Jump to content

Search the Community

Showing results for tags 'jesus'.

  • Search By Tags

    Type tags separated by commas.
  • Search By Author

Content Type


Forums

  • Christian Discussions
    • Study Group
    • General Discussion
    • Bible Study
    • Theology
    • Apologetics
    • Prophecy
    • Do you want to just ask a question?
    • Christian Culture
    • Everything Else
  • Videos
    • General
    • News
    • Comedy
    • Biblical Topics
    • Christian Music
  • Current News
    • Most Interesting News Developments
    • Worthy Briefs
    • World News
    • Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
    • U.S. News
    • Christian News
    • Worthy Watch / Worthy Insights
  • Worthy Ministries
    • Worthy Devotions
    • What's the latest with the Worthy Ministries?
  • Who's on the Lord side?'s Topics
  • Cooking club's Smokers & related recipes/techniques
  • Cooking club's What's your favorite recipe?
  • Cooking club's Salads - not just lettuce!
  • Cooking club's Soups and Stews
  • Cooking club's About Multi-cookers - features, tips, recipes
  • Cooking club's Taters!
  • Cooking club's Bread
  • Gardening.'s Gardening Club Forum
  • Photography How To (tips and tricks)'s Photography Club Topics
  • Maker's Club's Club News
  • Maker's Club's So, what do you make, what have you made?
  • Maker's Club's Physical Art, specifically!
  • Maker's Club's Life hacks & tips - useful things you know & have tried!
  • Bible 365's Misc. Things of interest
  • Bible 365's THE DAILY READING (see reading schedule)
  • Bible 365's Todays' Reading
  • Bible 365's Recently added or updated
  • Bible 365's Bible Trivia
  • Bible 365's Table of Contents
  • Bible 365's Tightly Moderated Discussions-Some Controversial
  • Bible 365's Specific Doctrines
  • Bible 365's WorthyChat Bible Studies
  • Bible 365's Bible Topics - Looking at the Bible Topically
  • Reading Club's Topics
  • Bible Trivia's Index to Bible Trivia and Answers
  • Bible Trivia's Bible Trivia Answers
  • Bible Trivia's Bible Trivia Quizzes
  • Bible Trivia's Announcements
  • Puzzle Club's Forums
  • The Prophecy Exchange's Resources
  • The Prophecy Exchange's Forums
  • Songs of Praise Poetry Club's Forums
  • Christ Centered Recovery Group's Lessons
  • Christ Centered Recovery Group's Testimonies
  • Christ Centered Recovery Group's 12 Steps and Biblical Comparison
  • Christ Centered Recovery Group's Forums
  • Diabetes and Low Carb Eating Support Group's Diabetes
  • Diabetes and Low Carb Eating Support Group's Low Carb Eating
  • Triumph Over Cancer's General topics
  • Triumph Over Cancer's Encouragement
  • Triumph Over Cancer's Tips and advice
  • Cat Chat's Information concerning cats and their servants
  • Cat Chat's Misc. unCATegorized cat things
  • Cat Chat's Our Feline Babies!
  • Gardening Club's Topics
  • Baking club's Miscellaneous
  • Baking club's sponge cakes
  • Bible - Daily Reading's Introduction
  • Bible - Daily Reading's 2023 Bible Reading Schedule
  • Deeper Discourse's Forum

Christian Blogs

  • traveller - Standing in the Wind
  • The Treasure In The Field
  • For the Love of God
  • Keys to the Kingdom
  • To Him be the Glory
  • Marathoner's Blog
  • Leonardo’s Blog
  • Word Studies Relating to Destiny
  • Searching the Scriptures.
  • Thought and Reflection
  • WilliamL's Worthy Insights
  • Marilyn's Messages
  • Bible Study Series
  • Albert Finch Ministry
  • Devotions
  • League of Savage Gentlemen.
  • ~~Angels Thoughts~~
  • A Desert Sage ?
  • Omegaman's Thought and Rants
  • Some Thoughts from AyinJade
  • Insights into Worthy Ministries
  • Bible 365's Reading Schedule - Click Read More to see
  • Bible 365's Basic Instructions
  • Bible Trivia's Guidelines
  • Songs of Praise Poetry Club's My Songs to the Lord

Find results in...

Find results that contain...


Date Created

  • Start

    End


Last Updated

  • Start

    End


Filter by number of...

Joined

  • Start

    End


Group


Website URL


Location


Interests

  1. The Cross This is the cross, both just and true, That I should give My life for you. More than tears and blood alone, More than a life or broken bones. Through the pain, beyond all fear, I took those steps to make it clear. The Father’s love, so deep and wide, That He would give His Son to die: To suffer loss and feel despair… To lead the way and meet you there. A place of peace and joy abounding: Many a voice in praise resounding. It was for you, I bled and cried… The curtain rent to open wide. That you may come into My throne, And know My Father as your own. The price of sin and death was paid, When on the cross My life I gave. But now you must stand up and run, From sin and strife, deceptive ‘fun’. Into My light and joy and peace… Now is the time: Proclaim Release. (originally given to me in 2003)
  2. Here is a Thread to post your favourite masterpieces in the Christian art world. Really an amazing piece of art that Michaelangelo painted on the Vatican ceiling. Though I am not catholic, I can still appreciate the time, dedication, effort that this man put to paint such a complex painting on a ceiling! Imagine how many times he had to go up and down to paint this! https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwi_iprnvb_fAhUNWhoKHYpQAsUQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsmarthistory.org%2Fmichelangelo-ceiling-of-the-sistine-chapel%2F&psig=AOvVaw0MMZPjckNNTT-Jso4Y9MCq&ust=1545981972325196
  3. Greetings, Are there any requirements to becoming a Disciple of Jesus Christ in order to be considered a Christian? If so, what are those requirements? Please answer the question using Jesus' words as reference.
  4. Daily Reading 37 If you prefer, you can look up the following verses in your own Bible, of by whatever means and in whatever version you choose. Hebrews 2 Genesis 46:28-47:31 Psalm 37 Audio 2:47 Audio 4:47 Audio 4:21 The above addresses are linked to Bible Gateway. That is an easy way to read (or listen to) the Bible verses, and choose your version. Personally, I prefer written, that way I can go at my own pace, on think about it, before moving on. Nothing wrong with doing either or both. The Bible says faith comes by hearing. See the picture below to get an idea of what to expect if you follow the above links. Note: The audio will not play the exact verses, it will play the whole chapters, in which the verses exist. Thank you Lord for making the your word so accessible for us in these times. Amen
  5. f you prefer, you can look up the following verses in your own Bible, of by whatever means and in whatever version you choose. Luke 24:1-12 Genesis 43 Psalm 34 Audio 6:16 Audio 5:02 Audio 2:14 The above addresses are linked to Bible Gateway. That is an easy way to read (or listen to) the Bible verses, and choose your version. Personally, I prefer written, that way I can go at my own pace, on think about it, before moving on. Nothing wrong with doing either or both. The Bible says faith comes by hearing. See the picture below to get an idea of what to expect if you follow the above links. Note: The audio will not play the exact verses, it will play the whole chapters, in which the verses exist. Thank you Lord for making the your word so accessible for us in these times. Amen
  6. Can a robot substitute for pastoral care? Can it bring a theological perspective to our prayers (relationship factor)? Christianity is not about religious activities or mere confession; it centers on the person of Jesus Christ who is the absolute mediator between Mankind and God the father. The essence of Christianity is "Relationship." Thus, worshiping an idol is wrong; having another mediator (any human being) is idolatrous. Worst of all, a new spiritual virus, by human intelligent activity without God, is born recently. They called it Robot Priest or Pastor. Here it is: "Robot priest unveiled in Germany to mark 500 years since Reformation" https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/may/30/robot-priest-blessu-2-germany-reformation-exhibition?fbclid=IwAR16ZEli1xnIKctvJSu9Hjo3RATZJ1Xq_HUGOWTk7PbBpSwI7Lc7QiCHHNg
  7. Daily Reading 23 If you prefer, you can look up the following verses in your own Bible, of by whatever means and in whatever version you choose. Luke 18:1-17 Genesis 29:31-30:43 Psalm 23 Audio 5:27 Audio 9:~ Audio 0:53 The above addresses are linked to Bible Gateway. That is an easy way to read (or listen to) the Bible verses, and choose your version. Personally, I prefer written, that way I can go at my own pace, on think about it, before moving on. Nothing wrong with doing either or both. The Bible says faith comes by hearing. See the picture below to get an idea of what to expect if you follow the above links. Thank you Lord for making the your word so accessible for us in these times. Amen
  8. The Church’s Purpose: “God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord; In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.“ (Ephesians 3:10-12) Here the purpose of the Church is revealed as displaying Wisdom who is Jesus Christ the Lord God (1 Corinthians 1:18-2:18, Colossians 2:2-3, 1 Corinthians 1:30), and His Gospel (John 6:40, John 3:16-18, John 14:6). That we are ambassadors, “So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!" (2 Corinthians 5:20). The purpose of the church is to display and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and show Him to the world. At the same time our purpose is to be God’s family and know Jesus (Philippians 3:8-10).
  9. What was your walk with God like? Did you have any experience's? Did anything change? Miracles? Testing? Holy spirit?
  10. "...For the Lord Almighty will care for His flock,.......Together they will be like warriors in battle trampling their enemy into the mud of the streets. They will fight because the Lord is with them, and they will put the enemy horsemen to shame." - Zechariah 10:3-5 (NIV) The Father is calling out, "Who will go?" Surely God will hear us responding, "I will go, Lord!" Because it is the power of the Holy Spirit that gives us the strength and courage. We will raise our voices together and declare Gods holy Word over the enemy in faith. Who will stand and rise up? Our ears are listening, we hear the enemy's horses coming, and just as the Lord said in Joshua 11:6, "Do not be afraid!" For the Father will annihilate them all! Saddle up and let's get ready to ride! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
  11. Hello everyone, So, I was just wondering since Jesus told us not to bring anything when we preach the gospel in Luke 9:3, then how does that view fit into our modern society? We have Bible apps now and faith-based mobile games like Blue Letter Bible, OnePassion Ministries, Play The Bible, GLOW: Guardian Light Of the World, Reborn Crosswords and others. How do we know what the red line is? Or whether we crossed it unknowingly? Or does the red line even exist? The reason why I'm asking these questions is because some churches are using Christian apps to do evangelism and I'm not saying that it's wrong, because I don't see anything wrong with it, I'm just confuse since I'm only a baby Christian and I don't feel that it is in line with what the Lord Jesus said. But if I have a wrong notion about this stuff, then by all means please correct my thinking. I hope to see your opinions on the matter. Thanks!
  12. John 11:33-35 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. Sometimes in our society the world tells people to suck it up, not be emotional, and looks at crying as a weakness. Especially if someone is a male it’s not looked at as manly to cry, yet Jesus wept. It said he was “deeply moved…..troubled….wept.” Not just a little upset, but extremely. This passage is clear that Christ had emotions and was compassionate. I believe this is an example where we should not follow the ways of the world, but use Jesus’ as an example of how to live. Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep, is another place we are told to do this. Then it goes on to say in John 11:36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” By weeping, Jesus showed love. John 11:43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” Because what Jesus spoke comes to fruition, if he had not called Lazarus by name, it would appear that all the dead buried there would have been brought back to life. John 11:48 If we let him (Jesus) go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.” Fear of losing their power and greed led to the chief priests and Pharisees plotting to kill Jesus. John 11:53-54 So from that day on they plotted to take his life. Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples. I’ve heard some Christians over the years say that we should just let evildoers overtake us and be martyrs for our faith. I think this is an example where Jesus was wise and didn’t help them to do evil to Him, until it was His appointed time to die/be our sacrifice.
  13. Acts 1:4,8 - "He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised. But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you." This power came through an encounter with God. Some because of their fear of error, have said it's improper to seek for an experience with God. For decades the church has been guilty of creating doctrine to justify their lack of power, instead of crying out to God until He changed them. The lie they came to believe has given rise to an entire branch of theology that has infected the Body of Christ with a fear of the Holy Spirit. It deceives under the guise of staying undeceived. The word must go forth with power. Power is the realm of the Spirit. Will you bury your gifts and tell the master when He comes that you were afraid of being wrong? Matthew 25: 25,26,30 - "So I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is your own. But the master answered him, 'You wicked and lazy and idle servant! And throw the good-for-nothing servant into the outer darkness; there will be weeping and grinding of teeth."' Jude 24: "Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy." John 15:7 - "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." JESUS WALKED IN UNION WITH HIS FATHER. WE TOO MUST DO THE SAME WITH HIM. WE ONLY HAVE TRUE SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY TO THE DEGREE THAT WE ARE ABIDING IN HIM. THE ANGELS DO NOT RESPECT US AND THE DEMONS DO NOT OBEY US BECAUSE OF WHO WE ARE, BUT BECAUSE OF WHO IS IN US. Luke 18:5,6 - "The judge ignored her for a while, but eventually she got on his nerves. 'I fear neither God nor man,' he said to himself, 'but this widow is so great a nuisance that I will see her righted before she wears me out with her persistence.' Then the Lord said, 'if even an evil judge can be worn down like that, don't you think that God will surely give justice to his people who plead with Him day and night?" The parable concerns a widow who desperately implores a judge to give her legal protection from an adversary, but she receives NO IMMEDIATE HELP. She refuses to be DISCOURAGED from her quest: she persists until she gains her BREAKTHROUGH. The goal of Christ's teaching was to immunize His followers against DISCOURAGEMENT. Jesus assures us that God will hear us as we turn to him in PERSISTENT prayer. Affirmations: I BELIEVE THAT WHAT GOD HAS PROMISED HE IS ALSO ABLE TO PERFORM. GOD IS GREAT, GOD IS ABLE, GOD IS GOOD, AND GOD IS FAITHFUL TO HIS WORD. SINCE CHRIST IS IN ME I AM UPHELD BY THE "SPIRIT OF GOD" ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
  14. These are videos I did, concerning the doctrine of the imminent return of Christ. There are more videos in the series, but this to deal with Matt 24. https://www.worthychristianforums.com/topic/142668-jesus-imminent-return-parts-1-4posts-1-12-15-16/ https://www.worthychristianforums.com/topic/142668-jesus-imminent-return-parts-1-4posts-1-12-15-16/?do=findComment&comment=1849766 The videos are about ten minutes long each. Reading the same material, if I typed it out, might have taken longer to read and digest. Watch if you like, I won't be offended it you do not
  15. I primarily use the NASB, but occasionally I find it deficient; I will insert other translations if they can clarify the context. Those translations will be duly noted. Chapter one was an appropriate greeting, but chapter two stands alone and begins to immediately address fears that have come as the result of some false teaching. This theme was not a new to Paul as he had written to the Christ-followers in Thessalonica on a previous occasion. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 NASB 13) But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15) For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16) For the Lord, Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17) Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Considering the years between these two letters, the new members that had been added to the church body, and the addition of some false teachings, the fear has had a chance to creep in. I see the effects of false teachings frequently in the church bodies I have had dealings with, as people espouse things they know so little about; all the while continuing to cloud the issue. So let's dissect the passages and see if we can understand all that Paul is trying to say. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 NASB 1) Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2) that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. “with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,” Coming – is the Greek word parousia; a being near, that is, advent (often, return; specifically of Christ to punish Jerusalem, or finally the wicked.) Strong's concordance. In the explanation above I see two distinctly different things. One being Jehovah's return in the clouds to catch His church away. This catching away is called the harpazo, but it is also known as the advent or return. The second possible understanding is this idea of the punishment of Jerusalem or the wicked. This concept pertains to the wrath of God being poured out. One of the keys to understanding the difference between Jesus return for His church and His coming as the conquering Messiah hangs on this phrase - " the day of the Lord.” Using the NASB concordance, the expression shows up in 22 verses. 18 of those references are found in the Old Testament. Since the Tenach is designed for a Jewish audience then the language and references are expressly Jewish; that means that the phrase – the day of the Lord, is almost exclusively about the return of the Messiah. Of the four verses left and found in the New Testament, three of them are exclusively about the catching away of the church. This catching away is that time when Jesus comes back in the clouds for His church, and they will be caught up to meet Him in the air. 2Peter 3:10 leans more toward the time of the end, as it tells us that, “the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.” While all of these things are a part of the seven-year period the implications are that this will happen almost all at once when Jesus returns to the earth for the final time. You see, this is one of those areas that are not that black and white. So, let's see if the context of the passage answers the question about when this event will happen. While I understand that Paul was addressing the body of believers in Thessalonica (a primarily Jewish audience,) these words also apply to us. I do not hear this complaint or question anymore, but I am aware that many do believe that Christ has already returned. If that is the case, what are we doing and why are we wasting our time? But Christ has not already returned. How do I know that? Well there are markers, or some might think of them as guideposts along the way, and Paul spells them out. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 NASB 3) Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4) who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. “The apostasy comes first.” Since apostasy means a falling away, I ask you, has that happened? Absolutely, and at an exponential rate. “and the man of lawlessness is revealed,” I want to show you some alternate readings. This second selection is from the Complete Jewish Bible, and it translates this passage entirely different from anyone else. Why is this significant? Because even the Muslims have prophecies, and one of them describes such a man; 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Darby Let not any one deceive you in any manner, because it will not be unless the apostasy have first come, and the man of sin have been revealed, the son of perdition; 2 Thessalonians 2:3 CJB Don't let anyone deceive you in any way. For the Day will not come until after the Apostasy has come and the man who separates himself from Torah has been revealed, the one destined for doom. A man who is a descendant of Aaron – The priests were to come from the lineage of Aaron. Since we know that the temple will be rebuilt, then practically every preparation would have to be made at this point, for a high priest to be installed. He then would be the one to enter the Holy of Holies and sprinkle the blood of the lamb. The Muslim prophecies tell us that this Jew will reject the Torah, pay homage to the Mahdi, and follow him. Do you grasp the depth of this action? Many who have esteemed this Jew enough to appoint him as the high priest over the new temple will be deceived, turn from the true God, and follow his actions as they too will bow to the Mahdi in worship. This Mahdi appears to be the Islamic religious leader that will soon be saying peace peace. Most of this takes place 1260 days into the time of wrath upon the earth. I am always concerned that people will see my words as unbelievable. If, you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then, you are under a mandate to study to show not only, yourself, to be approved by God, but to judge the words being said to you, as to whether they are true or not. You are not doing this type of study to bash people, although I sometimes think that many should shut their mouths, but you are studying these things so that you can know what is right. Let me show you an example: I believe in the pre-tribulation rapture, regardless of the poor choice of words we traditionally use. Although there is a voluminous amount of those in opposition to this understanding, I did my homework and became even more thoroughly convinced that Jesus is coming back for His church that is waiting for Him, and, He is going to do so before God's wrath is poured out upon the earth. Specific reasons why I believe in a pre-wrath rapture. Matthew 3:7 NASB But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? The obvious thing I see here is that Jesus just acknowledged that it is purposeful to flee from the wrath, and, that there is wrath coming. Luke 21:23 NASB ... for there will be great distress upon the land and wrath to this people; Here we can see that the intended target is the land and these people. Now the statement, "o this people" is relatively generic and needs some clarity. Luke 21:24 NASB tells us that “they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations;” It is easy enough to see that a part of this fulfillment comes upon Israel and it's people, the Jews. However, pay attention, and you can see one other group, the Gentiles. The Gentiles and the nations are the same. If you are not a Jew, and you are a follower of Christ, then you have been engrafted into the vine and no longer fall under the category of being a Gentile in God's eyes. Those with a veil over their eyes will not get this concept. Since we are “in Christ” then we are part of the church and not subject to this wrath. Romans 1:18 NASB For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, What is evident to me is the terminology, the wrath of God. Pay attention to the words being used and upon whom they are directed. Romans 1:18 can be taken as a somewhat broad spectrum statement. An example of this broad spectrum idea – I know a man who came to church for a time and did all the appropriate things. He came down front, cried his eyes out, made sorrowful and repentant statements. Why he even got baptized in a swimming pool as a symbol of this new and changed life he wanted to live. That didn't last long. Does he belong to God and is therefore not going to be subject to this wrath because he is part of the church. I do not know, because any fruit he produces is rotten and stinks before it falls off the tree. This pattern has been going on for years. Ephesians 2:3 NASB Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. The Apostle Paul taught that we were formerly children of wrath, and no longer subject to the “wrath of God.” 1 Thessalonians 1:10 NASB 10) and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 1:10 is one of the most specific examples that Paul gave us. Since we are in Christ, Jesus has rescued us from the wrath that is to come. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 NASB 9) For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, Many think that we deserve punishment. Well, that might have been true, but as followers of Christ, we are of those who have agreed to and accepted His salvation. You see, you need to have a firm grasp on what Jesus did. I am continually trying to remind people that all sins were forgiven – past, present, and future. Then what are people being punished for? Look at what Colossians 3:5-6 tells us, Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6) For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, NASB Simply put, you either follow Jesus, or you follow the god of this world, Satan. He will go to an eternal punishment, as will all those who choose to follow him. This punishment, as many want to believe, is not the end-all statement, as God is a merciful God beyond everything else; ask Jonah. And that is why we have the sheep and goats of Matthew 25. Take the time to study that. Revelation 6:14-17 NASB 14) The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15) Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; 16) and they *said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; 17) for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" There are three things I want you to see here. Verse 15 gives us a description of some of the people affected by what is happening: kings of the earth; great men; commanders; the rich and strong, and every slave and free man. No one upon the earth is left unscathed by what is coming. In verse 16 we see them crying out to be hid from the presence of “Him who sits on the throne, AND from the wrath of the Lamb. This lamb is Jesus Christ. Since I used an example from the Revelation, let me point something out to you. This entire book is a Revelation of Jesus Christ. Even the rich, in this scenario, understood that God played a hand in this, and at the same time, they are acknowledging Jesus. It's all about Jesus. And the last thing, although I have already intimated it, is that this wrath is coming from God/Jesus. Since we are going to be like Bereans, a people who had enough sense to verify that what Paul was teaching was right, what then do we use as a basis for what is true? Keep in mind, that the Bereans did not have Bibles, they had some scrolls. Those scrolls were so valued that only a limited number of priests could handle them, and so the Torah and Tanakh were read aloud. This idea of scrolls changes the whole idea of Bible study. The Bereans had no New Testament, it was being spoken in their ears by Paul and lived out right in front of them. I, on the other hand, have over thirty translations of the Bible on my computer, and over forty commentaries that I can glean from. I have no excuses. The answer to the question is The Word of God. Now, since we know that there are errors across translations, is it wise to merely open the NIV for example, read it, and then say, “this is how that is supposed to be understood!” NO, because, as I said, there are errors. (Do not for a moment think that these errors are on God's part, as God's wisdom has been substantiated by His ability to get His message across plainly to those who choose to pursue this wisdom.) So, what am I saying to you? Be open but alert; trust the Holy Spirit to guide you; judge everything against the word of God, and, remove yourself, if you can, from false teachers. They will corrupt you with the simplest of things, such as David conquering Goliath when David was only four foot tall. That is not even close to the terminology used in the descriptions of David. King Saul, who knew David well for David was his ARMOR bearer, called him a youth. But what does that mean? Are these things critical to the story? NO, but if you are willing to build false images about the nature and character of David, what else will a false teacher do with God and His word. I can tell you what some will do, for I have experienced this first hand. These false teachers send everyone that comes to the Great White throne judgment to hell. There is nothing about that scenario that definitively points to that happening; these same teachers refuse to see that Matthew 25 and the story of the sheep and the goats, is just another picture of the Great White Throne. In other words, they will twist the gospel so tightly that in time, you will not be able to understand what is true.
  16. 2 Timothy 1:4,6,7 - "Greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears.....I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you....For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind." There are times when you know what God has called you to do, but you just don't feel you have the inner resources you need to do it. Somehow you've simply run dry. OBSERVATION: The word of God tells me how to handle those situations through a clear command: "stir up the gift inside you." Everything I need is already in me. Jesus put it there......faith is there....power is there.....Love is there. AFFIRMATION: In the name of Jesus, I stir up the gift that's within me by faith. I'm stirring up my faith. I'm not going to wait until I feel stirred up. I'm stepping out by faith and expecting my feelings to follow! I'm stirring up the love of God that's in me. I'm stirring myself up in the Spirit of the living God! Galatians 4:7 - "Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." WHEN WE RECEIVED JESUS AS LORD OF OUR LIVES, WHATEVER HE RECEIVED WHEN HE WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD BECAME OURS. HE WAS APPOINTED HEIR, AND WE WERE APPOINTED JOINT HEIRS ......NOT SUB-HEIRS....JOINT HEIRS! JOINT MEANS JOINED. EVERYTHING THAT BELONGS TO HIM BELONGS TO US. NOW! HERE ON THIS EARTH. NOT AFTER WE DIE AND GO TO HEAVEN. GOD IS SPEAKING TO JOINT HEIRS WHEN HE SAYS "I WILL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED ACCORDING TO MY RICHES IN GLORY!" (PHILIPPIANS 4:19) - HEAVEN IS ALREADY OURS AND IT'S OURS HERE - WHERE WE NEED IT. "The royal daughter is all glorious within the palace; her clothing is woven with gold. She shall be brought to the King in robes of many colors; the virgin, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to You. With gladness and rejoicing they shall be brought; They shall enter the King's palace." - Psalm 45:13-15 God is jealous over us, over the seeds He's planted in our hearts and over the focus of our affections. He is our breakthrough; when we allow our hearts to be fully turned toward Him the doubts, fears, worries, and despair fall away and the seeds of promise grow and flourish. The enemy tries to steal from us while the seed is still in the form of faith. It is in the secret place of intimacy and absolute trust that the planting of the Lord is protected and grows. We are being summoned to come to the place of His dwelling where our hearts are softened and we are made glorious by learning the ways of His Kingdom. We then share intimacy with Him and from that place our breakthrough comes, our requests are answered and our enemies are defeated by the glorious Mighty One who rides forth in victory (see Psalm 45:3-5; Revelation 19:11-16). ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
  17. How can Jesus Christ be God? In Genesis 1:26, “God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” This shows that man has a similar image or likeness to God. What is it? I’d like you to think about yourself for a moment. You are one man, with three parts. 1) You have a body which gives you world consciousness through your five senses. Your body is 100% human. It allows you to interact with the physical universe. 2) You have a soul made up of your mind, emotions and will, also known as your personality. This gives you self consciousness. It is 100% human. 3) You have a spirit which gives you God consciousness making you think that there is a God. It is your “God detector.” It is also 100% human. So you are one man with three parts. You are a trinity, meaning three in one. (1 Thess. 5:23). We can represent God in a similar manner with 3 circles. Islam, the Quran, Christianity and the Bible all believe in one God. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus teaches that there is only one true God by the singular word name, not names, “baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”. The one true God has three parts known as the Father, the HUIOS Son and the Holy Spirit. 1) As we have a spirit that is 100% human, so God has a Spirit called the Holy Spirit, who is 100% God. 2) As we have a body that is 100% human that interacts with the physical universe, so God has something like a body through which He interacts with the physical universe, called the Son who is 100% God. It was God the Huios Son that spoke and appeared to Adam, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Solomon, Isaiah and who was conceived into Mary as Jesus Christ. Before His conception, the Huios Son was only 100% God, but after His conception He was both 100% God and 100% man. It is like you having both an Iranian passport and an Australian passport. This makes you 100% Iranian and 100% Australian. 3) As you have a soul which is 100% human that tells your body what to do, so God has something like a soul called God the Father who tells the Huios Son what to do, such as to be conceived in Mary. Therefore, as you are one man with a spirit, soul and body, each being 100% human, so there is one true God made up of the Father, the Huios Son, and the Holy Spirit, each part being 100% God. As you are a trinity, so God is the Trinity, made up of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This is in Proverbs 30:4; Psalm 2:12; Isaiah 9:6; 48:12,13,16; Daniel 3:25; Micah 5:2; Exodus 3:3-15; (24:9-18); John 8:58,59,24.
  18. How can Jesus Christ be the Son of God? In English, we have only one word for Son, which is “Son” meaning a boy derived from his parents by sex. The New Testament was written in the Greek language, and Greek has two words for “Son” being: 1. TEKNON means a boy, derived from his parents by sex. This word, TEKNON is never used in the New Testament to describe Jesus as the “Son of God,” because we all agree, both Muslims, Christians, Quran and the Bible, that God does not have sex, does not have a wife, girlfriend, or babies. True? 2. HUIOS means same nature as, eg. Son of peace (Luke 10:36) means you have the nature of peace, or sons of disobedience (Eph 5:6). Jesus as “Son of God” means that He has 100% the same nature as God. Jesus is also called in the New Testament the “only begotten” Son of God. In Greek this is mono genes huios 1. “mono” means “one and same”, for example the monorail travels on one rail. 2. “genes” means “genetics”. We have about 25,000 genes which determine our every detail. So, Jesus as the “only begotten Son of God” means that He has the same genetics and the same nature as God.
  19. The Trinity and Bible Proofs that Jesus Christ is God 1. Matthew 28:17-20 “they worshipped him”, “All power is given to me”, “I am with you always” and “baptizing them in the name (one God) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” = Trinity. 2. In Matthew 3:1-3, Jesus Christ fulfils Isaiah 40:3 to ‘Prepare the way of Jehovah’ and our God. 3. John 1:1 “the word was God” (KJV, NIV), not ‘a god’ (NWT). a) Isaiah 44:8 ‘Is there a God beside me?’ b) The absence of the article before “theos” (God) identifies “word” as the subject (Colwell’s rule)Ans855 ‘The subject is identified by the article (ho logos) and the predicate (theos) without it.’ AT Robertson 5,4. John did not use the word for “Godlike or a lesser god” (theios) to describe Jesus, but used “theos” (God). All early writers disagree with JWs. (Irenaeus,Theophilus, Clement,Tertullian, Origen, Cyprian, Tatian). All modern Greek experts disagree with JWs. (Zodhiates, AT Robertson, Wuest, Vine, Vincent, Mantey) 4. John 1:3 “All things were made by him” Malachi 2:10 “Hath not one God created us?” Jesus is Creator. 5. John 3:13 “Son of man which is in heaven.” Jesus is omnipresent (on earth and in heaven at same time) 6. John 4:42 “Christ, the Saviour of the world.” Isaiah 43:11 “Jehovah; beside me there is no saviour.” 7. John 5:18 “said God was his Father, making himself equal with God”. John believed it and quoted it. 8. John 5:23 “all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father” Do you honour the Son as God? 9. John 6:46 “Not that any man hath seen the Father.” Who did OT saints see who they said was God?Is6:5 10. John 8:24 “If ye believe not that I am, ye shall die in your sins.” Jehovah is “I am” in Exodus 3:1-14. 11. John 8:58,59 “Before Abraham was, I am. They took up stones to cast at him.” Jesus said He is God. 12. John 10:30 “I and my Father are One. They took up stones to stone him.” No stoning if agree with God. 13. John 10:33 “thou being a man, makest thyself God. They sought again to take him (39)”. Why? 14. John 16:15 “All things that the Father hath are mine:” All the Father’s attributes as God are Christ’s. 15. John 17:5 “the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” Isaiah 42:8 “I am Jehovah: my glory will I not give to another.” Jesus is Jehovah because he alone shares Jehovah’s exclusive glory. 16. John 20:28 “Thomas said unto him (Jesus), My Lord and my God.” No rebuke for blasphemy or error. 17. Acts 20:28 “Feed the church of God, which he (God) hath purchased with his own blood.” Jesus =God 18. I Cor. 1:2 “all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ.” Prayer to Jesus makes him God. 19. I Corinthians 15:47 ‘the second man is the Lord from heaven’ This is Jesus. No man is from heaven. 20. II Corinthians 13:14 is the Apostolic Benediction:“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” (II Corinthians 13:14). Why is there a change in the order of the persons of the Trinity, compared to Matthew 28:19, if not to show that in this Trinity none is before or after the other, and none is better than another? 21. Philippians 2:6 “Who being in the form of God (in His pre-incarnate state Christ had the form of God) thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” (a prize to be held on to, not a prize to be won. AT Robertson). 22. Colossians 2:9 “In him (Christ) dwells all the fullness (exhausts the limits) of the Godhead bodily.” 23. I Thes 4:14 “them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” Jesus returns as God at rapture. 24. I Timothy 3:16 “God was manifest in the flesh.” Jesus is God the Son conceived in Mary. 25. Titus 2:13 “the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Granville-Sharp rule: Jesus is God and Saviour. 26. Hebrews 1:6 “Let all the angels of God worship him.” Only worship God. Matt 4:10, Ps97:7 Son is God 27. Hebrews 1:8 “To the Son he saith, ‘Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever’” Psalm 45:6,7. Son is God. 28. Hebrew 1:10 “And (to the Son he saith), Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:.thou art the same.” Son is unchangeable creator. Ps102:24 29. Hebrews 1:13 To which of the angels said he, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 35 30. I John 5:7 “There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” The heavenly and earthly witnesses in v.7,8 are confirmed in v.9 by God and men. The masculine article (oi) for “that” in v.7 is derived from the masculine nouns “Father and Word” in v.7. 31. Revelation 1:17,18 “I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth and was dead;” Jesus = first and last. Revelation 1:11 “I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last:” Jesus = first and last = Alpha and Omega. Revelation 22:12,13 “I come quickly; I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.” Jesus=Alpha & Omega. Revelation 1:8 “I am Alpha and Omega, the Almighty.” Jesus = first & last = Alpha & Omega =Almighty 32. Revelation 22:3 “the throne of God and of the Lamb.” Both God and the Lamb equally own the throne. Revelation 22:3 “his servants shall serve him:” Both God and the Lamb equally own the same servants. Revelation 22:4 “they shall see his face.” Both God and the Lamb have the same face. Revelation 22:4 “his name shall be in their foreheads.” Both God and the Lamb have the same name. Revelation 20:6 “they shall be priests (of God and of Christ), and shall reign with HIM a thousand years” Revelation 21:22 “for (the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb) are the temple of it.” Both are temple of NJ Revelation 21:23 “for (the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light) thereof.” Both light of NJ 33. God identifies Himself as “us” (a Trinity) in:‘God said “let us make man in our image”’ Genesis 1:26 ‘Jehovah God said, “Behold the man is become as one of us . . .’ Genesis 3:22. ‘Jehovah came down … the Lord said, let us go down.’ Genesis 11:5,7 ‘who will go for us?’ Isaiah 6:8. 34. Exodus 3:14 “I AM hath sent me unto you.” ‘I AM’ is the name of the angel of Jehovah, Jehovah, God (2,4,6) & Jesus in John 8:58 “Before Abraham was, I AM” & John 8:24 “If ye believe not that I AM” 35. Psalm 110:1. God told David that David’s son would be David’s God. ‘The LORD (Jehovah) said unto my Lord (Adonai), Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.’ Jesus applied this to Himself in Matthew 22:41-45 as a question: ‘If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?’ This shows that Jesus Christ would be both a man descended from David and David’s God. 36. Isaiah 6:1-8,5. “Mine eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of hosts” on the throne in heaven. God asked Isaiah “who will go for us?” (‘us’ = trinity). In John 12:37-41, John said, “These things said Esaias when he saw his (Jesus) glory, and spake of him (Jesus).” Jesus was the King, Jehovah of hosts that Isaiah saw. 37. Isaiah 9:6 ‘Unto us a child is born (human Jesus),unto us a son is given (God the Son): his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God.” Jehovah is Mighty God in Isaiah 10:21;Jer32:18; Ps 50:1 38. Isaiah 44:6 ‘Thus saith Jehovah the King of Israel (Father) and his redeemer Jehovah of hosts (Son)” 39. Isaiah 48:12,13,16 “Hearken unto me…Mine hand also has laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand has spanned the heavens:…Come ye near unto me,..the Lord GOD, and his Spirit has sent me.” Me, mine, my and me is God the Son describing his two works of creation and of incarnation to save man. 40. Ezekiel 44:1,2 “This gate shall be shut…because Jehovah, the God of Israel has entered in by it.” In Luke 19:45-47 Jesus, who is Jehovah, fulfilled this prophecy, entering the east gate on a colt in 33AD. 41. Hosea 4:1 and 5:15. Jehovah will return to ‘my place’ (heaven), till the Jews admit their offence of killing Jesus. “Hear the word of the LORD (Jehovah) (4:1),.I will go and return to my place (heaven), till they (Jews) acknowledge their offence (of killing Jesus), and seek my face: in their affliction (7 year tribulation) they (Jews) will seek me early.” Jehovah the Son came from heaven to be born of Mary as a man, he was rejected and crucified by the Jews. The resurrected Lord Jesus returned to heaven. Jesus will return when the Jews acknowledge their offence of killing Jesus. This occurs after the 7 year tribulation. 42. Zechariah 11:4,12,13. “Thus saith the LORD (Jehovah) my God; (v.4). If ye think good, give me my price; So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver (v.12)….I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD’ (Zechariah 11:4,12,13). (silver, temple floor, potter field) These three prophecies were fulfilled in Judas betraying Jesus Christ in Matthew 26:14-16 and 27:3-10. 43. Zechariah 12:9-10. When Jesus Christ returns to earth, He is identified as Jehovah God whom Israel pierced on the cross. “I (Jehovah) will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem (v.9). They (Israel) shall look upon me (Jehovah) whom they have pierced.” Jesus fulfilled this in John 19:37. 44. Zechariah 14:3,4,5,9. When Jesus Christ returns to earth on the Mount of Olives, He is identified as Jehovah God (Zechariah 14:3,4). ‘Then shall the LORD (Jehovah) go forth and fight against those nations, And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives (v.3-4)....the LORD (Jehovah) my God shall come, and all the saints with thee (v.5)….the LORD (Jehovah) shall be king over all the earth.’ When Jesus ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives, two angels told those witnesses present that “this same Jesus shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:10-12). 45. In Zechariah 2:8-11, Jehovah the Son states twice that Jehovah the Father has sent Him to Israel. This proves that there are at least two persons in the Godhead, both called Jehovah. “For thus saith Jehovah of hosts (the Son).. (v.8) Ye shall know that Jehovah of hosts (the Father) hath sent me (v.9). ‘I (Jehovah the Son) will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that Jehovah of hosts (Father) hath sent me unto thee.” (v.11). Lesson: Jehovah (the Father) sends Jehovah (the Son). Two persons here are named Jehovah. This clearly proves that Jesus Christ in His pre-incarnate state is fully Jehovah God. 46. In Zechariah 3:2 “Jehovah said unto Satan, Jehovah rebuke thee, O Satan”. One person in the Jehovah Godhead speaks about another person in the Jehovah Godhead. See Isaiah 48:16 Rules of Grammar dictate that: “Jehovah (the first person = person speaking) said unto Satan (the second person = person spoken to), Jehovah (the third person = person spoken about) rebuke thee.”
  20. If you are going to post anything against sanctification or to discourage it then please, in the name of the Lord Jesus: “Do not reply to this post”. If you are proud about your sins and your unholy state, then please do not discourage those who do not want to be. “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” - Luke 11:23 “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” - 1 Corinthians 10:31 For it is for God they desire to be holy. And is it for God you desire to be unholy?! “And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him - the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” - John 12:47-48 Pursue holiness, yes, pursue holiness. As commanded by the Lord. “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;” - Hebrews 12:14-15 Sanctification for the sheep. Yes, for the sheep! “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.” - Matthew 15:19-20 “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” - Proverbs 4:23 No one can even desire sanctification if the Spirit of God is not in them. “and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” - Acts 15:9 If you desire sanctification it is a good indication that the Spirit of God is dwelling in you. “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” - Romans 8:9 But is there a limit to sanctification for me?! No, there is no limit: “...go and sin no more.” - John 8:11 Is it the will of God that I walk holy in this world?! It is not only the will of God, but it is He Himself that puts this desire in you, through His Spirit. “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” - Philippians 2:13 And by doing so, in truth, you are pleasing and honoring Him. “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” - John 17:17 And forget everything you have heard from friends and family. Everything is possible with God, and He can sanctify you, in truth, completely... There is no limit to His power. “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” - Matthew 19:26 It is very common we hear from people that this or that is impossible to overcome. This is not true, as explained above. “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” - Mark 11:24 The limit is that your pride may hinder your sanctification, the prouder you are, the less sanctified you will be. Submission to the Lord and acknowledgment that you stand by faith in Him and not on your own strenght or ability. “Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear.” - Romans 11:20 And you will see this as you progress, that whenever you become proud... Then, you fall. “I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images.” - Isaiah 42:8 As it is written, humbleness is very, very important in the sanctification process. The Lord is very, very interested in your sanctification but without submission and humility this is not going to happen. “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”” - James 4:6 First, get rid of all deceit and hypocrisy... You are not going to be sanctified in truth if you walk in darkness. “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” - 1 John 1:6 Be sincere with the Lord, you cannot hide anything from Him. If you know you are doing something that displeases Him, then, repent. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9 The Lord understands and know of your weaknesses, but He desires that you pursue His righteousness and do not be satisfied with your current state. Whenever you fail, you are not willing to, but by your own strength you cannot improve and overcome. “For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.” - Romans 7:19 “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God - through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.” - Romans 7:24-25 Whenever you fall, confess it, and seek not to next time, this is obviously if you have repented. Just seek to walk in sincerity before Him. “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” - 1 John 1:7 Give priority to the Spirit, not the flesh. I believe that reading the Bible, especially the New Testament; at least once a day can help. You do not need to read it whole at once, a few minutes a day would be fine. But read it, and pray before you do it: Asking for wisdom, understanding, and to guide you in truth! The Word and the Spirit have to work together, just reading it is not enough, you have to believe it! If evil temptation comes, and your desire is to please God, but then Satan says that God wants you to do that, then the following Scripture comes: “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” - James 1:13-14 You will notice that Satan will soon stop to try this strategy on you because he was defeated by the truth. And no lies can prevail against truth. And by faith, you will stand, if He allows you to stand. Remember: Faith comes from God. A few things you can do to help your sanctification is to abstain from unnecessary and wordly things, as much as possible. Do not take the abstention of evil lightly. It is very, very important. “Abstain from every form of evil.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Fighting in the spiritual realm, putting the Word into practice. As I said, the Word have to work with the Spirit. And by practicing the Word - which means to believe it - your sanctification will reach higher levels. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” - Hebrews 11:6 At the start, you will see yourself in many fights against the flesh. But as you grow it will become easier and easier, and the fights against the flesh gets much lower. As commanded by the Lord: Watch against all evil, do not let them enter in your heart. Feelings of the flesh, like: pride, envy, outbursts of wrath, fornication, obscene thoughts, hate, bitterness, etc may come. But be prepared to resist them, the Spirit will warn and give you faith to resist them. “But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.” - Luke 12:39 If you feel Satan is going too strong, then use your authority in the name of the Lord Jesus to fight against him. “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” - John 14:14 “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” - Luke 10:19 Remember, the Spirit of the risen Lord dwells in you. The Spirit must reign, not sin (flesh, evil desires, etc). “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” - Galatians 5:17 “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.” - Romans 6:12 Addiction to sinful behavior and bad habits may seem very hard to get rid of, but it is possible through faith in the power of God. It is those bad habits that goes through years and years, you know it is not cool or something to be comfortable with. But you always fall from time to time, some every week, others every few days, and this keeps repeating. For you to become free of such bad habit you have to pray that this desire goes away. And only God can do this. Pray that this desire goes away, that you do not want to see pleasure in these evil things anymore, and that you want to have pleasure in the things of God, you want to love Him! And keep praying daily, until you feel you have received it. You may feel a progress each day. “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:23 And keep praying, whenever you feel to, in faith... God will help you during your day, at work, or anywhere you go. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing” - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 And He is willing to see your progress, then whenever you feel to ask, then ask Him. “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” - Romans 8:26 If you have fallen, rest assured God is there willing to forgive you and make you stand again. He loves you! “Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.” - Romans 14:4 And it is by His grace, His power, His Spirit in us that makes us feel so comfortable and in peace. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” - Romans 8:2 And all the things we used to practice when we were lost, all the works of the flesh, all the envy, hate, bitterness, lewdness, deceit, and much more. “What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.” - Romans 6:21 But now in Christ Jesus we are finally free, free to do and love all that is good and pleasant in the sight of God; and with sincerity. “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” - Galatians 6:9 “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” - 1 Peter 2:15 It is time to welcome, receive, and embrace the Holy Spirit. “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” - Luke 11:13 “I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” - Mark 1:8 And to focus on the complete renewal of our mind. Stay more and more focused on the things above, the things of the Spirit. “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” - Romans 8:6 “Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.” - Ephesians 6:24 God bless you in Jesus' name!
  21. I am seeking the truth about God and Jesus: God is spirit. “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24) The mind is not material, therefore it also is spirit. Could not the mind of God merge with Jesus at his baptism? "Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, ye are gods? "(John 10:34) and therefore could that not happened to many people who are considered divinely inspired; even today? Jesus never said “I am God” or "I am the creator of the universe". He did say "my Father and your Father, and my God and your God." (John20:17) “And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good save one, God.” (Mark 10:18) Does this not indicate he was not God the creator of the universe, but God spoke to him and was in his mind. “For I spake not from myself; but the Father that sent me, he hath given me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.” (John 12:49) The "Jews" made many false accusations about Jesus “The Jews answered him, For a good work we stone thee not, but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.” (John 10:33) Jesus said they were wrong when they accused him of saying he was God. As stated in John 10;36: "say ye of him, whom the Father sanctified (made holy) and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?" God sanctifies any holy person. Jesus did not say he was God, he said he was the son of God. Jesus also said we were all children of God. It seems that, to Jesus, there was nothing extraordinary about being a son of God, for He is our Father. “for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye, Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” (Matthew 6:8-9) “Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”(Matthew 5:16) “Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:14) “Jesus saith to her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended unto the Father: but go unto my brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and my God and your God.” (John 20:17) “But love your enemies, and do them good, and lend, never despairing; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be sons of the Most High: for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil. Be ye merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:35-36) “that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45) Jesus never said “I am God”, nor did he ever hint that we should worship him. The favorite self-designation of Jesus in the Gospels is “the son of man” which is used more then eighty times, Jesus calls himself “the son of God” only five times in the Gospels. Jesus was always subservient to his Father, “but that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do.” (John 14:31) Jesus never held himself as being equal to the Father of the universe. He said he acted at the behest of his Father, and not by his own will. “I can of myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is righteous; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” (John 5:30) Jesus was a man, who knew, taught, and did the will of his Father, God. “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.” (John 15:10) “Jesus therefore said, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself, but as the Father taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me; he hath not left me alone; for I do always the things that are pleasing to him.”(John 8:28-29) Jesus only said he was sent by God, to teach and do the will of God, but he never said he was God, the Father and creator of the universe, or he was equal to God, or he should be worshiped as God. However, this is not to say Jesus was an ordinary man. When Jesus was defending himself "Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, ye are gods?" (John 10:34). Jesus was exhibiting a knowledge it was impossible to have at that time. A knowledge that could only be communicated to him by the mind which is God; for it is the way modern science believe the material universe was created. Modern day quantum theory says is that the fundamental particles which make up the material universe are empty of inherent existence and exist in an undefined state of potentialities. They have no inherent existence within themselves, and do not become 'real' until a mind interacts with them and gives them meaning. Moreover, the observer's mind in some way determines the outcome of the observations. Whenever and wherever there is no mind there is no meaning and no reality. (Using a simple metaphor: a falling tree makes no noise until an ear attached to a brain converts the disturbance in the air {air fluctuations know as sound waves} into a noise.) The ultimate manifestation is when quantum theory is applied to the entire universe. According to some cosmologists, the universe began as a quantum fluctuation in the limitless Void (Hartle-Hawking hypothesis). Before the beginning of time, the universe was a huge quantum superposition of all possible states, all possible states of matter, physical constants, properties and laws were simultaneously present. So it remained until the first primordial mind (God) observed it (pictured it), causing it to collapse into one actuality. In the absence of an observer, the universe would have remained as a 'multiverse' - a quantum superposition of all possible states. Containing all possibilities meant it was chaotic, yet it had no form, it was the chaos of the Void. “without form, and void” (Genesis 1:2). The first act of willful observation by this mind thereby caused the entire superposed multiverse to collapse immediately into one of its numerous alternatives. Mind is spirit, God is spirit. Perhaps the "Big Bang" of cosmology, when all mater in our material Universe was created, was the moment when God, who is of Spirit and not material, observed the chaos of the Void and said "Let there be light." It must be realized that Quantum Theory deals with the local, non-Cosmic level, the level at which humans function. Therefore, humans share this ability with God on the local level. In other words, God effects all things (the universe), man effects the things he perceives. To many religious people, to say this, sounds like blasphemy, yet it is also found in scripture. “And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him” (Genesis 1:27) “I said, Ye are gods, And all of you sons of the Most High.” (Psalms 82:6) “The Jews answered him, For a good work we stone thee not, but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, ye are gods?” (John 10:33-34) I believe the mind which is God, entered into Jesus at his baptism. It merged with the mind of Jesus. Jesus in his mind became one with God. "I and the Father are one." (John 10:30) This belief is similar to one held by some early "followers of Jesus" communities which believed God in some miraculous way adopted the man Jesus. The view was that Jesus was born only as a man, but became God's son by adoption when he was baptized in the Jordan River. "After the people were baptized, Jesus also came and was baptized by John; and as he came up from the water, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Holy Ghost in the likeness of a dove that descended and entered into him: and a voice from heaven saying: Thou art my beloved Son, in thee I am well pleased: and again: This day have I begotten thee. And straightway there shone about the place a great light." (non-canonical Gospel of the Ebionites) Jesus comes to the Jordan River and is there baptized, and after the baptism occurs the heavens open and God pronounces that Jesus is his son. Only after this moment did Jesus' ministry begin. Jesus was not God when he was born as a man. God was his Father (as He is the Father of all of us) but upon his adoption, Jesus became God the Son. He shared the Mind of God, the mind and thought that had always existed, but he was not God creator of the universe. I believe that Jesus went to receive John's baptism "John came, who baptized in the wilderness and preached the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins." (Mark 1:4) because he was an ordinary man who had sinned before. I also believe there is evidence of this in the Bible.
  22. Guys as true followers of Christ I wanted to tell you guys how important spiritual warfare is, not many are going to make it in our fathers army, so please give everything you've got to our father, and to read the Bible and really take what Jesus was teaching his disciples very serious, the physical world isn't meant for us to have fun, infact that's what satan wants from us to distract us from our father and his orders, spirit to another spirit please let other Christians know as we have more knowledge of what's really going on in the world and could really spread the message of how not many people are taking life extremely seriously as it should be, please share to other Christians as I've noticed not many actually follow what the Bible is trying to tell us which is to always obey God, life isn't meant to have fun or be easy, and Jesus basically tells you how to be a spiritual warrior from what he was teaching his disciples, but don't only go half way, commit to it! it's not going to be easy but we are talking about eternal life here. Share so that we can spread this message of importance to save us!
  23. Who is the Son of God? Bible Reading: John 1:1-14; Exodus 19:1-20; “Not that any man has seen the Father” John 6:46. Aim: To know Who the Son of God is. If no man has seen the Father, Who did OT saints see as Jehovah? Introduction: One of the most interesting subjects in the Bible is the Son of God. The New Testament teaches us that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (100% God) and the Son of man (100% man). The Old Testament describes Jehovah God going out from heaven (Micah 5:2), coming down to earth (Exodus 3:8) and visiting people (Exodus 3:16) to comfort, instruct, protect and judge evil. The Son of God is the part of God that interacts with the physical universe (as a screen monitor interfaces between a hard drive and man) (Micah 5:2). The Son of God is not a sexual Son (Gk: Teknon), but a same nature Son (Gk: Huios). I. How is the Son of God (Who became Jesus Christ) Described in the Bible? 1. The Finger of God, in miracle power. “If I with the finger of God cast out devils,” Luke 11:20; Ex 8:19 2. The Arm of Jehovah, strong in power. “to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?” Isaiah 53:1; Jo 12:38 3. The Hand of Jehovah. ‘the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?’ Job 12:9; Ezek 37:1; Prov. 21:1; Dan.5:5 4. The Face of God & the Name of God. ‘they shall see his face; his name shall be in their foreheads’Rev22:4 5. The Feet of Jehovah at His return. “his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives” Zech 14:4 6. The Lamb of God, our Saviour. ‘Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world’1: 29 7. The Word of God. “the word of the LORD came unto Abram” (Gen. 15:1). “the Word was God” Jo 1:1 “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14. 8. The Son of God, the full nature of God. “I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.” John 1:34 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. Jo1:49 They that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. Mat 14:33 When the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. Matthew 27:54. Nebuchadnezzar saw the Son of God in the fire. ‘the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.’ Daniel 3:25 The angel said to her “that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”Lk. 1:35 9. Creator. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.John 1:3 10. The Image of the invisible God. Colossians1:15. Image is profile, exact representation (Gk:1504). 11. All the Fullness of the Godhead bodily. Colossians 2:9. 12. The Life giver. “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4 13. The True Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. John 1:9 14. The likeness of a man on the throne (Ezekiel 1:26) was the God of Israel (Ezekiel 10:20). 15. The One whose Goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2. The Goer out. 16. The Angel of Jehovah. Exodus 3:1-4. ‘The angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire.’ 17. The Son of God appeared in the Old Testament as a man, as the Angel of Jehovah, as a fire and cloud. 18. The Fire of God. The Son of God appeared as a fire to: i) Abraham “When the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram” Gen.15:17,18 ii) Moses “the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush” Ex 3:2 iii) Israel leaving Egypt. “The LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night.” Exodus 13:21 iv) A wall of fire to protect Israel from Pharaoh’s army. “the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians.” Exodus 14:19,20,24 v) Israel at Mt Sinai before giving them the ten commandments. Exodus 19:16-20 “mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.” (Ex 19:18). vi) Israel on the Tabernacle. “sight of the glory of LORD was like devouring fire..” Exodus 24:9-17-18. vii) Consuming the Burnt offering. Leviticus 9:23,24. (Numbers 16:1-3,30-35 viii) To consume 250 famous men who supported Korah, Dathan and Abiram to rebel against Moses. ix) God promised to speak to Israel not by fire, but by Prophet Jesus Christ. Deut. 18:15-18. John 5:46. Conclusion: ‘He that believeth on the Son has everlasting life: he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.’ John 3:36. The Huios appearing in OT was conceived as Jesus.
  24. From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember. -The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ. -Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments. -Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love. -The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. -The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament. -The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation . -Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy. -The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes. -Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control. -The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments. -The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples. -The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
×
×
  • Create New...