Monday, April 26, 2010
Finality of death. Reality of Christ.
In 2010 I would like people to be aware of the finality of death. I remember a little over 50 years ago when my grandfather died. We had what is called a wake in the living room of my grandfathers house. That is where family and friends came to say their goodbyes. There it was, right there in the living room of his home, the casket where his body lay. Then his buriel at a church on a hill in the rolling hills of Maryland. You see there was time, not that long ago, in this country, when churches were where people buried there loved ones. And every time people came to church they could see the graves and contemplate the finality of death. Today death is hidden from us. Behind walls of tree lined grounds and manicured lawns. We try our best to spruce death up to take away its sting. But the beautiful cemeteries only placate the living. Yes in 2010 I would like people to understand the finality of death. "It is appointed for men to died once, and then the judgement." (Hebrews 9:27) Judgement! Something not talked about much today in or out of the church. Not very PC in this overly sensative world. Why would a good God judge anyone? Because He is the only being that is truly good. As Jesus said no one is good but God alone. The kind of good people think they might be doesn't cut it for heavenly habitation. For James tells us, "whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law." God expects perfection. And only one person ever was perfect. (Hebrew 4:15; 2Cor.5:21) So, in addition to my wanting people to understand the finality of death in 2010, that is, that it is settled. All will die. I want them to see the reality of Jesus Christ. That Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures. That He was buried and rose again the 3rd day according to the Scriptures. And whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. That's the Gospel, the good news. For the Father judges no one but has committed all judgement to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him." (John 5:22-23) You honor the Son when you believe and obey. "Salvation is found in no one else. For there is no other name by which we can be saved." (Acts 4:12) Saved from what you might ask? From God's flaming fire of vengence, on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, when He is revealed from heaven. Those who do not come to God through faith in His only begotten Son will be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of God and the glory of His power. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9) For it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:31) Yes, in 2010 I want people to to be aware of the finality of death and the reality of Jesus Christ. "The Word who was in the beginning with God and was God. Of whom God the Father said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased....."For He came down from heaven itself in the likeness of sinful men, to puriify for Himself His own special people..." (John 1:1; Phil. 2:5; Titus 2:14). And if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead you will be saved. (Romans 10:9) God gave...Jesus saves...The Holy Spirit fills us to obey. For without holiness, no one will see God. The finality of death takes on new meaning in the reality of Jesus Christ. That He truly is the blessed and only hope for us all. Then and only then can a person truly say "O Death where is your sting? For in Him Death is swallowed up in victory!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Judge not?
Judge not, that you may not be judged. (Matt 7:21)
Ah, the most popular verse used by all those in opposition to the gospel to silence Christians. "See we're not to judge. " They say. Well then what about all these verses? Acts 17:31 He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead." Romans 3: 5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.) 6 Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world? Acts 10: 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. Romans 2:16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. 2Tim.4:I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at* His appearing and His kingdom:2Tim. 4:8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. Heb. 10:30 For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The Lord will judge His people." Heb. 12: 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect. Heb. 13:4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. 1Peter 4:5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. Rev. 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" John 5:22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him..Matt 10:14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city...So, from these verses we can ascertain that a day of judgment is coming. That God will judge through His Son Jesus Christ. He will be the one who says "enter in to the joy of the lord or depart from Me you who practice lawlessness." So then what exactly did Jesus mean when He said don't judge? Well, we shouldn't seem holier than thou, or exact judgement as a hatred of someone. Christians are to love as the Father loved us, calling us from darkness to light and from death to light. Remembering that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. There must be compassion for those entrenched in sin and captured by it's grip. Preach the truth, don't compromise, but do it graciously, knowing that the gospel offends the natural man. 1 Cor. 2:14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. But there does come a time when if reasoning doesn't work, it is time to back off. Do not cast your pearls before swine as Jesus proclaims in Matthew 7. Acts 13 gives us an example: 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 51 So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Our responsibilty as believers is to deliever the good news to those who are lost. If they do not receive it with joy continue to love them no matter what. Pray that God would draw them to Christ. But remember it's the job of the Holy Spirit to open a cold dead heart to the truth. God originates, the Son reveals , the Holy Spirit animates. God has given us the privilege of delivering His message of good news.
Ah, the most popular verse used by all those in opposition to the gospel to silence Christians. "See we're not to judge. " They say. Well then what about all these verses? Acts 17:31 He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead." Romans 3: 5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.) 6 Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world? Acts 10: 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. Romans 2:16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. 2Tim.4:I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at* His appearing and His kingdom:2Tim. 4:8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. Heb. 10:30 For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The Lord will judge His people." Heb. 12: 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect. Heb. 13:4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. 1Peter 4:5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. Rev. 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" John 5:22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him..Matt 10:14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city...So, from these verses we can ascertain that a day of judgment is coming. That God will judge through His Son Jesus Christ. He will be the one who says "enter in to the joy of the lord or depart from Me you who practice lawlessness." So then what exactly did Jesus mean when He said don't judge? Well, we shouldn't seem holier than thou, or exact judgement as a hatred of someone. Christians are to love as the Father loved us, calling us from darkness to light and from death to light. Remembering that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. There must be compassion for those entrenched in sin and captured by it's grip. Preach the truth, don't compromise, but do it graciously, knowing that the gospel offends the natural man. 1 Cor. 2:14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. But there does come a time when if reasoning doesn't work, it is time to back off. Do not cast your pearls before swine as Jesus proclaims in Matthew 7. Acts 13 gives us an example: 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 51 So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Our responsibilty as believers is to deliever the good news to those who are lost. If they do not receive it with joy continue to love them no matter what. Pray that God would draw them to Christ. But remember it's the job of the Holy Spirit to open a cold dead heart to the truth. God originates, the Son reveals , the Holy Spirit animates. God has given us the privilege of delivering His message of good news.
Has God Given Up On America
Has God Given Up On America?
In memorizing Romans Chapter 1 it dawned on me that what it sounded like Paul was describing could be occurring in the very land we live in today. The immortality and perversity that runs rampant and seems to be infiltrating every facet of society has and is reaching epic proportions. The veneration of personalities in film, sports, science, music and the like, a kind of modern day idolatry. We worship the ground they walk on. We stand in super market lines and are assaulted by articles lambasting famous personalities infidelity or sexual proclivities , or violent tendencies. And we eagerly dive deeply into the cess pool of nonsense that now has become the staple of many a once respected news outlet. It's the hard copy that entertains us tonite as we dare access hollywood for the latest dirt on our lords of notoriety. In the last verse of Romans Paul says people not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. I believe human nature is such that people love to associate themselves with like minded people so that their thoughts and actions can then likewise be acceptable in their own minds. Strength in numbers so to speak. Paul the Apostle of the gentiles (anyone not born Jewish) explained that God's wrath, that is His anger occured when He allowed a people to do exactly what they wanted to do when their disobedience reached a certain point. A point where people said, "I don't need God" and they no longer listened to what God said. God finally gives them over to themselves. To their own evil hearts. Simply put God says, Hey you don't want to listen, well then, have it your own way. Just like Frank Sinatra singing, "I did it my way." Let's hope he didn't practice what he preached in that song. But what does man's way lead to. Paul says "because although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things." Knew God? How did they know God? "Since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." All that is made, the heavens, the galaxies, the stars, the sun, the moon, the earth, the sea, the fish, the birds, the trees, the insects, the wind, the rain, the thunder and lightening, everything reveals there is a God. But mankind is not thankful. Our thoughts become futile. Meaning our thoughts have no useful purpose. Their foolish hearts were darkened...That is they failed to acknowledge God. "The fool has said in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good."(Palsm 14:1) What is a fool? A person lacking in judgement or prudence. Which means these are people who can not discern good from evil. There's no standard by which to evaluate it. They go by what they feel in their heart they know is right. The utterence of a fool for " the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. . Who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9) No one! To follow your own heart. To do it your way is the path to death and destruction. It's a place where prudence, the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason, disappears like a mist, a vapor. For they are no longer thinking in a rational orderly way. But have descended into a world of self indulgence and fleshly pleasures. "being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;" A sign that God has given a people or nation over to vile passions is recognizable by the fact that " even their women exchange the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burn in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due." It's a slippery slope into the abyss of self indugence where a persons own conscience becomes seared with a hot iron. There are signs that indicate when it has begun. Have we worshipped and served the creature rather than the creator? Many in the environmental movement see earth as the living mother of us all. Not that taking care of what God has made us stewards of is in and of itself wrong. But the modern Gaia movement, is based on what ecologist and environmentalist James Lovelock posited, that the earth is a superorganism. Much like that portrayed of the planet Pandora in the film Avatar. The modern day environmental movement has become a religion to many. They worship at the altar of mother earth. What about morality? Or violence, wickedness, gossip, inventing new ways of doing evil or a hatred of Christianity? The recent ruling by a judge that the National Day of Prayer was unconstitutional. Or Franklin Graham being banned from praying at the Pentagon for their upcoming May 6th National Day of Prayer event because he called Islam “evil.” Who wouldn't call intentionally hi jacking planes, flying them into buildings and killing thousands of people evil. They did it because in reality this is the only way they are guaranteed a place in the Islamic paradise. He said it because he loves them and believes that Jesus is the only path to God. And Isalm as a false alternative that only leads to destruction. Isalm or any other religion is not what this country was founded on. Listen to the voice of our founding fathers. Those who risked their lives so that we might live as free men and woman.
PATRICK HENRY “It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason, peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.” [May 1765 Speech to the House of Burgesses]
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS • “Why is it that, next to the birthday of the Savior of the world, your most joyous and most venerated festival returns on this day [the Fourth of July]?" “Is it not that, in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? That it forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer's mission upon earth? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity"?
John Jay:“ Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.” Source: October 12, 1816. The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, Henry P. Johnston, ed., (New York: Burt Franklin, 1970), Vol. IV, p. 393.
JOHN ADAMS "We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." --October 11, 1798
Jedediah Morse:
"To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil freedom, and political and social happiness which mankind now enjoys. . . . Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government, and all blessings which flow from them, must fall with them."
SAMUEL JOHNSON: It is apprehended that Jews, Mahometans (Muslims), pagans, etc., may be elected to high offices under the government of the United States. Those who are Mahometans(Muslims) , or any others who are not professors of the Christian religion, can never be elected to the office of President or other high office, [unless] first the people of America lay aside the Christian religion altogether, it may happen. Should this unfortunately take place, the people will choose such men as think as they do themselves.
1ST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES GEORGE WASHINGTON “ It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and Bible.”
“What students would learn in American schools above all is the religion of Jesus Christ.” [speech to the Delaware Indian Chiefs May 12, 1779]
"To the distinguished character of patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian" [May 2, 1778, at Valley Forge]
• At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, James Madison proposed the plan to divide the central government into three branches. He discovered this model of government from the Perfect Governor, as he read Isaiah 33:22;
“For the LORD is our judge,
the LORD is our lawgiver,
the LORD is our king;
He will save us.”
In memorizing Romans Chapter 1 it dawned on me that what it sounded like Paul was describing could be occurring in the very land we live in today. The immortality and perversity that runs rampant and seems to be infiltrating every facet of society has and is reaching epic proportions. The veneration of personalities in film, sports, science, music and the like, a kind of modern day idolatry. We worship the ground they walk on. We stand in super market lines and are assaulted by articles lambasting famous personalities infidelity or sexual proclivities , or violent tendencies. And we eagerly dive deeply into the cess pool of nonsense that now has become the staple of many a once respected news outlet. It's the hard copy that entertains us tonite as we dare access hollywood for the latest dirt on our lords of notoriety. In the last verse of Romans Paul says people not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. I believe human nature is such that people love to associate themselves with like minded people so that their thoughts and actions can then likewise be acceptable in their own minds. Strength in numbers so to speak. Paul the Apostle of the gentiles (anyone not born Jewish) explained that God's wrath, that is His anger occured when He allowed a people to do exactly what they wanted to do when their disobedience reached a certain point. A point where people said, "I don't need God" and they no longer listened to what God said. God finally gives them over to themselves. To their own evil hearts. Simply put God says, Hey you don't want to listen, well then, have it your own way. Just like Frank Sinatra singing, "I did it my way." Let's hope he didn't practice what he preached in that song. But what does man's way lead to. Paul says "because although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things." Knew God? How did they know God? "Since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." All that is made, the heavens, the galaxies, the stars, the sun, the moon, the earth, the sea, the fish, the birds, the trees, the insects, the wind, the rain, the thunder and lightening, everything reveals there is a God. But mankind is not thankful. Our thoughts become futile. Meaning our thoughts have no useful purpose. Their foolish hearts were darkened...That is they failed to acknowledge God. "The fool has said in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good."(Palsm 14:1) What is a fool? A person lacking in judgement or prudence. Which means these are people who can not discern good from evil. There's no standard by which to evaluate it. They go by what they feel in their heart they know is right. The utterence of a fool for " the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. . Who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9) No one! To follow your own heart. To do it your way is the path to death and destruction. It's a place where prudence, the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason, disappears like a mist, a vapor. For they are no longer thinking in a rational orderly way. But have descended into a world of self indulgence and fleshly pleasures. "being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;" A sign that God has given a people or nation over to vile passions is recognizable by the fact that " even their women exchange the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burn in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due." It's a slippery slope into the abyss of self indugence where a persons own conscience becomes seared with a hot iron. There are signs that indicate when it has begun. Have we worshipped and served the creature rather than the creator? Many in the environmental movement see earth as the living mother of us all. Not that taking care of what God has made us stewards of is in and of itself wrong. But the modern Gaia movement, is based on what ecologist and environmentalist James Lovelock posited, that the earth is a superorganism. Much like that portrayed of the planet Pandora in the film Avatar. The modern day environmental movement has become a religion to many. They worship at the altar of mother earth. What about morality? Or violence, wickedness, gossip, inventing new ways of doing evil or a hatred of Christianity? The recent ruling by a judge that the National Day of Prayer was unconstitutional. Or Franklin Graham being banned from praying at the Pentagon for their upcoming May 6th National Day of Prayer event because he called Islam “evil.” Who wouldn't call intentionally hi jacking planes, flying them into buildings and killing thousands of people evil. They did it because in reality this is the only way they are guaranteed a place in the Islamic paradise. He said it because he loves them and believes that Jesus is the only path to God. And Isalm as a false alternative that only leads to destruction. Isalm or any other religion is not what this country was founded on. Listen to the voice of our founding fathers. Those who risked their lives so that we might live as free men and woman.
PATRICK HENRY “It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason, peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.” [May 1765 Speech to the House of Burgesses]
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS • “Why is it that, next to the birthday of the Savior of the world, your most joyous and most venerated festival returns on this day [the Fourth of July]?" “Is it not that, in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? That it forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer's mission upon earth? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity"?
John Jay:“ Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.” Source: October 12, 1816. The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, Henry P. Johnston, ed., (New York: Burt Franklin, 1970), Vol. IV, p. 393.
JOHN ADAMS "We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." --October 11, 1798
Jedediah Morse:
"To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil freedom, and political and social happiness which mankind now enjoys. . . . Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government, and all blessings which flow from them, must fall with them."
SAMUEL JOHNSON: It is apprehended that Jews, Mahometans (Muslims), pagans, etc., may be elected to high offices under the government of the United States. Those who are Mahometans(Muslims) , or any others who are not professors of the Christian religion, can never be elected to the office of President or other high office, [unless] first the people of America lay aside the Christian religion altogether, it may happen. Should this unfortunately take place, the people will choose such men as think as they do themselves.
1ST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES GEORGE WASHINGTON “ It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and Bible.”
“What students would learn in American schools above all is the religion of Jesus Christ.” [speech to the Delaware Indian Chiefs May 12, 1779]
"To the distinguished character of patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian" [May 2, 1778, at Valley Forge]
• At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, James Madison proposed the plan to divide the central government into three branches. He discovered this model of government from the Perfect Governor, as he read Isaiah 33:22;
“For the LORD is our judge,
the LORD is our lawgiver,
the LORD is our king;
He will save us.”
Thursday, April 22, 2010
The is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. (Proverbs 14:12)
I'm a child of the 60's. What do I mean by that? I was influenced by the language of that time. SEX, DRUGS and ROCK AND ROLL! Yeah! Light and Lift up a candle, light and smoke a joint (I never inhaled, oh sure, dude, just ask Bill) It was a time of supposely great freedom to do whatever you wanted. Morals, right and wrong were whatever you made it to be. It was relative. And like a sock that has a tear in it, if not repaired it keeps getting bigger and bigger until it's only fit to be thrown out. I"m afraid that is where our nation is at this time and its not getting any better. That "Hippie" if it feels good mentality, that subjective morality, has infiltrated every aspect of this nations existence. Good has become evil and evil has become good. But before you can understand what evil is, you have to understand what is good. You must have a standard or anarchy reigns and confusion corrupts every aspect of a persons mental abilities, actions and words. My mother just died from a disorder called dementia. This affliction destroyed her ability to be rational. She was always right, In her own eyes. It was impossible to tell her anything that would be of help to her. She refused to accept anything was wrong with her. She didn't want any help. She didn't accept help because she didn't think she needed help. That is the way of the spiritually blind in the world today. Scripture says, "they follow the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who works in the sons of disobedience and are BY NATURE children of wrath." Say Oprah..... everyone is not a child of God. They'll be those who understand what I am saying and others who think I am a nut case. So be it. But to explain so you may understand it's like Neo In the Matrix picking up the red pill and suddenly sees the world for what it really is. A lie. He realizes he's been inhabiting a deception created by a heartless, unfeeling machine. The reality of this world is much worse. "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." (2 Cor. 4:4) The god of this age? Luke 4:1-8 reveals " Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.... 5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 So if you worship me, it will all be yours." 8 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.' There's a real devil. ....( John 8:44 NIV You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. ) He'll tell you just want you want to believe. That "adultery, fornication (sexual immorality) uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, men who practice homosexuality, thieves, the greedy, revilers, and swindlers and the like... are fine. And you'll believe it because there is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death... but in reality "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Cor 6:9-11) . What the world needs now is LOVE. Not an erotic love which our modern society is pummeled with in every nook and cranny... around every corner and behind every door. But a selfless, sacrificial love. In the original language of the New Testament it's called "agape. " It's the kind of love God showed when he sent His only Son to accomplish where our first parents failed. OBEDIENCE AND TRUST. The world needs a real Saviour not some phony who claims to have all the answers and solutions to all our problems. One who satisfies the itching ears of those who turn away from truth. A truth that truly will set you free. And save you from yourself. By the unmerited favor of God, it's called grace. I am a Christian. That is I believe that Jesus is the Christ. The Messiah. That He came down from heaven, lived a perfect sinless life, was crucified, died and rose again for the sin of mankind. I remember when God opened my heart, convinced and convicted me of my own inherent evil. I believed and repented. I knew at that moment I was forgiven and my life would never be the same again. The Bible became my food and His Word my meat. Do I still sin. You bet. Do I want to obey. You bet. Do I? I wouldn't bet on it. But I am a work of God in progress. For I am still wrapped in the corrupted perishing flesh of a dying world. But as a believer my citizenship is in heaven, from which I also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Chris, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body. All of us will spend an eternity somewhere. As the prophet Daniel penned in the Old Testament " And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." That is being forever conscious of your guilt. Knowing you heard the truth but denied it. As The Apostle Paul wrote " when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power... And that is the saddest fate of all to those who can not see a truth that sets one free.
I'm a child of the 60's. What do I mean by that? I was influenced by the language of that time. SEX, DRUGS and ROCK AND ROLL! Yeah! Light and Lift up a candle, light and smoke a joint (I never inhaled, oh sure, dude, just ask Bill) It was a time of supposely great freedom to do whatever you wanted. Morals, right and wrong were whatever you made it to be. It was relative. And like a sock that has a tear in it, if not repaired it keeps getting bigger and bigger until it's only fit to be thrown out. I"m afraid that is where our nation is at this time and its not getting any better. That "Hippie" if it feels good mentality, that subjective morality, has infiltrated every aspect of this nations existence. Good has become evil and evil has become good. But before you can understand what evil is, you have to understand what is good. You must have a standard or anarchy reigns and confusion corrupts every aspect of a persons mental abilities, actions and words. My mother just died from a disorder called dementia. This affliction destroyed her ability to be rational. She was always right, In her own eyes. It was impossible to tell her anything that would be of help to her. She refused to accept anything was wrong with her. She didn't want any help. She didn't accept help because she didn't think she needed help. That is the way of the spiritually blind in the world today. Scripture says, "they follow the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who works in the sons of disobedience and are BY NATURE children of wrath." Say Oprah..... everyone is not a child of God. They'll be those who understand what I am saying and others who think I am a nut case. So be it. But to explain so you may understand it's like Neo In the Matrix picking up the red pill and suddenly sees the world for what it really is. A lie. He realizes he's been inhabiting a deception created by a heartless, unfeeling machine. The reality of this world is much worse. "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." (2 Cor. 4:4) The god of this age? Luke 4:1-8 reveals " Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.... 5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 So if you worship me, it will all be yours." 8 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.' There's a real devil. ....( John 8:44 NIV You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. ) He'll tell you just want you want to believe. That "adultery, fornication (sexual immorality) uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, men who practice homosexuality, thieves, the greedy, revilers, and swindlers and the like... are fine. And you'll believe it because there is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death... but in reality "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Cor 6:9-11) . What the world needs now is LOVE. Not an erotic love which our modern society is pummeled with in every nook and cranny... around every corner and behind every door. But a selfless, sacrificial love. In the original language of the New Testament it's called "agape. " It's the kind of love God showed when he sent His only Son to accomplish where our first parents failed. OBEDIENCE AND TRUST. The world needs a real Saviour not some phony who claims to have all the answers and solutions to all our problems. One who satisfies the itching ears of those who turn away from truth. A truth that truly will set you free. And save you from yourself. By the unmerited favor of God, it's called grace. I am a Christian. That is I believe that Jesus is the Christ. The Messiah. That He came down from heaven, lived a perfect sinless life, was crucified, died and rose again for the sin of mankind. I remember when God opened my heart, convinced and convicted me of my own inherent evil. I believed and repented. I knew at that moment I was forgiven and my life would never be the same again. The Bible became my food and His Word my meat. Do I still sin. You bet. Do I want to obey. You bet. Do I? I wouldn't bet on it. But I am a work of God in progress. For I am still wrapped in the corrupted perishing flesh of a dying world. But as a believer my citizenship is in heaven, from which I also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Chris, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body. All of us will spend an eternity somewhere. As the prophet Daniel penned in the Old Testament " And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." That is being forever conscious of your guilt. Knowing you heard the truth but denied it. As The Apostle Paul wrote " when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power... And that is the saddest fate of all to those who can not see a truth that sets one free.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
What John Hagee believes
"I believe that every Jewish person who lives in the light of the Torah, which is the word of God, has a relationship with God and will come to redemption" (John HaGEE Houston Chronicle, April 30, 1988).
The Houston newspaper then quoted Hagee's own shocking words: "I'm not trying to convert the Jewish people to the Christian faith... In fact, trying to convert Jews is a 'waste of time. . Jews already have a covenant with God and that has never been replaced by Christianity." (Houston Chronicle, April 30, 1988, sec, 6, pg. 1).
Oh, really. Paul was a Jew who preached to Jews. Why? Because they were in need of a Saviour. Acts 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. 15 And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, "Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on." 16 Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, "Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it.not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.' 26 Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent.29 Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him from the dead. 31 He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. 32 And we declare to you glad tidings--that promise which was made to the fathers. 33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus..38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses..44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles." Jeews don't/ won't inherit the kingdom of God just because they are born a Jew and attempt to obey the law. Simple because they can't. (read acts 13)
6 But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, 7 nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, "In Isaac your seed shall be called." 8 That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed .30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. 33 As it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." (read Romans 9) Jews must have faith in Jesus, must confess with their mouth and believe in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead. Being born a Jew does not guarantee a place in the kingdom of God.
1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (Romans 3-- we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. 10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one." 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus...
Peter preached to the Jews in Acts 4:5 "And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, 6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, "By what power or by what name have you done this?" 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Peter tells the Jews salavation comes only through Jesus the Christ. The Messiah.
Jesus Himself said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one (Jew or gentile) comes to the Father except through Me. And in John 5 :22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. 24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
One people of God Jews and Gentiles. Only those who confess Jesus Christ, believe and repent will have everlasting life with God. No exceptions. He is the hope for all people. No Jesus. No hope.
No Other Gospel
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! 10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
John Hagee preaches a different Gospel. Another Gospel
The Houston newspaper then quoted Hagee's own shocking words: "I'm not trying to convert the Jewish people to the Christian faith... In fact, trying to convert Jews is a 'waste of time. . Jews already have a covenant with God and that has never been replaced by Christianity." (Houston Chronicle, April 30, 1988, sec, 6, pg. 1).
Oh, really. Paul was a Jew who preached to Jews. Why? Because they were in need of a Saviour. Acts 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. 15 And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, "Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on." 16 Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, "Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it.not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.' 26 Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent.29 Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him from the dead. 31 He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. 32 And we declare to you glad tidings--that promise which was made to the fathers. 33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus..38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses..44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles." Jeews don't/ won't inherit the kingdom of God just because they are born a Jew and attempt to obey the law. Simple because they can't. (read acts 13)
6 But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, 7 nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, "In Isaac your seed shall be called." 8 That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed .30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. 33 As it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." (read Romans 9) Jews must have faith in Jesus, must confess with their mouth and believe in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead. Being born a Jew does not guarantee a place in the kingdom of God.
1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (Romans 3-- we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. 10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one." 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus...
Peter preached to the Jews in Acts 4:5 "And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, 6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, "By what power or by what name have you done this?" 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Peter tells the Jews salavation comes only through Jesus the Christ. The Messiah.
Jesus Himself said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one (Jew or gentile) comes to the Father except through Me. And in John 5 :22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. 24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
One people of God Jews and Gentiles. Only those who confess Jesus Christ, believe and repent will have everlasting life with God. No exceptions. He is the hope for all people. No Jesus. No hope.
No Other Gospel
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! 10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
John Hagee preaches a different Gospel. Another Gospel
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