Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Happy Birthday to My Girl

Happy Day
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A special day for my girl -
an annivesary of her birth.
I've seen her years unfurl -
she's for me my worth!
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God gave parents their young -
birth given to mother in pain.
Children are those among -
a parent's lifetime gain.
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A special wife she's been -
she's always there to aid.
She's my special dear friend -
my love will never fade!
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She's the best friend you know -
Her friendship is your gain.
Her presence sets all aglow -
for none has she disdain!
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She's a daughter of Jahweh.
She walks Christ's path.
She's a woman who obeys-
and escapes God's wrath.
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Happy birthday to my wife -
the one who was divinely sent.
She's the love of my life -
to be we were meant!

Monday, October 24, 2011

One Day at a Time or ...

One Concession at a Time
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Christians always speak of “One Day at a Time”. Cristy Lane's version of the song was the most popular. The first part of the chorus goes like this:
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“One day at a time sweet Jesus
That's all I'm asking from you.
Just give me the strength
To do everyday what I have to do.
Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus
And tomorrow may never be mine.
Lord help me today, show me the way
One day at a time. “
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You're a Christian now! You have made it and you can go on with your life. Satan has been put behind you, so you think.
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Matthew (KJV) 6:23 “But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. 24Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
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Scenario: Peter had just confessed Christ as the Son of God. Jesus then blessed Peter because what Peter had just said was from God in Heaven. Peter was just given the “keys of Heaven” by Jesus, then what happened?
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Jesus described his persecution, death and resurrection! Peter said “this shall not be”. Peter was finding fault with God's conduct. How dare him to know better than God. As you can see from 6:23 above, Jesus said “Get thee behind me, Satan” or more correctly “get thee behind me, adversary” or “opponent”. Peter was a Christian and cannot be of “Satan” because his belief made him righteous. However, his salvation doesn't mean that he can't be wrong! Peter was dead wrong.
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You see, when you become a Christian, you don't automatically become “all-knowing” and “all-wise”. You are are what's called a “babe in Christ”.
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1 Corinthians (KJV) 3:1 “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.”
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As an immature Christian you haven't grown in the Spirit. You haven't studied God's Word enough to have grown in your relationship to Christ. That takes time and work. You still have that “carnal” or worldly nature. Satan is the ruler of this world. Jesus rules a Christian, but he doesn't do that for the unsaved. You are just a newborn in your path with Christ, and with that you need to follow the advice of God with the aid of those who're mature Christians. You grow in your walk “one day at a time”! Satan will throw boulders in your path all the time. He threw one at Peter and Jesus was displeased!
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I've seen many new Christians get saved. That's a good thing! However, they fail to take that “one day at a time” with Jesus and seek growth. They hang onto old lifestyles and old beliefs. They spout in defense of the world in their ignorance. Many new Christians do the same things and believe the same things they always believed. They're not unsaved, but are like Peter. They're confused about God's will. God wants a Christian to become a new man or woman and start questioning old beliefs.
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Satan doesn't attack your life before you're born again. You're already his and he rewards you for it. Life can be quite fun and pleasurable. Satan starts his attack right after you're saved and he chips away at you “one concession at a time”. If you sin in one area, the next step is to increase the depth of your sin. Yes, Christians still sin. It's your job to obey and minimize that sin. You're to be Christlike!
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The best example for me was my smoking when I was a young Christian. While “smoking Christians” are still Christians, Satan can use that to attack you and take you one concession closer to him. I thought many times “Well, I smoke and I may as well do this (deeper sin) too, since I've already failed!' Then I would turn around and do something more seriously wrong in God's eyes. Satan loves for us to fail! It diminishes Jesus in your life.
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I had a friend who rationalized the music to which he was listening. He loved “Rock and Roll”. He went spastic when I told him that there can't be “Rock and Roll” in heaven. Why? “Rock and Roll” means “backseat sex”. Rock and Roll is of the world. It belongs to Satan. The unclean cannot be in Heaven because that's God's world and nothing foul can be there.
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Get used to it! Your old beliefs are likely wrong. If you're wrong in your beliefs you're an opponent of God. Test everything by God's Word. You can become Satan's “one concession at a time” until Jesus has no part in your life. Live for Jesus. Listen to Him and obey. “Take up your cross” and grow with Him “One Day at a Time”.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Marijuana is the “Soma” of This “Brave New World”
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I am astounded! An actual candidate for he office of President of the United States” is for the legalization of drugs! What's more, he's a medical doctor. I suspect that he's been out of practice way too long. Unlike Bill Clinton who “smoked, but didn't inhale”, I've never smoked marijuana and I've never used illicit drugs of any kind. However, I've lived with the consequences of drug usage most of my life. Drugs are a cancer to society and a destroyer of lives. Families are annihilated and jobs are estirpated!
Of special concern to me is the public's attitude about marijuana. Although Americans have now been educated as to the dangers of smoking cigarettes, marijuana is in vogue as the “suicide of choice”. Let's look into the statistics of each.
How many deaths from tobacco per year? “In the USA about 438,000 people die from smoking-related illnesses per year. Overall, cigarette smoking accounts for about 30% of cancer deaths. Of every 5 deaths in the USA, 1 is caused from smoking.” (According to the American Cancer Society). Cancer isn't cool, smoking isn't cool and breathing another's smoke isn't cool. If that many soldiers had been killed in the Middle East both Bush and Obama would have been hung by the neck until dead! Fortunately, Americans have finally listened to the facts; the wheeze of lung cancer, the dieing words of loved ones and the pungent odor of death hovering all around us. We have wised up!
As cigarette smoking is now considered stupid and selfish by almost all Americans now, the legalized smoking of marijuana is being touted as the best solution to the problem. According to the latest reports (as heard on Foxnews) 50% of the American people are in favor of the legalization of marijuana. (If 85% of Americans believe in God, that means at least 42.5% of Christians think it's okay to get high!) The solution to marijuana use is this: If Americans have to have a crutch, tax it. Make a profit from the weaknesses of the people. However, there will never be enough tax revenue to repair the ills to society if widespread use of marijuana is accepted. As for me, I will never accept marijuana in my house or any other illicit drug. I hate what drugs do to people!
The lies of the devil:
  • People “experiment” with marijuana.
  • Marijuana is the only helpful drug for cancer and glaucoma.
  • Marijuana isn't addicting and is only habit forming. Thus, is not a “drug”.
  • My own personal drug use is my business. It's my choice and isn't hurting anyone else.
  • Although some people who use marijuana go on to harder drugs, most people don't.
  • Marijuana isn't dangerous to your health.
  • Marijuana helps me make contact with God.
  • We should tax the use of marijuana. People are going to use it anyway.
  • The Bible doesn't say anything about marijuana use.
Much of my knowledge about drug use (which marijuana is) comes from the interaction of family members, friends, a well-known drug rehabilitation program as well as personal research on the subject and interviews with users. I have applied what my education in “Family Systems Therapy” teaches about dysfunctional families as well as my knowledge of the Bible, God's Word. Some of this is at odds with the medical community, but I've lived with it where many of the scientists have not.
The young don't “experiment” with marijuana. They aren't scientists. They're users headed for trouble! Many of these so-called scientists are elementary and middle school age. They are victims of irresponsible adults. The term “experiment” is a lie and intelligent people must avoid such newspeak.
Each lie (above) can be addressed. States such as California where marijuana is sold legally (Illegally according to Federal Law) Pot Shops are on about every corner many are side by side. It's obvious that most of the drug which is sold is for recreational use and so-called doctors are making millions by issuing false prescriptions. Furthermore, THC which is the main ingredient and the so-called “helpful” ingredient could be provided in legitimate drug stores and its use controlled. Likewise, the person who sells and buys the drug are criminals since it is against Federal Law to traffic in marijuana.
Experts say that marijuana is habit-forming, but not addicting. This is the greatest lie! If gambling and compulsive sex is addicting (according to them) why would a compulsive need for marijuana not be addicting since by definition that's what addiction means. If you regularly smoke marijuana you're a drug addict! Do you feel good about yourself, addict? Marijuana is one of the most dangerous drugs due to lives it ruins, motivation it steals, families it disrupts and crime it breeds. If you buy marijuana you are supporting the scum of the earth criminals and you're an accessory to the crime. Furthermore, the next victim may be your child, nephew, niece or grade-school friend. Drug pushers don't care from where their money comes. You are an accomplice in ruining innocent lives if you favor marijuana legalization or use it!
Some claim what they do in the privacy of their home is protected by the 1st Amendment. The proper way to determine that is through the court system. No rights such as that exist because all drug use effects others. Many pot heads are the same ones who want free health care. What a contradiction! Drug use is a multitude of times more destructive to your health, both physiologically and psychologically. Marijuana has eighteen times more tar than cigarettes. “Doctored” marijuana is full of chemical trash. You don't know what you're getting.
According to the “Partnership for a Drug Free America” short term marijuana effects your memory, learning ability, problem-solving activity, motivation, and muscle activity. More severe consequences are rapid heart-rate, anxiety, coughing and breathing problems. Like cigarettes marijuana is a carcinogen and even more so than cigarettes. The euphoria and blaise the smoker is seeking is dangerous in itself. Pot heads are on the highway with you and your family and the user is a killer ready to happen. Their response is much slower and they have a false sense of confidence, some even saying that they have telepathic abilities to change red lights to green!
The most destructive consequence of early marijuana use is a stunting of emotional growth. Many adults who have used marijuana since childhood have the emotional age of children. Rather than handling problems in a mature manner, they make the stress go away with the miracle of THC. Sluggish reaction time can cause safety dangers on the job. This is especially true on the farm and in industry.
Marijuana breeds crime! From where does the unmotivated get the funds to buy the drug? Quite often it's by theft. I've had neighborhood teens break into my own house to feed their marijuana desires. I've had family members steal money from me and visitor's belongings while they're in my home. Users are often pushers to get funds for their own habits. Often they buy marijuana and “dilute” it for profit by adding other ingredients, often PCP. You never know for sure what's being smoked and brain damage may result. The cost of crime becomes high and insurance costs go up.
Who's to pay the medical costs of all these self-indulgent losers. Many are a burden to us all because medical costs rise as well as insurance rates. Can you imagine the increased cost to society if marijuana is legalized? Using the argument that with alcohol prohibition failed is just stupid … has the current alcohol policy been successful? Any thinker knows the answer. It's been a dismal failure!
Some say that few people who use marijuana go on to harder drugs. That's just foolish thinking. Marijuana reduces inhibitions and the user, even casually, may have no knowledge of what else is consumed. Those using any drug seek a higher thrill. Some marijuana users have been to parties where all kinds of drugs are served on the dining table. Why? Pushers want you to get addicted. It's the love of money which feeds drug selling. Murdering crime bosses in inter-cities and foreign countries are being supported by the fun-loving American user. You become an accomplice to murder! Of course users don't think clearly so they never consider all this!
Marijuana is the “soma” of the “Brave New World”. Soma was the drug Aldous Huxley used in his book to demonstrate how people cope. Marijuana does the same. Here are some quotes from the book:
"All the advantages of Christianity and alcohol; none of their defects."
"..there is always soma, delicious soma, half a gramme for a half-holiday, a gramme for a week-end, two grammes for a trip to the gorgeous East, three for a dark eternity on the moon..."
"you do look glum! What you need is a gramme of soma."
Soma was an extract used in the Vedic religions to communicate with Hindu gods. Christianity doesn't require drug inducement to communicate with God. In fact Christianity requires a clear mind!
2 Timothy (ESV ) 4:5 “As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
You have an obligation to God to come to Him with all your faculties intact. Praying while “high” would be the exception indeed because you're by definition being self-indulgent! You are too lethargic to even consider the true God, but open yourself to infiltration of evil spirits. Scripture warns of opening of the mind in meditation and marijuana removes the suit of armor which the Holy Spirit provides. In fact your body belongs to God and if you smoke dope you're in disrespect to your creator:
1 Corinthians (ESV) 6:19-20 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
You are to do what is “pure” and “commendable” in praising God. There is nothing pure nor commendable about being a pot head. While God still loves you He is surely disappointed in you. You seek temporal pleasure over eternal joy. You break the 1st commandment because you have a new God. Rather than being a servant to Christ you are a slave to “Mary Jane”! As you go through this life oblivious of your own existence, you're wasting the one earthly life you have and have little chance of repenting so you can at least live in eternity. Your soul is at stake and demons are fighting to have you! Focus on the following verse. Are you living according to God's plan for you?
Philippians (ESV) 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. “
Raising taxes by feeding on the addictions of the people is evil. How can you fight the evil which supports the people? Taxing condones. It's saying “Go ahead. It's all right!” In effect the government is taking money out of the user's pocket through taxes and paying for the increased costs to society. It's in effect a “stupid tax” and if you use marijuana you're just stupid! Chances are your smarts were stolen when you were too young to understand your destiny. You have been lied to! Satan deceives and you have inadvertently become a pawn in the hand of decadence.
Some users may rationalize their use by saying “The Bible doesn't mention marijuana!”. The Bible doesn't mention a lot of things, but they're still wrong. Behaviors associated with marijuana use are prevalent throughout the Bible starting with the 1st Commandment! Furthermore, if you're a Christian, your body belongs to God and you are irreverent to contaminate it. God has strict rules on spiritual cleanliness which quite easily rules out the use of marijuana.
In summary, if you are a user you should pray for deliverance from your enslavement because that's what you are; a vulnerable slave to a weed! If you believe in legalization your thought processes need serious examination. You may not care if your grandkids are pot heads, but I care about mine and your indulgent little snakes influence my kids and grandkids. If you naively support irrational habits because you never take the time to consider the truth, I can tell you where to find Truth … The Bible. I pray for the ones I love quite often and hope that someday they will respond to God and his love. I've had to learn to cope by turning my head, but I still have faith in them and pray.
I have never seen a daily user quit drugs on their own. I have seen even hard drug users quit “cold-turkey” by giving their lives to Jesus! My own bad habit of “smoking legal cigarettes” was quashed by my Comforter, the Holy Spirit. Users, call on God to eliminate your desire. For those who propagate legalization, pray for divine guidance.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Belief without Repentance

Simon the Sorcerer
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Most Americans “believe” in God! We should be thrilled, shouldn't we? We should first ask, “Who is God?” God is an infinite “supreme being” who created the world, does good and loves humanity. Those who believe in “one God” are monotheistic: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Since you believe in God, then, you are a “child of God”. Wrong! Read this:

James (NIV) 2:19 “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”

If you believe in God you are actually no better off than the demons (devils)! If your relationship is constrained to only a “belief in God” then you're doomed for eternal punishment. If belief stops there you'll spend eternity in Hell! As a Christian I love you too much to see you suffer. I want to see you in Heaven with me. God wants that for you too! John (KJV) 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Do you believe John 3:16? Do you believe that Jesus died to save you from eternal death because you can't save yourself? Do you admit that any “good” in you pales to the “evil” within you? Do you feel remorse for the sins you've committed? Have you even thought about how bad you've been, let alone being sorry for and repenting?

Let's look at an example of a “believer”:

Acts (KJV) 8:9”But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
10To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
11And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
12But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
18And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
24Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.”

Simon practiced witchcraft, the black arts. He was powerful because he had demonstrated an ability to make things happen using the powers of the dark. Those who had seen Simon's magic thought his power was from God (Unlike Jesus whose power was believed to have been from the demons ...how ironic that false truth is so easy to accept.) Simon heard Philip preach Jesus and salvation and seeing the miracles he believed and was baptized. Simon believed in Jesus! John (KJV) 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him (not directly to Simon), I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”Was belief in God and his manifestation as Jesus enough? No.

Simon saw the miracles of Jesus as a way to get rich. 1 Timothy (KJV) 6:10“ For the love of money is the root of all evil...” Simon believed in Jesus, Simon saw Christian miracles, Simon obeyed with baptism, but Simon didn't love Jesus. He saw his belief as a way to make more money. Here we see Simon believe in God, accept that Jesus was the son of God, get baptized, but his “heart was not right in the sight of God”. What had Simon failed to do? He had failed to repent!

Repent! What is it? It's when you feel regret for your actions and desire to change. Simon showed no regret for his sorcery and certainly didn' t change! His life after “belief” was just like his life before “belief”. He didn't change! Sure he believed. Sure he obeyed ritual. But after his belief he was still no better than the “religious” Pharisees who Jesus called “vipers” … we call “snakes”!

Now we must look at who is the “true God”. Is God the Allah of Islam. Is he the JHWH of Judaism? It's easy to rule out Allah. He is a false God. Islam is a false religion which denies that Jesus is God. Islam believes that to be idol worship. Hence, Allah is not the “true God”. (The Arabic word for “God” is “Allah”. If you are an Arab Christian and are a true believer, then these statements don't apply to you). Is the God of Judaism the “true God”? They deny Christ. Yes, YHWH is the true God. That's clear from the entire Bible. However, most Jews don't except that Christ has come. That's disbelief on the part of the Jews, but it doesn't diminish “JHWH” as the “One True God”. In fact 144,000 Jews will turn to Jesus in the Apocalypse! Jews still believe in the coming of the Messiah. They just don't believe he has already come!

Although the true God, JHWH , is worshiped by the Jews, they are by their own admission not accepting of Christ. Who is Christ? By His own words, Jesus IS God. Since Jews don't believe that God sacrificed Himself for us, they are in error and are as bad off as Simon. It's regrettable, but it's true. We must still love them and pray for them.

It's not “cool” to proselytize in this day and age. It's not politically correct to do so. However, we are called to be “fishers of men” and you can't catch “fish” (make converts) unless you use bait (truth). However, like Simon and like Judaism, you too are doomed unless you believe in and love Christ and REPENT of your sins. If you sincerely repent you will know by your works. What you once loved you will come to hate! If you don't hate sin, have you really repented? Are you really a Christian?

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

A Lesson in Righteousness

Cain and Abel
As we mature in our Christian thought, God leads us to see the “why” in what he does. Of course, like any new Christian years ago, I started my Bible reading by going start to finish, reading Genesis first. Chronologically, Genesis is first, but to draw an analogy, it's would be like reading the process for making nuclear fission before knowing the uses of nuclear power. Wouldn't it be great to know what the “point” of the Bible is before reading all about that point? What is the “point” of the entire Bible? From page one the “point” is Jesus Christ!

All of the “Old Testament” points toward Jesus, but you can't understand that until you read the gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Because John starts with an explanation of Jesus at the creation, it needs to be read first. After reading the four gospels and the remainder of the “New Testament” then go back and read the “Old Testament”. With each passage ask “What's this got to do with Jesus?” You'll find that Jesus is the “nuclear power” which the entire Bible explains!

One of the early Bible stories is about Cain and Abel. Abel gave an animal offering to God and Cain gave a grain offering. God was displeased with the grain offering, but honored the animal offering.

Genesis (KJV) 4:3 “And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
4And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
6And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
7If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
8And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him”.

On the surface it would appear that God was unfair with Cain would it not? Assuming the animal and grain sacrifice had equal food value, then they both likely gave the same amount. As a young Christian I didn't understand why God was so displeased. Now I understand!

What's this got to do with Jesus?

Hebrews (KJV) 9:12”Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
13For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
14How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

The shedding of blood is a picture of the shedding of Christ''s blood when he died in our place. When Abel sacrificed that animal it's blood foretold of the day when Jesus would be the final sacrifice for all. Somehow God put it in Abel's heart (because he was righteous) to understand the efficacy of the shedding of blood. Throughout the “Old Testament” (OT) the shedding of blood was the acceptable, honorable and righteous method of sacrifice. In the “New Testament” (NT) we finally see that without the shedding of blood sins are not forgiven:

Hebrews (KJV) 9:22” And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”

Whereas in the OT blood was the “picture” of Christ's blood, in the NT the actual shedding of Christ's own blood was the vicarious sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. What's the connection to Abel?

Hebrews (KJV) 11:4 “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.”

Abel's heart was more righteous in his sacrifice. He understood what the “blood” meant and that blood was the only acceptable sacrifice. Apparently, Cain didn't have as close relationship to God as Abel did and didn't understand the importance of the “blood”. Whereas Abel was in communion with God and pious in his sacrifice, Cain was aloof from God and was flippant in his ritualistic sacrifice. To have an acceptable sacrifice Cain, if he had been in communion, would have paid Abel for one of his prized rams and sacrificed the “blood”. Little effort would be expended to make an acceptable sacrifice. His sacrfice just wasn't that meaningful for him.

This has two things to do with us. We must offer an “acceptable sacrifice”. What is an acceptable sacrifice?

Romans (KJV) 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

You don't have to kill and animal and sprinkle its blood. You give yourself! You dedicate your life to Christ who has already shed his blood, the necessary sacrifice. You accept his blood sacrifice which he made for you and you do it with a contrite and repentant heart. It's so important that you sacrifice yourself with a right heart because God can see through ritual and superficiality since he's omniscient, he knows your mind and heart.

Is God fair? Yes! He requires you to be righteous, to love and follow Him. If you cheat Him or disrespect Him you get what you deserve. Cain was cast out. Don't let yourself be cast out.

There's another “picture” in the Cain and Abel story: It's a picture of the “Greatest Commandment”! You are to love God with all your heart and love our neighbor as you do yourself. Jesus said that. Cain not only didn't demonstrated love for God, but also murdered his brother … so much for keeping what is the greatest commandment. (The command hadn't been published yet, but it was still God's intent).

Now do you know why you need to understand the need for nuclear fuel before learning how to make it? This is analogous to knowing why you need Jesus before you read about his coming. Read John. Read about Jesus. Then when reading the OT always ask “What's this got to do with Jesus?”

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

The Denial of Hell

Hell can't be real! Or can it be?

Society laughs at the concept of Hell, people use it as a adjective of condemnation and many theologians even deny it's existence in the false perception that if we deny something long enough it becomes truth. I think of the “Seinfeld” episode when the “liar” George (Satan), tells Jerry “It's not a lie if YOU believe it!” That's the way it is with the concept of Hell.

I've heard others explain why they don't go to church. It usually goes something like this “I don't go to church because when I was a kid all they did was preach on Hell-fire and damnation”. Then there are others who say “A loving God couldn't possibly send a person to Hell!” These are all tricks and lies of Satan! The thought of eternal punishment was the catalyst a sinner such as I needed to find the love of Jesus. It's not a scare tactic ...it's Truth!

Malachi (KJV) 4:1 “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

Truth tells is that someday that those who rebel against God shall be as the stubble of wheat who will burn to the ground at the end of the harvest. Those who are harvested (the righteous) will be put in the storehouse where they are saved. That part that was harvested was productive and was to be nourishment. That portion of the stalk of wheat is little in comparison to the whole. However, the stalk (stubble) which is not part of the harvest, is the majority of the plant, and that portion will be burned to the ground (just like the unrighteous). Hell is real, Hell is hot and Hell is for those who haven't claimed Jesus as their Savior. “Unfair you say! God couldn't possibly send me to Hell, I've been good?” This is the popular refrain of those who have not submitted to God and are too proud! They will burn with the rest of the chaff.

Jesus explained the parable of the tares (weeds) in Matthew Chapter 13:

Matthew (KJV) 13:36 “Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

You're a “tare” (weed) if you are wicked, a sinner in this world, called the field in the parable. You are the son of the Satan because the devil planted you. Jesus will send forth the angels to collect the tares (sinners) and they shall be burned in the fire (Hell). Hell is described as a fiery furnace and those in Hell will suffer profusely. There will be “wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

Our loving Savior, Jesus will be vengeful! It is Jesus who will send his angels to carry you to the fiery furnace. He doesn't care how “good” you've been for “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. Most of us are idolater, fornicating, thieving, lying, jealous, disrespectful, blasphemous, murderous sinners. So you did a few “good” things! God isn't impressed. You are evil unless …

That “unless” is grace! You deserved to be burned as tares in Hell, but before the angels carry you to the furnace you can stop it. Instead of carrying you to be eternally destroyed the angels will rejoice!

Matthew (KJV) 16:27 “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”

Luke (KJV) 12:8 “Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:”

If you turn your life to Christ (the Son of Man) will reward you based on your work of faith. If you confess him earnestly to be your Savior, Jesus will tell his angels to spare you. Rather than a fiery furnace they will carry you off to your new heavenly home!

Luke (KJV) 15:10 “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

Rather than the angels carrying you to eternal death, they have joy in your salvation! You are saved if you repent and accept your undeserved gift from Jesus ...eternal life. It's there for the asking ...”ask and you shall receive”!

God to Seinfeld: “Remember, Jerry, if you don't believe it, doesn't change a thing! Hell exists whether you believe it or not!”

Monday, October 17, 2011

You decide: Was it Faith or faith?

The Big God Theory

I admit ... I don't have unequivocal proof that God created the universe. The preponderance of evidence indicates that universe was NOT created by fate, whatever that is. Both matter and energy had to originate someplace sometime. That leads me to believe that God created the universe! “The Big God Theory” is in fact a theory. You should not accept it as scientific proof. Likewise, “The Big Bang Theory” should not be accepted. Both are theories for a reason” both require faith! Whereas believers in God readily admit that, scientists never talk of “faith” in presenting their own theories.

Whereas science asks the question “Where did matter and energy originate?', Judeo-Christians honestly admit, God created it, but we don't know where God came from. He just IS and ALWAYS WAS. His name is “I AM THAT I AM” or for short “I AM”.

Exodus (KJV) 3:13”Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”

The Bible is the written history of the world. It is not a book of fiction nor mythology. Where secular history has questioned biblical history, the Bible has remained accurate. Secular history has been wrong. Why? Because the Bible is not a book of lies and inaccuracies. It's a book of Truth!

Secular science says that matter and energy was spontaneously generated at some point in time. As matter began to accumulate the central mass became greater and greater. As the mass increased gravity became so strong that light could not escape. Eventually all the mass throughout the universe accumulated in one great ball. The ball generated so much energy that we had a “Big Bang”. All the mass in that big ball was hurled throughout the universe forming galaxies, suns, planets, asteroids, red giants, white dwarfs, and whatever else is out there. The physical laws of nature says that this very event could never have happened. Scientists admit that, still claim that it did and call that one act a “discontinuity?. I call it unscientific and a lie!

Let's look for a minute at “nothingness”. “Nothing” means to “have no existence”. The definition of nothing contradicts itself because “nothing” is “something” and it exists! Outside the known matter and energy of the universe is “nothing”. A theoretical spaceship could travel for eternity through that nothingness with a simple gentle initial propulsion. The abilty to travel through “nothing” means it is “something”. From where did “nothingness” come? Scientists can't explain that. God can! He created everything and as I have shown “nothing is something” so it does exists! The belief that God existed before and was and is eternal is called “faith”. Likewise the scientific theories of the same are “faith”. The former is faith with a claim, the latter has no claim ...it just happened.

What if everything did come from the “Big Bang” as they claim. It's circular reasoning because the matter and energy had to come from someplace. Scientists know this and some claim that the “Big Bang” was cyclical. That explanation is still open-ended and requires “faith”, but “faith” with absolutely no evidence. My faith has a source. God tells me from man's history book how it started:

Genesis KJV) 1:1”In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
2And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
3And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
4And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
5And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
6And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
7And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
8And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.
9And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
10And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.

Biblical history tells our origins! If you're a Christian and believe in God you only need to believe this (faith). If you claim to be a Christian and don't believe God', you may as well stop pretending and apostatize. God is either Truth or lie. He's not a mixture of both truth and fiction! If you're not a Christian, put aside your thoughts for awhile and read the entire Bible. Start with John, then read Matthew, Mark and Luke. Then come back and read Genesis. It should all then make sense. The Bible and God have what's called “internal consistency”. Although it was written from start to finish over a 2000 year time period, it never contradicts itself. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. God is Truth and God is consistent.

Now read scientific theory over the past 2000 years. Scientists “knew” that the earth was flat, scientists “knew” that Sargon, the greatest Assyrian King, never existed, scientists “knew” that gold could be created from base metals, scientists “knew” that “Nebraska Man” was an early ape and developed a culture around him (this later was admitted to be wrong), science “knew” that “Lucy” was the ancestor of all mankind and even that has now been retracted. Scientific “evidence” is circumstantial, hypothetical and dynamic. Scientists readily admit that, but still claim to have “the truth”: silliness quantified and justified! Where God's word is unchanging science changes as we speak. What will be the new theory tomorrow?

Science and Christianity do agree on two things: 1) Someday the known earth will end and 2) you can't change that. In which theory will you believe? Will it be the fatalistic thought of scientists or the HOPE of God? You may go with the empty cup ...I'm going with the full one! I'm going with God.

Matthew (KJV) 26:39 “And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

The “full cup” is Jesus. It is his life, his existence. He gave it up according to God's will, that you may have this “hope” of which I speak called “eternal life”. You may chose death, but I like God's promise! The One who said that he created everything then tells us that you can live forever, but there is a condition: You must believe. You must believe it all and that unshakeable belief is called “faith”. This “thought” started with faith and ends with faith. That's your part. Salvation is through Jesus only for he is the “I AM” of Exodus!