Jim's Thoughts on Christian Beliefs

I will no longer be posting this blog

2009-11-28T19:03:00.003-05:00

I have created a new blog called "Jim's Devotional Blog".Only people close to me will be able to read this blog.

Shepherd and Salvation

2009-10-12T15:55:00.001-04:00

I came from a baptist background and I know where you are coming from when you are asking the question in your OP. Faith is the first step of obedience proves to be an act of faith in the word of Christ by responding to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Faith comes only when the outward fact penetrates to the inner heart of man and takes possession of him there and this is the work of the Spirit, not man.

Many times, many denominations including Baptists often do more than what God requires. Our assurance of salvation cannot be found by looking inward at how we think or feel or whether we have doubts, but only outwardly by looking to God's Word, God's works for us, and God's promises to us.

True "sanctification" is only through the Holy Spirit who produce the evidence of my own true spiritual condition, humility and intimacy with God that my flesh CANNOT DO.

This is where Soli Deo gloria comes from: All glory is due to God alone, since salvation is accomplished solely through His will and action—not only the gift of the all-sufficient atonement of Jesus on the cross but also the gift of faith in that atonement, created in the heart of the believer by the Holy Spirit.

The atonement is the work of God from beginning to end. God alone provides the means of salvation through the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Christ; through the call of God for all to repent and don't reject; and through the God-given restoration.

Most important, this raises the whole question of the doctrine of regeneration because this is the most serious thing of all. This work is the work of the Holy Spirit, and His work alone, and no one else can do it. And, as it is His work, it is always a thorough work; and is always a work that will show itself. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance (conviction), as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. Jesus said in John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

When I post about Jesus as our "Shepherd".... I was referring to His Salvation for us. Jesus is my Shepherd:
A. Jesus releases me from FEAR (John 10:1-8, 11-13) so I am not easily spooked
B. Jesus satisfies my SPIRITUAL HUNGER (John 10:9-10) so that I won't covet.
C. Jesus brings me UNITY with other believes to the flock (John 10:11-18) so that I won't be selfish with my spiritual gifts.
D. My salvation is secured (John 10:22-30) so that no one can cause me to doubt my faith.

Hebrews 13:20 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep.

We are the sheep only if we understand what it means to be a sheep. In the New Testament, "You were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls." Connects with the Old Testament prophecy: "All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him." First Peter 5:4 refers to Him as the "Chief Shepherd." Those are significant titles because the Old Testament affirms that "the Lord is my shepherd" (Ps. 23:1, Ezek. 34:23-24; 37:24).

Jesus is MY SHEPHERD that He will supply all my needs (Phil. 4:19) and that He knows everything about my life (Ps. 139:3), cares about me (1 Pet. 5:7), has the power for every difficulty (Ps. 62:11), is perfecting me to be like Christ (Phil. 1:6), and that nothing escapes Him (Ps. 147:5), that will lead me to be stable, not anxious living and not coveting anything.

Disagreements

2009-05-24T15:10:00.000-04:00

When we argue and disagree, we will know what kind of a Christian others are and what kind of a heart they have. We always argue over things that we love, or that we disagree. I will speak up when I hear doctrines that I disagree with. Doctrines sounds very good and simple but life is not so simple. There are Christians who are zealous for their "doctrines" and forget the sensitivity of others regarding certain topics.

Discernment encouraged me to examine my own beliefs. When I was younger, I believed in certain doctrines but now that I am spiritually matured that I know that God is in control of everything even when I see things I do NOT like. Even though doctrinal differences may arise between Christians, we must still show love to one another. However, this does not mean that we are to ignore doctrinal error. 1 Corinthians 13:6 says that love "rejoices in the truth." So one aspect of loving one another is to strive for doctrinal purity by pointing out doctrinal error, not by ignoring it.

Statement of Faith is a good start and foundation to work with. Christians can get along even when they differ on doctrinal issues. There are many who are judging based on bickering doctrines than God-centered fruitful lives. This is between the believer and God. As long as our conscience is clear and our heart is pure before God, don't be concerned with minor doctrinal issues. In this life it is inevitable and it is useful because it produces the evidence of our true spiritual condition, humility and intimacy with God and allows God to put Himself on display in His grace.

Negative circumstances teach us dependence on His grace (John 15:1-5, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10) that whatever is happening makes us think of our own reflections, trying to look at it from the biblical and the personal viewpoint. Grace is about loving other people that we have the freedom to do so but at the same time, respect how they practice their beliefs. I just let God handle their beliefs that I disagree with. Christianity seriously while at the same time, understand sins in this world. Sins are discord, disunity, and chaos will always produce great insecurity that leads people to feel destabilize in their lives.

Spirit-filled Charismatic

2009-05-19T18:28:00.000-04:00

I believe people have wrong view of what spirit-filled really means. Spirit-filled is not about how successful your spiritual-gifts are but rather accepting God's eternal gift. "If Christ is in us, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness" (Romans 8:10).

Post Charismatics are those who moved away from many Charismatic/Pentecostal churches. There are alot of debates relating to Charismatic doctrines. Spirit-filled-Charismatic section is VERY diverse with all forms of denominations and movements with different doctrinal views. In this day and age with many a so-called “Spirit-filled” Christians languishing in lukewarm faith conditions based on measurement based on works on human efforts. Our own faith is not based on merit. Often flesh's desires gets in the way of spirit-lead truth. To be spirit-filled, because the Spirit indwells us as Christians, we ought to daily live a Spirit-controlled and empowered life. God wants us to be busy rejoicing in the gracious prospect of all opportunities of God's will. Those charismatics who knows what it means to be charismatics emphasize that the purpose of spiritual gifts is to build up the church and enrich worship of God, not to gratify the individual.

Its a reminder that the life of the church is made up of spiritual attitudes and spiritual motivations, spiritual graces that come from deep within the community. Its a reminder of this verse in Ephesians 4:4, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all."

Charismatic Christians are usually those who live in spirit as Paul wrote "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25). Christians have the spiritual capacity in their charisma which is a gift of God's grace according to God's determinations. According to the Greek word charisma, we have received grace gifts. We are free in God's grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit to do right, to look at these others in a condescending way.

What's my denomination

2009-05-08T16:56:00.003-04:00

The other day, for the fun of it, I tested myself to see where the doctrines I am in line with today. It has been interesting because the first part of my Christian life, I was Baptist (non-Calvinist) and Anabaptist (somewhat Calvinist) that many of the "minor" doctrines are still within my heart. However, the major doctrines have changed. It took me almost 40 years to change because I was victimized because I grew up in a certain theological system and I become indoctrinated by what I have learned over the years that I have struggled by defending what I have learned and can't seem to let go of it.

However, one thing I have learned over the years relating to the "doctrine of salvation". I have to remember that the Bible does not present faith as simply "mental assent to the facts of the gospel" but rather true saving faith involves repentance from my own sin and a complete trust in the work of Christ to save me from sin and make me righteous. Through the doctrine of Soli Deo gloria: All glory is due to God alone, since salvation is accomplished solely through His will and action—not only the gift of the all-sufficient atonement of Jesus on the cross but also the gift of faith in that atonement, created in the heart of the believer by the Holy Spirit.

The atonement is the work of God from beginning to end. God alone provides the means of salvation through the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Christ; through the call of God for all to repent and don't reject; and through the God-given restoration.

One of the major reasons I moved away from Reformed (Calvinist) is the mystery of God's salvation for us. No matter how much knowledge we have in the Mystery of God, we will never fully comprehend God until we die. In Isaiah 55:8-9 God says, "My thoughts are completely different from yours, and my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. We are to judge through, to see through to the truth, to truly evaluate something what what we are hearing is biblical or not. Knowledge of the mystery is having the reality of an experience of knowing God personally and consciously. I have learned through the years that God don't need me but I do know He uses my life. My own faith is not self-effort or anything I can do for God but rather from within that my faith is a gift from the Holy Spirit by the conviction to submit into action. The outcome is not based on my faith or my will but rather God's will for my life as I serve Him on this earth as I serve for Him in heaven. The Spirit is our intercessor, our personal indwelling intercessor interceding according to the will of God. Jesus had said to His disciples, "Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave" (Matthew 20:26‑27). The life of a local church is made up of spiritual attitudes and spiritual motivations, spiritual graces that come from deep within the community. Its a reminder of this verse in Ephesians 4:4, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all."

(100%) 1: Lutheran
(90%) 2: Presbyterian/Reformed
(87%) 3: Congregational/United Church of Christ
(82%) 4: Church of Christ/Campbellite
(80%) 5: Anglican/Episcopal/Church of England
(80%) 6: Methodist/Wesleyan/Nazarene
(77%) 7: Eastern Orthodox
(75%) 8: Baptist (Reformed/Particular/Calvinistic)
(65%) 9: Roman Catholic
(62%) 10: Baptist (non-Calvinistic)/Plymouth Brethren/Fundamentalist
(57%) 11: Pentecostal/Charismatic/Assemblies of God
(50%) 12: Seventh-Day Adventist
(37%) 13: Anabaptist (Mennonite/Quaker etc.)

http://www.selectsmart.com/plus/select.php?url=denomtradition

Deep thoughts about Christians

2009-05-08T15:58:00.000-04:00

I am recalled the foolishness of Job's friends who were supposely his "counselors" in attempting to explain the mystery of God's will what they thought was truth relating to Job's problems. Job's 3 friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, come to comfort him and to discuss his crushing series of tragedies. They insist his suffering is punishment for sin in his life. Job, though, remains devoted to God through all of this and contends that his life has not been one of sin.

Regarding Job's FRIENDS, every statement of Job's three friends was TRUE and their reasoning was impeccable in cases around the world. They said that God punishes sinners -- and they were right. They said that none could hide his sins from God -- and they were right! However, in Job's case, they were WRONG. At the end of the book, we read this profound statement: "After the Lord had finished speaking with Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite: 'I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not been right in what you have said about me, as my servant Job was. Now take seven young bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer a burnt offering for yourselves; and my servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf, and won't destroy you as I should because of your sin, your failure to speak rightly concerning my servant Job" (Job 42:7-8). They were in error because they ASSUMED that Job SINNED, based on the "evidence" of his sufferings alone. They had NO PROOF of any of Job's alleged sins that they accused him of but they just could not believe that he was blameless, and so they tried with all their might to convict him of sin, when he was blameless. They missed the whole point of Job's sufferings, just as most Christians (so-called) do over the years.

No matter how much knowledge we have in the Mystery of God, we will never fully comprehend God until we die. In Isaiah 55:8-9 God says, "My thoughts are completely different from yours, and my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."

I am reminded of what Jesus also told this parable to certain ones who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-gatherer. The Pharisee stood and was praying thus to himself, 'God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-gatherer. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.' But the tax-gatherer, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, but he who humbles himself shall be exalted" (Luke 18:9-14).

James gave an example of Job's situation in James 5:11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

We are to judge through, to see through to the truth, to truly evaluate something what what we are hearing is biblical or not. Knowledge of the mystery is having the reality of an experience of knowing God personally and consciously.

Curse from Genesis through Revelation

2009-05-02T14:17:00.001-04:00

Many references in the Old Testament have mentioned many curses that were explained. Paul explains in Romans 8 that: "The whole creation groans" under this curse. The reason there is disintegration, death and all of that in the entire universe goes right back to Genesis Chapter 3. What began in Genesis ends in Revelation. Genesis you have the commencement of heaven and earth, in Revelation the consummation of heaven and earth. In Genesis you have the entrance of sin and the curse, in Revelation you have the end of sin and the curse. In Genesis you have the dawn of Satan and his activities, in Revelation you have the doom of Satan and his activities. In Genesis you have the tree of life relinquished, in Revelation the tree of life regained. In Genesis death enters, in Revelation death exists. In Genesis sorrow begins, in Revelation sorrow is banished. In Genesis paradise is lost, in Revelation paradise is regained.

The most central importance is in Genesis the Savior is promised, in Revelation the Savior is preeminent.

Understanding Grace

2009-05-02T14:04:00.001-04:00

Grace was also in the Old Testament however that was before Jesus died on the Cross. James says, "He gives grace to the humble." We aren't perfect. If there is no righteous deed, if there is no fruit of righteousness, there is no way to demonstrate the validity of faith. Humility leads to a "right knowledge of our spiritual-self" whether we are God-centered or self-centered. In God's graces of the Christian life can't grow without humility. Until we see our poverty we can't see His riches. No man enters the kingdom without understanding his own sinfulness and realizing his need to repent. Proverbs 16:5 says, "Every one who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord."

In the Old Testament Leviticus 9:7 Moses said to Aaron, "Come to the altar and sacrifice your sin offering and your burnt offering and make atonement for yourself and the people; sacrifice the offering that is for the people and make atonement for them, as the LORD has commanded." In the New Testament, Hebrews 5 explains that "Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins" that in Hebrews 7 explains that Jesus is the "high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

Humility leads to a "right knowledge of our spiritual-self" whether we are God-centered or self-centered. Grace operates without the help of our faith because grace is much more powerful than our faith. God gives us, one by one, the gifts and the graces of the Holy Spirit sufficiently. So, fruit of the spirit and grace are missing in our Christian faith today.

We all need to only look at the Beatitudes, "Blessed are the poor in spirit". Everyone knows this because Beatitudes goes on to talk about poverty of spirit, brokenness, repentance, sorrow, meekness, hunger, thirst for righteousness, blessed are the merciful, blessed are the pure in heart, blessed are the peacemakers, blessed are those persecuted for righteousness sake. True faith begins in humility and in brokenness and in sorrow and in repentance and in poverty in spirit and it ends in obedience and endurance. Saving faith is like that of the little child, if you don't come to Me, Jesus said in Matthew 18:4, as a little child, you can't enter My Kingdom. It's humble, obedient, permanent and it's a gift from God.

Peter 4:1 (NIV) Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.

I thank God that gives me faith on my behalf which is through GRACE. I want certain people to know about it because they CAN have the faith to activate the power of God through God's GRACE. In Ephesians 4:23, the Greek word translated "renewed" (ananeoo) is used which means "to create again" or "make new." According to His grace, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit that being justified by His grace I might be made heir according to the hope of eternal life. In Ephesians 4:23 says, "Be renewed in the spirit of your mind" which means I am not to think the way I did before I knew Christ. I am no longer controlled by a self-centered mind but rather I learn from Christ through grace. The life I live is not mine but Christ living in me (Gal. 2:20). Like a baby is born with a fresh, new mind even though I live in an aging body, my spirit is being renewed daily.

Women as Church Leaders

2009-05-02T13:32:00.000-04:00

Equality of being does not rule out spiritual authority and the role of submission between man and woman. God calls upon both men and women to fulfill roles and responsibilities designed specially for them in certain situations. God has designed all of human life to revolve around relationships. Everyone is involved in a relationship, and within those relationships are differing roles. However in our society the emphasis is not on relationships, but on individuality. People focus on their rights and seek to satisfy themselves. In such a society there's a tendency to view everyone as having equal roles.

When we come to this verse, 1 Timothy 2:11, “Let the women learn in silence with all subjection. I permit not a woman to teach nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”

If I take Word of God faithfully, I just stop and figure out what it means “I permit not a woman to teach or take authority over a man.” Should I submit to God or the flesh?

In my view, I never attend a Church that has an ordained female ministers. I do accept women teachers in a way that fits with their gifts within the Church.

I don't think God think we all have any "rights" but rather "privileges". Humility is tricky when we are trying to obey God's commandment. In the Bible, women have made strong impact and throughout Christian history, I came to respect many great Christian women and their faith. They have taught me more than any ordained pastors have taught me over the years. God can use everyone to teach another a lesson or two. I have no problem with women leading small groups, bible studies or even Sunday schools. Many will have this gift who are not ordained are evangelists, missionaries, deacon, Sunday school teachers and etc. Another form of teaching is listed in Romans 12:8 "exhortation" follows immediately after teaching. The learned disciples are to encourage others to follow them as they follow Christ through their spiritual "wisdom" and "knowledge." Wisdom and knowledge are gifts particularly associated with minor role of teaching.

My only issue with my conscience and my submission to God's Word is that I need to be discerning God's will, we renounce the norms of behavior typical of flesh's desires (Gal. 5:19-20 and Lam. 3:13-16), and renew our minds, through the grace of God and the work the work of the Holy Spirit. If circumstantial situations fail to align with Scripture, we are to be careful because the subjective (i.e. desires) must always be determined by objective considerations (the Bible). God reveals Himself primarily through the pages of Scripture; that is why I believe the Bible as my absolute authority. 1 Peter 4:11 instructs me to handle biblical truth: "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God." If the Bible is true, then it is also authoritative. As divinely revealed truth, it carries the full weight of God's own authority. A church must understand that Christ is the head of the church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15) and that He mediates His rule in the church through godly elders (1 Thess. 5:13-14; Heb. 13:7, 17). I am always reminded by James 3:1 "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."

In Ephesians 4:11 the words "pastors" and "teachers" may be joined together due to the nature of the Greek phrasing in that sentence as gift of pastor-teacher. "Pastor" refers to one who has a pastoral oversight over others as a "Shepherd". This position often requires by many Churches that pastors are to be "ordained". It is based upon the idea of shepherding and looks back to the pattern of Jesus, who described himself as "the good shepherd" (John 10:11) and is referred to as "the great" (Heb. 13:20) and "Chief Shepherd" of the sheep (1 Pet. 5:4).

This is how I look at it. I submit to my wife and my wife submits to me. In fact, we mutually agree about everything. Women are very important in all local churches. Men need to understand that biblically that godly woman is a woman of great worth, trustworthy, hardworking, diligent, caring, thoughtful, business wise, disciplined, merciful, creative, lovely and most of all she loves God. Her attitude and actions produce a legacy that is praiseworthy (See Proverbs 31:10-31) and demonstrates a joyful freedom. Men should take anything a woman say into any consideration. By using an example from First Peter 3:7, Peter actually suggests that God designed women to be under the protection of a man, benefiting from his strength. And serving women by lending them that strength is one of the main ways we show them a Christlike, sacrificial love.

God holds us accountable for what we believe as well as how we think about the truth He has revealed. We need to guard our minds, emotions, and wills, "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5). Women can teach but not as an ordained pastor/minister/priest.

You won't find me attending a church regularly that ordains women as pastors.

Law and Grace

2009-05-02T13:18:00.001-04:00

If God is going to make those kinds of vessels out of clay (us), however, we are going to have to yield to the spiritual law of surrender. Give ourselves to God as a living sacrifice and let Him have us--all of us as in all of our minds, all of our hearts and all of our souls. As Jesus said in Matthew 22:37 " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' Reading Psalm 40:8 reminds us, I desire to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart."

Its good to see how power God's grace is. Much more powerful than the Law. Jesus did all that the law required and perfectly accomplished all that the Father had given Him to do. He made full atonement for sins–everything was done; nothing was left. All things had been done which the law of God required; all things fulfilled which prophecy predicted. There could be nothing added to what He had done except the Holy Spirit enables us to believe Him.

We have to remember that Grace fulfilled the Law. Law tells me how crooked I am; grace comes along and straightens me out. This verse, Hebrews 8:10 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Through God's grace in our hearts, we know God's laws. The Lord will not save those He cannot command.

Bible Literal and Doctrines

2009-05-02T12:20:00.000-04:00

The main issue is this: apart from general Orthodox Christianity, are not Biblical. Call yourself a Christian if you want, but if you have the wrong view of God, you're a pagan. Instead of interpreting the Bible on the basis of a historical grammatical contextual understanding of the text, we are developing a tolerance for every view in the name of love and unity and a non-divisive spirit. Today, people want to be "politically correct". That is deadly poison to truth. I believe that there is only one "right" interpretation of any given Biblical passage, the meaning God intended when He "breathed" His word into the human author. If this view is correct, it follows that of the many "different interpretations" skeptics refer to, there must be only one that is valid. That is, while a particular passage may have many applications, it must have only one meaning - the one the author (through inspiration of the Holy Spirit) intended.

If we believe that "all Scripture is inspired by God" and inerrant, must we not be equally committed to the reality that it is "profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work"? God gave His true Word to be communicated entirely as He gave it, that is, the whole counsel of God is to be taught and preach (Matt 28:20; Acts 5:20, 20:27). God gave His true Word to be communicated exactly as He gave it. It is to be dispensed precisely as it was delivered without the message being altered. Interpretation of Scripture will never be an exact science. The beliefs we bring to the text - our theological presuppositions - will inevitably color our interpretation to some degree.

Biblical hermeneutics is the science that teaches the principles and methods of interpreting the Word of God. Proper hermeneutics provide us tools to help ensure that we are basing our interpretations on the truth as God has revealed it, while avoiding error to the greatest degree possible. The exegetical commentaries on this website generally follow the "Grammatico-Historical" method of interpretation. As its name implies, this method of interpretation focuses attention not only on literary forms but upon grammatical constructions and historical contexts out of which the Scriptures were written. It is solidly in the "literal schools" of interpretation, and is the hermeneutical methodology embraced by virtually all evangelical Protestant exegetes and scholars.

We can never eliminate our presuppositions (nor should we, if they are Scripturally sound), but we can "test all things" - including our interpretations - and "hold to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21 ).

Job, Jonah and others stories to me are literally true according to God's power however seem so "unreal" from sinner point of view. Unbelief is the oldest of the many spiritual diseases by which fallen human nature is afflicted. They refuse to accept anything which they cannot understand. Inspiration, Miracles, the Trinity, the Incarnation, the Atonement, the Holy Spirit, the Resurrection, the Future State, all these mighty verities are viewed with cold indifference as disputable points, if not absolutely rejected. Can we entirely explain them? Who has not known that some of the minor facts and miracles of the Bible are the ostensible reasons which many assign why they cannot receive the Book as true, and make it their rule of faith and practice. People talk of the ark, and the passage of the Red Sea, and Balaam's ass, and Jonah in the whale's belly, and ask you sarcastically if you really believe such things to be credible and historically true.

In Matthew 12:40 Jesus said, "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."

I have been studying Job (one of my favorites). Job reads like history. It talks about a man named Job. He lived in the land of Uz. It relates details about his family, his life, and his suffering. It communicates to us his friends' interest in his suffering, and the spiritual struggling with which Job dealt. What's interesting is that other biblical writers refer to Job as a real person. Ezekiel refers to Job along with Noah and Daniel (Ezekiel 14:14,20). And James draws upon the example of Job to comfort the suffering, proving the point that God is merciful. He commends the endurance of Job (Jas. 5:11).

Its not the scriptures that are corrupted. Its a man's heart that is corrupted. Intelligence, reason, and choice. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. In order to "revere" the Word of God (Bible), you submit to the Holy Spirit who is the Author of the Bible. Jesus said in John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. We are to Honor the Word (not the Bible). Studying the scriptures requires the Holy Spirit which is inward, not outward. The Holy Spirit is within us believers, Christ dwells in our hearts, and "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27) is the burning core of the Christian faith.

Topic of Atonement and Salvation

2009-05-02T11:47:00.002-04:00

Soli Deo gloria: All glory is due to God alone, since salvation is accomplished solely through His will and action—not only the gift of the all-sufficient atonement of Jesus on the cross but also the gift of faith in that atonement, created in the heart of the believer by the Holy Spirit.

The atonement is the work of God from beginning to end. God alone provides the means of salvation through the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Christ; through the call of God for all to repent and don't reject; and through the God-given restoration.

Salvation by grace alone and that the atonement both reconciliation and restoration. Hebrews 5 explains that "Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins" that in Hebrews 7 explains that Jesus is the "high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

In terms of "When one rejects this atonement, one can not benefit from it, even though, it is still there and still freely offered." God’s love extends to the whole world. It covers all humanity but the actual atonement is for whoever did not reject Holy Spirit's conviction and repented. (That's where I have struggled with even though the atonement is offered to all).

One thing I have learned over the years relating to the "doctrine of salvation". No doctrine is more important to evangelical theology than the doctrine of justification by faith alone—the Reformation principle of sola fide. Martin Luther was used by God to develop, what theologians call "soteriology" the doctrine of salvation. He was a "soteriologist" and the truth of the matter is that the Reformation was a soeteriological reformation, that never touched the field of ecclesiology (the doctrine of the Church). Most important, this raises the whole question of the doctrine of regeneration because this is the most serious thing of all. This work is the work of the Holy Spirit, and His work alone, and no one else can do it. And, as it is His work, it is always a thorough work; and is always a work that will show itself. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance (conviction), as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. Jesus said in John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

I like this quote:

"Imagine two men reading the same passage of Scripture, one a Calvinist who has been brought up on Calvinistic theology from his youth, the other reared in the Arminian tradition and thoroughly indoctrinated in Arminianism. The passage they read is Hebrews 6:4-6, "It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance". The impressions the Calvinist receives from these words will differ radically from those received by the Arminian, yet neither one will be conscious of adding to, subtracting from or otherwise altering the passage in any way. Each will understand the words to mean exactly what he has been taught that they mean. The meaning he sees there will appear to him so natural, so logical and right that he will wonder how anyone can see any other. (And sadly enough each will more than likely think the other a hypocrite who receives his teaching from the devil. But that is not pertinent to this particular argument.)"

A.W. Tozer

Only those who already are believers. God is a sovereign God and we have to understand that somehow, mysteriously, within the framework of predestination and within the framework of His sovereignty and the framework of election, which I believe in, there is a place for human freewill which is whether they respond to the conviction (hear) of the Holy Spirit. One of the perfect examples of the "conviction" is Jesus' knocking at the door, in Revelation 3:20, Jesus said: Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

I am legally deaf so I know "hearing" is not the same as "hear". 1 Thessalonians 1:5 "because our gospel came to you not simply with words (hearing the gospel), but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake." The Holy Spirit convicts a sinner to be saved when they "hear" the gospel. That's how I understand Romans 10:17 when Paul wrote, Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Looking at Romans 10:17 says in the original Greek, "Faith comes by hearing a speech about Christ." Faith comes by hearing a speech about Christ, not a subjective analysis about what's going on in yourself.

The difference between "accepting" and "conviction" is the actual conversion. I want to go back to Paul's question in Galatians 3:2 "This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law (accepting-decision), or by the hearing of faith (conviction) ?" Understanding and accepting faith is one thing and 'actual conversion by the conviction of the Holy Spirit' is another. Not our understanding nor our decisions but rather the Holy Spirit is within us believers, Christ dwells in our hearts, and "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27) is the burning core of the Christian faith.

As we look at The Solid Declaration of the Formula of Concord? 41] For few receive the Word and follow it; the greatest number despise the Word, and will not come to the wedding, Matt. 22, 3ff The cause for this contempt for the Word is not God's foreknowledge [or predestination], but the perverse will of man, which rejects or perverts the means and instrument of the Holy Ghost, which God offers him through the call, and resists the Holy Ghost, who wishes to be efficacious, and works through the Word, as Christ says: How often would I have gathered you together, and ye would not! Matt. 23, 37.

In Christ--so the Lutheran church teaches--there is complete and universal redemption. He has atoned for all the sins of every sinner. The forgiveness which he procured for all men He offers to them in the Gospel. Faith created by the power of the Holy Spirit is the hand which receives this forgiveness.(page 32 also relevant is his words on page 36:) Also those who are lost have been redeemed by Christ, and God earnestly desires their salvation and offers them salvation in the Gospel (2 Peter 2:1; 1 Tim 2:4). This booklet is actually a nice thing for every Lutheran to have. Again its called "Our Church and Others: Beliefs and Practices of American Churches" By Lewis Spitz, CPH, St. Louis, 1960

New Creature and Communion

2009-05-02T11:42:00.001-04:00

We know that "sin" that is, transgression of the laws of God (I John 3:4) brings about a penalty, a curse, in the lives of those who transgress God's laws (see Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28). Sin incurs a penalty. Ultimately, that penalty for sin is DEATH (Rom.6:23). Adam and Eve died since God broke away the relationship with them and kicked them out of Garden of Eden. Death is universal spiritually and also by nature. Since Adam and Eve sinned, curse will be in our sinful nature until we die or when Christ returns. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." The real atonement is this: Galatians 5:24: "Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” The old self is everything we were in Adam. Our sin was crucified with Christ. As believers we are so united with Christ that when He died, we died. When Jesus died He was paying the penalty for our sins.

Spiritual Church is "invisible unity" which assumed to be imperfectly displayed, visibly: some denominations are less accepting of others, and the basic orthodoxy of some is questioned by most of the others. Many people are forgetting the REAL purpose of the CHURCH. Through the Old Testament, we learned that man's destiny revealed by God, man's destiny restricted by sin, and through the New Testament, we learn that man's destiny recovered by Christ. Jesus Christ died the death that you deserved. He became sin who knew no sin. He died in our place. He is our substitute. He had to be man to die as man, He had to be God to overcome death and sin. And so the God/Man had to suffer. Jesus said, "The Son of Man must suffer and be killed."

Through communion, We are to examine ourselves that we are sorry for our sins; we believe in our Savior Jesus Christ and in His words in the Sacrament; and we plan, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to change our sinful lives. ts a reminder that the life of the church is made up of spiritual attitudes and spiritual motivations, spiritual graces that come from deep within the community. Its a reminder of this verse in Ephesians 4:4, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all." Jesus is the one who does the real cleansing on the inside. He does that constantly, as we appropriate His forgiveness. At a church communion service, this is pictured in a very meaningful, Christ-like way.

Man is a responsible moral being even though he is also divinely controlled by God. God will yet have His way through our lives however, as responsible beings, we must make our choice in our situations. We should all take a long hard look at what things we consider to be important from God's perspective rather than man's perspective. Salvation spiritually speaking faith is not a "choice" but rather a free gift of God's grace created by the power of the Holy Spirit working through the means of grace. Apostle Paul wrote, “Your salvation is nothing you have achieved by your good works. It is a gift of God. You receive it by faith. That way no one can boast of his own accomplishments.” Ephesians 2:8 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."

This is depends on a Christian's relationship with Christ. When a Christian who is saved by the conviction of the Holy Spirit, this Christian is living in a new Creature with holy conscience rather than sinful conscience. If a Christian don't feel the conviction and didn't have the motivation to change from "within", then we should be concerned whether we are truly saved or not. "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." The condition of the heart determines how receptive a person is to God's commandments.

Through Christ in our lives, in sanctification God has to deal with us on the death side as well as on the life side. The struggle begins. "If any man come to Me and hate not his own life, he cannot be My disciple." Being sanctified means “to be separated from sin”. The key to sanctification then, is to know and obey the truth which is the Word of God in our hearts. When we got saved, we were justified which is "declared righteous". Justification cannot be separated from sanctification. We are declared righteous in justification, and then the process of making us righteous begins to function in this sinful world.

Trust and Faith

2009-04-25T17:14:00.001-04:00

Throughout the centuries, Christian theology has understood “faith” to mean trust or belief in God. Faith comes as a result of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit-He quickens our hearts to believe. Apart from the new birth, there can be no true faith. We say, "I will not trust what I cannot see" and that is where unbelief begins. It is the faith that God has the ability and the will to fulfill His Word, that He can be trusted. True faith is not the ability to visualize unseen things to the satisfaction of our imperfect minds, but rather the spiritual power to trust Christ as Who He is.

In Christian context, we might define The Word of God as the list of the writings acknowledged by the Church as documents of the divine inspired and revelation. In the New Testament, Apostolic perspective, if a writing was the work of an apostle or someone closely associated with an apostle, it must belong to the apostolic age. Through Jesus Christ through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we have apostolic succession, but it is not in a line of men who pass along authority from one to another. It is the passing on of apostolic truth that goes from one generation to the next, in the context of the ministry of the truth in local churches around the world.

Tradition is an important guidance for all believers however, Tradition should be carefully scrutinized (to look over closely and discerning) before we rely on them. Tradition by itself is not enough because it must be studied and be brought up to date to true orthodoxy. When Tradition is supported by the Scriptures, it will communicate not as dead words but rather spiritually alive words through the Holy Spirit. God reveals Himself primarily through the pages of Scripture; that is why I believe the Bible as my absolute authority.

Faith is the first step of obedience proves to be an act of faith in the word of Christ by responding to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Faith comes only when the outward fact penetrates to the inner heart of man and takes possession of him there and this is the work of the Spirit, not man.

Faith recognizes the fact that God is in control of my life. Whether I believe it or not, it's a fact that God is in control of the world. If I don't believe it, I'm just robbing myself of the eternal joy, peace and accepted.

Jesus is my Shepherd:
A. Jesus releases me from FEAR (John 10:1-8, 11-13) so I am not easily spooked
B. Jesus satisfies my SPIRITUAL HUNGER (John 10:9-10) so that I won't covet.
C. Jesus brings me UNITY with other believes to the flock (John 10:11-18) so that I won't be selfish with my spiritual gifts.
D. My salvation is secured (John 10:22-30) so that no one can cause me to doubt my faith.

Hebrews 13:20 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep.

We are the sheep only if we understand what it means to be a sheep. In the New Testament, "You were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls." Connects with the Old Testament prophecy: "All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him." First Peter 5:4 refers to Him as the "Chief Shepherd." Those are significant titles because the Old Testament affirms that "the Lord is my shepherd" (Ps. 23:1, Ezek. 34:23-24; 37:24).

Jesus is MY SHEPHERD that He will supply all my needs (Phil. 4:19) and that He knows everything about my life (Ps. 139:3), cares about me (1 Pet. 5:7), has the power for every difficulty (Ps. 62:11), is perfecting me to be like Christ (Phil. 1:6), and that nothing escapes Him (Ps. 147:5), that will lead me to be stable, not anxious living and not coveting anything.

Recognizing the Jesus voice is like a sheep recognizing the shepherd's voice which means only the Holy Spirit can prick a person's heart help a person to hear Christ's calling. Jesus said in John 10:14-15 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. Jesus said in John 10:28 "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand."

John 10:1-30
Jesus the True Shepherd
1 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.

Jesus the Good Shepherd
7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

17 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” 19 Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings. 20 And many of them said, “He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?” 21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

The Shepherd Knows His Sheep
22 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”

Bible Believing

2009-04-24T20:46:00.001-04:00

Bible-believing is an awkward term. Bible-believing has taken on to refer to a particular strand of Christianity that is tied to certain conservative theological and political positions. We are to Honor the Word (not the Bible). When placing a big claim on the Bible, there is a danger of idolatry. Idolatry is an excessive devotion or reverence to an object or objects (i.e. Bible).

My Bible is my authority but at the same time, I will never put my Bible ahead of God, the Author. The God of the Bible is a jealous God. He makes himself perfectly clear on this point. God is the AUTHOR of the Bible which meant that the Author became WORD in the flesh. The Scribes and Pharisees were guilty of bibliolatry and they did highly honor the words of Scripture (Old Testament). They knew the Book and so tragic that the knowing the words of the Book, knew not its Author. "You know neither me nor my Father," pronounced Jesus. For example, to know the precepts, but not the living God. "Thou shalt love the Bible thy Book with all thine heart, soul, and strength."

I am careful when not to worship the Bible. I worship the Author of the Bible.

Doctrines

2009-04-24T19:31:00.000-04:00

No matter how many people will deny this, we all have our own doctrines that can be different than Orthodox Christianity. Many have become indoctrinated by what they have learned over the years that they have struggled by defending what they have learned and can't seem to let go of it.

One thing I have learned over the years relating to the "doctrine of salvation". I have to remember that the Bible does not present faith as simply "mental assent to the facts of the gospel" but rather true saving faith involves the guidance and the conviction of the Holy Spirit that leads me to repentance from my own sin and a complete trust in the work of Christ to save me from sin and make me righteous in Him. Apostle Paul wrote, “Your salvation is nothing you have achieved by your good works (human decisions). It is a gift of God (conviction of the Holy Spirit). You receive it by faith. That way no one can boast of his own accomplishments.” Ephesians 2:8 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."

No doctrine is more important to evangelical theology than the doctrine of justification by faith alone—the Reformation principle of sola fide. Martin Luther was used by God to develop, what theologians call "soteriology" the doctrine of salvation. He was a "soteriologist" and the truth of the matter is that the Reformation was a soeteriological reformation, that never touched the field of ecclesiology (the doctrine of the Church).

Thinking theologically is a tough thing to do. There is head knowledge, head and heart and just heart knowledge. In knowing God (not just about Him) the heart must be involved. Head knowledge comes from the pages of a theology text. A person may be theologically knowing and spiritually ignorant (unsaved).

How we got our Bible?

2009-04-24T18:31:00.000-04:00

The "CHURCH" knew which books in the New Testament were God breathed, as the saints in the Old Testament knew which books were God breathed. Church councils recognized in the fourth century officially the canon of the New Testament which used Tradition but the Holy Scriptures are separated from Tradition. Canonization deals with how the inspired books of God came to be recognized as Holy Scripture. Inspiration tells us how the Bible received its authority; canonization tells us how these books came to be accepted by men within the Church. In theological usage, “canon” refers to authoritative Scripture. When we speak of the canon of scripture, the word ‘canon’ has a simple meaning. It means the list of books contained in scripture, the list of books recognized as worthy to be included in the sacred writings of a worshiping community. In Christian context, we might define the word as the list of the writings acknowledged by the Church as documents of the divine revelation. Canon is determined by God. A book is not inspired because men made it canonical; it is canonical because God inspired it. Therefore, in summary, canon is determined by inspiration in which the Holy Spirit guided the Church leaders. Understanding canon involves two related but separate issues:
1) Canon is determined by God and
2) Canon is discovered by man.
Failure to keep this distinction leads to confusion.

The Bible is canonical because the church declares it to be so.

What's interesting is that there were books written that you know show up in the apocrypha, a section of a Catholic Bible, for example. Those books are not included in the biblical canon. The word apocrypha has come into the English language from the Greek and basically means hidden. It was used very early in the sense of secretive or concealed, but was also used in reference to a book whose origin was doubtful or unknown. Eventually the word took on the meaning of non-canonical, and for centuries the non-canonical books have been known as apocryphal books. Yet in Protestant circles ‘the apocrypha’ is the normal designation for those extra books which are found in the Catholic Old Testament. The Apocryphal books were never included or accepted into the Hebrew canon because the Old Testament is a collection of Jewish history and Law, it is very significant that none of these books were accepted by the Jewish leaders.

It is important to note that Jesus never refers to the Apocrypha in any of the Gospels.

So....Apostolic perspective, if a writing was the work of an apostle or someone closely associated with an apostle, it must belong to the apostolic age. Writings of later date, whatever their merit, could not be included among the apostolic or canonical books.

Orthodoxy perspective, no works could be canon that contradicted the apostolic faith—the faith set forth in the undisputed books. For example, the Gospel of Peter was challenged by Bishop Serapion because it hinted at the Docetic view that Christ did not really suffer.

Therefore, "catholic" in a sense spiritually universal since the day Church began. Our true faith of the Holy catholic (universal) and apostolic church that has always existed whether it was called Israel or Christian (first at Antioch). A catholic church is an assembly of believers. Through Jesus Christ through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we have apostolic succession, but it is not in a line of men who pass along authority from one to another. It is the passing on of apostolic truth that goes from one generation to the next, in the context of the ministry of the truth in local churches around the world. God is spirit and faith is required to know Christ and then, the Holy Spirit will reveal who God really is through His grace and power. God's authority requires the accountability of His creatures' reception. God's Word are backed by His authority as the supreme and sovereign in all situations.

Church (in spiritual sense) must understand that Christ is the head of the church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15) and that He mediates His rule in the church through godly leaders (1 Thess. 5:13-14; Heb. 13:7, 17). Tradition is an important guidance for all believers however, Tradition should be carefully scrutinized (to look over closely and discerning) before we rely on them. Tradition by itself is not enough because it must be studied and be brought up to date to true orthodoxy. When Tradition is supported by the Scriptures, it will communicate not as dead words but rather spiritually alive words through the Holy Spirit.

Tradition

2009-04-21T15:37:00.003-04:00

Tradition sometimes troubles me. No Church can give me fullness of my faith. As Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:19 "Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are His." The Bible clearly says that all Christians are a body of believers indwelt by the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13). Romans 8:9 says, "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." Spiritual Church is "invisible unity" which assumed to be imperfectly displayed, visibly: some denominations are less accepting of others, and the basic orthodoxy of some is questioned by most of the others. At the instant of our conversion, we become "eternal members" in the universal (catholic) church of Jesus Christ, based solely on His merit and grace.

Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

God is the one who gives everyone the same faith as Peter wrote in 2 Peter 1:1, "Simon Peter, a bondservant and Apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ." Our spiritual capacity is our charisma which is a gift of God's grace. We all didn't deserve grace but we have it in us now. We all are equal. A member of a local Christian spiritual church must understand that God is both holy and loving; that we are sinners, are made in the image of God; that Christ's death was the substitute payment for our sins; and that because of Jesus' payment, we are granted access to the heart of God.

In Ephesians 3:20 "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us". To me, I don't care which "Church" or "Tradition" claim the "rights" to be connected as part of "first Church" (i.e. Roman Catholic). The Greek word for church is ekklesia, which means "an assembly of called-out ones. " The church is made up of people called by God to be His children. We have become united with all other believers by faith in Christ, who said, "I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18). Jesus meant He would gather together a body of believers. He wasn't talking about organizations; He was talking about people. We who know and love Him are the living church that has been born into the family of God by the Holy Spirit.

For years, in my mind, RCC is just Roman Church because "catholic" in a sense spiritually universal since the day Church began. Our true faith of the Holy catholic (universal) and apostolic church that has always existed whether it was called Israel or Christian (first at Antioch). A catholic church is an assembly of believers. Just like a family, a local church is our spiritual family. It is only in the local body to which one is committed that there can be the level of intimacy that is required for spiritual growth with brothers/sisters in Christ "to love and good deeds." Only through that kind spiritual closeness where we can encourage one another. Jesus is advocating loving service, and Biblical love is self-sacrificing service which is part of the "community". Its a reminder that the life of the church is made up of spiritual attitudes and spiritual motivations, spiritual graces that come from deep within the community. Its a reminder of this verse in Ephesians 4:4, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all."

Tradition is not the Word of God but rather Tradition of the Church and how the Church view Tradition and Holy Scriptures. Usually treat their body of traditions as a de facto authority equal to Holy Scriptures. The Jews of Jesus' day also placed tradition on an equal footing with Scripture. Rather, in effect, they made tradition superior to Scripture, because Scripture was interpreted by tradition and therefore made subject to it.Whenever tradition is elevated to such a high level of authority, it inevitably becomes detrimental to the authority of Scripture. Jesus made this very point when he confronted the Jewish leaders. He showed that in many cases their traditions actually nullified Scripture. He therefore rebuked them in the harshest terms: "Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. 'But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.' Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men. You nicely set aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death'; but you say, 'If a man says to his father or his mother, anything of mine you might have been helped by is Corban (that is to say, given to God),' you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that" Mk. 7:6-13.

Jesus' Word was the final authority in all matters: "You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you" (Deut. 4:2). They were to observe His commandments assiduously, and neither supplement nor abrogate them by any other kind of "authority": "Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it" (Deut. 12:32).

In my own conscience, no man, no church, no religious authority has any warrant from God to augment the inspired Word of Scripture with additional traditions, or to alter the plain sense of it by subjecting it to the rigors of a "traditional" meaning not found in the Word itself. To do so is clearly to invalidate the Word of God and we know what our Lord thinks of that (Matt. 15:6-9).

Judging

2009-04-20T20:28:00.000-04:00

"A pharisee is hard on others and easy on himself, but a spiritual man is easy on others and hard on himself" (A.W. Tozer). There are those who are similar to Pharisees' attitudes are those who magnifies the faults of those who based others on appearance and diminishes their graces, while they promote their external works.

They are those who forget the true meaning of Grace. The Greek word alazoneia refers to being proud when you really have nothing to be proud about. A true Christian is not proud but rather humble like Christ. Paul explains in Romans 15:1-7 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Based on many replies of the threads, people have shown an attitude that doctrines are more important love. Superiorism in regards to doctrines who have no compassion. Jesus in Matthew 15:1-3. Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition (doctrine)?”

Are we studying the Bible for ourselves or for us to preach to others? This is where we should have a serious responsibility in this matter to search in our hearts about our motives when we try to glorify God. Paul said, "But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment" (1 Corinthians 11:31). Someone has said "Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ." I am learning every day to be careful how I read and need to look from doctrinal perspective rather than our own educational satisfaction. To be heavenly-minded we must think heavenly thoughts. We ourselves must keep in mind, and those we who are disciples, that truth is greater than our understanding of it.

Faith and Obedience

2009-04-18T13:35:00.001-04:00

Faith is the first step of obedience proves to be an act of faith in the word of Christ by responding to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Faith comes only when the outward fact penetrates to the inner heart of man and takes possession of him there and this is the work of the Spirit, not man. I desire to do God's will out of love and obedience as if I am after God's own heart. Nothing holy and genuine will be done in someone's life until their will is surrendered in active obedience to the Holy Spirit. This is between the believer and God. As long as our conscience is clear and our heart is pure before God, don't be concerned with minor issues. The entire Bible teaches that true obedience to God and His Christ is one of the toughest requirements in the Christian life. Actually, salvation without obedience is a self-contradicting impossibility! Humans do not want to admit it, but the Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans long ago that "by one man's disobedience" came the downfall of the human race. True "sanctification" is only through the Holy Spirit who produce the evidence of my own true spiritual condition, humility and intimacy with God that my flesh CANNOT DO. We need to guard our minds, emotions, and wills, "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5). I will never be perfect as long as I live in my body which is why God's grace is more than sufficient.

Authority

2009-04-18T13:27:00.001-04:00

Through Jesus Christ through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we have apostolic succession, but it is not in a line of men who pass along authority from one to another. It is the passing on of apostolic truth that goes from one generation to the next, in the context of the ministry of the truth in local churches around the world. God reveals Himself primarily through the pages of Scripture; that is why I believe the Bible as my absolute authority. The idea that Jesus Christ has absolute and final authority over all of us in every detail of our lives is simply having faith in Him and His power of Grace. God will guide us into all truth. God is spirit and faith is required to know Christ and then, the Holy Spirit will reveal who God really is through His grace and power. God's authority requires the accountability of His creatures' reception. God's Word are backed by His authority as the supreme and sovereign in all situations.

God reveals Himself primarily through the pages of Scripture; that is why I believe the Bible as my absolute authority. 1 Peter 4:11 instructs me to handle biblical truth: "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God." The Bible is true, then it is also authoritative. As divinely revealed truth, it carries the full weight of God's own authority through the Holy Spirit. The only authority any Church leaders have is the Word of God. When you step beyond the Word of God, you’ve overstepped the bounds of your authority. While I realized that there are false teachers who are within our faith and using Christianity to lead us from the truth. That is where the most dangerous teachings come from. As divinely revealed truth, it carries the full weight of God's own authority. A church must understand that Christ is the head of the church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15) and that He mediates His rule in the church through godly leaders (1 Thess. 5:13-14; Heb. 13:7, 17). Tradition is an important guidance for all believers however, Tradition should be carefully scrutinized (to look over closely and discerning) before we rely on them. Tradition by itself is not enough because it must be studied and be brought up to date to true orthodoxy. When Tradition is supported by the Scriptures, it will communicate not as dead words but rather spiritually alive words through the Holy Spirit. The real crisis today is not between Catholic and Protestants or any other denominations but rather traditional, scriptural and doctrinal forms of Church life.

Christians who are part of Reformation, even today

2009-04-18T12:41:00.000-04:00

Here's my thoughts. Church government maintains that there are three legitimate church offices: bishops, presbyters (or rectors of priests), and deacons. The bishops alone have authority to appoint other bishops, presbyters, and deacons. Some trace the authority of the bishop back to the apostles (apostolic succession); others trace the bishop’s authority to church history, and still others claim no historic succession.

The true Apostolic Succession was not of office but of doctrine. There is no succession of apostolic gifts because they were nontransferable commission given to the Apostles directly by Jesus Christ. When they died, it was over. They have no permanent activity in the life of the church. There is apostolic succession in the context that the truth entrusted to the apostles is now passed on to others such as bishops and elders. In 1 Timothy 3:15: The church is "...the pillar and support of the truth." This is apostolic succession. We are proclaiming the truth that was given to the apostles and prophets and has been passed down by God's grace through history to us today. We are called to be in the line of apostolic succession. A truth has been communicated. It is contained in this word. Its focus is Christ and what He is doing in the church today. That is what this church is about. It is about truth.

Through Jesus Christ through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we have apostolic succession, but it is not in a line of men who pass along authority from one to another. It is the passing on of apostolic truth that goes from one generation to the next, in the context of the ministry of the truth in local churches around the world.

Historically, I know and accept that Roman Catholic Church along with Greek Orthodox Church are among the original in terms of "Church". However, in terms of 'men' who were leaders, there were issues. Those men have moved away from the apostolic truth over the years. Grace is being taught and conferred through works in the Roman Catholic system. Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses that explained the Catholic doctrine of justification is precisely what Paul condemned as "a different gospel." According to the Bible, God "reckons righteousness apart from works" (Rom. 4:4-6). Paul counted all other things as refuse and dung for the sake of a right doctrine of justification: "In order that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith" (Phil. 3:8-9). That is a plain repudiation of the very doctrine taught by the Council of Trent!

Justification was the doctrine that sparked the Reformation. Catholic theology had neglected the subject for centuries. Rome was unprepared to answer the early Reformers' doctrinal challenge. So the Church's initial response was to deflect the debate to the issue of moral and ecclesiastical reforms. Martin Luther was frustrated by Rome's unwillingness to address doctrine—especially justification by faith. He even stated that he would gladly yield to the pope on ecclesiastical matters if the pope would embrace the true gospel. Luther understood that all the moral and ecclesiastical offenses tolerated by the Church were ultimately a result of the eclipse of justification. The doctrine of justification by faith alone would have automatically ended the sale of indulgences and other abuses of ecclesiastical power.

I agree with Martin Luther when he spoke out that Roman Catholic Church was that they have a different gospel than the one of the Bible. No doctrine is more important to evangelical theology than the doctrine of justification by faith alone—the Reformation principle of sola fide. Martin Luther called it the article that determines whether the church is standing or falling. History provides plenty of objective evidence to affirm Luther's assessment. Churches and denominations that hold firmly to sola fide remain evangelical.

When the Reformers' preaching about justification by faith began to awaken the masses to the truth of Scripture, it was inevitable that the Roman Catholic Church would respond. Council of Trent was Rome's answer to the Reformation, and much of the Council's work was specifically designed to set Catholic doctrine in stark contrast to Protestant ideas. Nowhere is the divergence between Rome and the Reformers more pronounced than in the Council's handling of justification. The Canons and Decrees of Trent are not merely the archaic opinion of some medieval Bishops. They represent the official position of the Church to this day. All subsequent Catholic councils have uniformly reaffirmed Trent's pronouncements. In fact, the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s declared these doctrines "irreformable." All faithful Catholics are commanded to receive them as infallible truth. Therefore, to understand Roman Catholic doctrine on justification, we must go back to the Council of Trent.

Trent did not overtly deny that believers are saved by divine grace. In fact, the Council specifically stated that "God justifies sinners by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." That, of course, is an echo of Romans 3:24. But Scripture goes a step further than Trent was willing to go. Romans 11:6 says, "But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace". Trent took a position that made works an essential part of justification. In doing so, they were left with a grace that is "no longer grace." So although Trent started with an affirmation of divine grace, the doctrine of justification they described is actually "a different gospel" that corrupts the grace of God.

Jesus also told this parable to certain ones who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-gatherer. The Pharisee stood and was praying thus to himself, 'God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-gatherer. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.' But the tax-gatherer, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, but he who humbles himself shall be exalted" (Luke 18:9-14).

That parable surely shocked Jesus' listeners! They "trusted in themselves that they were righteous" (v. 9)—the very definition of self-righteousness. Their theological heroes were the Pharisees, who held to the most rigid legalistic standards which is similar to Counsel of Trent.

Yet Jesus had stunned multitudes by saying, "Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:20)—followed by, "You are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (v. 5:48).

Clearly, Jesus set a standard that was humanly impossible, for no one could surpass the rigorous living of the scribes and Pharisees. Now Jesus further astounds His listeners with a parable that seems to place a detestable tax-gatherer in a better position spiritually than a praying Pharisee. Jesus' point is clear. Jesus was teaching that justification is by faith alone. All the theology of justification is there. But without delving into abstract theology, Jesus clearly painted the picture for us with a parable.

I realized that people can possess an intellectual understanding and knowledge of the truth and yet not be saved. A person may remember exactly when they made the "decision" but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. They are oblivious to the real world of God's truth; rather, they are plugged into a dream world of fantasy. In chapter 2, Peter gave an extended warning about the danger of false teachers and the corruption that would infiltrate the church as those who professed to know the living God through their doctrines.

Even though doctrinal differences may arise between Christians, we must still show love to one another. However, this does not mean that we are to ignore doctrinal error. 1 Corinthians 13:6 says that love "rejoices in the truth." So one aspect of loving one another is to strive for doctrinal purity by pointing out doctrinal error, not by ignoring it.

My Life and God's providence

2009-04-13T19:46:00.001-04:00

In my own experiences, God lead me to what I call "coincidences" in my life which perhaps God will make sure that His wills will be done at His right time and place. God will yet have His way while as responsible beings, I also must make my choices in any situations I may face.

Often we make decisions we think that it is God's will however, circumstances will make us change directions. The circumstances surrounding our lives are no accident: they may be the work of evil, but that evil is held firmly within the mighty hand of our sovereign God. We are to allow the Holy Spirit do what He will through us and see what He does with us.

From my experience, life is:
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. -- Proverbs 3:5-6

Proverbs 16:9 We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.

Proverbs 20:24 A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?

Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.

Jeremiah 10:23 I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.

All of the Old Testament verses are summarized by Paul in Romans 8:28-29 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them."

God rules over all things and controls all things. 'Providence" means God’s faithful, moment-by-moment control over everything He has made to ensure that everything He has created are going according to His will. He is active in every detail of it. He’s active at every moment. He doesn’t stand back and let things happen because He decides to intervene if something or someone is not going according to His will. He governs the world moment-by-moment through providence, so that everything that happens, every detail of our life occurs by God's divine providence or by God’s express permission. He is in control of everything. Even the bad things that happen to us are circumscribed by a loving providence and God promises to use them all for our and HIS ultimate good.

We are the sheep only if we understand what it means to be a sheep. In the New Testament, "You were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls." Connects with the Old Testament prophecy: "All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him." First Peter 5:4 refers to Him as the "Chief Shepherd." Those are significant titles because the Old Testament affirms that "the Lord is my shepherd" (Ps. 23:1, Ezek. 34:23-24; 37:24).

Sovereign is complete control by God, in all circumstances including our own lives. Jesus said "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered." (Matthew 10:29-30)

I asked for love.................God gave me situations I have encountered so I can learn to love Him and others around me.
I asked for strength...........God gave me difficulties which gave me strengths to handle my life.
I asked for wisdom...........God gave me problems to learn to solve with Godly wisdom.
I asked for prosperity.......God gave me a brain and a talent to work so I can make good money (which I do).
I asked for courage..........God gave me dangers to learn to overcome my situations.
I asked for healing............God gave me directions so I can help others with love who are in the same situations as I am.
I asked for guidance........God gave me opportunities to use to direct my paths.

The main thing to understand and remember is that Jesus is MY SHEPHERD that He will supply all my needs (Phil. 4:19) and that He knows everything about my life (Ps. 139:3), cares about me (1 Pet. 5:7), has the power for every difficulty (Ps. 62:11), is perfecting me to be like Christ (Phil. 1:6), and that nothing escapes Him (Ps. 147:5), that will lead me to be stable, not anxious living.
__________________
Faith recognizes the fact that God is in control of my life. Whether I believe it or not, it's a fact that God is in control of the world. If I don't believe it, I"m just robbing myself of the enjoyment of the fact. Paul Little

If we have no zeal for the glory of God our mercy must be superficial, man-centered human improvement with no eternal significance. And if our zeal for the glory of God is not a revealing in his mercy, than our so-called zeal, in spite of all its protests, is our of touch with God and hypocritical. John Piper

What good would outward appearance be, if the soul were in hopeless darkness? To strive to keep our bodies fit and healthy is good, but a fit and healthy soul is even better. Looking forward to our eternal inheritance will help us maintain a proper perspective on temporal things and motivate us to praise and adore God.

God's Servant

2009-03-29T18:21:00.001-04:00

Stewardship and Tithing

2009-03-27T19:23:00.001-04:00

The New Testament teaches stewardship much more than tithing. "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17). God wants us to declare ourselves alive in the Spirit, confession that there is a new life within us. Jesus spoke the issues of a person's heart and a Christian's motive. God is not impressed by our works such as tithing.

When we read 2 Corinthians 9:7 says: "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Jesus said in Mark 12:33: To love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." Our worth in our hearts are more worthy than any offerings that we give to God. 1 Peter 2:5 reminds us that we also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. That verse ties to Romans 12:1 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 act of worship. Everything belongs to God, who calls the church to live in faithful stewardship of all that God has entrusted to us.

True Servants

2009-03-27T19:08:00.002-04:00

I have learned through the years that God don't need me but I do know He uses my life. My own faith is not self-effort or anything I can do for God but rather from within that my faith is a gift from the Holy Spirit by the conviction to submit into action. The outcome is not based on my faith or my will but rather God's will for my life as I serve Him on this earth as I serve for Him in heaven. The Spirit is our intercessor, our personal indwelling intercessor interceding according to the will of God. Jesus had said to His disciples, "Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave" (Matthew 20:26‑27). The life of a local church is made up of spiritual attitudes and spiritual motivations, spiritual graces that come from deep within the community. Its a reminder of this verse in Ephesians 4:4, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all."

Serving the Lord is hard work and requires diligence. Christian's accountability involves "one another" that every Christians are encouraged to be actively serving and ministering their gifts. God uses Christians' circumstances to bring people to Christ. This is the concept of Romans 8:28-29 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."

God uses thorns to perfect His "power is perfected in weakness". Through GRACE, "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:4). Grace of heart is a gift from God and this has nothing to do with the thorns because God change our circumstances by changing us internally, by allowing Him to lift us above our present thorn and He will lead us into His will. James says count it all joy when you fall into various trials cause trials have a perfecting work. Peter says after you've suffered a while the Lord will make you perfect. In the Bible, God uses people with the right life experiences by putting them through the right spiritual directions and teaching them the right spiritual lessons. Knowledge of the mystery is having the reality of an experience of knowing God personally and consciously.

Yep. 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

In my office, I have this cute cartoon. It is showing a cute person wearing the Armor of God and shooting arrows (devil's schemes). A quote under the cartoon states: "Look at it this way...... Without these trials, testing of your faith, working of patience, and fighting a good fight.......LIFE COULD BE BORING." (see 1 Peter 1:7) My mother gave me that when I was facing tough situations.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Not All Christians are Spirit-filled?

2009-03-21T10:53:00.000-04:00

To provoke your thoughts to see what is really going on and exactly where we are in terms of discussing doctrines. Truth is often prevented if Christianity is known as a legalistic system which cause a delusion of eternal life.

If a Christian is not spirit-filled, then that Christian do not have the spirit that will take him/her into heaven for eternal life.

Jesus said:
John 6:63
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

Romans 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

All Christians are to live in spirit as Paul wrote "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25).

At time of our salvation, in Spirit (in Christ), we all have the SAME faith. First Corinthians 12:9 says "To another faith by the same Spirit." The Bible clearly says that all Christians are a body of believers indwelt by the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13). Romans 8:9 says, "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, He is none of His." In Ephesians 5:18 where the present tense of the verb in Greek means: "Keep on being filled with the Spirit". "The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us" (Romans 5:5).

Spirit-filled is not about spiritual-gifts but rather eternal gift. "If Christ is in us, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness" (Romans 8:10). "My temporary body is decaying at the same time, my inner being is being renewed day by day" (2 Cor 4:16). Flesh-filled means "If we do not yield and honor the Holy Spirit, our lives will not show forth the blessed fruits of the Spirit!" All Christians have the spiritual capacity in their charisma which is a gift of God's grace according to God's determinations. According to the Greek word charisma, we have received grace gifts. We are free in God's grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit to do right, to look at these others in a condescending way. Our hearts are like a garden and must be kept free from weeds and insects. To expect the fruits and flowers bloom in an untended heart is to misunderstand completely the processes of Grace and grieving the Holy Spirit. A person's heart is always found running in the direction of his/her desires. If there is no righteous deed, if there is no fruit of righteousness, there is no way to demonstrate the validity of faith.

We are to renew our minds, through the grace of God and the work the work of the Holy Spirit. Love is the crowning Christian virtue (I Corinthians 13:1-3; Colossians 3:14), fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5) and the distinguishing mark of discipleship (John 13:34-35). Reading Romans 8:14 says, “Those who are led by the Spirit are the sons of God.”

Ephesians 5:15-17: “Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (NASB)

The potter (God) is working with this soft, yielding clay (us). If this clay does not submit, the potter may not be able to do what I should do according to His will. The potter still could make anything except for useful and beautiful (spiritual fruitful) out of an unyielding blob of clay. If God is going to make those kinds of vessels out of clay (us), however, we are going to have to yield to the spiritual law of surrender. Give ourselves to God as a living sacrifice and let Him have us--all of us as in all of our minds, all of our hearts and all of our souls. As Jesus said in Matthew 22:37 " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'

Psalm 26:1-3
1 Vindicate me, O LORD,
for I have led a blameless life;
I have trusted in the LORD
without wavering. 2 Test me, O LORD, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind;
3 for your love is ever before me,
and I walk continually in your truth.

Throughout the centuries, Christian theology has understood “faith” to mean trust or belief in God. Faith comes as a result of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit-He quickens our hearts to believe. Apart from the new birth, there can be no true faith. Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. God is spirit and faith is required to know Christ and then, the Holy Spirit will reveal who God really is through His grace and power. Flesh's faith leads a person them to do 'works" while Spirit produces faith. The source of Faith is the Holy Spirit that faith is kindled and is preserved and made strong by grace alone. Faith is the first step of obedience proves to be an act of faith in the word of Christ by responding to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Faith comes only when the outward fact penetrates to the inner heart of man and takes possession of him there and this is the work of the Spirit, not man.

If someone tells you that your faith is small, they really don't know what they are talking about spiritually because they are focusing on man's measure of faith.

More about the Author of our faith

2009-03-12T19:24:00.000-04:00

All of us have experienced some form of sickness in our lives and many of us are presently in some kind of affliction. Illness is something that we see all around us, it seems to be universal, and it is responsible for a great deal of suffering and misery. None of us wants to experience sickness. We avoid it when possible.

There was no ordinary human more righteous from God’s point of view than the apostle Paul, but even he suffered from “a thorn in the flesh” which caused him infirmities (2 Corinthians 12:7–10). There was one particular “infirmity of the flesh” which afflicted Paul and gave him a great deal of pain and embarrassment (Galatians 4:13–15). Not only that, Paul left one of his dearest friends and colleagues sick in the region of Miletum (2 Timothy 4:20).

It is self evident that God can accomplish anything He sets out to do (1 Samuel 2:6–8). The truth is, sometimes it is God’s will to heal people, and sometimes it is not. At certain times in the past Christ told people that they would be healed “according to your faith” (Matthew 9:29); and when He told them that He certainly meant it! Though the application was by their own faith, it was Christ’s will that they were healed. Yet Christ healed many others without any faith on their part (i.e. deaf man).

One interesting example. When Peter cut off the ear of one coming to arrest Him, Christ touched the man’s ear and healed him. This man was not converted. He expressed no faith in Christ to heal him, but he was nevertheless healed (Luke 22:51).

But wait, THERE's MORE
A leper was healed without an acclamation of faith (Matthew 8:2–4).
Peter’s mother-in-law was made well without any mention of faith (Matthew 8:14–15).
The man with the withered hand (Mark 3:5) was healed without any mention of faith.
The man with the dropsy (Luke 14:3–4) was healed without any mention of faith.
The impotent man (John 5:13) was healed without any mention of faith.
The lame man who sat at the Gate Beautiful (Acts 3:1–8) was healed without a mention of faith.

All these people were healed by miraculous acts of Christ without faith being acknowledged, nor was faith even implied as being necessary. The fact is, at times Christ told people that faith was required for their particular healing, but with others it was not at all necessary.

We need to know what the will of God is in any specific case and whether His promises apply directly to us. We must constantly“prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). God always means what He says, but we need to know what His will is for us at all times.

Those who wish to heed the biblical revelation need to comprehend what the teaching of faith in healing really is. The only faith that can save any human to spiritual salvation is Christ’s faith — not ours (Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8).

During Christ's 3 year ministry before He died, even before the Holy Spirit came into all of the believers. Christ said to them: “According to your faith be it unto you” (Matthew 9:29). The miracle was in the use of their own faiths, which Christ honored with healing. Jesus told a woman: “Your faith has made you whole” (Matthew 9:22). Note that in this particular instance it was not the faith of Christ that caused this woman to be healed. It was her own faith, she didn't have Christ faith.“She said within herself, if I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole” (Matthew 9:21).

Now, we should understand the difference between OUR faith and Christ's faith in us. Christ is the AUTHOR of our faith. Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

God is the one who gives everyone the same faith as Peter wrote in 2 Peter 1:1, "Simon Peter, a bondservant and Apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ."

At time of our salvation, in Spirit (in Christ), we all have the SAME faith. First Corinthians 12:9 says "To another faith by the same Spirit." The Bible clearly says that all Christians are a body of believers indwelt by the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13). Romans 8:9 says, "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, He is none of His." He is the source of instruction, power, comfort, and security. Christ promised the disciples would receive the Spirit, and that's exactly what happened in Acts 2. Since then, all believers have received the Spirit at the moment of conversion.

If you want to focus on YOUR own faith, go ahead, that's what you believe.

Don't let those who teaches you the flesh's doctrines (man-centered) of faith. Your own faith have no inherent value without the Holy Spirit. Your own faith is not based on merit.

Can Christians show strong faith without being filled by the Holy Spirit? Absolutely NO. Faith is the root of works that only the Holy Spirit provides.

The concept of man's (i.e. YOUR OWN) faith meritorious works DENIES Christ's authorship of our faith.

Our faith can only be provided by the Holy Spirit's power and it is not from man's good work.

I am going to my AUTHOR of my faith which is Jesus Christ.

Jesus, the AUTHOR of our FAITH

2009-03-10T18:34:00.003-04:00

At time of our salvation, in Spirit (in Christ), we all have the SAME faith. First Corinthians 12:9 says "To another faith by the same Spirit." Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 describe the birth of the church. It's at this time Christ's promise of the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5) and the indwelling of the Spirit (Acts 1:8) take effect.the Bible clearly says that all Christians are a body of believers indwelt by the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13). Romans 8:9 says, "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." He is the source of instruction, power, comfort, and security. Christ promised the disciples would receive the Spirit, and that's exactly what happened in Acts 2. Since then, all believers have received the Spirit at the moment of conversion.

The ability to believe for salvation, the ability to believe for service, the ability to believe in intercessory prayer are all given measures of faith that come from God. One of the greatest example is in Romans 8:26 "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." We have to remember the source of our faith is from our personal relationship is directly to the Author of our faith.

Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

God is the one who gives everyone the same faith as Peter wrote in 2 Peter 1:1, "Simon Peter, a bondservant and Apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ." Our spiritual capacity is our charisma which is a gift of God's grace. We all didn't deserve grace but we have it in us now. We all are equal.

God wants us to be Spirit-filled that God's loving desire that we should reflect His own will, holiness and goodness, NOT our own goodness and our measure of faith. In Ephesians 5:18 where the present tense of the verb in Greek means: "Keep on being filled with the Spirit". The Holy Spirit dwells in us with all the power and gifts of God, necessary to enable us to walk the noble, spiritual, Son-like life with God.

In this day and age with many a so-called “Spirit-filled” Christians languishing in lukewarm faith conditions based on measurement based on works on human efforts. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then Jesus through His GRACE just flows out of you because if you DON'T, trying to do the Lord's work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. It is God's will for us to be Spirit-filled (Ephesians 5:17-18).

Don't let those who teaches you the flesh's doctrines (man-centered) of faith. Man's faith has no inherent value without the Holy Spirit. Man's faith is not based on merit. Man's faith can only be provided by the Holy Spirit's power and it is not from man's good work. Faith don't deserve rewards but rather by God's grace (gift). True Faith is when you cannot answer a skeptic but be content to wait for more light while at the same time never forsake a great principle of God's Character. The great enemy of faith is a complacent spirit, an attitude of self-satisfaction with the status quo.

Focus on God-centered on faith that you know that YOUR SOURCE of faith is from God alone.

To be spirit-filled means you are to be always filled with the Holy Spirit and don't ignore God. Reading Romans 8:14 says, “Those who are led by the Spirit are the sons of God." We are to “Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days (Prov. 19:20) because “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice” (Prov. 12:15). Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” (See also: Ecclesiastes 9:10; Romans 12:11; I Corinthians 15:5-8; Ephesians 6:7,8.) If we lack wisdom, we are commanded to ask God for it. "It will be given to him", the wisdom we seek will be ours (cf. Matt. 7:7-11). James says: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God” (James 1:5). If we believe that God is sovereign, and He is, if we believe that God orders all circumstances to accomplish His own holy purpose, then we can be content in anything because everything is under control. Discontent comes when we want to control everything. . Jesus said, “Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matt. 6:34). Lamentations 3:23 tells us His mercies “are new every morning.” “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever” (Heb. 13:8). That means He will be doing the same thing tomorrow that He was doing yesterday.

In my own Christian life, thinking is crucial, emotions are crucial and serve is crucial. It is not "if I serve according to my abilities" but rather "if I serve according to God's will". God reveals Himself primarily through the pages of Scripture; that is why I believe the Bible as my absolute authority.

In our sanctification, we are go grow in spirit and truth. We are to continuing being spirit-filled and spirit-lead by allowing His grace to transform us what He wants us to be. Our task is to faithfully pursue His will. God’s lessons have taught me what Spirit-filled really means and how to practice Spirit-filled virtues. Being filled with the Holy Spirit means I am to refrain from using my rights and privileges I am entitled to by God's grace because I desire to do God's will out of love and obedience as if I am after God's own heart. Great faiths in the Bible were willing to let go of their rights, privileges and lives in the interests of doing God's will. Faith in Jesus has replaced my temporal doubts and fears with eternal hope when I present my body "as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God" (see Romans 12:1-2). A faithful Christian will learn and see to it that my anticipations will conform to the revealed Word of God and I have nothing to doubt or fear in my life or in my death.

Paul said in Ephesians 3:17-19 I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Can Christians show strong faith without being filled by the Holy Spirit? Absolutely NO. Faith is the root of works that only the Holy Spirit provides. Without the Holy Spirit, the root is dead, even our own works are dead even as hypocrites or unsaved. The concept of faith meritorious works DENIES Christ's authorship of our faith.

"The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us" (Romans 5:5). We all have to come to the understanding that while God wants us to be Spirit-filled that God's loving desire that we should reflect His own holiness and goodness that leads to STRONG FAITH that HE can only provide.

As I posted earlier, our faith in spirit are delegated equally. Only through GRACE that our faith can grow. "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor. 12:9).

How faith is usually determined by man's doctrines (i.e. Word of Faith) while God's doctrine of faith is Holy Spirit. God has provided us the power of His Holy Spirit to enable us to have strong faith that there is no excuse for having doubts. Christian faith is inward, not outward because we are in the spirit and not in the flesh.

In Ephesians 3:20 "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us".

When not healed, God provides the greatest miracle, His GRACE. That we are always to keep filling the Holy Spirit so that we are able to act and react any given situations. "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor. 12:9).

He comforts us in His arms through His power of Grace on the journey to His destiny for us as Paul explains: “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)

There are those who forget that as Christians, they already have the power of their faith in God as "spirit-filled" when they teach about faith, by saying, “Look what I've accomplished in my measure of faith.” That is why the Apostle Paul wrote, “Your salvation is nothing you have achieved by your good works. It is a gift of God. You receive it by faith. That way no one can boast of his own accomplishments.”

Divine Healing and Suffering

2009-03-04T18:34:00.002-05:00

1. the belief that God can and does heal today.
2. the belief that healing is guaranteed IN THIS LIFE under the atonement.
3. the belief that God do not longer heal and does not heal today.

God does heal people (James 5:14-16), but healing is not guaranteed (Romans 8:23). Sickness is often the result of sin (John 5:14), but it is not always the result of sin (John 9:3). Satan is often the author of sickness (Job 2:7), but he is not the only author of sickness (Acts 13:11).

God has promised that whatever we ask in his name and in faith will be done (Matt. 21:22; John 14:13-14; 16:24; 1 John 5:14). That means our requests must be according to his will. If we ask for healing and it is according to his will, God will heal us. In Exodus 15:26 God told the Israelites, "I, the Lord, am your healer." The words for Lord here are Yahweh Ropeca, which means "the Lord who heals thee." And so the Christian has a right to look to God in times of illness.

In 1 Peter 2:24 explains that does not mean healing for every sickness in this age is guaranteed as part of the atonement. But it confirms the healing pattern in Christ's work on out behalf and assures us of ultimate, eternal deliverance from the sicknesses and infirmities of this present world. Christ's atonement provided us with a means to obtain a resurrection to eternal life with no more sickness, death, or suffering, so in that sense, yes, healing was provided for in the atonement.

If healing is guaranteed in the atonement only when we do not sin, and everybody sins, then nobody's healing is really guaranteed.

(1) Perfect health is guaranteed for the believer unless he sins.
(2) Everybody sins. (1 John 1:8)
(3) Therefore perfect health is not guaranteed for any believer.

Isaiah 53 of our Messiah (Jesus) in summary:
His childhood. Isaiah 53:2
His rejection by his fellow Jews. Isaiah 53:2-3
His healing ministry. Isaiah 53:4
His suffering for sins. Isaiah 53:5-7
His death. Isaiah 53:8
His burial. Isaiah 53:9
His resurrection. Isaiah 53:10-11
His exaltation. Isaiah 53:12

Finally.... The idea is that since God is a loving father, then he would do everything any loving father would do, and he would not do what any loving father would not do. God is just like us. He thinks like us, reasons like us, and shares our worldly point of view. Universalists are famous for using God as "Father figure" and will use this argument to say that everybody will eventually be saved. They argue that since none of us would send our son or daughter to hell for eternity and disown our children forever with no hope of reconciliation, then surely God would have more mercy than we would and would therefore always leave the door open, and eventually, everybody will be saved.

God did not promise us a rose garden. On the contrary, he promised us suffering. There is no logic in thinking God would spare us one kind of suffering on the basis that he's a loving father while not sparing us another kind of suffering for the same reason.

I have true witnessed healing. However, I also have witnessed false healing. We have every reason to pray in faith for our healing even though it's not guaranteed, because we have a merciful God who is often willing to heal. Some proponents of the Word of Faith teaching say that to pray, "if it be your will," indicates a lack of faith and that it mocks God. On the contrary, praying, "if it be your will," is an act of humility.

I believe that God heals.

However, I do NOT agree that God will always heals as in "ALL".

The truth is also in the biblical fact that our God good causes and/or allow sickness and suffering. Job is a classic case of this truth, as well as Jesus Christ on the cross. God's purposes could be many and one of them could be for the good of the person enduring it, as in the case of both. Or it can be for punishment, as in Leviticus 26:15,16; Deuteronomy 28:61; Psalm 107:17,17; 2 Kings 5:27; Micah 6:13; Acts 5:4-6, 9-10; 13:11; and 1 Corinthians 11:30.

Why do Christians get sick?

Some sickness comes from God. In Exodus 4: 11 God told Moses: "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes him dumb or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?" Stated that simply and directly, the idea sounds repulsive.

Would a loving God want anyone to suffer?

Why would he make a man dumb, deaf, or blind? Yet again and again in Scripture we see that there is far more to God's sovereign plan than our finite minds can comprehend.

God made the disabled and infirm. Babies are born every day with defects.

Many children grow up with congenital deformities. Some people have illnesses that last for years. While it is unexplainable according to our human logic, it is all God's plan and a gift of God's love.

Take me for an example, I was born deaf. God knew me before the conception. That's eternal. God created my inmost being and knitted me together in my mother's womb. This is what the LORD says— "He who made you, Who formed you in the womb, and Who will help you and that before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God. I was DEAF before I was born so God knew that while my body was being formed. Therefore, time should be eternal because God's time is eternal.

God uses circumstances to bring people to Christ, not just to heal them. God's main objective in this world is to save as many as possible from eternal death. People focus on healing is the best opportunity for all while God have other plans. No one knows what is God's specific will and plans for each believer.

Some sickness comes from Satan. Luke 13:11-13 is the account of how Jesus healed a woman who "for eighteen years had had a sickness caused by a spirit; and she was bent double, and could not straighten up at all." When Jesus saw her he said, "Woman, you are freed from your sickness."

God may let Satan cause someone to be sick for his own reasons. The classic biblical example is Job.

Some sickness is chastening for sin. In the twelfth chapter of Numbers we see Miriam getting leprosy because of disobedience to the Lord. And then we see her being healed because of her repentance. In Deuteronomy 28:20-22 God warned the Israelites that he would smite them with pestilence if they sinned. In 2 Kings 5 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, gets leprosy because of his greed.

The psalmist wrote, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Thy word" (Ps. 119:67).

Analyzing a local Church

2009-02-22T18:11:00.002-05:00

We can easily find ourselves drawn into a Church service with a wrong motive. A local church doesn't need manipulative programs and if someone try to motivate people to do things for selfish motives, what they do won't honor God. Churches today are very mixed and many of them are compromising God's moral standards. A member of a Christian spiritual church must understand that God is both holy and loving; that we are sinners, are made in the image of God; that Christ's death was the substitute payment for our sins; and that because of Jesus' payment, we are granted access to the heart of God. As we observe how a church functions, look for an emphasis on worshiping God. See if the leadership stresses the importance of honoring and glorifying God in all things (1 Cor. 10:31; Col.3:17). We also are to observe the involvement of the individual members. Do they exercise their spiritual gifts among the Body of Christ (Rom. 12:3-8; Eph. 4:11-13; 1 Pet. 4:10-11)? A local Church's spiritual capacity is their charisma which is a gift of God's grace. They are free in God's grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit to do right, to look at these others in a condescending way. Often GRACE is abused when instead of seeing that as an opportunity for ministry, it becomes an opportunity for spiritual pride and an occasion of self-conceit where they congratulate themselves for their spirituality and spiritual gifts (i.e. healing).

We are to allow the Holy Spirit do what He will through us and see what He does with us. In 1 Corinthians 14:12, Paul wrote: "So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church." The spiritual gifts are to be submitted as the Lord determines in an unifying way. God will use our spiritual gifts by His Spirit as He wills.

As James said to the church at large, “Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (James 1:22; cf. Luke 6:46; John 13:17). To me, a strong local church is marked by love. As we become acquainted with the church, do we sense that the members are loving one another as Christ commanded (John 13:34-35)? A strong local church is marked by love. Do the members seem to genuinely care for one another? Do they minister to each other's needs? As you become acquainted with the church, do you sense that the members are loving one another as Christ commanded (John 13:34-35)?

Do they ave a High View of God? Proverbs 9:10 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." It should be obvious that the people, from the leadership down, focus on the glory and majesty of God. Do they take God seriously and exalt Him in all they do? Their view of God will affect every aspect of their lives and ministry. Ask yourself if God is the focus of their worship or if they're preoccupied with each other or themselves?

God in my life...................

2009-02-13T19:18:00.002-05:00

Jesus is my Shepherd:
A. Jesus releases me from FEAR (John 10:1-8, 11-13) so I am not easily spooked
B. Jesus satisfies my SPIRITUAL HUNGER (John 10:9-10) so that I won't covet.
C. Jesus brings me UNITY with other believes to the flock (John 10:11-18) so that I won't be selfish with my spiritual gifts.
D. My salvation is secured (John 10:22-30) so that no one can cause me to doubt my faith.

Hebrews 13:20 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep.

We are the sheep only if we understand what it means to be a sheep. In the New Testament, "You were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls." Connects with the Old Testament prophecy: "All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him." First Peter 5:4 refers to Him as the "Chief Shepherd." Those are significant titles because the Old Testament affirms that "the Lord is my shepherd" (Ps. 23:1, Ezek. 34:23-24; 37:24).

Jesus is MY SHEPHERD that He will supply all my needs (Phil. 4:19) and that He knows everything about my life (Ps. 139:3), cares about me (1 Pet. 5:7), has the power for every difficulty (Ps. 62:11), is perfecting me to be like Christ (Phil. 1:6), and that nothing escapes Him (Ps. 147:5), that will lead me to be stable, not anxious living and not coveting anything.

Recognizing the Jesus voice is like a sheep recognizing the shepherd's voice which means only the Holy Spirit can prick a person's heart help a person to hear Christ's calling. Jesus said in John 10:14-15 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. Jesus said in John 10:28 "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand."

John 10:1-30
Jesus the True Shepherd
1 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.

Jesus the Good Shepherd
7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

17 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” 19 Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings. 20 And many of them said, “He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?” 21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

The Shepherd Knows His Sheep
22 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”

I have learned along time ago regarding Sovereign God and how powerful He is. In the definition of sovereign is the power to enforce the supremacy of authority. Whoever is sovereign must have more power than anyone else. This is the concept of Romans 8:28-29 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." God governs (controls) the world (Isa. 40:22-24), the nations (Isa. 40:15-17), and us (Proverbs 16:9). I cannot and will NOT dispute God's word how He manages this world.

God does everything--He governs everything. Within the broad field of God's sovereign, permissive will, both good and evil continues with increasing fury. God will yet have His way while as responsible beings, we must make our choices in any situations we may face.

Faith is accepting God's Will. Often we make decisions we think that it is God's will however, circumstances will make us change directions. The circumstances surrounding our lives are no accident: they may be the work of evil, but that evil is held firmly within the mighty hand of our sovereign God.

Proverbs 16:9 We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.

Proverbs 20:24 A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?

Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.

Jeremiah 10:23 I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.

Sovereign is complete control by God, in all circumstances including our own lives. Jesus said "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered." (Matthew 10:29-30)

There are 5 God's wills that are clearly defined in the Bible
Saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9)
Spirit-filled (Ephesians 5:17-18)
Sanctified (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7)
Submissive (1 Peter 2:13-15)
Suffering ( Philippians 1:29; 2 Timothy 3:12)

1. To save us- We were saved by grace, (Ephesians 2) through faith, but it is God's grace that just initiates there and sustains all the way, every benefit in life, every benefit in eternity is by God's grace.

2. To keep us Spirit-Filled - Jesus is our Shephard who keeps us safe, John 10:28 "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand." God wants us to be Spirit-filled that God's loving desire that we should reflect His own holiness and goodness, NOT our own goodness. To be spirit-filled, because the Spirit indwells us as Christians, we ought to daily live a Spirit-controlled and empowered life.

3. To enable us strong during Suffering- James wrote it clear that God's grace is amply sufficient to enable us to live a godly life and to keep ourselves "from being polluted by the world" (Jas 1:27). Our response to suffering is an accurate barometer of our soul. How can you get to know God without suffering? You can't. Suffering, with dignity, may enable you to mark more lives for Christ than anything else you say or do for Christ.

4. To deliver us when we are Submissive- Jesus is the Shepherd and we are the Sheep.

5. To sanctify us - God has given us the grace to sanctify us. The sources of "thorns" can be weaknesses, insults, distresses, persecutions and difficulties (which also includes sickness). God told Paul "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

Regarding Spiritual Gifts and God's Will.
Our spiritual capacity is our charisma which is a gift of God's grace. We are free in God's grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit to do right, to look at these others in a condescending way. Often GRACE is abused when instead of seeing that as an opportunity for ministry, it becomes an opportunity for spiritual pride and an occasion of self-conceit where we congratulate ourselves for our spirituality.

God will make sure that His wills will be done at His right time and place. God blesses us with LOVE and the blessings of love flows through us to others. We are to allow the Holy Spirit do what He will through us and see what He does with us. In 1 Corinthians 14:12, Paul wrote: "So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church." The spiritual gifts are to be submitted as the Lord determines in an unifying way. God will use our spiritual gifts by His Spirit as He wills.

It is God's will for us to be sanctified. Spiritual maturity requires a believer to allow the Holy Spirit to change our lives. The Holy Spirit dwells in us with all the power and gifts of God, necessary to enable us to walk the noble, spiritual, Son-like life with God.

On Earth as is in Heaven

2009-02-11T23:16:00.001-05:00

On earth as is in heaven. God's kingdom in heaven is established, the prayer is let it come to this earth. God's name is hallowed in heaven it isn’t always hallowed on earth, although His will is done in heaven it isn’t always done on earth. God’s hallowed name, God’s kingdom, God’s will. we are then coming to a holy God, to an Almighty God, to a righteous God, to a sovereign God, to the great God of the universe and yet He is a loving Father. Father in heaven which means the eternal resources are at His disposal for the granting in behalf of His children. Our prayers the bottom line is God’s will be done. We never desire to usurp His will; we never desire to change His will, to force His will, to be conformed to some thought of ours.

Amy Carmichael said, “And, shall I pray to change Thy will my Father, until it be according to mine? But no Lord, no. That shall never be, rather I pray Thee blend my human will with Thine.”

In Ephesians 1:9, “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good purpose which he purposeth in himself.”

The potter (God) is working with this soft, yielding clay (us). If this clay does not submit, the potter may not be able to do what I should do according to His will. The potter still could make anything except for useful and beautiful (spiritual fruitful) out of an unyielding blob of clay. If God is going to make those kinds of vessels out of clay (us), however, we are going to have to yield to the spiritual law of surrender.

The key thing is are we willing to let Him do His will in the clay of earth, as it is done in heaven? That’s the heart of our prayers.

By His Stripes we are healed

2009-02-11T20:21:00.001-05:00

How are Christians supposed to respond to those in authority over them (v. 18)?

What if their superiors are unreasonable?

What type of response to unjust treatment finds favor with God (vv. 19-20)?

What example did Christ leave for us (vv. 21- 22)?

Rather than retaliating, what did Jesus do (v. 23)?

Verses 21-25 "You have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls."

When Peter said that Christ "bore our sins" (v. 24), Christ bore the penalty for our sins. He endured physical and spiritual death.

Christ bore the sin of all sinners.

1. John 3:16--"God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."

2. 2 Corinthians 5:19--In Christ's sacrificial death "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself."

3. 1 Timothy 2:6--Christ "gave Himself as a ransom for all."

4. 1 Timothy 4:10--God in Christ "is the Savior of all men, especially of believers."

5. Titus 2:11--"The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men."

6. Hebrews 2:9--"We do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone."

7. 1 John 2:2--Christ "is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world."

8. 1 John 4:9--"The love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

There is a sense in which physical healing took place in the atoning work of Christ. But that healing waits to be realized in the future. The healing of the atonement will bring about our resurrection in glory, where there will be no pain or suffering (Rev. 21:1-4; 22:1-3). Jesus healed people to illustrate the healing in the glory to come. But that's not yet realized. If the healing of the atonement were fully realized now, no Christian would ever be sick or die. The atoning work of Christ spiritually transforms us now and will physically transform us in the future.

(v. 25) "You were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls." Looking at Isaiah 53:6: "All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him."

If the Lord had not provided a sacrifice for sin He could never have brought us into His fold. First Peter 5:4 refers to Him as the "Chief Shepherd." Those are significant titles because the Old Testament affirms that "the Lord is my shepherd" (Ps. 23:1, Ezek. 34:23-24; 37:24). Peter implicitly affirms the deity of Christ.

The real atonement is this: Galatians 5:24: "Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” The old self is everything we were in Adam. Our sin was crucified with Christ. As believers we are so united with Christ that when He died, we died. When Jesus died He was paying the penalty for our sins. This goes with 1 Peter 2:24 states, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”

An issue with Covetousness

2009-02-11T15:10:00.003-05:00

Strongly desire to be healed.

Strongly desire to be wealthy.

Strongly desire to have (or to be)“________”.

Non-God-Centered doctrines (i.e. covetousness) are supremely serious, which may be why the commandments against it are first two on 10. The worst form of idolatry is to make a god in our own image, and then worship it.

The Bible teaches union with Christ through the Spirit.

There are those who believe and teaches "joining with Christ though a mixing of our supposed divinity with His" by placing their minds into their faith that whatever they desire will be received. Their theology sees the Holy Spirit as a power to be put to use for whatever the believer wills, we have to understand it is clear such teaches opposite do not mean that.

Throughout the centuries, Christian theology has understood “faith” to mean trust or belief in God. Faith comes as a result of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit-He quickens our hearts to believe. Apart from the new birth, there can be no true faith. Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. God is spirit and faith is required to know Christ and then, the Holy Spirit will reveal who God really is through His grace and power. Flesh's faith leads a person them to do 'works" while Spirit produces faith. The source of Faith is the Holy Spirit that faith is kindled and is preserved and made strong by grace alone. Faith is the first step of obedience proves to be an act of faith in the word of Christ by responding to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Faith comes only when the outward fact penetrates to the inner heart of man and takes possession of him there and this is the work of the Spirit, not man.

True faith is “faith, by itself, has no inherent value, power or merit. It is not a good work and deserves no reward. In some circumstances, it may not even be a virtue.” Faith is when you cannot answer a skeptic but be content to wait for more light while at the same time never forsake a great principle of God's Character. Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible only according to God's will, not our imagination. The great enemy of faith is a complacent spirit, an attitude of self-satisfaction with the status quo.

Real faith knows only one way and willing to allow God lead us as He did with great faiths in the Scriptures. True saving faith is not dependent on positive circumstances but negative circumstances as well. In the book of James, the entire letter is about living faith during trials and list the tests intended to reveal the legitimacy of someone's faith.

Trials cannot destroy true faith; they only put it to the test and strengthen it as in spiritual training. Christian faith is inward, not outward because we are in the spirit and not in the flesh. We know it takes true faith to perseverance because true faith is to believe what you do not yet see; the blessings for faith are to see what you believe. As this one well known verse says "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1).

Paul warned Timothy about "constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain....But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction." (See 1 Timothy, Chapter 6). In 1 Thessalonians 2:5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. In 2 Peter 2:3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

Reading Galatians 6:6-14..... Paul was writing about how the Pharisees boasted in their faith, were proud about their faithful rewards through their concept of faith-works.

Paul said covetousness is idolatry (Ephesians 5:5) and instructed the Ephesians to avoid anyone who brought a message of covetousness (Ephesians 5:6-7). The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is a Person who enables the believer to do God's will. We ought to say, If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that. But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.

Covetousness is yet another corruption of love that stems from a narcissistic desire for self-gratification. It’s the exact opposite of the example Christ set when He “gave Himself up for us” God desires that we learn how to experience godliness with contentment. If we have the Lord, we have all that is important. There's no place for covetousness in the life of a Christian. The pure in heart can see; but when covetousness gets into the heart, it makes the eye dim or blind.

Covetousness breeds misery.

Luke 12:15
Jesus said, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

Philippians 4:11-12 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Romans 7:8 But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Psalm 119:36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness.

Doctrinal Beliefs

2009-02-07T13:00:00.000-05:00

The early Christians have shown us how differently they interpreted their relationship with God. We can fake other people but we can't fake to God. It is important to understand that our hearts are the state of our "flesh". We can learn from others who believe such doctrines and examine our own. We are to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us and convict us the truth. Often flesh's desires gets in the way of spirit-lead truth.

I realized that people can possess an intellectual understanding and knowledge of the truth and yet not be saved. A person may remember exactly when they made the "decision" but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. By itself, even conviction of sin is not a proof of salvation.

No Priests, Pastors, Theologians or anyone with similar titles are NOT perfect. They were all sinners and had their share of mistakes. I can see why there are "divisions" within Christianity.

It is true that in certain things we can agree to disagree. Yet what matters is the areas of disagreement, rather than the areas of agreement. Most Christian denominations and movements share common beliefs in the major aspects of the Christian faith, while differing in many secondary doctrines. Christians believe what the Bible teaches in context which are the basics of what Christians believe and unite on.

We should all take a long hard look at what things we consider to be important from God's perspective rather than man's perspective. Every person must decide whether they will us their liberty to decide on their doctrinal beliefs. When we argue and disagree, we will know what kind of a Christian others are and what kind of a heart they have. We always argue over things that we love, or that we disagree.

I will speak up when I hear doctrines that I disagree with. Doctrines sounds very good and simple but life is not so simple. There are Christians who are zealous for their "doctrines" and forget the sensitivity of others regarding certain topics. 1 Timothy 1:5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. How do we know when our conscience is echoing the voice of God and when it is echoing the voice of Satan?

Compromising relating to little belief issues should not bother me because almost everyone has a different belief system than I do. I have learned that people will not always agree with someone completely. I have learned in my almost 40 years as a Christian. True Christians knows that not everyone is willing to be a Christian. I can't be like a Pharisee to make sure they don't break God's "rules". I can't force against their will to believe what I believe.

Is the whole of our thinking governed by Scripture, or do we come with our reason and pick and choose out of Scripture?

Thinking theologically is a tough thing to do. Discernment encouraged me to examine my own beliefs. When I was younger, I believed in certain doctrines but now that I am spiritually matured, I have learned the proper doctrines through many sources including here in CF.

I have learned in great deal in many categories such as:
the study of God, hamartiology
the study of sin
anthropology--the study of man
soteriology--the study of salvation
ecclesiology--the church
angelology--the angels
eschatology--the last things

We all can claim to be a Christian, and we all believe that the root of the matter is in us and the seed of God is in our hearts. Doctrines are not God: they are only a kind of map. But that map is based on the experience of hundreds of people who really were in touch with God. Doctrines can captivate people with some kind of idolatry. They are oblivious to the real world of God's truth; rather, they are plugged into a dream world of fantasy. In chapter 2, Peter gave an extended warning about the danger of false teachers and the corruption that would infiltrate the church as those who professed to know the living God through their doctrines.

Even though doctrinal differences may arise between Christians, we must still show love to one another. However, this does not mean that we are to ignore doctrinal error. 1 Corinthians 13:6 says that love "rejoices in the truth." So one aspect of loving one another is to strive for doctrinal purity by pointing out doctrinal error, not by ignoring it.

In this sinful world, I see doctrinal confusion rather than doctrinal conviction. There are alot of resistances to the Holy Spirit's conviction, not by choice but by their hearts' condition.

I cannot say a particular Church/denomination's theology is truth because the Bible is truth while doctrines are taught by man. I am a Christian FIRST. Secondary is the doctrines I rely on based on the Holy Spirit's conviction. I am not a perfect Christian but I am a forgiven Christian who is still learning. I have learned that there is NO perfect Church and/or denomination.

Christians can get along even when they differ on doctrinal issues. There are many who are judging based on bickering doctrines than God-centered fruitful lives. Do not have a "tunnel vision" based on brethren's beliefs alone. We need to look at their whole being. Every Christian must decide whether they will us their liberty to decide on their doctrinal beliefs. We are free, but our freedom does not mean we can know for SURE what is right and what is wrong. We just follow the conviction of the Holy Spirit who is our REAL teacher. Nothing holy and genuine will be done in someone's life until their will is surrendered in active obedience to the Holy Spirit. This is between the believer and God. As long as our conscience is clear and our heart is pure before God, don't be concerned with minor doctrinal issues.

Sin and Sanctification

2009-01-07T20:54:00.001-05:00

Sin is any violation, any violation of the character or law of God, the moral character or the law of God. Summing it up, 1st John 3:4. 1st John 3:4 says: "Sin is the transgression of the law. Sin is the transgression of the law."

Now, what is sin and what is not sin will be very tricky. This is depends on a Christian's relationship with Christ. A believer is hyper-sensitive to sin and having come to Jesus Christ, a Christian senses are awakened to the reality of sin. Some Christians may have "relaxed" God's holiness in their lives without God's permission by being permissive according to the society's standards more than God's. When a Christian who is saved by the conviction of the Holy Spirit, this Christian is living in a new Creature with holy conscience rather than sinful conscience. If a Christian don't feel the conviction and didn't have the motivation to change from "within", then we should be concerned whether we are truly saved or not. "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." The condition of the heart determines how receptive a person is to God's commandments.

I am always searching and identifying my strengths and weaknesses rather than dwell solely on the negative aspects of my weaknesses. I will have to remember that I will often fall short of God's holiness that the world will not come to an end it that happens. Failures are just lessons of bad habits that I keep bringing back. I just need to pick myself up and start again. Let the mistake be a lesson and learn to make adjustments as I go along. I know that God's love hopes all things (1 Corinth 13). I understand that God's Grace with love refuses to take human failure as final. With Christ in me, my human failures are never final. He is not finished with me yet.
God has given us the grace to sanctify us.

Sin is very powerful however, Grace is much more powerful.

In sanctification God has to deal with us on the death side as well as on the life side. The struggle begins. "If any man come to Me and hate not his own life, he cannot be My disciple." Being sanctified means “to be separated from sin”. The key to sanctification then, is to know and obey the truth which is the Word of God in our hearts. When we got saved, we were justified which is "declared righteous". Justification cannot be separated from sanctification. We are declared righteous in justification, and then the process of making us righteous begins to function in this sinful world.

Sanctification is a progress towards holiness which is spiritual growth.

Simple life

2009-01-04T16:27:00.003-05:00

Throughout the Old Testament, there were lists of people who were wealthy and in fact the Book of Proverbs wrote who we use our wealth. We are to work hard for our wealth and live in a simple life. Money is used to meet our daily needs such as food, utility bills and other expenses. God would meet all of our needs (Matthew 6), however God will not meet our selfish desires. There is nothing wrong with having a desire for something as long as our motives are correct. It is important that we look from God's perspective in our stewardship so that we are not pursuing desires against God's will and purpose. Because if we are pursuing our selfish desires rather than God's will and purpose, then our motives are wrong. Christians' view of money and material possessions is an effective barometer of our spirituality.

Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21). In Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do." (NLT) In Proverbs 21:2, "People may think they are doing what is right, but the Lord examines the heart." (NLT) If we are seeking God for our own selfishness (self-interest) other than our spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ is a form of idolatry.

The main thing to understand and remember is that Jesus is MY SHEPHERD that He will supply all my needs (Phil. 4:19) and that He knows everything about my life (Ps. 139:3), cares about me (1 Pet. 5:7), has the power for every difficulty (Ps. 62:11), is perfecting me to be like Christ (Phil. 1:6), and that nothing escapes Him (Ps. 147:5), that will lead me to be stable, not anxious living.

True Discipleship

2009-01-02T12:18:00.000-05:00

Jesus wants people make their own moral choices; and Christ knew this and permitted rich ruler to go his own chosen way. Jesus is saying that He cannot do our repenting for us. He died for our sins, now it is up to us to pick up the cross.

God wants our hearts more than He wants us to follow rules. If we give our hearts to God, then we will know what is sinful and what is not sinful. One of the greatest examples I have learn is from Lot's wife. Lot's wife died when she looked back. Looking back means you rely on flesh's desires more than God's commands and desires.

There are seven sins that it calls deadly that are listed in Proverbs 6:16-19: There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him:
haughty eyes
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
false witness who breathes out lies,
one who sows discord among brothers.

Satan fires shafts of impurity, shafts of selfishness, doubt, fear, disappointment, lust, greed, vanity, covetousness, it all comes down to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Peter says, "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, like a roaring lion walketh about', seeking whom he may devour." The sinful society is hostile to godliness because it is dominated by carnal ambition, pride, selfishness, greed, lust, and a desire for evil.

Colossians 3:4-6 (English Standard Version)
When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.

Repenting is picking up the cross by rejecting the world. Romans 6:6 "For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—" Galatians 5:24 "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires." Jesus might have grieved over His Cost of Discipleship requirements, but He never ran after them to try to win them with rosy promises. Luke 14:27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. Spiritual liberty means the freedom to be all that we were designed to be, but this is not a freedom that is without restrictions or responsibilities. Grace is we live in the Spirit AND also walk in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit dwells in us with all the power and gifts of God, necessary to enable us to walk the noble, spiritual, Son-like life with God. With Grace, we can show mercy and help others (Heb. 4:13-16).

Through the Roof Academy

2009-01-01T19:43:00.000-05:00

Through the Roof Academy
February 21, 2009/ 9 AM-1 PM

Reaching and Training Volunteers for Special Needs Ministry

# Through the Roof Academy Workshops: Identifying Volunteer Opportunities
# Training teachers and other volunteers
# Family Retreat-our best volunteer training program!
# Intro to Joni and Friends Programming

Mt. Zion Church
428 Sheperd Road
Xenia, OH 45385

Take I-675 to the Indian Ripple/Dorothy Lane exit. Turn east onto Indian Ripple. Continue approximately four miles to Shepherd Road. Turn right. Go approximately one mile. Our the church is on the left (East side).

Registration Fee: $15.00/person or group rate 4/$50. This fee includes the booklet Practical Pathways-Reaching and Training Volunteers for Ministry with Special Needs Children by Pat Verbal and Joni Eareckson Tada and a Continental breakfast.

Small Churches' Greatest Challenge.......

2009-01-01T19:14:00.004-05:00

You know what is interesting?

People with disabilities make up one of the largest minority group in the country, especially withing Christian Churches. Through my own family, we have been looking for certain churches that we can fit in and there are NOT MANY out there. My step-daughter was born with cerebral palsy as well as mild retardation due to seizures when she was a child. We just want a special needs service for my daughter who has cerebral palsy with low IQ. Many of the Church's members are volunteers and by no means they are expected to be experts on certain issues. They are simply "Helpers", 1 Corinthians 12:28 is amplified in Romans 12:7,8 by the gifts of contributing, giving aid, showing mercy and perhaps also rendering service. This gift is the most common and perhaps very important because Peter encourages those who render service to do it "with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 4:11).

Sometime families with disabilities are stuck and often stay home rather than dealing with issues with each local churches.

It is tough for small churches make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for disabled people, such as providing extra help or making changes to the way the church provides its services. The responsibility rests not just with church leaders, but with everyone. People with disabilities make up one of the largest minority group in the country, especially withing Christian Churches. The Bible also teaches us to bear the burdens of someone with a disability fulfills a command of scripture (Galatians 6:2). 2 Samuel 9:3-4 tells the story of David’s kindness to Mephibosheth, the lame son of Jonathan, modeling the way the church should minister. Many churches often treats disabilities, especially with the deaf community as 2nd or 3rd class citizens. A disabled Christian believer can enrich in a Christian community, Christians with disabilities – especially those in positions of leadership can serve as God's best examples of His power being made perfect in weakness. Through the Roof is offered by Joni and Friends

“Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on.” Mark 2:4 (NIV)

The Through the Roof ministry is designed to support local churches in developing and maintaining disability ministry and help equip churches to reach out into their communities. Local churches are best positioned to reach communities for Christ. We strive to assist congregations through training materials and workshops, disability awareness conferences, Disability Ministry Sunday, Bible studies and support groups. Churches interested in disability ministry have the opportunity to network together as they begin, develop, and expand programs and outreaches. Please contact Joni and Friends to learn more.

Happy New Year and focus on the basics...........

2009-01-01T11:42:00.003-05:00

The question become, is the source of the 'conviction' from the Holy Spirit or Flesh?

Carnal person is a Christian who still has self on the throne (selfishness). Christ is still in there somewhere, running around, but He is not in charge, and the life is still in chaos. There's no Lordship. For a Spiritual Christian, Self is off the throne (self-less), Christ is on it, and the life is all in order.

Apostasy always begins with the heart where a person is turning back which is deliberate and decisive. Faith is a gift, whether a person actually "received" faith as a gift is the question. A person's heart is always found running in the direction of his/her desires. The heart that desires often leads a person towards the wrong direction. Those who believed that God will not allow Christians to suffer are in big trouble and probably won't last. What does it mean to become like Jesus Christ? That is the REAL question. There are so many who will proclaim to be a Christian but only few are really Christians.

We can escape the critical judgment of God by doing our own exercising of critical self-judgment. Even Jesus spoke the issues of a person's heart. One great example is this verse: Matthew 5:28 "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

We are to "Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."--Matt. 26:41.

1 Thessalonians 1:5 "because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake."

Christ through His death and resurrection, every legal hindrance has been met and satisfied. There is nothing that can keep me from the promise. Its not about thinking our way into salvation or to reason our way into salvation. The only way to get in is to believe Him with my heart which is sealed by the Holy Spirit through the gift of Faith, through Jesus Christ, His grace and the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

The Bible illumines the dark corners of heart and mind by exposing sin but reveals the way of holiness. The Word of God (Bible) rebukes in order that we may see our faults. God's Word (the Bible) sometimes wounds us deeply and it is imperative because through the Bible, God speaks loudly. When a Christian who is saved by the conviction of the Holy Spirit, this Christian is living in a new Creature with holy conscience rather than sinful conscience. If we didn't feel the conviction and didn't have the motivation to change from "within", then we should be concerned whether we are truly saved or not.

Faith comes as a result of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit-He quickens our hearts to believe. Apart from the new birth, there can be no true faith. Without the Holy Spirit, our faith and our works are NOTHING. Through the Holy Spirit, God's grace gave us the strength to overcome anything including our own flaws.

1 Corinthians 6:19, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?"

"But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection ..." (1Corinthians 9:27).

The key word here is "discipline" your flesh. Flesh-filled means "If I do not yield and honor the Holy Spirit, my life will not show forth the blessed fruits of the Spirit!"

Biblically, as a Christian, I should be submitted to, be modified and be conditioned by the Holy Spirit. If I yield under the world's pressure, this tells me that I am are too weak spiritually to resist. Can we trust the Holy Spirit to convict of sin, to reveal Christ, to open our minds to understand spiritual truth? Christians are no longer "in the flesh": "You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him" (Rom 8:9).

A Christian to have the peace of conscience, not war within because if I rely on "self", or "self-will", I am grieving the Holy Spirit; "not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:30).

One of my New Year's resolutions is to over-come my flaws through God's grace. I have learned to understand the true nature of the Christian life which is unpredictable and expanding called "sanctification". God does not desire to destroy my will, but to sanctify “my will into His will”.

In Ephesians 5:18 where the present tense of the verb in Greek means: "Keep on being filled with the Spirit". The Holy Spirit dwells in us with all the power and gifts of God, necessary to enable us to walk the noble, spiritual, Son-like life with God.

"My temporary body is decaying at the same time, my inner being is being renewed day by day" (2 Cor 4:16). It is God's will that we submit to the Holy Spirit and keep on filling (Ephesians 5:18).

Like an athlete when training, we should always keep drinking water so that we won't be dehydrated and feeling weak. With that thought in mind, we should always keep filling the Holy Spirit so that we are able to act and react any given situations. "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor. 12:9).

In Ephesians 3:20 "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us".

One of the greatest example is in Romans 8:26 "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

As Christian, I know that the world is no longer my master and that I am an over-comer because of the Holy Spirit that is within me. That’s the definition of a Christian. That's a mark of a true follower of Jesus Christ.

James wrote it clear that God's grace is amply sufficient to enable us to live a godly life and to keep ourselves "from being polluted by the world" (James 1:27).

I have learned to accept the existence of my weaknesses. I am always searching and identifying my strengths and weaknesses rather than dwell solely on the negative aspects of my weaknesses. I will have to remember that I will often fall short of my resolutions that the world will not come to an end it that happens. Failures are just lessons of bad habits that I keep bringing back. I just need to pick myself up and start again. Let the mistake be a lesson and learn to make adjustments as I go along. I know that God's love hopes all things (1 Corinth 13). I understand that God's Grace with love refuses to take human failure as final. With Christ in me, my human failures are never final. He is not finished with me yet.

God has given us the grace to sanctify us. The sources of "thorns" can be weaknesses, insults, distresses, persecutions and difficulties. Paul just needed to focus on God rather than the problem. God uses thorns to perfect His "power is perfected in weakness". Through GRACE, "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:4). Grace of heart is a gift from God and this has nothing to do with the thorns because God change our circumstances by changing us internally, by allowing Him to lift us above our present thorn and He will lead us into His will. James says count it all joy when you fall into various trials cause trials have a perfecting work. Peter says after you've suffered a while the Lord will make you perfect.

I asked for love.................God gave me situations I have encountered so I can learn to love Him and others around me.
I asked for strength...........God gave me difficulties which gave me strengths to handle my life.
I asked for wisdom...........God gave me problems to learn to solve with Godly wisdom.
I asked for prosperity.......God gave me a brain and a talent to work so I can make good money (which I do).
I asked for courage..........God gave me dangers to learn to overcome my situations.
I asked for healing............God gave me directions so I can help others with love who are in the same situations as I am.
I asked for guidance........God gave me opportunities to use to direct my paths.

The main thing to understand and remember is that Jesus is MY SHEPHERD that He will supply all my needs (Phil. 4:19) and that He knows everything about my life (Ps. 139:3), cares about me (1 Pet. 5:7), has the power for every difficulty (Ps. 62:11), is perfecting me to be like Christ (Phil. 1:6), and that nothing escapes Him (Ps. 147:5), that will lead me to be stable, not anxious living.

Happy New Year

2008-12-31T14:24:00.000-05:00

I left this comment on one of the blogs that I read:

As Christian, I know that the world is no longer my master and that I am an over-comer because of the Holy Spirit that is within me. That’s the definition of a Christian. That's a mark of a true follower of Jesus Christ James wrote it clear that God's grace is amply sufficient to enable us to live a godly life and to keep ourselves "from being polluted by the world" (James 1:27).

I have learned to accept the existence of my weaknesses. I am always searching and identifying my strengths and weaknesses rather than dwell solely on the negative aspects of my weaknesses. I will have to remember that I will often fall short of my resolutions that the world will not come to an end it that happens. Failures are just lessons of bad habits that I keep bringing back. I just need to pick myself up and start again. Let the mistake be a lesson and learn to make adjustments as I go along. I know that God's love hopes all things (1 Corinth 13). I understand that God's Grace with love refuses to take human failure as final. With Christ in me, my human failures are never final. He is not finished with me yet.

Spiritual Conscience

2008-12-30T08:29:00.002-05:00

If anyone remember Daniel in the Old Testament, Daniel's actions were basic part of genuine integrity and the uncompromising life. Our flesh search for pleasure, pride, passions and selfish motives. Our hearts are like a garden with beautiful flowers and plants. As with all gardens, the hearts must be kept free from weeds and insects. For me, both because we need to look at our whole being. I need to focus on God with all of my heart and mind. I am not a perfect Christian but I am a forgiven Christian who is still learning. I need to remind myself that God wants me to have free and responsive hearts, "Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God." In Romans 12:2 says “Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Sometimes I just feel a complete hypocrite in my Christian life.

1 Timothy 1:5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. How do I know when my conscience is echoing the voice of God and when it is echoing the voice of Satan?

The new creature in Spirit within us as for example Jesus. Not like the religious Pharisees to a group of dishwashers who clean the outside of a cup while leaving the inside dirty.

God gave us conscience. If the truth of God's Word opposes the world's wisdom on a certain issue, you must align yourself with God's Word. When a Christian who is saved by the conviction of the Holy Spirit, this Christian is living in a new Creature with holy conscience rather than sinful conscience. If we didn't feel the conviction and didn't have the motivation to change from "within", then we should be concerned whether we are truly saved or not. "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

I know that progressing in my sanctification and my spiritual growth and it only happens as I live in the environment of the truth and respond to that truth, and obey that truth, and avoid anything that diminishes my understanding of that truth or perverts that truth.

My Christian life in this world should be different from the world, being in the world but not of the world. I should be a humbled Christian because I am a Christian with flaws. God uses humbled Christians than hypocrites. Charles Elliot said it nicely, "Hypocrites we are: but we are on the way to liberation even from our own hypocrisy". James 1:26 says, "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless."

Compromising relating to little belief issues should not bother me because almost everyone has a different belief system than I do. I have learned that people will not always agree with someone completely.

I have learned in my almost 40 years as a Christian. True Christians knows that not everyone is willing to be a Christian. I can't be like a Pharisee to make sure they don't break God's "rules". I can't force against their will to believe what I believe. Being a Christian is being a person whose primary form of witness is by their spiritual life, but they do not hide the fact that they are Christians and that they show their spiritual light through deeds first and then words. In our Christian fellowship (not individual), we must recognize that the Holy Spirit desires to take us and lead us, and use us as instruments through which He can express Himself in the community. I have learned that democracy does not give me any real power at all because in God's providence, He allowed democracy to basically swamps each of us Christians among non-believers.

I attended Church this morning and looks promising....

2008-12-28T13:46:00.001-05:00

Read more in my other blog: Jim's Deep Thoughts

New Year and Thoughts on Life

2008-12-27T12:00:00.003-05:00

Many of us had plenty of time to mature and we had adequate time to grow more spiritual and change is not a problem. Spiritual training which is necessary for forming spiritual fruits that are needed to wrestle against the world, the devil and the flesh. Spiritual growth with maturity and balance will happen only when we apply ourselves to God's guidance. If we profess to have any religion at all, let us be careful that it is authentic. There has never been a time, since the Church of Jesus Christ was founded, when there has not been a vast amount of trivial and mere nominal religion among professing Christians. Today, many who are religious are members of the Church consists of "nothing but churchmanship" which that they belong to the Established Church. I have learned through many denominations that confused me about salvation. I have learned that through them, they took credit for salvation which includes "membership" (born in church), infant baptism, and other means.

The clarity of a view on a given doctrinal subject is a valid consideration in selecting a church. No doctrine is more important to evangelical theology than the doctrine of justification by faith alone—the Reformation principle of sola fide. Martin Luther was used by God to develop, what theologians call "soteriology" the doctrine of salvation. He was a "soteriologist" and the truth of the matter is that the Reformation was a soeteriological reformation, that never touched the field of ecclesiology (the doctrine of the Church). The early Christians have shown us how differently they interpreted their relationship with God. Learning from them, I can see that circumstances did not control them; it is their reaction to circumstances that determined what kind of people they were and most importantly, how faithful they were. We can fake other people but we can't fake to God. It is important to understand that our hearts are the state of our "flesh". Our flesh search for pleasure, pride, passions and selfish motives. Our hearts are like a garden with beautiful flowers and plants. As with all gardens, the hearts must be kept free from weeds and insects. God is not impressed by our works or how we worship. In 1. Samuel 16:7, The Lord said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord don't make decisions the way you do. People judge by outward appearance (i.e. works), but the Lord looks at a person's thoughts and intentions (heart)."

Great quotes below:

To be like Christ is to be a Christian. -- Daniel Webster

God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves. Dwight L. Moody

Galatians 6:3 "If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself."

James 1:26 says, "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless."

"Moses spent 40 years thinking he was somebody; 40 years learning he was nobody; and 40 years discovering what God can do with a nobody." DL Moody

"A man may be theologically knowing and spiritually ignorant" Charnock, Stephen

There is head knowledge, head and heart and just heart knowledge. In knowing God (not just about Him) the heart must be involved. A.W. Tozer

"Faith, as Paul saw it, was a living, flaming thing leading to surrender and obedience to the commandments of Christ." Tozer, A.W.

If we take our doctrines into our hearts where they belong, they can cause upheavals of emotion and sleepless nights. This is far better than toying with academic ideas that never touch life. John Piper

Doctrinal preaching certainly bores the hypocrites; but it is only doctrinal preaching that will save Christ's sheep. J.I. Packer

If we fight the Lord's battles merely by duplicating the way the world does its work, we are like little boys playing with wooden swords pretending they are in the battle while their big brothers are away in some distant bloody land. Francis Schaeffer Death in the City (Downers Grove, InterVarsity Press: 1969) 142

Final thoughts:
We can learn from others who believe such doctrines and examine our own. We are to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us and convict us the truth. Often flesh's desires gets in the way of spirit-lead truth. To be spirit-filled, because the Spirit indwells us as Christians, we ought to daily live a Spirit-controlled and empowered life. God wants us to be busy rejoicing in the gracious prospect of all opportunities of God's will. Providential of God leads us to what we call "coincidences" in their lives which perhaps God will make sure that His wills will be done at His right time and place. In Ephesians 4:30 ".....do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption".

Pre 2009 Spiritual Thinking

2008-12-26T13:37:00.003-05:00

Spiritual truth is so necessary to understand God as who He is, not the way we want to think. The true gospel is not about making people feel better about themselves, but about making people realize that they are eternally lost and only the true gospel gives them eternal hope.

I have been thinking, like most Christians,I often question myself about my own spiritual issues and motives. Is the whole of my thinking governed by Scripture, or do I come with my reason and pick and choose out of Scripture? Thinking theologically is a tough thing to do. It works against our human and horizontal perspective on life. I will never forget C.S. Lewis' quote: "You never know how much you really believe anything until truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you."

I have learned that people will not always agree with someone completely. I understand biblically that I cannot and basically not allowed to "convict" people to believe as I believe. Because this is God's role. I am reminded of this quote:

One of the hardest lessons to learn comes from our stubborn refusal to refrain from interfering in other people’s lives. It takes a long time to realize the danger of being an amateur providence, that is, interfering with God’s plan for others. Oswald Chambers

my practice as a Christian is to understand where God will meet me which is in the core and that is in my heart. The more I know about God, the more ready I am to believe Him for everything, because I know Him. I can choose to serve God as I see fit in my heart, mind and soul however God may change my decision as He directs me to another direction. He did lead me into life-changing experiences that truth wounds through my life's experiences. God's providences in my life were my "wake-up calls" as well as making me a better Christian. I realized that when I am trying to understand why He is doing this, my life is more peaceful and more enjoyable. Even though God will not take away my problems but He always been there for me when I am facing problems. What did my "life" teach me? What have I learned from this "life"? Trials including my disabilities taught me that God is more concerned with my character which He is building in me. He comforts me in His arms through His power of Grace on the journey to His destiny for me as Paul explains: “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4). In the Bible, God uses people with the right life experiences by putting them through the right spiritual directions and teaching them the right spiritual lessons. Knowledge of the mystery is having the reality of an experience of knowing God personally and consciously. Its not about how I "practice" my faith to draw near to God, but rather how my "heart" is when God is with me. Life's trials are often a two-sided coin:

One side trials may be viewed as coming from God to bring out the BEST in me (See: Gen. 22:1-2, 15-18; Hebrews 11:17).

On the other side of the coin, Satan attempts to tempt us and trials to bring out the WORST in me (see: James 1:13-14).

Humans (creatures) judges God (Creator)?

2008-12-25T20:28:00.004-05:00

In the Bible, God takes the matter of worship out of the hands of men and puts it in the hands of the Holy Spirit. It is impossible to worship God without the impartation of the Holy Spirit! A. W. Tozer

Christmas is almost over. We celebrated Christ's birth and why He came on earth. Many of us forgotten the real meaning of Christ's purpose and the real meaning of a Christian Church.

Churches today are very mixed and many of them are compromising God's moral standards. A member of a Christian spiritual church must understand that God is both holy and loving; that we are sinners, are made in the image of God; that Christ's death was the substitute payment for our sins; and that because of Jesus' payment, we are granted access to the heart of God. Our flesh search for pleasure, pride, passions and selfish motives. Our hearts are like a garden with beautiful flowers and plants. As with all gardens, the hearts must be kept free from weeds and insects. From the "surface", Christians are looking for any denominations or non-denominational churches who teaches the way people want so they could give their time to pursuits more to their liking, preferences and practices.

Doctrines sounds very good and simple but spiritual life is not so simple.

Are we studying the Bible for ourselves or for us to preach to others?

Are supposed to read the Bible so we can observe God's Word?

Is our personal Bible study a daily discipline for our own spiritual growth or for others when we preach on them?

This is where we should have a serious responsibility in this matter to search in our hearts about our motives when we try to glorify God. Paul said, "But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment" (1 Corinthians 11:31). We can escape the critical judgment of God by doing our own exercising of critical self-judgment. Even Jesus spoke the issues of a person's heart. One great example is this verse: Matthew 5:28 "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." We are to "Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."--Matt. 26:41.

God's Word (the Bible) sometimes wounds us deeply and it is imperative because through the Bible, God speaks loudly. The Word of God (Bible) rebukes US we we read so that we may see our OWN faults (not others). The Bible illumines the dark corners of our own hearts and minds by exposing our OWN sin but at the same time reveals the way of rightousness. Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Someone has said "Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ." I am learning every day to be careful how I read and need to look from doctrinal perspective rather than my own satisfaction. As Christian believers (assuming each of us are a believer), the Holy Spirit will lead each of us to the truth. Proneness to heresy is not confined to the cults. By our sinful nature, we are all heretics. People often unconsciously select for special attention certain Scriptures that they are familiar with that they forget to check to see the Scriptures for deeper study. Lack of balance scripturally is often the direct consequence of overemphasis on certain favorite passages while ignoring others that are related.

The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian. A. W. Tozer

True Meaning of Christmas (From my other Blog)

2008-12-25T12:44:00.000-05:00

Many of us who are Christians realized that we live in a fallen world, and that much of what is around us is pagan, or of pagan origin. The word “Christmas” translates to “Mass Of Christ”. The word "Christmas" comes from 4th century AD Roman Catholicism. The “mas” of Christmas comes from the Mass, or Eucharistic service of western Catholicism. The early church chose this date to point to the Christ's birth represented over the pagan traditions of the Roman empire. Early Christians wanted to replace pagan holidays by Christianizing the festivals of December. In other words, the church was not endorsing a pagan ceremony but establishing a rival celebration. Biblically, “Christmas” does not exist. There is no account of Christians gathering to celebrate the birth of Christ to be found anywhere in the New Testament. In the 17th and 18th centuries, under the influence of the Protestant Reformation, Christmas feasts assumed more modest proportions.

What is the Christian's responsibility in a pagan society? We must be careful not to incorporate pagan customs into the worship of our God. The story of Jesus is generally familiar to anybody who knows anything about Christianity and many people who know very little about Christianity. Christmas has become so confused with paganism. We hear a lot of talk about the spirit of Christmas and the spirit of love. What Christmas is about is God loving us sinners. Christmas is, of all things, the event that focuses on divine redemption. Christmas is not about people to people, it is about God to people, showing His love and forgiveness through Christ. "Is my spiritual life superficial or real?" I will not understand my spiritual character deeply unless I subject myself to the spiritual discipline of the Holy Spirit and have a wonderful relationship with God who I know.

Love that God gives to a friend is one of the greatest blessings on earth. Friendship eliminates half of our troubles and doubles our joys. A real friend is scarce and rare. My perspective from what I am reading from the Scriptures, that if we desire honor and glory from God, we must display humility first. Many Christians desire spiritual excellence because they see Christ's image in the Bible, but they fail to have the daily discipline required to produce that excellence. If its hard to forgive, then it is hard to love another because LOVE forgives. Love hopes all things (1 Corinth 13). Love refuses to take human failure as final. With Christ in me, my human failures are never final. Love never keeps a record of wrongs. Love forgives and love is unable to think about them anymore. Forget the past and move on. Focus on the future as I focus on Christ at the same time. Romans 4:8 (also Psalms 32:2) "Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him". If I am not amicable and being cold, then I am not behaving like Christ who is ALWAYS amicable and inviting.

Merry Christmas everyone.

What to do with my Spiritual struggle?

2008-12-24T12:39:00.001-05:00

I need to remind myself that God wants me to have free and responsive hearts, "Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God." In Romans 12:2 says “Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Sometimes I just feel a complete hypocrite in my Christian life. I am reminded that the work of God is a process and if I am despairing about some besetting sin in my life, I should not give up. God is not finished with me yet. It is easy to get depressed over what's wrong with my Christian life. While there's nothing wrong with concern over sin, forgetting God's love is an even greater sin. Before I take inventory of my faults, make sure I look at my blessings list. Remembering what God has done in my life, and in Christ is the foundation for real change.

I am still struggling and that I need to be reminded that God really does love me and that His love does not depend on my performance.

Phillip Yancey says "there is nothing we can do to make God love us more, and nothing we can do will make Him love us less".

Do I really understand that deep in my heart and mind?

How do I know when my conscience is echoing the voice of God and when it is echoing the voice of Satan?

I knew for years that Satan loves to distort my conscience. I have learned to deceive my own conscience and learned to find loopholes in my conscience. My conscience has been inappropriately quiet for too long and I feel stuck, no matter how much I pray or read Scripture. Attending a Church is one way to help me. Being in the company of people who think like me do is very important to my growth and survival as a Christian.

Hebrews 5:14, says, “Solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (See another in Philippians 1:9-11.) I should not be ferreting out the secret will of God that He plans to do, but discerning the revealed will of God that I ought to do.

Looking for a Church: Weekly Communion

2008-11-27T19:59:00.002-05:00

My wife had come out of a tradition that took Communion weekly while my own experiences communion is monthly. There are many people who would like to have it as their act of worship from week to week. Many denominations partake of Communion each week. The early church celebrated communion weekly.

My background is mostly Reformed Theology while my wife is Catholic. However, my wife agree with many of the Reformed theologies more than she agree with the Catholic's doctrines and theologies. She just love the Catholic's form of worship.

Theological underpinnings of the Reformed's (i.e. Calvin) view of the Supper and the Spiritual Presence of Christ motivate to celebrate every week. Not all Presbyterian and Reformed Churches apply their theology to the application of weekly celebration.

I have realized that there have been lack of theological foundations for the place of the Lord’s Supper in the life of the church and the Christian. Weekly communion is a constant reminder that we journey with Jesus. All of our people who come to church do not come every week for good reasons and if they miss the communion, they have to wait longer for the next Communion. Restoring the Lord’s Supper to a central place in worship is a crucial part of the renewal and reformation post-evangelicals should work toward.

When investigating a potential church home, I often pay particular attention to how it views the Bible, observe what kind of preaching is done, and observe whether the church practices the doctrines it claims to believe and teach. As James said to the church at large, “Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (James 1:22; cf. Luke 6:46; John 13:17). To me, a strong local church is marked by love. As I become acquainted with the church, do I sense that the members are loving one another as Christ commanded (John 13:34-35)?

One way for me to investigate is visit the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). I don't think I ever visited one in my life. One of the most unique characteristics of the Disciples of Christ denomination is their weekly celebration of Holy Communion. It is their belief that everyone who enters this church does so in God's grace and is therefore welcome to take communion. I am just looking and we will see.

Pondering about upcoming election

2008-09-10T17:51:00.001-04:00

As a register Republican for more than 32 years, I agree with the concept that the Republican Party are founded on the idea that societal health is rooted in personal responsibility and actions. I am a strong Christian and I am also a Patriot but I am very nuetural when it comes to politics. I do NOT like telling other people what to do with their lives. If the politicians can't control their own moral, why should the average americans? Abraham Lincoln famously said "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time." I cannot dispute God's word how He manages this world simply because Governments are God's ordained. Jesus taught that the government should work in harmony with the Christians and should recognize its sovereignty in spiritual matters (Matt. 22:21). I do believe very much in being a responsible Christian citizen and have faith in God. I believe God will help McCain in great ways for the Americans.

I see that an increase in the numbers of registered voters upcoming presidential election is expected to bring more voters to the polls than in the past. I want to see United States Government reform. I also want to see the Republican Party reform. Today, political parties have unrealistic expectations and an ignorance of the way things really work in politics which is why they are losing. Idealism basically means holding on to a set of beliefs which are a rigid system of the way life is "supposed to be" or "should be". Belief system you have adopted about how things "should be done" which often gets challenged by the way things are in reality.

I believe John McCain will do something about the problems we have been facing lately. With gas prices and economic situation, the Americans are looking into their future by voting who they think who will help us in the next 4 years who I believe John McCain will be the person. America has failed to find the cure our economic needs. Money has given us more freedom, but we are unable to tell the difference between right and wrong. America's attitudes towards money should be in their conviction that money is a social good and that the economic main purpose is the welfare of everyone in society, not the personal pleasure of the person who happens to have control over it.

Regarding the political economic system today, I have said before and I will say again, economic system is NOT the problem, its PEOPLE and their attitudes regarding economics. One of my favorite quotes is from this billionaire investor Warren Buffett when he told his shareholders a few years ago: "If they insist on trying to time their participation in equities, they should try to be fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when others are fearful."

George Washington's warning against political parties and the divisive partisanship that inevitably accompanies party politics.

Here are George Washington's quotes:"the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it."

"agitates the Community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection."

I hold conservative positions on most issues but have an underlying worldview of what is happening and make decisions based on them. I am against abortion but in relation to my fellow citizens, who am I telling them what to do? I have come to conclusion that being a Republican is to remind myself that I have no control of what is going on in this world. Christianity will always be running against the prevailing society of individualistic views. Lack of balance is often the direct consequence of over-emphasis on certain topics while ignoring others that are related. There is a fine balance between legalism and liberalism. Both are wrong. We are to serve everyone. Grace is about loving other people that we have the freedom to do so but at the same time, respect how they practice their beliefs. I am one Republican who wants to see a return to traditional values that must come from the people, not the government. "We the People" are the true government. Politically, to me idealism is freedom without people telling me what to do or how should I live my life.

Growing Pains

2008-09-10T16:25:00.001-04:00

In sanctification God has to deal with us on the death side as well as on the life side. The struggle begins. "If any man come to Me and hate not his own life, he cannot be My disciple." Being sanctified means “to be separated from sin”. The key to sanctification then, is to know and obey the truth which is the Word of God in our hearts. When we got saved, we were justified which is "declared righteous". Justification cannot be separated from sanctification. We are declared righteous in justification, and then the process of making us righteous begins to function in this sinful world.

Sanctification is a progress towards holiness which is spiritual growth. That’s becoming increasingly separated from sin and separated unto Jesus Christ who knows no sin. The process of sanctification goes on all our life long and it will never be completed until the day we die. There is no virtue in exposing yourself to error. Truth sanctifies and sanctification is between our justification and our glorification. Progressing in our sanctification and our spiritual growth and it only happens as we live in the environment of the truth and respond to that truth, and obey that truth, and avoid anything that diminishes our understanding of that truth or perverts that truth.

One of the perverts is behavior modifications. Many Christians do NOT see the total depravity of man due to sin because they treat the symptoms of sins instead of the heart (where sin is actually located); and they aim for change that is not true sanctification. Is behavior modification more helpful than sanctification? According to Romans 8:9, the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the mark of all who are truly born again: "You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him."

Quotes related:

To be heavenly-minded we must think heavenly thoughts. A. W. Tozer

God must have all our thoughts it we would experience the sanctification of our minds. A.W. Tozer

One of the heaviest problems in the Christian life is that of sanctification: how to become as pure as we know we ought to be and must be if we are to enjoy intimate communion with a holy God. A.W. Tozer

A notable heresy has come into being throughout our evangelical Christian circle-the widely accepted concept that we humans can choose to accept Christ only because we need Him as Savior, and that we have the right to postpone our obedience to Him as long as we want to! A.W. Tozer

To give God back to us was the chief work of Christ in redemption. To impart Himself to us in personal experience is the first purpose of God in salvation. To bring acute God-awareness is the best help the Spirit brings in sanctification. All other steps in grace lead up to this. A. W. Tozer

The entire Bible teaches that true obedience to God and His Christ is one of the toughest requirements in the Christian life. Actually, salvation without obedience is a self-contradicting impossibility! Humans do not want to admit it, but the Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans long ago that "by one man's disobedience" came the downfall of the human race! A.W. Tozer

"...if ever a monk could get to heaven through monastic discipline, I was that monk....And yet my conscience would not give me certainty, but I always doubted and said, 'You didn't do that right. You weren't contrite enough. You left that out of your confession.' The more I tried to remedy an uncertain, weak, and troubled conscience with human traditions, the more I daily found it more uncertain, weaker, and more troubled." Martin Luther

It would be nice not to have any regrets. If I had no regrets, I would never grow. Pride is at the bottom of all great mistakes. When studying the Word, I have to be careful because my flesh is always searching for pleasure, pride, passions and selfish motives. Sinning by accident is part of our sinful nature because those who are in Christ Romans 7:18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Galatians 5:17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.

I am learning that "holiness" is the balance between my nature and the law of God as expressed in Jesus Christ within me. True "sanctification" is only through the Holy Spirit who produce the evidence of my own true spiritual condition, humility and intimacy with God that my flesh CANNOT DO. We need to guard our minds, emotions, and wills, "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5). I will never be perfect as long as I live in my body which is why God's grace is more than sufficient.

Spiritually dead or Spiritually Alive

2008-09-10T16:13:00.001-04:00

I have not voted because the question was not complete and/or not clear. Talking about salvation? Talking about being members of a church? Or we were born in one denomination through our parents but once grown up, we moved on to different churches that are different than our parents?

The day I was born, even though as a baby, I was innocent but I have (still have) a disease that called sin. Growing up in a Christian family, I have learned that I possessed an intellectual understanding and knowledge of the truth and yet not be saved. I was able to live "morally" right but still a sinner and was unable to acknowledge God.

I have learned that I was born spiritual ignorant which means spiritually dead. Through Adam, we are born spiritually dead. I have learned that through Adam I was dead and I need to have life through Christ. "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned." (Romans 5:12). Everyone who is born in this world were born with "the freewill to sin" (bound to slave) and each sinners can take their sins as far as they want. Slave to sin gives each sinner that freedom. Augustine said, “Free will without grace has the power to do nothing but sin. Free will without grace has the power to do nothing but sin.” A sinner can choose his category but a sinner can’t choose anything other than sin.

A sinner cannot choose God until God convicts him/her of their sins. If the dead person (spiritually or physically) is to come back to life he/she will have to be resurrected by God. In the spiritual realm this means he/she must be born from above. A spiritually dead person is without the Holy Spirit, therefore we do not have the "ability" to get saved on our own because we have the freewill to sin (slave to sin). We cannot understand God's holiness even though we understand "sin" but we never fully acknowledge "sin" from within (our hearts). In John 6:44, Jesus said "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him" in the same chapter 6 of John, in verse 65, Jesus said "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him." All a sinner has to do is respond to the conviction and repent. Acts 2:37-38 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

No Church, no baptism, no pastor, no one were able to save me from my sins. Only Christ. I am reminded of this verse, 1 Thessalonians 1:5 "because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake." Also in, Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

I have learned through many denominations that confused me about salvation. I have learned that through them, they took credit for salvation which includes "membership" (born in church), infant baptism, and other means.

Reading Proverbs 20:9 helped me understand better, "Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?" Jesus said in Matthew 5:8 those who are pure in heart "shall see God." When my heart is purified by Christ that I will see God. And the purer my heart is the more of God I will see. If I don’t have a regenerate heart, my heart is not worth keeping, and it’s impossible for such a heart to produce any true righteousness.

How can my heart be pure on my own?

Reading Romans 8:11 helped me understand, And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

Grace is not earned. Grace is not base on "merit". Grace is used when submitting to God in humility by putting my Faith in God's will. "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (Jas 4:6, quoting Pr 3:34). God's grace is amply sufficient to enable us to live a godly life that God gives his grace only to the humble, who admit their dependence on it. If, therefore, we hope for his grace to lift us up to holiness, we must "humble before the Lord" in faith.

The only way to get in is to believe Him with my heart which is sealed by the Holy Spirit. New Creature in Spirit as for example Jesus likened the religious Pharisees to a group of dishwashers who clean the outside of a cup while leaving the inside dirty. He said, "Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness. Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also?" (Luke 11:39-40). Man CANNOT cooperate with God’s grace without the help from the Holy Spirit because man is spiritually DEAD.

Church's Tradition and doctrines often gets in the way of the doctrine of salvation. Thinking logically is a tough thing to do because it works against our human and horizontal perspective on true salvation. Non-Denominations or denominations or such leaders from such as Calvinism, Lutheranism, Baptists, Catholicism and many others. Doctrines within denominations are important for aligning ourselves with local churches we belong to which is why we have divisions and many of us belong to many different churches/denominations. Focusing on Church being faithful to Scriptures is an issue for me because Tradition, man-written creeds and similar documents are devices to keep heretics out rather than draw people in. What, exactly, are we basing our relationship with God and our eternal future? Is it based on our denominational tradition? I cannot say a particular Church/denomination's theology is truth because the Bible is truth while doctrines are taught by man. Christianity will always be running against the prevailing movement of society with individualistic doctrinal beliefs. We are in the world of self-deceit that we are too focused on ourselves to see the eternal truth. Most Christian denominations and movements share common beliefs in the major aspects of the Christian faith, while differing in many secondary doctrines. Christians believe what the Bible teaches in context which are the basics of what Christians believe and unite on. Christians' conclusions are either ignorance or loyalty to a specific denomination, cause, teachings (doctrines) or person.

I am a Christian FIRST. Secondary is the doctrines I rely on based on the Holy Spirit's conviction. I am not a perfect Christian but I am a forgiven Christian who is still learning. I have learned that there is NO perfect Church/denomination.

We have to remember that its not the scriptures that are corrupted. Its a man's heart that is corrupted. Intelligence, reason, and choice. Studying the scriptures requires the Holy Spirit which is inward, not outward. The Holy Spirit is within us believers, Christ dwells in our hearts, and "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27) is the burning core of the Christian faith. There are so many who will proclaim to be a Christian but only few are really Christians. There are millions of professing Christians who "think" they have been justified, who think their sins are forgiven and that they are on their way to heaven, who show no evidence of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Many Christians are unthinkably horrified when a real sinner is suddenly discovered among the righteous. So we remain alone with our sin, living in lies and hypocrisy. In summary, I am saying that the Holy Spirit gave me assurance of my faith and doctrines I follow. No Church (physical), No Denomination (flesh lead), No pastors or anyone can do this for me. Holy Spirit (as part of the spiritual Church) is the only person who can do this through the Word of God. Doctrines sounds very good and simple but life is not so simple.

I love A.W. Tozer's quote:
"It is disciples of Christ we are to make (Matthew 28:19) not disciples of ourselves, our churches or our denominations. Granted that in discipling we can hardly avoid transmitting our own truth perspectives. Yet we ourselves must keep in mind, and those we disciple, that truth is greater than our understanding of it."

Time to reflect about Christianity and my relationship

2008-08-30T10:53:00.001-04:00

It is VERY true that doctrine divides, but it is supposed to do that and it is supposed to separate the true from the false. The ability to do discernment is basically an ability to think biblically and it is a reality that discernment is an area where most Christians stumble. Scripture reminds us that we must be sound in the faith through the Holy Spirit and Word of God (1 Tim. 4:6; 2 Tim. 4:2-3; Tit. 1:9; 2:1). I remember this verse written by Paul, “If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing” (1 Tim. 6:3-4). God holds us accountable for what we believe as well as how we think about the truth He has revealed. I see many give "lip-service" to the importance of doctrine and frown upon doctrinal discussions.

It is true that in certain things we can agree to disagree. Yet what matters is the areas of disagreement, rather than the areas of agreement. Truth without love is dead and Love without truth is dead. Reading Romans 8:14 says, “Those who are led by the Spirit are the sons of God." We are to “Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days (Prov. 19:20) because “The way of a fool seems right to him, but awise man listens to advice” (Prov. 12:15). Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” (See also: Ecclesiastes 9:10; Romans 12:11; I Corinthians 15:5-8; Ephesians 6:7,8.) When we trivialize the Scriptures doctrinally, we reduce God’s Commandments of our Christian Life to formulas (legalism) which leads us to be “proud” of our efforts, or we rationalize away the demands (liberalism) which makes us comfortable with our lives, or we fabricate a list of things (agenda) we are going to do for God (moralism) which makes us tired, all three (legalism, liberalism and moralism) replaces God’s grace and need for Jesus Christ.

God do not like any spiritual leaders who mislead. God does not need our deception to accomplish His purpose. Integrity is defined as 'consistency and sincerity, with no deception or pretense'. Integrity's overriding quality is wholeness.

This is a good quote from A.W. Tozer:

All persons who are alienated from God and outside of Christ are part and parcel of a mighty deception! They are called upon to pretend that they can have peace of mind within and that they can be relatively happy and make a big success of their human lives if they have youth and wealth and morality and high position. In that sense of what is going on all around us, David never had to apologize for writing that "every man is a liar!" The whole human concept of success and happiness and inner peace, based upon who we are and what we have, is completely false. The rich young ruler who came to question Jesus had wealth, morality, position and youth. But his very first question gave the clue to his own inner emptiness of life: "What good thing should I do, that I may have eternal life?" He knew very well that there is not a person alive who has eternal youth or eternal position or eternal righteousness.

Another from A.W. Tozer

"Be ye holy" is not a mere motto to be framed and hung on the wall. It is a serious commandment from the Lord of the whole earth. "Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into heaviness" (James 4:8–9). The true Christian ideal is not to be happy but to be holy. The holy heart alone can be the habitation of the Holy Spirit.

Self-centered desires affects our minds through deception and that we begin to justify and rationalize our right to possess what we desire. Our society (sinful world) is characterized by lies, it is characterized by deception which lead by Satan's agenda. This sinful earth is characterized by what is temporal as people can "see" that fulfills their desires, but what is for time only, what is physical, what is passing, what ultimately will be destroyed.

A bad man is worse when he pretends to be a saint. Francis Bacon

It is no fault of Christianity if a hypocrite falls into sin. Jerome

Sound protestant and evangelical doctrine is useless if it is not accompanied by a holy life. It is worse than useless: it does positive harm. It is despised by keen sighted and shrewd men of the world, as an unreal and hollow thing, and brings religion into contempt. J.C. Ryle

Don't stay away from church because there are so many hypocrites. There's always room for one more. Arthur R. Adams

Casting Lots

2008-08-27T19:10:00.001-04:00

Many people think God do NOT have the power of "lots". There's confusion of the issue of "casting lots." With GOD, there is no chance, there is no luck anywhere in using Biblical lots.

Remember, choosing Matthias was done BEFORE the Day of Pentecost. After Pentecost, the casting of lots was never again used as a means of determining God’s will. There God had sent the Holy Spirit. He has given us His written Word as a source of His moral will. The practice of casting lots is no longer needed.

Remember that Proverbs 16:33 says, "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord."

The Israelites did use the casting of lots to determine the divine will. For example, in the Old Testament to make decisions, according to Exodus 28 and Leviticus 8.

Also lots were cast in the Old Testament to identify the man Jonah in Jonah 1

Lots were used to select Saul as King, in 1 Samuel, chapter 10.

Lots were used in the Bible to chose soldiers for battle, in judges 9, to divide the land.

Lots were used to select animals for sacrifice in Leviticus 16:7-10.

Lots were also used to determine who had committed a sin, in 1 Samuel 14.

Lots were used to distribute the sons of Aaron into the priesthood and also to determine the priestly rotation in office, according to 1 Chronicles 24.

And lots were also used to determine who had the privilege of living in Jerusalem, according to Nehemiah, chapter 11.

Weeds and Wheat

2008-08-27T17:17:00.001-04:00

The wheat field will always hav tares in it (Titus 1:16). In discernment, we are to be looking at the differences between sowing seeds verses pulling weeds. "Tares" were known as a weedy grass. Tares represents unbelievers (also false teachers) that Christians are in the world to be a good influence for the tares. EACH ONE of us who is now wheat was once tares. We were all bad seeds before we were converted by the Holy Spirit.

The difference we need to see when we are looking at the word "tares". There's unbelievers and there's evil. Jesus said in Matthew 13:38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

God sows believers in the world, and Satan oversows his own children in the world. The world, then, is inhabited by both subjects of the King and subjects of the Enemy, who is the devil himself. In Matthew 13:25, remember when Jesus talked of the enemy who came and sowed tares among the wheat, Jesus used a very strong term that indicates that Satan has sowed his people everywhere. Earlier in Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus warned of false teachers who claim to have done good works for Jesus, but the Lord says to them, "...depart from Me.......". The issue is not the soil; rather, it is the condition of the soil. That means that all people could receive the seed. All soil could receive the seed if it was broken up and cleaned of weeds.

While it is true that we are to be careful of how we "pull" the weeds because they are so close to the wheat, that if you try to pull out the darnels you'll root up the wheat with them. We have to remember that Jesus said that weeds did not belong in the field and that in the end they were going to be burned up. All we need to do is tell others about false teachings but only God can pull them out if their hearts are willing to acknowledge between truth and false.

Who Replaced Judas? Paul or Matthias?

2008-08-27T14:24:00.000-04:00

Paul was an apostle for a purpose even though he wasn't one of the twelve. Like the other Apostles, Paul was chosen by Christ (Acts 9). After Paul became converted, he spent three years in Arabia as preparation for his ministry as an apostle (Gal. 1:17-18).

Judas and Matthias, to me, there's a great contrast between the two because Matthias was a true disciple and Judas was not. Jesus chose Judas for a specific purpose which was to betray Jesus. It is my understanding that Christ chose Matthias because in the Old Testament prophesied that Judas would be replaced (Ps. 109:8).

Jesus chose Matthias as a part of His plan for the birth of the church. In John 15:16 Jesus says to His disciples, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit."

Reading about all other Apostles, I have learned that there are 3 requirements the new apostle:
1. One had to have been with the other disciples and Jesus from the baptism of John to the ascension (Paul was not there)
2. One had to be a witness of Christ's resurrection (Paul was not there)
3. One had to be chosen by God

Matthias was chosen by the Holy Spirit through lot which fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:26) Nowhere in the rest of the New Testament of the Bible say they were wrong in choosing Matthias.

This blog has changed its title and address

2008-08-17T12:11:00.002-04:00

http://jimthoughtschristianbeliefs.blogspot.com/

Jim's Thoughts on Christian Beliefs

Force of Faith?

2008-08-17T11:59:00.002-04:00

I learned to understand that WoF's faith is a creative force that they believed they can use to shape their world just like God supposedly created this world and universe that we live in. They teach that a believer's words have creative and determinative force. People often view God as the "force" of power which is not true. They have replaced grace with their doctrine of "force". People are often confused on the wording of "force" and mixing it up with power.

We are reminded that in Ephesians 6:12 "For 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."

True faith is not focusing the power of the Holy Spirit as a force but rather eternal future and power to trust Christ wherever He leads us. I never viewed the Holy Spirit as part of "force" but as GOD. Grace is more powerful than force. Grace operates without the help of our faith because grace is much more powerful than our faith. God is absolutely powerful and I have the ability to move the mountains. Am I able to move mountains? Yes, if God's permission. The power can only come from God, not my faith.

I have one question in one of Copeland's quotes:
“God did not create the world out of nothing, He used the Force of His Faith.” (Spirit, Soul, & Body, #01-0601, Tape #1)

Does God, Himself need faith? Why would God need faith since He is God?

FAITH is simple but people make it so difficult in order to make "faith" more than it is. WOF have made the word "Faith" more complicated than it should be. Faith won't work if you don't have Grace in your life. If you try to work on your faith, then it is man's efforts more than grace. The "force" of faith, an unbiblical view of faith in discernment perspective, so its not "doubt, discount, deny, putdown or anything alike that

Gossip and Revealing False Teachings

2008-08-17T11:57:00.000-04:00

Gossip is avoiding the real topics and focus on the individuals. When the world looks at the spectrum of "Christianity" and all that goes with it, the world is baffled. Those around who claim to be Christians have seem to have no identifying marks and its not about gossip but rather doctrinal issues. Christians in "spirit" can work together even when they differ on doctrinal issues however, their flesh do not allow them to work together.

When we look in the mirror, we are the part of the "spiritual Church" that we are not in harmony, we need to find a way to get back into harmony. Doctrines sounds very good and simple but life is not so simple. There are Christians who are zealous for their "doctrines" and forget to stay focus on the topic.

Gossip is not the real issue I see here even though I see them. The real issue is sarcasm which is sneering, jesting, or mocking a person rather than the topic at hand. The word comes from the late Latin word, sarcasmus, which, in turn, comes from the Greek sarkasmos, from sarkazein - to bite the lips in rage,- from sarx, sark-, flesh - the root word literally means "to cut a piece of flesh (from the targeted person)." Sarcasm's aim is to belittle someone, and to laugh at their expense as "cutting" with it. Ephesians 5:4 "Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." Sarcasm humor may not be funny to the victim but its funny to those who understand the barb as it feeds their intellectual egos. Sarcasm is scornful, contemptuous and taunting. Proverbs 21:24 The proud and arrogant man-"Mocker" is his name; he behaves with overweening pride. One of devil's beatitudes is "Blessed are they who mock." Some say the motivation for sarcasm is retaliation. Some say the motivation for sarcasm is pride.

Christians' attitudes find their root in the heart (Jeremiah 17:9-10). In Proverbs 4:23 says, “...Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” We must never forget that true Christianity is more than teaching - it is a way of life.

To discern the differences between gossip and false teachings, it isn't the personal attack, it's the preservation of truth. If we have an incorrect idea of what gossip is, we will not obey Christ's command concerning how to deal with sin in the church.

Gossip definition today would call Jesus' quote a gossip: Luke 12:1-3 (NIV) Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs."

A false teacher reveals his character by his teaching. That doesn't mean you have to agree on every interpretation of every passage but we are to deal with a follower who believe in certain doctrines that is twisting the Scripture reveals their character. We have to be on our guard so that we are not carried away by false doctrine, false teaching and false living that goes with it. The book of Jude is what I called spiritual consumer protection advocates whose purpose is to make sure people don't fall victim to prey of false teachings. In Hebrews 13:9 (NIV) says "Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings." We are to be aware of what kind of false teachings are out there and in order to be aware of them, we need to "communicate".

What I remember most from the Scriptures is that God has never forbidden us to talk about each other. Scriptures warns us on "how" we are not to gossip. Gossip is inherently a "false witness" of slander. Many of us are guilty of slander when we go "off the topic" of the thread. This is why we need to STAY on topic rather than going off with slandor or mocking or anything like that.

Unbelief, Faith and Evidences

2008-08-17T11:53:00.001-04:00

This is where many are confused. Jesus did miracles to convince people that He was of God and the fact that He was God. Matthew 13:54 says that He did mighty works. Jesus did miracles to convince people that He was God, but only those people who already were open to believing -- people in whom the Father had already generated faith. Only those who were ready and prepared (cf. Jn. 20:30). So, the miracles were confirming signs. God has never used miracles to save people; He has always saved people with the preaching of the gospel. Once the evidence was complete that Jesus was God, Christ finished His work.

FAITH: Pistis Strong's Number: 4102 conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it, relating to God, the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ relating to Christ, a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God.

During Jesus' three years ministry, He was showing evidences that He is God. The Greek word behind "faith" in the NT is pistis. As a noun, pistis is a word that was used as a technical rhetorical term for forensic proof. In the Book of Acts, Chapter 2, Peter appealed to the evidence of the wonders and signs performed by Jesus; he appealed to the empty tomb, and he appealed to fulfillment of OT prophecy. Peter's message were focused on evidences. The point is that Peter grounded belief in Christianity on evidence -- or, as the definition of "pistis" in Acts 17:31 would put it, proofs. Acts 17:31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." In the subject of "healing", Jesus have provided evidences that He is GOD but not what He can do today.

Its not about unbelief. The Greek word behind "faith" in the NT is pistis. As a noun, pistis is a word that was used as a technical rhetorical term for forensic proof. During Jesus' three years ministry, He was showing evidences that He is God. Jesus did miracles to convince people that He was of God and the fact that He was God.

We have to look at this in perspective only those people who already were open to believing -- people in whom the Father had already generated faith. Only those who were ready and prepared (John 20:30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.). So, the miracles were confirming signs.

God has never used miracles to save people; He has always saved people with the preaching of the gospel through people and the Holy Spirit finish the work of salvation. Once the evidence was complete that Jesus was God.

Those who reject Jesus Christ only descend deeper into the darkness of their unbelief after seeing the evidences. There's different kinds of unbelief. There's that kind of unbelief that's hard, cold, dead, willing, ignorant unbelief. And then there's that kind of searching hungry unbelief that God meets every time. Divine initiative brings spiritual sight for those who do not believe. The reason is spiritual sight is a gift from God given to willing faith, not to static determined ignorant willful unbelief.

All of us had this unbelief before we were saved by Grace through the Holy Spirit. Spiritual sight or spiritual blindness. People who cannot be convicted by the Spirit of God because of their hard-hearted unbelief. They therefore fall prey to Satan and his lies transmitted through his demons. During Jesus's ministries, there were people who didn't like Jesus and their unbelief hardened their hearts. God's divine circumstances can turn or don't turn people to God. People may despise it instead of embracing it. Romans 9:18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. Ephesians 4:18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. When they don’t get it, they get angry or fustrated or bitter which leads to despise. Because they misjudge and failed to consider to the real purpose and scope of what is happening. That’s “hardening against God.”

Those who responded have belief because of their hearts. Therefore, the condition of the heart determines how receptive a person is to the gospel, NOT the mind. John 4:36 Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.

GREAT QUOTES relating to "suffering"

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“The very fact that faith looks to a power beyond itself means that it is continually subject to loss of control. So if you’re looking to get control of all your problems, forget Christianity. If you’re looking for success, happiness, or freedom from pain, forget Christ. The way of Christ is the cross, and the cross spells weakness, poverty, failure, death.” (Mason, Gospel According to Job, 418)

“Take away material prosperity; take away emotional highs; take away miracles and healing; take away fellowship with other believers; take away church; take away all opportunity for service; take away assurance of salvation; take away the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit... Yes! Take it all, all, far, far away. And what is left? Tragically, for many believers there would be nothing left. For does our faith really go that deep? Or do we, in the final analysis, have a cross-less Christianity? Unless the simple gospel has center-place in our faith, it has no place at all. Unless the cross is everything, it is nothing.” (Mason, Gospel According to Job, 210)

"The point of the Book of Job is not suffering: where is God When It hurts? The prologue (chapters 1-2) dealt with that issue. The point of the Book of Job is faith: Where is Job when it hurts?" - Phillip Yancey

"If a bird is flying for pleasure it flies with the wind, but if it meets danger, it turns and faces the wind, in order that it may rise higher." Corrie ten Boom

"This idea of dying to self and "taking up your cross" is one of the hardest concepts in the Christian faith to understand. But it is hard not because it is complicated. It is hard because it is so difficult to accept. We try to complicate it precisely because we know intuitively what it means, and we do not like the idea. No one likes to die." (John Fischer, "On a Hill TOO Far Away, 126)

"The bible never belittles disappointment, but it does add one key word: temporary - - What we feel now, we will not always feel. Our disappointment is itself a sign, and aching, a hunger for something better. And faith is , in the end, a kind of homesickness - - for a home we have never visited but have never once stopped longing for." Phillip Yancey

"We human beings instinctively regard the seen world as the "real" world and the unseen world as the "unreal" world, but the Bible calls for almost the opposite." Phillip Yancey

When disaster comes into a person's life, it reveals what's truly in their hearts." Kimber Kauffmann - pastor College Park church

"If you love, you will suffer, and if you do not love, you do not know the meaning of a Christian life." Agatha Christie

"The deep meaning of the cross of Christ is that there is no suffering on earth that is not borne by God." Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"Why should the righteous suffer?" "Why not?" replied Lewis......"They're the only ones who can handle it." CS Lewis

"The most devastating effect of sin is that by it, we are blinded to it." Billy Graham

"Faith in God offers no insurance against tragedy." Philip Yancey

"Pure suffering has a consciousness, a tongue, a heart all its own and even the memory of it is but a pale unreality when compared with the actual experience." Mike Mason, The Gospel According to Job

"Suffering is not an elective, it is a core course in the University of Life." Steven J. Lawson, When All Hell Breaks Loose You May be Doing Something Right

"Programs, systems and methods sit well in the ivory towers of monasteries or in the wooden arms of icons. Head knowledge comes from the pages of a theology text. But the invitation to know God - truly know Him - is always an invitation to suffer. Not to suffer alone, but to suffer with Him." Joni Eareckson Tada

"Adversity often produces an unexpected opportunity. Look for it ! Appreciate and utilize it! This is difficult to do if you're feeling sorry for yourself because you're faced with adversity." John Wooden

"Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity has." Billy Graham

"Pain narrows vision. The most private of sensations, it forces us to think of ourselves and little else." Phillip Yancey

"What is the greatest deficiency among human Chrsitians? They have an inadequate view of human suffering." Helmut Thielicke, German pastor and theologian

"It is easy for us to tarnish God's character because He never argues back; He never tries to defend or vindicate himself." Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

"Our response to suffering is an accurate barometer of our soul, Steven J. Lawson, "When All Hell Breaks Loose - You May be Doing Something Right".

"I had to be healed of my desire to be healed." Joni Eareckson Tada

"If God is not in some sense responsible for bad things, then he is not responsible for good things either. If we do not "blame" God for death, we should not praise God for life. We cannot have it both ways." Joseph Hill

"How can you get to know God without suffering - - you can't ! - - Charles Stanley

"Just because we don't see a reason for evil and suffering doesn't mean there's not a reason for it.Consider the story of Joseph and the amazing conclusion in Genesis 50:20 - " You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." There are countless other stories, where suffering was not good, but with time and perspective, some see the good that resulted from the pain and tragedy in their lives." Tim Keller

"Real faith is refined in the fires and storms of pain". Eugene Peterson

"Every truth about suffering can be twisted into a weapon for or against God. Most often suffering speeds us in the direction we are already heading - whether toward or away from God." David McKenna, The Whisper of His Grace

"We are puzzled and bewildered whenever we see suffering in this world because we have become accustomed to the mercy and the long-suffering of God. Amazing grace is no longer amazing to us." R.C. Sproul, Reason to Believe

"When you go through a trial, the sovreignty of God is the pillow upon which you lay your head." Charles Spurgeon

Do we not see God at work in our circumstances? Dark times are allowed and come to us through the sovreignty of God. Are we prepared to let God do what He wants with us? Are we prepared to be separated from the outward, evident blessings of God? Until Jesus Christ is truly our Lord, we each have goals of our own which we serve. Our faith is real, but it is not yet permanent. And God is never in a hurry. If we are willing to wait, we will see God pointing out that we have been interested only in his blessings, instead of God Himself." Oswald Chambers

It is not only wrong to worry, it is unbelief; worrying means that we do not believe God can look after the practical details of our lives, and it is never anything but those details that worry us. Have you ever noticed what Jesus said would choke the Word He put in us? Is it the devil? No - - "the cares of this world" (Mat 13:22). It is always our little worries. We say, "I will not trust what I cannot see" and that is where unbelief begins. the only cure for unbelief is obedience to the Spirit. The greatest word of Jesus to His disciples is abandon." Oswald Chambers

"Men will never be great in theology until they are great in suffering." Charles Spurgeon

"The evil and suffering in this world are greater than any of us can comprehend. But evil and suffering are not ultimate. God is. Satan, the great lover of evil and suffering, is not sovereign. God is.

“He does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?’” (Daniel 4:35)

He declares “the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’” (Isaiah 46:10)

“Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come?” (Lamentations 3:37-38; see Amos 3:6)

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:21; see 16:9)

“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” (Proverbs 16:33) .. Therefore, “if God is for us, who can be against us? . . .Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:31-37). John Piper

"God uses our trials to prepare us for greater blessings." Charles Stanley

"God cannot use mightily the man whom he has not wounded deeply." AW Tozer

"Although our suffering is real and although our pain abides, we know that this is the way that God in His magnificient sovreignty has chosen to save the world." RC Sproul, Reason to Believe

"Suffering, with dignity, may enable you to mark more lives for Christ than anything else you say or do for Christ." Bill Hybels, Pastor - Willow Creek Church

"The most important thing about you is what comes to your mind when you think of God.", AW Tozer

"I thank God for my handicaps, for through them I have found myself, my work and my God." Helen Keller

"God always gives the best to those who leave the choice to Him." Unknown

"The sovereignty of God is the one impregnable rock to which the suffering human heart must cling. The circumstances surronding our lives are no accident: they may be the work of evil, but that evil is held firmly within the mighty hand of our sovereign God." Margaret Clarkson

"God's plan is:
for all christians to suffer
very specific to each person - every trial in a Christian's life is ordained from eternity past, custom made for that believer's eternal good. Nothing happens by accident, not even tragedy!
to save us from our sins - our ultimate focus should not be on pain, tragedy and broken hearts. God's ultimate focus is to teach us to hate sin, grow up spiritually and love him - not to be comfortable.
that every sorrow will one day be the best possible thing that could ever happen to us". Steven Estes

"A leader is trained through suffering. However, the way in which a person acts during the suffering qualifies or disqualifies him for leadership." Bible Study Fellowship notes

Straw-man doctrines

2008-08-09T16:12:00.001-04:00

A straw man by definition is a weak argument as they press a point home which they can then attack, leaving their audience an impression that they've decisively presented a solid case for their position. Man-made doctrines often created energetic defenses of their teachings actually which encouraged their followers refused to allow their doctrines to die. They are those who will cry aloud "stop causing strife".

Often when those who can't really respond to certain doctrines such as Job's trials, they are often evasive and offhanded. If there is a legitimate concern about doctrine questionable, we should discuss them rather than being evasive and trying to change to topic or even questioned the topic. When Christian doctrinal difference is confronted as nothing more than a petty clash of equally valid opinions, straw-man comments appears. Doctrine is then ultimately portrayed as a person's opinion by straw-man with the not-so-subtle implication that differences of this kind of opinion are of no consequence, and if pressed, could be viewed as an act of full blown intolerance.

God can do things that are often completely beyond our ability to explain. We have to remember that God's decisions are undeniably wonderful and gracious acts of His divine power. We want to be careful to certainly make room for God’s sovereign work among us and not lowering God's Sovereign power over Satan and the world.

In this day and age with many a so-called “Spirit-filled” Christians languishing in lukewarm faith formalism where spiritual-filled gifts are used for self-served purposes rather than God's glory.

Centurion's Faith

2008-08-09T16:11:00.001-04:00

What is interesting if we understand the Jewish history and culture in the New Testament, if it was bad to be a Gentile from a Jewish perspective, it was worse to be a Roman soldier, especially a centurion. Another thing to remember that Christ KNEW He was going to be suffering and being crucified by the Roman soldiers and not once Christ condemn them when they approached Him during Christ's 3 years ministry. The centurion didn't want Jesus to have to enter his house, because he knew that a Jew was forbidden to enter the house of a Gentile so rather than violating the Jewish tradition, the centurion chose to honor it. The centurion expressed his humility: "Lord, don't come any farther--I'm not worthy for You to enter my house. I can't allow You to come into my presence." He was clearly a gentle, humble, sensitive, and loving man who even cared for a sick slave that is considered a property. He was a true God-fearing Gentile like Cornelius in Acts 10.

What's most important, the centurion didn't even ask Jesus to heal his servant; he merely informed Jesus of the situation. The centurion was saying, "I understand Your authority. There might be some around here who would question it, but I know a man with authority when I see one. I've seen what You've done and I know the power of Your words." This centurion knew that Jesus is above all authorities. That is great faith. I truly believed that God was working in this centurion's heart.

Did God planned beforehand to place centurion in the middle of Christ's ministry? Its amazing how God's providence work in Christ's earthly life. The idea that Jesus Christ has absolute and final authority over all of us in every detail of our lives is simply having faith in Him and His power of Grace. God will guide us into all truth as He will speak and act on the authority of the divine Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Trinity). God is spirit and faith is required to know Christ and then, the Holy Spirit will reveal who God really is through His grace and power. God's authority requires the accountability of His creatures' reception. God's Word are backed by His authority as the supreme and sovereign in all situations.

Its good to see how power God's grace is. Much more powerful than the Law.

Grace and World's mocking

2008-08-07T18:05:00.001-04:00

The concept of "Christian Legalism" cannot change a heart, because it tries to control people with laws and expectations by man-made doctrines. Peter mentioned in 2 Peter, chapter 3 to be aware mockers. I may be guilty of mocking however, some mocking are more extreme than others which reveals their hearts.

Mocking is basically sarcasm which means sneering, jesting, or mocking a person, situation or thing. The word comes from the late Latin word, sarcasmus, which, in turn, comes from the Greek sarkasmos, from sarkazein - to bite the lips in rage,- from sarx, sark-, flesh - the root word literally means "to cut a piece of flesh (from the targeted person)." Sarcasm's aim is to belittle someone, and to laugh at their expense as "cutting" with it. Sarcasm is scornful, contemptuous and taunting. Proverbs 21:24 The proud and arrogant man-"Mocker" is his name; he behaves with overweening pride. One of devil's beatitudes is "Blessed are they who mock, for they cause strife and divisions that please me." Mocking comes from different motives but I will list 2 and they are:
1. retaliation.
2. pride.

Humility leads to a "right knowledge of our spiritual-self" whether we are God-centered or self-centered. We all have to remember Peter 1:5-9 and Galatians 5:22-23 as well as other verses. Our hearts are like a garden and must be kept free from weeds and insects. To expect the fruits and flowers bloom in an untended heart is to misunderstand completely the processes of Grace and grieving the Holy Spirit. A person's heart is always found running in the direction of his/her desires.

Luke 6:45 (Jesus said)
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

We need to remember this verse said (1 Timothy 1:5) The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Faith and Grace are at the foundations of all Christian living, and because faith has to do with the character of God, not on Christian's faith. Grace operates without the help of our faith because grace is much more powerful than our faith. God gives us, one by one, the gifts and the graces of the Holy Spirit sufficiently. So, fruit of the spirit and grace are missing in our Christian faith today.

Encouragment with God's grace

2008-08-07T17:22:00.001-04:00

Faith and Grace are at the foundations of all Christian living, and because faith has to do with the character of God, not on Christian's faith. Christian's moods (i.e. trials) may be unfavorable to spiritual growth and fruitfulness but in God's sufficient grace, all things are possible. Faith rests upon character of God.

The paradoxical character of the Christian is revealed through life and seen by many. A Christian knows that he/she has been cleansed from sin, yet he/she is conscious that in his/her flesh dwells no good thing. Every Christian is a citizen of heaven and to that sacred citizenship even though each Christian lives in a sinful world and sin will happen. Each Christian can live and grow in circumstances that are unfavorable because this causes a Christian to grow mature. Grace operates without the help of our faith because grace is much more powerful than our faith. God gives us, one by one, the gifts and the graces of the Holy Spirit sufficiently.

Have we taken His grace seriously enough? What you may not be aware is grace is working in your life.

2 Corinthians 9:8 "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

2 Corinthians 12:9
God said: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Romans 5:15 "......how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!"

Romans 5:17 ".......how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ."

Grace is a wonderful gift that God has given us. I thank God that gives me faith on my behalf which is through GRACE. According to His grace, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit that being justified by His grace I might be made heir according to the hope of eternal life. In God's Grace that I have great spiritual and eternal freedom to grow.

Spiritual training which is forming spiritual fruits. In 2 Peter 1:5-9: make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

More about Job and "Blameless"

2008-08-07T17:12:00.000-04:00

God Himself declared: "There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was PERFECT" (Job 1:1). "And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a PERFECT and an UPRIGHT man, one that feareth God and escheweth evil?" (Job 1:8).

Do any of us dare to disagree with God? But if Job was righteous, why did God punish him so? Dare to question God's statement of Job's blameless status?

Job is blameless and upright at the beginning and, although discouraged, nothing is able to move him. Job proclaimed, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." (13:15). Satan was allowed to test Job and was unsuccessful. We know this but Job didn't because we read in the BIBLE while Job was "experiencing". Even though it was the devil who caused the disasters to strike, it was GOD who allowed the devil to do it! (Job 1:6-18; 2:1-7).

Why do the righteous suffer? This is the question raised after Job loses his family, his wealth, and his health. Job's 3 friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, come to comfort him and to discuss his crushing series of tragedies. They insist his suffering is punishment for sin in his life. Job, though, remains devoted to God through all of this and contends that his life has not been one of sin.

There was NO JUST CAUSE for Job's misfortunes and trials, that God had allowed the devil to afflict Job "WITHOUT CAUSE".

We know that "sin" that is, transgression of the laws of God (I John 3:4) brings about a penalty, a curse, in the lives of those who transgress God's laws (see Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28). Sin incurs a penalty. Ultimately, that penalty for sin is DEATH (Rom.6:23).

Regarding Job's FRIENDS, every statement of Job's three friends was TRUE and their reasoning was impeccable. They said that God punishes sinners -- and they were right. They said that none could hide his sins from God -- and they were right!

Now we need to look at the Book of Job to find out WHY and Where then were they wrong? At the end of the book, we read this profound statement: "After the Lord had finished speaking with Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite: 'I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not been right in what you have said about me, as my servant Job was. Now take seven young bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer a burnt offering for yourselves; and my servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf, and won't destroy you as I should because of your sin, your failure to speak rightly concerning my servant Job" (Job 42:7-8). They were in error because they ASSUMED that Job SINNED, based on the "evidence" of his sufferings alone. They had NO PROOF of any of Job's alleged sins that they accused him of but they just could not believe that he was blameless, and so they tried with all their might to convict him of sin, when he was blameless. They missed the whole point of Job's sufferings, just as most people do, today EVEN when ONE is NOT healed, WOF assumed that their lack of faith or their sin. This is why I despised their doctrines.

The Book of Job helps us to understand the following: Satan cannot bring financial and physical destruction upon us unless it is by God's permission. God has power over what Satan can and cannot do. It is beyond our human ability to understand the "why's" behind all the suffering in the world.

After "debating" with his friends, Job questions God Himself and learns valuable lessons about the sovereignty of God and his need to totally trust in the Lord. Job is then restored to health, happiness and prosperity beyond his earlier state.

As we can see WOF's doctrines and Job of the BIBLE contradicts.

Christians who are "in Christ" are blameless before Him. First Corinthians 1:6-7 says, "The testimony of Christ was confirmed in you; so that ye come behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." We have received the testimony of Christ; now we wait His second coming. We have already been justified; now we are waiting to be glorified. In fact, Christ "shall ... confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" (v. 8; cf. Col. 1:22; 1 Thess. 3:13). Christ Himself will confirm we are blameless because we have been convicted by the Holy Spirit to trust in Him as our Savior from sin.

Freewill and God's sovereign

2008-08-05T16:17:00.000-04:00

All creatures are subject to God's control and authority however. God is in control in all of His creatures activities even though they are "slave to sin". Will they "submit" under their own freewill to God, well, that depends on God's sovereign because God can MAKE them by directing their hearts.

Proverbs 16:9 We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.
Proverbs 20:24 A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?

Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.

Jeremiah 10:23 I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.

Man is a responsible moral agent, though he is also divinely controlled; man is divinely controlled, though he is also a responsible moral agent. J.I. Packer

I have lived a long time, sir, and the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth - that God governs in the affairs of men. Benjamin Franklin

"God sovereignly decreed that man should be free to exercise moral choice, and man from the beginning has fulfilled that decree by making his choice between good and evil. When he chooses to do evil, he does not thereby countervail the sovereign will of God but fulfills it, inasmuch as the eternal decree decided not which choice the man should make but that he should be free to make it....Man's will is free because God is sovereign.... A God less than sovereign...would be afraid to...bestow moral freedom upon His creatures. God moves undisturbed and unhindered toward the fulfillment of those eternal purposes which He purposed in Christ Jesus before the world began... with infinite wisdom and perfect precision of action. No one can...turn Him aside from His plans. Since He is omniscient [and] sovereign...there can be...no accidents...no breakdown in authority; and as He is omnipotent, there can be no want of power to achieve His chosen ends . . . . Within the broad field of God's sovereign, permissive will the deadly conflict of good and evil continues with increasing fury. God will yet have His way [but] as responsible beings, we must make our choice in the present moral situation." A.W. Tozer (1897-1963), from The knowledge of the Holy

Mustard Seed, Faith and Grace

2008-08-05T14:58:00.000-04:00

This is where people often unconsciously select for special attention certain Scriptures in order to support their "doctrine" especially when it comes to the doctrine of faith. Our personal relationship is directly to the Author of our faith. Reading Matthew 17, mustard is a large herb (Gk. lachanon, which is in the herb family). Jesus used something the Jewish people spoke of proverbially to illustrate His point so that they can understand. If you look earlier in Matthew Chapter 13, the planted mustard seed, according to the parable, became a tree. The branches were big enough for birds to build their nests on. The question comes up, "What do the birds represent?" Some people think they represent demons and evil. The reason they think that is because the birds in the parable of the soils represented Satan snatching the Word away from people. However, birds don't always represent Satan or evil. In the parable of the mustard seed, they are simply illustrative.

There are 4 Parables of the Sower. Three parables of people who made a profession of faith but then fell away and only the last parable Jesus gave is of real saving faith:

Matthew 13
The Parable of the Sower
1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.

3Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed.

4As he was scattering the seed,

#1
some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. (If a farmer threw the seed and some of it went beyond the furrow only to land on that hard surface, it would never grow. It could not penetrate the ground. This illustrate that people will hear the gospel and think nothing of it).

#2
5Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. (The rocky ground in this parable represents the people who will reject the gospel. Also Luke explains that the seed that landed upon the stony soil "lacked moisture" (Luke 8:6). There wasn't any root to capture the moisture. This means people who will initially receive the gospel, but thorns or the sun will cause them to fall away.)

#3
7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. (After the seeds are sown and they begin to germinate, weeds also begin to grow from the fibrous weed roots hidden in the ground. The weeds then choke the life out of the grain.)

#4
8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9He who has ears, let him hear." (Some people will initially receive the gospel, and ultimately bring forth fruit.)

The parable shows how people will respond to the gospel. All the soils are basically the same--the only difference is whether the
1. dirt is hard,
2. has rock underneath it,
3. has weeds in it, or
4. is good.

The issue is not the soil; rather, it is the condition of the soil. That means that all people could receive the seed. All soil could receive the seed if it was broken up and cleaned of weeds. So, the key to the parable is that the response a person has to the gospel depends upon the condition of that person's heart.

Jesus explains further:
18"Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:

19When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.

20The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.

22The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man
who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.

23But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

Therefore, the condition of the heart determines how receptive a person is to the gospel, NOT the mind. John 4:36 Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.

Our hearts are like a garden and must be kept free from weeds and insects. To expect the fruits and flowers bloom in an untended heart is to misunderstand completely the processes of Grace and God's will.

In Matthew 13:31 -32 Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."

Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Romans 5:1-4
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Hebrews 2:10
In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.

Romans 12:3
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

1 Timothy 1:14
The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Freewill means slave to sin?

2008-08-04T18:01:00.001-04:00

After the Reformation, many groups developed from the teachings of persons other than Martin Luther, most notably, two men: Ulrich Zwingli and John Calvin. Later, Arminianism came in which Methodists and similar denominations believe.

Arminiansim do not believe that "man after the Fall has no ability to cooperate with God's grace in conversion".

I am not a complete a calvinist because I believe that "before the world was created, God unconditionally elected some (the elect) for salvation but did not reprobate (chose for damnation) any." Aminianism believed that "before the world was created, God foresaw those who would choose Him of their own free will and elected them to salvation". I do believe in that but at the same time, I do believe that God is more sovereign than that.

I do believe that there is a effectual calling which God gives to all sinners. I disagree with the Calvinists that "the effectual calling alone saves and is irresistable" but rather a sinner's heart determines whether he/she convicted by the Holy Spirit to be saved or reject the Holy Spirit's conviction.

I disagree with the Arminianism that can be lost through unrepentant sin and unbelief. I believe that salvation cannot be lost because those who have truly put their faith in Christ "may temporarily lose the evidence of their faith" because this is based on "works" rather than the "heart" that only God knows "who are HIS".

Back to the topic of "freewill". Is freewill slave to sin or can make objective decisions without the conviction of the Holy Spirit?

I truly believe that the Bible says that "our will" is a slave because we live in a sinful body. The question become when a Christian becomes a believer in Christ, Is he/she either a slave to sin, or a slave to righteousness (In Christ). God gives every sinner just that freewill (bound to slave) and each sinners can take their sins as far as they want. Slave to sin gives each sinner that freedom. Augustine said, “Free will without grace has the power to do nothing but sin. Free will without grace has the power to do nothing but sin.” A sinner can choose his category but he can’t choose anything other than sin. A sinner cannot choose God until God convicts him/her of their sins. A sinner is saved when the Holy Spirit convicting a sinner to repent and help a sinner change their ways (not of your own). If they didn't feel the conviction and didn't have the motivation to change from "within", then their salvation might be in question.

What's so wonderful about grace, is that our pride on our humanity, the ability to think resulted eternal death from God's unmerited favor. Until that is, Grace came along and the Holy Spirit's work. When a Christian who is saved by the conviction of the Holy Spirit, this Christian is living in a new Creature with holy conscience rather than sinful conscience. No sinners seeks God unless God chose them. The Bible affirms that man gets no credit for his own believing, and that man cannot and does not seek God. The Old and New Testaments affirms that no man seeks after God, and that there are none who are righteous (Ps. 14:1-3; 53:1-4; Rom. 3:10-18). In John 6:44, Jesus said "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him" in the same chapter 6 of John, in verse 65, Jesus said "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him." All a sinner has to do is respond to the conviction and repent. Acts 2:37-38 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

To me, Satan and unsaved sinners have the freewill according to their slavery to "sin".

Learning from Mistakes as a Christian.....

2008-08-03T15:18:00.000-04:00

I have made mistakes over the years. should "learn" from the past rather than "holding on to the past". It would be nice not to have any regrets. If I had no regrets, I would never grow. Pride is at the bottom of all great mistakes.

First, it is a sign of God's working in my life
Second, it is a sign that God wants me to do it different next time

My mistakes of the past were learned mistakes and I did not let myself overwhelmed over those mistakes. What I did was that I kept going to remember my mistakes in my thoughts, learned from them and do my best not to them again in the future. Scriptures states that my own interests before God is sin, in God's point of view. I have to be careful of my own desires that are often contradicts with God's desires.

Over the years, I have learned to be careful how I read the doctrines and need to look from spiritual perspective rather than my own flesh's satisfaction. In my Christian life, I have learned that thinking is crucial; emotions are crucial; and doctrines are crucial. When studying the Word, I have to be careful because my flesh is always searching for pleasure, pride, passions and selfish motives.

Understanding my flesh is still carrying sin, biblically, as a Christian, I am NO longer "in the flesh" as Paul wrote: "You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him" (Rom 8:9). "If Christ is in us, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness" (Romans 8:10). In other words, our human bodies are subject to death (and is already dying) because of sin, however our spirits are alive in Christ.

Sinning by accident is part of our sinful nature because those who are in Christ Romans 7:18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Galatians 5:17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.

I am learning that "holiness" is the balance between my nature and the law of God as expressed in Jesus Christ within me. True "sanctification" is only through the Holy Spirit who produce the evidence of my own true spiritual condition, humility and intimacy with God that my flesh CANNOT DO. We need to guard our minds, emotions, and wills, "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5). I will never be perfect as long as I live in my body which is why God's grace is more than sufficient.

Have you learned God's will about your own life through your own mistakes and how He has helped you over the years?

Doctrines and Discernment

2008-08-03T14:43:00.001-04:00

Discernment encouraged me to examine my own beliefs. When I was younger, I believed in certain doctrines but now that I am spiritually matured, I have learned the proper doctrines through many sources including here in CF.

I have learned in great deal in many categories such as:
the study of God, hamartiology
the study of sin
anthropology--the study of man
soteriology--the study of salvation
ecclesiology--the church
angelology--the angels
eschatology--the last things

and many more. That I am to "study or be diligent to show myself approved unto God, I am who is a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth" and understanding that all "Scripture is breathed out by God and thus is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness."

We can learn from others who believe such doctrines and examine our own. We are to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us and convict us the truth. Often flesh's desires gets in the way of spirit-lead truth. To be spirit-filled, because the Spirit indwells us as Christians, we ought to daily live a Spirit-controlled and empowered life. God wants us to be busy rejoicing in the gracious prospect of all opportunities of God's will. Providential of God leads us to what we call "coincidences" in their lives which perhaps God will make sure that His wills will be done at His right time and place. In Ephesians 4:30 ".....do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption".

God's Sovereign and Messiah prophecies

2008-08-03T13:14:00.001-04:00

So, its a Christian's fault for not protecting self from sinners (i.e. devil prowls like a roaring lion)? Its never a Christian's fault since we live in a sinful world where Satan do have control (but limited). God allow Joseph brothers to sell him as slave and look what happened afterward. In this sinful world, we are to respond like Joseph did to enemies (his brothers) who sold him into slavery, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.”

Satan tried to have Peter try to keep Jesus from the cross but God determined that Jesus is to die on the Cross. In Matthew 16, Peter says, “Lord, don’t you do that! Don’t go to the cross!” and Jesus knew the source and said, “Get thee behind me, Satan.” Satan knew the power of the Cross and the Death Penalty by the Government which was established by God. "The authorities that exist have been established by God" (see Romans 13). How did God know that the Roman Government will use the "Cross" for their death penalty?

Satan used Judas and the Jewish leaders to kill Jesus. Satan was hoping that the Jewish people would STONE Jesus to death based on the Jewish Law and Custom. But the Jewish leaders were smart enough not to take the law into their hands and asked the Roman Government to crucify Christ.

God will take advantage of Satan's evil desires and motives to accomplish His will. The Bible clearly teaches that God knows beforehand what we will need and He will provide beforehand according to His will. God is absolutely powerful, that God is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, that God is immutable, never changes, that God is all wise, perfectly just, holy, righteous. God is ruling all things to work together for our good and His purpose.

Now if God didn't have complete control, what would happen to the Messiah prophecies listed in the Old Testament? How do you explain that?

There are over three hundred prophecies about the Messiah in the Old Testatment. It is certainly reassuring to know that God has ultimate control of history, especially when current events may lead one to conclude otherwise.

We come from the world's setting that is controlled by God that lead to the fulfillment of a Hebrew prophet's statement that He would be born in Bethlehem; all the way down to the circumstances of His birth, His life, His death, His Resurrection and His Future.

Before Christ's death, trying to understand what Jesus said in John 19:11 "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." Which means God have complete control of what was going on in Christ's situation. In John 19:28 Jesus recognized that all of the prophecies were fulfilled up to His death except for one. The one unfulfilled prophecy was the prophecy from Psalm 69:21 that He would drink vinegar. Knowing He had to fulfill that one prophecy, He said, "...I thirst." So, the soldiers gave Him the vinegar. Then in verse 30, when He had received the vinegar, He said, "It is finished". Jesus have fulfilled every prophecy. Jesus have accomplished the sin bearing. Jesus have bruised the serpent's head.

Having said, "It is finished," no one took His life from Him; He willingly yielded it. The body of Jesus Christ never knew disease because His body never knew sin until He died on the cross. Jesus died at the very second determined by God. Jesus controlled His death and fitted it into God's eternal plan. He died when it was time to die. Jesus was saying "It's done. Now I'll die" which meant nobody killed Jesus even though He was hanged on the Cross. He laid His life down. He had finished everything, so He just died. He controlled His own death.

God will tolerate the Satan's activities (sin) because they are part of the process God is using to purify Israel (future). Human's destiny revealed by God, human's destiny is restricted by sin at birth, and human's destiny recovered by Christ at re-birth.

Jesus rebuked one of the Jewish leaders for not understanding God's plan. Jesus said, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken" (Luke 24:25)! Here was a Jewish master of Scripture, who SHOULD have known that Jesus fulfilled every Messianic prophecies, instead he made a weak application of poor theology of God's word. Do you know who that was? Gamaliel who opposed to Jesus' providence.

Now, if you say that cannot control all circumstances, then He cannot control is prophecies. If circumstantial situations fail to align with Scripture, we are to be careful because the subjective (i.e. desires) must always be determined by objective considerations (the Bible). He marks out the paths of all His creatures and determines the way in which they will walk. I know O Lord that a man's way is not in himself; nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps (Jer.10:23).

We all need to understand Paul's Statement to the leaders in Acts 17:

22Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.

24"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 25And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. 26From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' 29"Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man's design and skill. 30In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead."

This is my belief: Sovereign is complete control by God, in all circumstances including our own lives. Jesus said "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered." (Matthew 10:29-30)

Remember Jesus is "the Word" that many hold and follow. What part of "the Word" they don't follow? For some Christians today, God's sovereignty seems to be at question in their theology.

Discipleship

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In the Christian life, thinking is crucial, emotions are crucial and serve is crucial. Jesus touches our lives (inward) and enables us to touch others (outward). And since the Gospel so transforms us with the power of the Word, we can demonstrate God's grace power with the reality of our lives.

I love this quote by one Christian "Happy are they who know that discipleship simply means life which springs from grace, and that grace simply means discipleship". He is german Dietrich Bonhoeffer who wrote "Cost of Discipleship". From reading Dietrich's book, "The Cost of Discipleship" which first published in English in 1949. He wrote: 'costly grace' as opposed to 'cheap grace, ' which he described as 'Grace without price; grace without cost, ' or "grace without discipleship.'

Bonhoeffer's best definition of the Cross is this: "Salvation is free, ... but discipleship will cost you your life."

A true Christian praises God's glory: Psalm 18:1-3
A true Christian trusts in God's power: Psalm 31:23
A true Christian seeks communion with God: Ps. 63:1-3; Ps. 84:2-4
A true Christian enjoys God's peace: Psalm 119:165
A true Christian is sensitive to God: Ps. 69:9
A true Christian loves what God loves: Ps. 138:2; Psalm. 119
A true Christian loves whom God loves: First John 5:1-2
A true Christian hates what God hates: Matt. 26:75; 1 John 2:15
A true Christian longs for Christ's return: Second Timothy 4:8
A true Christian obeys God's commands: John 14:21; Rom. 7:22

It is finished

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'It is finished!', the Greek expression is only one word which is tetelestai. The work of redemption was done. He did all that the law required and perfectly accomplished all that the Father had given Him to do. He made full atonement for sins–everything was done; nothing was left. He came into this world "to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself" (Heb. 9:26) and He did just that. He bore our sins in His own body, and dealt Satan a blow to the head (Gen. 3:15).

1. The gospel of Jesus Christ is good news about our sin problem (Rom. 3:23; 6:23).
2. Christ’s atonement focuses primarily upon our sins (Lev. 16:1-34; Is. 53:5-6, 11-12; 1 Pet. 2:24).
3. Christ died for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3).
4. Christ was made sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21).
5. Christ forgave our sins so that we can have eternal life (1 John 2:12).
6. Christ gave Himself for our sins so we can be righteous in the eyes of God (Gal. 1:4).

Salvation by grace alone and that the atonement both reconciliation and restoration. Hebrews 5 explains that "Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins" that in Hebrews 7 explains that Jesus is the "high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

Other than I see as "It's done. Now I'll die", nobody killed Jesus even though He was hanged on the Cross. He laid His life down. He had finished everything, so He just died. He controlled His own death. I have learned along time ago regarding Sovereign God and how powreful He is. Christ lead His own death at His own choice and He allowed Himself to die (even though He knows He unable to die).

Trying to understand what Jesus said in John 19:11 "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." Which means God have complete control of what was going on in Christ's situation.

We have to remember that He is God and God don't die. But He died for us. All things had been done which the law of God required; all things fulfilled which prophecy predicted. There could be nothing added to what He had done except the Holy Spirit enables us to believe Him.

The word "sovereign" means "supremacy of authority or rule." Whoever is sovereign is in control of all things and governs all things. For human rulers, sovereignty is partial because of human limitations. For God, sovereignty is absolute because of His omnipresence and infinitude.

Jesus said "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered." (Matthew 10:29-30) Remember Jesus is "the Word" that you hold and follow. What part of "the Word" you don't follow? For some Christians today, God's sovereignty seems to be at question in their theology.

In the definition of sovereign is the power to enforce the supremacy of authority. Whoever is sovereign must have more power than anyone else.

His declaration which is HIS WORD.
The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up.

He raises the poor from the dust And lifts the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among princes And make them inherit the throne of glory.

For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, And He has set the world upon them. He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness.

For by strength no man shall prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken in pieces; From heaven He will thunder against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth.

He will give strength to His king, And exalt the horn [strength] of His anointed. (1 Samuel 2:6-10)

Jesus said clearly about a penny's worth of sparrows compare to us. Matthew 10:29: Are not two sparrows sold for a penny ? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. If God can control with those two sparrows, then He will do the same for His creatures around the world including Satan.

Grace and Legalism

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We are convicted by the Holy Spirit through the power of grace to "resist temptations".

Temptation to sin always come from many different directions by sin around us including trials. In James 1:12-13, he has been refering to trials with the Greek noun peirasmos which also uses the same word to refer to temptations. The difference between a trial and a temptation is how you respond to it. Every trial has the potential to become a temptation. Temptation next affects our minds through deception and that we begin to justify and rationalize our right to possess what we desire.

James 1:14 says: "Every man is tempted." which means NOT ONE is exempted from being tempted. All Christians will face temptations for the rest of their lives. In Corinthians, God gives us His GRACE to bear or endure which in greek, hupophero which literally means to "get under it and carry it." Grace gets under us and carry our burdens for us whether it is temptation or trials.

We need to guard our minds, emotions, and wills, "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5). I will never be perfect as long as I live in my body which is why God's grace is more than sufficient.

This is when GRACE comes in.
2 Corinthians 9:8 "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

2 Corinthians 12:9
God said: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Romans 5:15 "......how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!"

Romans 5:17 ".......how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ."

We have to remember that Grace fulfilled the Law.

Law tells me how crooked I am; grace comes along and straightens me out. Dwight L. Moody

Psalm 40:8 I desire to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart."

Psalm 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip.

Psalm 40:8 I desire to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart."

Hebrews 8:10 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

Revelation 17:17 For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish His purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God's words are fulfilled.

2 Timothy 2:19
Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."

In God's grace, legalism is not needed because we have the Holy Spirit that places the laws in our hearts.

I see things and I hear of things that Chistian people are doing, and as I watch them operate within the profession of Chrisitanity, I do raise the question of whether they have been truly converted. - A.W. Tozer, I Call it Heresy

The Lord will not save those he cannot command. A.W. Tozer

“The regenerate man often has a more difficult time of it than the unregenerate, for he is not one man but two. He feels within him a power that tends toward holiness and God, while at the same time he is still a child of Adam's flesh and a son of the red clay.” A.W. Tozer

Christian Legalism cannot change a heart, it tries to control people with laws and expectations that are not even kept by the religionists who interpret and apply the rules. We have to keep in mind that we have grace and the Holy Spirit's convictions.

Relationship with God

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The WORD is Jesus Christ. It is my personal relationship to God that really matters that takes priority over everything else regardless what happens. Real fulfillment relates to the purpose for which we were made, to be in reference to God, to be in personal relationship with Him, to be fulfilled by Him, and thus to have an affirmation of life. Christianity is able to make a real affirmation because we affirm that it is possible to be in personal relationship to the personal God who is there and who is the author of our faith. All else but God is dependent, but being in the image of God, we can be in personal relationship to that which is ultimate and full of blessings.

We are made in the image of God, has a purpose, to be in relationship to God, who is always there. Sometimes we forgets our purpose and we forget who we are and what life means. Deny your weakness, and we will never realize God's strength in us (grace). There is a war going on. All talk of a Christian's right to live luxuriously "as a child of the King" in this sinful world is not complete until Christ returns. Truth is so obscure in these times, and falsehood so established, that, unless we love the truth, we cannot know it. nothing is too small in us or in any other creature, not to be ordered by the all-knowing and all-powerful providence of God.

We all can claim to be a Christian, and we all believe that the root of the matter is in us and the seed of God is in our hearts. Doctrines are not God: they are only a kind of map. But that map is based on the experience of hundreds of people who really were in touch with God. To understand reality is not the same as to know about outward events. It is to perceive the essential nature of things. The best-informed man is not necessarily the wisest. Indeed there is a danger that precisely in the multiplicity of his knowledge he will lose sight of what is essential.

Life is:
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. -- Proverbs 3:5-6

Do we actually vote a person to become

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a President? Or do God use us to vote the next President? What happened to the free-will?

United States government is a democracy which every citizen within the country gets to have a say in what decisions are made. The America people are seen as the ultimate source of legitimacy in democracy and while making laws, many cannot all agree to propose legislation. Democracy is very complexed and its not that simple. Democracy is popularly associated with the principle of majority rule and it is the expression of the sovereign will of the people, however there is no easy method by which that "will" is deemed to be defined must consist of majority rule.

The federal government of the United States is the United States governmental body that carries out the roles assigned to the federation of 50 individual states established by the Constitution. Before the U.S. Constitution was written, each American state was essentially sovereign. Today, the state governments have the greatest influence over most Americans' daily lives. Each state has its own written constitution, government, and code of laws and they all are not the same. Federalism is a government system in which the power to govern is shared between the national & state governments, creating what is often called a federation. Federalism basically means power is shared between the national and state (local) governments.

We have to remember that all Governments are God's ordained. believe that we are called to render service and obedience as to submit to civil authority (1 Pet. 2:13–17 ; Matt. 22:21) even when they are run by sinners because the Government is God-ordained. Even when government leaders are bad (sinners)? I want a creditable leader who can run the American as our President whether the person is a Christian or not. People are confused about "human decisions" and "God's decisions". This is the concept of Romans 8:28-29 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." God governs (controls) the world (Isa. 40:22-24), the nations (Isa. 40:15-17), and us (Proverbs 16:9). I cannot and will NOT dispute God's word how He manages this world.

Debating with other Christians

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I will still fellowship and debate with my Christian brethren even though I may not agree with their doctrinal beliefs. I appreaciate their patience and I know their frustrations because I have dealt with my own patience and frustrations during those times.

Christians will always be debating the differences in Christian doctrinal beliefs. Faith in Jesus is not commitment to our man-made doctrines. It is total faith in Christ and not in doctrines, though we may love the doctrines and respect and love your leaders that taught you the doctrines. But our commitment is to Christ alone. In Christ, we all are Christians however we are divided by doctrines. Even though doctrinal differences may arise between Christians, we must still show love to one another. However, this does not mean that we are to ignore doctrinal error. 1 Corinthians 13:6 says that love "rejoices in the truth." So one aspect of loving one another is to strive for doctrinal purity by pointing out doctrinal error, not by ignoring it. Therefore, we will continue to debate until Christ returns.

Divisions Are Not Always Bad By: A.W. Tozer

When to unite and when to divide, that is the question, and a right answer requires the wisdom of a Solomon. Some settle the problem by a rule of thumb: All union is good and all division bad. It's that easy. But obviously this effortless way of dealing with the matter ignores the lessons of history and overlooks some of the deep spiritual laws by which men live. If good men were all for union and bad men for division, or vice versa, that would simplify things for us. Or if it could be shown that God always unites and the devil always divides it would be easy to find our way around in this confused and confusing world. But that is not how things are. To divide what should be divided and unite what should be united is the part of wisdom. Union of dissimilar elements is never good even where it is possible, nor is the arbitrary division of elements that are alike; and this is as certainly true of things moral and religious as of things political or scientific. The first divider was God who at creation divided the light from the darkness. This division set the direction for all God's dealings in nature and in grace. Light and darkness are incompatible; to try to have both in the same place at once is to try the impossible and end by having neither the one nor the other, but dimness rather, and obscurity. In the world of men there are at present scarcely any sharp outlines. The race is fallen. Sin has brought confusion. The wheat grows with the tares, the sheep and the goats coexist, the farms of the just and the unjust lie side by side in the landscape, the mission is next door to the saloon. But things will not always be so. The hour is coming when the sheep will be divided from the goats and the tares separated from the wheat. God will again divide the light from the darkness and all things will run to their kind. Tares will go into the fire with tares and wheat into the garner with wheat. The dimness will lift like a fog and all outlines will appear. Hell will be seen to be hell all the way through, and heaven revealed as the one home for all who bear the nature of the one God. For that time we with patience wait. In the meanwhile for each of us, and for the church wherever she appears in human society, the constantly recurring question must be: What shall we unite with and from what shall we separate? The question of coexistence does not enter here, but the question of union and fellowship does. The wheat grows in the same field with the tares, but shall the two cross-pollinate? The sheep graze near the goats, but shall they seek to interbreed? The unjust and the just enjoy the same rain and sunshine, but shall they forget their deep moral difference and intermarry? To these questions the popular answer is yes. Union for union's sake, and men shall brothers be for all that. Unity is so devoutly to be desired that no price is too high to pay for it and nothing is important enough to keep us apart. Truth is slain to provide a feast to celebrate the marriage of heaven and hell, and to support a concept of unity which has no basis in the Word of God. The Spirit-illuminated church will have none of this. In a fallen world like ours unity is no treasure to be purchased at the price of compromise. Loyalty to God, faithfulness to truth and the preservation of a good conscience are jewels more precious than gold of Ophir or diamonds from the mine. For these jewels men have suffered the loss of property, imprisonment and even death; for them, even in recent times, behind the various curtains, followers of Christ have paid the last full measure of devotion and quietly died, unknown to and unsung by the great world, but known to God and dear to His Father's heart. In the day that shall declare the secrets of all souls these shall come forth to receive the deeds done in the body. Surely such as these are wiser philosophers than the religious camp followers of meaningless unity who have not the courage to stand against current vogues and who bleat for brotherhood because it happens to be for the time popular. "Divide and conquer" is the cynical slogan of Machiavellian political leaders, but Satan knows also how to unite and conquer. To bring a nation to its knees the aspiring dictator must unite it. By repeated appeals to national pride or to the need to avenge some past or present wrong the demagogue succeeds in uniting the populace behind him. It is easy after that to take control of the military and to beat the legislature into submission. Then follows almost perfect unity indeed, but it is the unity of the stockyards and the concentration camp. We have seen this happen several times in this century, and the world will see at least once more when the nations of the earth are united under Antichrist. When confused sheep start over a cliff the individual sheep can save himself only by separating from the. flock. Perfect unity at such a time can only mean total destruction for all. The wise sheep to save his own hide disaffiliates. Power lies in the union of things similar and the division of things dissimilar. Maybe what we need in religious circles today is not more union but some wise and courageous division. Everyone desires peace but it could be that revival will follow the sword.

Jonah and Missionsary.........

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Jonah is a GREAT story. Jonah illustrates what a missionary should not be. He was prejudiced, selfish, and disobedient (his heart) which illustrates all Christians' hearts. Jonah came to the point of hating the lost, not loving them which is alot like "right-wing" Christians in politics. According to Jonah, Nineveh deserved condemnation, not salvation.

Nineveh is a gentile and Jonah could see that God might turn to the Gentiles, ending Israel's special election. Fearing Nineveh would receive God's mercy and grace was a wrong attitude for Jonah to have.

Jonah represents many Christians. To Jonah, fleeing "from the Lord's presence" does not mean Jonah tried to escape from God's sight because Jonah knows that is an impossible thing to do (Jer. 23:24) but to be far away from Nineveh so God would have to find someone else. He would be physically unavailable and God will not allow that and God is Sovereign that He would Jonah God but with the proper attitude.

Jonah knew God's power during the storm when the sailors responded, "What shall we do for thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? For the sea raged, and was tempestuous" (1 v. 11). Jonah could have repented, but instead he replied, "Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm for you; for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you" (1 v. 12). So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea; and the sea ceased from its raging" (v. 15). The calming of the sea confirmed that Jonah had sinned against God. Nevertheless, God used Jonah because "the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the Lord, and made vows" (v. 16). God will always accomplish His work through His CREATURES.

His being cast into the sea was according to the divine plan, for "the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights" (v. 17). That God prepared the fish shows He still intended to use Jonah through His Creatures which is the "great fish".

In summary, thruogh Jonah, God is saying, "Don't you have the wrong perspective? You're more concerned about a plant than a city! I created those people in My image and caused them to grow, and you don't even care that they perish."

Clearly, Jonah had the wrong priorities. He had concern for himself but none for making disciples. He was more about "himself" more than he was worry about the gentiles.

Are we overcoming doctrinal differences?

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Can opinions determine counterfeits? If that false prophet's healing really comes true, that is good enough for me? Reading Peter's letters, Peter is saying that even though the false teachers claim allegiance to Him and claim to believe in Him HOWEVER by their doctrine and life they are denying Him. Sometime people can't see the differences. Doctrines can captivate people with some kind of idolatry. They are oblivious to the real world of God's truth; rather, they are plugged into a dream world of fantasy. In chapter 2, Peter gave an extended warning about the danger of false teachers and the corruption that would infiltrate the church as those who professed to know the living God through their doctrines.

Peter also mentioned in 2 Peter, chapter 3 to be aware mockers. We have alot of mockers who replies and resented some comments. They will go into private and talk among themselves mocking us.

2 Peter 3:3
(NLT) Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires.

Even though doctrinal differences may arise between Christians, we must still show love to one another. However, this does not mean that we are to ignore doctrinal error. 1 Corinthians 13:6 says that love "rejoices in the truth." So one aspect of loving one another is to strive for doctrinal purity by pointing out doctrinal error, not by ignoring it.

In this sinful world, I see doctrinal confusion rather than doctrinal conviction. There are alot of resistances to the Holy Spirit's conviction, not by choice but by their hearts' condition.

James 3:17 "The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere".

pure (hagnos) - This wisdom is undefiled and free from the corruption that characterizes ungodly wisdom. It is free from selfishness and the determination to have one's own way. This describes both the condition of the heart and the manifestation of that condition in behavior. This is another quality of Christ produced in the heart and life of His children (cf. I John 3:3).

We have to remember that godly wisdom will be characterized by gentleness or meekness, rather than by arrogance and self-assertion. A person is characterized by a heart that is selfish and determined to have its own way. As sinful human beings we have hearts that are full of selfish ambition and the determination to have our own way. We are occupied with ourselves in pride and stubbornness (Jer.17:9). Only God can change the heart and make us new on the inside (2 Cor. 5:17). It is by faith in Jesus Christ and His death for our sins that we can have forgiveness and be given new hearts.

Doctrinal differences, how can we really tell the difference?

Faith: Law or Grace?

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Our own faith without GRACE is sin (i.e. legalism). Legalism is spiritually fatal.

When we became a believer, the unlimited of grace were open and that Grace for everything is poured out on us and will continue to do that. Whenever legalism of faith doctrines replaces grace, legalism causes a Christian to sin. Flesh's faith leads a person them to do 'works" while Spirit produces faith. Many Christians have spent their time correcting their faith symptoms rather than allowing the Holy Spirit lead their faith. According to the Apostle Paul, “If it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace” (Rom. 11:6). God says all our righteousnesses are fatally flawed.

It is the whole difference between legalism and true Christianity. Christ's blood counts as payment for all our sins, and His fulfillment of the law counts as all the merit we need. That is the meaning of 2 Corinthians 5:21: God "hath made [Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." Legalism do not work anymore. Christ's perfect life supplies us with all the merit we need to be acceptable to God. We are not under law, but under grace.

Faith, Works and Knowledge

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We all can be "theologically knowing while at the same time spiritually ignorant". I can have GREAT knowledge but if I don't have spiritual wisdom, my knowledge is worthless. I may know my Bible and I may know my faith but I cannot ever know God 100% because if I do, I would get a HUGE head which is why Apostle Paul wrote, “Your salvation is nothing you have achieved by your good works. It is a gift of God. You receive it by faith. That way no one can boast of his own accomplishments.”

Humility and graciousness will help be stable in spite of the circumstances without focusing on our faith-works. James says, "He gives grace to the humble." We aren't perfect. If there is no righteous deed, if there is no fruit of righteousness, there is no way to demonstrate the validity of faith. Humility leads to a "right knowledge of our spiritual-self" whether we are God-centered or self-centered. In God's graces of the Christian life can't grow without humility. Until we see our poverty we can't see His riches. No man enters the kingdom without understanding his own sinfulness and realizing his need to repent. Proverbs 16:5 says, "Every one who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord."

We all need to only look at the Beatitudes, "Blessed are the poor in spirit". Everyone knows this because Beatitudes goes on to talk about poverty of spirit, brokenness, repentance, sorrow, meekness, hunger, thirst for righteousness, blessed are the merciful, blessed are the pure in heart, blessed are the peacemakers, blessed are those persecuted for righteousness sake. True faith begins in humility and in brokenness and in sorrow and in repentance and in poverty in spirit and it ends in obedience and endurance. Saving faith is like that of the little child, if you don't come to Me, Jesus said in Matthew 18:4, as a little child, you can't enter My Kingdom. It's humble, obedient, permanent and it's a gift from God.

Is Satan sovereign?

2008-07-31T17:53:00.001-04:00

God has made an unilateral word from which He cannot escape however His word is eternal so whatever happens, He didn't break His word. Christian has been delivered from the temporal world to the eternal Kingdom. The Christian from the temporal world to the eternal Kingdom where Satan cannot touch.

In between the Fall (Adam & Eve) and the establishment of the Kingdom of Christ is this present-evil age. Our society (sinful world) is characterized by lies, it is characterized by deception which lead by Satan's agenda. This sinful earth is characterized by what is temporal (as people can see and "want", but what is for time only, what is physical, what is passing, what ultimately will be destroyed.

Reading Galatians 6:6-14..... Paul was writing about how the Pharisees boasted in their faith, were proud about their faithful rewards through their concept of faith-works. And Paul is not like the circumcised who boast about their fastidious attention to the Law. Reading verse 14 Paul wrote: "May it never be that I should boast." I'm not going to boast about anything in me, I don't have anything worthy in me. "But if I do boast, I will boast in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." And what did that cross accomplish? "Through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world." What does it mean to be crucified? To be dead. It's just a dramatic way to express the thought of death. Paul says Jesus Christ went to the cross and through His work on the cross the world is dead to me, and I am dead to the world.

The question becomes, is Satan sovereign? Is Satan really the sovereign of everything and it is really difficult to get control of him?

Biblically, all Satan can do is function within the confines of God's sovereign purpose. If we are TRULY study the Bible, we will find that God uses Satan to judge sinners (Mark 4:15, 2nd Corinthians 4:4). God uses Satan to refine saints (Job 42:6, Luke 22:31 and 32), and one of my most encouraging verses are in 2nd Corinthians 12 in the case of Paul's thorns and God's sufficient GRACE.

Satan is the accuser. He's trying to destroy believers' faith, trying to get them to turn against God. Can't do that with true believers. Jesus explained in one of His parables of how true believers preserves their faith and others turned away from God when they didn't get what they want.

Doctrinal mistakes

2008-07-30T17:55:00.001-04:00

Some of my favorite Quotes about "Learning from History".

"What I am great advocate of looking into the past, I could warn everybody against living in the past. The only justification for looking to the past is that we may learn great lessons from it and apply them" (Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

By avoiding the mistakes of the past: "Those who fail to remember the past are condemned to repeat it" (George Santayana)

By repeating the victories of the past: "Those who fail to remember the past are condemned not to repeat it" (David B. Calhoun)

Reading Ecclesiastes helps alot. Hearing stories from my elders (old relatives and older Christians) reminded me that their experiences speaks the truth. As they say, "History repeats itself in every generation." Reading Ecclesiastes have reminded me that people have been taking "life" for granted. There's a right time and way for everything. It's true that no one knows what's going to happen, or when. Life leads to death that life, while it lasts, will soon be over. There's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth.

No bitterness but following God's word. Doctrines should be carefully scrutinized (to look over closely and discerning) before we rely on them and some people don't do what God says. Discernment is needed today to help guide the sheeps to discern the from false to truth.

God is adjusting our history to His purposes. He knows what He's doing. I have to learn to trust His will, His power to do His will, and His timing to do it when the time is right--and not until then. That's the essence of real faith. God carries out His will in His perfect power and timing.

To close with a quote:
Faith believes that God, in his grace, has stepped over the boundary into human history and told us some great and very valuable facts. (Ray C. Stedman, "What Faith Is")

Discerning God's will

2008-07-30T17:17:00.005-04:00

Discerning God's will, we renounce the norms of behavior typical of flesh's desires (Gal. 5:19-20 and Lam. 3:13-16), and renew our minds, through the grace of God and the work the work of the Holy Spirit. Love is the crowning Christian virtue (I Corinthians 13:1-3; Colossians 3:14), fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5) and the distinguishing mark of discipleship (John 13:34-35).

Philippians 1:9-10: “And this is my prayer; that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.” (NIV)

Ephesians 5:15-17: “Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (NASB)

Reading Romans 8:14 says, “Those who are led by the Spirit are the sons of God.” In context, the reference to being “led by the Spirit” does not refer to inner “voices” or any such experience, but to be aware of known sin and not going after the flesh. Before verse 14, Romans 8:5-8: “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.”

“The idea of a life in which the inward voice of the Spirit decides and directs everything sounds most attractive, for it seems to exalt the Spirit’s ministry and to promise the closest intimacy with God; but in practice this quest for super-spirituality leads only to frantic bewilderment or lunacy. Yet the true way to honor the Holy Spirit as our guide is to honor the Holy Scriptures through which He guides us. The fundamental guidance which God gives to shape our lives the instilling, that is, of the basic convictions, attitudes, ideals and value judgments, in terms of which we are to live is not a matter of inward promptings apart from the Word but of the pressure on our consciences of the portrayal of God’s character and will in the Word which the Spirit enlightens us to understand and apply to ourselves.” (J.I. Packer, Knowing God, p. 235.)

“Scripture never commands us to tune into any inner voice. We’re commanded to study and meditate on Scripture (Joshua 1:8; Ps. 1:1-2). We’re instructed to cultivate wisdom and discernment (Prov. 4:5-8). We’re told to walk wisely and make the most of our time (Eph. 5:15-16). We’re ordered to be obedient to God’s commands (Deut. 28:1-2; Jn. 15:14). But we are never encouraged to listen for inner promptings. On the contrary, we are warned that our hearts are so deceitful and desperately wicked that we cannot understand them (Jer. 17:9). Surely this should make us very reluctant to heed promptings and messages that arise from within ourselves. Those willing to heed inner voices and mental impressions may be listening to the lies of a deceitful heart, the fantasies of an overactive imagination, or even the voice of a demon. Once objective criteria are cast aside, there is no way to know the difference between truth and falsehood. Those who follow subjective impressions are by definition undiscerning.” (John F. MacArthur, Jr. Reckless Faith, pp. 189-193.)

Dr. Packer warns, “Don’t be a spiritual lone ranger… draw on the wisdom of those who are wiser than you are; take advice.” (Knowing and Doing the Will of God, p. 401.)

If circumstantial situations fail to align with Scripture, we are to be careful because the subjective (i.e. desires) must always be determined by objective considerations (the Bible).

If I desire to join a church, for example, may feel called to the ministry and believe God has “opened doors” for me to pursue, but the final test must be the qualifications for as a Christian leader in the New Testament (see: I Tim. 3 and Titus 1). I am to “Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days (Prov. 19:20) because “The way of a fool seems right to him, but awise man listens to advice” (Prov. 12:15). Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” (See also: Ecclesiastes 9:10; Romans 12:11; I Corinthians 15:5-8; Ephesians 6:7,8.)

Finally...Be patient: Hebrews 10:36: “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” See also: James 5:7-8.

The mystery of our free will is too easy because when God said to Adam and Eve: "Thou shalt not eat from this tree." Here was a divine requirement calling for obedience on the part of those who had the power of choice and will. They had only ONE commandment. This is from my journal as a reminder that I must keep God's Character HIGHLY without lowering to human's standard.

The potter (God) is working with this soft, yielding clay (us). If this clay does not submit, the potter may not be able to do what I should do according to His will. The potter still could make anything except for useful and beautiful (spiritual fruitful) out of an unyielding blob of clay. If God is going to make those kinds of vessels out of clay (us), however, we are going to have to yield to the spiritual law of surrender. Give ourselves to God as a living sacrifice and let Him have us--all of us. Of course at the same time, I understand that God, just because He is almighty, needs no support from me and He is still able to do what He wills to do. Often I noticed that the providential of God leads me to what I call "coincidences" in my life which perhaps God will make sure that His wills will be done at His right time and place. There are two worlds, set over against each other, dominated by two wills, the will of man (me) and the will of God, respectively. Whose will is stronger?

God's sovereignty requires that He be able to do whatever He wants to do anywhere, at any time, in every single detail, and without any interference. If He was less than completely free He would be less than sovereign. God is absolutely free to do what He wills because no one and nothing can hinder Him or compel Him or stop Him. Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and in the earth, in the seas and in all deeps (Psalm 135:6).

God controls all the millions of species of plants, birds, animals and fish that exist on this earth. They all fulfill His will. Every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird of the mountains, and everything that moves in the field is Mine (Psalm 50:10-12).

God sovereignly works out His purposes in each person's life. The steps of a man are established by the Lord (Psalm 37:23). He marks out the paths of all His creatures and determines the way in which they will walk. I know O Lord that a man's way is not in himself; nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps (Jer.10:23).

God has sovereignly decreed that man should be free to exercise moral choices, and man from the beginning has fulfilled that decree by making his choices between good and evil. When he chooses to do evil, he does not overrule the sovereign will of God.

No because at times He actually fulfills it. God's eternal decree didn't predetermine which choice the man should make, but that he should be free to make it.

If in His absolute freedom, God has granted man limited freedom, who is there to say: what are You doing (Isaiah 45:9)?

Holiness and Legalism

2008-07-30T10:42:00.001-04:00

We have to be careful when we use the word "holiness" that it should NOT be used for legalism.

God's desire that I should reflect His own holiness and goodness (not my own flesh's efforts). Holiness is the balance between my nature and the law of God as expressed in Jesus Christ within me. True "sanctification" is only through the Holy Spirit who produce the evidence of my own true spiritual condition, humility and intimacy with God that my flesh CANNOT DO. Legalism is man's own concept of obedience makes him feel very safe that if its part of his life, he will impose on others. If they are not following his formula of legalistic beliefs, they are not being obedient according to his understanding of the Scriptures.

Denominational

2008-07-30T10:13:00.001-04:00

Looking from "denominational" perspectives, we have to remember, in this world, denominational doctrines make denominational members. The New Testament makes just Christians. The biggest thing that denominations do is to give you an idea of where the church that you are looking at stands doctrinally. Denominations or any other forms (i.e. WOF) are important for aligning yourself with the church and the people that you most agree with. This is where YOU are identified with.

Many years ago, Martin Luther's role was all about reforming the Roman Catholic church. Luther and the reformers wanted to correct what they thought was incorrect doctrine but preserve everything else.

I cannot say a particular Church/denomination's theology is truth because the Bible is truth while doctrines are taught by man. I am a Christian FIRST. Secondary is the doctrines I rely on based on the Holy Spirit's conviction. I am not a perfect Christian but I am a forgiven Christian who is still learning. I have learned that there is NO perfect Church and/or denomination.

When we trivialize the Scriptures doctrinally, we reduce God’s Commandments of our Christian Life to formulas (legalism) which lead me to be “proud” of my efforts, or we rationalize away the demands (liberalism) which makes me comfortable with my life, or we fabricate a list of things (agenda) we are going to do for God (moralism) which makes me tired, all three (legalism, liberalism and moralism) replaces God’s grace and need for Jesus Christ. If we allow ourselves to the bondage to a corruption of nature (i.e., legalism, liberalism and moralism), then we are not free as the Bible defines it.

I don't wear a "Calvnism" badge because I am not really a calvinist but I do believe in many of calvinism doctrines. I don't wear Anabaptist badge because I am a Christian. One critical difference between Anabaptists and Reformers on the doctrine of the Atonement is that Anabaptists (Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches) rejected justification by the law as a means of salvation as did the other Reformers, but they insisted that those who are saved will follow the law of Christ written in their hearts and do the “works of faith." I follow A.W. Tozer's writings but I don't agree with Tozer in some aspects.

There are some good things that comes out of WOF but in terms of balancing of pros and cons. WOF's cons list is much longer and contradict in many of our Christian basic doctrines.

Suffering

2008-07-30T09:35:00.001-04:00

EARLIER in Romans 8:19-22 says the whole creation waits for the glorious manifestation of the children of God. When the Lord appears, the corrupt universe will be replaced by a purified and recreated universe that will be all that God ever intended it to be. All of creation groans, waiting for that reality. Scripture speaks often of the day when the Lord will tear down what is to put up what ought to be.

All the attacks we receive from hell and all the mistakes we make can never alter the ultimate glory that is ours in Christ. Looking in context, Romans 8:29-30 says, "Whom [God] did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified."

Our eternal life is a sure thing!

All things work out for the believer's good because God has predetermined that to happen. Titus 1:2, Paul said, "In hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the world began". Long ago God promised eternal life for those who come to Him, and He cannot lie.

After the flood on the earth, God promises us He would not flood the world as He did to kill those who were involved in corruption, violence, lying, stealing, idolatry, and every other kind of sin became common and increasingly worse.

After the fall of the tower, with the tower of Babel, men literally tried to take heaven by storm (Gen. 11:1- 9). God thwarted their scheme by causing them to speak different languages and then scattering them across the world. But, He didn't kill them.

The question isn't why does God let all the bad things happen. From human perspective, bad things happen to bad people (sinners) and NOT Christians. It is not possible for a fallen, sinful but forgiven Christian to live in a perfect world. In Genesis 3:18, we see the words "thorns and thistles", understanding that in this world Christians will die along with non-Christians.

God is in control otherwise the world would have ended years ago. God promised that Christ will return one day.

Christ will return to remove His Church (Bride) from the earth (this is called the Rapture). (1 Corinthians 15:51-54; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18)

The apostle John said there were many antichrists present in his day (1 John 2:18), but spoke of one who would be the most vehement adversary of God to ever live, apart from Satan himself (1 John 4:3). Zechariah 11:15-17, people come face to face with Satan. He's not a demon or a fallen angel, but an evil person whom the prophet identifies as a foolish shepherd (v. 15). In verse 17, he is called an impostor (KJV, "idol," archaic for "pretender"). He is a false shepherd, a contrast to the true Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ. "Little children ... ye have heard that antichrist shall come" (1 John 2:18). So the coming of the Antichrist was common knowledge.

Matthew 24:30 says Jesus will return "with power." It will take tremendous power to set the universe reeling and the earth rocking on its axis. In verse 31 Jesus said angels will be used by God to gather men in the end times: "He shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."

Will we be one of those who return with Him in glory, or will we miss out on His Kingdom and be sent to an everlasting hell by missing the real truth?

When we look at all the suffering in the world as Christians, we Christians don't ask the questions that the world asks. The world says "why has all this happened?" They don't understand because there's no recognition of the impact of sin. But when you and I look at the suffering in the world, we hate the sin that caused the suffering.

We understand all the suffering in the world comes from sin. Whenever we suffer we're reminded that we're still fallen, aren't we? Do we dare to deny that?

In the Bible, we know that suffering is good also because it will drive people to God. If there were no suffering, would people turn to God?

Like Paul in his letters, when we get to the point where we have nowhere to go, we wind up going to Him. In prosperity the heart is easily distracted. In prosperity the heart is easily divided. Suffering drives out the world and sends us singularly to God. This is one example that sinners hears the gospel and pray that they allow the Holy Spirit convict them to turn to Him.

Suffering is good because it conforms us to Christ. It helps us to experience the fellowship of His sufferings. We begin to understand our Lord, to do as Paul said, to sort of bear the marks of Christ. We suffer with Him.

In Spiritual Perspectives and biblically............

Suffering is good because it produces greater glory...it produces greater glory. In 2 Corinthians 4:17, momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory, far beyond all comparison. All the suffering in this life that we endure will be compensated for in the life to come in greater glory.

A messenger of Satan

2008-07-29T11:41:00.000-04:00

The Scripture clearly teaches that not only is it a possibility to be handed over to Satan. There are times and places and circumstances under the plan of God in which individuals are definitely to be turned over to Satan.

Reading Job is one example. God says, "Have you looked at My servant Job? And what a good man he is.

Satan answered the Lord and says, Does Job fear God for nothing? You think he loves You and trusts You and believes in You the way he does for nothing? You think he does that just because it's in his heart to do that? Why, "You made a hedge around him and around his house and around all he has on every side, and You bless the work of his hands, and his substance has increased in the land."

Satan says in on verse, "touch all that he has, he'll curse You to Your face." In other words, take away his stuff and we will know how he loves you and have faith in you. Taking away things is one example of thorns.

And the Lord said to Satan, "Behold all that he has is in your power."

Understanding the phrase, 'Behold all that he has is in your power', God turned Job over to Satan, no question about it. God turned Job over to Satan. That was a divine act by the sovereignty of God. Only upon himself don't put your hand. You can do anything you want to his stuff, but don't touch him.

What's interesting is that other biblical writers refer to Job as a real person. Ezekiel refers to Job along with Noah and Daniel (Ezekiel 14:14,20). And James draws upon the example of Job to comfort the suffering, proving the point that God is merciful. He commends the endurance of Job (Jas. 5:11). From the Book of Job, we see that God is in complete control. Satan had neither the power nor the authority to do anything without the permission of God. It was consistent with God's nature and will for him to have allowed those things to happen to Job.

Discernment

2008-07-28T18:25:00.000-04:00

Discernment may be simply defined as the ability to biblically decide between right and wrong, between truth and error, between good and evil.

References:
1 Corinthians 14:29
Philippians 1:10
1 Thessalonians 5:21
1 John 4:1

Pros of using gift of discernment:
To identify false prophets - Deuteronomy 18:21–22; Jeremiah 23:25-30
To identify the heart motives of others- Luke 6:8; John 2:24-25
To distinguish our heart motives - Job 38:36; Proverbs 21:2
To lead one in the ways of the Lord - Hosea 14:9
To empathize with weak and strong - Romans 14:1–8.
To distinguish right from wrong doctrine - 2 Peter 3:15–18
To identify false spirits / apostles - 1 John 4:1–6; Revelation 2:2

What would happen if a church do not use the gift of discernment?
Leads to a nations fall - Deuteronomy 32:28.
Leads to spiritual dullness - Matthew 12:1–8
Leads to misinterpretation - Mark 14:58
Leads to rejecting Jesus - Mark 15:29–30; 14:58
Leads to confusion - Luke 9:7–9.
Leads to foolishness - 1 Corinthians 3:18–20

Discernment (of spirits) (diakriseis pneumaton), is a gift to judge or evaluate the spirits so as to distinguish whether something is from God or from an evil source. Basically means to clearly distinguish truth from error by judging whether the behavior or teaching is from God, Satan, human error, or human power.

The basic Greek root for discern, diakrino, means "to judge through, to see through to the truth, to truly evaluate something." Diakrino ( Strong's #1252). This word means "to separate, discriminate"; and "to learn by discriminating, to determine, decide."So, discerning spirits is simply to evaluate the spirit -- whether it is God, or a spirit other than the Holy Spirit.

Discernment (1 Cor. 12:10) is a supernatural ability to distinguish between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error, between holiness and evil. We live in a world in which there is a great spiritual battle raging (Ephesians 6:10-18).

There is another aspect of our lives that makes this gift of discernment necessary. As human beings we do not always know whether or not our thoughts, words and deeds are from God. Discernment is the means God uses to literally divide light from darkness, truth from falsehood, right motive from wrong motive, selflessness from selfishness.

Another, in Hebrews 5:14 we are told that discernment comes with spiritual maturity that the Spirit works in us (diakrisis - Strong's #1253).

The next greek word is anakrino (Strong's #350) and literally means, "to distinguish, or separate out so as to investigate (krino) by looking throughout (ana, intensive) objects or particulars," hence signifies "to examine, scrutinize, question, to hold a preliminary judicial examination preceding the trial proper." This word was used of Pilate's examination of Jesus (Luke 23:14). It is also the word used of the Bereans who "searched" the Scriptures (Acts 17:11).

The necessity of being born again of the Holy Spirit in order to be able to have discernment is stated by Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 2:14). The last Greek word translated "discern" is dokimazo (Strong's #1381) which means "to test, prove, scrutinize." This term conveys the thought of "to decide." It is translated "discern" in the King James Version of Luke 12:56.