Thank You Lord Jesus for being our perfect Passover Lamb

Morality?

From Ray Comfort's blog:

An atheist writes:

"I have no sin. I've made some poor choices and some bad judgments over the years, but we make amends where we can and move on... realize many of you need this emotional crutch to cope, and that's OK. Otherwise you'd be out killing people and such."

A Christian responds:

"What is your objection to killing people? If it's just a 'poor choice' or a 'bad judgment' what's the problem? Murderers can just make amends where they can, and move on..."

Bluegrass Group New Horizon

This is a great gospel bluegrass group "New Horizon". They write their own music; great words. You can buy their music at PayPlay or CDBaby.

God Made Men

Over the years, radical feminism has been attempting to demonize any display of testosterone. The slightest aggressive behavior is taken to the ultimate extreme portraying males as abusers. Their goal clearly is to wimpify maleness.

Lloyd Marcus (black) Unhyphenated American

You can the rest here. God made men to be strong yet gentle.

Here With Us--Joy Williams

For Christmas.

Is This The Day of Backsliding?

David Wilkerson has a message for you and me. This is how it starts; you can find the rest here.

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2, my italics).

This message is meant for all who have backslidden from the Lord. Backsliding is a biblical term that means “falling away, turning away, apostasy.” According to the apostle Paul, who wrote the verse above, “Today is the day of mercy and grace.” In other words: If you ever plan to believe, that time is now.

This statement by Paul is both an invitation and a warning. The warning is as follows: “Do not receive the grace of God in vain. Do not ignore, neglect or cast aside God’s offer of mercy. Respond to it now, as it is offered to you.”

Jesus warned that many believers would turn away and grow cold: “Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24:12). His message is clear: Many who have been on fire for the things of God are going to fall away. They will drift into a spiritual coldness. And some will turn to their old fleshly ways. When will this happen? It will take place at a time Jesus called “the beginning of sorrows” (24:8).

Is All Hopeless?

And that night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies. (2 Kings 19:35)

Often the situation seems hopeless. The forces of evil have a plan. It cannot fail. Much time and planning has happened as if looking ahead a hundred chess moves to cover every possible effect.

Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, thought he had everything planned. He also had the mightiest army in the then world. There was no possibility of failure. The country of Israel was taken except for Jerusalem. No country could resist him. All things pointed to a true victory here as well.

Hezekiah, knowing this, did what seems to be a stupid move--he prays.

The impossible happened. An angel was sent from heaven by God and killed 185,000 soldiers.

Today evil seems to have conquered the world. Their plans seem to be inevitable. They cannot lose. They have money, power, and dedication. All hope seems lost. Yet THERE IS STILL A GOD IN HEAVEN, and if He wills, they will be scattered as Babel was scattered. God knows how to scattered the wicked. Let us not stop praying for God to send justice, for justice is nearly gone.

Hard Times?

After Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken into exile from Jerusalem Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, together with the officials of Judah, the craftsmen, and the metal workers, and had brought them to Babylon, the LORD showed me this vision: behold, two baskets of figs placed before the temple of the LORD. One basket had very good figs, like first-ripe figs, but the other basket had very bad figs, so bad that they could not be eaten. And the LORD said to me, "What do you see, Jeremiah?" I said, "Figs, the good figs very good, and the bad figs very bad, so bad that they cannot be eaten." Then the word of the LORD came to me: "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so I will regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans. I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not uproot them. I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart. "But thus says the LORD: Like the bad figs that are so bad they cannot be eaten, so will I treat Zedekiah the king of Judah, his officials, the remnant of Jerusalem who remain in this land, and those who dwell in the land of Egypt. I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a reproach, a byword, a taunt, and a curse in all the places where I shall drive them. And I will send sword, famine, and pestilence upon them, until they shall be utterly destroyed from the land that I gave to them and their fathers."
(Jeremiah 24:1-10)

Two groups:

1. The Good Figs
2. The Bad Figs

The good figs go into exile, and the bad figs are scattered over the face of the earth.

The point that ministered to me is this: The group named as the good figs would much rather be home. They do not want to be in exile, but to exile they go. In exile God blesses them. How many times have we gone through hard things just like these did? Yet, this hard thing was a blessing.

Don't lose heart just because of what's happening in your life. As the song says "we'll understand it better by and by".

Who are your friends?

From the Blueletter Bible Facebook wall:

Blue Letter Bible Who you hang out with affects your ability to spiritually influence others. Psalm 1:1 warns us not to become too comfortable walking, standing, or sitting with the ungodly. When we spend much time in the presence of scoffers, our lives will begin to reflect that association. On the other hand, spending time in the Word... and godly fellowship can produce a spiritual boldness for the Lord. This was certainly true of two common fishermen who caused the leaders of the temple to marvel because they (Peter and John) had been with Jesus (Acts 4:8-13).
Peggy

A very excellent thought and well put.

A Short Summary of Ruth for 22 Nov 09

For my purposes at home, I use an outline that doesn't do well on blogger even in html, so I just combine the points as seen, but they can easily be expanded.

Ruth

A1 Some things

B1 She was a nobody C1 About her D1 Moabite--descendants of Lot D2 Non-royality C2 We can learn D1 We might be a nobody D2 Unknown to the world, only known to a small group D3 What about David, Gideon, Deborah? D4 We may wake up one day as a nobody but that is the day the Lord uses us

B2 She didn't think her future would be what it turned out to be C1 When she was 12 or so did she think that she would be a great-grandma to the greatest king of Israel? Did she think she would be in line of Messiah? C2 We may be in the same situation. Who knows God's plans for us? C3 We need to be ready C4 Have it settled, "I am ready to do your will, my Father." C5 We never know when or what it will be. D1 It may be hard or easy E1 Sickness F1 Man at the pool that Jesus healed:

Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, "Do you want to be made well?" The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your bed and walk." And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. (John 5:5-9)

F2 Ruth lost her husband after only a little time of marriage E2 Poverty F1 Widow that Elijah went to, who had food until the famine was over

"Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you." So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, "Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink." And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, "Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand." So she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die." And Elijah said to her, "Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. For thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth.' " So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. (1 Kings 17:9-15)

D2 It may be long or short E1 Noah preached for 120 years with no effect for only his family went on the art with him. E2 Jonah preached for maybe 5 minutes and the whole town repented.

B3 The decisions we make might seem small but are eternally powerful C1 She turned TO God

And she said, "Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law." But Ruth said: "Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me." (Ruth 1:15-17) C2 Her sister-in-law turned back.

B4 Bitterness like Naomi experienced is horrible, but God knows how to turn it around for great blessing. C1 We need to patient. C2 What are the pains you are feeling?

Chapter 2 Boaz

B1 May be same as Ibzan as according to some Jewish commenters.

After him, Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel. He had thirty sons. And he gave away thirty daughters in marriage, and brought in thirty daughters from elsewhere for his sons. He judged Israel seven years. Then Ibzan died and was buried at Bethlehem. After him, Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel. He judged Israel ten years. (Judges 12:8-11)

B2 No need for bias. Most Jews had little to do with foreigners, but Boaz feared God and was kind to strangers. We need to treat all the same. We are all created by God to serve and lobe him.

So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, "Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?" And Boaz answered and said to her, "It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before. The LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge." (Ruth 2:10-12)

B3 Note Ruth's humility. She would do despised work to help others and cause them to praise God. Our work and life might be very obscure, but if God may be praised by those who we help, then it is a good work.

Chapter 3

B1 Ruth was virtuous.

And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman. (Ruth 3:11) C1 Virtuous means D1 Strength D2 Strength of E1 Character E2 Action E3 How we dress E4 How we talk C2 In this day of ignoring God's rules of virtue, we need to take a stand to do things God's way. God will help us. D1 Remember virtue means strength; it is not weakness.

B2 Boaz likewise was honorable.

Chapter 4

B1 There is a redeemer C1 Boaz was a redeemer for Naomi. She could have all her ancestral land returned. Boaz was willing. C2 The Lord Jesus is our redeemer. He, too, paid a price, a sacrifice of Himself, that we could have forgiveness of sins, a relationship with Him, and an eternity of peace, love, life serving the God and Creator.Is He your redeemer? Is He still my redeemer in every occassion?

B2 Boaz was a man of action. C1 He had a plan--this was according to God's law for the redemption of poor relatives. C2 When he knew what to do, he did it. C3 So us, when we know what God has revealed in the Bible, do we obey it? For us it is it "All for Jesus"?

Weak Preachers and Christians

On a post about Nidal Malik Hasan and a fear to report aberrant behavior, David Cloud writes:

That exposes the foolish “political correctness” that has taken over the U.S. military, which is more zealous to please the feminists, environmentalists, Muslims, and lawyers, than it is to fulfill its obligation to protect America from all enemies. The root problem, though, is not the weakness of the military; the root problem is the apostasy and cowardliness of the nation’s preachers, which refuse to proclaim the fear of God boldly and without compromise. As a result, the nation has been robbed of its wisdom and power. The solution, therefore, from the Bible believer’s side is not to focus on politics and immerse himself in conservative talk radio; the solution is to focus on godliness, in our individual lives and in our churches. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).[Emphasis is mine]

Too many Christians want to immerse themselves in politics which leads us away from our God given duties as Christians. If you want politics, fine, but when you spend much time in politics, you are a failure as a Christian.

A Problem for Darwin

Getting Over Our Love for Darwin

Getting Over Our Love for Darwin by William Dembski

A good article.

A Christian's Word

It should never occur to anyone to doubt our [Christian--ed] word either. The Christian's word should be inviolate. Some years ago, I heart Paul Little, at the time head of InterVarsity Fellowship, tell of a conversation that he once had with a college principal. A young woman had come to an agreement with him to be on the faculty for the coming year. She was a professing Christian, and he had taken her word for it. She was to sign the contract upon her arrival on campus. Shortly before the beginning of the semester, he received a letter from the woman. She had been offered a better-paying position and had decided to take it. She had prayed about it, she said, and had peace about it. Said the college principal bitterly, looking at the gap in his faculty and the problem he would now have in finding a replacement at that late date, "Great! She had the peace; I had the pieces." This young woman knew nothing of even common integrity, much less Christian character. "Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?" David asked the Lord. "He that sweareth to his won hurt, and changeth not" (Ps. 15:1, 4). When a Christian gives his word, he should do what he says for the simple reason that he would not dream of doing anything else. He should be completely dependable. It is a fruit of the Spirit." Exploring Galations: An Expository Commentary by John Phillips page 194. Found on Google 5 November 09.

From John Wesley

Quote: "Servants, as they must do their Master's work, so they must be for any work their Master has for them to do: they must not pick and choose, this I will do, and that I will not do; they must not say this is too hard, or this is too mean, or this may be well enough let alone; good servants, when they have chosen their Master, will let their Master choose their work, and will not dispute His will"
-----John Wesley's Covenant Service

Modesty

This is from a conservation Jewish view. I think it is important for men and women to emphasize their soul in what they wear. The audio will explain.

There Is A Redeemer written by Melody Green

This is done by Brown Bannister and Kelly Willard.



Matthew Ward singing on the next one. Take your pick, they're both good.

Having a Bad Day?

If your day is rotten and burdensome, this might be a comfort to you, as it was to me.

Remember, I pray, that You have made me like clay. And will You turn me into dust again? (Job 10:9)

From "Handfuls On Purpose"
Then it is not for the clay to resist the wonder working hand of the Divine Potter. He will not reduce the clay to dust; the potter cannot fashion by dust into a useful vessel. When we have been brought low by the weight of affliction, so low that we feel as if we had been brought back to that condition of soul in which we were at first when God, by His Spirit, began to operate upon us. Let us believe that His purpose is to make us into "another vessel" more meet for His service, or in other words, when God's vessels are reduced again to clay it is that they might be refashioned for higher and more honorable work. Job's latter days is an evidence of this.

Who knows what work God will do to and through us.

Naaman and faith

The story of Naaman is very interesting and can teach us many things. The one thing I want to look at today is his faith.

Naaman was the highest ranking general in Syria's army; he was also a leper. An Israeli girl had been captured and taken for a servant for Naaman's wife. This servant girl told Naaman's wife about Elisha, God's prophet in Israel. She told her that this prophet could heal Naaman of his leprosy. Naaman asked the king for permission to go to Israel, was granted permission, took a letter to Israel's king, asking him to cure Naaman. Israel's king was in shock, for he had willfully forgotten God. Elisha heard about it and sent word to the king to send Naaman to him.

Naaman went to Elisha's house and was given a message to wash in the Jordan River 7 times. He left in a rage, because he had his ideas on the method of healing, but Naaman's servants reasoned with him and Naaman washed in the Jordan River 7 times and was healed.

Note that Naaman has his own ideas of a miraculous healing, "But Naaman left in a rage, saying, "I thought that he would at least come out to me, pray to the LORD his God, wave his hand over the diseased spot, and cure me! Besides, aren't the rivers Abana and Pharpar, back in Damascus, better than any river in Israel? I could have washed in them and been cured!" (2 Kings 5:11-12).

Note that his servants encouraged him to believe the prophet's method--really God's method. His servants went up to him and said, "Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, you would have done it. Now why can't you just wash yourself, as he said, and be cured?" So Naaman went down to the Jordan, dipped himself in it seven times, as Elisha had instructed, and he was completely cured. His flesh became firm and healthy like that of a child." (2 Kings 5:13-14)

Note that Naaman did what the prophet had spoken. "So Naaman went down to the Jordan, dipped himself in it seven times, as Elisha had instructed, and he was completely cured. His flesh became firm and healthy like that of a child." (2 Kings 5:14).

Note the contrast between Naaman's way and God's way. When Naaman believed, it was not just, "Well, OK." When Naaman believed, it was down into the Jordan River. His actions showed his faith. He believed God; his actions proved it. So it is today faith is not just a belief; it is a belief lived out in action. When we believe God, we do what He says. Some of His rules in the New Testament might not make sense, just like Naaman thought about what Elisha had told him. It didn't make any difference if it made sense of not, he believed and obeyed, then he was healed.

Psalm 46:1-3

I like bluegrass best, but this song on the first three verses of Psalm 46 seem appropriate is these troubling times.

	Mark and Stephen Altrogge - Psalm 46.1-3
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

The Darkest Hour

To all you having a bad day or whatever.

Swing Low Sweet Chariot

The best version, I ever heard.

	Steve Webb - HS37: Lifespring! HymnStories Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Last Days

I've posted this before, but it is worth doing so again. The end of God's patience is at hand, and it is time to repent.


Paul Washer Project - Free videos are just a click away

Proverbs 26:4-5

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
(Proverbs 26:4-5)

Some different translations/ideas

Don't make a fool of yourself by answering a fool. But if you answer any fools, show how foolish they are, so they won't feel smart.
(Proverbs 26:4-5)

If you answer a silly [stupid--ed] question, you are just as silly [stupid--ed] as the person who asked it. Give a silly [stupid--ed] answer to a silly [stupid--ed] question, and the one who asked it will realize that he's not as smart as he thinks. (Proverbs 26:4-5)

Barnes writes:

Two sides of a truth. To “answer a fool according to his folly” is in Pro_26:4 to bandy words with him, to descend to his level of coarse anger and vile abuse; in Pro_26:5 it is to say the right word at the right time, to expose his unwisdom and untruth to others and to himself, not by a teaching beyond his reach, but by words that he is just able to apprehend. The apparent contradiction between the two verses led some of the rabbis to question the canonical authority of this book. The Pythagoreans had maxims expressing a truth in precepts seemingly contradictory.

He will be with us

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
(Matthew 28:19-20)

..Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.

No matter how difficult things have been, are, or will be, we can be sure that the Lord Jesus will be with us. We may have to suffer verbal, physical, financial, or other abuse, but he will surely be with us, just as he has been with the saints through out the ages.

Repent or else

America is collapsing not because we have failed to fight our enemies, but because we have forgotten God, and in doing so, have made Him our enemy. Sure, we vehemently claim Him as our own but live day to day like He’s not there or doesn’t care what we think or say or do – like America is God’s home and we have some divine right to reside here forever.

Read the rest of Paul Proctor's article.

Revival--fasting

We want revival; we plead and fast for people to read their Bibles more, to worship more truly, to witness their faith regularly. But there is a wrong fast and a right fast.

The wrong fast: God speaks to Israel:

'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?' "In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all your laborers. Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, To make your voice heard on high. Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the LORD?
(Isaiah 58:3-5)

The people were fasting, but there were no results, no blessings, no change. Why? It is because they would not obey the laws that God had given. Their mouths pled, their eyes shed tears, their bodies ached for revival, but there was none because they would not obey God.

The right fast: God speaks to Israel:

"Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' "If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, (Isaiah 58:6-9)

See the difference? This is a description of those who are LIVING a life according to God's rules. It is not just clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, housing the homeless. It IS those who are living God's way and this manifests itself by helping others.

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. (1 John 5:3)

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. (John 15:10-14)

Some of His rules:

10 To do's—do
1. Good to them that hate you (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27)
2. To others what you expect of them (Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31)
3. Violence to no man (Luke 3:14)
4. Good (Luke 6:35; Romans 13:3)
5. This (put God first) and live (Luke 10:28)
6. All to God's glory (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17, 23)
7. All things without murmuring and disputing (Philippians 2:14)
8. Those things seen and heard in me—Paul (Philippians 4:9)
9. Your own business (1 Thessalonians 4:11)
10. Work of an evangelist (2 Timothy 4:5)

We Truly Need Revival

Ingredients for revival

 

A1 Definition of Revival

     B1 Nebulous

           C1 Stephen Olford says, “Revival is an invasion from heaven that brings a conscious awareness of God.”

           C2 Vance Havner once said that, “Revival is the church falling in love with Jesus all over again.”  

     B2 Emotional

           C1 A moving of the person to tears; “I love Jesus more”.  

           C2 Short lasting. When the emotions die down, so does the “revival”.

     B3 Scriptural

           C1 (Return to Life) Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? (Psalms 85:6)

                 D1 Revive has the idea of make alive again

                 D2 It can be compared to a spring died up from drought, now having water again

                 D3 It can also be compared to spring when the dead, brown grass becomes green

                 D4 It carries the idea that we are dried up, brown and only have a potential for living, but with good weather and water come to life again.

                       E1 Water can be equated to the Holy Spirit

                       E2 The food and fertilizer can be equated with the Bible

                 D5 It is the work of God

                       E1 Then we shall not turn back from you; give us life, and we will call upon your name! Restore us, O LORD God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved! (Psalms 80:18-19)

                       E2 My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!  

(Psalms 119:25)

           C2 (Refreshing, literally “recovering of breath”) Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, (Acts 3:19)

                 D1 Being out of breath for any reason, you can breath again

                 D2 Conditional

                       E1 Repent (change your thoughts, desires, words, and deeds)

                       E2 Be converted (Barnes writes: “The word means properly to “turn; to return to a path from which one has gone astray; and then to turn away from sins, or to forsake them.” It is a word used in a general sense to denote “the whole turning to God.”

                 D3 Blessings if conditions met

                       E1 Sins blotted out

                             F1 We must confess and forsake our sins

                             F2 Bible tells us what is right and wrong

                       E2 Times of refreshing, that is, revival will come

A2 Revival Happens

     B1 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isaiah 57:15)

           C1 Contrite

                 D1 An Attitude

                 D2 Webster 1828 states:  Literally, worn or bruised. Hence, broken-hearted for sin; deeply affected with grief and sorrow for having offended God; humble; penitent; as a contrite sinner.

                 D3 This is the opposite of being proud. It is seeking God instead of seeking science, counselors, or ourselves.  

                 D4 It is praying for help, for strength, for guidance, for obedience to God's rules.

                 D5 It is used in the Old Testament 3 times including: At your command we die and turn back to dust, (Psalms 90:3) [You turn man to destruction, And say, "Return, O children of men." (Psalms 90:3)]

                       E1 It is translated “destruction” and “dust”

                       E2 It is an attitude of abasing ourselves, that we do NOT have all the answers.

                 D6 Barnes comments: The Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate render this, “Thou turnest man to “humiliation;” which, though not the sense of the original, is a true idea, for there is nothing more humiliating than that a human body, once so beautiful, should turn back to dust; nothing more humbling than the grave.

           C2 Lowly spirit

                 D1 An humble attitude and action

                 D2 Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor. (Proverbs 3:34)

                       E1 Two positions

                             F1 Scorner: not a believer, but a mocker

                             F2 Humble: a believer,  

                       E2 Reward in accordance with attitude

                             F1 Scorner gets scorned

                             F2 Humble gets favor

                 D3 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6)

                 D4 Wikionary

                       E1 Near the ground; not high or lofty; not pretentious or magnificent; unpretending; unassuming; as, a humble cottage.  

                       E2 Thinking lowly of one's self; claiming little for one's self; not proud, arrogant, or assuming; lowly; weak; modest.  

     B2 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

           C1 God's people

                 D1 Those who are saved in the Biblical sense

                 D2 Those who worship the true God

           C2 Conditional       

                 D1 Humble themselves

                       E1 Turn to God for answers instead of themselves       

                       E2 Realize who is King (Jesus Christ) and submit to Him

                 D2 Pray

                       E1 Plead to God for His mercy and blessing

                       E2 Persistent in prayer

                 D3 Seek my face

                       E1 You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you, "Your face, LORD, do I seek." (Psalms 27:8)

                       E2 Seek is to diligently look for

                       E3 I want to find you, Lord.

                       E4 I want your blessing, Lord.

                       E5 I want to worship you, Lord.

                       E6 He seeks us first, then we seek Him.

                 D4 Stop sinning

                       E1 Obedient

                       E2 Obeys God's laws, rules

                       E3 God sets the standard of right and wrong

                       E4 The New Testament is for the Christian

                             F1 There are over 1,000 rules for us

                             F2 We need

                                   G1 want to obey

                                   G2 pray for help to obey

                                   G3 and obey His rules

Psalm 101

Promised Faithfulness to the Lord
A Psalm of David.
I will sing of mercy and justice;
To You, O Lord, I will sing praises.

2 I will behave wisely in a perfect way.
Oh, when will You come to me?
I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes;
I hate the work of those who fall away;
It shall not cling to me.
4 A perverse heart shall depart from me;
I will not know wickedness.

5 Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor,
Him I will destroy;
The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart,
Him I will not endure.

6 My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land,
That they may dwell with me;
He who walks in a perfect way,
He shall serve me.
7 He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house;
He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence
8 Early I will destroy all the wicked of the land,
That I may cut off all the evildoers from the city of the Lord.

A1 Singing

        B1 To God, not myself, government, or others

        B2 The subject of praise is mercy and justice

A2 Perfect

        B1 Does not mean sinless

        B2 Means complete; in all areas seeking to obey God's rules and do God's will.

A3 In my house

        B1 In private, I will obey as well as in public

        B2 Before my family I will also.

A4 There will be holiness in my life

        B1 Holiness is a separation from the world's ways and worldview

        B2 Holiness is a separation to God, His ways, and worldview

A5 Secret slanders

        B1 God knows all things, even the thoughts of my heart

        B2 God is not pleased and will punish

        B3 We have been warned

        B4 We need to confess our sin and repent, that is, not do it any more

        B5 God is merciful

A6 God watches those who are faithful to Him

        B1 Faithful is to obey from the heart, not just outwardly

        B2 These will live with Him in heaven

        B3 Our job will be to serve God

                C1 His yoke is easy and burden is light

                C2 We better learn this now before it is too late

        B4 We can't fool God

                C1 He knows the one who is a fake in serving Him

                C2 Judas did not fool the Lord Jesus

        B5 God does not like liars

                C1 He does not lie

                C2 He will punish liars

                C3 It often appears that people tell lies more than they tell the truth

A7 God will not have the wicked in His presence

        B1 They will not be in heaven

        B2 The wicked are those who

                C1 Openly rebel

                C2 Secretly rebel, that is, they outwardly obey, but inwardly disobey

Do You Have a Good Memory?

Then compare yourself to this man.

Colors

Do we really appreciate colors? Are we thankful for them? Here is a link to a great, short, video on colors. I cannot embed it here; I wish I could.

Is The End Near?

I read this article Sunday, 23 Aug 09. While definitely no written from a Christian viewpoint, there seems to be reminders of the book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ. This is only the conclusion to a long article. The original can be found here. The reality of world crisis and the hope of world peace will look for a false Messiah.

As George Orwell wrote, “Power is not a means, it is an end. One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes the revolution in order to establish the dictatorship. The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power.”

The more people that think for themselves; the worse it is for the cartel. People, free thinking individuals, are the greatest threat to this cartel and their war of position. That is why the answer and solution to exposing the supra-hegemonic war of position, challenging and triumphing over the New World Order, lies in the free-thinking individual. The challenge is global and globalized; the solution is local and localized. The problem is conformity and controlled thought; the answer is individuality and free thought.

While humanity is faced with such monumental crises the likes of which in scope and size, we have never before faced, so too, are we faced with the greatest opportunities for an ultimate change in the right direction. While people are controlled and manipulated through crisis and disorder, so too can people be awoken to seeing the necessity of knowledge and critical thought. When one’s life is thrown into disorder and chaos, suddenly observation, information and knowledge become important in understanding how one got into that situation, and how one can escape it.

With this in mind, while facing the potential for the greatest struggle humanity has ever faced, so too are we facing the greatest potential for a new Enlightenment or a new Renaissance; an age of new thought, new life, new potential, and peace. No matter how much elites think they control all things, life has a way of making one realize that there are things outside the control of people. With every action, comes an equal and opposite reaction.

We may not reach a new age of thinking and peace before we enter into a new age of oppression and war. In fact, the former may not be possible without the latter. People must awake from their slumber; their immersion in consumerist society and pop culture distractions, and awake to both the malevolence of world systems and the wonder of life and its potential. Through crisis, comes control; through control, comes power; through power, comes resistance; through resistance, comes thinking; through thinking, comes potential; through potential, comes peace.

We may very well be entering into the most oppressive and destructive order the world has yet seen, but from its ruins and ashes, which are as inevitable as the tides and as sure as the sun rises, we may see the rise of a truly peaceful world order; in which we see the triumphs of individualism merge with the interests of the majority; a people’s world order of peace for all. We must maintain, as Antonio Gramsci once wrote, “Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will.”

Letter From Former Atheist

Suicidal atheist converts to Christ

Dear CMI,

I cannot express my gratitude in words. I became a Christian three years ago after struggling with thoughts of suicide due to my atheistic beliefs.

Your ministry truly saved my life.

I was raised in a secular home, and surrounded by atheistic propaganda from an early age, whether it be from school or the media. Unsurprisingly, I became an atheist at the age of 12.

As the years passed and I truly tried to understand the world around me, I discovered a horrifying truth that had been hidden from me, hidden from everyone.

This is the reason I am writing this letter, as even in your excellent articles on atheism, you do not truly reveal the extent to which the atheists deceive everyone, even themselves.

As the years passed and I truly tried to understand the world around me, I discovered a horrifying truth that had been hidden from me, hidden from everyone.

Atheists often say that they can truly live a happy, fulfilling life. Yet this is a lie, a deception which damns millions of souls to darkness.

While you revealed much in your articles, you have not destroyed the root.

Simply put, atheism destroys the possibility of personal identity, choice, and objective and subjective meaning.

Atheism inescapably leads to naturalism, and from naturalism follows atheism’s great skeleton which its followers try to keep hidden; determinism.

Determinism is inescapable if one is a naturalist, as all that exists is material and has come about by purely natural processes.

This means then, that the mind of man, our greatest treasure, is reducible to material bound by physical laws; namely, our thoughts, feelings, and actions are reducible to reactions of chemicals in the brain.

Few people realize, then, that this destroys all that makes us human. Namely; if our thoughts, feelings, and actions are simply chemical reactions in the brain, those reactions are simply the by-products of prior reactions forming an unbreakable chain which leads to the very beginning of the universe.

This means then, that whatever we do, we do because we have to. We cannot do anything other than what we do, it simply isn’t possible.

All actions are the result of prior actions in an unbreakable chain. We are no different than a cog in a watch or a falling domino.

… atheism is utterly horrific! Sadly, most atheists are unaware of these things! I believe if they truly understood the consequences of what they believed, they would reconsider their position.

There is no difference between the embrace of a loving husband and the violence of a vicious rapist, the actions of a doctor trying to save a life and the mass murderer who kills at whim, the actions of our greatest leaders and the inaction of a lazy sluggard.

Both are totally the same in atheism.

Objective meaning is non-existent, and subjective meaning is incoherent! Would we say the action of a robot picking up a glass bottle has any meaning, value, or significance? Of course not! It’s simply doing what it has to! It can do nothing else!

In what sense can an atheist say that he as a person truly exists? The material which composes our body is recycled every seven years, and our consciousness seems to cease every time we go to bed. So in what sense is the mass of matter that wakes up in the morning the same person as the one who went to bed the night before?

As you can see, atheism is utterly horrific! Sadly, most atheists are unaware of these things! I believe if they truly understood the consequences of what they believed, they would reconsider their position.

I know I did,

God bless.

Justin S., United States

Well said Justin. Now if they can only be honest.

We Need To Change

From an article taken from Hephzibah Happenings, Winona Lake, Indiana

We do not need a third major political party, nor do we need to “clean-up” or redirect our current ones. We need Jesus Christ. We need the Holy Spirit. We need revival. We do not need to “breathe new life” into the political system, we need for God to breathe new life into our churches. We need “fire”--not in a candidate, but in the people.

We learn from history that man has always been corrupt, that political systems have always been imperfect and failed. The very best of nations that man ever produced--the United States--is sick and rapidly dying. But it is not the fault of the Republicans or Democrats, or independents, of populists, or libertarians, or socialists, or communists. The problem is “us”. Our representatives in Washington and in the fifty state capitols only reflect those who sent them there. They are truly “representative” of the populace. The genesis of man’s problems is always sin, and the solutions is always repentance. We do not need to return to the basic principles of our founding fathers, we need to return to Jesus Christ. Nothing will change in Washington--at least nothing significant--until the people change. And the people will not change until the “church” changes. The problem is not the scoundrels in Washington, but the scoundrels in the pews and pulpits!

Pastor Dave Halyaman is Assistant Pastor of Believers Baptist Church and also Assistant to the Director of Hephzibah House.

Amen Brother!

An Excellent Response; Why do the heathen go to hell?

From Ray Comfort

"Regardless of whether you believe Jesus or you believe Ray, people who had never heard the gospel are burning in Hell [and] that makes your God evil." Ryk

You are presuming that people go to Hell because they have never heard the gospel, and then, upon that erroneous presumption, say, "Therefore God is unjust." However, people go to Hell for murder, rape, adultery, lying, stealing, hatred, evil imaginations, blasphemy, etc. God owes no one mercy. All He owes us in justice. Equity is His moral obligation.

Like most atheists, you have a wrong understanding of the nature of God. This is because atheists create a god who has no sense of right or wrong, justice or truth. Their god is an unloving and merciless tyrant. But (as I have said many times) the concept of the god they don't believe in, doesn't exist. He is a figment of their imagination (the place of imagery). The creation of a false god is called "idolatry," and it's a violation of the First and the Second of the Ten Commandments.

There is a short-term payoff with idolatry. Not only can you spit out blasphemy against God and feel justified, but it also gives you a temporary license to sin your heart out without any fear of having to answer to Him for your actions. Idolatry opens wide the door to the joys of pornography, fornication, lust, adultery and any other darling sin you wish to name. There is short term pleasure, but an eternal consequences. However, that is your choice. It's not mine, and because I care about you I will do all I can to warn you that you will eternally regret your decision.

Look at what the Bible says about Moses and the joys of sin:

"By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward" (Hebrews 11:24-26).

You have that same choice. You can enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, or you can repent, trust the Savior and find everlasting life.

Prayer

This has been out for a few days, but I thought I would post it any way. If you want you can have gmail have an alert for Rifqa Bary so you can keep up with the news.

The Family

Some problems with the family. Where's dad?

I realize that some of the statistics are outdated, but are the best I could find.

[U. S. D.H.H.S. Bureau of the Census]

* 90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes.
* 85% of all children that exhibit behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes.

[Center for Disease Control]

* 80% of rapists motivated with displaced anger come from fatherless homes.

[Criminal Justice and Behavior, Vol. 14 p. 403-26]

* 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes.

[National Principals Association Report on the State of High Schools]

* 70% of juveniles in state operated institutions come from fatherless homes

[U.S. Dept. of Justice, Special Report, Sept., 1988]

* 85% of all youths sitting in prisons grew up in a fatherless home.

[Fulton County Georgia Jail Populations and Texas Dept. of Corrections, 1992]

* Nearly 2 of every 5 children in America do not live with their fathers.

[US News and World Report, February 27, 1995, p.39]

There are:

* 11,268,000 total custodial mothers
* 2,907,000 total custodial fathers

[Current Populations Reports, US Bureau of the Census, Series P-20, No. 458, 1991]

What does this mean? Children from fatherless homes are:

* 4.6 times more likely to commit suicide,
* 6.6 times to become teenaged mothers (if they are girls, of course),
* 24.3 times more likely to run away,
* 15.3 times more likely to have behavioral disorders,
* 6.3 times more likely to be in a state-operated institutions,
* 10.8 times more likely to commit rape,
* 6.6 times more likely to drop out of school,
* 15.3 times more likely to end up in prison while a teenager.

(The calculation of the relative risks shown in the preceding list is based on 27% of children being in the care of single mothers.)

and — compared to children who are in the care of two biological, married parents — children who are in the care of single mothers are:

* 33 times more likely to be seriously abused (so that they will require medical attention), and
* 73 times more likely to be killed.

["Marriage: The Safest Place for Women and Children", by Patrick F. Fagan and Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D. Backgrounder #1535.]

The Report article recommends to parents that to be successful in,

Preserving childhood

* Stay married
* Keep stress levels down; do not overbook children's activities
* Prevent obesity
* Provide a high-fibre diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
* Cut out fast food
* Keep your daughter active; get her interested in a sport or out playing with other kids
* Throw out the TV

The following is from the newsletter Common Sense & Domestic Violence, 1997 12 24
Children and Single Moms

Whether it is caused by violence or not, children living with single moms don't do well in our society. It used to be the exception. Now it is becoming the rule and progressively worse. Is that not child abuse too?

I gave a short reply after reading some of these statistics:

Families

A1 Definition
B1 Simple: A dad (male) and a mom (female) married, then having children.
B2 Created male and female: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)
B3 Created married: Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)

A2 Facts
B1 Children are a blessing
C1 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. (Psalms 128:3)
C2 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. (Psalms 127:3)

A3 Some Things to do
B1 Teach Scriptures:
C1 "Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children-- (Deuteronomy 4:9)
C2 The living, the living, he thanks you, as I do this day; the father makes known to the children your faithfulness. (Isaiah 38:19)
B2 Worship God together--
The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 16:19)
B3 Live in unity--
A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! (Psalms 133:1)
B4 Live in mutual forbearance
Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:21-22)
B5 Rejoice together before God--
and spend the money for whatever you desire--oxen or sheep or wine or strong drink, whatever your appetite craves. And you shall eat there before the LORD your God and rejoice, you and your household. (Deuteronomy 14:26)

A4 From: "The Bible and Family"
B1 The family is ordained by God--
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)
B2 The family is the best context in which to understand ones sexuality, and marriage is the only place where God permits sexual intimacy--
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth." (Genesis 1:27-28)
B3 God places people on the earth through family--
I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her." (Genesis 17:16)
B4 By God's design the family is the principal protector, provider, and nurturer--
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:8)
B5 The family is the place of God's earliest presentation of the Word. In the home individuals are first made accountable and learn the meaning of justice, injustice, and grace--
C1 He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, (Psalms 78:5)
C2 "You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, (Deuteronomy 11:18-20)
B6 The family is the basic unit of worship--
God also said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. (Exodus 3:15)
B7 The family is the primary place of socialization--
Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." (Genesis 2:18)
B8 The family provides for intergenerational evangelism. God first directed the sharing of his gospel through family--
"The Mighty One, God, the LORD! The Mighty One, God, the LORD! He knows; and let Israel itself know! If it was in rebellion or in breach of faith against the LORD, do not spare us today for building an altar to turn away from following the LORD. Or if we did so to offer burnt offerings or grain offerings or peace offerings on it, may the LORD himself take vengeance. No, but we did it from fear that in time to come your children might say to our children, 'What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel? (Joshua 22:22-24)
B9 The family is the best place to discover and to encourage the use of God's gifts--
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, (2 Timothy 1:5-6)
B10 God established the parameters of family roles and blesses families as they live out those roles--
C1 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (Ephesians 5:22-33)
C2 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise), "that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land." Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-4)
B11 The family is one of God's metaphors for his kingdom (Father, Son, heirs, sons and daughters, children, etc.)--
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. (1 John 3:1)
B12 The family is God's design for modeling commitment, love, and intimacy--
C1 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. (Hebrews 11:11-19)
C2 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)
C3 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate." (Matthew 19:6)

Revival

And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul, but that whoever would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman. They swore an oath to the LORD with a loud voice and with shouting and with trumpets and with horns. And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the LORD gave them rest all around. Even Maacah, his mother, King Asa removed from being queen mother because she had made a detestable image for Asherah. Asa cut down her image, crushed it, and burned it at the brook Kidron. But the high places were not taken out of Israel. Nevertheless, the heart of Asa was wholly true all his days. And he brought into the house of God the sacred gifts of his father and his own sacred gifts, silver, and gold, and vessels. And there was no more war until the thirty-fifth year of the reign of Asa. (2 Chronicles 15:12-19)

Then the king sent, and all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem were gathered to him. And the king went up to the house of the LORD, and with him all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the priests and the prophets, all the people, both small and great. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD. And the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people joined in the covenant. And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second order and the keepers of the threshold to bring out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. And he deposed the priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to make offerings in the high places at the cities of Judah and around Jerusalem; those also who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and the moon and the constellations and all the host of the heavens. And he brought out the Asherah from the house of the LORD, outside Jerusalem, to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron and beat it to dust and cast the dust of it upon the graves of the common people. And he broke down the houses of the male cult prostitutes who were in the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the Asherah. And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had made offerings, from Geba to Beersheba. And he broke down the high places of the gates that were at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on one's left at the gate of the city. (2 Kings 23:1-8)

"Now, therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love, let not all the hardship seem little to you that has come upon us, upon our kings, our princes, our priests, our prophets, our fathers, and all your people, since the time of the kings of Assyria until this day. Yet you have been righteous in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly. Our kings, our princes, our priests, and our fathers have not kept your law or paid attention to your commandments and your warnings that you gave them. Even in their own kingdom, and amid your great goodness that you gave them, and in the large and rich land that you set before them, they did not serve you or turn from their wicked works. Behold, we are slaves this day; in the land that you gave to our fathers to enjoy its fruit and its good gifts, behold, we are slaves. And its rich yield goes to the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins. They rule over our bodies and over our livestock as they please, and we are in great distress. "Because of all this we make a firm covenant in writing; on the sealed document are the names of our princes, our Levites, and our priests. (Nehemiah 9:32-38)

Three revivals are listed here. Each revival showed in the lives of the people the change in heart. What was the common thread?

1. Prayer
2. Vow to obey God’s rules
3. Repentance

What is needed for revival today?

1. Prayer
2. Vow to obey God’s rules
3. Repentance

Prayer
        Confession
        Asking forgiveness
        Forgiving others

Vow to obey God’s rules
        Knowing the rules
                Read the Bible daily
                Study it
                Memorize it
                Teach it
        Doing the rules
                Living it
                Thinking it
                Talking it

Repentance
        Stop doing what we were doing
        Start doing what we are supposed to do

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Another version has it:
If my own people will humbly pray and turn back to me and stop sinning, then I will answer them from heaven. I will forgive them and make their land fertile once again. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Some New Testament laws
Let us:
        The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:12)
        Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. (Romans 13:13)
        Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; (1 Corinthians 10:8)
        Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:26)
        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)
        Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. (1 Thessalonians 5:6-7)
        Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. (Hebrews 4:11)
        So let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith, with hearts that have been purified from a guilty conscience and with bodies washed with clean water. (Hebrews 10:22)
        Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; (Revelation 19:7)
        
There are laws on how to treat our wives, our husbands, our children, our friends, our enemies, our money, our animals, our employees, our employer, our government leaders, and so on.

People will pray, people will weep, people will spend hours in meetings, but people will not want to see how we are to live and do it. It just seems that people don't want to live by the rules that the Lord Jesus gave us.

"But anyone who hears these words of mine and does not obey them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. (Matthew 7:26)

If we want true, spiritual revival, we must be willing and doing what God says we must. There will be no true revival until then.

May God raise up people who will preach a return to doing things God’s way.

For reading the Bible daily search "daily bible reading plan" without the quotes.

A Quick Overview of Jesus' Life

I thought this is a good, brief overview of Jesus' life in pictures.


The Life of Jesus - For more of the funniest videos, click here

Holiness

Holiness and obedience to God's word has practically disappeared. I have for years tried to get this across to people, but most just laugh. Here is a message that is very timely.

Two Worldviews

Two worldviews, two distinct effects, two end results. Francis Schaeffer, among others, spoke clearly of this clash of worldviews. Here is a video from 1982 by Francis Schaeffer.

Water

Water

A few facts about water:
The elephant can smell water up to 3 miles away. Also, a dogs' nose is so sensitive that it can tell the difference between a tub of water and a tub of water with a teaspoon of salt in it.
There are almost 800 different brands of bottled water for sale in the United States.
The human brain in two thirds water.
A human being is about 70% water.

But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. (Psalms 3:3)

Drowning--as a stone sinks to the bottom, so our soul sometimes falls. We are sure to drown in our troubles, but God can lift our head above the water and save us.
God is the one who saves us.

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord. (James 1:6-7)

Wave unstable to build on.
People are unstable when they vacillate.
Reuben was labeled unstable by his father.
Unstable in doctrine: so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. (Ephesians 4:14)

Willing to Suffer
A converted native was to be baptized in a river. The missionary took a long spear with him into the swift current to steady himself. Inadvertently he stabbed the foot of the convert beneath the water. The man neither spoke nor moved. After the ceremony when the accident was discovered, the convert was asked why he had kept silent. "I thought it was part of the ceremony," he replied. In a way he was right. Baptism should be an external expression of willingness to suffer for the Lord Jesus Christ in whose Name the believer is baptized.

One water is most important; it is the Water of Life.

And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let the one who hears say: "Come!" And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wants it take the water of life free of charge.
(Revelation 22:17)

About the Bible

I read this letter from Ebenezer, someone from India. The topic was about the Bible, and what it means, if it is a great book, just a book, or is the message the very words of God. Here is his letter:

From Chennai - India

If indeed the Bible is just another great book and Jesus Christ just another teacher, we would do well to dump this book in the nearest dust bin, forget all about the message and person of Christ and carry on merrily or miserably with the difficult business of life.

It is a well known belief amongst men of letters that one finds some thing new in the great classics in every fresh reading, since these books are creations of greatly endowed minds.

Well, take the bible ( not the RC version which includes a lot of non canonical books), any language, any version, flip open at random and read that chapter you chance upon once in the morn, the same chapter again once in the noon and once more at night.

This reading would take no more than 10 minutes at the most.

And blessed be ye be when you find that the matter that your mind confronts in every reading is completely different from that of the the previous reading.

This is so my friend since the inspirer of the matter you read is God The Holy Spirit.

All are welcome to repeat this "test" for as many times as they might desire.

I belong to the land of the Vedas, the most ancient group of books written and they all fall flat on this "test"

One may well judge by this test that there is no other book in this world of men and in the world of books, that is so self evidently divine.

In Christ Jesus

Ebenezer

True Fellowship

True fellowship is not mere Christian socializing. It is the sharing of love and concern, time and talents, possessions and even life itself, as need and circumstance demand, with others in the household of faith.

Henry M Morris

To many people understand fellowship as socializing. There is something to it, but it is much deeper than that.

God's Dream

The burden against Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; The LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies; The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked. The LORD has His way In the whirlwind and in the storm, And the clouds are the dust of His feet. He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, And dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither, And the flower of Lebanon wilts. The mountains quake before Him, The hills melt, And the earth heaves at His presence, Yes, the world and all who dwell in it. Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, And the rocks are thrown down by Him. The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, And darkness will pursue His enemies. What do you conspire against the LORD? He will make an utter end of it. Affliction will not rise up a second time. For while tangled like thorns, And while drunken like drunkards, They shall be devoured like stubble fully dried. From you comes forth one Who plots evil against the LORD, A wicked counselor. Thus says the LORD: "Though they are safe, and likewise many, Yet in this manner they will be cut down When he passes through. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more; For now I will break off his yoke from you, And burst your bonds apart." The LORD has given a command concerning you: "Your name shall be perpetuated no longer. Out of the house of your gods I will cut off the carved image and the molded image. I will dig your grave, For you are vile." Behold, on the mountains The feet of him who brings good tidings, Who proclaims peace! O Judah, keep your appointed feasts, Perform your vows. For the wicked one shall no more pass through you; He is utterly cut off.
(Nahum 1:1-15)

All these verses speak of judgment except verse 7: The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. (Nahum 1:7).

I am only a man--created. I cannot think as God thinks, so I have to describe things in human thoughts.

God had a dream. He wanted to create an universe. He wanted it to be beautiful. He made a beautiful universe, earth, and everything in it--birds, trees, animals, and people. He made it with laws so it would function perfectly.

He gave free will, too, not a sovereign free will. He wanted to have servants that would serve Him freely. He didn't want a bunch of robots that have no free will.

He made the angels. They too were perfect until some made a choice to do things their own way. For them He made a perfect punishment as well.

He made humans--Adam and Eve perfect. Shortly afterward they choose their own way. They didn't want to follow some of God's laws. He made a perfect punishment for them as well--death. He had warned them, but they went ahead and rebelled.

God started the church; the church is the people who are saved by grace alone by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. His church was set up perfectly; it has perfect rules and laws. Jesus, himself, said, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

God made me. He has plans for me, things to do, rules to follow, and what am I doing?

He is a great King. He has plans and rules for everything to function beautifully. He has a right to be angry when people don't follow these rules.

All of us like to be thanked for a job well done or for something we have done to help another. Shouldn't He who sends the rain, the sunshine, and has the plants grow be thanked as well?

God punishes rebellion. He punishes those because: Ever since God created the world, his invisible qualities, both his eternal power and his divine nature, have been clearly seen; they are perceived in the things that God has made. So those people have no excuse at all! They know God, but they do not give him the honor that belongs to him, nor do they thank him. Instead, their thoughts have become complete nonsense, and their empty minds are filled with darkness. They say they are wise, but they are fools(Romans 1:20-22).

There is one hope, however, and that is found in verse 7: The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. (Nahum 1:7).

God is not evil to punish; He is good to those who follow His rules and trust Him.