Monday, October 31, 2016
Why did God use Adam's rib to create Eve?
Why did God use Adam's rib to create Eve?: Why did God use Adam's rib to create Eve? Why didn't God create Eve from the dust of the Earth like He did Adam?
Jesus
It seems that our world is really messed up. Corruption in government, violence in the streets, immorality is praised, and people dont know what sex they are. The Bible prophesied things would be really messed up in the last days. I look forward to the return of Jesus. It could be any day, but as believers He expects us to tell the world how He can save them from this mess and our sins. He offers us a much better place that will last forever.
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Enemy
It is a reality that we have an enemy that is prowling around like a lion who would like to harm us. We do not have to be fearful or paranoid about this, but it is helpful to be aware of his opposition. In this promise found in Isaiah, God makes the promise that no weapon that is formed against us by any enemy will prosper. He goes on to say that every tongue that judges us will be condemned. It is encouraging to be reminded that God is on our side and He is fighting for us. No matter what or who opposes us, our Father promises to be with us through every storm and protect us by His great power. This is the heritage of the Lord. This is our birthright! ...To live under the protection of the Most High (Psalm 91).
I realize that this does not mean that we are completely insulated from trials in life. Jesus said in John 16:33 that as long as we are in this world, we will experience trouble. Praise God though that Jesus has overcome the world! When I think of any opposing forces that are against me, whether they are earthly or demonic, I take great comfort in this promise from my Father... No weapon that has been created for my harm will succeed against me! That is my inheritance and it is your inheritance too!
I realize that this does not mean that we are completely insulated from trials in life. Jesus said in John 16:33 that as long as we are in this world, we will experience trouble. Praise God though that Jesus has overcome the world! When I think of any opposing forces that are against me, whether they are earthly or demonic, I take great comfort in this promise from my Father... No weapon that has been created for my harm will succeed against me! That is my inheritance and it is your inheritance too!
Saturday, October 29, 2016
Friday, October 28, 2016
The angel Gabriel – who is he?
The angel Gabriel – who is he?: The angel Gabriel – who is he? What does the Bible say about the angel Gabriel?
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Soul Sleep
“Soul sleep” is a belief that after a person dies, his/her soul “sleeps” until the resurrection and final judgment. The concept of “soul sleep” is not biblical. Sleeping is just a way to describe death because a dead body appears to be asleep. The moment we die, we face the judgment of God (Hebrews 9:27). For believers, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:23). For unbelievers, death means everlasting punishment in hell (Luke 16:22-23).
What is Fundamentalism?
What is Fundamentalism?: What is Fundamentalism? Is Fundamentalism a political movement or a theological position? What are the fundamentals of the Christian faith?
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Our Position in Christ
Our Position in Christ: How can we be in fellowship with Christ one minute and in a squabble the next? How is it possible to switch back and forth between two natures with such ease? Can we truly be a new creation in Christ?
What's in a name? Satan's names and Jesus' power
What's in a name? Satan's names and Jesus' power: Adversary, temptor, destroyer - Satan's names reflect his character as the enemy of God and God's followers. But Jesus' names also reflect His character as our helper, light, and savior.
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Michael the archangel – who is he?
Michael the archangel – who is he?: Michael the archangel – who is he? What does the Bible say about Michael the archangel?
thoughts
BIBLE MEDITATION:
“And HE arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." Mark 4:39
“And HE arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." Mark 4:39
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Remember when JESUS was with HIS disciples on the Sea of Galilee and a storm came upon them? The lightning began to play in the wind. The sea churned. And the gentle winds turned into a cruel gale. The little ship was tossed and turned like a cork. The disciples despaired and said to the LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO was asleep, “Don’t YOU care if we perish? Do something!”
Remember when JESUS was with HIS disciples on the Sea of Galilee and a storm came upon them? The lightning began to play in the wind. The sea churned. And the gentle winds turned into a cruel gale. The little ship was tossed and turned like a cork. The disciples despaired and said to the LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO was asleep, “Don’t YOU care if we perish? Do something!”
And JESUS said, “Peace, be still.”
And the winds ceased and the sea calmed. This world is headed into a storm and the spiritual barometer is dropping. And our world will not know peace until JESUS, the PRINCE of PEACE, comes and says, “Peace, be still.”
Friday, October 21, 2016
Freewill
God has given mankind the free will to obey or disobey him (Col.3:17). This started in the garden of Eden with Adam and Eve and then their children Cain and Abel (Gen.2:17; 4:7). Ultimately people have to desire to change themselves. We can try to influence them for good but we cannot make them change. God and the devil both seek to influence man, in totally opposite directions. God seeks to influence for good and the devil attempts to cause man to sin. The devil appears to be more direct in his appeal to man, while God works through mediums such as the word (cp. Gal. 6: 1; Jn. 6: 44, 45). Also, on the surface, doing evil requires less effort than doing right (cp. Matt. 7: 13, 14).
Thursday, October 20, 2016
The Rephaim – Who were they?
The Rephaim – Who were they?: The Rephaim – Who were they? How does the Bible describe the Rephaim? Did Rephaim really exist?
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
What is the New Apostolic Reformation?
What is the New Apostolic Reformation?: What is the New Apostolic Reformation? Are apostles and prophets supposed to have authority over evangelists, pastors, and teachers in the church today?
Achilles was a demigod and Greek hero of the Trojan War, according to ancient Greek mythology. Achilles was a great warrior, without compare, and the hero and star of Homer's Iliad. Having been dipped as an infant in the sacred waters of the Styx river, he seemed an invincible force. However, Achilles has one spot that was unprotected from the river's enchantments, his heel, whereby he was eventually killed by his enemies. I love the message version of Psalm 91. Its as if, behind the words, I can see God smiling and nodding his head and whispering "its true, Steve; its so true!. From this text, we see that fear has no place in our lives. God guides us and goes before us in order to protect us (Exodus 13:21; Deuteronomy 31:8). He guards us on all sides, covering us from the elements, catching us when we fall (keeping us from falling!), and shielding us from the dangers all around us (Psalm 23; verse 11-13, verse 4). Isaiah also says that God will strengthen us from the inside out (Isaiah 41:10). John Piper, in one of his sermons, uses prepositions to help us truly comprehend the great promises of God's protection. I will use the same to apply to the preceding text: God guides us and goes before us (he is in FRONT of us), God shields us from dangers all about us (he is AROUND, BELOW, and ABOVE us), and he strengthens us and dwells in us (he is INSIDE US). Don't you see it, friend? We HAVE no achilles heel. God guards us on all sides. We are protected because the all-knowing, all-powerful God is OUR protector. read less
Monday, October 17, 2016
Greek fire
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY – On 1st September, 717 AD, the Muslim armada with 1,800 ships was defeated by the Byzantine navy through the use of Greek fire in the Siege of Constantinople. Greek fire, or sea fire, as it was often called, was said to be the secret weapon of the Byzantine Empire. According to the historian Theophanes, it was invented during the 6th century AD by the Greek architect Kallinikos, a former resident of Heliopolis who was residing in Baalbeck. It is described as a liquid chemical mixture that could be ignited and then sprayed or catapulted onto enemy ships. Its effects were devastating because this fluid could not be extinguished with water. In fact, it was said to be able to burn under water. It would cling to all materials and burn the flesh off the body of a man in seconds in a manner very similar to modern day phosphorus weapons. The formula was kept so secret that no one today knows how it was made, nor have scientists been able to recreate it using the ingredients available at the time.
Sunday, October 16, 2016
What is the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming?
What is the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming?: What is the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming? Are the Rapture and the Second Coming different events?
They are referred to as “homo slackass-erectus” created by natural genetic downward evolution through constant spineless posturing and spasmodic upper limb gestures, which new research has shown to cause shorter legs and an inability to ambulate other than in an awkward shuffling gait.
The "drag-crotch" shape also seems to effect brain function. Expect no eye contact or intelligent verbal communication. History shows that this species mostly receives food stamps and full government care.
Unfortunately most are highly fertile.
The "drag-crotch" shape also seems to effect brain function. Expect no eye contact or intelligent verbal communication. History shows that this species mostly receives food stamps and full government care.
Unfortunately most are highly fertile.
Gehenna
Jerusalem’s ancient garbage dump—a place called Gehenna—was illustrative of the ceaseless agonies ofhell. This dump was on the south side of Jerusalem. In Old Testament times, children had been sacrificed to idols there (2 Kings 23:10); in Jesus’ day, it was a place burning with constant fires to consume the waste that was thrown there. The material burned there included everything from household trash to animal carcasses to convicted criminals (Jeremiah 7:31–33). Needless to say, the Jews considered Gehenna a cursed place of impurity and uncleanness. The word translated “hell” inMark 9:43is the Greek wordGehenna, which comes from the Hebrew name for a place called the “Valley of Hinnom.” Jesus uses this place to paint a vivid image of what hell is like. The Jewish people often associated the Valley of Hinnom with spiritual death. InMark 9:48, when Jesus says, “Where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched” (ESV), He is quoting fromIsaiah 66:24: “They will go out and look on the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; the worms that eat them will not die, the fire that burns them will not be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.” In both texts the word translated as “worm” literally means “grub” or “maggot.” A maggot would have an obvious association with a dump like Gehenna where dead bodies are thrown; however, the maggot Christ speaks of “will not die.” Taken at face value, this text is one of the most horrific descriptions of what hell is like. The thought of eternal torment, likened to maggots eating away at a rotting corpse, is undoubtedly ghastly. Hell is so awful that Christ said, figuratively speaking, it’s better to cut off the hand that causes you to sin than to end up in hell (Matthew 5:30). Mark 9:48does not mean that there are literal worms in hell or that there are worms that live forever; rather, Jesus is teaching the fact of unending suffering in hell—the “worm” never stops causing torment. Notice that the worm is personal. BothIsaiah 66:24andMark 9:48use the wordtheirto identify the worm’s owner. The sources of torment are attached each to its own host. Some Bible scholars believe the “worm” refers to a man’sconscience. Those in hell, being completely cut off from God, exist with a nagging, guilty conscience that, like a persistent worm, gnaws away at its victim with a remorse that can never be mitigated. No matter what the wordwormrefers to, the most important thing to be gained from these words of Christ is that we should do everything in our power to escape the horrors of hell, and there is only one thing to that end—receiving Jesus as the Lord of our lives (John 3:16).
Friday, October 14, 2016
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
What does the Bible say about illegal immigration?
What does the Bible say about illegal immigration?: What does the Bible say about illegal immigration? How should Christians view illegal immigrants?
Monday, October 10, 2016
Tounge
Luke 6:45
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths. Ephesians 4:29
Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, Ephesians 5:4
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Colossians 3:8
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. James 3:10
The same mouth that sang praise to God on Sunday, is now taking His name in vain on Monday. The same tongue that said Amen to the sermon on Sunday, is now breaking the commandments on Monday. The same tongue that spoke gently on Sunday is filled with bitterness on Monday. If the only time you see a change in your speech is out of respect for the sanctuary, then maybe you are a respectful sinner, but not a changed one?
#ExamineYourHeart
#ExamineYourHeart
Sunday, October 9, 2016
The Sign of Jonah
The Sign of Jonah: What is the importance of the sign of Jonah? Has God given us a sign that authoritatively bridges the gap between history and faith where Jesus is concerned?
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness
Romans 4:4-5
Paul illustrates this idea with an example. A man who works has earned his wage as an obligation on the employer’s part. The employer pays the worker nothing until the payment has been earned through work, and when the obligation is paid, the employer has no obligation whatsoever to pay anything else. A gift is different, for it is given freely, if it isn’t given freely, then it isn’t a gift. In the same way, grace is not earned by working because if it was it wouldn’t be grace; it would be a payment for services.
Romans 4:4-5
Paul illustrates this idea with an example. A man who works has earned his wage as an obligation on the employer’s part. The employer pays the worker nothing until the payment has been earned through work, and when the obligation is paid, the employer has no obligation whatsoever to pay anything else. A gift is different, for it is given freely, if it isn’t given freely, then it isn’t a gift. In the same way, grace is not earned by working because if it was it wouldn’t be grace; it would be a payment for services.
Friday, October 7, 2016
False teachers
That there is false teaching in the world around us should come as no surprise. Since “the world around us” is generally understood to mean that which is apart from Christ and the community of believers is clear enough, so apart from Him what kind of teaching would we expect to find? The thing that has Jude writing a letter of this sort, is that these false teachers are within the Body of believers, passing themselves off as followers of Christ, while teaching people to rebel against Him.
Jesus died for all our sins
Jesus died for the sins of all Christians past, present and future sins. 1 Peter 2:24 says and He Himself bore our sins in his body on the cross so that we might die to sin and live to rightouness; for by His wounds were ye healed. Every sin you committed you were aware of as well as unaware of has been paid for by the Lord Jesus. God knows every sin you will commit in the future 1 John 3:20. In order for you to be saved every sin that you willl commit has been paid for by Jesus on the cross. 1 Peter 1: 9 says whosoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotton that he was cleansed of his former sins. This means, if a man does not have a sufficient knowledge of God in him, he is blind concerning the kingdom of God. He cannot see heavenly things. 1 Peter 5-8 describes these qualities as virtue, knowledge,self control, steadfastness, godliness with brotherly affection, and love. If these are qualities of yours and are increasing in you they will keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus.
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Pride
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Why would pride bring disgrace?; what is it about pride that could do that? Isn’t a little pride a good thing; don’t they say that you should have pride in what you do?
Maybe that is it, right there: Have pride in what you do.
There is more than one kind of pride, just as there is more than one kind of love. We can be prideful, or we can be proud of the way we do things, and these are quite different. To be proud of our work means that we are pleased to do our work the right way; with quality and integrity. To be prideful on the other hand, is not so good, for in that case, we believe that we are better than other people, that we are more worthy, that we are more privileged, and all too often that the rules do not apply to us. An attitude like this leads a person to trouble.
This is the attitude that cuts corners, makes crooked deals and is willing to cheat others; why not if we are better than they are? This leads to disgrace sooner or later when we are found out.
Humility on the other hand, leads a person in a different direction, for a humble man or woman does not believe they are more worthy or superior to anyone else. They go about their business fairly, openly and with justice before God and Man, and that is wisdom itself.
Why would pride bring disgrace?; what is it about pride that could do that? Isn’t a little pride a good thing; don’t they say that you should have pride in what you do?
Maybe that is it, right there: Have pride in what you do.
There is more than one kind of pride, just as there is more than one kind of love. We can be prideful, or we can be proud of the way we do things, and these are quite different. To be proud of our work means that we are pleased to do our work the right way; with quality and integrity. To be prideful on the other hand, is not so good, for in that case, we believe that we are better than other people, that we are more worthy, that we are more privileged, and all too often that the rules do not apply to us. An attitude like this leads a person to trouble.
This is the attitude that cuts corners, makes crooked deals and is willing to cheat others; why not if we are better than they are? This leads to disgrace sooner or later when we are found out.
Humility on the other hand, leads a person in a different direction, for a humble man or woman does not believe they are more worthy or superior to anyone else. They go about their business fairly, openly and with justice before God and Man, and that is wisdom itself.
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Images
Even though we might justify our actions through reason or logic, if we are violating God’s clear commands, we are sinning against Him, and He will hold us accountable for those sins. God is not to be worshiped with images, because any image we make will draw more attention to the work of our hands than the God who made all things. Also, there is no way we can ever fully represent the holiness and awesomeness of God through an image. To attempt to do so will always fall short. On top of this, God is a spirit (John 4:24), and we cannot form an image of a spirit. We worship God by believing His Word, obeying it, and declaring His greatness to others.
Monday, October 3, 2016
Is there an argument for the existence of God?
Why did God accept Abel's offering but reject Cain's offering? Why did Cain then kill Abel?
Why did God accept Abel's offering but reject Cain's offering? Why did Cain then kill Abel?: Why did God accept Abel's offering but reject Cain's offering? Why did Cain then kill Abel? What can we learn from the account of Cain and Abel?
Sunday, October 2, 2016
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