grade teacher wearing a crucifix. <br />
<br />
We as a people do not have the right to speak to others forcing our morals on them. We do not, cannot, and should not be so bold. There is but one, that certain carpenter from Nazareth that did and does have the right to do so. He is known as the Cornerstone, the Lion of Judah, the Bishop of Souls, The Alpha and Omega, Bread of Life, Fountain, King of Glory, King of Kings, Lamb of God, and The Lord God Almighty, Jesus the Christ. Jesus Christ said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me.” The words of Christ predate the Constitution, folks. Regardless of the legal rhetoric, case statues, and semantically, well developed arguments, in life, despite all the cultures, morals, beliefs, religions, and differences, there are only two types of people. Those who do and those who do not (accept Christ). We accept Christ as the Lord and hold His words true like where He taught that He would deny all of those who deny Him before men. On the contrasting side, we are like those who deny Him, His word, and the symbolic cross usually calling it tolerance or protecting liberties. <br />
<br />
The Constitution does not forbid Christians from expressing their beliefs; however, it does forbid creating, establishing, one religion for the nation must follow. Teachers should teach and not use their classrooms to preach; however, a life lived for Christ will be reflected in words and actions. It is grossly unfair and hypocritical for the ACLU to strip away from Sumner County teachers the very things they say they promote: civil liberties. David French, ACLJ, American Center for Law and Justice, Senior Counsel and lawyer for the Board says, “Protecting student and teacher rights was and is a top priority of the Board, and the Board is pleased that this agreement accomplishes its primary goal.” French goes on to say, “The settlement clarifies the distinction between official and personal conduct, protecting personal conduct while ensuring that teachers use their taxpayer- provided positions to teach their subjects in accordance with their legitimate pedagogical judgments.” Just so, we are all clear, the ACLJ attorney is in theory on the side of the Christian. <br />
Let me just ask, “How are teachers’ rights protected by a settlement that says again from the ACLU, ‘School officials can no longer promote their personal religious beliefs to students’?” Again, no government official should abuse their authoritative position, but again, AS STATED EARLIER, if Kid A asks Teacher B about Christ or any aspect of religion, the teacher should be able to answer without fear. All it takes is one, offended person to take the teacher’s words and present the teacher’s answer as promotion when in reality, it is not promotion, but an answer to a question. <br />
<br />
One final thought that again predates the ACLU’s legal victories, torts, Jefferson’s letter, and the Constitution itself are the instructions of Christ to go and preach the Gospel. The Christian, a real Christian that reflects Christ will share the Gospel message, but never force the cross onto anyone because Jesus never did. Jesus invited and still does invite all to come to Him. Where are you today? Will you deny Jesus in the name of tolerance and fear of a lawsuit? Will you stand firm in the faith, ready to share the shadow of the cross, boldly proclaiming the King of kings to a lost, dying, politically correct, holiday program promoting, winter break fiesta taking, X-MAS present giving, world?Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-53537133583788033382011-06-19T18:35:00.000-05:002011-06-19T18:35:21.111-05:00Gospel Q AND AThis is not written in a grammatical correct fashion. I know, English teachers are supposed to always write correctly; however, for the most part, this is written in a conversational tone. This is a real conversation. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Q: What evidence will you accept to trust my faith in Christ?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: black; color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-highlight: black;">A: </span><span style="background: black; color: #00b0f0; mso-highlight: black;">Show me God's fingerprint, and we'll talk.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When looking at a painting, most of the time the author’s name is sprawled across the canvas. So, how illogical is it to say when looking at a painting, “Wow, this Mona Lisa picture speaks to me. I wonder how the colors came together to create it?” We look at the painting and we know there was a painter. It is not possible for the various paints to be splashed together and suddenly, a classic picture is displayed. The concept can be applied to buildings as well. When looking at a building, do we not know that first; the building’s material did not suddenly come together without a designer? In other words, did a random tornado or other weather event sweep by and pick up wood, concrete, and nails twirl it around and set a completely built, well-designed house down? No, it did not. Every building has a builder, an architect if you will. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s fingerprint is found on all of creation. The skeptic will argue that my statement only works in a figurative sense, but science and what we know proves God’s fingerprints are all around and on us. The skeptics’ argument of if you can’t see it, it doesn’t exist is a logical fallacy in that by their admission, if you can’t see it, it doesn’t exist , so say, the human brain doesn’t exist because typically, we don’t see or touch our own brains. Without the aid of a device, you have not touched or seen your own brain, so if you have to see it to believe it, then perhaps the brain does not exist. Let us look at the Earth. <br />
The Earth's size and corresponding gravity holds a thin layer of mostly nitrogen and oxygen gases, only extending about 50 miles above the Earth's surface. If Earth were smaller, an atmosphere would be impossible, like the planet Mercury. If Earth were larger, its atmosphere would contain free hydrogen, like Jupiter. The Earth is located the right distance from the sun. Consider the temperature swings we encounter, roughly -30 degrees to +120 degrees. If the Earth were any further away from the sun, we would all freeze. Any closer and we would burn up. Even a fractional variance in the Earth's position to the sun would make life on Earth impossible. The Earth remains this perfect distance from the sun while it rotates around the sun at a speed of nearly 67,000 mph. It is also rotating on its axis, allowing the entire surface of the Earth to be properly warmed and cooled every day. The Bible’s oldest written book, Job 26:7, teaches about the Earth, and how it is suspended long before scientists proved it. There is a place in the North where no stars exist, which cannot be seen with the naked eye. How did the writer of Job know this? In addition, the same verse declares that God hangs the earth on nothing. We know this is true, but we have only known it for about 350 years. God's inspired writer told us over 3000 years ago that the earth is held in place by gravitational forces!<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we going to say that a random bang or any other school of thought other than a Living Creator created our Earth? The Big Bang Theory is in direct conflict with the proven Laws of Thermodynamics, but that is a different thing all together. Let us look at DNA. <br />
A computer program is made up of ones and zeros, like this: 110010101011000. The way they are arranged tell the computer program what to do. The DNA code in each of our cells is very similar. It is made up of four chemicals that scientists abbreviate as A, T, G, and C. These are arranged in the human cell like this: CGTGTGACTCGCTCCTGAT and so on. There are three billion of these letters in every human cell. Evolution’s validity is no longer an issue because its theories are flawed and have been for the most part discarded by the scientific community outside liberal college professors. The human body with all of its complexities was not formed by an explosion or an evolutionary cycle that hasn’t been proven. So what are we left with?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the 1900s, oceanographers found the sea had many deep valleys or canyons. The deepest canyons were called trenches. The Marianas Trench in the Pacific is so deep that if Mt. Everest (29,000 feet high) were dropped into it, the peak would still be a mile below the water’s surface. There are also underwater mountains. The Atlantic Ocean contains an undersea range of mountains 10,000 miles long. The Bible spoke of the valleys and mountains of the sea thousands of years before scientists discovered them.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dinosaurs are referred to in several Bible books. The Bible describes the circulation of the atmosphere and principles of fluid dynamics.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible describes biogenesis (the development of living organisms from other living organisms) and the stability of each kind of living organism. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible describes the chemical nature of flesh.<br />
Furthermore, The Bible has statements that are consistent with Anthropology, Hydrology, Geology and Physics. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible was written over a period of 1400 years. This 1400-year-period begins with the writings of Moses, the first five books of the Holy Bible. These writings include a time recorded prior to Moses' lifespan. It started out at the actual creation of the cosmos. By the time, Moses completes the teachings found in Deuteronomy, we learn about the very beginning of mankind. The final writer was probably John when he was on the Isle of Patmos and wrote the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Between the days of Moses and John, a period of about 14 centuries transpired, but the Holy Bible covers over 4000 years of history. It has been nearly 2000 years since the last of the writers lived. The Old Testament remained in Hebrew until c.280-150 B.C. when it was translated into Greek at Alexandria, Egypt. This was known as the Septuagint. The next language change occurred when Jerome (c. 383-405 A.D) translated the Holy Bible into the Latin Vulgate. This was used by the clergy for nearly 1000 years. <br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first English translation was completed by John Wycliffe and soon after, King James authorized the English version that has come to be known as the King James Version. This was in 1611. Before this, Nero and other tyrants attempted to eliminate all copies of scripture and references to Christ. All of these attempts failed. How is that possible for 66 books to survive so long in tact? If the Gospels were written by men that just wanted to have the Jesus legend remembered, why would all the doubters and unbelievers be mentioned? How could all the stories be accurate without detractors saying, “Hey, that’s not true” if it is not? Why would opposition toward Christ be presented? This book has been translated from Hebrew to Greek to every other language known to man. The facts are these: The continuity between the timelines between the events that occurred in what we call the Old Testament and New cannot be disputed. All of the prophecies that were recorded by the prophets of old concerning the virgin birth, life, death and return of Christ came to pass as true in the new. There is no way at all in this world that all of the old prophecies could have been recorded and saved all those years just to have some come true by coincidence. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible is not a geography book or an archaeology book. However, whenever the Bible makes a statement relating to these sciences, it is completely accurate. Notice the Lord's statement for example, in Luke 10:30. 30 Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead." Now, Jericho is Northeast of Jerusalem, and normally we do not speak of going down when we refer to going North. We generally speak of going down South and up North, don't we? Why did the Lord say the man went down from Jerusalem? It is because Jerusalem is some 2500 feet above sea level. When one leaves Jerusalem in Palestine he goes down to go anywhere in the area. Therefore, our Lord's statement is completely accurate, and is recorded accurately by inspiration. No, the Bible is not a geography book, but it is geographically accurate in every instance.<br />
Many archaeologists have explored the land of Palestine. Has any one of those scientists ever discovered anything that disproves the Bible? No. Many archaeological discoveries have confirmed the Biblical record. However, none has ever contradicted the Word of God.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus Christ. He is the most famous, well known, ignored, and mocked man in all history. Professor Emeritus of Science at Westmont College, Peter Stoner, has calculated the probability of one man fulfilling the major prophecies made concerning the Messiah. The estimates were worked out by twelve different classes representing some 600-university students. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, concerning Micah 5:2, where it states the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem Ephrathah, Stoner and his students determined the average population of BETHLEHEM from the time of Micah to the present; then they divided it by the average population of the earth during the same period. <br />
They concluded that the chance of one man being born in Bethlehem was one in 300,000, (or one in 2.8 x 10^5 - rounded), <br />
After examining only eight different prophecies (Idem, 106), they conservatively estimated that the chance of one man fulfilling all eight prophecies was one in 10^17. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">Stoner gave this illustration: <br />
If you mark one of ten tickets, and place all the tickets in a hat, and thoroughly stir them, and then ask a blindfolded man to draw one, his chance of getting the right ticket is one in ten. Suppose that we take 10^17 silver dollars and lay them on the face of Texas. They'll cover all of the state two feet deep. Now mark one of these silver dollars and stir the whole mass thoroughly, all over the state. Blindfold a man and tell him that he can travel as far as he wishes, but he must pick up one silver dollar and say that this is the right one. What chance would he have of getting the right one? Just the same chance that the prophets would've had of writing these eight prophecies and having them all come true in any one man, from their day to the present time, providing they wrote them in their own wisdom (Idem, 106-107). <br />
In financial terms, is there anyone who would not invest in a financial venture if the chance of failure were only one in 10^17? This is the kind of sure investment we're offered by god for faith in His Messiah. <br />
From these figures, Professor Stoner, concludes the fulfillment of these eight prophecies alone proves that God inspired the writing of the prophecies (Idem, 107) - the likelihood of mere chance is only one in 10^17! <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another way of saying this is that any person who minimizes or ignores the significance of the biblical identifying signs concerning the Messiah would be foolish. <br />
But, of course, there are many more than eight prophecies. In another calculation, Stoner used 48 prophecies (Idem, 109) (even though he could have used Edersheim's 456), and arrived at the extremely conservative estimate that the probability of 48 prophecies being fulfilled in one person is the incredible number 10^157. In fact, if anybody can find someone, living or dead, other than Jesus, who can fulfill only half of the predictions concerning the Messiah given in the book "Messiah in Both Testaments" by Fred J. Meldau, the Christian Victory Publishing Company is ready to give a ONE thousand dollar reward! As apologist Josh McDowell says, "There are a lot of men in the universities that could use some extra cash!" (Josh McDowell, Evidence that Demands a Verdict, California: Campus Crusade for Christ, 175). <br />
How large is the number one in 10^157? 10^157 contains 157 zeros! Stoner gives an illustration of this number using electrons. Electrons are very small objects. They're smaller than atoms. It would take 2.5 TIMES 10^15 of them, lain side by side, to make one inch. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if we counted 250 of these electrons each minute, and counted day and night, it would still take 19 million years just to count a line of electrons one-inch long (Stoner, op. cit, 109). <br />
With this introduction, let's go back to our chance of one in 10^157. Let's suppose that we're taking this number of electrons, marking one, and thoroughly stirring it into the whole mass, then blindfolding a man and letting him try to find the right one. What chance has he of finding the right one? What kind of a pile will this number of electrons make? They make an inconceivably large volume. <br />
This is the result from considering a mere 48 prophecies. Obviously, the probability that 456 prophecies would be fulfilled in one man by chance is vastly smaller. According to Emile Borel, once one goes past one chance in 10^50, the probabilities are so small that it is impossible to think that they will ever occur (Ankerberg et. al., op. cit., 21). <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Stoner concludes, 'Any man who rejects Christ as the Son of God is rejecting a fact, proved perhaps more absolutely than any other fact in the world. <br />
Here, at the end, is the ultimate question all have to answer. Jesus Christ was either a liar because he claimed to be God and convinced so many to follow him. He was a loon because he believed himself to be God, or He is Lord. He is THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE. Faith in Christ is so simple. He is recorded as saying, “Blessed are those who believe and have not seen.” One definition of faith is misleading: belief that is not based on proof. We have The Bible that has withstood the test of time, tyrants, and tests. It is complete and introduces salvation to all you can hear.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Q:</span></b><span style="color: #00b0f0;"> <span style="background: black; mso-highlight: black;">I've read all your evidence and tried not to be biased, to assess the facts. You have a good case, but you know I have follow up questions.<br />
<br />
What keeps the bible from being historical fiction? There a genres of books and movies that are based in reality being completely factual, but it never happened. <br />
<br />
Say, the book is true. That Jesus did all that is said. The odds are pretty steep of that happening, but what do we say when we look up to space?Aren't there countless people, I being one of them, that believe that it is technically impossible for there NOT to be other life out there? If you consider infinite space and infinite time, can't anything happen? Wouldn't that even be the case for our creation as well, if God is not the answer?<br />
<br />
What you said about the bible withstanding the test of time. It makes me think of fossils. Dinosaur fossils, bones that should have just dissolved like every other piece of the creature, were preserved for millions and millions of years. There wasn't even anyone fighting to preserve them, yet somehow they litter the entire earth today. Compared to that, the preservation of the bible does not seem as astounding to me.<br />
<br />
This here is just a side note, but what about the Crusades? A war greatly concerning Christianity that spanned over 200 years. Why would God allow that? Is he that self absorbed? I wouldn't assume so.<br />
<br />
I'm not trying to debunk your statements. I'm just trying to clarify.<br />
<br />
I find the strength in your faith interesting, that you would try to show me why I should believe.<br />
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I hope you know this is like trying to describe a beach at sunset to a blind man that has never even seen the light of day. No, it's more like trying to tell Yoda there is no Force.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">A:</span></b> What keeps the bible from being historical fiction? There a genres of books and movies that are based in reality being completely factual, but it never happened.<br />
The Bible is essentially a religious history. Even those who wrote the Bible made it clear it was not a secular history, even though secular events are referred to. It is a book about God and his relationship with man. People and events mentioned in the Bible might be found in the historical writings of other nearby countries and in the historical records of the Israelite nations other than the Bible. <br />
The earliest records of the Israelites were written on papyrus, rather than clay tablets that were used by other cultures at that time. Many of those papyri have been destroyed. The ancient Israelites, while they loom large in our eyes, were a small city state for the most part. <br />
There is little proof of the use of slaves in Egypt or of the Exodus, of the conquering of the Canaanites by the Israelites or of King David’s reign. But absence of proof is not proof of absence. It only takes one find to change that picture. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, until 1993 there was no proof of the existence of King David or even of Israel as a nation prior to Solomon. Then in 1993 archeologists found proof of King David's existence outside the Bible. At an ancient mound called Tel Dan, in the north of Israel, words carved into a chunk of basalt were translated as "House of David" and "King of Israel" proving that he was more than just a legend. <br />
In 1990 Frank Yurco, an Egyptologist at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, used hieroglyphic clues from a monolith known as the Merneptah Stele to identify figures in a Luxor wall relief as ancient Israelites. The stele itself, dated to 1207 B.C. celebrates a military victory by the Pharaoh Merneptah. “Israel is laid waste” it reads. This lets us know the Israelites were a separate people more than 3,000 years ago. The Smithsonian Department of Anthropology has this to say about the Bible. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Much of the Bible, in particular the historical books of the old testament, are as accurate historical documents as any that we have from antiquity and are in fact more accurate than many of the Egyptian, Mesopotamian, or Greek histories. These Biblical records can be and are used as are other ancient documents in archeological work. For the most part, historical events described took place and the peoples cited really existed. This is not to say that names of all peoples and places mentioned can be identified today, or that every event as reported in the historical books happened exactly as stated.” <br />
R.D. Wilson who wrote “A Scientific Investigation of the Old Testament” pointed out that the names of 29 Kings from ten nations (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon and more) are mentioned not only in the Bible but are also found on monuments of their own time. Every single name is transliterated in the Old Testament exactly as it appears on the archaeological artifact – syllable for syllable, consonant for consonant. The chronological order of the kings is correct. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>History itself validates The Bible’s claims. I’ll explain. How do you know your name? Were you born knowing your name? Let me answer that, no. You were taught your name. Think about The Bible as just a book, a historical fiction like you said. How is it possible first for over forty authors to compose any volume of work much less something the size of The Bible without compiling contradictions in the work itself? Any atheist set on denying anything other than their own thought will list hundreds of items and call them contradictions, I was one of them, but the truth is, there are no contradictions. So, the point is, how can these authors, when they ranged from kings to fishermen write so much about things they had no business knowing about? Things and events secular history and science have proven accurate by the way. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Secondly, how is it even conceivable that The Bible in the oldest written book stated the world was round when the general population swore it was flat? I touched on this earlier concerning how The Bible speaks of scientific knowledge and truths long before their “discoveries.” Not to be repetitive, but look back at what I said concerning the other schools of thought that are listed in The Bible from Geology to Hydrology. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that so many historical, well-documented events written about and expounded on in The Bible have been proven by other, secular sources says a lot that cannot be ignored.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Q:</span> <span style="background: black; color: #00b0f0; mso-highlight: black;">Say, the book is true. That Jesus did all that is said. The odds are pretty steep of that happening, but what do we say when we look up to space? Aren't there countless people, I being one of them, that believe that it is technically impossible for there NOT to be other life out there? If you consider infinite space and infinite time, can't anything happen? Wouldn't that even be the case for our creation as well, if God is not the answer?</span><span style="color: #00b0f0;"><br />
</span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A:</span></b> Before looking at the concept of Jesus doing stuff, let us look at the concept of infinite time and space. By definition that which is infinite cannot be applied to any finite creature, even though the creatures themselves may participate in the infinity of God. Notions of infinite time and infinite space tend to be self-contradictory and confusing because space and time, being finite, cannot be extended infinitely. It is only when infinity is attributed to God alone that the concept has precise, plausible, and a consistent meaning. Since the beginning of time we as a people have always looked up at the stars and wondered. Just because we have the answer in front of us, The Bible, doesn’t mean people will not continue to look and wonder. Let us look at the concept of creation. When was the last time you witnessed something being created from nothing? Creations have a creator. From the onset of the first sentence so many cannot believe because The Bible says, “In the beginning, God created.” For the Christian, it is not difficult to comprehend because the entire cannon of scripture supports the very first main point that “In the beginning, God created.” We can believe that because the rest of scripture is without error or contradiction not because we really want to believe it, but because it is what it is. In reality The Bible does not need a defense, but more on that later. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now on to Jesus and all His stuff. You said, <span style="background: black; color: #00b0f0; mso-highlight: black;">“The odds are pretty steep of that happening.”</span> Not to repeat what was written earlier, let us look at the list of just some of the prophecies Christ fulfilled. <br />
Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled in One Person:<br />
1. Betrayed by a friend. (Psalms 41:9; Matthew 26:49).<br />
2. Thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12; Matthew 26:15).<br />
3. Betrayal money cast to the floor of the temple (Zechariah 11:13; Matthew 27:5).<br />
4. Betrayal money used to buy the potter’s field (Zechariah 11:13: Matthew 27:7).<br />
5. Forsaken and deserted by his disciples (Zechariah 13:7; Mark 14:50).<br />
6. Accused by false witnesses (Psalms 35:11; Matthew 26:59-60).<br />
7. Silent before His accusers (Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 27:12).<br />
8. Wounded and bruised (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 27:26).<br />
9. Hated without a cause (Psalm 69:4; John 15:25).<br />
10. Struck and spat upon (Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 26:67).<br />
11. Mocked, ridiculed and rejected (Isaiah 53:3; Matthew 27:27-31 and John 7:5, 48).<br />
12. Collapse from weakness (Psalms 109:24-25; Luke 23:26).<br />
13. Taunted with specific words (Psalms 22:6-8; Matthew 27:39-43).<br />
14. People will shake their heads at Him (Psalms 109:25; Matthew 27:39).<br />
15. People will stare at Him (Psalms 22:17; Luke 23:35).<br />
16. Executed among “sinners” (Isaiah 53:12; Matthew 27:38).<br />
17. Hands and feet will be pierced (Psalms 22:16; Luke 23:33).<br />
18. Will pray for his persecutors (Isaiah 53:12; Luke 23:34).<br />
19. Friends and family will stand afar off and watch (Psalms 38:11; Luke 23:49).<br />
20. Garments will be divided and won by the casting of lots (Psalms 22:18; John 19:23-24).<br />
21. Will thirst (Psalms 69:21; John 19:28).<br />
22. Will be given gall and vinegar (Psalms 69:21; Matthew 27:34).<br />
23. Will commit Himself to God (Psalms 31:5; Luke 23:46).<br />
24. Bones will be left unbroken (Psalms 34:20; John 19:33).<br />
25. Heart will rupture (Psalm 22:14; John 19:34).<br />
26. Side will be pierced (Zechariah 12:10; John 19:34).<br />
27. Darkness will come over the land at midday (Amos 8:9; Matthew 27:45).<br />
28. Will be buried in a rich man’s tomb (Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:57-60).<br />
29. Will die 438 years after the declaration of Artaxerxes to rebuild the temple in 444 BC (Daniel 9:24).<br />
30. Will be raised from the dead (Psalms 16:10; Acts 2:31), ascend to heaven (Psalms 68:18; Acts 1:9) and be seated the right hand of God in full majesty and authority (Psalms 110:1; Hebrews 1:3).<br />
Professor Peter W. Stoner who authored “Science Speaks” stated that the probability of just eight particular prophecies being fulfilled in one person is 1 in 1017, i.e. 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000). The eight prophecies used in the calculation were:<br />
1. Messiah is to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; fulfilled in Matt. 2:1-7; John 7:42; Luke 2:47).<br />
2. Messiah is to be preceded by a Messenger (Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1; fulfilled in Matthew 3:1-3; 11:10; John 1:23; Luke 1:17).<br />
3. Messiah is to enter Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9; fulfilled in Luke 35-37; Matthew 21:6-11).<br />
4. Messiah is to be betrayed by a friend (Psalms 41:9; 55:12-14; fulfilled in Matthew 10:4; 26:49-50; John 13:21).<br />
5. Messiah is to be sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12; fulfilled in Matthew 26:15; 27:3).<br />
6. The money for which Messiah is sold is to be thrown “to the potter” in God’s house (Zechariah 11:13; fulfilled in Matthew 27:5-7).<br />
7. Messiah is to be silent before His accusers (Isaiah 53:7; fulfilled in Matthew 27:12).<br />
8. Messiah is to be executed by crucifixion as a thief (Psalm 22:16; Zechariah 12:10; Isaiah 53:5,12; fulfilled in Luke 23:33; John 20:25; Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27,28). <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The American Scientific Affiliation validated this statement. This number has been illustrated as follows:<br />
If we take 1 X 1017 silver dollars and lay them on the face of Texas, they'll cover all of the state two feet deep. Now mark one of these silver dollars and stir the whole mass thoroughly, all over the state. Blindfold a man and tell him that he can travel as far as he wishes, but he must pick up one silver dollar and say that this is the right one. What chance would he have of getting the right one? <br />
Professor Stoner went on to consider 48 prophecies and says, “… We find the chance that any one man fulfilled all 48 prophecies to be 1 in 10157.<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This is a really large number and it represents an extremely small chance. Let us try to visualize it. The silver dollar, which we have been using, is entirely too large. We must select a smaller object. The electron is about as small an object as we know of. It is so small that it will take 2.5 times 1015 of them laid side by side to make a line, single file, one inch long. If we were going to count the electrons in this line one inch long, and counted 250 each minute, and if we counted day and night, it would take us 19,000,000 years to count just the one-inch line of electrons. If we had a cubic inch of these electrons and we tried to count them it would take us, counting steadily 250 each minute, 19,000,000 times 19,000,000 times 19,000,000 [nineteen million times nineteen million times nineteen million] or 6.9 times 1021 years.<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is approximately the total number of electrons in all the mass of the known universe. In other words the probability of Jesus Christ fulfilling 48 prophecies is the same as one person being able to pick out one electron out of the entire mass of our universe.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such is the chance of any one man fulfilling any 48 prophecies. Yet Jesus Christ fulfilled not just 48 prophecies, not just 61 prophecies, but more than 324 individual prophecies that the Prophets wrote concerning the Messiah. I haven’t been able to find the statistical projection representing the possibility of Jesus Christ fulfilling 324 prophecies but I really don’t think it matters given the illustrations set forth above. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does it really take faith to come to salvation through Jesus Christ? Absolutely but that faith is not a blind faith as some would want you to believe but instead, it is a faith based upon facts. How much faith? Maybe not very much if one really takes the time to look at the facts and take into consideration the statistics and probability of the prophecies concerning the Messiah. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When someone tries to tell you that Christianity is a religious faith based upon ignorant acceptance of certain precepts that have no basis in fact, they are sadly mistaken. Christianity is a faith that not only can be an emotional faith (which it is); it is also an intellectual faith. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you still happen to be unconvinced that the baby born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago was anything more than just an ordinary human baby, let me challenge you with a few of “the odds” in that regard.<br />
1. To begin with, did you know that the Old Testament prophet Micah, writing circa 700 B.C., out of the hundreds and hundreds of cities in the scores and scores of nations in existence all over the world even in those days, designated Bethlehem of Judea as the birthplace of the Messiah (Micah 5:2)?<br />
2. And that at about the same time, Isaiah (7:14) said that the Christ would be born of a virgin?<br />
3. Or that a prophecy made in 1012 B.C. specified that the Messiah's hands and feet would eventually be pierced--a clear reference to death by crucifixion--800 years before the Romans ever even instituted crucifixion as a form of capital punishment!<br />
4. Malachi 3:1, penned in about 425 B.C., specified that the Messiah would be contemporary with the temple in Jerusalem--a temple that was destroyed in 70 A.D. and has never been rebuilt.<br />
5. Well, if all this impresses you even a little bit, you ought to go compare Zechariah 11:11-13 (written over 500 years before Christ) to Matthew 27:3-10 (written some 25-30 years after Christ). Only coincidence?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What you said about the bible withstanding the test of time. It makes me think of fossils. Dinosaur fossils, bones that should have just dissolved like every other piece of the creature, were preserved for millions and millions of years. There wasn't even anyone fighting to preserve them, yet somehow they litter the entire earth today. Compared to that, the preservation of the bible does not seem as astounding to me. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about the fossils of creatures past? They are here as a physical record due to biological processes. Allow me to clarify: The Bible has physically survived despite all those who would silence it through burning or banning. When The Bile was being constructed, it survived by never having anyone other than the Jews dispute it. Christ’s contemporaries surely would have cried out in error if what was written or passed down were wrong or at least out of order. The Bible speaks of fossils. Did you know The Grand Canyon is a testament to Noah’s flood? There are a number of fossils found at the top layers of the canyon that modern scientists cannot explain other than to attribute the said fossils to a flood of huge proportions. <br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="background: black; color: #00b0f0; mso-highlight: black;">This here is just a side note, but what about the Crusades? A war greatly concerning Christianity that spanned over 200 years. Why would God allow that? Is he that self absorbed?</span> I would not assume so.<br />
God is not self-absorbed by any means. Misguided men in the name of God waged the crusades. George Carlin joked once that more wars were started in the name of God than anything else. He was right. Hitler when he began his tirade tricked the Germans by invoking the name of Christ and Christianity. Most history books probably do not mention that fact. Bad things happen all the time in the name of God. After 911, church attendance soared. Why does God allow this? How arrogant I would be if I said I knew. I know only what The Bible says. It says, God is sovereign and in control regardless of how bad it seems. Many Old Testament prophets asked the question, “Why?” all the time.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will always be those who doubt no matter how many proofs are given. The decision to accept Christ as Lord is intellectual yes based on the historical, scientific, and even mathematical probability of Christ’s deity, but it is at the core, a decision based on faith. Christ asked Peter once, “Who do you say I am?” All of us have to answer that. It is more than amazing to think that God gave up His own life to save us, the world from Hell. If you look at The Bible with the skeptic eyes, you may not see, but if you read with eyes and a heart that says, “What if,” perhaps you will see what I see, hear what I hear, and feel what I feel. You said:<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="background: black; mso-highlight: black;">I find the strength in your faith interesting, that you would try to show me why I should believe.</span></span><br />
How can I not share with you if I truly believe that Christ is the way to Heaven? I would be a hypocrite if I acted any other way. It would be like saying, “I have the cure for cancer, but I’m not telling anyone!” I love you enough to tell you that Jesus loves you.<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div>Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-33926202981147519862011-06-03T11:51:00.000-05:002011-06-03T11:51:24.617-05:00More Evidencehttp://www.fmh-child.org/GotFaith.html<br />
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Go to this site and listen to the mp3, please.Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-57486137425920935052011-06-03T11:35:00.000-05:002011-06-03T11:35:37.456-05:00JESUS CHRIST AND MATH<h5><center><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So many people refuse to believe in something bigger than their own existence. They look to learned knowledge and facts that they cling to in order to validate either belief of disbelief. Let’s look at the facts today, the facts of Christ. It is my contention that once understood, even the most cynical will shed the skepticism. The book, The Case For Christ, presents a detailed explanation and timeline. I suggest everyone pick a copy up regardless of your stance. Since I am not an educated theologian, but a rather humble man, I will present the material to you that I have been led to give.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Historically, it must be allowed that Jesus Christ lived. Religions of the world deny the deity of Christ, but they cannot exclude Him from existence. So there again, we have Jesus alive as a man. For a time we are not going to think about The New Testament. Let’s look to the Old for the facts that we seek. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Old Testament as we call it contains over three hundred references in regard to the coming Messiah. The Jews did not disagree with the prophecies until Jesus came on the scene looking and acting not as they imagined. This is one of the reasons they rejected him </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">(<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.christiananswers.net/bible/isa8.html#14"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Isaiah 8:14</span></a>; <a href="http://www.christiananswers.net/bible/isa28.html#16"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">28:16</span></a>; <a href="http://www.christiananswers.net/bible/isa49.html#6"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">49:6</span></a>; <a href="http://www.christiananswers.net/bible/isa50.html#6"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">50:6</span></a>; <a href="http://www.christiananswers.net/bible/isa60.html#3"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">60:3</span></a>; <a href="http://www.christiananswers.net/bible/psa22.html#7"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Psalms 22:7-8</span></a>; <a href="http://www.christiananswers.net/bible/psa118.html#22"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">118:22</span></a>). </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Messiah’s death is foretold in what we call Psalm 22. Crucifixion death was not a Hebrew tradition. As a matter of fact, this kind of death had not been practiced by the Hebrew people at the time Psalm 22 was written. It came later under Roman rule although some scholars date the practice to Egypt. How were all the ancient writings concerning the coming Messiah fulfilled? How did the Psalmist know to write about the crucifixion and dividing of the garments? How did the prophet Micah seven hundred years prior to the birth of Christ “predict” where the Messiah’s birthplace would be? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is ludicrous for skeptics to answer coincidence to each question. There is no way. </span></div><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The following is not my own creation, it comes from biblebelievers.org.<br />
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The science of probability attempts to determine the chance that a given event will occur. The value and accuracy of the science of probability has been well established beyond doubt - for example, insurance rates are fixed according to statistical probabilities. </div>Professor Emeritus of Science at Westmont College, Peter Stoner, has calculated the probability of one man fulfilling the major prophecies made concerning the Messiah. The estimates were worked out by twelve different classes representing some 600 university students. <br />
The students carefully weighed all the factors, discussed each prophecy at length, and examined the various circumstances which might indicate that men had conspired together to fulfill a particular prophecy. They made their estimates conservative enough so that there was finally unanimous agreement even among the most skeptical students. <br />
However Professor Stoner then took their estimates, and made them even more conservative. He also encouraged other skeptics or scientists to make their own estimates to see if his conclusions were more than fair. Finally, he submitted his figures for review to a committee of the American Scientific Affiliation. Upon examination, they verified that his calculations were dependable and accurate in regard to the scientific material presented (Peter Stoner, Science Speaks, Chicago: Moody Press, 1969, 4). <br />
For example, concerning Micah 5:2, where it states the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem Ephrathah, Stoner and his students determined the average population of BETHLEHEM from the time of Micah to the present; then they divided it by the average population of the earth during the same period. <br />
They concluded that the chance of <a href="" name="one">one</a> man being born in Bethlehem was one in 300,000, (or one in 2.8 x 10^5 - rounded), <br />
After examining only eight different prophecies (Idem, 106), they conservatively estimated that the chance of one man fulfilling all eight prophecies was one in 10^17. <br />
To illustrate how large the number 10^17 IS (a figure with 17 zeros), Stoner gave this illustration <br />
If you mark one of ten tickets, and place all the tickets in a hat, and thoroughly stir them, and then ask a blindfolded man to draw one, his chance of getting the right ticket is one in ten. Suppose that we take 10^17 silver dollars and lay them on the face of Texas. They'll cover all of the state two feet deep. Now mark one of these silver dollars and stir the whole mass thoroughly, all over the state. Blindfold a man and tell him that he can travel as far as he wishes, but he must pick up one silver dollar and say that this is the right one. What chance would he have of getting the right one? Just the same chance that the prophets would've had of writing these eight prophecies and having them all come true in any one man, from their day to the present time, providing they wrote them in their own wisdom (Idem, 106-107). <br />
In financial terms, is there anyone who would not invest in a financial venture if the chance of failure were only one in 10^17? This is the kind of sure investment we're offered by god for faith in His Messiah. <br />
From these figures, Professor Stoner, concludes the fulfillment of these eight prophecies alone proves that God inspired the writing of the prophecies (Idem, 107) - the likelihood of mere chance is only one in 10^17! <br />
Another way of saying this is that any person who minimizes or ignores the significance of the biblical identifying signs concerning the Messiah would be foolish. <br />
But, of course, there are many more than eight prophecies. In another calculation, Stoner used 48 prophecies (Idem, 109) (even though he could have used Edersheim's 456), and arrived at the extremely conservative estimate that the probability of 48 prophecies being fulfilled in one person is the incredible number 10^157. In fact, if anybody can find someone, living or dead, other than Jesus, who can fulfill only half of the predictions concerning the Messiah given in the book "Messiah in Both Testaments" by Fred J. Meldau, the Christian Victory Publishing Company is ready to give a ONE thousand dollar reward! As apologist Josh McDowell says, "There are a lot of men in the universities that could use some extra cash!" (Josh McDowell, Evidence that Demands a Verdict, California: Campus Crusade for Christ, 175). <br />
How large is the number one in 10^157? 10^157 contains 157 zeros! Stoner gives an illustration of this number using electrons. Electrons are very small objects. They're smaller than atoms. It would take 2.5 TIMES 10^15 of them, laid side by side, to make one inch. Even if we counted 250 of these electrons each minute, and counted day and night, it would still take 19 million years just to count a line of electrons one-inch long (Stoner, op. cit, 109). <br />
With this introduction, let's go back to our chance of one in 10^157. Let's suppose that we're taking this number of electrons, marking one, and thoroughly stirring it into the whole mass, then blindfolding a man and letting him try to find the right one. What chance has he of finding the right one? What kind of a pile will this number of electrons make? They make an inconceivably large volume. <br />
This is the result from considering a mere 48 prophecies. Obviously, the probability that 456 prophecies would be fulfilled in one man by chance is vastly smaller. According to Emile Borel, once one goes past one chance in 10^50, the probabilities are so small that it is impossible to think that they will ever occur (Ankerberg et. al., op. cit., 21). <br />
As Stoner concludes, 'Any man who rejects Christ as the Son of God is rejecting a fact, proved perhaps more absolutely than any other fact in the world (Stoner, op. cit., 112).' <br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Neither Guttenberg nor Kinkos were around. The written accounts that Christians call The Old Testament was written by hand on scrolls, but were sadly scattered all around. The chances of a group of men in this time period that span (400 years time distance between the Old and New Testaments) without the aid of said mentioned devices and the internet keeping all the Messianic prophecies straight are laughable. If Jesus is not the Christ, the Messiah, there is no way that he could have fulfilled any much less all of the prophecies concerning His life, death, and resurrection. Furthermore, Jesus the man was either a liar because He claimed to be God, a lunatic, for the same reasons, or He was/is Who He says He is; The Way, The Truth, and The Life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><hr /></center></h5>Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-3625558048501558802011-06-03T11:31:00.002-05:002011-06-03T11:31:38.455-05:00SO YOU HAD A BAD DAY?<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">HOW IS YOUR DAY GOING?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We, the people, the people of God, His children, the ones who have accepted God’s Grace, the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, are at times, a people that are so full of ourselves, we forget to be humble in reverence to God Almighty. We, in essence, are very much like Job in the midst of his trials. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Job was a righteous man that found favor in God’s sight. Chapter one of the Book of Job begins detailing Job, his number of servants, children, livestock, and such. Job’s children liked to party. Perhaps they partied too much. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: lime;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Job 1:5 </span></span><span style="color: lime; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular custom. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Job would go give an offering and essentially pray for the sins he was sure his kids committed. Job is a loving father because he is consistently praying for them. So here is where the story starts to get good. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Job 1:6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. </span><span class="sup1"><span style="color: lime; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>7</strong></span></span><span style="color: lime; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;">The angels and Satan appear before God. I suppose we can think of that as a Monday morning briefing. As a kid I wondered why Satan appeared with the angels. Didn’t God already kick him out? The reason I believe Satan is with the angels as they appear before God is that, he, Satan, is inferior and still has to answer to God. If God allowed him to be there, who am I to question or you to question? God, the creator of all and if I may be so bold, master of the rhetorical question, asks Satan, “Where have you been?” God knows. HE knew before asking, but a careful study of scripture shows many times God asks the questions just so we have to answer not for his benefit, but for ours. Satan replies, </span><span style="color: lime; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">"From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Satan for lack of a better word has free roam over this world. Scripture calls him everything from a lion roaming about to the prince of the air. So old Satan is roaming around. Notice now in the conversation that it is God who brings up Job. It was not Satan. Everything with God is a teachable moment. God uses his servant, the righteous Job as a teachable measurement of faith. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Job 1:8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;">Satan, the constant accuser dares to question God. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Job 1:9-11 "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. </span><span class="sup1"><span style="color: lime; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>10</strong></span></span><span style="color: lime; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. </span><span class="sup1"><span style="color: lime; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>11</strong></span></span><span style="color: lime; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Satan is saying here, “Oh God, he only fears you because you have protected him all all his stuff. If you allowed stuff, calamity, bad problems, and garbage to fall on him, he would cuss you and not believe!” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He was right. Yes, you read right. Satan, for the most part, was right. Not about Job exactly. Job as we will look at did question, but in general, there are “CHRISTIANS” that love to play the part of Jesus freak, Bible thumper, and scripture know it all. However, when the storms of live cause friction or one thing does not go their way, their so-called relationship with God goes out the window. Everybody loves to be seen or thought of as a strong Christian leader, but when the chips are down, we go plum off the deep end demanding from God answers as to why the bad stuff happened to us. Why not old so and so. I’m a much better person. What about old Joe down the road. He cheats, drinks, cusses, why did this happen to me, God? Sound like anyone you know?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satan had no idea that God was playing him for the fool. God of course has the answer to Satan’s boast. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Job 1:12 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;">“Go ahead. You can have all his stuff, but you can’t touch him.” After God gives authority to Satan to attack Job’s material things, Satan leaves. Verses 13 through 18 details what occurs. </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">A.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;">Some livestock is taken and servants killed</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">B.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;">Fire from the sky falls killing 7000 sheep and servants.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">C.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;">Raiders took camels and killed the servants. </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">D.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;">His children were killed as they partied. A wind came and destroyed their home. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;">All of this happened simultaneously. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think you have had a bad day? The stock market crash has nothing on this bad day. Job does something that non-Christians and sadly I think many Christians do not comprehend. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He praised God. </span></div><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Job 1:20-22 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship </span><span class="sup1"><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 8pt;"><strong>21</strong></span></span><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> and said: <br />
"Naked I came from my mother's womb, <br />
and naked I will depart. <br />
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; <br />
may the name of the LORD be praised." </span><br />
<span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> </span><span class="sup1"><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 8pt;"><strong>22</strong></span></span><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. </span><br />
<span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">It’s hard for any parent to understand how a man could praise God under the circumstances that he just lost everything including the most precious of all, his children. I think it’s a testament that Job at this point was truly exalting God above all. He knew his place in the universe. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The second chapter of Job finds a repeat of the angels and Satan coming before God. God again asks Satan if he has considered Job. God in his description of Job in verse three adds, <span style="color: #00b050;">“And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Satan retorts like a spoiled child, </span><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">“Skin for skin!" Satan replied. "A man will give all he has for his own life. </span><span class="sup1"><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>5</strong></span></span><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;">Satan knows the human condition doesn’t he? Take away his health and he’ll cuss you! How many times how we seen or actually have done this ourselves? How many times do we see folks who we call the salt of the earth, good people, fall to Cancer or some other disease? We spend time praying that our loved ones are healed then blame God because they aren’t. we use the flawed, human reasoning that, “Well, I prayed. I’m a Christian, God should help us.” I’m human. I feel the same way at times. The way of our flesh is flawed. But you know, here is the trick of trade so to speak: God and only God knows why some die from disease when prayers were consistently given. Remember Jesus told Paul when Paul complained of a physical problem, </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">“My Grace is sufficient for you.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is constantly drawing his children closer to him. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God replies to Satan essentially, “Go ahead. Give it a whirl. You just cannot kill him.” </span></div><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Job 2:7-10 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. </span><span class="sup1"><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 8pt;"><strong>8</strong></span></span><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. </span><br />
<span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> </span><span class="sup1"><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 8pt;"><strong>9</strong></span></span><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" </span><span class="sup1"><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 8pt;"><strong>10</strong></span></span><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Job’s children are dead, the livestock dead and or stolen, his skin is covered in sores, but by the Grace of God, amen his wife is still with him. She chews him out. </span><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;">I don’t believe old Job had life insurance, so it’s a bitter pill to read that the wife just wants him out of the picture. “You just need to die!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Job responds with true philosophic words. </span><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">"You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;">It goes back to what I said earlier. Are we a people that praise the God of the living, the King of kings when our health is good, the bills are paid, and we got a steak on the plate, but curse his holy name when one thing does not go our way? I have. There I admit it. Chances are I may not be the only one admitting it now. The Bible is clear that God allows the rain to fall on the just and unjust. Satan attacks us. He goes after the Christian more than the non-believer I believe. However many times Satan attacks, we have to remember that the accuser does not have any real power over us, the children of God. The Bible teaches that we are to resist the devil and he will run from us. The Father is still in command, the Son, Jesus Christ is on the throne. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Job, a righteous man, in the eyes of God had his entire life turned upside down. His servants, animals, and children were taken away. Satan infected his body with sores. He listened to his wife tell him to curse God and die. Scripture teaches that Job did not sin up to that point. But old Job throws himself a pity party. Starting in chapter 3 he poetically says, “Why me? Why? Why? Why? Oh me. I should have never been born.” The Book of Job starting with chapter three until thirty-seven in great detail showcases four individuals and their take on Job’s situation. The situation resembles that of a debate throughout the rest of the book save the ending. The friends each have their say and Job in kind responds. While each one speaks from their own view, their speeches possess various bits of truth. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Job stood steadfast in his faith until he was influenced by three friends. Sound like anyone you know? We look to the self-help books and those idiot doctors and self proclaimed media kings and queens on television to dispense advice and wisdom for all of our problems. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Eliphaz says that he has had a secret revelation from God. He informs Job that Job’s suffering is a direct result of sin. The Bible teaches that we indeed reap what we sow, but we know that is not the case with Job. Job has his reply to that accusation. Basically Job tells his “friend” to take it (the accusation) back. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;">Bildad is a jerk in my opinion. He appears angry, well maybe self-righteous, is a better word. He is mad that Job clings to his innocence while questioning God. Bildad speaks under the thought train that God could not be unjust and would not punish a “just” man. Job’s response was in </span><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Chapter 10:2 “I will say to God: Do not condemn me, but tell me what charges you have against me.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">You see the change? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">After listening to his peers and their take, their opinion on God’s view, Job started to question. It is not slightly, it is arrogant for Job or anyone of us to say much less think that we will tell God anything. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Zophar’s thoughts were based upon his belief that good old Job was a hypocrite. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Job responds again, in my opinion, he sounds a bit arrogant. He, Job, is assured he will be vindicated. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Elihu a younger man speaks to Job and says that the suffering is a tool used by God to train and mold us. I know that if we think about our own lives and the trials we have endured, most will agree with Elihu. Earlier I said God is always drawing us closer. I believe that he is also teaching us. Everything, every horrible situation to the best of times can be a teachable moment for us from God. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Finally, God speaks to Job in chapters 38-41. For lack of a better phrase, God Almighty lets the fur fly so to speak. God blasts him with rhetorical questions. Recall from earlier I referred to the Father as the master of these. Here are some of the questions albeit a bit paraphrased from chapters 38-39:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b050;">“Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?” </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!” </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Where does darkness reside? Have the gates of death been shown to you? Does the rain have a father?” </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Does the eagle soar at your command?” </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Beginning in chapter 40:2, God Almighty says, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b050;">“Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him.” </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;">The answer to God’s question is me, you, your friends, your uncle, your sister, your aunt. It goes back to what I said earlier. “Why, WHY, WHY, God? It’s not fair, God! She wasn’t supposed to die! The baby wasn’t supposed to have Cancer!” We all ask why at some point. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Job replies starting with verse 3. Job covers his mouth after admitting he was unworthy. God proceeds to begin anew with the rhetorical questions. This continues until chapter 42. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Job 42:6 Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;">If we look back at the “heroes” of the Bible, the men God blessed, we see righteous men that were flesh and bone complete with their failures. Peter, David, Paul, Solomon, and Job are some of the examples. Each repented then was lifted up by the Almighty. We too, my friends, can be like that. We can be righteous in the eyes of the Almighty by repenting and accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as our savior. A life lived for Christ is free of sin in a way. Yes, we are human and even as new creations, Christians will fail, but the moment we sin, the Christian will be convicted by God’s Holy Spirit, the Great Comforter and we will then repent to the Lord. There is no condemnation in Christ. He, Jesus Christ, died for the sins of the world so that any and all who believe in Him will have eternal life. Repent today friends if you have never given your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ. Today is your day, the day of salvation. Come to Jesus, turn away from your sin. Let Christ, the Son heal you today as God the Father healed and restored Job so many years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">There’s nothing special about this prayer. It just expresses the desire in your heart to help you understand that you need the Lord Jesus Christ. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Father God,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lord I know that I am a sinner. I know that Jesus Christ is your son. I know He died for me on the cross so I can spend eternity in Heaven with you. Father, today, I repent, turn away from my sins. Lord I want Jesus to come into my life. Lord, I know He died and rose on the third day. Lord I will live my life for you and be the best Christian example I can be to the world. It is in the precious name of Christ, I pray.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div><br />
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<h5><center> <i>Copyright© </i><br />
<hr /></center></h5>Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-79038257568262770562011-06-03T11:30:00.005-05:002011-06-03T11:30:32.220-05:00TARGET PRACTICE<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">TARGET PRACTICE</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Do you ever feel like a target is plastered on you back or maybe your forehead? If you say, ‘That’s crazy. I don’t feel that way,’ maybe I should rephrase my statement. As a Christian do you ever feel like a target is plastered on you back or maybe your forehead? Today like no other time in our six thousand year history, thousands, not millions by the way, are Christians targeted. This is the kind of message that will probably scare many from the cross upon hearing the truth. That is the exact opposite of what we Christians were told to do! But, bear with me and you will see why this message must be heard.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For a moment, let us pretend that you dear reader know nothing of the Gospel other than you are aware that Jesus Christ existed. You were never told that Jesus is God (</span><span style="background: navy; color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: navy;">John 1:1 </span><span style="background: navy; color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-highlight: navy;">In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">). You, up to now, never knew that God the Father loved you so much that he sent HIS Son, Jesus Christ to die a sacrificial death for you (</span><span style="background: navy; color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-highlight: navy;">JOHN 3:16</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">) because of the sin in your life that separates you from God (</span><span style="background: navy; color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-highlight: navy;">Romans 3:23</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">). You never knew that each breath you took without acknowledging Jesus as your savior was sending you that much closer to Hell (</span><span style="background: navy; color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-highlight: navy;">John 14:6</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">). Finally, a Christian mustered up the courage to tell you all these things and that Grace alone saves us (</span><span style="background: navy; color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-highlight: navy;">Ephesians</span><span style="color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="background: navy; mso-highlight: navy;">2:8 </span></span><span style="background: navy; color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: navy;">For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God</span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">). </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You learn that Grace is given freely by the Lord God when we accept his Son as our savior and repent from the sinful behaviors (</span><span style="background: navy; color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: navy;">John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him/ Romans 10:9-13 if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.").</span><span style="color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If you are a Christian, you know that our existence is great! We have the best relationship with our Lord, who by the way always hears our prayers, and life is good ALL THE TIME. Most of that is true. We Christians are sinners turned saints as The Bible teaches, but life is what it is. We have boatloads of trouble, depression, and heartache. Sadly, so many new Christians turn away and never grow in the faith, which makes me, question the legitimacy of their belief/commitment to Christ because of the trials that manifest themselves the second we leave behind the old life and become a new creation in Christ. As a matter of fact, getting back to what I said earlier, we as Christians have targets plastered on our backs with it appears everyone from Boot Hill to Capitol Hill literally gunning for us. That’s part of it, being a real Christian. If you are offended by my next statements, oh well. A real Christian is one who as Isaiah taught stands firm in the faith. Do you laugh at off color jokes? Do you stand around and stay silent when around friends/co-workers/family who aren’t saved? Do you-well, you get the idea. All of can improve in these areas. If you are attending church just to dress up and impress the neighbors, you are not a real Christian. If the only time you open The Word is when the preacher says to, you aren’t a real Christian. If you think parts of The Bible are true, but others are not because you can align them with your lifestyle, you are not a real Christian. If you encourage those new in the faith to continue living like Friday night instead of Sunday morning, you are not a real Christian. Anyway, back to the real Christian. If you are a real Christian, you know because God’s Word tells you that trials and hardships are coming. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: black; color: yellow; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-highlight: black;">James 1-4</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: black; color: yellow; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: black;">Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Most psychologists will disagree with the cliché, “Use it or lose it,” but it applies to the scripture in James. If we say we are believers, followers of Christ, our lives, actions, and thoughts will be reflective of Him, His teachings, and His ongoing existence in our lives. If not, then we lose contact so to speak with God. We grow spiritually in Christ like our bodies do physically if we pray and learn His ways. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our salvation is not lost. We never lose that if we trust Christ’s words. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” (John 10:14) “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27-28). </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Most people say that God will never put on them what they cannot bear. Scripture teaches that God gives us strength to bear out the burdens. Jesus made it clear that we are to daily carry the cross. Let’s look at some folks from Bible times and how they withstood the trials and if you will the targets plastered on their backs. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts chapter seven introduces us to Stephen known forever as the first Christian martyr. Stephen gives a bang up number one first class summary of the highlights of both Old and New Testaments as he is validating and defending the Gospel of Christ. He is killed for his actions ironically by the decree of Saul later to be Paul. As Stephen lay dying he, the quintessential Christian target, exemplified the behavior he taught; he held onto the teachings of Christ. He looked up and saw Christ and said, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">“</span></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: lime; color: #001320; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: lime;">Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Most will say/ask, “Hey, didn’t Jesus say that too?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yes. Stephen exemplified Christ in every aspect by asking for forgiveness for those responsible for killing him. How many of us can do this today? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The apostle Peter is truly a great representation of a person on their journey toward totally becoming the real, mature Christian. This may take a moment or three. Prior to knowing Christ, Simon Peter was just a fisherman minding his own business. When he was told that the Messiah had been found, Simon followed Christ. Grated when we first hear the message of redemption through Christ, we may not follow right away as Simon Peter did, but our stubbornness and quick tempers do follow us when we do finally follow just as his did. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Peter was always for lack of a better word second guessed Christ. When Christ washed Peter’s feet, Peter protested not understanding the importance of the symbolism. When Christ explained that He had to die, Peter refused to believe it saying in essence, “No, man, no!” Right before this, Christ spoke highly of Peter, but immediately referred to Peter as Satan because he was denying what Christ had to accomplish! How many times have doubted that God is in control because of our life’s circumstances? We tend to see the right now picture whereas Jesus has always seen the grand picture. Most know the story of Peter walking on the water towards Christ. Old Pete got out of the boat in faith when Christ commanded him. Many times when we are n fire so to speak for the Kingdom we do jump out of the boat and are ready to tackle everything. But the moment, our nature gets the best of us, we and Peter are alike. He started to sink when he took his eyes off Christ. How many times have we taken our eyes off Him?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sadly Peter is mostly known for his denial instead o the strong founder of the church by a majority of people. As it happened, the disciples were being petty arguing who among them would be the greatest. Christ intervened saying what He had to say. One would betray the other deny. Before His arrest, Jesus scolded Peter and two others because they were too tired to stay awake and pray. Moments later when Judas betrayed Christ, Peter was the first to defend his master by drawing a knife and cutting a guard’s ear off. Now I’m not saying you or I are like Peter in that we go and cut ears off, but we do have spiritual highs and lows. One second we can’t spend an extra minute praying before the day begins. Next we are jumping headfirst into something without considering all things. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Three times Peter denied Christ. We deny Christ every time we don’t witness to someone who is lost and going to hell. We deny Him by not exalting Him. We deny Him by standing and listening in silence to those who abuse his name or deny that He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. If we do anything less than proclaim the Gospel message to a lost and dying world then we are denying Him. We spend more time debating the merits of reality shows, our favorite meals, the next big blockbuster, and how Team A could have beaten Team B if only they had listen to Coach C, than we do studying and sharing God’s Word. We are no different than pre-crucifixion Peter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He grew and kept the command the Risen Christ gave him; </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“Feed my sheep.” </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Check out I and II Peter for the message and proof of growth. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As we close, let us remember those original twelve and Paul that were Christian targets for Christ and the Gospel. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="background: fuchsia; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: fuchsia;">Matthew killed by a sword wound.</span><span style="background: black; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: black;"><br />
</span><span style="background: yellow; color: #00b050; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: yellow;">Mark Died after being dragged by horses through the <br />
streets until he was dead.</span><span style="background: black; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: black;"><br />
</span><span style="background: silver; color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: silver;">Luke- was hanged. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="background: black; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: black;"><br />
John Faced death when he was boiled in a huge basin of boiling oil <br />
in Rome. However, he was miraculously delivered <br />
from death. John was then sentenced to the mines on the prison island of <br />
Patmos . He wrote his prophetic Book of Revelation on Patmos.<br />
The apostle John was later freed. He died as an old man, the only apostle to die peacefully.<br />
</span><span style="background: black; color: yellow; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: black;">Peter was crucified upside down on an x-shaped cross. According to church <br />
tradition it was because he told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die <br />
in the same way that Jesus Christ had died.</span><span style="background: black; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: black;"><br />
</span><span style="background: lime; color: #c00000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: lime;">James, The Less was thrown over a <br />
hundred feet from the Temple when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. When they discovered that he survived the fall, his enemies beat James to death with a fuller's club.</span><span style="background: black; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: black;"><br />
James the Great, son of Zebedee, was a fisherman by trade when Jesus <br />
called him to a lifetime of ministry. As a strong leader of the church, <br />
James was ultimately beheaded at Jerusalem. The Roman officer who guarded <br />
James watched amazed as James defended his faith at his trial.<br />
Later, the officer walked beside James to the place of execution.<br />
Overcome by conviction, he declared his new faith to the judge and knelt <br />
beside James to accept<br />
beheading as a Christian.<br />
</span><span style="background: red; color: yellow; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: red;">Bartholomew also known as Nathaniel was flayed to death by a whip.</span><span style="background: black; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: black;"><br />
</span><span style="background: green; color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: green;">Andrew was crucified on an x-shaped cross. After <br />
being whipped severely by seven soldiers , his body was tied to the cross <br />
with cords to prolong his agony. His followers reported that, when he was <br />
led toward the cross, Andrew saluted it in these words: "I have long desired <br />
and expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of <br />
Christ hanging on it." He continued to preach to his tormentors for two days <br />
until he expired.</span><span style="background: black; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: black;"><br />
</span><span style="background: maroon; color: #ffc000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: maroon;">Thomas was stabbed with a spear.</span><span style="background: black; color: #ffc000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: black;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="background: yellow; color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: yellow;">Jude, The brother of James, was killed with arrows when he refused to deny <br />
his faith in Christ.</span><span style="background: black; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: black;"><br />
</span><span style="background: black; color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: black;">Matthias the apostle chosen to replace Judas Iscariot, was <br />
stoned and then beheaded.</span><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: red; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: red;">Paul suffered long imprisonments and torture before being murdered by decapitation under Nero in Rome most likely in 67 AD.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I pray that no one is wondering why all these men throughout history allowed themselves to die in such a manner. The reason is clear; Jesus Christ is real. They could not deny their experiences with Christ. They knew Christ and His message. They considered it, being a target, a blessing. Jesus reassured them just as He will reassure you today if you do not know Him as Savior. Jesus said as recorded in John chapter 15:18-19, </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love [you as] its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you.” </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If you have never accepted Christ as your savior, today is your day. There’s nothing special about the sinner’s prayer. Remember we are saved by Grace. </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Father God, Lord, I know that I am a sinner. Lord I believe Jesus Christ is the Lord. I know he died on the cross for me. I know Lord that you raised him from the dead. Father, I repent of my sins and ask Jesus to come into my life as my savior. It is in Christ’s holy name, I pray, Amen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span>Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-27498030157564175632011-06-03T11:29:00.002-05:002011-06-03T11:29:47.729-05:00More Top Ten Things Christ will Never Say Part III<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">More Top Ten Things Christ will Never Say Part III</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">10. “I really want my people to focus more on themselves and the things they love more than me. I want them to put their heart’s desires over me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luke 12:34 </span><b><sup><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“</span></sup></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”</span></b></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="color: black;">9. “I’m never going there again, Dad!” Luke 21:27<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">“At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”</span></b></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="color: black;">8. “We just opened a new wing in Heaven. We have the lowest prices and standards! Everyone welcomed!” Matthew 7:21 </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">“Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="color: black;">7. “Hey, Don’t I know you? I’m pretty sure I saw you on the Jerusalem Express Lane. Matthew 7:22-23 </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">“Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”</span></b></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="color: black;">6. “I’m so glad the churches are filled with volunteers who are serving the Kingdom. Matthew 9:37 </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="color: black;">5. “I’m okay if you love others more than me.” Matthew 10:37 </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”</span></b></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="color: black;">4. “I believe I’m too tired and busy to accept anyone else in the Kingdom. Matthew 11:28-30 </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."</span></b></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="color: black;">3. “Who am I, Santa? Get these little kids away from me!” Mark 10:14-15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">2. “Follow my teachings because, I’m the Man, Teacher of the Year 33 AD” John 7:16 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me.”</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></i></b></div><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';">1. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">“</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';">I sure can’t wait until <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>December 2012!” Mark 13:32-33 </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';">“</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.”</span></i></b>Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-41233971909469944272011-06-03T11:28:00.002-05:002011-06-03T11:28:56.476-05:00TOP 10 THINGS JESUS WILL NEVER SAY PART 2<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">10. “Okay, gang in order to keep people believing in me, I want all of you to dress like me and go hang out with Elvis and Bigfoot.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Jesus spoke to Thomas</span></b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">JOHN 20:29 "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."</span></b><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">9.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s okay people if you stand by and do nothing while others mock me, my church, and the Kingdom. You don’t have to stand firm in your faith.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Matthew 5:11-12</span></b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. </span></b><span class="sup1"><span style="color: red; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">12 </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">8. “Dang! Ms. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Rosh Hashanah 32 BC is fine!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Matthew 5:27-28 “You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'<sup> </sup></span></b><span class="sup1"><span style="color: red; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">28 </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">7. “Aw, crap, I was kidding! I can’t save anyone!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">John 11:25-26 "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; </span></b><span class="sup1"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">26 </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">6. “What? I have to go and do what on that cross? No way, Daddy-o!” </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">John 12:27-28 "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. </span></b><span class="sup1"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">28 </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Father, glorify your name!"</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">5. “I am the Lord! Wash my feed, pour me a drink, and do my nails!” </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">4. “Go on, everybody! It’s a free-for-all party! You can love God if you want to. You can love an eight limbed god, the invisible man and or a walking cheeseburger! It’s all good!” </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mark 12:30 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">3. “Please, demon, come on out of that man. Please with sugar on top<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.</b>”</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Luke 4:35 "Be quiet!" </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus said sternly.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> "Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">2. After saving Mary from death by stoning: “It’s okay. Next time you hook up, lock the door.” </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">John 8:11 "Go now and leave your life of sin."</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">1. “Heaven is waiting for everybody! Belief in any god will do! </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">John 14:6 "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”</span></b></div><br />
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<h5><center> <i>Copyright© </i></center></h5>Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-52004085515958905472011-06-03T11:27:00.002-05:002011-06-03T11:27:26.895-05:00TOP 10 THINGS JESUS CHRIST WILL NEVER SAY Part I<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">10. “<b>Silly Lazarus. Simon didn’t say live.” </b><span> </span>JOHN 11:43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, <span style="color: red;">"Lazarus, come out!"</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">9. <b>“Yeah, I need 5000 Happy Meals. Hold the pickles please.”</b> JOHN 6:10-11 </span>Jesus said, <span style="color: red;">"Have the people sit down."</span> There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. <span class="sup">11 </span>Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><br />
</div><ol start="8" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: red;"><b><span style="color: windowtext;">“Maybe we can sell some more stuff on Sunday.”</span></b><span style="color: windowtext;"> JOHN 2:14-16 In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. <span class="sup">15 </span>So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. <span class="sup">16</span>To those who sold doves he said, </span>"Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!"</li>
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</div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">7.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><b>No, Peter, take your time. I’ll wait for you to get your arm floats.</b> Matthew 14:28-29 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." <span class="sup">29 </span><span style="color: red;">"Come,"</span> he said. </div><div style="margin-left: 30pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>“<b>No, sorry, I don’t have time for you. Get up and out of my way. Oh wait, right. You can’t walk! </b>MARK 2:3-5 Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. <span class="sup">4 </span>Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. <span class="sup">5 </span>When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, <span style="color: red;">"Son, your sins are forgiven."<span> </span></span></div><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span> </span>5. <b>“Hey guys help me put food coloring in this water.”</b> JOHN 2:7-9 </span><span class="sup">7 </span>Jesus said to the servants, <span style="color: red;">"Fill the jars with water"</span>; so they filled them to the brim. <span class="sup">8 </span>Then he told them, <span style="color: red;">"Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."</span> They did so, <span class="sup">9 </span>and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine.<br />
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<span> </span>4. <b>“You know God, I don’t believe I want to hang out today.”</b> Luke 22:41-42 <span style="color: red;">“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">3. <b>“Satan, that’s a pretty deal. I’ll take it.”</b> MATTHEW 4:10-11 </span>Jesus said to him, <span style="color: red;">"Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”</span> <span class="sup">11</span>Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span> </span>2. “For God so loved the worl-no, not you. No, you are out. Section AA23, you’re gone, definitely not you.”<span> </span>JOHN 3:16 </span><span style="color: red;">"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.” </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">AND THE NUMBER 1 THING JESUS CHRIST WILL NEVER SAY</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">1. <b>“You just wait! I’m going home and telling my Daddy!</b> LUKE 23:34 </span>Jesus said, <span style="color: red;">"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."</span><br />
Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-9788632469109492392011-06-03T11:26:00.001-05:002011-06-03T11:26:11.730-05:00JOHN CHAPTER 17<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> We as a Christian people should try to emulate or be like Christ. Today, we will look at John 17. There are three areas of this chapter that we will be looked at. Most Bibles label the first part as Jesus prays for Himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> John 17:1-5</span><b><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></b><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">"Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. <b>2</b>For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. <b>3</b>Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. <b>4</b>I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. <b>5</b>And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">Jesus starts out by stating the obvious. The time for saving all mankind had come. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">"Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">The line glorify your son that your Son may glorify you is a line where many opponents want to say that Christ was seeking His own glory. That’s not it. The glorification of Christ was accomplished the moment He gave up the ghost and said, </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“It is finished.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">God was then glorified because of the Son’s sacrifice. Jesus was not seeking his own glory, but rather the glory through His sacrifice for God the Father. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Lines two and three at times cause controversy. There are Christian people that say only so and so is going to Heaven or everybody is going because they either think Christ’s sacrifice was for only certain people or that we all are God’s children regardless of the sacrifice of Christ. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">Jesus says that He has been given authority by the Father over all people. That is not difficult to understand, but here comes the problem for some folks; </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">No one has ever come to Christ on his own. I’ll explain. When I accepted the Lord Jesus as my savior, I did not do it because I thought it was just a good idea or I wanted to be a member of a church. I knew God was working on me. I knew I had to have a relationship with Christ. Every Christian that is reading this I know understands what I am saying. The Bible says that God doesn’t want anyone to perish. That is why as Jesus said, </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“My father is always working.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">God is always drawing people closer to him. Christ died so that all who believe will be saved. Election is not a feasible thought. If it were, how stupid would it be to say Jesus died for me, but not that loser down the road? It is equally ignorant to say that just because we are alive we are children of God. Scriptures teaches just the opposite. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This current generation for all its technological advances is no different from previous ones. Each generation until the last will come to know Abraham, Noah, Moses, Daniel, David and the rest. Secular history books allow these figures to be taught from a historical view. Christ is taught as well from the world view as being a teacher and prophet. Jesus used the parable to teach his disciples and the masses. But, here in John 17, we are allowed in plain, understandable text to read, hear, experience and receive eternal life. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">John 1:</span><b><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">3 </span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">Jesus spells it out! </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">That they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">As easy as it is to understand, there is a catch. Other than the so-called atheist, people realize there is a creator. The sinner, let’s say, a teenager, is involved in many things that are not Christian oriented. The sinning teenager says he believes in God, but wants to have fun. Or perhaps the teenager has doubts about Jesus. Just knowing who God is, the Father and the Son is not what is being said here. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">“How do you know? Were you there?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">All scripture is “God-breathed. (1 Timothy 3:16) With that being understood, the Book of James tells us that even the demons believe in one God and they tremble. The demons recognized Christ when He walked the earth. Simply saying you know God and Jesus like you would say you “know” so and so as they walk down the street is not what is being said. We know God through and because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross when we accept Him as Lord of our life. There are numerous instances/scriptures where Jesus speaks this truth. Perhaps the most widely used verse is John 14:6. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">” Jesus is not just a way to eternity. He is the only way. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">John17:4 </span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">Jesus taught that good trees never produce bad fruit. Furthermore He taught that bad trees do not produce good fruit. If we are children of God, a people that have given everything to the Lord Jesus Christ we will act like it. Our lives will show a love for Christ and others. We will exalt and bring glory to God just as Christ did. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus was, is, and forever will be the reigning Lord of all creation. It is beyond tragic that so many do not believe in the deity of Christ. They don’t believe He is God. They just think he was born from Mary, raised by Joseph, taught a nice message was killed for His belief and died. Others, notably the Islamic faith disavows that Christ even died. Either way, who Christ is, is sometimes overlooked. In verse five, Christ makes another, fairly simple, easy to understand statement. </span><b><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“</span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">Jesus the Son was with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit also known as The Great Comforter before the world was spoken into existence 6008 years ago. Take a look at part of verse twenty-six from Genesis chapter one: </span><span style="background: black; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-highlight: black;">Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.</span><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">God is not bipolar, okay. He just was not alone. Jesus refers to Himself in Revelation as the Alpha and the Omega. He was with the Father and the Comforter from the beginning. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Chapter 17 verses six through nineteen detail Christ praying for His disciples. Let us look at the entire piece before dissecting the individual pieces. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">"I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. <b>7 </b>Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. <b>8 </b>For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. <b>9 </b>I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. <b>10 </b>All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. <b>11 </b>I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one. <b>12 </b>While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. <b>13</b>"I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. <b>14</b>I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. <b>15 </b>My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. <b>16 </b>They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. <b>17 </b>Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. <b>18 </b>As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. <b>19 </b>For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus to start out with here is taking about the disciples, yes, even Judas. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">"I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">It was not that long before Christ spoke these words to the Father that the disciples were arguing among themselves concerning who was greatest. Although Christ was speaking straightaway about these twelve, isn’t it a wonderful feeling knowing that our God speaks up for us like that? Don’t let anyone lead you astray. The Bible is clear that the Gospel message is for all people. Yes, God, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh chose twelve specific men to complete the tasks at hand, but at no time has Christ ever denied anyone who came to Him for a healing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">7 </span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. <b>8 </b>For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">Can you imagine what the disciples felt when Christ was arrested? Scripture teaches that all fled except for Peter, who would as Jesus foretold deny knowing the Lord not once but three times, and an unnamed disciple (Maybe John). John was at the crucifixion with Mary, the mother of Christ. If all Jesus spoke was a lie, the disciple would have never built the church. We would not have the term Christian, Christ would be a fable and most importantly, we would all get what we deserve; hell forever. But, praise be to God, the disciples as Jesus said, knew Jesus was the Christ. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">John 17:9-10 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. <b>10 </b>All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">This not only applies to the disciples, but also to all of us. Christ is praying on our behalf before the Father just as He does when we face the Father on the Day of Judgment. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">Go ahead. It’s okay, maybe. The Savior of all mankind just said glory has come to Him through them. Them refers to the disciples, again, but also His children, the believers in the Risen Lord. Wow. Such unity exists between the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“All I have is yours, and all you have is mine.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">Christ wanted His followers to be united like the Trinity. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">John 17:<b>11 </b>I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">Verse twelve mentions Judas as the one that is doomed. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">Prophecy to be true must come to pass. I don’t know why Judas was the one out of all history to be the one to betray Him. The fact is he was and that’s done. He served a purpose although an infamous one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">John 17:13-16 "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. <b>14 </b>I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. <b>15 </b>My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. <b>16 </b>They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Verse thirteen shows us that Jesus is using a word that should come natural to us as Christians. Joy is what we should have. I know life is tough now. I know it. God though, wants us to be happy, to be joyful. If you are a Christian that is full of sadness, and you are down trodden, how unfair is that to Christ? Jesus as he headed to the place of the skull, Golgotha, Cavalry, told his mother Mary that He indeed did make all things new. How can we be a people that claim to have the joy of God, but lives that reflect everything but? It makes you think don’t it? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">This not only applies to the original twelve, but to Christians everywhere! We as Christians are not a part of this world. Time after time we are told to look to the things of Heaven not the earth. We are told to focus on the will of God in our lives, not the desires of our failed flesh and humanity. The world you know hates us as Christians. That isn’t a surprise. The world says sex with anyone anywhere and anytime is okay. Several states have redefined marriage from what the Holy Scripture deems truth. We have as a pastor friend of mine once said, “A Feel Good Gospel,” where anything goes as long as you feel good. What a tragedy we have become in the face of an Almighty God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Verse fifteen and sixteen show Christ praying for something very specific. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">How awesome do you feel right now after hearing or reading that? The God of all, the Son of Man, asks in prayer for God’s protection over us. Too many people today place the angels above the Son and the Father. God whether he uses angels or Himself protects His children. That being said, so many who wish to denounce Christ scream out, “Why does God allow innocent people to die or become disease ridden to the point of death?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I don’t know.” Is that plain enough? Recently I wrote about the Book of Job. Job and company pondered the same questions. Tragedy, my friends, more times than not strengthens our resolve and faith in Christ. Christian people never feel closer to God than when tragedies are attempting to rip their lives apart. Getting back to the original point, our God prays for protection for His followers. He made the distinction that those who follow Him are not of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The dictionary defines sanctify with the following: to make holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate. Keep that in mind as we look at verses seventeen through nineteen. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We all know that God so loved the world as 3:16 instructs, that he sent Christ to die for us. Here we see and hear Jesus Himself tell why He completed the task after He gave up the glory of Heaven for the dirt of the earth. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">“</span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">Christ is saying that just as He had a job to do, so did the disciples. I said it earlier, but can you imagine what the world would be like if the disciples ignored the Great Commission? The disciples turned apostles had a huge task of spreading Christianity and setting up church services. If you think they did it with good luck you are wrong. The very hand of the Almighty, the Spirit of God was with them, leading and guiding. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Verse nineteen knocks it out of the park to borrow a cliché from political candidates. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">“</span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Every Gospel preaching Jesus <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ Savior church should be stating this every time the doors are opened. We are lackadaisical and complacent concerning the very issue of our salvation. Christ in this prayer although directed to the twelve references you and me. “<span style="color: red;">For them I sanctify myself,”</span> <span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Christ says. For them, for you, for me, for the children that are yet to be. </span><span style="color: red;">“That they too may be truly sanctified.” </span><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">We don’t realize even with the Gibson movie what Christ gave up and took up for us. He did the most unselfish act in all history so we would not be a part of a world that is ruled by the prince of the air, Satan, a world that is already on its way to the Lake of Fire, the Second Death. I suppose you can say</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">In the last part of John chapter 17 starting with verse twenty, we see the prayer Christ says for future believers. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."</span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus begins this final part of the prayer by specifically addressing the future generations of believers. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">Christianity began with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. It continued by the apostles setting up the church, and it continues today when we not only exalt, worship, and fellowship in the presence of the Lord Almighty, but when sinners are won by the Gospel message of His loving Grace. Unity does not exist where dissention reigns. Jesus said He prayed for those who will believe in Him, and that they be one just like He and the Father are one. Today good people, we tend to look at the denominational sign on the door as a measuring stick of how much we love God. I am going to say with love I hope what everyone thinks. Today, we as a Christian people are too wrapped up on church membership rather than the time and quality we put in on worshipping the Lord. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Some people complain about the color of the carpet, music selection, use of instruments, non-use of instruments, size of the offering plate, the preacher’s tie, and of course the number of times the Lord’s Supper is observed. Do we really think that this interferes with a person’s decision to live for Christ? We should not base our Christian goodness on the name and reputation of our church, but rather be of one Christian body, the body that represents the Lamb of God’s bride, the church, and Jesus Christ Himself! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Listen and read the words carefully: </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">How we as a Christian people spread the Gospel message if we are divided? Satan has his hand in every church division. We cannot have one third of the people going with preacher so and so while the others stay with deacon Joe because older hymnals are used. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">Jesus instructed the eleven apostles to spread His message, of the blessed Hope, Grace, and love Love. Brothers and sisters we are the body of Christ, we are His people, but don’t think for a moment that we save anyone. We are told to tell, lead, and live a Christ-like example, but remember it is the Grace of the Lord that saves us from that burning lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“</span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. I in them and you in me.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">What is that glory you may be asking? His sacrifice for us is what the glory is. It is a mockery, a shame, and an insult to the risen savior that so many worldly, Satan inspired divisions cast doubt the church body’s love and dedication to Christ. The Father, Son, and Spirit want nothing less than for all people to turn from sin and be united in one accord to worship. Here’s some of that scripture to further explain the unity idea. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">Jesus said many times that people would know God the Father if they knew the Son. The “they” Christ refers to are His children. We as Christian people are not a part of the world. We are set apart, saved by Grace because we have acknowledged and repented from our sins and accepted the Grace from an Almighty God. If we factor out those people who say they don’t believe that Jesus died for their sins, we are left with the independent voters so to speak. More times than not they will admit that the world has a creator. They admit God may be the One. There will come a day when all know and confess. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">Jesus once said to the Pharisees in regard to their questioning Him concerning His observance of the Sabbath, </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“My Father is always working.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-themecolor: text1;">Jesus too by His words is always working to draw the hurt, the broken, and the lost closer to the Father. </span></div><br />
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<h5><center> <i>Copyright© </i><br />
<hr /></center></h5>Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-51366447288806972682011-06-03T11:25:00.001-05:002011-06-03T11:25:15.255-05:00The Point?<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> We all start to decompose, die a little every day, after we take the first breath. The secular world, humanists, and liberal educated people most times do not subscribe to this or the thought pattern that Jesus Christ is The Living God. Furthermore, they feel The Bible is an outdated book with some moral value, but it doesn’t apply to all people all the time. Since the fall in Eden, we have been living and dying, dying and living. </span></span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If by the by, you are reading this and you are one that does not hold the belief that The Bible is God’s Word, I hope that the Lord uses me to convince you otherwise. The Bible says a few things about the subject of death. Here are just a few snippets of truth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hebrews 9:27 </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span class="sup1"><strong><span style="background: yellow; color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: yellow;">27</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></strong></span><span style="background: yellow; color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: yellow;">Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dying is easy. Facing judgment from a holy, mighty, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">just </b>God, well, good luck with that if you are not covered by the blood of Christ. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="background: black; color: yellow; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Romans 6:23 </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="background: black; color: yellow; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: black;">For the <b>wages</b> of <b>sin</b> is <b>death</b>, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.</span><span style="color: yellow; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">I once heard a pastor use this scripture at a funeral. It offended a lot of people because while yes, this scripture is true, it was used in an inappropriate manner. It sounded as though the deceased only died because of a sin. Sin brings forth death. That came about from Adam and Eve’s first transgression, sin in Eden. That is why we are all failed flesh destined to die at least once. The second death is a message and a half in itself. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As humans we are I suppose it can be argued the only ones who are aware of death. If domesticated pets knew of death, they would flee from the road. Cattle and other livestock would not blindly graze away only to be slaughtered. As humans we justify our behavior and desires by saying, “You only live once.” Fine. That’s true. We do only live once and that is the big issue! More people use that as a reason to sin, sin, sin, and push Christ away because, “You only live once! Enjoy yourself!” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christian people truly devoted to Christ and the life will be happy, joyful, and full of hope without having to get hammered, hooked up, or high! The main part of this message today now that we looked briefly at death is one scripture over life. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="background: silver; color: #3333ff; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: silver;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">James 4:14 </span></span></div><span class="sup1"><strong><span style="background: silver; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-highlight: silver;">14</span> </strong></span><span style="background: silver; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-highlight: silver;">Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.</span><span style="color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"></span><br />
<span style="color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;">“I just talked to mom, yesterday.”</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I was supposed to go visit, Grandma on Saturday.” </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Jim can’t be dead. Why, I saw him last week.” </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We are one phone call away from hearing the news about the death of a loved one. By the time this is read if ever, I may already be dead. We get too comfortable in life until death calls and wakes us! How many times do you think someone will say the words I typed today? Kids and teenagers may get a pass on this, the little ones more than the teens because they don’t think like adults. Truth is most of us don’t think about death until we have to go to the funeral home as a bereaved member or guest of honor. If we are the guest, it’s too late. We are either with Christ in Heaven or we are burning and living on in hell. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We are here. Then we aren’t. That is it. Christian people, do not treat Jesus Christ, His love, Grace, and mercy like the last slice of pizza. Share Jesus with those who are dying. </span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">John 11:25-28</span></b><br />
<span class="sup1"><strong><span style="background: black; color: red; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-highlight: black;">25</span> </strong></span><span style="background: black; color: red; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-highlight: black;">Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; <span class="sup1"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><strong><span id="en-NIV-26539">26</span> </strong></span></span>and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"</span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;">How reassuring is that, brothers and sisters? </span><span style="background: black; color: red; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-highlight: black;">He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; <span class="sup1"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><strong><span id="en-NIV-26539">26</span> </strong></span></span>and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.</span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;">We have the promise of eternity from the Lord Himself! Christ finished with the question, </span><span style="background: black; color: red; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-highlight: black;">Do you believe this?</span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;">No matter who you are, Jesus is here asking you through His people and the Word, </span><span style="background: black; color: red; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-highlight: black;">Do you believe this?</span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We do live to die. The birth and death dates tell how long we hung out. but it is the middle dash on the tombstone that holds the untold story of how we lived for Christ or how we rejected Him. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-85054586678304215482011-06-03T11:24:00.001-05:002011-06-03T11:24:23.736-05:00MOMMY AND DADDY ARE MY BFFS.<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">A kid’s worst best friend is his or her mom and or dad. They may shock some folks, but I feel that moms and dads are not being responsible enough in this day and age. If a parent is hanging out with their teenaged child drinking coffee and gossiping about so and so, the child views said parent as a buddy and not a person with authority. A buddy won’t tell you when to come home or what you cannot wear. It is a disgrace to the institution of parenting when a mother buys her daughter clothing that makes her prepubescent body appear like a Vegas showgirl waiting to give the next lap dance. It is equally disgraceful when a father pushes his son to be a man by promoting sexually explicit thoughts and situations. </span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God being the model parent has stated a few truths about parenting. Here’s the first of two that will be looked at today. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b><sup><span style="background: yellow; color: #00b050; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: yellow;">Proverbs </span></sup></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; color: #00b050; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: yellow;">22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">The debate rages on concerning nature vs. nurture. Children will act so I’ve been told by my spouse according to how they see us act. That is true by the way. Children are sponges at an early age. They soak up so much that they see and hear. With that being the case, we as parents should expose our children at an early age to Sunday school, the importance of knowing and reading The Bible, and most importantly, the knowledge of Christ’s saving Grace. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When do kids stray from the path of righteousness? They stray at birth. One of the words any child learns is “mine,” and “no.” The Bible in case you did not know says, “All have fallen short of the glory of God.” All includes those wrinkly, bald headed blessings we call babies. So God has made you a parent. It doesn’t matter if it’s the first, second, third or fourth time, God has blessed you with the responsibility of caring and teaching of a child. God’s Word has not changed. Neither have His expectations. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My father accepted the Lord at age sixty-five. He, along with many others, is the exceptions. Generally speaking, if a child grows into adulthood never hearing the Gospel, said child now adult will never come to the Lord. Yes, all things work for God in His time, but a hard headed boy today is tomorrow’s stubborn man. The child must learn of God and His sacrifice. You will never see a person, who as a child learned the Truth and made a real commitment to Christ, turns from it. Today more than ever, church attendance drops off when a teen goes to college. The allure of sin and the absence of parents overcome many and most college freshmen. They tend to let their Bible slip away and they hide the picture of Jesus so to speak. If they return from when they strayed, like the prodigal, the parent will rejoice and take them back. God does that with us after a heart has truly repented. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">Many stray and don’t return to their Christian roots. I openly and fiercely question the commitment made to Christ if it can be wiped away that quickly and easily at the sign of so called independence. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">“Hey, junior, yeah, you in toga, if you are so independent and responsible why are two guys helping you into your dorm room?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">See what I mean? A person cannot say, Praise Jesus. I love you!” Then say, “Wahoo! Pass the bottle! Yeah man she is fine! Where’s my drink?” Followed up by these words spoken into the toilet, “Oh Jesus help me. I’ll never drink again. Till next weekend.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">When a child is trained at an early age in the ways of the Lord, they will always know the path to take regardless of how many negative influences are hitting them. Believe it? I wish I could. It is true in some cases, but even the most devout Christian will mess up. But see, God’s Grace covers that through repentance. I guarantee if a Christian teen makes a wrong decision the moment said wrong decision is made, the Holy Spirit will convict said student and they will know repentance is needed. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Proverbs 13:24 </span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: lime; color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-highlight: lime;">He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">By no means should abuse ever be construed as discipline. Children are God’s gift to be raised for a season. Mommy, Daddy, it is your job to raise the child. Christians know that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all knowledge. That fear is not the, “I’m afraid you are going to beat me,” fear, but rather a respected reverence to the Lord. If we are to fear the Lord, we must adhere to all teachings. This includes spanking your child when they misbehave. Most first words spoken by children are either “No” or “Mine.” I’m sure time out works, but the toddlers of today are becoming the losers of tomorrow due to the lack of discipline from the best friend dad and the easy going mom.</span></span></div>Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-69711066204061758542011-06-03T11:22:00.000-05:002011-06-03T11:22:55.181-05:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There’s this great gulf that divides true Christians from secular folks. The divide is called faith in Christ. Remember this opening statement later. When speaking on faith, the Risen savior, and or any Christian theme, those who lend their ideals to the non-belief crowd be it atheists, deists, Islamic lies, and everyone else that refuses to acknowledge Christ as Lord love to sardonically ask, “Where’s the proof?” Point to order: If Faith has to be proven is it faith? But yet after delivering such a redundant question, I offer Psalm 107. Not proof in that God has to be defended. Historically speaking look at Nero’s failed attempts to have every known copy of scripture annihilated. Anyway, back to 107 as further text demonstrating how truly perfect The Bible is. Someone jump up now and say it is full of mistakes. Go on then. Say it. Now show me one? I’ll wait. The truth is, the whole cannon of scripture flows together knit perfectly considering it had over 40 ghostwriters. I am fully prepared to accept that this particular piece may not if even read affect anyone’s belief; however, what I write is true not because of any skillful merit I possess, but because as Christians know, God and his Word exist. If you don’t believe as I do, that’s your right. But please for humor just think about the message here. The one thing to take away from this as with most of my writing is that God loves you. Whether you believe it or not, Jesus of Nazareth, God in the flesh loved you so much that He gave His own life to pay a penalty, a debt if you will, to keep you from hell. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We will only look at verses one and two from Psalm 107. I promise to try to leave you with a better understanding than you had when you came. I’m going to speak directly to you, dear readers that are not Christian. </span></div><b><sup><span style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: lime none repeat scroll 0% 0%; color: black;">1</span></sup><span style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: lime none repeat scroll 0% 0%; color: black;">O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy</span><span style="color: black;"><span> </span></span></b><br />
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</div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black;">Right off the bat, you may argue/ask about the line God is good because of his mercy. You ask about the mercy when murders, oil spills, and calamities abound. Some of you not ignorant of biblical history ask about the opposing armies God ordered the Israelites to kill. <span> </span><span> </span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">First, read the next line. <b><span style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: lime none repeat scroll 0% 0%; color: black;">Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;</span><span style="color: black;"> </span></b><span style="color: black;">The message of the cross, Jesus not just dying but rising from the dead saving all who accept His GRACE, The Bible teaches is foolishness to those who are perishing. That means you, Mr. or Ms. Unbeliever. But most people in the world say, but I’m a good person even if I don’t believe in your God. You can be a good person by the world’s standard.<span> </span>The measuring stick God uses measures not by the world’s standard prone, but by his GOLD standard that goes by the name of Jesus. What is the major difference between this Jesus thing and all other religions you may ask if you are an equal opportunity denier. The main and most important difference is when the Buddhist prays, they pray to a dead leader or perhaps a dead leader reincarnated as an enlightened grasshopper. When the Hindu prays, well Hinduism is more of a way of life than an actual religion based on the Webster’s definition of religion. Who does Islam and her followers call? You know. Now that I’m through with that part of the intolerant, yet Biblically Correct view, I’ll proceed. Who is redeemed then? If these redeemed are speaking, then who are they? Here’s what the Bible says in John 1:12: </span><span style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: aqua none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">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</span><span style="color: black;">. </span>1 Corinthians 15:22<b> says </b><span style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: fuchsia none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.</span> <b> </b></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><b>Jesus Himself spoke very plainly to those educated religious folks. This is found in John chapter 8 verses 42-45: </b>Jesus said unto them, <b><span style="color: red;">If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.</span></b> </div> <sup id="en-KJV-26425">43</sup><b><span style="color: red;">Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. </span></b><br />
<sup id="en-KJV-26426">44</sup><b><span style="color: red;">Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. </span></b><br />
<sup id="en-KJV-26427">45</sup><b><span style="color: red;">And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><span> </span></span></b><span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"> The remaining part of 107 details the Israelites’ ordeal from captivity to release to being lost then found. <span> </span>Let me leave with the words of Christ from Luke 11:23. </span><b><span style="color: red; font-size: 14pt;">He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.</span></b><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus is waiting today. </span>If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-59651327428987859702011-04-17T14:28:00.002-05:002011-04-17T14:28:48.326-05:00THE WEEK<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bad day? Bad week? I have a friend that had the worst week ever. If you ask him about it, he will not admit that it was bad or even blame those who caused him to have a bad week. I will tell you for him. At first, the week started out gloriously. I was not there, but I read the reports. My friend entered the city in parade fashion. People were raising the roof I guess you would say. There was so much noise and singing being made over my friend coming to town, you would think Elvis or any other king had rode in on the scene. It’s so wild too because my buddy didn’t roll in on a Chevy or a Ford, but a wild donkey. My friend sure knows how to make an entrance. Palm branches are thrown on the path so my friend and his donkey cross over them. Mr. Popularity is making his way into town and this religious type of people show up demanding he settle the people down. It is just too loud or whatever. </span><br />
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On Monday, my friend cleaned house ridding it of the pests that were not showing his home the proper respect. Later, he used a fig tree to illustrate the need for God. Tuesday was a big day for my friend. He taught parables most of the day and defended himself from the previously mentioned religious types. At one point, my friend answered questions about marriage, taxes, life, death, and signs to look for at the end of days. I cannot say for sure what Wednesday was like for my friend. Thursday; however, was a big day. First, he observed the Passover by enjoying a real good supper, washed the feet of his closest followers and explained how that represented service, but then the mood changed. He told his friends that he knew one of them was going to betray him. After telling that, he switched gears and told his friends how and why they should remember him after he was no longer with them. He then told Peter specifically that he would deny knowing him not once, but three times. My friend finished the conversation by telling those closest to him exactly how to get Heaven.<br />
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I think it was about 9:30 PM to 10:30 PM that my friend went out to the Gethsemane Garden to pray. His betraying friend came with the authorities. They arrested him. The night of his arrest, my friend was brought before Annas, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin (a group of religious leaders). In these trials, he was charged with blasphemy. He was imprisoned at Caiaphas’ palace. <br />
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Friday, Peter full of fear, denied him just as foretold. My friend went before Pilate, who was the Roman Governor, who declared, “I find no guilt in this man.” So, Pilate sent my friend to Herod, one of the main politicians. My friend refused to answer any questions, so Herod returned him to Pilot. Then He returned to Pilate, who finally sentenced him to death.<br />
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What I did not write was that they beat my friend beyond recognition, spit on him, and mocked him. They crucified him between two thieves. Everyone that had on Sunday screamed and sang his praises was in either hiding or watching gleefully at his torturous death. Through all of this, my friend asked God to forgive those who denied him, beat him, and killed him. An earthquake occurred that day. I was not there to see my friend buried. On Saturday, the burial site was sealed and a guard posted to ensure the body stayed buried. On Sunday, the tomb was empty. <br />
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Praise be to God Almighty that my friend, my savior, Jesus Christ defeated Hell, death, and the grave over 2000 years ago. Jesus’ bad week did not end at the cross. He taught that He is the only way to Heaven. If we confess with our mouths, Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead we will be saved. Please do not miss Heaven because of a lie from Hell. We are all a breath away from eternity. Salvation comes from One; His name is Jesus Christ. I pray that you look to Him as your personal savior. You may ask, “How do I do that?” <br />
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First, you realize the need for Jesus. You look to the Bible as it teaches that all have sinned. God is holy, perfect, and just. He does not look upon sin. We cannot get to God on our own. God gave us Jesus; His sacrificial death on the cross paid our sin debt and has made a way for us to be with God IF we accept Jesus Christ as our savior. It is more than knowing about Jesus. We have to know that we need Him, we have to believe in Him. We turn from-repent-stop doing the things we know that keep us from Him. We admit we need Him, we believe in Him, and we confess Him as Lord. God bless.Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-25123813067273297632011-04-06T14:05:00.000-05:002011-04-06T14:05:09.435-05:00BAD NEWS AND GOOD NEWS An ironic, key piece in understanding the Gospel, (good news) of Jesus Christ is understanding the consequences of the bad news first. There are three parts to the bad news. First, we are all sinners, we fall short of God’s glory secondly, and finally due to the sinfulness we are paid in wages of death. I know what some of you may be thinking. You may be thinking and saying, “Why man, I’m not bad. I pay my way; I take care of my family. I have never killed anyone. I am not that bad. You are right. You may be a good person by all standards except God’s. The Bible says that God is holy and does not even look upon sin. We must recognize that we need be saved from our sins in order to be at peace with God. So where is the good news? <br />
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How can we be at peace with God? Friends, there is not one thing I, you, or anyone can do to make things right between God and ourselves. Salvation must come from a different source. It is grace. Have you ever given a gift to someone not because the person deserved it, but because you actually care for the person and you knew that, your gift might be the only one they ever receive? That is what God has done for us all. That’s the good news, friends. Jesus. It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph 2:8-9) The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Roman 6:23) <br />
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We cannot save ourselves from our sin because our good works DO NOT live up to God’s standard, but where our works are stained with sin and rejected, Christ’s work is perfect and is accepted. The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Roman 6:23) <br />
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As we start our journey toward the cross, we have to realize and admit that we do need Christ, that we are sinners. We have to believe in and on Jesus. I did not say know about Him, but rather we have to have a real relationship with Him. We have to confess him as the Lord. Why? The Bible spells out it plainly. If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10)<br />
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We stand at the brink of eternity. Really, we do not know what tomorrow or even five minutes from now will bring. We are all one breath away from death. Jesus says, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” Paul wrote to the Corinth church, If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Cor 5:17) Jesus is the only way to salvation. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” <br />
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If you died today, and God asked you why He should let you into heaven, how would you answer Him? If you answered, “Because I went to church”, or “Because I did good deeds”, He would not let you in. However, if you answered, “Because I have trusted in Jesus Christ to pay for my sins,” He would say “Welcome.”Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815130571938671906.post-25694966951437559962011-03-26T06:32:00.001-05:002011-03-26T06:32:14.642-05:00OPPORTUNITY<link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CMarsha%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CMarsha%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_editdata.mso" rel="Edit-Time-Data"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CMarsha%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" rel="themeData"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CMarsha%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" rel="colorSchemeMapping"></link><style>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">YAHWEH SALVATION CORPORATION<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.5in;"><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CMarsha%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CMarsha%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_editdata.mso" rel="Edit-Time-Data"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CMarsha%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" rel="themeData"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CMarsha%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" rel="colorSchemeMapping"></link><style>
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</style><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> 316 SAVIOR BLVD<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ROMANS 10:-9-13<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I am with a global enterprise. We have branches in every country in the world. We have representatives in nearly every parliament and boardroom on earth. We are into motivation and behavior alteration. We run hospitals, pregnancy crisis centers, homeless shelters, board rooms, school rooms, and nursing homes to name a few. We care for clients from birth to death. We are into life and fire insurance. We perform spiritual, heart transplants. Our founding Father owns all the real estate on earth to say nothing of the other galaxies and constellations. He knows everything and lives everywhere except in the hearts of those who refuse to hear and accept Him. Our product is free for the taking if only you accept it. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our CEO was born in a hick town, worked as a carpenter, did not own a home, was misunderstood by his family, and hated by his enemies. He walked on water, healed the sick, feed the masses, and saved the world. He was condemned to death without a real trial, beaten, spit upon, mocked, nailed to a tree, crucified between thieves, died, but rose from the dead defeating death, the grave, Satan, and Hell. I talk with Him daily, and He says, <b><span style="color: red;">“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.</span></b> <b><span style="color: red;">He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life. God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.</span></b> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To apply for the position, all you need to do is repent from your sins, believe and confess that Jesus is God’s son and that He died for you only to rise from death, so that you can spend your eternal retirement with God in Heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me and save me. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me do your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen<i>.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
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</div>Tinman Tininhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06117196272724051551noreply@blogger.com0