No believer will take the mark of the beast. I am pre-trib in my thinking, but I know that many will be born again after the rapture, the entire nation of Israel. God will give every believer whatever he needs when he needs it to refuse to take the mark. We do not have to worry about whether we will be strong enough, Christ in us is strong enough. He never comes too soon to help us but He is always on time.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Calvinism Makes No Sense
Calvinism makes no sense!
It makes no sense that God would determine someone to be a sinner on their way to hell without a choice and then punish them for the choice they could not make. This is not the God of the Bible.
Acts 16:31 "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
God told us to go into all the world and preach the gospel. What sense does it make to tell the truth to everyone, or to pray for everyone, when there would be those who have no ability to choose to follow Christ?
1 Timothy 2:1-4
New King James Version (NKJV)
Pray for All Men
"1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
Calvinism is not only foolishness, it is clearly a way the devil has devised to cause many to care little about evangelism. Not only do Calvinists have little burden for souls, they have a lax attitude toward sin.
It makes no sense that God would determine someone to be a sinner on their way to hell without a choice and then punish them for the choice they could not make. This is not the God of the Bible.
Acts 16:31 "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
God told us to go into all the world and preach the gospel. What sense does it make to tell the truth to everyone, or to pray for everyone, when there would be those who have no ability to choose to follow Christ?
1 Timothy 2:1-4
New King James Version (NKJV)
Pray for All Men
"1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
Calvinism is not only foolishness, it is clearly a way the devil has devised to cause many to care little about evangelism. Not only do Calvinists have little burden for souls, they have a lax attitude toward sin.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
The Destination Matters
A popular saying among the seculars these days is; "It's not the destination that matters it is the journey."
I once heard a testimony from a legislator's wife at his funeral, that they were so proud of him because he believed that where we were going didn't matter as long as we were having a good time getting there.
His friend got up during the memorial and shared a story about him that made my husband and I gasp. The friend said that he and the legislator went out sailing, while on the ocean they became lost and didn't know where they were or where they were going. The friend was pleased with the legislators response, which was; "it is not important where we are going, only that we enjoy the sail."
My husband and I had the same thoughts at the same time. We looked at one another with disapproving eyes and knew the other had the same thoughts.
The deceased legislator lived his entire life this way and his votes reflected his distorted and perverted view of life. He made decisions based on emotionalism for the moment, without regard to the long term effects. This man was an atheist, not understanding that one day he would be called to account for his disregard for God and others.
Sadly we have many legislators in the houses of government who think this same way.
It didn't occur to the legislator that danger may be ahead, that over the horizon may be something ominous and deadly. This is how non-believers have to think to maintain their sanity, because of the lack of hope in their existence.
As believers we know the future, even if we do not know the details of the journey. We focus our eyes on what has been done by Christ and what He has ahead for us. Everything in between is for our good, even if we don't understand.
Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
For the unbeliever.....nothing has purpose, except to make life better or worse on this earth, to them this is all there is, nothing more is expected than this life. How very sad for them. Those who are pretenders, expecting that their good deeds will get them something in eternity, have a very frightening realization before them when they get before Christ and He says to them; "I Never Knew You."
Contrary to what our culture believes, not everyone goes to a "better place" when they die. Only those who have trusted Christ and been sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise will be born again and on their way to heaven.
These people are sealed and are seated in the heavenlies with Christ at the moment Christ made them into a new creation.
Ephesians 1:13-14
"13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory."
Ephesians 2:6 "and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,"
Positionally we are seated with Christ right now waiting to be taken to our eternal home. If we could lose that then we would have to fall out of heaven.
I once heard a testimony from a legislator's wife at his funeral, that they were so proud of him because he believed that where we were going didn't matter as long as we were having a good time getting there.
His friend got up during the memorial and shared a story about him that made my husband and I gasp. The friend said that he and the legislator went out sailing, while on the ocean they became lost and didn't know where they were or where they were going. The friend was pleased with the legislators response, which was; "it is not important where we are going, only that we enjoy the sail."
My husband and I had the same thoughts at the same time. We looked at one another with disapproving eyes and knew the other had the same thoughts.
The deceased legislator lived his entire life this way and his votes reflected his distorted and perverted view of life. He made decisions based on emotionalism for the moment, without regard to the long term effects. This man was an atheist, not understanding that one day he would be called to account for his disregard for God and others.
Sadly we have many legislators in the houses of government who think this same way.
It didn't occur to the legislator that danger may be ahead, that over the horizon may be something ominous and deadly. This is how non-believers have to think to maintain their sanity, because of the lack of hope in their existence.
As believers we know the future, even if we do not know the details of the journey. We focus our eyes on what has been done by Christ and what He has ahead for us. Everything in between is for our good, even if we don't understand.
Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
For the unbeliever.....nothing has purpose, except to make life better or worse on this earth, to them this is all there is, nothing more is expected than this life. How very sad for them. Those who are pretenders, expecting that their good deeds will get them something in eternity, have a very frightening realization before them when they get before Christ and He says to them; "I Never Knew You."
Contrary to what our culture believes, not everyone goes to a "better place" when they die. Only those who have trusted Christ and been sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise will be born again and on their way to heaven.
These people are sealed and are seated in the heavenlies with Christ at the moment Christ made them into a new creation.
Ephesians 1:13-14
"13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory."
Ephesians 2:6 "and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,"
Positionally we are seated with Christ right now waiting to be taken to our eternal home. If we could lose that then we would have to fall out of heaven.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Shamefully Silly!
The devil loves to convince people they could lose their salvation, that they have to work real hard to keep it. They must wring their hands in distrust every day, that perhaps they will not measure up to make it into heaven.
This is shear nonsense, Christ did all the work for us already, to say that His death on the cross was not enough we have to add our works to it, is completely ludicrous.
What silly little number of deeds could we do that would add to the terrible cross that our Lord endured. How many deeds must we do, how often and how big must they be?
The only sacrifice for sin was the shedding of blood of a perfect lamb. We could not qualify. We are not a suitable sacrifice no matter how many deeds we do.
How silly, How shamefully silly, to think that we can add to what Christ did to keep our salvation.
This is shear nonsense, Christ did all the work for us already, to say that His death on the cross was not enough we have to add our works to it, is completely ludicrous.
What silly little number of deeds could we do that would add to the terrible cross that our Lord endured. How many deeds must we do, how often and how big must they be?
The only sacrifice for sin was the shedding of blood of a perfect lamb. We could not qualify. We are not a suitable sacrifice no matter how many deeds we do.
How silly, How shamefully silly, to think that we can add to what Christ did to keep our salvation.
A Simmering Spirit
Pretenders are so cleaver they even do miracles in Christ's name but they were never His. Imagine a person going all the way to their grave thinking they were doing all this good for God, only to find out they were never born again. If they can fool themselves, they can even more effectively fool those around them.
The signs of one walking in deception is evident, if we are trained by the Holy Spirit.
We cannot base our assessment of what we think we see on the outside, of any human being. Many people are very good actors and actresses. They know exactly what to say and how to act while in the presence of others, when deep in their heart is growing rebellion.
1 John 2:19 "They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us."
If we have discernment, the more we know the character of man, the more we recognize the signs of a simmering spirit.
Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many [a]miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’"
The signs of one walking in deception is evident, if we are trained by the Holy Spirit.
We cannot base our assessment of what we think we see on the outside, of any human being. Many people are very good actors and actresses. They know exactly what to say and how to act while in the presence of others, when deep in their heart is growing rebellion.
1 John 2:19 "They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us."
If we have discernment, the more we know the character of man, the more we recognize the signs of a simmering spirit.
Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many [a]miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’"
Out of Context is Sin
The devil loves for people to take Scripture out of context, while quoting the Bible, it makes them sound right while speaking the opposite of what God said.
Anger At God Is Foolish
Anger at God?
Is is alright to be angry at God? Someone was angry with me at the suggestion that it was sin to be angry with God.
Angry at the God that gave you life?
Angry at the God who knows all things perfectly and has never sinned?
Angry at the God who destroyed Sodom because of its' sin?
Angry at the God who parted the sea for His people to cross?
Angry at the God who knows you better than you know yourself?
Amazing arrogance it is to even entertain thoughts of anger toward an all knowing perfect and righteous God!!!!
Hebrews 10:31 "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
The idea that we can be angry with God comes from psychology, borne out of the rebellion of the sixties. Unfortunately this same mentality has spawned the attitude toward all authority in our families.
Since we think we can be angry with God and get away with it, we must also think that we can display anger at other authorities over us that were ordained of God, our parents, our teachers, law enforcement.
If we cannot respect the authority and teaching of those we can see how would we ever be able to respect and obey a God we cannot see.
The god of this age is a god on the same level as human beings and animals. He is no more than a figment of our imagination based on our own selfish bias. This god has no more power or authority than a dead idol.
Anger at the Living God, a preposterous idea, foolish and dangerous!!!
Titus 2:11-14
"11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."
1 Thessalonians 1
"1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.[a]
Their Good Example
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,
3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,
4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.
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, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.
8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.
9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come."
Is is alright to be angry at God? Someone was angry with me at the suggestion that it was sin to be angry with God.
Angry at the God that gave you life?
Angry at the God who knows all things perfectly and has never sinned?
Angry at the God who destroyed Sodom because of its' sin?
Angry at the God who parted the sea for His people to cross?
Angry at the God who knows you better than you know yourself?
Amazing arrogance it is to even entertain thoughts of anger toward an all knowing perfect and righteous God!!!!
Hebrews 10:31 "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
The idea that we can be angry with God comes from psychology, borne out of the rebellion of the sixties. Unfortunately this same mentality has spawned the attitude toward all authority in our families.
Since we think we can be angry with God and get away with it, we must also think that we can display anger at other authorities over us that were ordained of God, our parents, our teachers, law enforcement.
If we cannot respect the authority and teaching of those we can see how would we ever be able to respect and obey a God we cannot see.
The god of this age is a god on the same level as human beings and animals. He is no more than a figment of our imagination based on our own selfish bias. This god has no more power or authority than a dead idol.
Anger at the Living God, a preposterous idea, foolish and dangerous!!!
Titus 2:11-14
"11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."
1 Thessalonians 1
"1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.[a]
Their Good Example
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,
3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,
4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.
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, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.
8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.
9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come."
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Work is More Satisfying!
Those who love sin and foolishness will always be liked by the world.
When is the last time a student or employee said, I liked my teacher/boss because they demanded hard work out of me?
Our culture is an entertainment crazed culture, that only loves those who make them feel like they are having fun, no matter how immoral or worthless it might be.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 "For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either."
Proverbs 14:23
"23 In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty."
Proverbs 10:4
"4 Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich."
Proverbs 21:25
"25 The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work;"
Colossians 3:23
"23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,"
1 Timothy 5:8
"8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
Psalm 128:2
"2 When you shall eat of the [a]fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you."
Proverbs 3:5-6
"5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight."
If we take seriously what God has told us, we will resolve to be diligent in all our dealings and He will bless our walk. We may not be rich, but we will have integrity, enough money and our needs met. Notice I said "needs", not necessarily wants.
Our work will satisfy us, the more we practice this, the less we desire play, accomplishment is much more satisfying than fruitless entertainment.
When is the last time a student or employee said, I liked my teacher/boss because they demanded hard work out of me?
Our culture is an entertainment crazed culture, that only loves those who make them feel like they are having fun, no matter how immoral or worthless it might be.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 "For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either."
Proverbs 14:23
"23 In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty."
Proverbs 10:4
"4 Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich."
Proverbs 21:25
"25 The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work;"
Colossians 3:23
"23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,"
1 Timothy 5:8
"8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
Psalm 128:2
"2 When you shall eat of the [a]fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you."
Proverbs 3:5-6
"5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight."
If we take seriously what God has told us, we will resolve to be diligent in all our dealings and He will bless our walk. We may not be rich, but we will have integrity, enough money and our needs met. Notice I said "needs", not necessarily wants.
Our work will satisfy us, the more we practice this, the less we desire play, accomplishment is much more satisfying than fruitless entertainment.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Our Days Are Already Numbered
We do not have one more day than what God has already determined for us. We cannot prolong our days by good food or exercise.
Job 14:5-7
"5 Since his days are determined,
The number of his months is with You;
You have appointed his limits, so that he cannot pass.
6 Look away from him that he may rest,
Till like a hired man he finishes his day.
7 “For there is hope for a tree,
If it is cut down, that it will sprout again,
And that its tender shoots will not cease."
Job 14:5-7
"5 Since his days are determined,
The number of his months is with You;
You have appointed his limits, so that he cannot pass.
6 Look away from him that he may rest,
Till like a hired man he finishes his day.
7 “For there is hope for a tree,
If it is cut down, that it will sprout again,
And that its tender shoots will not cease."
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Demonic Activity Increases
Has anyone noticed that the thrills are getting more and more outrageous? The things that used to thrill, the tatoos that used to suffice are no longer good enough? Things are so out of control now, that I wonder how much further they can go.
Piercings are involving the sockets in the cheeks to show teeth, the sockets in the ears were strange enough but now the disfiguring of the body is outrageously bizarre.
Could it be that demonic oppression is influencing men and women to do that which is naturally repugnant even to the unbeliever?
Only one generation ago many things done now were not done even among the unsaved community. Now those same things are done by believers.
1 Timothy 4:1 "But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,"
I understand the Timothy passage has to do with doctrine, but how much more will life experiences reflect this deception in actions and attitudes!
We are seeing those who are following the doctrines of demons in the apostate church, but also we are seeing an increase in devil worship and the cutting of the body.
We can expect to see many people doing things, that just one generation ago, were repulsive to the world as a whole.
May the Lord keep everyone who loves the Lord safe from these deceptions, that they not be found to fall into the acceptance of the evil all around them.
Piercings are involving the sockets in the cheeks to show teeth, the sockets in the ears were strange enough but now the disfiguring of the body is outrageously bizarre.
Could it be that demonic oppression is influencing men and women to do that which is naturally repugnant even to the unbeliever?
Only one generation ago many things done now were not done even among the unsaved community. Now those same things are done by believers.
1 Timothy 4:1 "But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,"
I understand the Timothy passage has to do with doctrine, but how much more will life experiences reflect this deception in actions and attitudes!
We are seeing those who are following the doctrines of demons in the apostate church, but also we are seeing an increase in devil worship and the cutting of the body.
We can expect to see many people doing things, that just one generation ago, were repulsive to the world as a whole.
May the Lord keep everyone who loves the Lord safe from these deceptions, that they not be found to fall into the acceptance of the evil all around them.
Confession is good for the soul!
Confession is good for the soul!
Confession makes us sad for a time, but the joy comes when we are freed from the bondage of it through disclosure. Anyone who has repented and confessed openly, will tell us that they were unburdened and made free by the accountability and the release from sin.
Those who will not confess are in their bondage, continually confined in their soul, by that which has not been confessed. We see this in the countenance and demeanor evidenced by phoniness.
We cannot become repentant, turning from sin, until we have grieved over it.
Nor can we stop from our sin unless we admit it and confess it. Those who refuse to confess their sin, are full of pride and can not grow spiritually.
Often those who will not admit sin will explode in anger when confronted, because their soul has not been released from the chains. They fight and argue to maintain their appearance of righteousness, even though in the fighting they reveal themselves.
Perhaps one of the reasons we see so many believers not moving past infancy is because they will not call themselves what they are and identify their own sin clearly and specifically. The thorns mentioned in verse six are an indication of a fire that burns hot, fast and then gone quickly, providing little effect.
I have made many brush fires around our country property. We have to battle blackberry thorn bushes continually. When we have a pile of them, they flash and are gone quickly, providing heat only for a short time, until they are gone. They are of little value in producing warmth, they do not last.
Emotionalism will not carry a believer to growth, but will detract from it. When our focus is on how we feel, we cannot see Christ, we cannot see our own sin and we cannot see lasting effects.
The only cure for a burdened soul, is not to hide better, but to expose ourselves, openly admit our shame and go on to freedom from our sin.
Ecclesiastes 7:1-6
7 A good name is better than precious ointment,
And the day of death than the day of one’s birth;
2 Better to go to the house of mourning
Than to go to the house of feasting,
For that is the end of all men;
And the living will take it to heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter,
For by a sad countenance the heart is made better.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise
Than for a man to hear the song of fools.
6 For like the crackling of thorns under a pot,
So is the laughter of the fool.
This also is vanity.
Confession makes us sad for a time, but the joy comes when we are freed from the bondage of it through disclosure. Anyone who has repented and confessed openly, will tell us that they were unburdened and made free by the accountability and the release from sin.
Those who will not confess are in their bondage, continually confined in their soul, by that which has not been confessed. We see this in the countenance and demeanor evidenced by phoniness.
We cannot become repentant, turning from sin, until we have grieved over it.
Nor can we stop from our sin unless we admit it and confess it. Those who refuse to confess their sin, are full of pride and can not grow spiritually.
Often those who will not admit sin will explode in anger when confronted, because their soul has not been released from the chains. They fight and argue to maintain their appearance of righteousness, even though in the fighting they reveal themselves.
Perhaps one of the reasons we see so many believers not moving past infancy is because they will not call themselves what they are and identify their own sin clearly and specifically. The thorns mentioned in verse six are an indication of a fire that burns hot, fast and then gone quickly, providing little effect.
I have made many brush fires around our country property. We have to battle blackberry thorn bushes continually. When we have a pile of them, they flash and are gone quickly, providing heat only for a short time, until they are gone. They are of little value in producing warmth, they do not last.
Emotionalism will not carry a believer to growth, but will detract from it. When our focus is on how we feel, we cannot see Christ, we cannot see our own sin and we cannot see lasting effects.
The only cure for a burdened soul, is not to hide better, but to expose ourselves, openly admit our shame and go on to freedom from our sin.
Ecclesiastes 7:1-6
7 A good name is better than precious ointment,
And the day of death than the day of one’s birth;
2 Better to go to the house of mourning
Than to go to the house of feasting,
For that is the end of all men;
And the living will take it to heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter,
For by a sad countenance the heart is made better.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise
Than for a man to hear the song of fools.
6 For like the crackling of thorns under a pot,
So is the laughter of the fool.
This also is vanity.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Israel Is Not Cast Away
Romans 11:1-27
Israel Is Not Cast Away
1 I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, [a]a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? 3 “Lord, they have killed Your prophets, they have torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.” 4 But what [b]is the divine response to him? “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s [c]gracious choice. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer [d]on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.
7 What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but [e]those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; 8 just as it is written,
“God gave them a spirit of stupor,
Eyes to see not and ears to hear not,
Down to this very day.”
9 And David says,
“Let their table become a snare and a trap,
And a stumbling block and a retribution to them.
10 “Let their eyes be darkened to see not,
And bend their backs forever.”
11 I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. 12 Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their [f]fulfillment be! 13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if somehow I might move to jealousy my [g]fellow countrymen and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.
17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the [h]rich root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; 21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. 22 Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?
25 For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; 26 and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written,
“The Deliverer will come from Zion,
He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.”
27 “This is [i]My covenant with them,
When I take away their sins.”
Israel Is Not Cast Away
1 I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, [a]a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? 3 “Lord, they have killed Your prophets, they have torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.” 4 But what [b]is the divine response to him? “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s [c]gracious choice. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer [d]on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.
7 What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but [e]those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; 8 just as it is written,
“God gave them a spirit of stupor,
Eyes to see not and ears to hear not,
Down to this very day.”
9 And David says,
“Let their table become a snare and a trap,
And a stumbling block and a retribution to them.
10 “Let their eyes be darkened to see not,
And bend their backs forever.”
11 I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. 12 Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their [f]fulfillment be! 13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if somehow I might move to jealousy my [g]fellow countrymen and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.
17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the [h]rich root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; 21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. 22 Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?
25 For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; 26 and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written,
“The Deliverer will come from Zion,
He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.”
27 “This is [i]My covenant with them,
When I take away their sins.”
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Christ Gets the Glory!
We do not commend ourselves, nor do we take glory to ourselves, but we are commended by Christ and He gets the glory!
2 Corinthians 10:12-18
"12 For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.
13 But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.
14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ;
15 not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you,
16 so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another.
17 But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord.
18 For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends."
2 Corinthians 10:12-18
"12 For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.
13 But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.
14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ;
15 not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you,
16 so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another.
17 But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord.
18 For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends."
Do we want God to hear our prayers?
Do we want God to hear our prayers? Then we must walk in obedience!
Psalm 66:16-20
"16 Come and hear, all who fear God,
And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.
17 I cried to Him with my mouth,
And He was extolled with my tongue.
18 If I regard wickedness in my heart,
The Lord will not hear;
19 But certainly God has heard;
He has given heed to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God,
Who has not turned away my prayer
Nor His lovingkindness from me."
1 Peter 3:7
"You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered."
Psalm 66:16-20
"16 Come and hear, all who fear God,
And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.
17 I cried to Him with my mouth,
And He was extolled with my tongue.
18 If I regard wickedness in my heart,
The Lord will not hear;
19 But certainly God has heard;
He has given heed to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God,
Who has not turned away my prayer
Nor His lovingkindness from me."
1 Peter 3:7
"You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered."
Monday, April 21, 2014
Salvation Through Christ Jesus!
Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
It's All About Christ
Never become discouraged, no matter how things appear, I suggest to you that you don't know how many were influenced to trust Christ because you were faithful. What we can see is not all there is. When we trust Christ, we know He can do far more than what is visible to us. We are not called to produce results, only to be obedient.
Perhaps we would be tempted to be prideful if we knew how God used us. We might begin to think it was all about us. We know that it is only Christ working in us, therefore all the results are His too.
HE GETS ALL THE GLORY FOR EVERYTHING!
Perhaps we would be tempted to be prideful if we knew how God used us. We might begin to think it was all about us. We know that it is only Christ working in us, therefore all the results are His too.
HE GETS ALL THE GLORY FOR EVERYTHING!
Christ Comes First
I shared the following comment on another post. Someone who
is being abandoned and rejected by friends because of her love for Christ, is
feeling the brunt of battering on the part of non-believers and those who claim
to be believers.
"When our focus is Christ continually, we find it
repugnant to disobey Him. We also find it repugnant to be continual companions
with those who have rejected Him.
I am much more comfortable and blessed to be alone with my
Lord than to be in a room full of those who hate Him. I can only visit
temporarily with the unsaved, to bring them the gospel, other than that I
protect my time, that I not be found to enjoy those who hate my Lord."
Being friendly with the unsaved, while neglecting to tell
them the gospel, more than likely validates their miserable lives. It makes
them like us because they think we approve of their choice to reject Christ.
We can never be at peace in the presence of those who hate
Christ, not even if they claim to be Christians.
Christ in Us, He Can Tell Us
Seek Christ! If we are born again, we have the Holy Spirit Who lives in us, we need not depend on others to teach us, we listen to them, we evaluate what they say in light of the Bible, then God will be our Guide.
1 John 2:27 "As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him."
Too many people are basing their theology on teachers instead of the Word. We must ask God to show us truth no matter how good the teacher sounds.
Even when Paul spoke to the Bereans, they loved to hear, but they did not blindly accept what he said, they checked it out in the already written OT, to see if he was telling the truth. We all need to be Bereans. Don't believe any person, check it out with God.
Acts 17:11
Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
1 John 2:27 "As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him."
Too many people are basing their theology on teachers instead of the Word. We must ask God to show us truth no matter how good the teacher sounds.
Even when Paul spoke to the Bereans, they loved to hear, but they did not blindly accept what he said, they checked it out in the already written OT, to see if he was telling the truth. We all need to be Bereans. Don't believe any person, check it out with God.
Acts 17:11
Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Companions Influence Us
We see many believers who have not grown past infancy because their constant companions are superficial people, and often ungodly family members.
When we compare ourselves with ourselves, we will not see what needs to change, we will seem better than those we spend time with.
However if we compare ourselves with Christ and His standards then we see continual need for growth. We find there is nothing to be proud of in us.
2 Corinthians 10:12 - "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
When we compare ourselves with ourselves, we will not see what needs to change, we will seem better than those we spend time with.
However if we compare ourselves with Christ and His standards then we see continual need for growth. We find there is nothing to be proud of in us.
2 Corinthians 10:12 - "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
Man's Tradition or God's Commandments?
Mark 7:6-13
"6 And He said to them, “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.
"6 And He said to them, “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.
7 ‘But in vain do they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’
8 Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”
9 He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.
Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’
8 Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”
9 He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.
10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, is to be put to death’;
11 but you say, ‘If a man says to hisfather or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, givento God),’
12 you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother;
13 thusinvalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Listen to Understand, not just to reply!
Listen to Understand, not just to reply!
"The biggest communication problem is that we do not listen to understand, we listen to reply."
James 1:19 "This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;"
There is nothing more aggravating than attempting to explain yourself, and the person who should be listening is interrupting your every word in order to be superior.
May we become so interested in our fellow man that we are willing to hear a matter all the way out before responding.
When we do respond, perhaps we could be interested in the other person more than we are interested in elevating self.
Luke 14:11 "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”"
How To Become Born Again
There are many people who say they are Christians, they live good lives, go to church every week, who are trusting in their own goodness to please Christ for their salvation. These good people have never been broken over their sinful nature. Because they are depending on their own goodness, they walk in pride, refusing to hear truth, while looking down their noses at those who require Biblical answers for everything. Notice that they only show goodness when they are being flattered. When challenged to rethink their beliefs, they become ravenous wolves, at the very least covert aggressors against those that are the object of their hatred.
The people described in Matthew 7 are convinced they are good and will enter heaven. They have an elevated view of themselves, but lack the power of the Holy Spirit because they have never admitted they are not good people, they think they are worthy of salvation without Christ. They tack Christ onto the end of their good life, even using terminology from the Word, while not understanding what they say.
God said: Matthew 7:21-23
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
I have witnessed many people who call themselves believers who are embarrassed at the mention of Christ in any gathering. They shrink from the side of those who desire to bring Biblical truth to discussions. They even use intimidation to silence the one who desires to get at the truth of Scripture. These people surround themselves with other superficial individuals, who say glowing words about God, but are incensed at the prospect of being challenged to obey His commands. They will say we should obey Christ while in the middle of disobeying Him. Words are enough for superficial believers, any in-depth discussion about the meaning of those words or the context from which they come, is met with disdain. Their desire is to keep everything as superficial and happy as possible, making sure they are the center of attention.
These same people elevate the "educated" and "prominent" while negating and mocking those who are not "accomplished" but swim against the tide of modern Christianity. These phony believers surround themselves with those who appear in style, beautiful people who do all the popular things in life.
Those who have been born again, love to speak of the Lord, they are excited about the prospect of meeting another like minded believer who uses the Bible as the filter for everything. True believers pay little attention to the latest clothing or activity fads. Their mind is so completely full of Christ, that all else is of little value to them.
Here is the way of salvation that Christ spoke of in the following passages. I hope that all those people who have been walking superficially will pray and seek the face of God while reading these passages. May He open the hearts and minds of many.
The following quote is from gotQuestions?org.
"As Jesus talked with Nicodemus, He said, “‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, “You must be born again”’” (John 3:3-7).
"The phrase "born again" literally means "born from above." Nicodemus had a real need. He needed a change of his heart—a spiritual transformation. New birth, being born again, is an act of God whereby eternal life is imparted to the person who believes (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1-4, 18). John 1:12, 13 indicates that being "born again" also carries the idea of "becoming children of God" through trust in the name of Jesus Christ."
Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/born-again.html#ixzz2yyeWNMEo
The people described in Matthew 7 are convinced they are good and will enter heaven. They have an elevated view of themselves, but lack the power of the Holy Spirit because they have never admitted they are not good people, they think they are worthy of salvation without Christ. They tack Christ onto the end of their good life, even using terminology from the Word, while not understanding what they say.
God said: Matthew 7:21-23
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
I have witnessed many people who call themselves believers who are embarrassed at the mention of Christ in any gathering. They shrink from the side of those who desire to bring Biblical truth to discussions. They even use intimidation to silence the one who desires to get at the truth of Scripture. These people surround themselves with other superficial individuals, who say glowing words about God, but are incensed at the prospect of being challenged to obey His commands. They will say we should obey Christ while in the middle of disobeying Him. Words are enough for superficial believers, any in-depth discussion about the meaning of those words or the context from which they come, is met with disdain. Their desire is to keep everything as superficial and happy as possible, making sure they are the center of attention.
These same people elevate the "educated" and "prominent" while negating and mocking those who are not "accomplished" but swim against the tide of modern Christianity. These phony believers surround themselves with those who appear in style, beautiful people who do all the popular things in life.
Those who have been born again, love to speak of the Lord, they are excited about the prospect of meeting another like minded believer who uses the Bible as the filter for everything. True believers pay little attention to the latest clothing or activity fads. Their mind is so completely full of Christ, that all else is of little value to them.
Here is the way of salvation that Christ spoke of in the following passages. I hope that all those people who have been walking superficially will pray and seek the face of God while reading these passages. May He open the hearts and minds of many.
The following quote is from gotQuestions?org.
"As Jesus talked with Nicodemus, He said, “‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, “You must be born again”’” (John 3:3-7).
"The phrase "born again" literally means "born from above." Nicodemus had a real need. He needed a change of his heart—a spiritual transformation. New birth, being born again, is an act of God whereby eternal life is imparted to the person who believes (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1-4, 18). John 1:12, 13 indicates that being "born again" also carries the idea of "becoming children of God" through trust in the name of Jesus Christ."
Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/born-again.html#ixzz2yyeWNMEo
Christ Our Passover Lamb
Hebrews 9:11-28
"11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation;
12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh,
14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"
"15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
16 For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it.
17 For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.
18 Therefore even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood.
19 For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,
20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.”
21 And in the same way he sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood.
22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
23 Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
24 For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;
25 nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own.
26 Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,
28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him."
"11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation;
12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh,
14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"
"15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
16 For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it.
17 For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.
18 Therefore even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood.
19 For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,
20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.”
21 And in the same way he sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood.
22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
23 Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
24 For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;
25 nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own.
26 Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,
28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him."
New Covenant or Old Covenant
New Covenant or Old Covenant
I do not understand Gentiles who celebrate the Passover, as though Christ has not come.
I can see the Passover story as a teaching tool, but to take all the leaven out of the house, which by the way, is impossible, every year, seems ritualistic to me and makes little sense when Christ Who is the actual Pascal sacrifice, while Passover was the picture.
I was steeped in ritual in the Catholic church, when I walked away from that pagan system, I began to evaluate everything in terms of either truth or ritualism. I discovered that even believers love to have things to look at and things to do that make them FEEL more spiritual, instituting rituals that satisfy our human desire for outward signs and practices.
Would we rather have the symbol on a menu, of steak in a restaurant, or would we set aside the picture to have the actual steak to eat.
There is a certain amount of pride involved in celebrating what was for the Jews, as a Gentile. The Gentiles never did do the Passover, after Christ came, those who trusted Him, had the Christ of the Passover living in them. Even the Jews who became believers, no longer celebrated the Passover in the OT fashion, but now celebrated the real Pascal Lamb in the observance Christ gave them, the Lord's Supper.
There are still Jewish believers who participate in the Passover, the way believers participate in Christmas. They just don't want to let go of familiar and pleasurable times of celebration with family and friends.
In the Old Covenant the Jews celebrated Christ to come in the future. After He came the NT, born again Jews, celebrated the Passover a new way in the Lord's Supper.
Would it make sense to go to lunch with my husband, take a picture of him from my wallet and spend the entire meal looking at the picture, when he is sitting right across the table from me?
That would not make sense and yet that is what many people are doing today who are believers. They have remained connected to the Law as though Christ never came. They feel a need to do what was given to the Jews and has passed away.
They claim they are using it as a teaching tool. However, when we do a celebration every year it becomes a ritual rather than a teaching tool. Christ celebrated the Passover when He was on earth, because He had not yet died and risen. After His death and resurrection, the New Testament church no longer celebrated the Passover, in the traditional Jewish fashion, they rather celebrated the Lord's supper that He commanded.
1 Corinthians 11:24 "And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me."
No where in the Word, do we see instructions to celebrate the Passover as the Jews did, because Christ is the Pascal Lamb, the reality of the picture took place in the New Covenant, when His death was imputed to all those who would trust Him.
Hebrews 8:13 "In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away."
The New Passover was instituted after Christ died and rose from the dead, that New Passover was now called the Lord's Supper.
Those who say we will be celebrating the Passover in heaven, are misunderstanding that it will be the New Passover, not the old one that required the blood of bulls and goats as a picture of Christ to come, but the real Pascal Lamb, Christ Himself.
Hebrews 10:4 "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins."
The sacrifices that were done by the OT Jews never took away sin, it was merely a picture of Christ in the future. Old Testament saints had to come to Christ the same way the NT saints had to, and that is by faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross.
Those who are still looking to the old covenant for forgiveness of sins, do not understand the significance of the fulfillment of the risen Christ.
In the Passover, we have a picture that was not able to save anyone, in the Resurrection of Christ we have the actual covering of sin through Christ's shed blood alone.
When a celebration becomes popular, we can be sure it is the devil who is attempting to divert the attention of believers from the fulfillment of the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord. Satan would love for believers to be looking to the old as though Christ never came. He also loves to entangle us in rituals that Christ never told us to do while ignoring what He did tell us to do.
Christ never once told the NT saints to celebrate the Passover, but He clearly told them to "do this in remembrance of Me", in the Lord's Supper.
I understand all that God did for the Jews in OT times, I appreciate very much the lessons we have from all that God's chosen people went through, the miracles and the life experiences that made their life rich with meaning. However, none of that can compare to what Christ gave all of us, HIMSELF!
Hebrews 9:11-28
"11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation;
12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh,
14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"
"15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
16 For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it.
17 For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.
18 Therefore even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood.
19 For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,
20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.”
21 And in the same way he sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood.
22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
23 Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
24 For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;
25 nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own.
26 Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,
28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him."
I do not understand Gentiles who celebrate the Passover, as though Christ has not come.
I can see the Passover story as a teaching tool, but to take all the leaven out of the house, which by the way, is impossible, every year, seems ritualistic to me and makes little sense when Christ Who is the actual Pascal sacrifice, while Passover was the picture.
I was steeped in ritual in the Catholic church, when I walked away from that pagan system, I began to evaluate everything in terms of either truth or ritualism. I discovered that even believers love to have things to look at and things to do that make them FEEL more spiritual, instituting rituals that satisfy our human desire for outward signs and practices.
Would we rather have the symbol on a menu, of steak in a restaurant, or would we set aside the picture to have the actual steak to eat.
There is a certain amount of pride involved in celebrating what was for the Jews, as a Gentile. The Gentiles never did do the Passover, after Christ came, those who trusted Him, had the Christ of the Passover living in them. Even the Jews who became believers, no longer celebrated the Passover in the OT fashion, but now celebrated the real Pascal Lamb in the observance Christ gave them, the Lord's Supper.
There are still Jewish believers who participate in the Passover, the way believers participate in Christmas. They just don't want to let go of familiar and pleasurable times of celebration with family and friends.
In the Old Covenant the Jews celebrated Christ to come in the future. After He came the NT, born again Jews, celebrated the Passover a new way in the Lord's Supper.
Would it make sense to go to lunch with my husband, take a picture of him from my wallet and spend the entire meal looking at the picture, when he is sitting right across the table from me?
That would not make sense and yet that is what many people are doing today who are believers. They have remained connected to the Law as though Christ never came. They feel a need to do what was given to the Jews and has passed away.
They claim they are using it as a teaching tool. However, when we do a celebration every year it becomes a ritual rather than a teaching tool. Christ celebrated the Passover when He was on earth, because He had not yet died and risen. After His death and resurrection, the New Testament church no longer celebrated the Passover, in the traditional Jewish fashion, they rather celebrated the Lord's supper that He commanded.
1 Corinthians 11:24 "And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me."
No where in the Word, do we see instructions to celebrate the Passover as the Jews did, because Christ is the Pascal Lamb, the reality of the picture took place in the New Covenant, when His death was imputed to all those who would trust Him.
Hebrews 8:13 "In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away."
The New Passover was instituted after Christ died and rose from the dead, that New Passover was now called the Lord's Supper.
Those who say we will be celebrating the Passover in heaven, are misunderstanding that it will be the New Passover, not the old one that required the blood of bulls and goats as a picture of Christ to come, but the real Pascal Lamb, Christ Himself.
Hebrews 10:4 "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins."
The sacrifices that were done by the OT Jews never took away sin, it was merely a picture of Christ in the future. Old Testament saints had to come to Christ the same way the NT saints had to, and that is by faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross.
Those who are still looking to the old covenant for forgiveness of sins, do not understand the significance of the fulfillment of the risen Christ.
In the Passover, we have a picture that was not able to save anyone, in the Resurrection of Christ we have the actual covering of sin through Christ's shed blood alone.
When a celebration becomes popular, we can be sure it is the devil who is attempting to divert the attention of believers from the fulfillment of the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord. Satan would love for believers to be looking to the old as though Christ never came. He also loves to entangle us in rituals that Christ never told us to do while ignoring what He did tell us to do.
Christ never once told the NT saints to celebrate the Passover, but He clearly told them to "do this in remembrance of Me", in the Lord's Supper.
I understand all that God did for the Jews in OT times, I appreciate very much the lessons we have from all that God's chosen people went through, the miracles and the life experiences that made their life rich with meaning. However, none of that can compare to what Christ gave all of us, HIMSELF!
Hebrews 9:11-28
"11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation;
12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh,
14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"
"15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
16 For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it.
17 For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.
18 Therefore even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood.
19 For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,
20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.”
21 And in the same way he sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood.
22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
23 Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
24 For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;
25 nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own.
26 Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,
28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him."
Monday, April 14, 2014
Corrupt Men Who Fleece the Flock
Hear this excellent message by copying and pasting to the address line.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNvFZm87psw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNvFZm87psw
Doctors are God's Gift to Us
Is it lack of faith to use doctors or meds to help in times of illness?
I DON'T THINK SO!
If we are to take the idea that using doctors or meds is a lack of faith in God's power to heal, then let's take it to it's ultimate extreme to determine truth.
First, we see no mandate in the word to never use doctors since Luke was a physician. Physicians use meds, it is an integral part of their job to reduce the suffering of an ailing person and even aid in the healing process.
Just because some people abuse meds does not make the meds wrong. Some people abuse food too, but they will not survive without it.
To say that we lack faith to use doctors, is no different than saying we lack faith when we take our car to the repair man when it breaks.
Do we lack faith when we hire a plumber to fix a broken pipe, or do we lack faith because we mow the grass when it gets too tall. Perhaps we should have faith that the grass will not grow too tall, or that it will chop itself off when it does.
Do we lack faith by taking in life giving food, after all couldn't God sustain our bodies without our doing anything to give it what it needs?
Everything we do should be done in faith. When we have a medical problem, we should pray, go to the doctor if needed and let the Lord guide his hands as he uses his God-given knowledge to help us.
When our car breaks we seek those who have the knowledge to repair it.
When the grass grows we mow it.
When our body gets hungry we feed it and when something breaks in our bodies that we have no knowledge to fix, we go to the physician who has been trained, to help us.
Let's not use the excuse of faith as a tool to glorify self, while neglecting the reasonable things to do to take care of business.
I DON'T THINK SO!
If we are to take the idea that using doctors or meds is a lack of faith in God's power to heal, then let's take it to it's ultimate extreme to determine truth.
First, we see no mandate in the word to never use doctors since Luke was a physician. Physicians use meds, it is an integral part of their job to reduce the suffering of an ailing person and even aid in the healing process.
Just because some people abuse meds does not make the meds wrong. Some people abuse food too, but they will not survive without it.
To say that we lack faith to use doctors, is no different than saying we lack faith when we take our car to the repair man when it breaks.
Do we lack faith when we hire a plumber to fix a broken pipe, or do we lack faith because we mow the grass when it gets too tall. Perhaps we should have faith that the grass will not grow too tall, or that it will chop itself off when it does.
Do we lack faith by taking in life giving food, after all couldn't God sustain our bodies without our doing anything to give it what it needs?
Everything we do should be done in faith. When we have a medical problem, we should pray, go to the doctor if needed and let the Lord guide his hands as he uses his God-given knowledge to help us.
When our car breaks we seek those who have the knowledge to repair it.
When the grass grows we mow it.
When our body gets hungry we feed it and when something breaks in our bodies that we have no knowledge to fix, we go to the physician who has been trained, to help us.
Let's not use the excuse of faith as a tool to glorify self, while neglecting the reasonable things to do to take care of business.
God Said it and I Believe Him
Acts 17:29
"Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man."
Perhaps if we got this message out every time we see a picture of a man depicting Christ, eventually others would get used to the idea that these are idols and stop posting these pictures.
Every time I see one this verse in Acts comes to mind. How seriously do we take God's Word? Is everything in it subject to our own cultural thinking?
God told us things to give us wisdom, so that we do not dishonor Him. Perhaps we should just believe Him when He tells us something in His Word.
"Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man."
Perhaps if we got this message out every time we see a picture of a man depicting Christ, eventually others would get used to the idea that these are idols and stop posting these pictures.
Every time I see one this verse in Acts comes to mind. How seriously do we take God's Word? Is everything in it subject to our own cultural thinking?
God told us things to give us wisdom, so that we do not dishonor Him. Perhaps we should just believe Him when He tells us something in His Word.
Demanding From the Lord is Serious Business!
Those who say they have "claimed" things in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, lack understanding of the Word when it comes to prayer.
We have no right to command our Lord to do anything. If we come to Him in humility seeking His will, then we wouldn't dare demand or command anything from Him.
Proverbs 15:33 "The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility."
Psalm 95:6 "Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker."
http://www.gotquestions.org/Word-Faith.html
We have no right to command our Lord to do anything. If we come to Him in humility seeking His will, then we wouldn't dare demand or command anything from Him.
Proverbs 15:33 "The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility."
Psalm 95:6 "Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker."
http://www.gotquestions.org/Word-Faith.html
Sunday, April 13, 2014
It Is Not Difficult
It Is Not Difficult
The truth is that Christ paid the penalty for sin that we owed, all that is necessary for that debt to be counted to our account is to place our faith in Him. Then Christ will come into us and seal us with His Holy Spirit, change us into a new creation, and keep us until He comes for us while continuing to cleanse us.
The truth is that Christ paid the penalty for sin that we owed, all that is necessary for that debt to be counted to our account is to place our faith in Him. Then Christ will come into us and seal us with His Holy Spirit, change us into a new creation, and keep us until He comes for us while continuing to cleanse us.
Future Telling is Divination
I attended a "prophesy session", years ago. I was invited by a neighborhood friend.
Not realizing what a prophesy session was, I thought we were going to learn prophesy from the Bible, instead what I found was devilish silliness perpetrated by a seer, claiming to be a prophet.
As the so called prophet was acting foolishly telling jokes and entertaining the congregation, he would point into the audience to choose people to prophesy about their lives.
I began shaking my head in disgust, he then pointed at me to come forward to tell me what will happen next in my life. I said no, he then proceeded to prophesy that my son was going to commit suicide, my son was sitting next to me.
My son never did commit suicide, interestingly enough we were the only people in the place who got a negative or dangerous prophesy, everyone else was told wonderful things about their future.
The seer in the pulpit was a devil, and the foolish people in the pews were lining up to have their future told by this man who claimed to be a prophet of God.
I couldn't believe my eyesm that so many in the small town of 7000 were mesmerized by this wicked man. Since that time I have seen more and more of this foolishness on the internet.
Those who are not acquainted with their Bibles are being deceived by these masters of manipulation.
God forbade the telling of futures, it is called divination.
Galatians 5:19-21
"19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
Not realizing what a prophesy session was, I thought we were going to learn prophesy from the Bible, instead what I found was devilish silliness perpetrated by a seer, claiming to be a prophet.
As the so called prophet was acting foolishly telling jokes and entertaining the congregation, he would point into the audience to choose people to prophesy about their lives.
I began shaking my head in disgust, he then pointed at me to come forward to tell me what will happen next in my life. I said no, he then proceeded to prophesy that my son was going to commit suicide, my son was sitting next to me.
My son never did commit suicide, interestingly enough we were the only people in the place who got a negative or dangerous prophesy, everyone else was told wonderful things about their future.
The seer in the pulpit was a devil, and the foolish people in the pews were lining up to have their future told by this man who claimed to be a prophet of God.
I couldn't believe my eyesm that so many in the small town of 7000 were mesmerized by this wicked man. Since that time I have seen more and more of this foolishness on the internet.
Those who are not acquainted with their Bibles are being deceived by these masters of manipulation.
God forbade the telling of futures, it is called divination.
Galatians 5:19-21
"19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
Who Claims to be a Prophet of God?
Beware of those who claim to be Prophets of God! Anyone who says they "have a word from the Lord for you", tell them not to speak. If God wants to tell us something He will tell it directly to us.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 “anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, 12 for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord.”
Jeremiah 27:9-10 “So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your dreamers, your fortune-tellers, or your sorcerers, who are saying to you, ‘You shall not serve the king of Babylon.’ 10 For it is a lie that they are prophesying to you, with the result that you will be removed far from your land, and I will drive you out, and you will perish.”
Jeremiah 14:14-16 “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds. Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name although I did not send them, and who say, ‘Sword and famine shall not come upon this land’: By sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed. And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem, victims of famine and sword, with none to bury them—them, their wives, their sons, and their daughters. For I will pour out their evil upon them.”
Deuteronomy 18:20-22
“a prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’ And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the Lord has not spoken?’— when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.”
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 “anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, 12 for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord.”
Jeremiah 27:9-10 “So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your dreamers, your fortune-tellers, or your sorcerers, who are saying to you, ‘You shall not serve the king of Babylon.’ 10 For it is a lie that they are prophesying to you, with the result that you will be removed far from your land, and I will drive you out, and you will perish.”
Jeremiah 14:14-16 “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds. Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name although I did not send them, and who say, ‘Sword and famine shall not come upon this land’: By sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed. And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem, victims of famine and sword, with none to bury them—them, their wives, their sons, and their daughters. For I will pour out their evil upon them.”
Deuteronomy 18:20-22
“a prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’ And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the Lord has not spoken?’— when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.”
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