Changing society.
Two questions:
Do we become heavily involved in politics and political action; is this the war we fight?
Do we become heavily involved in true Christianity?
How much we get involved in political activity is up to you, but please consider: if you plan to change society, you can force your way by power or manipulation or there can be a heart change to do what is right.
What is right?
The Ten Commandments.
Two aspects:
1. Love of God--obedience to Him is how we show love to Him ("if you love me, keep my commandments").
2. Love of others--showing compassion, gentleness, the Golden Rule to others.
Physical warfare we are familiar with, but spiritual warfare is what the Christian must be skillfully trained in.
Spiritual Warfare:
1. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casting down arguments, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having a readiness to punish all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
2. Ephesians 6:13-18 Therefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thus with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
3. Luke 18:1 And he spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.
These are much different weapons.
1. Having a ready, correct answer. This is apologetics.
2. Truth. This is facts. The Bible is facts and have been proven to honest minds.
3. Righteousness. This is living according to God's rules.
4. The Gospel. This is the message that we have all broken the Ten Commandments, deserve punishment in hell, and by repentance and calling on the name of the Lord Jesus, trusting in Him alone; we can be forgiven, because Jesus Christ paid the penalty.
5. Faith. This is believing God. What He has given us in the Bible is true.
6. Salvation. This is a true rebirth according to the standards and definitions from the Bible.
7. The Bible. God's word to humanity.
8. Prayer. This is talking to God.
These weapons will accomplish more than any political solution.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Israel"s Unwavering Guardsmen
Israel"s Unwavering Guardsmen
This reads like something straight from the Bible book of Judges.
Pray for peace in Jerusalem.
This reads like something straight from the Bible book of Judges.
Pray for peace in Jerusalem.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
7 Types of People
(Ezra 7:10) For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
7 Types of People
Seek Only
These are false converts.
(Matthew 7:16-19) Ye shall know them by their fruits: Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles: Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
(Isaiah 29:13) Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear towards me is taught by the precept of men.
(Matt 13:5) Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil,(Matt 13:6) but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. (Matt 13:20) As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy,(Matt 13:21) yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.
They have a false profession.
They do not seek God honestly.
James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
They do not what the "do" of the gospel.
They want to live their life as they see fit.
(Matthew 7:21) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Do Only
These are blind.
James 2:14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Teach Only
These are ignorant.
They do not seek God, or do His will.
They teach but probably will teach error.
(2 Peter 2:17) These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
Seek and Do
These miss the blessing of helping others.
They are selfish or scared.
(Hebrews 5:12) For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,
(Colossians 3:16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Seek and Teach
These are hypocrites.
They tell others what they must do, but they will not do it themselves.
(Luke 11:52) Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”
Do and Teach
This is a Legalist.
They have the laws and do them, but they are not truly born again, because they do not seek God.
They think they will get to heaven, because they think that they are so good--their good out weighs their bad.
(Matthew 23:13) “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.
Seek, Do, Teach
This is the correct way.
Seek
Seeking God:
What is your will? Please help me. Forgive me.
This is our personal response.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Do
Doing God's will:
Reading the Bible--specifically the New Testament, and doing what it says.
This is love to God.
Psalms 78:4 We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous.
John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments.
Teach
Teaching God's way.
Teaching the Gospel.
Teaching His rules.
Titus 2:3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good.
Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
7 Types of People
Seek Only
These are false converts.
(Matthew 7:16-19) Ye shall know them by their fruits: Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles: Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
(Isaiah 29:13) Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear towards me is taught by the precept of men.
(Matt 13:5) Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil,(Matt 13:6) but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. (Matt 13:20) As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy,(Matt 13:21) yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.
They have a false profession.
They do not seek God honestly.
James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
They do not what the "do" of the gospel.
They want to live their life as they see fit.
(Matthew 7:21) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Do Only
These are blind.
James 2:14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Teach Only
These are ignorant.
They do not seek God, or do His will.
They teach but probably will teach error.
(2 Peter 2:17) These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
Seek and Do
These miss the blessing of helping others.
They are selfish or scared.
(Hebrews 5:12) For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,
(Colossians 3:16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Seek and Teach
These are hypocrites.
They tell others what they must do, but they will not do it themselves.
(Luke 11:52) Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”
Do and Teach
This is a Legalist.
They have the laws and do them, but they are not truly born again, because they do not seek God.
They think they will get to heaven, because they think that they are so good--their good out weighs their bad.
(Matthew 23:13) “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.
Seek, Do, Teach
This is the correct way.
Seek
Seeking God:
What is your will? Please help me. Forgive me.
This is our personal response.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Do
Doing God's will:
Reading the Bible--specifically the New Testament, and doing what it says.
This is love to God.
Psalms 78:4 We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous.
John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments.
Teach
Teaching God's way.
Teaching the Gospel.
Teaching His rules.
Titus 2:3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good.
Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
When Is Jesus Coming Again?
Jesus is coming soon. When? No one except God himself knows.
Some believe he will come when the world is so wicked; it is inevitable for judgment.
And God saw that the evil of man was great on the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all day long.Gen6:5
Some believe he will come when the last "living stone" is placed in the Temple of the Lord. The Bible teaches that God is building a spiritual house. The living stones are Christians.. those who are convicted of their sins and call out, trusting, in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.
You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.1Pet2:5
Whatever we must be looking up and be prepared.
Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.Matt24:42
We look for a savior, not the Antichrist.
For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,Phil3:20
We are to be ready. This means to be humble, confess our sins, believe, and live our lives the way the Lord Jesus would want us.
You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Luke12:40
But take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overloaded with gluttony, and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.Luke21:34
Some believe he will come when the world is so wicked; it is inevitable for judgment.
And God saw that the evil of man was great on the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all day long.Gen6:5
Some believe he will come when the last "living stone" is placed in the Temple of the Lord. The Bible teaches that God is building a spiritual house. The living stones are Christians.. those who are convicted of their sins and call out, trusting, in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.
You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.1Pet2:5
Whatever we must be looking up and be prepared.
Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.Matt24:42
We look for a savior, not the Antichrist.
For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,Phil3:20
We are to be ready. This means to be humble, confess our sins, believe, and live our lives the way the Lord Jesus would want us.
You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Luke12:40
But take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overloaded with gluttony, and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.Luke21:34
Divorice Rates: Christian Vs Non-christian
Often we read that Christians divorce at a higher rate than non-christians. I just accepted this as people don't believe the Bible, what the Lord Jesus gave us in the New Testament, and will not do what it says. I just blindly accepted it, but read this article: I include only the first paragraph.
A friend emailed a copy of a January 17, 2010 article in The Sun News, a paper out of Myrtle Beach, SC, that trumpeted a Barna survey allegedly showing that ”born again” Christians suffer the highest rates of divorce and atheists/agnostics the lowest. At first I thought this must simply be agitprop. A few minutes on the internet, however, produced several websites corroborating the sources, surveys and statistics. See for example here . However, at least one purported Christian website here stated that evangelicals had a lower rate of divorce than the national average and lower than atheists and agnostics. Before this, I was unaware of the Barna distinction between “born again” Christians and evangelicals, and with exceedingly few exceptions, was unaware of people calling themselves “born again” outside evangelical circles. My curiosity piqued and smelling mischief in the gloating newspaper article, I did a little research. What I found demonstrated that biblical Christianity makes a difference in peoples’ lives and that newspapers generally cannot be trusted in matters regarding Christianity. In other words, nothing new.
A friend emailed a copy of a January 17, 2010 article in The Sun News, a paper out of Myrtle Beach, SC, that trumpeted a Barna survey allegedly showing that ”born again” Christians suffer the highest rates of divorce and atheists/agnostics the lowest. At first I thought this must simply be agitprop. A few minutes on the internet, however, produced several websites corroborating the sources, surveys and statistics. See for example here . However, at least one purported Christian website here stated that evangelicals had a lower rate of divorce than the national average and lower than atheists and agnostics. Before this, I was unaware of the Barna distinction between “born again” Christians and evangelicals, and with exceedingly few exceptions, was unaware of people calling themselves “born again” outside evangelical circles. My curiosity piqued and smelling mischief in the gloating newspaper article, I did a little research. What I found demonstrated that biblical Christianity makes a difference in peoples’ lives and that newspapers generally cannot be trusted in matters regarding Christianity. In other words, nothing new.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Remember to Pray for Our Fellow Believers
God can get us through. This may happen to the rest of us. Our we ready?
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Jesus Is Coming!
Jesus is coming soon. When? No one except God himself knows.
Some believe he will come when the world is so wicked; it is inevitable for judgment.
And God saw that the evil of man was great on the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all day long.Gen6:5
Some believe he will come when the last "living stone" is placed in the Temple of the Lord. The Bible teaches that God is building a spiritual house. The living stones are Christians.. those who are convicted of their sins and call out, trusting, in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.
You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.1Pet2:5
Whatever we must be looking up and be prepared.
Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.Matt24:42
We look for a savior, not the Antichrist.
For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,Phil3:20
We are to be ready. This means to be humble, confess our sins, believe, and live our lives the way the Lord Jesus would want us.
You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Luke12:40
But take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overloaded with gluttony, and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.Luke21:34
Some believe he will come when the world is so wicked; it is inevitable for judgment.
And God saw that the evil of man was great on the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all day long.Gen6:5
Some believe he will come when the last "living stone" is placed in the Temple of the Lord. The Bible teaches that God is building a spiritual house. The living stones are Christians.. those who are convicted of their sins and call out, trusting, in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.
You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.1Pet2:5
Whatever we must be looking up and be prepared.
Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.Matt24:42
We look for a savior, not the Antichrist.
For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,Phil3:20
We are to be ready. This means to be humble, confess our sins, believe, and live our lives the way the Lord Jesus would want us.
You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Luke12:40
But take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overloaded with gluttony, and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.Luke21:34
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