The Real Ten Commandments By God’s Holy Word the Bible
11 Mar 2012 Leave a Comment
in Bible Studies, This N That, Thoughts
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God Never Changes-Presented to My Womens Ministry Meeting on 2-20-12
21 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
in Bible Studies Tags: Abraham, Bible, God, Jacob, Jesu, Malachi, Sarah, Satan
Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
There are so many Christians today, in every church that tries to change God to fit them, and their lives, not change their lives to the will of God. We have to keep steadfast in the faith of God doing what He tells us to do, not what makes us comfortable, or we will fall short of His blessings, and fall very short of reaching our goal of living eternally with Him in Heaven.
We first have to accept the fact that God can’t change in his essence. God is the Godhead of everything. He is the being that never changes, unlike mortals. He is a pure, essential, and ethereal spirit who remains everlastingly the same. He never ages, no lines mark his brows, no years weigh his shoulders, he sees ages into the infinite future. He is the Great I Am. His essence didn’t change when He took on the human form, He was still divinity personified, flesh did not become God, nor did God become flesh, they were just united. His essence was the same when He was the babe in the manger, as it was when he hung on the cross dying for a world of sinners, and it’s the same when He hold the keys to death and hell.
He hasn’t changed in his attributes. He is still a powerful God. He is still omnipotent. He still is wise in the way he has planned things from the beginning of time, molding creation out of nothing. He hasn’t lost any wisdom, or skill, although the world seems to think He has, mocking God and what He does, by the way people live, but God will not be mocked, and He will punish those who do not turn form their wicked, evil ways. God is a god of justice, and that has never changed. You do wrong, He has always sent judgments. It’s His way of scolding His children, and punishing his chosen people.
God is the god of truth. He will never change about that. God hates a lie and those who lie will ultimately go to live with the father of lies, if they do no repent. God never changes where goodness is concerned. He loves giving good gifts to His children. As it says in Romans 8:32, “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also feely give us all things?” So you see, God delights in giving to his children, when they obey Him. There was no better gift that God’s Son, Jesus, sent to this world, for our sins. We can never thank Him enough for this priceless gift.
God doesn’t change His plans. When he sets out to accomplish something, it’s going to be done. He may want a certain person to do a job, but that’s when free will comes into play. If that person won’t do the job God asks of them, God will ask someone else. The plans God has may have to be postponed, but God’s plan will not change. He will see them carried out. He will make it happen with or without your help. If you don’t help, you will just miss the blessing God would’ve given you.
God’s promises never changes. If He promises you something, never doubt He will do it. It may not be done in the time you thought it would be done in, but it will be done in God’s time. A perfect example of this is God’s promise to Abraham. He told Abraham he would have a son, and they forced the issue, and Sarah gave Abraham her handmaid to get the son. This is not the way God meant for the promise to be accomplished, and it caused strife. God later told Abraham the son would come from Sarah, and Sarah laughed, because she thought she was too old, and we know how that story ended. We need to take God at His word, not laugh, or doubt what He says, because God can do whatever He says He will do.
One thing that people don’t want to believe about God, and Him never changing is, “All that believe not shall be damned.” This is one thing that is undeniable, if you do not believe on the one and only God in Heaven; you will be damned to Hell. There is not any way to sugar coat this. Everybody today wants to only hear good news today, and the Bible is filled with a lot of good news, but it is also filled with what will happen to those who do not believe the Word of God. Everyone has plenty of opportunity in life to choose who they will serve, whether it is God, or Satan, and those who believe the lies of Satan, when he tells them there is no God, will be damned to spend an eternity with him, and his angels. Everyone has the opportunity to turn their lives over to God and serve Him. All they have to do is believe on Him, and repent of their sins.
The last thing God is unchanging on is the object of His love. The object of God’s love is all that God has called, and that includes you and me, every person who has ever walked this earth. God loves us, and that will never change. He loved us so much; He came to earth in human form, to die for us, just so we could be with Him. That love will never change.
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Be Faithful To Christ
20 Feb 2012 3 Comments
in Bible Studies Tags: Authorized King James Version, Bucket List, Christ, Christian, God, God the Father, Holy Spirit, Jesu
2 John 1:1-13
King James Version (KJV)
2 John 1
1The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
2For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
3Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
5And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
6And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
7For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
9Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
12Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
13The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
What’s in your “Bucket List“? What do you want to do before you die? I only have 3 things I’d like to do before I die, and that’s to visit Australis, Ireland, and Victors, BC. I realize I may never be able to do that, and that’s okay, but they are 3 of the most beautiful places on earth, to me, that I want to see, and always have. But, you see, there is one destination more beautiful, and precious, awaiting me, and I’m not worried about whether I’ll be able to get to got, because I keep that ticket up to date, and that’s my trip to Heaven. That is my ultimate destination on my life’s “Bucket List”. Where does heaven fit on yours? If you stay faithful to Christ, your destination is just as sure as mine.
How many of you would marry your spouse if you didn’t believe what they said when they told you the loved you? Afterall, you have to believe there is a truth to the words they are telling you, and that is backed up by their actions. That’s the same with God, He tells us over, and over, all the times how much He loves us, how much He wants us to be with Him, then He backs it up by showing us, giving us His Son to die for our sins, His Holy Spirit to guide our lives, and a heavenly home waiting for us to look forward to. All we have to do is show Him how much we truly love Him in return, by living for Him, and bringing other lost souls to Him, through witnessing. He wants a loving relationship with us, being able to fellowship with us at any time of the day, or night, all we have to do is open our hearts and minds to Him, and He will guide, and help us along our journey.
There is no way a person can claim to be a Christian, and hate anyone! God is love, period! This is not a cliché! Although we here this said time, and time, again, it still rings true. To say you are a Christian in one breath, and say you hate So-n-So, is contrary to everything God stands for. This is of the devil, and is meant to put strife in the lives of God’s people. God commands His people to love one another. He even tells them to love their enemies. We are to love people who don’t love us. This is living a life like Jesus did. Picture Jesus on the cross. Was He put on the cross by people who love, or hated, Him? Yet, He loved them enough to die for their sins. So, as Gods children, we are to do the same, we are to love everyone, ever those that hate us.
Christians have tobe diligent in their prayer life, and constantly on guard against attacks from the devil. There are many people today trying to force their beliefs, and opinions, down our throats, saying the Bible doesn’t mean what it meant years ago, times have changed, we have to change with it. We have to watch out what we latch on to, because we might find ourselves on the fast track to Hell. The devil disguises himself, and his doctrines in pretty packages, taking away just a word here, adding an action there, and so forth, until the world has you wrapped up in something you can’t get out of. You have to listen to that voice in your head, when it tell you, “I don’t think you should do that!” , or that cold chill that crawls up your back, just before you do something you have a doubt about, because that’s the Holy Spirit telling you to stop. We also have to watch who we hang around with, because our so-called ”friends” can lead us astray, too. Just like an alcoholic trying to quit drinking can’t hang around a bar, a true Christian can’t always hang around sinners, or else they’ll fall into sin’s trap.
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Assurances of the Believer
20 Feb 2012 3 Comments
in Bible Studies Tags: Bible, Christ, First Epistle of John, God, God Son, God the Father, Holy Spirit, Jesu
1 John 5:1-21
King James Version (KJV)
1 John 5
1Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
6This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
7For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
8And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
9If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
10He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
14And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
15And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
16If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
17All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
18We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
19And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
20And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
21Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
As we go into this lesson, think about what assurances you’d want when you decide to purchase a life insurance policy, for example. You want to make sure the company will pay out what it says it will, what the accident clause is to the policy, whether it has a double indemnity, how soon it’s paid out, etc. These are things we look at when we purchase life insurances, but there’s not a better policy around and one you can have with our Heavenly Father! He will give you the best assurance you can look forward to, that no one else can offer, and when He promises something to you, you can depend on Him to keep His word, as you will learn in today’s lesson.
A true Christian will keep God’s commandments. It will be easy and joyful to live a Christian life. Yes, they will stumble along the way, but as long as they look to God for guidance, asking for help and forgiveness when they make a mistake, they will continue to grow stronger in their Christian walk. Looking toward God is looking toward “light”, because He is the “Light”. When you turn away from God, that’s when darkness and sin begin to enter a Christian’s life. Once that happens, God can no longer abide, until the Christian rededicates their lives back to him, and becomes His child again.
We have the assurance of eternal life by reading the Bible, opening up our hearts and minds to God’s word, and His Holy Spirit, waiting for Him to speak to us. We believe, through faith, Jesus came to earth as God’s Son, and died for our sins, arose the third day, and ascended back to Heaven, and now sits on the right hand of God. By reading the Bible, knowing what has happened years before it did in the Bible, through prophecy, and what is prophesied to happen in the future, why not be assured of your eternal life? Everyone has an eternal destination. It’s up to you where you will spend yours, whether it’s in Heaven, or Hell. God has given you the road map to Heaven, which is the Bible, all you have to do is pick it up, and use it. If you need help with directions, just ask.
I love knowing that I can ask God for anything, and He will give it to me, but I also know when I do ask, I ask Him to let it be His will, in His time. I learned from adopting my daughter, things happen in God’s time, not in my time. I had given up on ever having a child, but God made sure I was I the right position, before I could become a mother. I became a mother when I was single, after my first marriage ended in divorce, and my second husband had died. God knew those two would not have been good father material, and he was saving me for my daughter, and my daughter for me, because we were going to need each other. He answered 2 prayers when he gave me my child. Not only a prayer for a child, but I always wanted a little girl, and I got that, too! Now I’m doing all I can to live for God, showing her the way to live a Christian life, and trying to lead my family and all who I meet to the Lord. God a has given me a boldness I didn’t have before, where I will speak out more about my belief in Him, and I pray I’ll get bolder every day.
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Being Children of God
17 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
in Bible Studies Tags: Christ, First Epistle of John, God, Jesu, Lord, Love of God, Sin, Who (pronoun)
1 John 3
1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
4Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
7Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
11For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
12Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
13Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
14We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
15Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
16Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
19And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
20For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
23And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
24And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
What does it mean to you when you think to yourself, “I’m a child of God”? Dor you think of one day going home to live in Heaven for eternity with Jesus? Do you anticipate the robe and crown you will receive one day? Being a child of God starts at the moment of salvation, and it’s what you show the world. How do you portray your life in Christ? How do you show people how to walk the Christian way? Afterall, being children of Gad starts a long time before we get to Heaven!
We, being children of God, are not perfect, we are not pure, we still make mistakes here in this life. This past week I was sick with the flu bug, which weakened my body’s defenses. It also made me miss church a couple of times, which I hated. Missing church will make your christian defenses weak, too, if you’re not careful, and not in tune to the gentle nudge of God speaking to you. I had that experience on Friday morning, about 3:30 am. God was gently waking me up with a phrase, “The Church of Laodicia” over and over again. It took me a while to full wake up, because of meds I’m on, but once I was awake, I read in Revelation 3:14-22 about that church being lukewarm, and start praying to God, if i have become like that church, to help me, shoe me, strengthen me. I’d rather be on fire for God, than lukewarm, or cold. I don’t want to miss my blessing, or be the cause of someone missing theirs. He also said there may be others in church feeling this way, too, and I should include this in the lesson, so this is why I have. It’s too late to grow lukewarm, or cold. Wh have to stay on fire for God, bring other children into the family of God.
It is so easy to tell people who follow Christ versus those who follow the devil. All we have to do is look at a person’s actions. People can say anything, but their actions tell what’s in their hearts. If sin abides in a person’s heart, it will manifest itself in that person’s life. The may try to put on an act, hide who they really are, but the truth will come out at a critical moment, and usually in a public way. A child of God should possess love, and be willing to die for their fellow-man, just as Christ died for us. This is being our brother’s keeper. We should be there for them when they need us, showing them the love of God, just as Christ would.
When we pray to God, always rejoicing, and there is no condemnation from God, then we should lift our head, and hands, higher, pleased to know we have please the Lord with our life, with our work and worship to Him. It is our time to commune with our Father, be in he presence, sharing our love with Him, and His love with us. There is no better feeling when you feel you are being taken on a higher plane, and you are alone with just you and God. That special connection is so special, it makes you light-headed! God loves being able to commune with His children like that, and just like you, wished He could do that all the time. But we know we have Him with us anytime we need to talk, all we have to do is reach out to Him, and He’s there, until one day we are forever changed into His likeness, and be with Him forever.
Living As Christ’s Disciples
17 Feb 2012 4 Comments
in Bible Studies Tags: Christ, Christian, God, Great Commission, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love Not the World, Trinitarian formula
1 John 2:3-29
King James Version (KJV)
3And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
7Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
8Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
9He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
10He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
11But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
12I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.
13I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
14I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
18Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
20But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
21I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
22Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
23Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
24Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
25And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
26These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
27But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
28And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
29If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
Once we become a Christian, we are to go out and witness, trying to bring others into the kingdom of God. Today’s lesson tells us about becoming Christ’s disciples, and one of the things he commands is what we call “The Great Commission“
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
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Fellowship With God
17 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
in Bible Studies Tags: Christ, First Epistle of John, God, God the Father, Jesus, Jesus Christ, John, Sin
1 John 1-2:2
King James Version (KJV)
1 John 1
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
2(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
3That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
5This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1 John 2
1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
It takes different people to make up the body of Christ, and with different people, we will have different styles, tastes, preferences, ways of doing things, etc. Just because we are different, and do things differently, doesn’t mean the way we do things is wrong. The spirit in which we do things determines whether it’s right, or wrong. If you are doing something to please man, or elevate yourself, instead of God, that is wrong, but when you do something for God, then everyone around you can feel God’s presence in what is being done, which will lead to true fellowship with God for everyone. As we go into this lesson, ask yourself, how is your person fellowship with God today? Is it something you need to work on? Dor you still feel a close walk with Him each day, or do you two need to reconnect? If you need to reconnect, there’s no better time than now to call on Him. He’s waiting right where you left Him, waiting to fellowship with you, with open arms!
John wrote about his fellowship with Jesus, everything he saw, and experienced, while Jesus walked the earth, or at least the things he could describe. Can you imagine how it would be to walk side by side, day by day, with Jesus by your side, witnessing His miracles, listening to His teachings, knowing you were in the presence of the Holy Son of God? It must have been awesome to wake up each day, knowing you could open your eyes and talk to Jesus , see his face. Well, guess what! You can! If you are saved, if you have accepted Him as your personal Lord and Savior, you can start each day with Jesus by you side, day by day. You can talk to Him anytime you want to, there is always an open line of communication between you, He will never tell you He’s too busy for you, or you are not important enough. He welcomes the fellowship with you. He is always reaching out to you with loving arms, so we can share the same closeness with Jesus as John sis, because Jesus lives in each of us.
John wants you to truly understand wha the is writing, just like any other author does. What good is there to reading their book if you don’t understand, if you don’t get anything from it? John wants the reader to know he is one with them, and they are one with God, and we should all strive to fellowship one with another. Explaining the light and darkness is like saying oil and water don’t mix. They will always separate. If you have light in a room, the darkness is dispelled, once the light is turned off, the darkness comes back. Just like God and sin. Both can not exist in one person. If God is in a person’s heart, the person will not sin, but if sin is there, and the person doesn’t address the sin, asking forgiveness, God will surely leave. God will not share a heart where sin abides. Once sin has left, though, this leaves the door open to fellowship with God, again.
Who among us is perfect? I know of no one who walks the earth that is perfect. I know we joke about that, at times, saying we’re perfect, and some people truly belive they are, but they aren’t. There was only one man who ever walk the earth what was perfect, and that was Jesus Christ. He had plenty of chances to fall to temptation, but he knew he couldn’t. He knew why he was sent to earth, what he was to do, and be the power and faith in His Father, He resisted all temptations thrown at Him. If He didn’t, we would be forever los. We have to realize as sinners, we are saved by grace through Christ Jesus. We did nothing to deserve salvation, all we have to do is have faith, believe, and accept the gift God offers us, and then we can be cleansed from sin.
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Bible ReadingPlans by Barry Bowen
26 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
When I was in 7th grade, I made a New Year’s Resolution to read the Bible but failed to complete my goal. I made the same resolution two more times before I finished reading the entire Bible in the Today’s English Version.
Since then I have read through the complete Living Bible (a paraphrase) and the Amplified Version. Sometimes reading a different translation allows me to see something I missed previously.
I have found the Online Parallel Bible to be an excellent tool for comparing a verse in different translations.
I use this simple chart (page 1, page 2) to track my Bible readings. After I finish reading a chapter, I mark the corresponding box.
Here are several Bible reading plans:
Discipleship Journal recommends the 5 X 5 X 5 Plan. By reading five minutes a day five days each week someone can read the entire New Testament.
The Whole Bible In A Year involves reading three chapters a day six days a week and five chapters on Sundays.
http://blogs.christianpost.com/time-for-everything/2011/12/bible-reading-plans-21/
2 Timothy 3 (King James Version)
27 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their’s also was.
10But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
We are living in the last days now! The children today are so disrespectful to their parents, it isn’t funny. They will blatantly tell their parents, “No!”, when they are told to do something, not caring how their parents feel, of if what they are about to do will hurt themselves. This is an “it has to happen to me before i believe it” generation. The parents can’t protect their children, no matter how they try. The children today have to find out the hard way, what they are doing is going to hurt them, whether it is physically, mentally, emotionally, or down the road in life.
Most adults are no better, either. The are always going after the short-term pleasures sin has to offer, instead of looking up toward Heaven for their ultimate reward. The devil had people so blinded by all the glitz and glamour of this world, most people go for what’s happening now, not what’s good for them. These small, short-term pleasures in sin, leaves people so empty the next day, no wonder there is so many suicides in the world, depression is on the rise, and marriages crumble. People have totally pushed God out of their lives. God is love, and if you don’t have love, real, true love, you don’t have a life.
I was reading the above scripture in my devotions yesterday mornings, and God spoke to me through the chapter, because I am going through some trials with my 11-year-old daughter. She is at a point in her life where she is trying everything she can to see how far she can push me. This is one time in my life where it is so hard to stay a Christian, but I keep on praying to God to give me strength, because Satan is beating me up, trying to make words come out of my mouth that is not Christ-like, and I keep biting my tongue, walking away, just so I won’t let Satan win. I have prayed so much lately, cried, because I don’t know what to do, but I still know God is with me, and He is giving me strength to get through this. I am not giving up on my daughter, and I am not going to let Satan get her, or win this battle! I have God on my side, and He fights for me. I have place this in his hands. All I ask is, whoever reads this, please, please, say a special prayer for me, because I really need all the prayers I can get. Thank you so much! God Bless You!
Amos 4
24 Nov 2011 1 Comment
Amos 4
1Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.
2The Lord GOD hath sworn by his holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you, that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.
3And ye shall go out at the breaches, every cow at that which is before her; and ye shall cast them into the palace, saith the LORD.
4Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years:
5And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
6And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
7And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.
8So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
9I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
10I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
11I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
12Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.
13For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name.
I surely wish mankind would finally open their eyes, and realize, that the one and true God in Heaven, the creator of all earth, governs all we do, all we have, all we receive. We need to be thankful to Him for all that He has bestowed on us. His love is bountiful and will never cease. We are the ones that have turned out backs on Him, continually, yet He continues to call us into His fold, wanting to share the glories of Heaven with Him. All He asks of us is to worship Him, obey His simple commandments, and we will enter into His kingdom.
How long will He continue to be ignored, before He will finally say, “Enough!”? He shows punishment to us for disobeying Him, but to certain individuals at a time, not everyone at once, just so we may learn from others, but do we?? We are stubborn, things have to happen to us personally before we learn, and that’s if we do. We need to get back on our knees, and pray, rededicate our lives back to God, our Creator, thanking Him for all His blessings in our lives.
