Paradise
Luke 23:39-43
Q) Why 3 crosses on some Church’s lawns ?
1) Everybody talking about Heaven, but everyone isn’t going there….. (Matthew 7:13)
Background (v.39)
Save Yourself & (mainly us !) (Some people just want the benefits of Christ: the blessings/ to be rich/ to be healed, but 1st. we must accept His free gift of Salvation and live for Christ)
Other Gospels say both were blaspheming Christ.
But….after hours of being on the cross w/the Lord of lords & King of kings. (Conviction, started to settle in his heart )
Finally; One of the thieves ended up saying; “ Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom
(Total repentance here) (repeated)
(look again at: v. 43)
So in this verse, (the word) Paradise Where is Jesus talking about ?
Paradise (original lan.) garden/park. (like in the garden of Eden)
Remember the parable Jesus gave, back in (Chap 16 of Luke) (Many Scholars believe this is a real story)
(Rich man & Lazarus)
a) Poor man was in Abraham’s bosom (righteous)
Paradise
b) Richman in Hades- torment (un-righteous)
(had to look up)
Now in Matthew’s gospel (27:51-53)
Saints who had fallen asleep (died) were raised & appeared to many in Jerusalem.
Guess where they came from ? Abrahams bosom !
Now after the resurrection there’s no one in Paradise or Abraham’s bosom.
Christ did NOT go to Heaven w/ the Father until after the Resurrection… (Remember that Mary tried to cling to Jesus, but what did Christ say to her ? “I haven’t ascended to My Father yet.”) On the 1st. day of the week.
Because, we know that, absent w/the body, present w/ the Lord…..amen ?
Straight to Heaven we go w/ the Lord Jesus. Where is Jesus now ? look at: (Acts 7:56)
Lastly: So when Jesus told the thief on the cross “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” That’s where they went on Friday.
This tells us that even a sinner at the last moments f your life, after all that was done in this man’s life can still be saved by the (blood) of Christ !
But don’t wait till your on your death bed !!
Because no one knows the hour that you will breath our last breath…..
Amen ?
Praise God
Showing posts with label Saved. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Saved. Show all posts
Monday, April 25, 2011
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Is Salvation on a time limit ?
It's not too Late!
The beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
Luke 16:22
Recommended Reading
Luke 16:19-31
The same Bible that teaches about heaven warns of hell. In our Lord's story of the rich man and the beggar, the latter served God faithfully on earth, but suffered an incurable skin disease and had to beg for food. The rich man, on the other hand, fared sumptuously every day but evidently had no relationship with the Lord. In a flash their respective earthly lives ended, and their roles were reversed in eternity.
The problem wasn't primarily economic but spiritual. The rich man had previously had access to the Scriptures--"Moses and the prophets" (verse 31)--but had paid no attention. He was too busy buying things.
We only have a few remaining hours in this year to think about heaven and hell, only a day to make a lasting decision for Christ. Listen to Moses, the prophets, the Lord Jesus, and the voice of the Holy Spirit. Give yourself wholeheartedly to Christ today, while you still can and while there's still time.
What does it profit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?
The saddest road to hell is the one that runs under the pulpit, past the Bible, and through the middle of warnings and invitations.
J. C. Ryle
The beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
Luke 16:22
Recommended Reading
Luke 16:19-31
The same Bible that teaches about heaven warns of hell. In our Lord's story of the rich man and the beggar, the latter served God faithfully on earth, but suffered an incurable skin disease and had to beg for food. The rich man, on the other hand, fared sumptuously every day but evidently had no relationship with the Lord. In a flash their respective earthly lives ended, and their roles were reversed in eternity.
The problem wasn't primarily economic but spiritual. The rich man had previously had access to the Scriptures--"Moses and the prophets" (verse 31)--but had paid no attention. He was too busy buying things.
We only have a few remaining hours in this year to think about heaven and hell, only a day to make a lasting decision for Christ. Listen to Moses, the prophets, the Lord Jesus, and the voice of the Holy Spirit. Give yourself wholeheartedly to Christ today, while you still can and while there's still time.
What does it profit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?
The saddest road to hell is the one that runs under the pulpit, past the Bible, and through the middle of warnings and invitations.
J. C. Ryle
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Are you going to your local church ?
BIBLE MEDITATION:
Hebrews 10:25 - “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Do you know what is happening in America today? People who claim to be Christians are not getting involved and becoming faithful to a church — the local fellowship of believers. Such a thing was unheard of in the Bible. If you were a Christian, you were faithful to the fellowship. You attended when everyone gathered together. If you stopped attending, they assumed that you were an apostate. What is more important than the local visible expression of the body of Christ? It is the way we stay “plugged in” to the needs of the body of Christ. It is the way we show honor to Him in worship. It is simply the way.
ACTION POINT:
What do you have on your schedule this week that is more important than being a part of the blood-bought body of the Lord Jesus Christ?
Hebrews 10:25 - “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Do you know what is happening in America today? People who claim to be Christians are not getting involved and becoming faithful to a church — the local fellowship of believers. Such a thing was unheard of in the Bible. If you were a Christian, you were faithful to the fellowship. You attended when everyone gathered together. If you stopped attending, they assumed that you were an apostate. What is more important than the local visible expression of the body of Christ? It is the way we stay “plugged in” to the needs of the body of Christ. It is the way we show honor to Him in worship. It is simply the way.
ACTION POINT:
What do you have on your schedule this week that is more important than being a part of the blood-bought body of the Lord Jesus Christ?
Monday, October 11, 2010
Grace we have been saved
BIBLE MEDITATION:
Ephesians 2:8-9 - “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
If you think you’re going to get to heaven by your good works, I guarantee you will always wonder if you’ve done enough. You will not have a “know-so” salvation. You will have a “hope-so” salvation. Rather than standing up straight in confidence like an exclamation point, you will be bent over and wondering like a question mark. That is, until you understand that it’s all by grace. Suppose everybody who wanted to be saved had to run around the block. Some can’t run. What if you had to read a chapter in the Bible to be saved? Some can’t read. But there is one thing that can make the promise sure, and that is grace.
ACTION POINT:
Who can you share this Good News with today? Think of at least one person, and ask God to give you a bold love and a divine opportunity to do just that. We also invite you to read “You Can Be Sure” for more insights on the eternal security of the believer.
Ephesians 2:8-9 - “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
If you think you’re going to get to heaven by your good works, I guarantee you will always wonder if you’ve done enough. You will not have a “know-so” salvation. You will have a “hope-so” salvation. Rather than standing up straight in confidence like an exclamation point, you will be bent over and wondering like a question mark. That is, until you understand that it’s all by grace. Suppose everybody who wanted to be saved had to run around the block. Some can’t run. What if you had to read a chapter in the Bible to be saved? Some can’t read. But there is one thing that can make the promise sure, and that is grace.
ACTION POINT:
Who can you share this Good News with today? Think of at least one person, and ask God to give you a bold love and a divine opportunity to do just that. We also invite you to read “You Can Be Sure” for more insights on the eternal security of the believer.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Selfishness.....
And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5:24
Recommended Reading
Genesis 4:1-16
Cain, the son of Adam and Eve and brother of Abel, is mentioned nineteen times in Scripture. Sixteen of them are in Genesis 4 where his story is told, and the other three occur in the New Testament where he is used as a negative example. Not a sterling legacy to leave behind!
What tarnished Cain's reputation? The Bible says only that God "did not respect Cain and his offering" (Genesis 4:5). Something in Cain's response to God--he became "very angry, and his countenance fell"--provides a clue. Anyone who gets angry when corrected legitimately by an authority reveals a selfish streak, caring ultimately only about self. Perhaps Cain was expected to bring an animal sacrifice like Abel did, but he brought fruits of the field instead, something that was handy for him. Leviticus 3:16 says it is the fat part of the animal sacrifice that becomes a "sweet aroma" to the Lord.
Submitting to God means exchanging selfishness for selflessness, living for Christ instead of living for self. Christians should be selflessness, not selfishness, personified.
Selfishness is never so exquisitely selfish as when it is on its knees.
A. W. Tozer
Galatians 5:24
Recommended Reading
Genesis 4:1-16
Cain, the son of Adam and Eve and brother of Abel, is mentioned nineteen times in Scripture. Sixteen of them are in Genesis 4 where his story is told, and the other three occur in the New Testament where he is used as a negative example. Not a sterling legacy to leave behind!
What tarnished Cain's reputation? The Bible says only that God "did not respect Cain and his offering" (Genesis 4:5). Something in Cain's response to God--he became "very angry, and his countenance fell"--provides a clue. Anyone who gets angry when corrected legitimately by an authority reveals a selfish streak, caring ultimately only about self. Perhaps Cain was expected to bring an animal sacrifice like Abel did, but he brought fruits of the field instead, something that was handy for him. Leviticus 3:16 says it is the fat part of the animal sacrifice that becomes a "sweet aroma" to the Lord.
Submitting to God means exchanging selfishness for selflessness, living for Christ instead of living for self. Christians should be selflessness, not selfishness, personified.
Selfishness is never so exquisitely selfish as when it is on its knees.
A. W. Tozer
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Do you have a close friend ?
A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24
Recommended Reading
Psalm 55:12-14
There is no consensus as to the origin of the question, "With friends like these, who needs enemies?"--but we all know what it means: Sometimes those we thought were our friends act like we would expect enemies to act. Anyone who has experienced such a reversal of "friendship" knows the pain and perplexity it can cause.
Job experienced such pain. When he was at the worst point of his life, his friends came to accuse and lecture him about his dishonesty before God, his failure to repent of whatever sins caused God to heap suffering upon him. They were not the kind of friends described in Proverbs 18:24--friends who stick closer than a brother. Anyone who has a brother or sister knows that siblings can act like enemies at times. But there is a friend who never does what even a sibling will do, a friend who loves at all times. That's the kind of friend Job needed, the kind of friend we need--and need to be to others in pain.
Jesus declared Himself to be the friend of those who follow Him (John 15:14). If you need a friend today, He is there for you. If you know others who need a friend, be to them one who sticks closer than a brother.
Sinners willfully lose God for a friend.
Matthew Henry
Proverbs 18:24
Recommended Reading
Psalm 55:12-14
There is no consensus as to the origin of the question, "With friends like these, who needs enemies?"--but we all know what it means: Sometimes those we thought were our friends act like we would expect enemies to act. Anyone who has experienced such a reversal of "friendship" knows the pain and perplexity it can cause.
Job experienced such pain. When he was at the worst point of his life, his friends came to accuse and lecture him about his dishonesty before God, his failure to repent of whatever sins caused God to heap suffering upon him. They were not the kind of friends described in Proverbs 18:24--friends who stick closer than a brother. Anyone who has a brother or sister knows that siblings can act like enemies at times. But there is a friend who never does what even a sibling will do, a friend who loves at all times. That's the kind of friend Job needed, the kind of friend we need--and need to be to others in pain.
Jesus declared Himself to be the friend of those who follow Him (John 15:14). If you need a friend today, He is there for you. If you know others who need a friend, be to them one who sticks closer than a brother.
Sinners willfully lose God for a friend.
Matthew Henry
Monday, July 12, 2010
Patience
Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
James 1:3
Recommended Reading
Romans 5:1-5
In our culture, the concept of "testing" immediately brings school days to mind. From the first grade on, we grow used to the sweaty palms and increased heart rate that accompanies these words: "Clear your desk and take out a pencil...." If we were well prepared, the test was an affirmation. If we were poorly prepared, the test was a rebuke--gentle or severe, depending on the grade.
Tests don't end on graduation day, however. God has tests for us as well, like this one: "Describe nine ways to know if you are filled with the Holy Spirit." The answer is whether we manifest the nine dimensions of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Take patience, for instance. God allows us to experience times that test our patience in order to show us whether we are relying on ourselves or on the Holy Spirit. The more we are tested, the more evidence we have of the kind of power we are relying on--self or the Spirit. And the more opportunities we have to say "Fill me with Your presence, Holy Spirit, that I may manifest patience in this situation."
If you are tested today, don't fail by relying on self. Let tests become affirmations of your reliance on the Holy Spirit in you.
Hope is the foundation of patience.
John Calvin
James 1:3
Recommended Reading
Romans 5:1-5
In our culture, the concept of "testing" immediately brings school days to mind. From the first grade on, we grow used to the sweaty palms and increased heart rate that accompanies these words: "Clear your desk and take out a pencil...." If we were well prepared, the test was an affirmation. If we were poorly prepared, the test was a rebuke--gentle or severe, depending on the grade.
Tests don't end on graduation day, however. God has tests for us as well, like this one: "Describe nine ways to know if you are filled with the Holy Spirit." The answer is whether we manifest the nine dimensions of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Take patience, for instance. God allows us to experience times that test our patience in order to show us whether we are relying on ourselves or on the Holy Spirit. The more we are tested, the more evidence we have of the kind of power we are relying on--self or the Spirit. And the more opportunities we have to say "Fill me with Your presence, Holy Spirit, that I may manifest patience in this situation."
If you are tested today, don't fail by relying on self. Let tests become affirmations of your reliance on the Holy Spirit in you.
Hope is the foundation of patience.
John Calvin
Saturday, June 26, 2010
How are you doing on the Great Commission ?
The Saddest Words
And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness."
Matthew 7:23
Recommended Reading
Revelation 20:11-15
Suppose you had been living on a piece of property for twenty years and you decided to sell. When it was time to have an updated survey of the property prepared, the surveyor gave you bad news: You are not the registered owner of your property! Somehow, your name was never entered in the county's book of deeds and registrations. You know you own the property but the county registrar does not.
The absence of a name in a deed book can usually be remedied with supporting documentation. But there is one book of names that, once it is opened by God, cannot be changed. And that is the Lamb's Book of Life (Revelation 21:27). In that book are the names of all who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. For Jesus to say, "I never knew you; depart from Me" will be the saddest words anyone could ever hear. The only thing that could be as bad would be for a Christian to hear those words spoken to a person he had the opportunity to influence toward a decision for Christ. What will Jesus say to such a person?
If you know someone to whom Jesus will one day say, "I never knew you," tell that person how to avoid that sad day.
Every single believer is a God-ordained agent of evangelism.
R. B. Kuiper
And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness."
Matthew 7:23
Recommended Reading
Revelation 20:11-15
Suppose you had been living on a piece of property for twenty years and you decided to sell. When it was time to have an updated survey of the property prepared, the surveyor gave you bad news: You are not the registered owner of your property! Somehow, your name was never entered in the county's book of deeds and registrations. You know you own the property but the county registrar does not.
The absence of a name in a deed book can usually be remedied with supporting documentation. But there is one book of names that, once it is opened by God, cannot be changed. And that is the Lamb's Book of Life (Revelation 21:27). In that book are the names of all who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. For Jesus to say, "I never knew you; depart from Me" will be the saddest words anyone could ever hear. The only thing that could be as bad would be for a Christian to hear those words spoken to a person he had the opportunity to influence toward a decision for Christ. What will Jesus say to such a person?
If you know someone to whom Jesus will one day say, "I never knew you," tell that person how to avoid that sad day.
Every single believer is a God-ordained agent of evangelism.
R. B. Kuiper
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Abundant life
BIBLE MEDITATION:
1 Peter 1:3 - “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Abundant life is God’s plan for you. In fact, it's God's plan for all of us as Christians. The Lord Jesus Christ promised us, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Now, what is abundant life? It is life where all of your needs are met. But more than that, abundant life is where you have enough to bless others. Not only do you receive a blessing, but you are a blessing. The abundant life that Jesus promised is not just life out yonder “in the sweet by and by.” It is abundant life right now in the nasty now and now. Every day in every way we are to be having victory in and through the Lord Jesus Christ.
ACTION POINT:
Who in your life is not experiencing the abundant life? Your mother? Your husband? Your best friend? Take time out today to encourage them with this promise in 1 Peter.
1 Peter 1:3 - “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Abundant life is God’s plan for you. In fact, it's God's plan for all of us as Christians. The Lord Jesus Christ promised us, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Now, what is abundant life? It is life where all of your needs are met. But more than that, abundant life is where you have enough to bless others. Not only do you receive a blessing, but you are a blessing. The abundant life that Jesus promised is not just life out yonder “in the sweet by and by.” It is abundant life right now in the nasty now and now. Every day in every way we are to be having victory in and through the Lord Jesus Christ.
ACTION POINT:
Who in your life is not experiencing the abundant life? Your mother? Your husband? Your best friend? Take time out today to encourage them with this promise in 1 Peter.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Good thing Christians won't be on earth during the Tribulation.
They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
Revelation 9:4
Recommended Reading
Revelation 13:16-17
Things that no one needed permission for years ago--entering or leaving the country, taking money out of the country, building a structure on one's own property--these and other things now require permission from authorities. Arguments can be made pro and con for any of these regulations, but the big picture is more important: Today's regulations are setting the stage for life-or-death regulations to come.
The Bible says that during the Tribulation the Antichrist will require every human on earth to receive a physical mark on his or her body, without which it will be impossible to buy or sell. One's ability to purchase food will depend on having "the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name" (Revelation 13:17). But there is another mark that some will have: the seal of God on their foreheads. These will be protected from the judgments God sends upon the earth, upon those who have the mark of the beast.
Experience the seal of the Spirit in your heart and live through faith in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:22).
Faith is the identifying mark of the Christian.
Ronald Dunn
Revelation 9:4
Recommended Reading
Revelation 13:16-17
Things that no one needed permission for years ago--entering or leaving the country, taking money out of the country, building a structure on one's own property--these and other things now require permission from authorities. Arguments can be made pro and con for any of these regulations, but the big picture is more important: Today's regulations are setting the stage for life-or-death regulations to come.
The Bible says that during the Tribulation the Antichrist will require every human on earth to receive a physical mark on his or her body, without which it will be impossible to buy or sell. One's ability to purchase food will depend on having "the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name" (Revelation 13:17). But there is another mark that some will have: the seal of God on their foreheads. These will be protected from the judgments God sends upon the earth, upon those who have the mark of the beast.
Experience the seal of the Spirit in your heart and live through faith in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:22).
Faith is the identifying mark of the Christian.
Ronald Dunn
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Are you comfortable in a strange land ?
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Peter 5:8
Recommended Reading
1 Peter 1:13-16
Most people have heard the "boiling frog" metaphor: Drop a frog in a pot of boiling water and it will frantically try to climb out. But place the frog in a pot of room-temperature water, then slowly heat the water, and the frog will get used to the change in temperature and slowly succumb to the boiling water. While factually incorrect, the metaphor is useful for pointing out the danger of complacency and inattention.
This metaphor could well be used to warn residents of planet earth about the slow rise to power of the one the Bible calls the Antichrist. Seen first as a savior by brokering peace between Israel and her enemies, this Man of Sin will ultimately consolidate world power and authority by threatening to punish those who do not acquiesce to his demands. By the time he is established on the world stage, it will be too late. Jesus spoke often of signs of the times (Matthew 16:3; 24:3; Mark 13:28). It behooves us to be alert and watchful as God's end-time plans take shape.
The best way to avoid the terrible reign of the Antichrist is to be absent from earth, safely at home with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
A wandering heart needs a watchful eye.
Thomas Watson
1 Peter 5:8
Recommended Reading
1 Peter 1:13-16
Most people have heard the "boiling frog" metaphor: Drop a frog in a pot of boiling water and it will frantically try to climb out. But place the frog in a pot of room-temperature water, then slowly heat the water, and the frog will get used to the change in temperature and slowly succumb to the boiling water. While factually incorrect, the metaphor is useful for pointing out the danger of complacency and inattention.
This metaphor could well be used to warn residents of planet earth about the slow rise to power of the one the Bible calls the Antichrist. Seen first as a savior by brokering peace between Israel and her enemies, this Man of Sin will ultimately consolidate world power and authority by threatening to punish those who do not acquiesce to his demands. By the time he is established on the world stage, it will be too late. Jesus spoke often of signs of the times (Matthew 16:3; 24:3; Mark 13:28). It behooves us to be alert and watchful as God's end-time plans take shape.
The best way to avoid the terrible reign of the Antichrist is to be absent from earth, safely at home with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
A wandering heart needs a watchful eye.
Thomas Watson
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Who is the Trinity ?
Scriptures: Genesis 1:1, Gen. 1:26, Gen. 11:7.
Intro
Q. If you were asked to explain the Trinity… how many of us would be able to do it ? (and that’s when the enemy will attack us, in our moment of either doubt or maybe we might feel it’s just not that important to know ?)
Now, let me first say that I don’t understand all there is to know about God, not sure if there is anyone that does know EVERYTHING about the only one true God.
Yes, I said one true God, because there is only one God, and He is revealed in Three Persons… I heard a preacher that I admire say “when you get to heaven, don’t expect to see three God’s”(which you won’t see three gods and there aren’t three God’s now) and then he went on to say that God the Father is revealed in Jesus Christ, in other words there is no God the Father/God the Son/God the Holy Spirit, (this is usually called the oneness doctrine), but this doctrine is not accurate….as we will see, because God the Father is not God the Son and God the Son is not God the Holy Spirit !
But let us submerge ourselves in the Scriptures and see what God’s Word says, shall we ? (that’s always worked for me.)
This topic is what the Lord has put on my heart….Because, there are many cults out there, and they are strongly against the doctrine of the Trinity…
So let’s start with the plurality of the Godhead, ok ?
Genesis 1:1
I.
The word God used in Genesis 1:1 in the original language is ĕlôhı̂ym / el-o-heem'/ אלהים
This is the plural name of God, in Hebrew.
The plurality of persons in the Godhead is: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. If you listening say amen. (One God, revealed in three persons) Not three Gods revealed in One person.
(This name was Used in the Old Testament about 2500 times.)
There are at least two times when this name of God was used in the Scriptures, in these two verses, we will see the Trinity…
Like in Gen 1:26: And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: (this is the first talk about man, first discussed in Scripture)
(at the Tower of Babel)
Also another was: Gen 11:7: let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. (this is the arrogance of man wanting to do things our own way, not much has changed since then…)
And that’s when God first changed the language of man, at one time we all spoke the same language.
God the Father
Now, in the Trinity we first have God the Father.
The Scripture where God the Father is actually described of is here in the Book of Daniel Chap. 7 v. 9:
Dan 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
(But wait…isn’t Jesus described similar like this in the Book of Revelation ?)
Well let’s see….
Rev 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
Rev 1:14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
(so in Revelation, this is speaking of Christ, however in the Book of Daniel, this is God the Father spoken of here, let’s continue.)
(Now, we will see if the oneness doctrine has any weight to it. And we will see if Jesus is also God the Father.)
(Now let’s go back and look at Daniel Chapter 7)
Dan 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
Dan 7:14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
(So as we can see, this description of these are two separate persons, one person is the Ancient of days (God the Father), and the second person is the Son of man (Christ), and we know that there is one that has the Title of the Son of man/ the Man Christ Jesus…) ok, so we see from Scripture that Christ is Christ and the Father is the Father, two separate person’s….
Now, do we pray to God the Father/God the Son or God the Holy Spirit ? and the answer is yes…. Because the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit is God .
But Jesus told His disciples: In Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Now, Jesus does tell us to pray to God the Father. However, because the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit is God, it is perfectly alright to pray to either the Holy Spirit,the Son or the Father.
God the Holy Spirit
Now Who is the Holy Spirit ?
The Holy Spirit is God/the third Person in the Trinity, but what does Scripture say…
Well in Psalms 51:11 (David) says: Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
(Before Christ died and was raised from the dead and went to glory, the Holy Spirit came upon men in the O.T./ But now we know that the Holy Spirit comes in to live within the Believer in Christ….)
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
(This is a verse that really helped me know for a fact that when I got saved, I received the Holy Spirit and was sealed.)
(When I first got saved we were going to a Pentecostal church and some of the teaching was that you had to pray and wait on the Holy Spirit and the evidence was that you spoke in tongues)
And actually a missionary/evangelist told me that you might have a piece of the Holy Spirit, but not all of the Holy Spirit…..
And that you don’t get the full Holy Spirit when you first accept Jesus.
So when I studied the Scriptures I realized, that was not accurate teaching…
(2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. )……amen ?
Q. Another question that came to me is, does the Holy Spirit leave you ? or can you lose your salvation ?
Well, let’s look at what Scripture says:
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
(We see here that the Holy Spirit seal’s you until the day when Christ comes for his purchased possession/ the day of redemption.)
Also we see that the Holy Spirit can be grieved, because He first of all is a Person and that He lives within the believer…
Q. Now is the Holy Spirit- God ?
Always go to the Scripture, and we must, know when each Scripture needs to be applied at the right time..
1Thessalonians 4:8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
Act 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Act 5:4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
God the Son
Is Jesus really the Son of God ?
Well, the short answer is yes ! but because the Son of God has many enemies, let’s go to the Scripture’s…..
I saved the Son of God last because He is the target since He came to earth ….the prophecies point to the Lord Jesus the Christ…..
Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
As we just read, Matthew 3:16 was about the Spirit of God, well now the Father is speaking,at least we know that John the Baptist heard this…. So we see that God the Father says who Jesus is.
There are Many other religions that doesn’t believe that Jesus is God, like Muslims they say, that God doesn’t have any children…and the Witness’ say that Jesus is not God, and then we have the Mormons that say, Jesus is the half brother of Satan….
So we MUST (someone say must) be able to defend our faith to the non-believers, amen ?
1Pe 3:15 says: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every everyone that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
But did anyone else know that Jesus is the Christ ?
Well, let’s ask someone who was with Christ for some 3 ½ yrs
2Pe 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, (listen to this) but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
2Pe 1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
2Pe 1:18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
We have so far have God the Father who called Jesus His Son, the apostle who witnessed this on another occasion.
But, someone told me that Jesus never called Himself God… (what do you say to that, if someone asked you that ?)
Well, did Jesus actually call Himself God or the Son of God ?
Let’s go to the Word:
John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
John 8:59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid.
( The reason the Jews wanted to stone Jesus is because when He said I am, He was saying, the name of God (Exodus_3:14); it speaks of his self-existence; he does not say, I was, but I am, for he is the first and the last, like in (Rev. 1:8); thus he was not only before Abraham, but before all persons that were created, because Christ had no beginning ! like in: John_1:1...
let’s look at some more Scriptures
(woman in Samaria with mulitiple husbands)
John 4:25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
John 4:26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
(this is the man born blind)
John 9:35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
John 9:36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
John 9:37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.
John 9:38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
Someone else spoke of Christ: John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Now, only God is to be worshipped, not even angels (like John in the Book of Revelation tried to do and the angel said, don’t do it, I am also a worshipper of God.
And when someone tried to accept worship… listen to what happened to this guy..
Act 12:22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
Act 12:23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
And last one, who else said that Jesus is Lord ?
You and not just you, but every soul will, either willing or with no choice !!!
(listen)
Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
So saints even though the actual word Trinity isn’t in the Scripture’s, it’s still the same /concept/idea, which is:
As we see in Scripture God is revealed in three Person’s….
God the Father/ God the Son/ God the Holy Spirit.
So we must not let noone tell us any different of who God is, there is One God, revealed in three Person’s….amen ?
Intro
Q. If you were asked to explain the Trinity… how many of us would be able to do it ? (and that’s when the enemy will attack us, in our moment of either doubt or maybe we might feel it’s just not that important to know ?)
Now, let me first say that I don’t understand all there is to know about God, not sure if there is anyone that does know EVERYTHING about the only one true God.
Yes, I said one true God, because there is only one God, and He is revealed in Three Persons… I heard a preacher that I admire say “when you get to heaven, don’t expect to see three God’s”(which you won’t see three gods and there aren’t three God’s now) and then he went on to say that God the Father is revealed in Jesus Christ, in other words there is no God the Father/God the Son/God the Holy Spirit, (this is usually called the oneness doctrine), but this doctrine is not accurate….as we will see, because God the Father is not God the Son and God the Son is not God the Holy Spirit !
But let us submerge ourselves in the Scriptures and see what God’s Word says, shall we ? (that’s always worked for me.)
This topic is what the Lord has put on my heart….Because, there are many cults out there, and they are strongly against the doctrine of the Trinity…
So let’s start with the plurality of the Godhead, ok ?
Genesis 1:1
I.
The word God used in Genesis 1:1 in the original language is ĕlôhı̂ym / el-o-heem'/ אלהים
This is the plural name of God, in Hebrew.
The plurality of persons in the Godhead is: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. If you listening say amen. (One God, revealed in three persons) Not three Gods revealed in One person.
(This name was Used in the Old Testament about 2500 times.)
There are at least two times when this name of God was used in the Scriptures, in these two verses, we will see the Trinity…
Like in Gen 1:26: And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: (this is the first talk about man, first discussed in Scripture)
(at the Tower of Babel)
Also another was: Gen 11:7: let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. (this is the arrogance of man wanting to do things our own way, not much has changed since then…)
And that’s when God first changed the language of man, at one time we all spoke the same language.
God the Father
Now, in the Trinity we first have God the Father.
The Scripture where God the Father is actually described of is here in the Book of Daniel Chap. 7 v. 9:
Dan 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
(But wait…isn’t Jesus described similar like this in the Book of Revelation ?)
Well let’s see….
Rev 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
Rev 1:14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
(so in Revelation, this is speaking of Christ, however in the Book of Daniel, this is God the Father spoken of here, let’s continue.)
(Now, we will see if the oneness doctrine has any weight to it. And we will see if Jesus is also God the Father.)
(Now let’s go back and look at Daniel Chapter 7)
Dan 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
Dan 7:14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
(So as we can see, this description of these are two separate persons, one person is the Ancient of days (God the Father), and the second person is the Son of man (Christ), and we know that there is one that has the Title of the Son of man/ the Man Christ Jesus…) ok, so we see from Scripture that Christ is Christ and the Father is the Father, two separate person’s….
Now, do we pray to God the Father/God the Son or God the Holy Spirit ? and the answer is yes…. Because the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit is God .
But Jesus told His disciples: In Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Now, Jesus does tell us to pray to God the Father. However, because the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit is God, it is perfectly alright to pray to either the Holy Spirit,the Son or the Father.
God the Holy Spirit
Now Who is the Holy Spirit ?
The Holy Spirit is God/the third Person in the Trinity, but what does Scripture say…
Well in Psalms 51:11 (David) says: Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
(Before Christ died and was raised from the dead and went to glory, the Holy Spirit came upon men in the O.T./ But now we know that the Holy Spirit comes in to live within the Believer in Christ….)
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
(This is a verse that really helped me know for a fact that when I got saved, I received the Holy Spirit and was sealed.)
(When I first got saved we were going to a Pentecostal church and some of the teaching was that you had to pray and wait on the Holy Spirit and the evidence was that you spoke in tongues)
And actually a missionary/evangelist told me that you might have a piece of the Holy Spirit, but not all of the Holy Spirit…..
And that you don’t get the full Holy Spirit when you first accept Jesus.
So when I studied the Scriptures I realized, that was not accurate teaching…
(2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. )……amen ?
Q. Another question that came to me is, does the Holy Spirit leave you ? or can you lose your salvation ?
Well, let’s look at what Scripture says:
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
(We see here that the Holy Spirit seal’s you until the day when Christ comes for his purchased possession/ the day of redemption.)
Also we see that the Holy Spirit can be grieved, because He first of all is a Person and that He lives within the believer…
Q. Now is the Holy Spirit- God ?
Always go to the Scripture, and we must, know when each Scripture needs to be applied at the right time..
1Thessalonians 4:8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
Act 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Act 5:4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
God the Son
Is Jesus really the Son of God ?
Well, the short answer is yes ! but because the Son of God has many enemies, let’s go to the Scripture’s…..
I saved the Son of God last because He is the target since He came to earth ….the prophecies point to the Lord Jesus the Christ…..
Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
As we just read, Matthew 3:16 was about the Spirit of God, well now the Father is speaking,at least we know that John the Baptist heard this…. So we see that God the Father says who Jesus is.
There are Many other religions that doesn’t believe that Jesus is God, like Muslims they say, that God doesn’t have any children…and the Witness’ say that Jesus is not God, and then we have the Mormons that say, Jesus is the half brother of Satan….
So we MUST (someone say must) be able to defend our faith to the non-believers, amen ?
1Pe 3:15 says: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every everyone that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
But did anyone else know that Jesus is the Christ ?
Well, let’s ask someone who was with Christ for some 3 ½ yrs
2Pe 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, (listen to this) but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
2Pe 1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
2Pe 1:18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
We have so far have God the Father who called Jesus His Son, the apostle who witnessed this on another occasion.
But, someone told me that Jesus never called Himself God… (what do you say to that, if someone asked you that ?)
Well, did Jesus actually call Himself God or the Son of God ?
Let’s go to the Word:
John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
John 8:59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid.
( The reason the Jews wanted to stone Jesus is because when He said I am, He was saying, the name of God (Exodus_3:14); it speaks of his self-existence; he does not say, I was, but I am, for he is the first and the last, like in (Rev. 1:8); thus he was not only before Abraham, but before all persons that were created, because Christ had no beginning ! like in: John_1:1...
let’s look at some more Scriptures
(woman in Samaria with mulitiple husbands)
John 4:25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
John 4:26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
(this is the man born blind)
John 9:35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
John 9:36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
John 9:37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.
John 9:38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
Someone else spoke of Christ: John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Now, only God is to be worshipped, not even angels (like John in the Book of Revelation tried to do and the angel said, don’t do it, I am also a worshipper of God.
And when someone tried to accept worship… listen to what happened to this guy..
Act 12:22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
Act 12:23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
And last one, who else said that Jesus is Lord ?
You and not just you, but every soul will, either willing or with no choice !!!
(listen)
Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
So saints even though the actual word Trinity isn’t in the Scripture’s, it’s still the same /concept/idea, which is:
As we see in Scripture God is revealed in three Person’s….
God the Father/ God the Son/ God the Holy Spirit.
So we must not let noone tell us any different of who God is, there is One God, revealed in three Person’s….amen ?
Glass Hives
There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.
Hebrews 4:13
Recommended Reading
2 Chronicles 16:7-9
One of the best ways to teach children the genius of God's creation is with an observation hive--a glassed-in colony of bees, all organized, busy, and productive. Each bee (with a brain the size of a grass seed) works with the others as wax producer, comb builder, honey maker, floral pollinator, military guard, and hive custodian. Observant children can even detect the bees' communication patterns with the "bee dance."
Perhaps you've seen a glass hive at a country fair or science exhibition. The queen bee, worker bees, drones, and offspring bustle about, unaware that observant eyes are watching their every move. Their hive, being glass, is open and revealed to all who see it.
In the same way, the Lord looks down on our world. He sees all our actions, hears all our words, and knows all our thoughts. "A man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and He examines all his paths" (Proverbs 5:21, NIV). Remember that the Lord is watching you today. May the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing in His sight (Psalm 19:14).
I trust in God wherever I may be upon the land or on the rolling sea; for come what may, from day to day, My heavenly Father watches over me.
W. C. Martin
Hebrews 4:13
Recommended Reading
2 Chronicles 16:7-9
One of the best ways to teach children the genius of God's creation is with an observation hive--a glassed-in colony of bees, all organized, busy, and productive. Each bee (with a brain the size of a grass seed) works with the others as wax producer, comb builder, honey maker, floral pollinator, military guard, and hive custodian. Observant children can even detect the bees' communication patterns with the "bee dance."
Perhaps you've seen a glass hive at a country fair or science exhibition. The queen bee, worker bees, drones, and offspring bustle about, unaware that observant eyes are watching their every move. Their hive, being glass, is open and revealed to all who see it.
In the same way, the Lord looks down on our world. He sees all our actions, hears all our words, and knows all our thoughts. "A man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and He examines all his paths" (Proverbs 5:21, NIV). Remember that the Lord is watching you today. May the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing in His sight (Psalm 19:14).
I trust in God wherever I may be upon the land or on the rolling sea; for come what may, from day to day, My heavenly Father watches over me.
W. C. Martin
Monday, April 5, 2010
Kings and Kingdoms: David
"For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption."
Acts 13:36
Recommended Reading
2 Samuel 7:8-9
It's human nature for us to focus, most of the time, on the wrong thing. If we're not regretting the past (wrong), we're worrying about the future (also wrong)--"wrong" in the sense that they divert our attention from the one thing that is most important: the present. Our focus should be on discerning and obeying God's will for us today rather than how we wish the past or the future might be different.
King David was, in the eyes of those who came after him, a man who recognized what God had called him to do during his lifetime: the two most important were being the king of Israel and building God a "house" (the temple, completed by David's son, Solomon). David's focus was on serving "his own generation" according to the will of God (Acts 13:36). And that's what we should do as well. The past is irretrievable and unchangeable. The future we can plan for but cannot control. The present, however, is what God has given us today.
Like David, our focus should be on God's will for today. The more each "today" is lived obediently, the fewer regrets about the past we will have in the future.
To obey God's will is to find the fulfillment of our lives.
Acts 13:36
Recommended Reading
2 Samuel 7:8-9
It's human nature for us to focus, most of the time, on the wrong thing. If we're not regretting the past (wrong), we're worrying about the future (also wrong)--"wrong" in the sense that they divert our attention from the one thing that is most important: the present. Our focus should be on discerning and obeying God's will for us today rather than how we wish the past or the future might be different.
King David was, in the eyes of those who came after him, a man who recognized what God had called him to do during his lifetime: the two most important were being the king of Israel and building God a "house" (the temple, completed by David's son, Solomon). David's focus was on serving "his own generation" according to the will of God (Acts 13:36). And that's what we should do as well. The past is irretrievable and unchangeable. The future we can plan for but cannot control. The present, however, is what God has given us today.
Like David, our focus should be on God's will for today. The more each "today" is lived obediently, the fewer regrets about the past we will have in the future.
To obey God's will is to find the fulfillment of our lives.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Who was St. Patrick ?
Little is known of Patrick's early life, though it is known that he was born in Roman Britain in the fifth century, into a wealthy Romano-British family. His father and grandfather were deacons in the Church. At the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken captive to Ireland as a slave.[1] It is believed he was held somewhere on the west coast of Ireland, possibly Mayo, but the exact location is unknown. According to his Confession, he was told by God in a dream to flee from captivity to the coast, where he would board a ship and return to Britain. Upon returning, he quickly joined the Church in Auxerre in Gaul and studied to be a priest.
In 432, he again says that he was called back to Ireland, though as a bishop, to save the Irish, and indeed he was successful at this, focusing on converting royalty and aristocracy as well as the poor. Irish folklore tells that one of his teaching methods included using the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) to the Irish people. After nearly thirty years of teaching and spreading God's Word he died on 17 March, 461 AD, and was buried at Downpatrick, so tradition says. Although there were other more successful missions to Ireland from Rome, Patrick endured as the principal champion of Irish Christianity and is held in esteem in the Irish Church.
In 432, he again says that he was called back to Ireland, though as a bishop, to save the Irish, and indeed he was successful at this, focusing on converting royalty and aristocracy as well as the poor. Irish folklore tells that one of his teaching methods included using the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) to the Irish people. After nearly thirty years of teaching and spreading God's Word he died on 17 March, 461 AD, and was buried at Downpatrick, so tradition says. Although there were other more successful missions to Ireland from Rome, Patrick endured as the principal champion of Irish Christianity and is held in esteem in the Irish Church.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
We are free from the law
The Law of Life in Christ
Devotional thought from the messages of Adrian Rogers
BIBLE MEDITATION:
Romans 8:2 - “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
I’ve always found airplane flight amazing. Planes are so heavy, yet they fly! The pilot gets behind the controls, moves the throttle, those great engines begin to roar, and the first thing you know, you’re flying. Has the law of gravity been canceled? No, but there’s another law that comes into effect called the law of aerodynamics, which is greater than the law of gravity. When you get right with God, the law of sin and death is still there, but there’s a new law. It’s the law of life in Christ Jesus that sets you free from the law of sin and death. As long as you abide in Jesus Christ, then you are free from the law of sin and death.
ACTION POINT:
Have you been set free? Then it’s your turn to set another captive free with the Good News. Go out and share this free gift with someone today.
Devotional thought from the messages of Adrian Rogers
BIBLE MEDITATION:
Romans 8:2 - “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
I’ve always found airplane flight amazing. Planes are so heavy, yet they fly! The pilot gets behind the controls, moves the throttle, those great engines begin to roar, and the first thing you know, you’re flying. Has the law of gravity been canceled? No, but there’s another law that comes into effect called the law of aerodynamics, which is greater than the law of gravity. When you get right with God, the law of sin and death is still there, but there’s a new law. It’s the law of life in Christ Jesus that sets you free from the law of sin and death. As long as you abide in Jesus Christ, then you are free from the law of sin and death.
ACTION POINT:
Have you been set free? Then it’s your turn to set another captive free with the Good News. Go out and share this free gift with someone today.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Where is our former God honoring country going now ?
When 7 million Californians cast their vote for marriage as the union of one man and one woman, they thought they had protected marriage once and for all. But the opposition filed a federal lawsuit - the Perry v. Schwarzenegger case - in an attempt to overturn the state's marriage amendment and nullify the votes of the people. If the court rules in favor of the opposition, this could have serious implications for marriage and religious freedom across America.
Let there be no misunderstanding about the fact that God's plan for marriage is under an all-out, full-scale attack by advocates of homosexual behavior and their like-minded supporters in local, state, and federal government. And it is not just marriage that is under attack. Anyone who supports marriage as the union of one man and one woman could become fair game for discrimination and punishment.
Let there be no misunderstanding about the fact that God's plan for marriage is under an all-out, full-scale attack by advocates of homosexual behavior and their like-minded supporters in local, state, and federal government. And it is not just marriage that is under attack. Anyone who supports marriage as the union of one man and one woman could become fair game for discrimination and punishment.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Was there ever any Scientist who believed in God ?
Famous Scientists Who Believed in God
Belief in God
Is belief in the existence of God irrational? These days, many famous scientists are also strong proponents of atheism. However, in the past, and even today, many scientists believe that God exists and is responsible for what we see in nature. This is a small sampling of scientists who contributed to the development of modern science while believing in God. Although many people believe in a "God of the gaps", these scientists, and still others alive today, believe because of the evidence.
Rich Deem
1.Nicholas Copernicus (1473-1543)
Copernicus was the Polish astronomer who put forward the first mathematically based system of planets going around the sun. He attended various European universities, and became a Canon in the Catholic church in 1497. His new system was actually first presented in the Vatican gardens in 1533 before Pope Clement VII who approved, and urged Copernicus to publish it around this time. Copernicus was never under any threat of religious persecution - and was urged to publish both by Catholic Bishop Guise, Cardinal Schonberg, and the Protestant Professor George Rheticus. Copernicus referred sometimes to God in his works, and did not see his system as in conflict with the Bible.
2.Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1627)
Bacon was a philosopher who is known for establishing the scientific method of inquiry based on experimentation and inductive reasoning. In De Interpretatione Naturae Prooemium, Bacon established his goals as being the discovery of truth, service to his country, and service to the church. Although his work was based upon experimentation and reasoning, he rejected atheism as being the result of insufficient depth of philosophy, stating, "It is true, that a little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion; for while the mind of man looketh upon second causes scattered, it may sometimes rest in them, and go no further; but when it beholdeth the chain of them confederate, and linked together, it must needs fly to Providence and Deity." (Of Atheism)
3.Johannes Kepler (1571-1630)
Kepler was a brilliant mathematician and astronomer. He did early work on light, and established the laws of planetary motion about the sun. He also came close to reaching the Newtonian concept of universal gravity - well before Newton was born! His introduction of the idea of force in astronomy changed it radically in a modern direction. Kepler was an extremely sincere and pious Lutheran, whose works on astronomy contain writings about how space and the heavenly bodies represent the Trinity. Kepler suffered no persecution for his open avowal of the sun-centered system, and, indeed, was allowed as a Protestant to stay in Catholic Graz as a Professor (1595-1600) when other Protestants had been expelled!
4.Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)
Galileo is often remembered for his conflict with the Roman Catholic Church. His controversial work on the solar system was published in 1633. It had no proofs of a sun-centered system (Galileo's telescope discoveries did not indicate a moving earth) and his one "proof" based upon the tides was invalid. It ignored the correct elliptical orbits of planets published twenty five years earlier by Kepler. Since his work finished by putting the Pope's favorite argument in the mouth of the simpleton in the dialogue, the Pope (an old friend of Galileo's) was very offended. After the "trial" and being forbidden to teach the sun-centered system, Galileo did his most useful theoretical work, which was on dynamics. Galileo expressly said that the Bible cannot err, and saw his system as an alternate interpretation of the biblical texts.
5.Rene Descartes (1596-1650)
Descartes was a French mathematician, scientist and philosopher who has been called the father of modern philosophy. His school studies made him dissatisfied with previous philosophy: He had a deep religious faith as a Roman Catholic, which he retained to his dying day, along with a resolute, passionate desire to discover the truth. At the age of 24 he had a dream, and felt the vocational call to seek to bring knowledge together in one system of thought. His system began by asking what could be known if all else were doubted - suggesting the famous "I think therefore I am". Actually, it is often forgotten that the next step for Descartes was to establish the near certainty of the existence of God - for only if God both exists and would not want us to be deceived by our experiences - can we trust our senses and logical thought processes. God is, therefore, central to his whole philosophy. What he really wanted to see was that his philosophy be adopted as standard Roman Catholic teaching. Rene Descartes and Francis Bacon (1561-1626) are generally regarded as the key figures in the development of scientific methodology. Both had systems in which God was important, and both seem more devout than the average for their era.
6.Isaac Newton (1642-1727)
In optics, mechanics, and mathematics, Newton was a figure of undisputed genius and innovation. In all his science (including chemistry) he saw mathematics and numbers as central. What is less well known is that he was devoutly religious and saw numbers as involved in understanding God's plan for history from the Bible. He did a considerable work on biblical numerology, and, though aspects of his beliefs were not orthodox, he thought theology was very important. In his system of physics, God is essential to the nature and absoluteness of space. In Principia he stated, "The most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion on an intelligent and powerful Being."
7.Robert Boyle (1791-1867)
One of the founders and key early members of the Royal Society, Boyle gave his name to "Boyle's Law" for gases, and also wrote an important work on chemistry. Encyclopedia Britannica says of him: "By his will he endowed a series of Boyle lectures, or sermons, which still continue, 'for proving the Christian religion against notorious infidels...' As a devout Protestant, Boyle took a special interest in promoting the Christian religion abroad, giving money to translate and publish the New Testament into Irish and Turkish. In 1690 he developed his theological views in The Christian Virtuoso, which he wrote to show that the study of nature was a central religious duty." Boyle wrote against atheists in his day (the notion that atheism is a modern invention is a myth), and was clearly much more devoutly Christian than the average in his era.
8.Michael Faraday (1791-1867)
Michael Faraday was the son of a blacksmith who became one of the greatest scientists of the 19th century. His work on electricity and magnetism not only revolutionized physics, but led to much of our lifestyles today, which depends on them (including computers and telephone lines and, so, web sites). Faraday was a devoutly Christian member of the Sandemanians, which significantly influenced him and strongly affected the way in which he approached and interpreted nature. Originating from Presbyterians, the Sandemanians rejected the idea of state churches, and tried to go back to a New Testament type of Christianity.
9.Gregor Mendel (1822-1884)
Mendel was the first to lay the mathematical foundations of genetics, in what came to be called "Mendelianism". He began his research in 1856 (three years before Darwin published his Origin of Species) in the garden of the Monastery in which he was a monk. Mendel was elected Abbot of his Monastery in 1868. His work remained comparatively unknown until the turn of the century, when a new generation of botanists began finding similar results and "rediscovered" him (though their ideas were not identical to his). An interesting point is that the 1860's was notable for formation of the X-Club, which was dedicated to lessening religious influences and propagating an image of "conflict" between science and religion. One sympathizer was Darwin's cousin Francis Galton, whose scientific interest was in genetics (a proponent of eugenics - selective breeding among humans to "improve" the stock). He was writing how the "priestly mind" was not conducive to science while, at around the same time, an Austrian monk was making the breakthrough in genetics. The rediscovery of the work of Mendel came too late to affect Galton's contribution.
10.William Thomson Kelvin (1824-1907)
Kelvin was foremost among the small group of British scientists who helped to lay the foundations of modern physics. His work covered many areas of physics, and he was said to have more letters after his name than anyone else in the Commonwealth, since he received numerous honorary degrees from European Universities, which recognized the value of his work. He was a very committed Christian, who was certainly more religious than the average for his era. Interestingly, his fellow physicists George Gabriel Stokes (1819-1903) and James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879) were also men of deep Christian commitment, in an era when many were nominal, apathetic, or anti-Christian. The Encyclopedia Britannica says "Maxwell is regarded by most modern physicists as the scientist of the 19th century who had the greatest influence on 20th century physics; he is ranked with Sir Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein for the fundamental nature of his contributions." Lord Kelvin was an Old Earth creationist, who estimated the Earth's age to be somewhere between 20 million and 100 million years, with an upper limit at 500 million years based on cooling rates (a low estimate due to his lack of knowledge about radiogenic heating).
11.Max Planck (1858-1947)
Planck made many contributions to physics, but is best known for quantum theory, which revolutionized our understanding of the atomic and sub-atomic worlds. In his 1937 lecture "Religion and Naturwissenschaft," Planck expressed the view that God is everywhere present, and held that "the holiness of the unintelligible Godhead is conveyed by the holiness of symbols." Atheists, he thought, attach too much importance to what are merely symbols. Planck was a churchwarden from 1920 until his death, and believed in an almighty, all-knowing, beneficent God (though not necessarily a personal one). Both science and religion wage a "tireless battle against skepticism and dogmatism, against unbelief and superstition" with the goal "toward God!"
12.Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
Einstein is probably the best known and most highly revered scientist of the twentieth century, and is associated with major revolutions in our thinking about time, gravity, and the conversion of matter to energy (E=mc2). Although never coming to belief in a personal God, he recognized the impossibility of a non-created universe. The Encyclopedia Britannica says of him: "Firmly denying atheism, Einstein expressed a belief in "Spinoza's God who reveals himself in the harmony of what exists." This actually motivated his interest in science, as he once remarked to a young physicist: "I want to know how God created this world, I am not interested in this or that phenomenon, in the spectrum of this or that element. I want to know His thoughts, the rest are details." Einstein's famous epithet on the "uncertainty principle" was "God does not play dice" - and to him this was a real statement about a God in whom he believed. A famous saying of his was "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind."
Belief in God
Is belief in the existence of God irrational? These days, many famous scientists are also strong proponents of atheism. However, in the past, and even today, many scientists believe that God exists and is responsible for what we see in nature. This is a small sampling of scientists who contributed to the development of modern science while believing in God. Although many people believe in a "God of the gaps", these scientists, and still others alive today, believe because of the evidence.
Rich Deem
1.Nicholas Copernicus (1473-1543)
Copernicus was the Polish astronomer who put forward the first mathematically based system of planets going around the sun. He attended various European universities, and became a Canon in the Catholic church in 1497. His new system was actually first presented in the Vatican gardens in 1533 before Pope Clement VII who approved, and urged Copernicus to publish it around this time. Copernicus was never under any threat of religious persecution - and was urged to publish both by Catholic Bishop Guise, Cardinal Schonberg, and the Protestant Professor George Rheticus. Copernicus referred sometimes to God in his works, and did not see his system as in conflict with the Bible.
2.Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1627)
Bacon was a philosopher who is known for establishing the scientific method of inquiry based on experimentation and inductive reasoning. In De Interpretatione Naturae Prooemium, Bacon established his goals as being the discovery of truth, service to his country, and service to the church. Although his work was based upon experimentation and reasoning, he rejected atheism as being the result of insufficient depth of philosophy, stating, "It is true, that a little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion; for while the mind of man looketh upon second causes scattered, it may sometimes rest in them, and go no further; but when it beholdeth the chain of them confederate, and linked together, it must needs fly to Providence and Deity." (Of Atheism)
3.Johannes Kepler (1571-1630)
Kepler was a brilliant mathematician and astronomer. He did early work on light, and established the laws of planetary motion about the sun. He also came close to reaching the Newtonian concept of universal gravity - well before Newton was born! His introduction of the idea of force in astronomy changed it radically in a modern direction. Kepler was an extremely sincere and pious Lutheran, whose works on astronomy contain writings about how space and the heavenly bodies represent the Trinity. Kepler suffered no persecution for his open avowal of the sun-centered system, and, indeed, was allowed as a Protestant to stay in Catholic Graz as a Professor (1595-1600) when other Protestants had been expelled!
4.Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)
Galileo is often remembered for his conflict with the Roman Catholic Church. His controversial work on the solar system was published in 1633. It had no proofs of a sun-centered system (Galileo's telescope discoveries did not indicate a moving earth) and his one "proof" based upon the tides was invalid. It ignored the correct elliptical orbits of planets published twenty five years earlier by Kepler. Since his work finished by putting the Pope's favorite argument in the mouth of the simpleton in the dialogue, the Pope (an old friend of Galileo's) was very offended. After the "trial" and being forbidden to teach the sun-centered system, Galileo did his most useful theoretical work, which was on dynamics. Galileo expressly said that the Bible cannot err, and saw his system as an alternate interpretation of the biblical texts.
5.Rene Descartes (1596-1650)
Descartes was a French mathematician, scientist and philosopher who has been called the father of modern philosophy. His school studies made him dissatisfied with previous philosophy: He had a deep religious faith as a Roman Catholic, which he retained to his dying day, along with a resolute, passionate desire to discover the truth. At the age of 24 he had a dream, and felt the vocational call to seek to bring knowledge together in one system of thought. His system began by asking what could be known if all else were doubted - suggesting the famous "I think therefore I am". Actually, it is often forgotten that the next step for Descartes was to establish the near certainty of the existence of God - for only if God both exists and would not want us to be deceived by our experiences - can we trust our senses and logical thought processes. God is, therefore, central to his whole philosophy. What he really wanted to see was that his philosophy be adopted as standard Roman Catholic teaching. Rene Descartes and Francis Bacon (1561-1626) are generally regarded as the key figures in the development of scientific methodology. Both had systems in which God was important, and both seem more devout than the average for their era.
6.Isaac Newton (1642-1727)
In optics, mechanics, and mathematics, Newton was a figure of undisputed genius and innovation. In all his science (including chemistry) he saw mathematics and numbers as central. What is less well known is that he was devoutly religious and saw numbers as involved in understanding God's plan for history from the Bible. He did a considerable work on biblical numerology, and, though aspects of his beliefs were not orthodox, he thought theology was very important. In his system of physics, God is essential to the nature and absoluteness of space. In Principia he stated, "The most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion on an intelligent and powerful Being."
7.Robert Boyle (1791-1867)
One of the founders and key early members of the Royal Society, Boyle gave his name to "Boyle's Law" for gases, and also wrote an important work on chemistry. Encyclopedia Britannica says of him: "By his will he endowed a series of Boyle lectures, or sermons, which still continue, 'for proving the Christian religion against notorious infidels...' As a devout Protestant, Boyle took a special interest in promoting the Christian religion abroad, giving money to translate and publish the New Testament into Irish and Turkish. In 1690 he developed his theological views in The Christian Virtuoso, which he wrote to show that the study of nature was a central religious duty." Boyle wrote against atheists in his day (the notion that atheism is a modern invention is a myth), and was clearly much more devoutly Christian than the average in his era.
8.Michael Faraday (1791-1867)
Michael Faraday was the son of a blacksmith who became one of the greatest scientists of the 19th century. His work on electricity and magnetism not only revolutionized physics, but led to much of our lifestyles today, which depends on them (including computers and telephone lines and, so, web sites). Faraday was a devoutly Christian member of the Sandemanians, which significantly influenced him and strongly affected the way in which he approached and interpreted nature. Originating from Presbyterians, the Sandemanians rejected the idea of state churches, and tried to go back to a New Testament type of Christianity.
9.Gregor Mendel (1822-1884)
Mendel was the first to lay the mathematical foundations of genetics, in what came to be called "Mendelianism". He began his research in 1856 (three years before Darwin published his Origin of Species) in the garden of the Monastery in which he was a monk. Mendel was elected Abbot of his Monastery in 1868. His work remained comparatively unknown until the turn of the century, when a new generation of botanists began finding similar results and "rediscovered" him (though their ideas were not identical to his). An interesting point is that the 1860's was notable for formation of the X-Club, which was dedicated to lessening religious influences and propagating an image of "conflict" between science and religion. One sympathizer was Darwin's cousin Francis Galton, whose scientific interest was in genetics (a proponent of eugenics - selective breeding among humans to "improve" the stock). He was writing how the "priestly mind" was not conducive to science while, at around the same time, an Austrian monk was making the breakthrough in genetics. The rediscovery of the work of Mendel came too late to affect Galton's contribution.
10.William Thomson Kelvin (1824-1907)
Kelvin was foremost among the small group of British scientists who helped to lay the foundations of modern physics. His work covered many areas of physics, and he was said to have more letters after his name than anyone else in the Commonwealth, since he received numerous honorary degrees from European Universities, which recognized the value of his work. He was a very committed Christian, who was certainly more religious than the average for his era. Interestingly, his fellow physicists George Gabriel Stokes (1819-1903) and James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879) were also men of deep Christian commitment, in an era when many were nominal, apathetic, or anti-Christian. The Encyclopedia Britannica says "Maxwell is regarded by most modern physicists as the scientist of the 19th century who had the greatest influence on 20th century physics; he is ranked with Sir Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein for the fundamental nature of his contributions." Lord Kelvin was an Old Earth creationist, who estimated the Earth's age to be somewhere between 20 million and 100 million years, with an upper limit at 500 million years based on cooling rates (a low estimate due to his lack of knowledge about radiogenic heating).
11.Max Planck (1858-1947)
Planck made many contributions to physics, but is best known for quantum theory, which revolutionized our understanding of the atomic and sub-atomic worlds. In his 1937 lecture "Religion and Naturwissenschaft," Planck expressed the view that God is everywhere present, and held that "the holiness of the unintelligible Godhead is conveyed by the holiness of symbols." Atheists, he thought, attach too much importance to what are merely symbols. Planck was a churchwarden from 1920 until his death, and believed in an almighty, all-knowing, beneficent God (though not necessarily a personal one). Both science and religion wage a "tireless battle against skepticism and dogmatism, against unbelief and superstition" with the goal "toward God!"
12.Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
Einstein is probably the best known and most highly revered scientist of the twentieth century, and is associated with major revolutions in our thinking about time, gravity, and the conversion of matter to energy (E=mc2). Although never coming to belief in a personal God, he recognized the impossibility of a non-created universe. The Encyclopedia Britannica says of him: "Firmly denying atheism, Einstein expressed a belief in "Spinoza's God who reveals himself in the harmony of what exists." This actually motivated his interest in science, as he once remarked to a young physicist: "I want to know how God created this world, I am not interested in this or that phenomenon, in the spectrum of this or that element. I want to know His thoughts, the rest are details." Einstein's famous epithet on the "uncertainty principle" was "God does not play dice" - and to him this was a real statement about a God in whom he believed. A famous saying of his was "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind."
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Was John Quincy Adams a Christian ?
John Quincy Adams was born in Braintree, now Quincy, Massachusetts, the son of John Adams, the second President of the United States. On March 4th 1825, he was inaugurated as President and served one term. His inaugural address closed with these words:
“Knowing that ‘except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain,’ with fervent supplications for His favor, to His overruling providence I commit, with humble, but fearless confidence, my own fate, and the future destinies of my country.”
Known as a great orator, he was a popular speaker in many places. He owed his influence, not to his manner, presence or pleasing tones, but to the fact that what he said was worth hearing. When it was feared that Christian influence was waning in New England, he prepared a lecture on Truth, which he delivered in many places. The premise was: “A man to be a Christian must believe in God, in the Bible, in the Divinity of the Savior’s mission, and in a future state of rewards and punishments.”
Adapted from American Christian Rulers, Rev. Edward J. Gidding (New York: Bromfield & Company, 1890) pp. 6-13.
See also: The Boston Awakening
“Knowing that ‘except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain,’ with fervent supplications for His favor, to His overruling providence I commit, with humble, but fearless confidence, my own fate, and the future destinies of my country.”
Known as a great orator, he was a popular speaker in many places. He owed his influence, not to his manner, presence or pleasing tones, but to the fact that what he said was worth hearing. When it was feared that Christian influence was waning in New England, he prepared a lecture on Truth, which he delivered in many places. The premise was: “A man to be a Christian must believe in God, in the Bible, in the Divinity of the Savior’s mission, and in a future state of rewards and punishments.”
Adapted from American Christian Rulers, Rev. Edward J. Gidding (New York: Bromfield & Company, 1890) pp. 6-13.
See also: The Boston Awakening
Joy vs. Happiness..
BIBLE MEDITATION:
Philippians 4:4 - “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Happiness comes from outside circumstances. Joy comes from within. It’s cruel to say to people who are in sorrow, “Smile and be happy.” It’s better to come alongside and mourn with them than to try to force the square peg of happiness into a round hole of sorrow. The human life is a life of tragedy, sorrow, heartache, and pain. Yet in every difficulty, you can find joy. Happiness is an outside job. Joy is an inside job.
ACTION POINT:
There is someone in a nursing home who longs for that joy. Find some time this week to bring the joy of the Lord to them.
Philippians 4:4 - “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Happiness comes from outside circumstances. Joy comes from within. It’s cruel to say to people who are in sorrow, “Smile and be happy.” It’s better to come alongside and mourn with them than to try to force the square peg of happiness into a round hole of sorrow. The human life is a life of tragedy, sorrow, heartache, and pain. Yet in every difficulty, you can find joy. Happiness is an outside job. Joy is an inside job.
ACTION POINT:
There is someone in a nursing home who longs for that joy. Find some time this week to bring the joy of the Lord to them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
