My Yoke is Easy

‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’ Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

Judaism placed a terrible burden of responsibility on each individual. Jews believe that anyone Jew or gentile, may gain salvation through commitment to the one true God and through moral living. To live morally a Jew had to adhere to the letter of the Law which was quite burdensome.

But Jesus Christ, a Jew Himself, came promising to lift such burdens/yoke from the human heart. Followers of Christ are saved by faith and not by works. So even today He says, ‘Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. … For my yoke is easy and my burden is light’.

Urgent Call to Prayer for Israel

Synopsis of a Letter from Pastor Benny Hinn

Dear ann:
Early in the morning of December 26 the Lord showed me through a dream that the nation of Israel would be involved in a serious military operation in Gaza and that a part of Hamas, the terrorist organization supported by Iran, would be destroyed at the cost of many lives. As I awoke, I was filled with grief for the lives to be lost in this conflict.

To my amazement, on the day after Christmas shortly after waking from my dream, I began hearing and seeing news bulletins about the attacks and airstrikes taking place primarily in Gaza.

Dear saints, we are told in Psalm 122:6 to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem,” ......... Will you join me in the coming days to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem”? Read more....

Inerrant Creational Narrative

Creation accounts in the Bible never function simply to satisfy a childlike curiosity to know “how it all began.” The biblical writers' concern with God as Creator grew out of their knowledge of Him as Redeemer.

The Function of Biblical Creation References
Genesis is a book about beginnings. The centerpiece of the book is God's redemptive activity following the fall of man. God began by calling Abram out of Ur, by entering into a covenant with him, and by making promises to bless him and to bless all the families of the earth through him.

Genesis 1-11 serves as prologue to God's redemptive purpose in calling Abram (Genesis 12:1-3) and to the patriarchal stories (Genesis 12-50). It sets a world stage on which God acted in choosing one man in order to bless all men.

Genesis 1-2 contain two accounts of creation, the order of man's creation coming at the end in the first and at the beginning in the second. God's creation, “good” as it was (Genesis 1:4,Genesis 1:10,Genesis 1:12,Genesis 1:21,Genesis 1:25,Genesis 1:31), soon became bad through human rebellion against God. The accounts of creation in Genesis 1-2 prepare the reader for the record of the first people being placed in the Garden of Eden, temptation by the serpent, rebellion against God, expulsion from the garden, and the degenerating effect of sin in society.

Genesis 1 & 2
After reading the first two chapters of the Bible, some skeptics, in an attempt to disprove the Bible’s inerrancy, have accused the writer of Genesis of erring. They strongly assert that such disharmony by the author of Genesis proves that the Bible is not divinely inspired.

Does Genesis two present a different creation order than Genesis one? Is there a reasonable explanation for the differences between the two chapters? Or is this to be recognized as a genuine contradiction?

The main reason that skeptics do not see harmony in the events recorded in the first two chapters of the Bible is because they fail to realize that Genesis 1 and 2 serve different purposes. Chapter one (including 2:1-4) focuses on the order of the creation events; chapter two (actually 2:5-25) simply provides more detailed information about some of the events mentioned in chapter one. Chapter two never was meant to be a chronological regurgitation of chapter one, but instead serves its own unique purpose—i.e., to develop in detail the more important features of the creation account, especially the creation of man and his surroundings.

As Kenneth Kitchen noted in his book, Ancient Orient and the Old Testament:
Genesis 1 mentions the creation of man as the last of a series, and without any details, whereas in Genesis 2 man is the center of interest and more specific details are given about him and his setting. Failure to recognize the complimentary nature of the subject—distinction between a skeleton outline of all creation on the one hand, and the concentration in detail on man and his immediate environment on the other, borders on obscurantism (1966, p. 117).

Some of the differences in Genesis 1-2 is summarized in the following chart

Genesis 1

1. Chronological Order
2. Outline
3. Creating Animals

Genesis 2

1. Topical Order
2. Details
3. Naming Animals

Heaven Bound

Many world religions believe in some form of reincarnation. However, the concept of reincarnation is anti-biblical and anti-Christian.

2 Corinthians 5.8, Hebrews 9.27-28 and 2 Peter 2.9 are the scripture verses we will use here to refute this false claim of reincarnation or the theory of birth cycles.

Lets see what 2 Corinthians 5.8 has to say. ‘We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.’ Here Paul is saying, he is confident that when he leaves his physical body here on earth he will ‘be at home with the Lord.’ Elsewhere it is said that ‘heaven is the dwelling place of God’. So as a believer and servant of Jesus, Paul was confident that he would be with God immediately after his physical death. (Read 2 Corinthians 5.1-10 for a greater understanding and assurance in this topic.)

Hebrews 9.27-28 gives us clear assurance that there is no reincarnation for believers and non-believers alike. It states, ‘Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.’ (See Hebrews 9.24-28 to read text in context.)

2 Peter 2.9 boldly asserts, ‘if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.’ Here Peter affirms the fact that the godly (righteous ones in Christ) are rescued from any further trials, punishments etc while the unrighteous are already facing punishments while awaiting the final day of judgment when they will be condemned for eternal punishment. (Read 2 Peter 2.4-10 to understand text in context.)

Sons of God & Daughters of Men Equals Nephilims

The Book of Isaiah says that the Nephilim and their descendants will not participate in a resurrection as is the portion of ordinary mortals. Isaiah 26:14 reads: "They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise." The original Hebrew word translated "deceased" here is the word "Rephaim." It would have saved a lot of misinterpretation if the translators had left the word as it was in the original. The verse actually reads:.... to read the full article, click here

Anyone in Heaven?

Salvation or Eternal Life in Jesus Christ is one of the running themes repeated many times over throughout the gospel of John. The verse, ‘No one comes to the Father except through me (Jesus)’ John 14.6b is just one such.

The following verses by Jesus need to be understood in this context.
John 3:13No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.
John 6:46No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father.

Jesus spoke these words before His crucifixion. After His dead, burial, and resurrection, all mankind received the unique privilege to enter Heaven the dwelling place of God provided they met the Father’s only condition –Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord (Jesus) will be saved (Romans 10.13).

We use the words ‘saved’ and ‘salvation’ to mean Eternal Life in Jesus Christ. The Words, ‘Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me;( John 14.11a)’ helps us understand that if one is in Jesus Christ then one is in the Father too, and so has Eternal Life. (the Father is the source of all Life)

God is Just and He judges people according to His Word. Before Christ’s death according to Hebrews 11 people were declared righteous by faith. After Christ’s death and resurrection people are still being declared righteous by faith.

Another understanding of the verse ‘No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father’ is based on the word meaning of the original word used to express the word ‘seen’.

1 Corinthians 13.12 says, ‘Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” The knowledge of God the Father is beyond the realm of human mind.

In conclusion we can safely say that no one alive has seen the Father the way Jesus sees and knows Him. During our time on earth we see Him through the ministry of Jesus but limited by the immaturity of our soul. In Eternity, if our name is in the Book of Life, we will ‘see’ the Father as He is seen by Jesus Christ - perfectly. What a blessed privilege.

{There is no evidence in the Bible for the belief that after death the souls are in a state of suspension, in purgatory, etc etc. These theories have their origin in the belief that man is justified not only by faith in Christ but also by ones good deeds and by observing the sacraments prescribed by the church.}

Bow Down and Worship Him

“They saw the child and his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him” Matthew 2:11

Do you worship God with your words and actions? Do you worship Him with your heart?

Who are you praying for to give their heart to Jesus? Keep praying for him. The Bible tells us that when we pray according to God’s will, He will answer. Soon the person WILL worship the Lord with his whole heart.

Father, there are thousands of people who have heard the Christmas story and have not yet begun to worship You. Father, we pray that this year, You would open the eyes and hearts of those we have been praying for. We pray that they would become true worshippers of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Person and Work of Christ - Part 1

Christ is the backbone of Christianity. So let us explore the issues concerning Jesus Christ – who he is and what he did.

• Who is Jesus? A man? God? Someone uniquely different?
• What did he do? Taught us how to live? Died for our sins? Both?

Jesus – God or Great Teacher
The Bible clearly teaches us that Jesus Christ is God. John 1.1 refers to Jesus as the Word (Logos) and tells us that ‘in the beginning was the Word … and the Word was God’. John 1.14 affirms that ‘the Word (God) became flesh and made his dwelling among us.’

Jesus himself testifies about himself on several occasions. In John 10.30 He claimed to be equal with God, ‘I and the Father are one’. John 14.9 records Jesus words thus, ‘..anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.’

Jesus referred to himself as God in John 8.58 ‘ I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I Am!’ The teachers of the Law understood well that He was claiming to be the God of Israel and so tried to kill him. Before his arrest, on the night of the Last Supper, Jesus told his disciples, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well.’ John 14.6

After appearing to Thomas who doubted him, Jesus makes a profound statement, ‘……; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’.

Birth of Jesus
Atheist and skeptics scoff at Mary’s virgin birth while others object to the doctrine of virgin birth on the grounds that it is similar to other pagan legends of heroes who were half god, half man. In the pagan stories of this kind, there is gross physical cohabitation of a god with a human being. Mary is simply informed that the Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. (Luke 1.35) There is no suggestion that Jesus is half man and half God.

According to Theologian Wayne Grudem, “God in His wisdom, ordained a combination of human and divine influence in the birth of Christ, so that His full humanity would be evident to us from the fact of His ordinary human birth from a human mother, and His full deity would be evident from the fact of his conception in Mary’s womb by the powerful work of the Holy Spirit.’

Setting a Plumb Line

If you enjoyed my previous post 'Christianity in Pieces', come join me as I explore the differnces and similarities in teachings of the various branches of Christianity.

In the next few days we will attempt to understand how the simple gospel taught in the New Testement could lead to the development of varied viewpoints that call themselves Christian but are unable to agree, often on crucial issues. Why do these conflicting issues exist to this day? Can they be resolved?

Biblical Christians approach the Bible with reverence and respect, for they believe it is true, authorative and contains God's very words.

We begin our journey by identifying a plumb line for comparing the different faiths. A plumb line for measuring the difference between biblical Christianity and other faiths is 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. Here Paul wrote:

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" (NIV). We find three key points here:

1. Person and Work of Christ - who He is and what He did for us
2. Mankind's major problem - all are sinners in rebellion against God and in need of a savior.
3. Truth and reliability of Bible - divine inspiration of Bible

These are foundational truths we as christians, must be well aware of. In the next post we will explore these exciting key points.

Christianity in Pieces

Question : Why is Christendom so splintered?


Answer : Throughout the Church’s history biblical truths have been challenged and denied by all kinds of groups, some within and some without. The story of how the Church dealt with everything from heresy to holy wars is inspiring and heart rendering. From the very beginning, Christians have fought a battle to believe the faith once delivered to the saints.

In the first century, Christ’s apostles founded the Church, which spread quickly from Jerusalem out into the entire Mediterranean world despite persecution from (1) the Jews who did not accept Christ as the Messiah and (2) the Roman government, which branded Christians outlaws because they insisted that Jesus, not Caesar, was Lord.

Many Christians were martyred, but their blood became the seed that spread the Church even more. As the Church grew, however, an even greater threat came from within its ranks in the form of heresy, particularly Gnosticism, which threatened to corrupt and twist the Gospel just into another pagan religion or philosophy. But the Church fought off this threat as well, particularly through the work of men called apologists who wrote and spoke the truth.

By the second century, the Church founded by the apostles developed into the Catholic (universal) Church; and early in the fourth century persecution of Christianity was ended by Constantine who became the emperor of the western Roman Empire after winning a battle in which he believed Christ gave him special help. Christianity soon became the dominant religion of the Roman Empire, and eventually the Church included five patriarchates – four in the East (Constantinople, Jerusalem, Alexandria and Caesarea) and Rome in the West. Distance, difference in language and culture, and conflicting theological opinions were all reasons for serious disagreements between the East and the West.; but the chief cause of division was a continuing insistence by the Church at Rome on supreme power and authority over all of Christendom. The rift came to a head in 1054 when a major split created the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Orthodox Church in the East.

After the split, the Roman Catholic Church gained even more power and continued to add more doctrines not found in Scripture. In addition, the Roman Catholic Church became more and more corrupt, which finally led to the Protestant Reformation, led by a Catholic monk named Martin Luther. In the beginning, Luther, intended to reform the Roman Church by making the Bible the only authority. But Church leaders, particularly the pope, rejected his views and he was forced out.

The Reformation spread throughout Europe, and those who protested against the teachings of Rome came to be recognized as a new form of Christianity called Protestant. From one Christian church, then, came three major branches: Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant, which further divided into many different denominations.

Seperation from the world

A ship in the sea is all right; but the sea in a ship is all wrong! The church in the world is alright but the world in the church is all wrong.

Blessings of Money

God’s desire is to bless you and to bless you abundantly. God has a system, intended to pour out His blessings upon you.

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work… Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God. (2 Corinthians 9:8, 10-12 KJV) (the King James version is used here due to its literal translation which is closer to the original meaning)

God has ordained five blessings of money:
1. As seed for the sower
2. To provide bread
3. To multiply the seed that is sown
4. To increase the fruits of our righteousness
5. To give

God’s Principle of Multiplication

• The seed that God multiplies is the seed that has already been sown. He doesn’t multiply the seed that you keep. You have to sow it first, then it is multiplied.
• You only reap what you sow!
• You only reap after you sow!
• You always reap more than you sow!
• God’s kingdom operates through giving and receiving multiplied manifolds!
• God gives us seed for our need. We move into supernatural abundance only when we follow His principle of sowing and reaping.

Purpose for Abundance

• God’s purpose for abundance is not to increase the size of your bank account or the amount of seed that you plant, but He is concerned about the size of your heart!
• God does not need your money. He wants your heart, for that indicates what you treasure.
• As you follow God’s system of sowing and reaping, God’s kingdom expands and you partner with Him by taking the Gospel to the nations.
• Money is not to be hoarded or hidden.
• Plant into good soil.
• Expect a return on the seed that you plant. In fact, plant it with a specific expectation!
• God’s heart is to bless you.
  God’s goal is not merely to meet your need. His goal for you is abundance so you can meet the need of others out of your overflow.

Thank You

DEAR GOD:

I want to thank You for what you have already done. I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me; I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves; I am going to thank you right now. I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet; I am going to thank you right now. I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job; I am going to thank you right now. I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed;

I am thanking you right now. I am thanking you because I am alive. I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties. I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.

I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better. I'm thanking you because FATHER, YOU haven't given up on me.

- Anonymous

Who can Pray with Us

Question: Catholics when challenged about praying to Mary often say that they do not pray to Mary but only ask her to pray for them just like other Christians ask others to join them in prayer. Is this the official teaching of the Catholic Church. Is it right?

Answer: The official teaching of the Catholic Church is for them to ask departed saints to intercede for them. Many Catholics, however, are not aware of this. Still it is a thin line between praying to and asking for intercession even for those who have been catechized well.

The question ‘Should Christians seek the prayers of those who no longer live on earth’ remains yet unanswered. Catholics would argue "yes." The passage they cite to support this view is Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

Using this scripture they will assert that we are all part of God's family, whether living here on earth or living with the Lord, so it is proper and good to ask those recognized by the Church as saints to pray for us since they are closer to God than we are.

The scripture portion quoted above does not tell us to ask the cloud of witness to pray for us. The term "cloud of witnesses" is an analogy the Hebrew writer took from the Olympic Games. Some translate this term as "those in the grandstand." The picture the writer gives is of those who have finished running their race and are now in the grandstand. We know that those in the grandstand cannot run the race for us. Those that are alive are the ones running the race. Those who have died in the Lord have "ceased from their labor." They have already "finished the race." (see Rev 14:13 and 2 Tim 4:7)

Besides, the Word of God is clear about consulting the dead. Deut 18.9-13 says, “…. do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations. Let no one be found among you who … interprets omens, ……, or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, ……… You must be blameless before the LORD your God.”

What’s more, Jesus has told us clearly who can pray with us. In Matthew 18:19, He said, "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." Notice the important clause "on earth." The people who pray together must be "on earth." This definitely rules out those who have left this earth.

When Jesus taught the disciples to pray, He never encouraged the disciples to ask Abraham or Moses or Elijah to pray for them. Asking the deceased to pray for us is unheard of in the Bible, and contradicts the teaching of the Bible.

Walk with God

Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul. Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground (Psalm 143:8-10).

It is okay to feel discouragement. It is part of the process of grieving and working through times of pain. But God wants each of us to allow Him to walk with us in these places. If you find yourself in one of these places, do what David did. Ask God to show you the way and let Him bring the word of His unfailing love to you.

The Emmaus Road – Part Three

On the day of His resurrection, Jesus enters into conversation with two disciples who were still wallowing in self pity and disbelief. After a brief but strongly worded rebuke, Jesus explains to them clearly from the beginning starting with Moses and all the Prophets everything recorded in the Bible concerning Himself.

The disciples listened to Jesus with hearts set on fire. He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. Even then the disciples did not recognize Him. As they approached the village they constrained Him to stay awhile longer with them and He did so.

That night during supper Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. At that moment their eyes that were blind to the knowledge of Him was opened and they truly recognized Him. Then Jesus disappeared from their sight. When their inner eyes opened to recognize Jesus crucified and resurrected, it was no longer necessary for Jesus to be physically present.

In the garden of Eden the conniving devil convinced our Adamic parents that their eyes will be opened when they ate of the ‘Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil’ but instead it blinded them to the grace of God. The knowledge made them hide from their loving God. Now under the new covenant, when we partake of the ‘Lord’s Table’ the scales that blinded our eyes from seeing God falls off and we are enabled to see Him as He is. Like the disciples in this incident we too are set on fire - Fire that begets Fire.

The Emmaus Road – Part Two

On their way to Emmaus, two disciples encounter Jesus but were kept from recognizing Him. In fact in Luke 24 verse 19b they testify about Jesus to Jesus Himself, “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.’

They went on to explain how they had placed their hope in Jesus to redeem the people of Israel and how the religious and political leaders put Jesus along with all their hopes and aspirations to death. At last they admit that it has been three days since all these happened and they have heard strange but unbelievable facts about Jesus’ resurrection from believable source (the apostles)!!

The greatest miracle had just taken place (the resurrection of Jesus) and they were unbelieving. They believed that Jesus could be the prophesied messiah but they could not accept the prophesies of a messiah who would suffer, die and raise up on the third day. They wanted to believe what was acceptable to them. In fact they were trying to fit God into the box they had imagined.

Jesus rebuked them on their unbelief. Verse 25- “how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.” Jesus reproaches them for being foolish enough to doubt the Word of God. He is displeased with their hardened heart that does not allow them to believe what is promised in the Bible. Jesus considers unbelief high on His list of sins. Jesus was not satisfied with just admonishing the disciples. He followed it by giving them the best Bible study class ever. For faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of God.

Let us remember Jesus’ words to turn and become like children who will believe without reserve. Even when you do not ‘feel’ that you believe, be determined to believe everything that the Lord has promised in His word. Let your heart’s cry be, “Lord I believe, help my unbelief.” He will surely rescue you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge. You will trample the great lion and the serpant. You will call upon the Lord in the day of your trouble and He will deliver you and honor you.

The Emmaus Road - Part one

On the day of the Resurrection, two disciples of Jesus were on their way to Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. One of them is Cleopas and though the other is unnamed, many biblical scholars believe it could have been Luke himself. We are told that the two disciples were discussing the events surrounding Jesus death. It is also apparent that they were greatly disappointed in the turn of events for they had hoped that Jesus was the promised Messiah send to redeem the people of Israel.

Lk 24.14-15 says, “they (the disciples) were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed Jesus himself came up and walked along with them”. We see the disciples were talking and discussing Jesus among themselves. Every time two or more believers meet, their interests and conversation focuses around Jesus and His Kingdom. When that happens, there is the tangible presence of God in their midst.

However, we are told in Lk 24.16, “but they were kept from recognizing Him”. Many a times when the going gets rough, despite all our prayers and supplications we fail to recognize His sweet presence among our midst. Occasionally this is because he is taking us through a training period where He teaches (sometimes repeatedly) us to put our trust not on our feelings or emotions but rather on His immutable Word.

The walk through the road to Emmaus, represents our walk through life’s disappointments and despair. Nevertheless, the good news is that, if our focus is on Jesus, He will come alongside of us and neither leave us nor forsake us. For Jesus has promised in Matthew 18.20 “…where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” That is a definite promise.

So if today you are passing through the valley of darkness, fear not. Be of good cheer. For our God is not man that He should lie. He has given us His word that He is for you and not against you. His very thoughts are about you. God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear. Though every circumstances and situations look bleak we know that God will help us and deliver us from all evil.

So fear not. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in Jesus.

Not to Scold, but to ...

But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. Luke 2:10 (NLT)

Some people are so afraid of God they get nervous just talking about him. You know why? They feel guilty, and then they start thinking, “If I get close to God, he’s going to lecture me. He’s going to remind me of all the things I’ve done wrong, and then I’ll feel even worse!”

Nothing could be further from the Truth. Jesus said, “I did not come into the world to condemn it, but to save it.” In effect, Jesus is saying, “I didn’t come to scold you, I came to save you.”

Jesus came to save us, not to scare us. That’s why when the angel was telling the shepherds about the birth of Jesus, the first thing he says is: “Don’t be afraid!”

In fact, God's messages to people are often prefaced with the words : “Don’t be afraid.” There are 365 messages from God in the Bible that begin with the phrase, “Fear not!” Which means that for every single day of the year you have God's word that says , “You don’t need to be afraid. I am for you; I am with you; I love you.”

Any better reason to celebrate the birth of Christ within us?

Minister to Whom?

“I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar; I will also consecrate Aaron and his sons to minister to Me.” Exodus 29:44

To Minister to Me (the Lord)– Wow! Aaron and his sons are not ministering to the people. They are consecrated to the Lord and ministering to Him. Their entire focus is centered around worshipping God.

Given our current view of ministry, this does seem a bit strange. Can you imagine going to church and watching the pastor worshipping God? What do you think church would be like if the role of the “clergy” were only to serve the Lord, not to provide the sermon, chair the committees, run the staff or develop the programs?

In Hebrew, the word translated “to minister” is kahan. The word kohen means “priest.” Therefore, the translation should really be, “to act and serve as priests to Me.”

The concept of ministry, so popular in our view of church, really doesn’t fit here. After all, God doesn’t need counseling, sermons, praise and worship teams, or Sunday school curriculums. If Aaron and his sons were consecrated by God to act and serve as priests to Him, what does that really mean? Most importantly, why does God need priests anyway?

In the past we thought of priests as intermediaries between us and God. Now we believe that each one of us acts as a priest and we discover from Exodus that this concept really isn’t new. It was established the day that God chose Israel to be a kingdom of priests. The priestly role that all of God’s children play is directed toward those outside the Kingdom. We act as intermediaries for those who have not yet been grafted into Israel. We are God’s hands and feet to the lost.

Okay, but what about the the role that Aaron and his sons play. After all, Israel is not lost. Israel doesn’t need to be grafted in. Israel is already elected. So, why does God establish the Levitical order?

David tells us what they do (see 1 Chronicles 15:2). Moses tells us when they do it (Exodus 32:26). And God tells us why (Deuteronomy 10:8). (Read Numbers 1:50-51 and Numbers 3:6-10 for more details).

God establishes His priests before Him because they were passionate about who He is. They are God’s official praise team. They bless God. In the process, they are living examples of active obedience and submitted worship.

So does God need priests who run the local church? Hummm! I’m not so sure that’s what He had in mind. I wonder if there really is any other kind …… Just thinking.

Christmas: Celebration!

“I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Luke 2:10 (NIV)

The great joy spoken of is based on three things: (1) God loves us; (2) God is with us; (3) God is for us. Can you hear the celebration in that?!

Fruit That Ripens Slowly

In John 12:24, Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (NIV).

Check our these steps for spiritual growth:
Water yourself with God’s Word: I know you’re already doing this, but it helps you remember He is at work when you read the promises of God, again and again. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1 NIV).

Cooperate with God as he prunes: Pruning hurts but that's when God is at work in your life. Remember “he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more” (John 15:2 NLT).

Spiritual growth is often like the growth we see in nature – the best fruit ripens slowly.

The Lamb of God

Interestingly when God instituted Passover (Exodus 12), He told the Israelites to take a lamb. In the next verse He tells them to take the lamb. Then finally in verse five, He tells them to take your lamb. You can see a progression in this scripture passage of how a person comes to see Jesus:


First, Jesus is a lamb.

Secondly He is the lamb.

Then finally He is your lamb.


Coming to Christ first begins with our recognizing that Jesus is some kind of religious figure . We're not really sure of His significance. We may have a general respect for Him, but it's from a distance. He simply is a lamb.


Then there comes a moment in our lives when we recognize that He's more than a prophet, more than a teacher. He is actually the Son of God—deity in human form. He becomes the "Lamb of God," as John the Baptist said, "who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29).


Later we go a step beyond, and He becomes our lamb. We receive Him as our Savior and as our Lord.


There are many people today who acknowledge that Jesus is God but they have not yet embraced Jesus as their Savior. It is not enough when we recognize Jesus died. It is only enough when we recognize that Jesus died for our sins, then we repent from our sins, and finally, we receive Him as Lord. Only then is Jesus your lamb.

More Than Crumbs

"God blesses everyone except me.” “Maybe I am more of a sinner than they are.” “They are the favoured ones. Who am I, just a nobody. Why should God consider me above others?" "Perhaps God is trying to teach me a lesson." Sounds familiar? Have you or someone you know murmured like this against God when things did not go the way you thought they ought to? If you have ever wondered at such seeming injustice then this is for you, my friend.

The scripture passage in Matthew 15:21-28 and its parallel in Mark 7. 24-30 tells us how we also can be part of the in-group that receives the Kingdom gifts.

The incident these two passages portrays is a Greek- Syrian Phoenician woman's indomitable faith in Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter.

Jesus leaves Gennesaret and enters the area near Tyre and Sidon, two gentile towns. He enters a house and remains there not wanting to publicise His whereabouts. He had recently fed over 5000 thousand miraculously and He knew people would follow Him where ever He went. Nevertheless, a gentile woman hears that He is in the vicinity and came to Him. Her persistent crying out disturbed the disciples and they asked Jesus to sent this woman away. What happened next is one of the two longest recorded conversations that Jesus had with a woman.

This Cannanite woman addressed Jesus as "Son 0f David", one of His Jewish Messianic title. Despite her confidence that this Jewish person could heal her daughter, she approached Jesus as an outsider. Jesus’ says, “I was sent to the lost sheep of Israel”. Now interestingly the woman kneels (a word in the Bible that denotes the act of worship) and cries out, “Lord (Master – a word that denoted relationship), help me”.

In a matter of seconds she identifies herself as part of the ‘lost sheep of Israel’. She does this by changing her attitude (from supplicant to a worshiper) and in her relationship to Jesus from ‘Son of David’ to ‘Master’. The Jews understood the ‘lost sheep of Israel’ to be the exiled Jews but Jesus ministered to the despised, broken in spirit, tax collectors, prostitutes, sinners, Samaritans, poor, handicapped, the Temple outcasts, lepers – sheep without a shepherd.

This time Jesus replied a lot more harshly. He said, "First let the children eat all they want, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” In effect He says she has to wait her turn till the children had their fill (of Kingdom blessings which includes healing) and adds insult to injury by calling her a dog. (This was in concurrence with the then Jewish rational.)

Hmm.. So is Jesus – God incarnate- racist? Is not God Love? How can Love speak so harshly? Surely the woman despite her urgent need may be excused when she takes offence in Jesus words.

Let us take a moment here to study the word offence. Offense is the act of provoking, annoying, irritating, or causing pain or injury. It is also the feeling of resentment, anger, or indignation of the reaction the offense produces, which can lead to breach in a relationship. In short offense is a hurt held onto.

Those who remain offended at Jesus remain in their sin and will be lost. This is why Jesus said "Blessed is the one who is not offended by me (Jesus in Matt. 11:6).

It is interesting to note Jesus’ response regarding the Pharisees who were offended at his words in Matthew 15:12-13 ‘Then the disciples came to him and asked, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?"
13He replied, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.”

So according to Jesus, one recognizes who belongs to God and who does not, by their reaction to the Word. Obviously this woman though a gentile ‘dog’ was a plant planted by the heavenly Father. So instead of taking offence at Jesus’ reply she answered Him, “ Yes Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”

Her answer was a classic example of faith that overcomes all obstacles. Her answer revealed her humility and her readiness to accept Jesus as her master. She was not offended by His words instead His words prompted her to scale greater heights of faith. The faith that says “though He slayeth me I will follow Him”. Jesus response is equally grand. This is one of the few instances Jesus lauds an individual’s great faith.

The gospel writer mentions the healing of the woman’s daughter as a mere after thought for the focus here is what this gentile woman needed to receive the blessing of the Kingdom of God in Jesus. In hindsight we can see that Jesus had a specific one woman mission for entering the gentile area. Soon after this incident the Bible tells us that He left and ‘went along the sea of Galilee’ and there He feeds the four thousand. This is so reminiscent of the ‘lost sheep’ parable of Jesus. We are not told why this woman of great faith could not go in search of Jesus to neighbouring towns but obviously she could not. So Jesus goes in search of this ‘lost sheep’. Like salvation that is freely available for anyone who asks, Jesus waits till the woman asks and receives her miracle and then moves on to resume his preaching ministry. (Revelations 3.20)

The Bible teaches us repeatedly that even in the OT times ‘when people lived under the supervision of the Law’, men and women were justified only by faith. The Law was ‘put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.’ The gentile woman in the incident above teaches us the same message of justification by faith.

Jesus died for the sins of ‘all men’, however, salvation is only for those who are willing to humble themselves before Jesus and receive it freely.

Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,” and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message—(offended at the message) which is also what they were destined for. 1 Peter 2:7-8

The Power of the Cross

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
— Colossians 2:13–14

The power of the cross is for all practical purposes, the message of Scripture. The first book of the Bible, Genesis, clearly speaks of Jesus' life and death. After Satan led Adam and Eve into sin, God judged Satan and said to him, "He [the Messiah] shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel" (Genesis 3:15).

The prophet Isaiah spoke of the Suffering Servant who "was wounded for our transgressions . . . and by His stripes we were healed" (Isaiah 53:5). Throughout the Old Testament, we see glimpses of Jesus Christ and the New Testament reinforces this central message that Jesus came to die.

From the very beginning, Jesus' death and resurrection were a part of God's plan. The crucifixion was not an interruption of an otherwise successful ministry. It was all part of God's plan to bring about the redemption of humanity. Jesus was born to die for our sins. That is the power of the cross.

A Matter of the Heart

Have you observed how two people can hear the same gospel message and react in completely different ways. One person will be profoundly moved, while the other will become even more hardened in his or her sin.

We see this phenomena in the story of Cain and Abel. Both of these men were sons of Adam and Eve; raised in the same home and exposed to the same spiritual message. When we first read of their story in Genesis 4, it seems they were both believers. But time revealed that Cain was a jealous and embittered man that he murdered his brother Abel. The story of Cain and Abel ought to remind us there are those people who look like believers, but have no relationship with God. The Scripture says about such, "there are people who have a form of godliness but deny its power" (2 Timothy 3:5).

Such is the life story of far too many people. They are all show and no go. Their faith in God turns out to be a mere game or act.

Consider this. You can offer like Cain. You can weep like Esau. You can serve like Gehazi. You can be a disciple like Judas. You can recite long prayers like the Pharisees, be a seeking soul like the rich young ruler, and have lamps like the five foolish bridesmaids, and still be lost.

The real issue is not about enjoying the message or whether it moves you. The heart of the issue is whether you believe the message and take a stand for it.

I am safe in Jesus

This is a Synopsis of yesterday's sunday sermon preached by Pastor Damien. It was titled "I am safe in Christ".

Many believers themselves are unaware of their status or position with regard to Christ Jesus and often this results in many misconceptions, heartaches, and dejections. The following references describe a believer's position at all times.

1 Cor 1.30 – I am in Christ
Col 2.10 – I am complete in Christ
Luke 10.19 - I am safe in Christ & no evil can harm me

The following 6 points will make you bold Christains

A. I have an identity card from Almighty God - Jn 1.12; 1 Jn 5.18
The very moment we receive Jesus Christ as our savior we receive an identity card. It says “This is my daughter/son” : so no evil can touch me. It is signed by God and His seal is upon it.

B. I have a bullet proof jacket – Gal 3.27 "..you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."
When I am born again I receive an identity card, but,
When I am water baptized I get a bullet proof jacket that protects me from the fiery darts of the evil one.

C. I have a power jacket – Luke 24. 49

When we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit we are promised that we will be clothed with power. During water baptism we are clothed with Christ, but, the Holy Spirit baptism ensures that we are clothed with the Third Person of the Trinity too - the Holy Spirit.

This jacket not only protects me but ensures that Power will come out of me to chase away every demonic power.

Act 10.38 Jesus had this power jacket. It was the power that came out of Jesus that delivered the sick and demon possessed.

Acts 1.8 speaks of power that will come upon us – This power is for ministry unto others.

D. I have body guards – Hebrews 1.14

This verse in Hebrews speaks of ministering angels that are sent to minister the children of God. Every child of God is accompanied by these ministring angels that shield us from harm and clear the paths before us.

E. I have a full cover insurance - Matthew 30.31
Every hair on my head is numbered. God does not know just the total number of hairs on my head but every hair is individually called by a number. The bible assures us that we are of great value and we are insured completely- top to bottom, inside out. God's hands are above me, in front of me, behind me, on my sides and I am carried in the very hands of God.

No one and nothing can snatch me away from this Almighty God.

F. I have the full armor of God - Ephesians 6.11-18

The full armor of God ensures that I am always in readiness to wage war against the powers of spiritual darkness.

So now we know that we are indeed safe in Christ. God has provided all that we need to be kept safe till the end of the ages. So let peace rule over your heart and be not troubled.

Amazing Love

John 3.16 clearly proves that we cannot make God stop loving us. Amazing.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. John 3.16 KJV

I encourage you to meditate on this verse word by word:

God: The omnipotent Creator - loving, sovereign, holy, all-wise, ever-present, compassionate God who flung a hundred billion or more galaxies into space merely by speaking.

So loved: His love is unconditional and inexhaustible.

He gave: a gift that can never be earned by our good works, but can be received only by faith.

His only begotten Son: the most precious, priceless gift ever given - Jesus.

That whosoever: you and I and every person who inhabits the world.

Believeth in Him: believes that He is the Son of God and the Savior of the world, the one who died on the cross for the sins of all people everywhere and who was raised from the dead.

Should not perish: should not be eternally separated from God. “The Lord…is not willing that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9, KJV).

But have everlasting life: not only in heaven, but also on earth, experiencing the supernatural, everlasting life of the indwelling, risen Savior.

Amen & Amen.

Drinking From My Saucer

I've never made a fortune

And its probably too late now,

But I don't worry about that much

I'm happy anyhow.

And as I go along life's way

I'm reaping better than I sow.

I'm drinking from my saucer

'Cause my cup has overflowed!

Haven't got a lot of riches

And sometimes the going's tough,

But I've got loving ones around me

And that makes me rich enough.

I thank God for His blessings

And the mercies He's bestowed.

I'm drinking from my saucer

'Cause my cup has overflowed!

Oh, I remember times when things went wrong

And my faith wore somewhat thin.

But all at once the dark clouds broke

And sun peeped through again.

So Lord, help me not to gripe

About the tough rows that I've hoed.

I'm drinking from my saucer

"Cause my cup has overflowed!

If God gives me strength and courage

When the way grows steep and rough,

I'll not ask for other blessings

I'm already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy

To help others bear their loads,

Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer

'Cause my cup has overflowed.

- Adapted from a song by Michael Combs

Where can I flee from Your Spirit?

God is always calling us back to Him .

"My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me. " John 10:27
Our Good Shepherd, Jesus promises that we can hear and know His voice. This , however, need not be some mysterious, mystical process. In fact, God speaks to you quite often. The Good Shepherd knows not only your name (John 10:3), but your nature.

Yes, God speaks—but we do not always like what He says. Have you sensed the conviction of the Holy Spirit when you were in a relationship or a place you did not belong? At times, God's Holy Spirit whispers in the stillness of your heart, "What are you doing here?"

How else can we know when God is speaking to us?

• God speaks to us through His word. (Psalm 119:105)
• God speaks to us through circumstances (Psalm 119:67)
• God speaks to through His peace (Colossians 3:15)

And once we have heard God's voice, what should we do? Jesus calls, we responds. He whispers, we move. We follow—and then we keep on listening.

The One Gift All Can Give

Worship is one gift that he who has nothing can give to Him who owns everything.

Someone wisely said, “Maturing in our relationship with Christ is dispensing with the wrong thinking we have about God.” This is true and one area the Holy Spirit changes our thinking is our misconceptions about worshipping God.

Often our views of worship are not necessarily God’s views.

For example, is worship something we just do in church? What about the verse in Colossians that tells us to do everything as unto the Lord? This means changing dirty diapers and carrying out garbage, running a business and cleaning a house. It is also having our quiet time and singing praise songs in church. Those are all acts of worship if we do them for Him.

Let’s take a look at a few Bible verses:

We Were Created for God’s Pleasure (not our own pleasure).

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou has created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:11).

Our First Purpose is to Worship God.

“Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1).

Worship is my Response to God’s Love. Worship is Giving Back to God.

“Love the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30).

God wants us to love Him, thoughtfully, passionately and practically. Worship is focusing our attention on God - not ourselves. Worship is expressing our affection for God. Worship is using our abilities for God.

Father, we have so much to learn about how to worship You. We love You so much and want You to cleanse our minds from all the false conceptions and enable us to adore and worship You. Amen.

India for Jesus

Atrocities against Indian Christians between
August 24th 2008 & September 28th at a glance

I) Orissa
14 districts affected by violence
200 villages destroyed
4300 houses burned down
50000 people became homeless
57 killed
10 priests, missionaries and nuns wounded
2 women gang raped
18000 men, women, and children wounded
149 church buildings destroyed
13 schools, colleges destroyed

II) Karnataka
4 districts affected
19 churches attacked by extremists
20 women and nuns wounded

III) Kerala
3 churches partially damaged

IV) Madhyapradesh
4 churches partially damaged

V) Delhi
1 church destroyed

VI) Tamil Nadu
1 church destroyed

VII) Uthar Pradesh
2 people killed

I wanted to share this with you my friend for I know you care. And so should all children of God as well as every humanitarian. However, as I was typing this out with a heavy heart the Lord ministered to me through His very Word. In John 12:24 Jesus says: “ I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

Persecution has led to great harvests in countries like communist China as well as many Moslem nations. The same Lord of the Harvest Jesus shall bring forth a great harvest of souls in our country India.

I and my country India, we shall serve Jesus.

Spiritual Idols - Modern day Idols

John Gagliardi in a recent article "Idols Are Not Yesterday" defines idolatary as: "If you wake up in the middle of the night, ..... and all you can think about is your business or your job; if you wake up in the morning and that is all that fills your thoughts, then you are dangerously close to having an idol in your heart. Because when you wake up in the night, and when you awaken in the morning, God should fill your heart and your mind, with an overwhelming sense of total trust in Him."

Chris Shipley speaks out on "Spiritual Idols and Addictions" in this unique manner: "Idolatry is not a practice isolated to ancient cultures but is also prevalent in our culture. But we see its manifestation through addictions."

"Careers and occupations are admirable goals but they too can become elevated to the point where one eats, drinks, and breathes the job.

Similarly, as a student, grades can become everything, all is sacrificed for study, and the rest of one's life is left in shambles.

Likewise, relationships are a common substitute for God. We put friends, mentors, partners, spouses, or even children on pedestals they were never meant to be on. It doesn't even have to be a human being.

To read John Gagliardi's article "Idols Are Not Yesterday" -http://www.chc.org.sg/eng/ministry/bb_2008_06.php

To read Chris Shipley's article on "Spiritual Idols and Addictions" -http://dev.iamnext.com/spirituality/idols.html

A Joseph Calling

And he sent a man before them-Joseph, sold as a slave. Psalms 105:17

Today God is raising up Josephs around the world. Some are still in the "pit" stage, while others are heading toward fruitfulness.

It takes years of preparation and testing to be a true Joseph. It takes what the psalmist says in Psalm 105:
He called down famine on the land and destroyed all their supplies of food; and he sent a man before them-Joseph, sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the Lord proved him true. The king sent and released him, the ruler of peoples set him free (Psalm 105:16-20).

A true Joseph provides spiritually and materially for those in the Body of Christ. He fully understands that he is merely a steward of all that God has entrusted him. He is a person who has humility and a broken and contrite heart before God. But how does God prepare modern-day Josephs?

It is often through the adversity of failed finances, failed relationships, and shattered dreams. These are the things God uses to allow the Josephs of our day to be proven by the Word of the Lord. Once proven, God brings them out of their prisons and uses them mightily for His purposes.

Joseph went through his trials-not because of any failure, but because of an incredible calling: to save and provide for an entire nation. So God prepared this man with 13 years of broken dreams and humble circumstances, breaking every ounce of pride and self-will. God could not afford to have a 30-year-old steeped in arrogance and pride running an entire nation.

Many believe God is raising up Josephs to prepare for a worldwide economic earthquake and to fund a global harvest of souls. Nations will be dramatically affected when a modern day Joseph steps forward to fulfill his calling.

Is God preparing you to be a Joseph? Are you willing to allow God to do whatever it takes for you to become a true Joseph? Ask the Lord today to do whatever is necessary to fully use your gifts and talents for His eternal Kingdom.

There is Hope Until the Last Breath

“Patience produces character, and character produces hope. And this hope will never disappoint us” Romans 5:4-5 (NCV)

God is often more patient with us than we are with ourselves. We assume that if we fall, we aren’t born again. If we stumble, then we aren’t truly converted. If we have the old desires, then we must not be a new creation.

When you are anxious about this, please remember, “God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again” (Philippians 1:6).

IRAN: ‘APOSTASY’ BILL

 

IRAN: 'APOSTASY' BILL APPEARS LIKELY TO BECOME LAW

International pressure sought against mandatory death penalty for 'apostates.'

 

International pressure is crucial if the apostasy bill is to be countered, agreed a Christian source. He recalled how in 2005 Christian convert Hamid Pourmand was acquitted of apostasy as a direct result of international pressure.

 

"I don't know who you are, but apparently the rest of the world does," the presiding judge had told Pourmand, according to media sources. "You must be an important person, because many people from government have called me, saying to cancel your case."

 

The news of parliament approving the bill comes on the heels of two Christians being officially charged with apostasy this summer. Mahmood Matin Azad, 52, and Arash Basirat, 44, have been in prison since May 15 and now await their court date.

 

Although their future and that of other non-Muslims looks grim, some believe this bill is the act of a government desperately trying to hang onto power.

 

"I have to say the Iranian regime is tightening severely its control over as many aspects of the lives of Iranian people as they possibly can," said Grieboski. "And that, I think, is the sign of a weakening regime."

 

to read more ... http://www.compassdirect.org/en/display.php?page=news&lang=en&length=long&idelement=5599<=en&backpage=archives&critere=apostasy&countryname=&rowcur=0An

The Armor of God

Apostle Paul identifies six pieces of armor in Ephesian 6:13-17. The first three—the belt, breastplate, and shoes, were for long-range protection and were never removed on the battlefield. The second three—the shield, the helmet, and the sword—were kept in readiness for use when actual fighting began. Thus we see that we need all of the armor. It is not for us to pick and choose; it is a package deal. God has given us clear and defined spiritual weapons to fight with. Understanding what they are and how to use them can make all the difference in our spiritual battles.

Ephesians 6: 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Some Christmas fun ideas

With Christmas around the corner time to brush up your Bible knowledge on the circumstances and people during the birth of Jesus. Check out these special 3 quizes for some traditional and not so traditional christmas quizes. They range from easy to difficult to getting real!

Print out the quiz for a fun family time during this christmas holidays.

Copy this link to your address bar or just click on the title of this post http://www.biblequizzes.org.uk/bible-quiz-6.php

Have a great time.

Prayers falling on deaf divine ears?

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the Law of your God, I will also forget your children. (Hosea 4:6)

This is a major warning and not in the least outdated. The word of the Lord is eternal and the warning quoted above is laid out in the strictest of manner.

The word spoken by the Lord to the shepherds of the people of Israel should have a sobering effect on us. When the Law of God is neglected, it’s not just those who neglect it who suffer; their children also slide off the radar screen of divine blessing.

So who lost the children of this generation? It’s easy to point an accusing finger at the culture. Just as often parents are to blame, yet not because they haven’t loved their children or wanted the best for them. Parents who gave in to their kids’ every whim may have taught them that their own interests and convenience are the most important things in life. Church could always be cut short or skipped altogether if worldly demands were in conflict; and who could expect their kids to spend regular time reading and studying the Bible when their homework was just so important? Our young people are bailing out on God and the church, and our prayers that God will rescue them are falling on deaf divine ears. Can you blame God?

Church and family need to take up their duties in teaching the Law of God to their children if we are to make a turnaround.

Judge Not

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. Colossians 2:16 (NIV)

Believers keep excluding people based on irrelevant practices, such as what they eat or drink, how they celebrate a holiday, or if they wear a tie on Sunday (Colossians 2:16).

Today when I read this verse the phrase "or a Sabbath day" jumped at me. Some keep the Sabbath the traditional way while others observe Sabbath in their own unique ways. Observing the Sabbath on Saturday or Sunday has been a long standing controversy down the centuries. Contenders on both sides have valid points to point out from and without the Bible. However let us remember that Jesus said that 'He is the Lord of the Sabbath' and we are exhorted not to judge with regard to observing the Sabbath day.

For God comes in grace, saying, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” (Galatians 5:6 NIV).

Let there be no contention amongst you.

Joyce Carr Stedelbauer Poems

Hi Girls,

There is a whole set of poems which i am sure you will love by Joyce Carr Stedelbauer available at

http://www.thoughts-about-god.com/poems/

Look under the heading "Characters in the Bible'. I loved the ones on Mrs Noah, Ruth, Boaz, Eve and Hannah especially. Ananais of Damascus is another great one. Do Check them out, they are worth it.

Forgiven But....

Came across an amazing teaching by Bill Btight about God's forgiveness and what it means. Sure we all know intellectually but do we really experience the extent of God's forgiveness in our lives on a daily basis? If we did wont we be a lot more like the first century believers?

Below is a extract from the article How You Can Experience God’s Love and Forgiveness - Part 1 by Bill bright

-Begin quote-
God’s holy Word tells us that Jesus Christ, through His death on the cross, has set us free - free from sin, free from the Law, free from the of guilt that sin and the Law bring.

Maybe you are finding it difficult to believe in your heart that your sin has been paid for. Perhaps you are thinking, “I have lustful thoughts toward another person.” Or, “I’ve been taking the Lord’s name in vain. God won’t forgive that, will He?”

The fact is, He has forgiven you if you have placed your trust in Christ. You simply need to claim His forgiveness and believe His promise. And what a promise it is:

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:11,12).

That’s the forgiveness God offers. And think of it! It became yours the moment you believed in Jesus Christ as your Savior and as an act of your will received Him by faith into your life as your Lord and Master.
-End Quote-

Interested in reading more? Just click on the title of this post and enjoy. It will surely bless you.

Just remember, no matter what you have done, no matter what sin you have committed, God will always be ready to forgive you if you will turn from that sin and return to Him. Don't let the devil isolate you from God's Word and God's people, because that is exactly what he is trying to do.

The Bible on Idols and statues

Yesterday's sunday sermon was titled "Create your world with Your Word". Using biblical and personal examples our pastor taught us 'what we SPEAK today we will see tomorrow'.

During the Lord's Table the congregation were reminded that Jesus has given us only one way in which to remember Him - Through eating the Flesh of Jesus and drinking his Blood thru the breaking of Bread and partaking of the Wine. Jesus never asked His diciples to celebrate his birthday nor to keep his garment/sandles, the cross he hung on or the thorn that was placed on his head. He never asked them to remember Him through any potraits or statues of His. Jesus considered that His creation (us)to be well able to remember him and worship him just by partaking in the Lord's table that He instituted.

Clicking on the title of this post will take you to an entry "What does the WORD OF GOD (BIBLE) say about idols/statues and about worshipping them?" Check it out. Very informative and useful as a quick reference.

Copy and paste the below link to the address bar to read " who alone is worthy of praise'. Very relevant to the above post

http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/QHcOSUFeOg6WS-t0LHvdKh7EZIcBjBH0uyPQo_TMrV19eXgV-01hq58rKh88HbmCcce4nrpt_WD6aIgyUXqpCYRYxys3ak5gwvrUJA/WhoaloneisworthyofWorship.jpg

Be blessed.

Judgment - Which One?

The Bible speaks of two Judgments. The white throne of Judgment and the Judgment seat of Christ

In the book of Revelation we read the account of the judgment of the dead. "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them." Revelation 20:11 From the context it is clear that the dead here are those who did not place their trust in christ. Their entire life is displayed for all to see and are finally judged. Their judgment is to be thrown into the lake of fire to join satan and his cohorts.

However 2 Corinthians 5:10 speaks of another judgmentfor the believers. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." This is the judgment for rewards. Believers are rewarded based on the material they built their work on. Whether rewarded or not all who finds their name in the book of Life are saved because "...there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, Romans 8:1-3. Neither is there any white throne of judgment or public humiliation because Jesus Christ our substitute already bore all the judgment and humiliation meant for us.

So friends take heart, Jesus has done everything on our behalf. There is nothing more we need to do. Cast all your burdens upon him and allow Him to steer you life the way he pleases for He promises that his yoke is light and easy.

There is no such thing as a Vaccum

Everyone of us is a unique creation created by Almighty God for a divine purpose. In the beginning God made a single man (Adam) and formed a woman (Eve) out of the man. They were fully grown adults and God initiated the institute of marriage; one woman for one man.

They were commanded to increase in number and rule the earth and all that is upon it. God gave them fruits for food and placed them in a garden. God also planted two trees in the middle of the garden; The Tree of Life that gave eternal life to those who ate of its fruit and The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Bad that brought death.. God commanded Adam and Eve never to eat from the second tree.

Adam and Eve had everything they possibly wanted. They were living in overflowing abundance.

God had given man a goal.

To multiply – they were told to get busy in the baby production department. You see Adam did not have to go to work to bring in the bacon. He could fully dedicate his attention to his young beautiful wife.

Adam was also to care for the garden, that was also an easy job – no weeds, no pests, no diseases, plenty of under ground water. No sweat there. God had placed them in the garden however he was also told to rule the entire earth. God had given Adam an outline of what was expected of him. It was upto Adam to decide how he executed his divine job.

Apparently both Adam and Eve had too much idle time. You know the saying – idle hands devil’s workshop. An idle mind also becomes the devil’s playground. Instead of eagerly getting on with their divine assignment, they idled about the garden thereby opening a window of opportunity to the deceiver.

There is one good thing you could say about Satan. He is never idle. He is always plotting and scheming. Both Adam and Eve fell right into the schemers trap and they died to their God. God had warned them they would die if they ate of the second tree. Man was created as a spirit being having a soul and living in a physical body. The spirit of man was God’s spirit breathed into him and kept him in fellowship, alive with God. When man broke faith with God man’s spirit became dead to God’s presence and death entered human body and all the other creations.

While meting out the punishment for the disobedience God also gave man a promise. God was not prepared to concede defeat to a cast out angel. He prophesied the birth of a savior who would restore man to his original rightful place-with God.

Ever since, satan and his demon cohorts have been torturing man kind with all kinds of diseases, plagues, disasters, torments, additions. Many of the afflictions and additions are the result of certain kinds of evil spirit. The spirit of infirmity, spirit of alcoholism, spirit of homosexuality, spirits of various kinds of abuses, spirit of adultery, etc. are demonic spirit oppressions that oppress people around the globe.

Man can be delivered of these spirits through the power in the Name of Jesus. However, care should be taken that the cast out spirit does not return seven times stronger to find the delivered person without a master. Every delivered individual should repent of their sins and receive Jesus Christ as their savior, and Lord. They must receive by faith the deliverance, healing and restoration that is available thru the death and shed blood of Jesus on the cross of Calvary. Then the spirit of the Lord will come and dwell with him. This way the delivered person becomes the blood brought possession of God and satan will have no hold on him.

Remember friends there is no such thing as vaccum in a person - either Jesus dwells there or satan. Choose Jesus every day.

No Fishing Allowed

Has the accuser been wispering things like, "Remember what you did, that sin you committed years ago?"

Every time you come under guilt for past forgiven sins its time to take up the sword of the Spirit and say, "I am justified—just as if it never happened." Psalm 103 says, "He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us (verses 10–12).

Corrie ten Boom used to say. "God has taken our sin and thrown it into the sea of forgetfulness and posted a sign that says, 'No fishing allowed.' " You are justified. Just as if it never had happened.

"But I am like a green olive tree (thriving)in the house of God; I trust in and confidently rely on the loving-kindness and the mercy of God forever and ever.

I will thank You and confide in You forever, because You have done it [delivered me and kept me safe]. I will wait on, hope in and expect in Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your saints." Psalm 52:8-9 AMP


The wicked deceive themselves when they think to support themselves in power and wealth without God. But the Righteous shall be like green olive-trees for they trust in the abundance of God's riches and by faith and love dwell in the house of God.


To be as green olive-trees, we must live a life of faith and holy confidence in God and his grace. Praising God; and relying on His name alone will calm and quiet our spirits to patiently wait for the Lord's deliverance.

So I say a little prayer

“I pray that you are like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; trusting in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever; praising Him forever for what He has done; hoping in His name, for His name is good; and praising Him in the presence of His saints. Amen.”

Eduring Love

Lord,
There is so much happening in our world right now.
In the midst of it all, it’s so good know
You’re in control,
Your love is never ending,
And You provide for us.
As the trees turn colors and nights get cooler,
May we be reminded
That every season of our lives
Is a part of Your loving plan.
Amen

By Holly Garth

Divine Courtship

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:44

We love because he first loved us.1 John 4.19

God can woo you both intellectually and emotionally. Today let us be sensitive to his endearments.

Woman a Biblical Profile

Key Verse:

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. (Genesis 1:27)

Introduction

The book of Genesis records the beginning of the world, of man and woman, of sin and God's plan for salvation, and the formation of the nations.

Origin Of Woman

The first chapter of Genesis describes the creation of the world. The second chapter tells of the creation of mankind with a specific reference to woman in 1:27. The main references describing the origin of woman are Genesis chapter 2:

And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept; and He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made He a woman, and brought her unto the man.

And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh. (Genesis 2:18, 21-24)

The Bible reveals that woman was:

1. Created By God:
Genesis 2:7 states that man was created by God from the dust of the earth. God breathed into man (Adam) the breath of life, and he became a living soul. God decided it was not good for Adam to be alone (Genesis 2:22). God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, then He took one of his ribs and from it created the first woman who was named Eve.

Adam called his mate woman, which means "she-man" or "joined to man," because she was taken out of man. This is where the word "woman" originated.

2. Created In The Image Of God:

Genesis 1:26-27 documents that God created both male and female in His image:

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness...So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. (Genesis 1:26-27)


Mankind's First Responsibility

Adam and Eve were told by God to:

∙ Be fruitful.
∙ Multiply.
∙ Replenish the earth.
∙ Subdue the earth.
∙ Have dominion over every living thing on earth. (Genesis 1:28)

Interestingly God's first command to man and woman was to "be fruitful." Spiritual fruitfulness is a Biblical concept traced from this initial command to the final harvest among the nations prophesied in the closing book of Revelation.

Adam and Eve were to be fruitful in each area of their triune nature, physically, spiritually, and mentally as they replenished the earth, subdued and took dominion over it.

Woman's Relationship To God

Woman was created by God, in the image of God, with an eternal soul (Genesis 2:7) related to God in a special union. This relationship is spiritual because God is a spirit (John 4:24). God enjoyed a spiritual relationship with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:8). This union was broken due to man's fall into sin, but God provided a plan to restore man's spiritual relationship with his Creator.

Woman's Relationship To Man

The relationship of woman to man was one of:

1. LOVE:

The creation of woman from man is an example of the type of relationship that would later exist between Jesus Christ and the Church. While Adam slept, his side was opened and woman was created. Centuries later Jesus Christ hung on the cross for the sins of all mankind and through the great sleep of His death the Church was created. Christ's side was pierced with a spear and there came forth a creative flow of blood to redeem and water to purify the Church:

...Even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it;

That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word. (Ephesians 5:25-26)

The creation of woman speaks of a love relationship, similar to that which exists between Christ and the Church..

2. COMPANIONSHIP:

God said it was not good for man to be alone. He intended for man and woman to be companions.

3. HELPFULNESS:

God said He would create a "help meet" for man (Genesis 2:18). The same Hebrew word for help meet, Azyer, occurs forty times in the Old Testament and is often used to speak of God as helper of His people. The word does not mean subjection, as God is certainly not subject to man. Rather, it pictures a giving, loving, caring, relationship of help similar to that which exists between God and man.

4. COMMITMENT:

Genesis 2:24 speaks of the relationship of commitment between man and woman. The man is to:

Leave his father and mother: Mental commitment.
Cleave unto his wife: Emotional commitment.
They shall be one flesh: Physical commitment.

Love, companionship, commitment, and a mutual helping relationship are qualities of the union God designed between man and woman.

Godly Parenting P.A.T.H. part two

If you enjoyed the first part of Tommy Hilliker's article on Godly parenting I am sure you are interested in reading the second part - 'God’s P.A.T.H. for parenting: part two'.

This is a must read for all parents and future parents. Hilliker concludes the article with the last two letters in P.A.T.H., Training and Helping.

Click the title of this post to read the second part of God's P.A.T.H. for parenting

What ways are we training our children intentionally?
How are we helping our children develop godly habits?

Copy and paste the link below to access the article if clicking on the title of this blog does not work for you.

http://legacy.pastors.com/rwmt/article.asp?ArtID=11427

Godly Parenting thru P. A. T. H.

Are we as parents helping our children to set the right path for their lives. All parents ask this question at some time or the other. Everything we say, do, and don't do speak volumes to our children. Tommy Hilliker of Saddleback Church's recently wrote a great article titled 'God’s P.A.T.H. for parenting: part one' about helping our children find the right path.


P.A.T.H. includes four key directions:

Provide a spiritual foundation for your family.
Accept your children unconditionally.
Train them intentionally.
Help them develop healthy godly habits.

Guys this is a must read. To access the article just click on the title of this post. To navigate back to my blog click on the back button on the top left hand corner of the page you are reading.


You can also copy and paste the link below to read the article. Let me know if you enjoyed/found the article useful.

http://legacy.pastors.com/rwmt/article.asp?ArtID=11427

part two of the article will also be be posted soon.

Why did Christ take human form?

Let us examine the Scripture and see just one of the purposes. The first book of John (1 John 3:8) as well as the Book of Hebrews (Hebrews 2:14) speaks of the main purpose that Christ was manifested. Here too I have followed my usual practice of referring more than one version to get a clear picture of the original intent of the Biblical writers.

 1 John 3:8 [But] he who commits sin [who practices evildoing] is of the devil [takes his character from the evil one], for the devil has sinned (violated the divine law) from the beginning. The reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen, and dissolve) the works the devil [has done]. (AMP)


 He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.(NIV)


 So, my dear children, don't let anyone divert you from the truth. It's the person who acts right who is right, just as we see it lived out in our righteous Messiah. Those who make a practice of sin are straight from the Devil, the pioneer in the practice of sin. The Son of God entered the scene to abolish the Devil's ways. (1 John 3.7-8 MSG)

Here we see that God came and dwelled among us in the visible so that He may undo all the works of the evil one.

 Hebrews 2:14 Since, therefore, [these His] children share in flesh and blood [in the physical nature of human beings], He [Himself] in a similar manner partook of the same [nature], that by [going through] death He might bring to nought and make of no effect him who had the power of death--that is, the devil—(AMP)

 Since the children are made of flesh and blood, it's logical that the Savior took on flesh and blood in order to rescue them by his death. By embracing death, taking it into himself, he destroyed the Devil's hold on death and freed all who cower through life, scared to death of death. (Hebrews 2:14 -15 MSG)

 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil (NIV)

The verse in Hebrews confirms that Christ Jesus had to take the same form as man to destroy the evil one’s strangle hold over His children.

Alleluia to the Lord.

Why can the demonic realm "not touch us"?

To answer this question it is best to examine two key verses in the Bible -1 John 4:4 & 1 John 5:18. I have quoted four different Bible versions viz. NIV, KJV, AMP & MSG for in-depth understanding.


 1 John 4:4You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (NIV)

 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (KJV)

 Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world. (AMP)

 My dear children, you come from God and belong to God. You have already won a big victory over those false teachers, for the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world. These people belong to the Christ-denying world. They talk the world's language and the world eats it up. But we come from God and belong to God. Anyone who knows God understands us and listens. The person who has nothing to do with God will, of course, not listen to us. This is another test for telling the Spirit of Truth from the spirit of deception. (1 John 4:4-6 MSG)

The above verse makes it clear that those who are in Christ have victory over the demonic realm.

 1 John 5:18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. (NIV)

 We 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. (KJV)

 We know [absolutely] that anyone born of God does not [deliberately and knowingly] practice committing sin, but the One Who was begotten of God carefully watches over and protects him [Christ's divine presence within him preserves him against the evil], and the wicked one does not lay hold (get a grip) on him or touch [him]. (AMP)

 We know that none of the God-begotten makes a practice of sin—fatal sin. The God-begotten are also the God-protected. The Evil One can't lay a hand on them. We know that we are held firm by God; it's only the people of the world who continue in the grip of the Evil One. And we know that the Son of God came so we could recognize and understand the truth of God—what a gift!—and we are living in the Truth itself, in God's Son, Jesus Christ. This Jesus is both True God and Real Life. Dear children, be on guard against all clever facsimiles. (1 John 5:18-21MSG)

So if we have victory over the demonic realm, how can it overcome or “touch us”? Dear beloved in Christ it can not!

The Creation Of Woman

Many people and incidents of the Old Testament are "types" of spiritual truths revealed in the New Testament. When we speak of a Biblical type, we refer to the fact that certain incidents recorded in the Scripture are not only important in themselves, but are examples of even greater spiritual truths. The study of types is an important form of Bible study.

The creation of woman from man is an example of the type of relationship that would later exist between Jesus Christ and the Church. While Adam slept, his side was opened and woman was created. Down the centuries Jesus Christ hung on the cross for the sins of all mankind. Through the great sleep of His death the Church was created. Christ's side was pierced with a spear and there came forth a creative flow of blood to redeem and water to purify the Church:

...just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
(Ephesians 5:25-26)

The creation of woman speaks of the love (agape) relationship, similar to that which exists between Christ and the Church. This is a deep, enduring, spiritual love, not a sensual relationship based on external charm or beauty.

So sisters, today forget not the Love that FATHER has for you.