Prayer
Our Passport To Assurance
The example of our Lord in the matter of prayer is one which His followers might well copy. Christ prayed much and He taught much about prayer. His life and His works, as well as His teaching, are illustrations of the nature and necessity of prayer. He lived and labored to answer prayer. But the necessity of importunity in prayer was the emphasized point in His teaching about prayer. He taught not only that men must pray, but that they must persevere in prayer.
He taught in command and precept the idea of energy and earnestness in praying. He gives to our efforts graduation and climax. We are to ask, but to the asking we must add seeking, and seeking must pass into the full force of effort in knocking. The pleading soul must be aroused to effort by God’s silence. Denial, instead of abating or abashing, must arouse its latent energies and kindle anew its highest ardor.
In the Sermon on the Mount, in which He lays down the cardinal duties of His religion, He not only gives prominence to prayer in general and secret prayer in particular, but He sets apart a distinct and different section to give weight to importunate prayer. To prevent any discouragement in praying He lays as a basic principle the fact of God’s great fatherly willingness—that God’s willingness to answer our prayers exceeds our willingness to give good and necessary things to our children, just as far as God’s ability, goodness and perfection exceed our infirmities and evil. As a further assurance and stimulant to prayer Christ gives the most positive and iterated assurance of answer to prayers. He declares: “Ask and it shah be given to you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.” And to make assurance doubly sure, He adds: “For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
Why does He unfold to us the Father’s loving readiness to answer the prayers of His children? Why does He affirm so strongly that prayer will be answered? Why does He repeat that positive affirmation six times? Why does Christ on two distinct occasions go over the same strong promises, iterations, and reiterations in regard to the certainty of prayer being answered? Because He knew that there would be delay in many an answer which would call for importunate pressing, and that if our faith did not have the strongest assurance of God’s willingness to answer, delay would break it down. He also knew that our spiritual sloth would come in, under the guise of submission, and say it is not God’s will to give what we ask, and so cease praying and lose our case. After Christ had put God’s willingness to answer prayer in a very clear and strong light, He then urges to importunity, and that every unanswered prayer, instead of abating our pressure, should only increase intensity and energy. If asking does not obtain the answer, let asking pass into the settled attitude and spirit of seeking. If seeking does not secure the answer, let seeking pass on to the more energetic and clamorous plea of knocking. We must persevere till we get it. No failure here if our faith does not break down.
As our great example in prayer, our Lord puts love as a primary condition—a love that has purified the heart from all the elements of hate, revenge, and ill will. Love is the supreme condition of prayer, a life inspired by love. The 13th chapter of 1st Corinthians is the law of prayer as well as the law of love. The law of love is the law of prayer, and to master this chapter from the epistle of Paul is to learn the first and fullest condition of prayer.
Christ taught us also to approach the Father in His name. That is our passport. It is in His name that we are to make our petitions known. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask Me anything in My name, that will I do.”
How wide and comprehensive is that “whatsoever.” There is no limit to the power of that name. “Whatsoever ye shall ask.” That is the Divine declaration, and it opens up to every praying child a vista of infinite resource and possibility.
And that is our heritage. All that Christ has may become ours if we obey the conditions. The one secret is prayer. The place of revealing and of equipment, of grace and of power, is the prayer-chamber, and as we meet there with God we shall not only win our triumphs but we shall also grow in the likeness of our Lord and become His living witnesses to men.
Without prayer the Christian life, robbed of its sweetness and its beauty, becomes cold and formal and dead; but rooted in the secret place where God meets and walks and talks with His own, it grows into such a testimony of Divine power that all men will feel its influence and be touched by the warmth of its love. Thus, resembling our Lord and Master, we shall be used for the glory of God and the salvation of our fellow men.
And that, surely is the purpose of all real prayer and the end of all true service.
Thought Provokers
Each month there will be several thoughts that might tend to provoke some thought. This is a new section for The Signpost Newsletter. The answers and some discussion will follow in the next issue.
1. Someone who advocates the killing (abortion) of babies probably thinks they are good standing with God. What do you think? Can you think of an example?
2. When God said, “Let us make man in our image.” Who is us? Was someone there with Him?
3. God tells us to put on the full armor of God. I don’t have any armor lying around. What does He mean?
4. How many people wrote the Bible, and is it inspired by God? Or, is it just a collection of good stories?
5. With the question above in mind, isn’t the Bible just interpretation of whomever is reading it?
Know when to speak #20
Over the last year and a half this section, (Know When To Speak), has laid out means of explaining in a logical, simple and precise way of sharing the gospel with our friends, relatives and new acquaintances. It is not designed to force or in any way coerce people into accepting Jesus.
An interesting experience occurred recently. A friend thought the use of death or dying was in some manner a means to scare people into some sort of conversion. Nothing could be further from the truth. Death is that point where we are separated from our earthbound temple (our body), and start on our trip to be with the Lord, or……whatever. We know there are only two options, be with the Lord or not be with the Lord, and we need to make that decision before we go. And, since we don’t know when we are going, it might be a good idea to take care of that issue before the time comes.
Many people get confused about whether or not they are going to heaven or hell. Some think that they should wait to the last possible moment before accepting Christ. That way they won’t have a chance to sin before going. Another myth…. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that when we ask Jesus to come into our hearts, we are a new creature. The old things have passed away, and new things are coming. Our sins are forgiven past, present and future. We don’t have to keep worrying if we slipped up and won’t make it.
Another thought. We are told we will be reunited with loved ones once we get to heaven. Here’s another good reason to lock this issue in place. This mortal life is just a short period of time. Eternity is forever…that’s a very long time. It would seem logical if someone has lost someone they love that went to heaven and you drag your feet, you will miss the opportunity to be with them again. Our job is not to try and force someone to believe. We are just the messengers. Well, just a thought…….It’s your call.
A verse to keep in mind:
(Matthew 10:32 & 33): "Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before My Father in heaven; but whosoever denies Me before others, I also will deny before My Father in heaven".
Speaking of Logic
What is the definition of sin? In simple terms sin is anything displeasing to God. What about committing blatant sin? How
would we define that? Webster defines blatant as; unpleasant, offensively loud, and shameless. What happens if we apply that to a sin issue? This means the person is involved in a sin issue, knows it, and thinks they are alright with God anyway. This person also thinks they are quite logical in their belief. Does anyone see a problem here? Can anyone think of a situation where this applies? Think about it…….
If you would like a complete comparison of blatant sin and God’s stand in it, drop me a line. The article is quite long. Send your request to: ee1gary@aol.com. There is no charge.
A Little Humor
If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?
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Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Prayerless Praying
Why do we not pray? What are the hindrances to prayer? This is not a curious nor trivial question. It goes not only to the whole matter of our praying, but to the whole matter of our religion. Religion is bound to decline when praying is hindered. That which hinders praying, hinders religion. He who is too busy to pray will be too busy to live a holy life.
Other duties become pressing and absorbing and crowd out prayer. If you Ignore your garden, weeds quickly overtake and choke out the beauty and just as easily… our prayer life can be choked to death. This way of hindering prayer becomes so natural, so easy, so innocent that it comes on us all unawares. If we will allow our praying to be crowded out, it will always be done. Satan had rather we let the grass grow on the path to our prayer-chamber than anything else. A vacant chamber of prayer means that a believer has gone out of business religiously or what is worse, made a change & is carrying out our religion in some other name than God’s and to somebody else’s glory. In the business of religion, God’s glory is only secured when we practice that religion with a large capital of prayer.
The process of hindering prayer by crowding it out is simple and goes in stages. First, prayer is hurried through. Unrest and agitation, which are fatal to all devout exercises, comes in. Then the time is shortened, desire for the exercise fades.
Then it is crowded into a corner and depends on the fragments of time for its exercise. Its value depreciates. The duty has lots its importance. It no longer commands respect nor brings benefit. It has fallen out of esteem, out of the heart, out of the habits, out of the life. We cease to pray and cease to live spiritually.
One of Satan’s wiliest tricks is to destroy the best by the good. Business and other duties are good, but we are so filled with these that they crowd out and destroy the best. Prayer holds the citadel for God, and if Satan can by any means weaken prayer he has succeeded, and when prayer is dead the citadel is taken. We must keep prayer as the faithful sentinel keeps guard, with sleepless vigilance. We must not keep it half-starved and feeble as a baby, but we must keep it in giant strength. Our prayer-chamber should have our freshest strength, our calmest time, its hours unfettered, without obtrusion, without haste. Private place and plenty of time are the life of prayer.
“Men would pray better if they lived better”
Prayer in the Old Testament is called wrestling, conflict and skill, strenuous, exhaustive efforts are involved. In the New Testament we have the terms striving, laboring fervently, fervent, effectual, agony, all indicating intense effort put forth, difficulties overcome.
“Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees.”
Prayer is not the fruit of natural talents; it is the product of faith, of holiness, of deeply spiritual character. We learn to pray as we learn to love.
We must live for God out of the closet if we would meet God in the closet. We must bless God by praying lives if we would have God’s blessing in the closet. We must do God’s will in our lives if we would have God’s ear in the closet. We must listen to God’s voice in public if we would have God listen to our voice in private. God must have our hearts out of the closet, if we would have God’s presence in the closet. If we would have God in the closet, God must have us out of the closet. There is no way of praying to God, but by living to God. The closet is not a confessional, simply, but the hour of holy communion and high and sweet intercourse and of intense intercession.
“Then shalt thou call and the Lord shalt answer, Thou shalt cry and He shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth the finger, and speaking vanity.” Isaiah 58:9
We are to pray “lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting.” 1 Timothy 2:8
Know when to speak #20
This will be an interesting session. A number of comments have come to me regarding the questions or statements from last month. The bulk of the comments were to question whether the Bible really deals with every question or statement. This month we’ll take a look at each question and see what the Bible says about it.
1. The rapture will take place on October 27, 2011.
Ans.: Let’s turn in the Bible to Matthew 24: 35-36; “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away.” “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.
edit. note: I think I’ll go with the Father rather than someone’s prediction.
2. Satan can appear as an angel of light.
Ans: Look at: 2 Corinthians 11:14: “And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”
note: Satan’s masterful deception is to appear in the guise of an angel of light. These teachers, or servants appear as preachers of righteousness.
3. There are at least a dozen ways to get to heaven.
Ans.: John 14:6 answers this one. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’”
edit note: There doesn’t appear to be any other way……
4. There is no hell, only different levels of heaven.
Ans.: We get an idea of hell when we look at the punishment God has established for fallen angels and humans that have chosen not to have a relationship with Him. Look at 2 Peter 4-5: “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;”
edit note: I don’t see multiple levels of heaven here. I do see a hell that doesn’t look very nice.
5. There are many gods and ways to heaven.
Ans.: As we look at John 1:1, we’ll see how this works. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God..
edit note: Looks like only one God to me. There are cults that use this verse and change one word in it to denote more than one god. And, the ways to heaven is answered in number 3 above with John 14:6.
6. All scripture is inspired by God.
Ans.: This one is quite interesting. I’ve heard many people state that the Bible is just a bunch of stories written by people that may have been under some influence. Well, they had the ‘influence’ part right. Look at 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness:”
edit note: The word ‘inspired’ is actually translated as ‘God breathed’. This being the case, these people were under an influence… God’s!
7. Jesus is God.
Ans: This usually brings on some interesting conversation. And….it’s good to have biblical backup when sharing this group of three words. A good place to start is back in John 1:1, (see number 5 above), and move on to verse 14 of the same chapter and book, which says: “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
And, let’s put a crown on this. Look at John 20:28: “Thomas answered and said, ‘My Lord and my God!”
8. You must be reincarnated a number of times before you can be with God.
Ans: There is no indication of being reincarnated a number of times before you can be with God. In fact, as we look at Hebrews 9:27, we see the procedure: “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment;”
9. Baptism is the sole act that provides salvation.
Ans: There is a number of thoughts here regarding the act of baptism. As we look at Acts 2:38: “ And Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
note: Water baptism is the outward sign of repentance and forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness is through faith in Christ, not in the act of baptism.
10. Where will you find the following?
“Let not the believer take disbelievers for their friends in preference to believers. Whoso doeth that hath no connection with Allah unless (it be) that ye but guard yourselves against them, taking (as it were) security.”
Ans: I’m sure no one was fooled by this one. You won’t find this one in the Bible. Close examination reveals that our Lord would never state Scripture in such a way. As we look close we will see illustrated the lack of love that God teaches throughout the Bible.
You will find this piece of literature in the Koran (Qur’an) 3:28.
A LITTLE HUMOR
One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.
Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; It just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.
Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping - never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.
Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.
Free your mind from worries - Most never happen.
Live simply and appreciate what you have.
Give more.
Expect less
Why do we not pray? What are the hindrances to prayer? This is not a curious nor trivial question. It goes not only to the whole matter of our praying, but to the whole matter of our religion. Religion is bound to decline when praying is hindered. That which hinders praying, hinders religion. He who is too busy to pray will be too busy to live a holy life.
Other duties become pressing and absorbing and crowd out prayer. If you Ignore your garden, weeds quickly overtake and choke out the beauty and just as easily… our prayer life can be choked to death. This way of hindering prayer becomes so natural, so easy, so innocent that it comes on us all unawares. If we will allow our praying to be crowded out, it will always be done. Satan had rather we let the grass grow on the path to our prayer-chamber than anything else. A vacant chamber of prayer means that a believer has gone out of business religiously or what is worse, made a change & is carrying out our religion in some other name than God’s and to somebody else’s glory. In the business of religion, God’s glory is only secured when we practice that religion with a large capital of prayer.
The process of hindering prayer by crowding it out is simple and goes in stages. First, prayer is hurried through. Unrest and agitation, which are fatal to all devout exercises, comes in. Then the time is shortened, desire for the exercise fades.
Then it is crowded into a corner and depends on the fragments of time for its exercise. Its value depreciates. The duty has lots its importance. It no longer commands respect nor brings benefit. It has fallen out of esteem, out of the heart, out of the habits, out of the life. We cease to pray and cease to live spiritually.
One of Satan’s wiliest tricks is to destroy the best by the good. Business and other duties are good, but we are so filled with these that they crowd out and destroy the best. Prayer holds the citadel for God, and if Satan can by any means weaken prayer he has succeeded, and when prayer is dead the citadel is taken. We must keep prayer as the faithful sentinel keeps guard, with sleepless vigilance. We must not keep it half-starved and feeble as a baby, but we must keep it in giant strength. Our prayer-chamber should have our freshest strength, our calmest time, its hours unfettered, without obtrusion, without haste. Private place and plenty of time are the life of prayer.
“Men would pray better if they lived better”
Prayer in the Old Testament is called wrestling, conflict and skill, strenuous, exhaustive efforts are involved. In the New Testament we have the terms striving, laboring fervently, fervent, effectual, agony, all indicating intense effort put forth, difficulties overcome.
“Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees.”
Prayer is not the fruit of natural talents; it is the product of faith, of holiness, of deeply spiritual character. We learn to pray as we learn to love.
We must live for God out of the closet if we would meet God in the closet. We must bless God by praying lives if we would have God’s blessing in the closet. We must do God’s will in our lives if we would have God’s ear in the closet. We must listen to God’s voice in public if we would have God listen to our voice in private. God must have our hearts out of the closet, if we would have God’s presence in the closet. If we would have God in the closet, God must have us out of the closet. There is no way of praying to God, but by living to God. The closet is not a confessional, simply, but the hour of holy communion and high and sweet intercourse and of intense intercession.
“Then shalt thou call and the Lord shalt answer, Thou shalt cry and He shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth the finger, and speaking vanity.” Isaiah 58:9
We are to pray “lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting.” 1 Timothy 2:8
Know when to speak #20
This will be an interesting session. A number of comments have come to me regarding the questions or statements from last month. The bulk of the comments were to question whether the Bible really deals with every question or statement. This month we’ll take a look at each question and see what the Bible says about it.
1. The rapture will take place on October 27, 2011.
Ans.: Let’s turn in the Bible to Matthew 24: 35-36; “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away.” “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.
edit. note: I think I’ll go with the Father rather than someone’s prediction.
2. Satan can appear as an angel of light.
Ans: Look at: 2 Corinthians 11:14: “And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”
note: Satan’s masterful deception is to appear in the guise of an angel of light. These teachers, or servants appear as preachers of righteousness.
3. There are at least a dozen ways to get to heaven.
Ans.: John 14:6 answers this one. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’”
edit note: There doesn’t appear to be any other way……
4. There is no hell, only different levels of heaven.
Ans.: We get an idea of hell when we look at the punishment God has established for fallen angels and humans that have chosen not to have a relationship with Him. Look at 2 Peter 4-5: “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;”
edit note: I don’t see multiple levels of heaven here. I do see a hell that doesn’t look very nice.
5. There are many gods and ways to heaven.
Ans.: As we look at John 1:1, we’ll see how this works. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God..
edit note: Looks like only one God to me. There are cults that use this verse and change one word in it to denote more than one god. And, the ways to heaven is answered in number 3 above with John 14:6.
6. All scripture is inspired by God.
Ans.: This one is quite interesting. I’ve heard many people state that the Bible is just a bunch of stories written by people that may have been under some influence. Well, they had the ‘influence’ part right. Look at 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness:”
edit note: The word ‘inspired’ is actually translated as ‘God breathed’. This being the case, these people were under an influence… God’s!
7. Jesus is God.
Ans: This usually brings on some interesting conversation. And….it’s good to have biblical backup when sharing this group of three words. A good place to start is back in John 1:1, (see number 5 above), and move on to verse 14 of the same chapter and book, which says: “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
And, let’s put a crown on this. Look at John 20:28: “Thomas answered and said, ‘My Lord and my God!”
8. You must be reincarnated a number of times before you can be with God.
Ans: There is no indication of being reincarnated a number of times before you can be with God. In fact, as we look at Hebrews 9:27, we see the procedure: “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment;”
9. Baptism is the sole act that provides salvation.
Ans: There is a number of thoughts here regarding the act of baptism. As we look at Acts 2:38: “ And Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
note: Water baptism is the outward sign of repentance and forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness is through faith in Christ, not in the act of baptism.
10. Where will you find the following?
“Let not the believer take disbelievers for their friends in preference to believers. Whoso doeth that hath no connection with Allah unless (it be) that ye but guard yourselves against them, taking (as it were) security.”
Ans: I’m sure no one was fooled by this one. You won’t find this one in the Bible. Close examination reveals that our Lord would never state Scripture in such a way. As we look close we will see illustrated the lack of love that God teaches throughout the Bible.
You will find this piece of literature in the Koran (Qur’an) 3:28.
A LITTLE HUMOR
One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.
Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; It just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.
Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping - never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.
Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.
Free your mind from worries - Most never happen.
Live simply and appreciate what you have.
Give more.
Expect less
Persistence in Prayer
Throughout His ministry, Christ made it clear that importunity is a distinguishing characteristic of true praying. We must not only pray, but we must pray with great urgency, with intensity, and with repetition. We must not only pray, but we must also pray again and again. We must not get tired of praying. We must be thoroughly in earnest, deeply concerned about the things for which we ask, for Jesus Christ made it very plain that the secret of prayer and its success lie in its urgency. We must press our prayers upon God. Read Luke 18:1-8. This poor woman’s case was a most hopeless one, but importunity brings hope from the realms of despair and creates success where neither success nor its conditions existed. There could be no stronger case, to show how unwearied and dauntless importunity gains its ends where everything else fails. The preface to this parable says: “He spoke a parable to this end, that men ought always to pray and not to faint.” He knew that men would soon get faint-hearted in praying, so to hearten us He gives this picture of the marvelous power of importunity. Other parables are about persistence are found in Luke 11:5-10, about the persistence of annoying friends, and in Mark 7:24-30, the Syrophenician woman whose daughter was possessed by a demon. Without persistence, prayers may go unanswered. Importunity is made up of the ability to hold on, to press on, to wait with unrelaxed and unrelaxable grasp, restless desire and restful patience. Importunate prayer is not an incident, but the main thing, not a performance, but a passion, not a need but a necessity. Importunity, it may be repeated, is a condition of prayer. We are to press the matter, not with vain repetitions, but with urgent repetitions. We repeat, not to count the times, but to gain the prayer. We cannot quit praying because heart and soul are in it. We pray “with all perseverance.” We hang to our prayers because by them we live. We press our pleas because we must have them or die. The benefits and necessity of importunity are taught by Old Testament saints. Praying men must be strong in hope, and faith, and prayer. They must know how to wait and to press, to wait on God and be in earnest in our approaches to Him.
Jesus illustrated & perfected pleading & waiting
Abraham has left us an example of importunate intercession in his passionate pleading with Cod on behalf of Sodom and Gomorrah, and if, as already indicated, he had not ceased in his asking, perhaps Cod would not have ceased in His giving.
“Abraham left off asking before God left off granting.” Moses taught the power of importunity when he interceded for Israel forty days and forty nights, by fasting and prayer. And he succeeded in his importunity. Jesus, in His teaching and example, illustrated and perfected this principle of Old Testament pleading and waiting. How strange that the only Son of God, who came on a mission direct from His Father, whose only life and law were to do His Father’s will in that mission—what a mystery that He should be under the law of prayer, that the blessings which came to Him were impregnated and purchased by prayer; stranger still that importunity in prayer was the process by which His wealthiest supplies from God were gained. His all-night praying was that which filled with compassion and power His all-day work. The importunate praying of His life crowned His death with its triumph. He learned the high lesson of submission to God’s will in the struggles of importunate prayer before He illustrated that submission so sublimely on the cross. Charles Spurgeon said: “Whether we like it or not, asking is the rule of the kingdom. “Ask, and ye shall receive.” It is a rule that never will be altered in anybody’s case. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the. elder brother of the family, but God has not relaxed the rule for Him. Remember this text: Jehovah says to His own Son, “Ask of Me, and I will give Thee the heaven for Thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession.” If the Royal and Divine Son of God cannot be exempted from the rule of asking that He may have, you and I cannot expect the rule to be relaxed in our favor. Why should it be? God will bless Elijah and send rain on Israel, but Elijah must pray for it. If the chosen nation is to prosper, Samuel must plead for it. If the Jews are to be delivered, Daniel must intercede. God will bless Paul, and the nations shall be converted through him, but Paul must pray. Pray he did without ceasing; his epistles show that he expected nothing except by asking for it. If you may have everything by asking, and nothing without asking, I beg you to see how absolutely vital prayer is, and I beseech you to abound in it.” God loves the importunate pleader, and sends him answers that would never have been granted but for the persistency that refuses to let go until the petition craved for is granted.
The country is in need of help, be it economical, leadership, or spiritual. God tells us of His requirements for blessings. If the country shows humility, prayer, devotion and repentance, He will heal our land.
2 Chronicles 7:14: “and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Know when to speak #19
This month we’ll look at some statements and questions that may come up in the course of a conversation you might have with someone about the Lord.
If you have a good grip on the armament shown during the last 18 months, these points will be easier to discuss. The statements come from a number of different faiths, and can be answered from the Bible.
---------------
1 The rapture will occur on October 27, 2011.
2. Satan can appear as an angel of light.
3. There are at least a dozen ways to get to heaven.
4. There is no hell, only different levels of heaven.
5. There are many gods, and ways to heaven.
6. All scripture is inspired by God.
7. Jesus is God.
8. You must be reincarnated a number of times before you can be with God.
9. Baptism is the sole act that provides salvation.
10. Where will you find the following?
“Let not the believer take disbelievers for their friends in preference to believers. Whoso doeth that hath no connection with Allah unless (it be) that ye but guard yourselves against them, taking (as it were) security.”
Throughout His ministry, Christ made it clear that importunity is a distinguishing characteristic of true praying. We must not only pray, but we must pray with great urgency, with intensity, and with repetition. We must not only pray, but we must also pray again and again. We must not get tired of praying. We must be thoroughly in earnest, deeply concerned about the things for which we ask, for Jesus Christ made it very plain that the secret of prayer and its success lie in its urgency. We must press our prayers upon God. Read Luke 18:1-8. This poor woman’s case was a most hopeless one, but importunity brings hope from the realms of despair and creates success where neither success nor its conditions existed. There could be no stronger case, to show how unwearied and dauntless importunity gains its ends where everything else fails. The preface to this parable says: “He spoke a parable to this end, that men ought always to pray and not to faint.” He knew that men would soon get faint-hearted in praying, so to hearten us He gives this picture of the marvelous power of importunity. Other parables are about persistence are found in Luke 11:5-10, about the persistence of annoying friends, and in Mark 7:24-30, the Syrophenician woman whose daughter was possessed by a demon. Without persistence, prayers may go unanswered. Importunity is made up of the ability to hold on, to press on, to wait with unrelaxed and unrelaxable grasp, restless desire and restful patience. Importunate prayer is not an incident, but the main thing, not a performance, but a passion, not a need but a necessity. Importunity, it may be repeated, is a condition of prayer. We are to press the matter, not with vain repetitions, but with urgent repetitions. We repeat, not to count the times, but to gain the prayer. We cannot quit praying because heart and soul are in it. We pray “with all perseverance.” We hang to our prayers because by them we live. We press our pleas because we must have them or die. The benefits and necessity of importunity are taught by Old Testament saints. Praying men must be strong in hope, and faith, and prayer. They must know how to wait and to press, to wait on God and be in earnest in our approaches to Him.
Jesus illustrated & perfected pleading & waiting
Abraham has left us an example of importunate intercession in his passionate pleading with Cod on behalf of Sodom and Gomorrah, and if, as already indicated, he had not ceased in his asking, perhaps Cod would not have ceased in His giving.
“Abraham left off asking before God left off granting.” Moses taught the power of importunity when he interceded for Israel forty days and forty nights, by fasting and prayer. And he succeeded in his importunity. Jesus, in His teaching and example, illustrated and perfected this principle of Old Testament pleading and waiting. How strange that the only Son of God, who came on a mission direct from His Father, whose only life and law were to do His Father’s will in that mission—what a mystery that He should be under the law of prayer, that the blessings which came to Him were impregnated and purchased by prayer; stranger still that importunity in prayer was the process by which His wealthiest supplies from God were gained. His all-night praying was that which filled with compassion and power His all-day work. The importunate praying of His life crowned His death with its triumph. He learned the high lesson of submission to God’s will in the struggles of importunate prayer before He illustrated that submission so sublimely on the cross. Charles Spurgeon said: “Whether we like it or not, asking is the rule of the kingdom. “Ask, and ye shall receive.” It is a rule that never will be altered in anybody’s case. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the. elder brother of the family, but God has not relaxed the rule for Him. Remember this text: Jehovah says to His own Son, “Ask of Me, and I will give Thee the heaven for Thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession.” If the Royal and Divine Son of God cannot be exempted from the rule of asking that He may have, you and I cannot expect the rule to be relaxed in our favor. Why should it be? God will bless Elijah and send rain on Israel, but Elijah must pray for it. If the chosen nation is to prosper, Samuel must plead for it. If the Jews are to be delivered, Daniel must intercede. God will bless Paul, and the nations shall be converted through him, but Paul must pray. Pray he did without ceasing; his epistles show that he expected nothing except by asking for it. If you may have everything by asking, and nothing without asking, I beg you to see how absolutely vital prayer is, and I beseech you to abound in it.” God loves the importunate pleader, and sends him answers that would never have been granted but for the persistency that refuses to let go until the petition craved for is granted.
The country is in need of help, be it economical, leadership, or spiritual. God tells us of His requirements for blessings. If the country shows humility, prayer, devotion and repentance, He will heal our land.
2 Chronicles 7:14: “and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Know when to speak #19
This month we’ll look at some statements and questions that may come up in the course of a conversation you might have with someone about the Lord.
If you have a good grip on the armament shown during the last 18 months, these points will be easier to discuss. The statements come from a number of different faiths, and can be answered from the Bible.
---------------
1 The rapture will occur on October 27, 2011.
2. Satan can appear as an angel of light.
3. There are at least a dozen ways to get to heaven.
4. There is no hell, only different levels of heaven.
5. There are many gods, and ways to heaven.
6. All scripture is inspired by God.
7. Jesus is God.
8. You must be reincarnated a number of times before you can be with God.
9. Baptism is the sole act that provides salvation.
10. Where will you find the following?
“Let not the believer take disbelievers for their friends in preference to believers. Whoso doeth that hath no connection with Allah unless (it be) that ye but guard yourselves against them, taking (as it were) security.”
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The Energy of Prayer
Prayer is the greatest of all forces because it honors God and brings him into active aid. There can be no substitute, no rival for prayer; it stands alone as the great spiritual force, and this force must be imminent and acting. It cannot be dispensed with during one generation, nor can it be held in abeyance if any great movement is to be advanced. Rather it must be continuous and particular, always, everywhere, and in everything.
The book of Revelation says nothing about prayer as a great duty or a hallowed service … but much about prayer in it’s aggregated force and energies. It is the prayer force, ever living and ever praying; it is all saint’s prayers going out as a mighty, living energy, while the lips that uttered the words maybe stilled and sealed in death. The living church has an energy of faith to inherit the forces of all the past praying and to make it deathless.
Many people believe in the effectiveness of prayer, but not many people pray. Prayer is the easiest and hardest of all things. It is the simplest and the most sublime, the weakest and the most powerful. Its results lie outside the range of human possibilities; they are limited only by the omnipotence of God. Practice, and labor are required to be a skillful tradesman in all that we do, including prayer. One who is clumsy in the trade of praying will also mishandle the trade of salvation. Only toiling hands and hearts will make the workers proficient in this heavenly trade.
The burden of the apostolic effort and the keynote of apostolic success is this: Put the saints everywhere to the task of praying. Jesus Christ strove to put the saints to this task in the days of his personal ministry.
The Energy of Pentecost
He was moved with infinite compassion at seeing the ripened fields of earth perishing for lack of laborers (Matt 9:37-38) and pausing in his own praying, He tried to awaken the sleeping sensibilities of His disciples to the duty of prayer, as He charged them “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send fourth laborers into His harvest”. Before Pentecost, the apostles could get only glimpses of this great importance of prayer. But, when the Spirit came and filled them on Pentecost, prayer was elevated to its vital and all commanding position in the Gospel of Christ.
Where are the Christ -like leaders who can teach the modern saints to pray? John 15:1-5 … who will restore this branch that is sick and withering as I speak?
The lazy man does not and cannot pray, for prayer demands energy. Our prayer closet should be worn with use, stained with sweat & tears, a private place. It is the battlefield of the church, it’s citadel, the scene of heroic & unearthly conflicts. The closet is the base of supplies for the Christian and the church. The deep things of God are learned only in prayer. Great things for God are done by great prayers. Therefore, we ought to pray often, with both energy and perseverance.
Know when to speak #18
Personal One on One Discipleship
Many times this becomes a major issue. What do we try to teach a new Christian that will be helpful as they are building their own relationship with Jesus? Over the years I have seen churches try to bury new Christians in churchy activities. These activities are great, except at the beginning, a new Christian is usually excited to learn about the church and God, and most of the time it goes in that order. So, where do we start?
Why not go back through the gospel? Isn’t it a fact that most people only retain about 20% of what they hear initially? Why don’t we help to increase that number? How??
In our personal discipleship we can discuss some of the points of the gospel. We can take a small part at a time. We know the gospel is pretty much divided into five parts; Grace, Man, God, Christ and Faith. Let’s start at the beginning, Grace! We can have a series of questions that promote discussion, and at the same time solidify a foundation. Let’s start. This will be a great exercise for all of us. I’ll list a few questions that have to do with Grace. Take a little while and plug in the answers from scripture, and next month I’ll give you the exact answer, and where it’s at in the Bible. Then, I’ll give you a few more questions. Here goes:
1. Can the works of the Law give you eternal life? Yes/No___________
Where in the Bible does it say this?_______________.
2 What is eternal life called for those who trust in Christ (that is, who He is and what He did for you?)__________________________Bible verse:____________________
3 When God’s grace is received, what clothing does God
provide?__________________Bible verse_______________________
4 Have you personally believed (trusted in) Jesus Christ?_________________
5 What is the gift of God not a result of? ______________ (Ephesians 2-9)
As a person becomes more grounded in what they believe, the chance for them being snatched by a cult diminishes. I have seen the end result of a lack of discipleship on new Christians. They are swamped by cults, and end up joining them thinking they are doing the right thing. Let’s not let that happen!
Personal: Have you noticed how excited people are getting over the Muslim faith. Did you know the promoters are also trying to adopt Sharia Law? Basically, this is a justice system that would be incorporated inside our current justice system, and is considered an integral part of the Muslim faith? We’ll take a hard look at Sharia Law in the future.
ALittle Humor
…..or is it…..
Bible VS Cell Phone
Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone? What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
Bible vs Cell Phone (cont.)What if we flipped through it several time a day? What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it? What if we used it to receive messages from the text? What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it? What if we gave it to Kids as gifts? What if we used it when we traveled? What if we used it in case of emergency? This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible? Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being Disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill. Makes you stop and think 'where are
my priorities? And no dropped calls! When Jesus died on the cross, He was thinking of you!
--------------------------------------
ENCOURAGEMENT
A man was sleeping one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light, and God appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to Push against the rock with all his might... So, this the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sunup to sundown, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might! Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain. Since the man was showing discouragement, the adversary (Satan) decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the weary mind: (He will do it every time)! 'You have been pushing against that rock for a long time and it hasn't moved.' Thus, he gave the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. Satan said, 'Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort; and that will be good enough.' That's what the weary man planned to do, but decided to make it a matter of Prayer and to take his troubled thoughts to the Lord. 'Lord,' he said, 'I have labored long and hard in Your Service, putting all my strength to do that which You have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?' The Lord responded compassionately, 'My friend, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed.. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back shiny and brown; your hands are callused from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. True, you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be Obedient and to push and to exercise your Faith and trust in My Wisdom. That you have done. Now I, my friend, will move the rock.'
At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He Wants, when actually what God wants is just simple obedience and faith in Him. By all means, exercise the Faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God Who moves the Mountains.
When everything seems to go wrong..........................Just P.U.S.H.
When the job gets you down........................................Just P.U.S.H.
When people don't do as you think they should..........Just P.U.S.H.
When your money is 'gone' and the bills are due....... Just P.U.S.H.
When people just don't understand you .....................Just P.U.S.H.
P = Pray U = Until S = Something H = Happens
Prayer is the greatest of all forces because it honors God and brings him into active aid. There can be no substitute, no rival for prayer; it stands alone as the great spiritual force, and this force must be imminent and acting. It cannot be dispensed with during one generation, nor can it be held in abeyance if any great movement is to be advanced. Rather it must be continuous and particular, always, everywhere, and in everything.
The book of Revelation says nothing about prayer as a great duty or a hallowed service … but much about prayer in it’s aggregated force and energies. It is the prayer force, ever living and ever praying; it is all saint’s prayers going out as a mighty, living energy, while the lips that uttered the words maybe stilled and sealed in death. The living church has an energy of faith to inherit the forces of all the past praying and to make it deathless.
Many people believe in the effectiveness of prayer, but not many people pray. Prayer is the easiest and hardest of all things. It is the simplest and the most sublime, the weakest and the most powerful. Its results lie outside the range of human possibilities; they are limited only by the omnipotence of God. Practice, and labor are required to be a skillful tradesman in all that we do, including prayer. One who is clumsy in the trade of praying will also mishandle the trade of salvation. Only toiling hands and hearts will make the workers proficient in this heavenly trade.
The burden of the apostolic effort and the keynote of apostolic success is this: Put the saints everywhere to the task of praying. Jesus Christ strove to put the saints to this task in the days of his personal ministry.
The Energy of Pentecost
He was moved with infinite compassion at seeing the ripened fields of earth perishing for lack of laborers (Matt 9:37-38) and pausing in his own praying, He tried to awaken the sleeping sensibilities of His disciples to the duty of prayer, as He charged them “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send fourth laborers into His harvest”. Before Pentecost, the apostles could get only glimpses of this great importance of prayer. But, when the Spirit came and filled them on Pentecost, prayer was elevated to its vital and all commanding position in the Gospel of Christ.
Where are the Christ -like leaders who can teach the modern saints to pray? John 15:1-5 … who will restore this branch that is sick and withering as I speak?
The lazy man does not and cannot pray, for prayer demands energy. Our prayer closet should be worn with use, stained with sweat & tears, a private place. It is the battlefield of the church, it’s citadel, the scene of heroic & unearthly conflicts. The closet is the base of supplies for the Christian and the church. The deep things of God are learned only in prayer. Great things for God are done by great prayers. Therefore, we ought to pray often, with both energy and perseverance.
Know when to speak #18
Personal One on One Discipleship
Many times this becomes a major issue. What do we try to teach a new Christian that will be helpful as they are building their own relationship with Jesus? Over the years I have seen churches try to bury new Christians in churchy activities. These activities are great, except at the beginning, a new Christian is usually excited to learn about the church and God, and most of the time it goes in that order. So, where do we start?
Why not go back through the gospel? Isn’t it a fact that most people only retain about 20% of what they hear initially? Why don’t we help to increase that number? How??
In our personal discipleship we can discuss some of the points of the gospel. We can take a small part at a time. We know the gospel is pretty much divided into five parts; Grace, Man, God, Christ and Faith. Let’s start at the beginning, Grace! We can have a series of questions that promote discussion, and at the same time solidify a foundation. Let’s start. This will be a great exercise for all of us. I’ll list a few questions that have to do with Grace. Take a little while and plug in the answers from scripture, and next month I’ll give you the exact answer, and where it’s at in the Bible. Then, I’ll give you a few more questions. Here goes:
1. Can the works of the Law give you eternal life? Yes/No___________
Where in the Bible does it say this?_______________.
2 What is eternal life called for those who trust in Christ (that is, who He is and what He did for you?)__________________________Bible verse:____________________
3 When God’s grace is received, what clothing does God
provide?__________________Bible verse_______________________
4 Have you personally believed (trusted in) Jesus Christ?_________________
5 What is the gift of God not a result of? ______________ (Ephesians 2-9)
As a person becomes more grounded in what they believe, the chance for them being snatched by a cult diminishes. I have seen the end result of a lack of discipleship on new Christians. They are swamped by cults, and end up joining them thinking they are doing the right thing. Let’s not let that happen!
Personal: Have you noticed how excited people are getting over the Muslim faith. Did you know the promoters are also trying to adopt Sharia Law? Basically, this is a justice system that would be incorporated inside our current justice system, and is considered an integral part of the Muslim faith? We’ll take a hard look at Sharia Law in the future.
ALittle Humor
…..or is it…..
Bible VS Cell Phone
Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone? What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
Bible vs Cell Phone (cont.)What if we flipped through it several time a day? What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it? What if we used it to receive messages from the text? What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it? What if we gave it to Kids as gifts? What if we used it when we traveled? What if we used it in case of emergency? This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible? Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being Disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill. Makes you stop and think 'where are
my priorities? And no dropped calls! When Jesus died on the cross, He was thinking of you!
--------------------------------------
ENCOURAGEMENT
A man was sleeping one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light, and God appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to Push against the rock with all his might... So, this the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sunup to sundown, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might! Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain. Since the man was showing discouragement, the adversary (Satan) decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the weary mind: (He will do it every time)! 'You have been pushing against that rock for a long time and it hasn't moved.' Thus, he gave the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. Satan said, 'Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort; and that will be good enough.' That's what the weary man planned to do, but decided to make it a matter of Prayer and to take his troubled thoughts to the Lord. 'Lord,' he said, 'I have labored long and hard in Your Service, putting all my strength to do that which You have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?' The Lord responded compassionately, 'My friend, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed.. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back shiny and brown; your hands are callused from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. True, you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be Obedient and to push and to exercise your Faith and trust in My Wisdom. That you have done. Now I, my friend, will move the rock.'
At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He Wants, when actually what God wants is just simple obedience and faith in Him. By all means, exercise the Faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God Who moves the Mountains.
When everything seems to go wrong..........................Just P.U.S.H.
When the job gets you down........................................Just P.U.S.H.
When people don't do as you think they should..........Just P.U.S.H.
When your money is 'gone' and the bills are due....... Just P.U.S.H.
When people just don't understand you .....................Just P.U.S.H.
P = Pray U = Until S = Something H = Happens
Saturday, May 1, 2010
PRAYER
Purpose In Prayer
How much time do I spend alone with God each day?
The prayers of Gods saints are the capital stock in heaven by which Christ carries on His great work upon the earth. Great throes and mighty convulsions in the world have come about as a result of these prayers. The earth is changed, revolutionized; angels move on more powerful, and more rapid wings; and God’s policy is shaped when the prayers of his people are more numerous and more efficient.
“For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all people” (Isa. 56:7)
“I will declare the decree … ask of me, and I will surely give the nations as thine inheritance” (Ps.2:7-8)
God desires a praying people, willing and obedient
The Fire that Consumes
Prayer has an incredible power to arrest and change the purposes of God. The stroke of His power is relieved by the prayers of righteous men. We can see both the possibilities and the necessity of prayer when we see how in the following examples from scripture, the prayers of Gods saints brought about a change in Gods plans.
In Genesis 20:17-18, Abimelech had been smitten by God.
Job 42:8-10, Job’s miserable, mistaken comforters had so behaved themselves in their controversy with Job that Gods wrath was kindled against them.
Jonah chapter 1, it’s doesn't pay to run from God.
Jonah chapter 3, it was the purpose of God to destroy the city of Nineveh.
The message of God to Hezekiah was a warning of death as can be seen in the passage from Isaiah 38:1-5
What other events can you think of where prayer affected the purpose of God?
All these people of God knew how to pray and how to prevail in prayer. Their faith in prayer was no passing attitude that changed with the wind or with their own feelings and circumstances.
Everything was possible to the men and women who knew how to pray, and it still is today. The prayers of these saints were short lived. The praying ones were few and far between. They had no survivors, none to imitate their devotion to God, none to preserve the roll of the elect
“The prayers of holy men appease God’s wrath, drive away temptations, resist and overcome the Devil, procure the ministry and service of angels, rescind the decrees of God. Prayer cures sickness and obtains pardon; it arrests the sun in its course and stays the wheels of the chariot of the moon; it rules over all gods and opens and shuts the store houses of rain; it unlocks the cabinet of the womb and quenches the violence of fire. It pleases god and supplies all our needs.”
Jeremy Taylor
1613-1667
Know when to speak #17
At first glance it may seem that a great deal of material has been covered to share the good news. In reality, it doesn’t take several months of study, or many weeks to understand, or even three days to explain the gospel. It takes about an hour to fully explain everything we have covered in the last 16 months. God has provided the armament necessary to show people in an easy, logical, factual and most of all, loving way, how we may share His most important message. We are the messengers!
During these past months we covered five main points that people are concerned about. They are; Grace, Man, God, Christ and Faith. As we go through each of these, you can see how objections and questions in general are answered. It has been found that most people have the same questions and concerns. They range from a simple, ‘who is Jesus?’ to ‘I have been so bad that I would not qualify to go to heaven.’ As you can see, the two sample concerns are easily answered before the question or objection even comes up.
The gospel is so complete that entry into a conversation usually presents itself any time a discussion about ‘religion’ shows up. As an example; A discussion may ensue about Jesus. Those in the conversation may have said something like Jesus being a good man, or even a prophet, or perhaps a teacher. What do you think might happen in this conversation if you mention that Jesus is God? Oh boy!
Let’s take another example; A discussion may be centered around whether or not we are qualified to go to heaven, that we are ‘too bad’ to even be thought of to go to such a wonderful place. Think of how the conversation will go when you state that everyone is not qualified, that all mankind is a sinner, and in the same breath explain where man is in the scope of heaven and earth. This usually brings about a movement into grace, and the explanation that heaven is a gift. And, of course, you have the scripture to back you up.
You will always encounter the objection, ‘God loves us, He created us, and would not destroy us.’ Nice try, but it won’t work. Yes, God does love us. There are countless scriptures where He indicates this. However, He also says He will not let sin go unpunished, and you’ll know exactly where this is stated in scripture. Do you see how God has provided powerful armament? The scripture is short and simple to understand. If you will notice, this also deters those who would try to twist scripture to fit their own needs.
One more example. This is a good one. In your ‘religion’ discussion you may hear, “I believe in God or Jesus.” Is that good enough for you? Your first response to that statement might be, “That’s really great! When were you baptized?” If this person is trying to derail you, a response might be, “Oh, I was baptized when I was two weeks old.” You will know where this person is at this point. You may want to explain that the demons also believe in God and Jesus, but are in a state of shudder. From there the door may open to explaining how heaven is really a free gift and how the gift may be obtained.
Enough examples….The easy part is done. Now it gets tough. What are you going to do with this person who wants a relationship with Jesus? How about, send them to a new believers class. That’s the first mistake. Think about it. If you are a new Christian and sent to a class, would you be prone to ask personal questions? I think not..
How about personal one on one discipleship? What would we study? How about going through the gospel in detail? What an idea! From there you can help them understand church, and after a period of time introduce them to a home Bible study.
As a result, you have the making of a new Christian with a solid foundation…………
A Little Humor
Judas Asparagus
Purpose In Prayer
How much time do I spend alone with God each day?
The prayers of Gods saints are the capital stock in heaven by which Christ carries on His great work upon the earth. Great throes and mighty convulsions in the world have come about as a result of these prayers. The earth is changed, revolutionized; angels move on more powerful, and more rapid wings; and God’s policy is shaped when the prayers of his people are more numerous and more efficient.
“For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all people” (Isa. 56:7)
“I will declare the decree … ask of me, and I will surely give the nations as thine inheritance” (Ps.2:7-8)
God desires a praying people, willing and obedient
The Fire that Consumes
Prayer has an incredible power to arrest and change the purposes of God. The stroke of His power is relieved by the prayers of righteous men. We can see both the possibilities and the necessity of prayer when we see how in the following examples from scripture, the prayers of Gods saints brought about a change in Gods plans.
In Genesis 20:17-18, Abimelech had been smitten by God.
Job 42:8-10, Job’s miserable, mistaken comforters had so behaved themselves in their controversy with Job that Gods wrath was kindled against them.
Jonah chapter 1, it’s doesn't pay to run from God.
Jonah chapter 3, it was the purpose of God to destroy the city of Nineveh.
The message of God to Hezekiah was a warning of death as can be seen in the passage from Isaiah 38:1-5
What other events can you think of where prayer affected the purpose of God?
All these people of God knew how to pray and how to prevail in prayer. Their faith in prayer was no passing attitude that changed with the wind or with their own feelings and circumstances.
Everything was possible to the men and women who knew how to pray, and it still is today. The prayers of these saints were short lived. The praying ones were few and far between. They had no survivors, none to imitate their devotion to God, none to preserve the roll of the elect
“The prayers of holy men appease God’s wrath, drive away temptations, resist and overcome the Devil, procure the ministry and service of angels, rescind the decrees of God. Prayer cures sickness and obtains pardon; it arrests the sun in its course and stays the wheels of the chariot of the moon; it rules over all gods and opens and shuts the store houses of rain; it unlocks the cabinet of the womb and quenches the violence of fire. It pleases god and supplies all our needs.”
Jeremy Taylor
1613-1667
Know when to speak #17
At first glance it may seem that a great deal of material has been covered to share the good news. In reality, it doesn’t take several months of study, or many weeks to understand, or even three days to explain the gospel. It takes about an hour to fully explain everything we have covered in the last 16 months. God has provided the armament necessary to show people in an easy, logical, factual and most of all, loving way, how we may share His most important message. We are the messengers!
During these past months we covered five main points that people are concerned about. They are; Grace, Man, God, Christ and Faith. As we go through each of these, you can see how objections and questions in general are answered. It has been found that most people have the same questions and concerns. They range from a simple, ‘who is Jesus?’ to ‘I have been so bad that I would not qualify to go to heaven.’ As you can see, the two sample concerns are easily answered before the question or objection even comes up.
The gospel is so complete that entry into a conversation usually presents itself any time a discussion about ‘religion’ shows up. As an example; A discussion may ensue about Jesus. Those in the conversation may have said something like Jesus being a good man, or even a prophet, or perhaps a teacher. What do you think might happen in this conversation if you mention that Jesus is God? Oh boy!
Let’s take another example; A discussion may be centered around whether or not we are qualified to go to heaven, that we are ‘too bad’ to even be thought of to go to such a wonderful place. Think of how the conversation will go when you state that everyone is not qualified, that all mankind is a sinner, and in the same breath explain where man is in the scope of heaven and earth. This usually brings about a movement into grace, and the explanation that heaven is a gift. And, of course, you have the scripture to back you up.
You will always encounter the objection, ‘God loves us, He created us, and would not destroy us.’ Nice try, but it won’t work. Yes, God does love us. There are countless scriptures where He indicates this. However, He also says He will not let sin go unpunished, and you’ll know exactly where this is stated in scripture. Do you see how God has provided powerful armament? The scripture is short and simple to understand. If you will notice, this also deters those who would try to twist scripture to fit their own needs.
One more example. This is a good one. In your ‘religion’ discussion you may hear, “I believe in God or Jesus.” Is that good enough for you? Your first response to that statement might be, “That’s really great! When were you baptized?” If this person is trying to derail you, a response might be, “Oh, I was baptized when I was two weeks old.” You will know where this person is at this point. You may want to explain that the demons also believe in God and Jesus, but are in a state of shudder. From there the door may open to explaining how heaven is really a free gift and how the gift may be obtained.
Enough examples….The easy part is done. Now it gets tough. What are you going to do with this person who wants a relationship with Jesus? How about, send them to a new believers class. That’s the first mistake. Think about it. If you are a new Christian and sent to a class, would you be prone to ask personal questions? I think not..
How about personal one on one discipleship? What would we study? How about going through the gospel in detail? What an idea! From there you can help them understand church, and after a period of time introduce them to a home Bible study.
As a result, you have the making of a new Christian with a solid foundation…………
A Little Humor
Judas Asparagus
A child was asked to write a book report on the entire Bible.
I wonder how often we take for granted that children understand what we are teaching???
Through the eyes of a child:
The Children's Bible in a Nutshell
In the beginning, which occurred near the start, there was nothing but God, darkness, and some gas. The Bible says, 'The Lord thy God is one, but I think He must be a lot older than that.
Anyway, God said, 'Give me a light!' and someone did.
Then God made the world.
He split the Adam and made Eve. Adam and Eve were naked, but they weren't embarrassed because mirrors hadn't been invented yet.
Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating one bad apple, so they were driven from the Garden of Eden.....Not sure what they were driven in though, because they didn't have cars.
Adam and Eve had a son, Cain, who hated his brother as long as he was Abel.
Pretty soon all of the early people died off, except for Methuselah, who lived to be like a million or something.
One of the next important people was Noah, who was a good guy, but one of his kids was kind of a Ham. Noah built a large boat and put his family and some animals on it. He asked some other people to join him, but they said they would have to take a rain check.
After Noah came Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jacob was more famous than his brother, Esau, because Esau sold Jacob his birthmark in exchange for some pot roast. Jacob had a son named Joseph who wore a really loud sports coat.
Another important Bible guy is Moses, whose real name was Charlton Heston. Moses led the Israel Lights out of Egypt and away from the evil Pharaoh after God sent ten plagues on Pharaoh's people. These plagues included frogs, mice, lice, bowels, and no cable.
God fed the Israel Lights every day with manicotti. Then he gave them His Top Ten Commandments. These include: don't lie, cheat, smoke, dance, or covet your neighbor's stuff.
Oh, yeah, I just thought of one more: Humor thy father and thy mother..
Bible guy to use spies. Joshua fought the battle of Geritol and the fence fell over on the town.
After Joshua came David. He got to be king by killing a giant with a slingshot. He had a son named Solomon who had about 300 wives and 500 porcupines. My teacher says he was wise, but that doesn't sound very wise to me.
After Solomon there were a bunch of major league prophets. One of these was Jonah, who was swallowed by a big whale and then barfed up on the shore.
There were also some minor league prophets, but I guess we don't have to worry about them.
After the Old Testament came the New Testament. Jesus is the star of The New. He was born in Bethlehem in a barn. (I wish I had been born in a barn too, because my mom is always saying to me, 'Close the door! Were you born in a barn?' It would be nice to say, 'As a matter of fact, I was.')
During His life, Jesus had many arguments with sinners like ;the Pharisees and the Democrats.
Jesus also had twelve opossums.
The worst one was Judas Asparagus. Judas was so evil that they named a terrible vegetable after him.
Jesus was a great man. He healed many leopards and even preached to some Germans on the Mount.
But the Democrats and Republicans put Jesus on trial before Pontius the Pilot. Pilot didn't stick up for Jesus. He just washed his hands instead.
Anyways, Jesus died for our sins, then came back to life again. He went up to Heaven but will be back at the end of the Aluminum. His return is foretold in the book of Revolution..
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A thought…
Is hell just a place of punishment?
Many think it is, but in reality it’s designed as a place where Jesus is not. There are those people who have said, ‘no thank you’ to the gift that is offered through grace and faith.
As a result, these people have elected to go to place where they will not see or have any type of relationship with Jesus.
Another thought….
Four things you can't recover:The stone........after the throw.
The word.........after it's said..The occasion....after it's missed.
The time..........after it's gone.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
CULTS
Christ SCIENTIST
Who are the Christian Scientists?
The church is recognized by the term The Christian Science Church, which was its original title and is not associated with the Church of Scientology. The organization was founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1879. The church is also referred to as CCS, (Church of Christ Scientist). The CCS has approximately 2,300 churches in 68 countries.
The Foundation
Assuming the literature put out by the Christian Science Church, Mary Ann Morse Baker was born in 1821. As a youngster she was extremely frail and suffered from many illnesses. In 1844 her first husband died and left her in poverty with an infant son. Soon afterward she was forced to give this child up to foster care. In 1853 she married her second husband, Daniel Patterson. Mary Baker Eddy was involved in a crippling accident. By miraculous means she was healed. She claimed she had uncovered the secret of “Divine Science.” She went on to teach her techniques of healing and spiritual philosophy to all who were interested.
In 1875, after her divorce from Daniel Patterson, she moved from New Hampshire to Massachusetts and founded the Christian Science Association. It was there that she published her foundational book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. In 1877, she married her third husband, Asa Albert Eddy, and together they officially founded the CCS. Asa died in 1882, and Mary went on to establish "The Mother Church," The First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Boston, Massachusetts, in 1890. Mary died in 1910.
The Doctrine
Christian Scientist doctrine is found principally in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (S&H). Other CCS publications include The Christian Science Monitor, The Christian Science Journal, Herald of Christian Science, The Christian Science Sentinel, The World Monitor, and Christian Science Quarterly.
Biblical Authority
Christian Science interprets the Bible in light of Mrs. Eddy's writings, particularly S&H, in which she interprets the Bible according to her metaphysical presuppositions. She questions the textual reliability of the Bible, pointing to "the manifest mistakes in the ancient versions . . . these facts show how a mortal and material sense stole into the divine record, with its own hue darkening to some extent the inspired pages" (S&H, p. 139). Mrs. Eddy went on to apply new spiritual meanings to common biblical terms. As an example; "Holy Ghost" is defined as "Divine Science; the development of eternal Life, Truth, and Love" (S&H, p. 588).
God
They use impersonal synonyms for God, which lessens God's personal nature. "God is incorporeal, divine, supreme, infinite Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love" (S&H, p. 465). These are synonymous terms that "refer to one absolute God. They are also intended to express the nature, essence, and wholeness of Deity." (S&H, p. 465).
Spirit & Reality
Pain, death, sin, and disease are only illusions. "The only reality of sin, sickness, or death is the awful fact that unrealities seem real to human, erring belief…They are not true, because they are not of God" (S&H, p. 472). "The cause of all so-called disease is mental, a mortal fear, a mistaken belief or conviction of the necessity and power of ill-health" (S&H, p. 377). Since matter, sin, disease, and death are illusions and are unreal, then people are not subject to them. "Through immortal Mind, or Truth, we can destroy all ills which proceed from mortal mind" (S&H, p. 374). "Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual" (S&H, p. 468).
What About Salvation?
salvation is not the result of some special wisdom set forth in the S&H. The Bible tells us that salvation is received only by acknowledging and repenting of our sin (real, not illusion), and putting our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. A Christian Scientist believes that sin and death are false notions (illusions). Therefore, salvation comes through understanding and overcoming these false beliefs and recognizing that humans are divine spirit and mind.
EXPLANATION OF GOD:
It was written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista, CA. He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment, to 'explain God.'
'One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.''God's second most important job is listening to prayers An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off.''God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting his time
Christ SCIENTIST
Who are the Christian Scientists?
The church is recognized by the term The Christian Science Church, which was its original title and is not associated with the Church of Scientology. The organization was founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1879. The church is also referred to as CCS, (Church of Christ Scientist). The CCS has approximately 2,300 churches in 68 countries.
The Foundation
Assuming the literature put out by the Christian Science Church, Mary Ann Morse Baker was born in 1821. As a youngster she was extremely frail and suffered from many illnesses. In 1844 her first husband died and left her in poverty with an infant son. Soon afterward she was forced to give this child up to foster care. In 1853 she married her second husband, Daniel Patterson. Mary Baker Eddy was involved in a crippling accident. By miraculous means she was healed. She claimed she had uncovered the secret of “Divine Science.” She went on to teach her techniques of healing and spiritual philosophy to all who were interested.
In 1875, after her divorce from Daniel Patterson, she moved from New Hampshire to Massachusetts and founded the Christian Science Association. It was there that she published her foundational book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. In 1877, she married her third husband, Asa Albert Eddy, and together they officially founded the CCS. Asa died in 1882, and Mary went on to establish "The Mother Church," The First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Boston, Massachusetts, in 1890. Mary died in 1910.
The Doctrine
Christian Scientist doctrine is found principally in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (S&H). Other CCS publications include The Christian Science Monitor, The Christian Science Journal, Herald of Christian Science, The Christian Science Sentinel, The World Monitor, and Christian Science Quarterly.
Biblical Authority
Christian Science interprets the Bible in light of Mrs. Eddy's writings, particularly S&H, in which she interprets the Bible according to her metaphysical presuppositions. She questions the textual reliability of the Bible, pointing to "the manifest mistakes in the ancient versions . . . these facts show how a mortal and material sense stole into the divine record, with its own hue darkening to some extent the inspired pages" (S&H, p. 139). Mrs. Eddy went on to apply new spiritual meanings to common biblical terms. As an example; "Holy Ghost" is defined as "Divine Science; the development of eternal Life, Truth, and Love" (S&H, p. 588).
God
They use impersonal synonyms for God, which lessens God's personal nature. "God is incorporeal, divine, supreme, infinite Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love" (S&H, p. 465). These are synonymous terms that "refer to one absolute God. They are also intended to express the nature, essence, and wholeness of Deity." (S&H, p. 465).
Spirit & Reality
Pain, death, sin, and disease are only illusions. "The only reality of sin, sickness, or death is the awful fact that unrealities seem real to human, erring belief…They are not true, because they are not of God" (S&H, p. 472). "The cause of all so-called disease is mental, a mortal fear, a mistaken belief or conviction of the necessity and power of ill-health" (S&H, p. 377). Since matter, sin, disease, and death are illusions and are unreal, then people are not subject to them. "Through immortal Mind, or Truth, we can destroy all ills which proceed from mortal mind" (S&H, p. 374). "Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual" (S&H, p. 468).
What About Salvation?
salvation is not the result of some special wisdom set forth in the S&H. The Bible tells us that salvation is received only by acknowledging and repenting of our sin (real, not illusion), and putting our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. A Christian Scientist believes that sin and death are false notions (illusions). Therefore, salvation comes through understanding and overcoming these false beliefs and recognizing that humans are divine spirit and mind.
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Next month we’ll start a new series on prayer. E.A. Woods has an amazing grasp on prayer….all the how, when, where and why we need to be praying continuously.
Next month we’ll start a new series on prayer. E.A. Woods has an amazing grasp on prayer….all the how, when, where and why we need to be praying continuously.
A Little Humor
EXPLANATION OF GOD:
It was written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista, CA. He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment, to 'explain God.'
'One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.''God's second most important job is listening to prayers An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off.''God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting his time
by going over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have.
''Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista. At least there aren't any who come to our church''Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him. But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K.''His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard work on earth so he told him he didn't have to go out on the road anymore.. He could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps his dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important.''You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.'
'You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God!Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway.''If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids.''But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases.And...that's why I believe in God.'
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Know when to speak #16
During the past 15 months we have gone over the major points of sharing the gospel with our family, friends or even strangers we have just encountered. There are about fifteen verses from the Bible that aid in the discussion. When sharing the good news with someone, it is a good idea to have a firm idea of what the verses say, and just as important, where they are at in the Bible. Your credibility will go down the drain if you mention a verse and the person you are speaking to asks you where it’s at in the Bible, …..and you can’t take them there.
Ok! You’ve reached the point that you can ask the person if they would like to received Christ today…..right now. For the sake of this discussion we’ll say your person has said yes. Your next response is to say and ask the following:
* Are you ready to transfer your trust for your eternal life to Jesus?
* Are you ready to receive Christ as your personal savior?
* Are you ready to receive Christ as Lord?
* Are you willing to repent? (repent is defined as changing your way)
Then you might say; If this is what you want, we can go to God right now and tell Him what you have just told me.
At this point your person might be a little nervous. They may have never prayed before, and aren’t sure what to do. You can tell them that you will lead them in a prayer to God, and they can repeat after you. You can then start the prayer, and go through the main points of the gospel. Points like: thank you for eternal life, I know that I am a sinner, Jesus paid price on the cross, please come into my heart, and thanks for saving me. Then close the prayer. It doesn’t have to be long, just to the point. God knows what’s happening!
At this point get out a Bible. Turn to John 6:47, and let your person read it out loud. (“Verily, verily I say unto you. He who believes has eternal life.”) Ask your person if he/she believes what he/she just read.
Welcome to the forever family…..
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Know when to speak #16
During the past 15 months we have gone over the major points of sharing the gospel with our family, friends or even strangers we have just encountered. There are about fifteen verses from the Bible that aid in the discussion. When sharing the good news with someone, it is a good idea to have a firm idea of what the verses say, and just as important, where they are at in the Bible. Your credibility will go down the drain if you mention a verse and the person you are speaking to asks you where it’s at in the Bible, …..and you can’t take them there.
Ok! You’ve reached the point that you can ask the person if they would like to received Christ today…..right now. For the sake of this discussion we’ll say your person has said yes. Your next response is to say and ask the following:
* Are you ready to transfer your trust for your eternal life to Jesus?
* Are you ready to receive Christ as your personal savior?
* Are you ready to receive Christ as Lord?
* Are you willing to repent? (repent is defined as changing your way)
Then you might say; If this is what you want, we can go to God right now and tell Him what you have just told me.
At this point your person might be a little nervous. They may have never prayed before, and aren’t sure what to do. You can tell them that you will lead them in a prayer to God, and they can repeat after you. You can then start the prayer, and go through the main points of the gospel. Points like: thank you for eternal life, I know that I am a sinner, Jesus paid price on the cross, please come into my heart, and thanks for saving me. Then close the prayer. It doesn’t have to be long, just to the point. God knows what’s happening!
At this point get out a Bible. Turn to John 6:47, and let your person read it out loud. (“Verily, verily I say unto you. He who believes has eternal life.”) Ask your person if he/she believes what he/she just read.
Welcome to the forever family…..
Happy Easter!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
CULTS
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons)
The sources for Mormon belief are; The Book of Mormon and the Bible. They also use the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price, which they believe are authoritative, and Joseph Smith is their primary prophet of the faith. The Holy Bible is the only authority in the Christian faith, and Joseph Smith is not recognized as a prophet.
The Mormon church sees God as the supreme being in the universe. However, The Mormon god is made of flesh and bones. He reached his position by living a righteous life. The Christian Church proclaims God as eternal today as always.
As for the nature of man, the Mormon church teaches and believes that we are spirit beings before birth. At birth the spirit beings are given physical bodies, and have the freedom of choice as to how they live their lives. If they live according to the church and perform temple obligations satisfactorily, that person has the opportunity to become a god of another planet. This person can also produce ‘spirit children’ to populate his new world, like God did on the earth. (what a great ego appeal!). Of course, the Christian church does not teach that we are spirits before birth, and cannot attain godhead of another planet, or even populate another world with spirit children.
Let’s take a look at how the Mormons see Jesus. The church (Mormon), believes that Jesus and Satan are spiritual brothers. God put a plan of salvation, and Satan also put forth a plan. Jesus accepted God’s plan and agreed to take on a physical form from Mary. He was crucified on a Roman cross, rose in three days and established his deity. The life and position of Jesus is attainable by any Mormon who performs at a righteous level.
The Christian church teaches that Jesus existed eternally as the Son of God, the second part of the Trinity. Jesus came to the earth by a physical birth by way of the virgin Mary. He was crucified on a Roman cross, rose three days later and established His deity. (This is a common way Mormons try to convince people that they are Christians.)
The Mormon church teaches and believes that Jesus died on the cross, and rose again guarantees salvation to all mankind. Spiritual death can only be avoided by obedience to God’s commandments, and forgiveness of sins requires faith, repentance and baptism by an approved Mormon priest. They also engage in the baptism for the dead. This would include those people who did not have a proper Mormon baptism while they were alive.
The Christian church teaches that we are unable to live a life righteous enough to meet God’s holy standard. We establish a relationship with God by faith in what Jesus accomplished for us at the cross, not by our own works. Baptism and good deeds are acts of obedience, not a method of gaining eternal salvation.
The Mormon church teaches that although there may be temporary punishment for the most wicked, all will end up in some degree of heaven, through a series of different levels depending on your (goodness) position.
Next month: Christian Scientist
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The Smell of Rain
A cold March wind danced around the dead of night in Dallas as the doctor walked into the small hospital room of Diana Blessing. She was still groggy from surgery. Her husband, David, held her hand as they braced themselves for the latest news.
That afternoon of March 10,1991, complications had forced Diana, only 24-weeks pregnant, to undergo an emergency Cesarean to deliver couple's new daughter, Dana Lu Blessing. At 12 inches long and weighing only one pound nine ounces, they already knew she was perilously premature.
Still, the doctor's soft words dropped like bombs.
"I don't think she's going to make it," he said, as kindly as he could.
"There's only a 10-percent chance she will live through the night, and even then, if by some slim chance she does make it, her future could be a very cruel one" Numb with disbelief, David and Diana listened as the doctor described the devastating problems Dana would likely face if she survived.
She would never walk, she would never talk, she would probably be blind, and she would certainly be prone to other catastrophic conditions from cerebral palsy to complete mental retardation, and on and on.
"No! No!" was all Diana could say.
She and David, with their 5-year-old son Dustin, had long dreamed of the day they would have a daughter to become a family of four. Now, within a matter of hours, that dream was slipping away But as those first days passed, a new agony set in for David and Diana. Because Dana's underdeveloped nervous system was essentially 'raw', the lightest kiss or caress only intensified her discomfort, so they couldn't even cradle their tiny baby girl against their chests to offer the strength of their love. All they could do, as Dana struggled alone beneath the ultraviolet light in the tangle of tubes and wires, was to pray that God would stay close to their precious little girl.
There was never a moment when Dana suddenly grew stronger. But as the weeks went by, she did slowly gain an ounce of weight here and an ounce
of strength there. At last, when Dana turned
two months old. her parent were able to hold her in their arms for the very first time. And two months later, though doctors continued to gently but grimly warn that her chances of surviving, much less living any kind of normal
life, were next to zero, Dana went home from the hospital, just as her mother had predicted.
Five years later, when Dana was a petite but feisty young girl with glittering gray eyes and an unquenchable zest for life. She showed no signs whatsoever of any mental or physical impairment. Simply, she was everything a little girl can be and more. But that happy ending is far from the end of her story.
One blistering afternoon in the summer of 1996 near her home in Irving, Texas, Dana was sitting in her mother's lap in the bleachers of a local ball park where her brother Dustin's baseball team was practicing. As always, Dana was chattering nonstop with her mother and several other
adults sitting nearby when she suddenly fell silent.
Hugging her arms across her chest, little Dana asked, "Do you smell that?"
Smelling the air and detecting the approach of a thunderstorm, Diana replied,
"Yes, it smells like rain."
Dana closed her eyes and again asked, "Do you smell that?"
Once again, her mother replied, "Yes, I think we're about to get wet. It smells like rain."
Still caught in the moment, Dana shook her head, patted her thin shoulders with her small hands and loudly announced,
"No, it smells like Him. It smells like God when you lay your head on His chest."
Tears blurred Diana's eyes as Dana happily hopped down to play with the other children. Before the rains came, her daughter's words confirmed what Diana and all the members of the extended Blessing family had known, at least in their hearts, all along.
During those long days and nights of her first two months of her life, when her nerves were too sensitive for them to touch her, God was holding Dana on His chest and it is His loving scent that she remembers so well.
"I can do all things in Him who strengthens me."
The love of God is like the ocean, you can see its beginning, but not its end.
ANGELS EXIST but some times, since they don't all have wings, we call them FRIENDS.
______
The Human Brain
Your brain makes up two per cent of your body, but twenty per cent of the blood that comes from your heart flows to your brain. Your brain is the most protected organ in your body. The 100- 200 billion cells that
make up your brain are guarded by three different layers, the scalp, the skull, and a set of membranes that envelope the brain and spinal cord called meninges.
The brain has two types of cells, neurons and neuroglia. The neurons transmit information throughout the brain. The neuroglia protect the neurons. You are born with a fixed number of brain cells which you gradually lose. By the age of three, a human has lost half of the brain cells you had at birth, and while that loss rate decreases, the losses occur none-the-less. The brain compensates for these losses by changing its structure, connections between neurons change and become more complex. Different parts of the brain control different functions for us. Sight, hearing, etc., and even memory occurs in its own section of the brain.
We have seen an explosion of knowledge about the brain and how it does all of the things it does. The greater emphasis has been on how our senses of sight, smell, hearing, taste, and feeling are handled by the brain. May Pines has said it best: We can recognize a friend instantly-full face, in profile, or even by the back of his head. We can distinguish hundreds of colors and possibly as many as 10,000 smells. We can feel a feather as it brushes our skin, hear the faint rustle of a leaf. It all seems so effortless: we open our eyes or ears and let the world stream in. Yet anything we see, hear, feel, smell, or taste requires billions of nerve cells to flash urgent messages along linked pathways and feedback loops in our brains, performing intricate calculations that scientists have only begun to decipher. What we are finding as we start to decipher the brain is that there are incredible differences between various sections of the brain and some incredibly designed sections that fit our life styles. Even the differences tell us a great deal about the designed features of the brain. When you watch a movie at the theater, for example, there are 24 separate pictures being put onto the screen every second. If the subject on the film is moving, your brain interprets the object as a moving object. If the object is
sitting still, you still see it. It does not have to be moving for you to be able to see it and identify it.
A frog, on the other hand, cannot see an object unless it is moving. Place a fly that is immobile in front of a starving frog and it will ignore it. Unless the fly is moving, the frog cannot tell that it is there. If the fly starts to move, then the frog will eat it. Basically, the retina of the frog detects movement while our retina does not--we use our brain to detect motion. Dennis Baylor, of Stanford Medical School, has said it best: "The dumber the animal, the smarter its retina."2 The intricate design features used to allow all living things to survive are still being studied. Our ears can hear and distinguish some 20,000± different frequencies. Comparing the 24 images per second of the eye with the 20,000 of the ear tells us a great deal about how these sections work, but speak even more eloquently about their design. How limited would be our world of sound if only 24 sounds a second could be processed and understood.
We marvel at computers and the people who build them and program them. The human brain is so enormously more complex than any system man has designed. To suggest that this device which builds computers, creates art and music, and expresses the beauty of literature and mathematics could arise by chance defies any logical viewpoint of what we are. The Psalmist said it best when he said "I will praise thee Lord, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made and that my soul knoweth right well" (Psalm 139:14) and the brain is one of the great demonstrations of that statement.
--John N. Clayton
Know when to speak #15
What is faith? This little word has done more to confuse people through the ages than anything else. Faith……Some of the popular beliefs include; ‘I believe in God,’ ‘Yes, Jesus was on the earth,’ “I have a special relationship with God, even though I don’t worship Him or thank Him, or praise Him, or, or, or……’ Do any of these sound familiar? What about the super smart one that tries to hit you with what they think is a conflicting verse when you try to explain that faith is trusting alone in Jesus and transferring all trust to Him? And, they go straight to John 6:47 to try and prove their point. (Verily, verily I say unto you; he who believes has eternal life.) If taken out of context, this verse says all you have to do is believe. Hmmm. Will you buy this one? Of course not! In verses before this and after, Jesus is explaining what He is saying.
As you are clearing the air with this super smart one, you take them to James 2:19, which says: “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” If believe is all it takes, we are going to have some very undesirable company in heaven.
Now that we’ve thrown a wrench into the works, let’s take a look at what faith is not.
· Faith is not mere head knowledge. Knowing something like a historical event, a poem, a song, that Jesus was on the earth, that He was a good man, etc., does not constitute saving faith.
· Faith is not temporal. Praying to God when you have financial problems, illness, air travel, or any dangerous activity. This is like taking God down off of a shelf when you need Him. This is only temporary faith. …Let’s be more precise here. These are good things to pray about, but when that’s the only reason for prayer, well, this does not constitute saving faith.
When a person puts their trust for eternal life in the payment Jesus provided on the cross, you have saving faith. There is no other way to accomplish this. Works will not do it. Going to church will not do it. Speaking good things about God will not do it. These are all good, but are not saving faith. Let’s look at an illustration. Suppose you are looking at a chair sitting across the room. The question is, ‘will the chair hold you?’ You would probably say, yes. But, how will you know for sure? The only way is to get up and go over and sit in the chair. The same applies to saving faith. You can talk about it all day, but until you actual come to a point in your head and heart to accept Christ as your personal savior, nothing will happen, and you won’t know for sure, will you?
John 14:6 says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” He makes it quite clear and simple. Every other way will not cut it.
Next month we’ll see how to summarize and ask someone if they would like to receive Jesus as their personal savior.
-------
A Little Humor
I Like Myself
I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.
I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or fornot making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant. I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They too will get old.I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventuallyremember the important things. Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).
MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!
------
Daylight Savings begins March 14th
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons)
The sources for Mormon belief are; The Book of Mormon and the Bible. They also use the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price, which they believe are authoritative, and Joseph Smith is their primary prophet of the faith. The Holy Bible is the only authority in the Christian faith, and Joseph Smith is not recognized as a prophet.
The Mormon church sees God as the supreme being in the universe. However, The Mormon god is made of flesh and bones. He reached his position by living a righteous life. The Christian Church proclaims God as eternal today as always.
As for the nature of man, the Mormon church teaches and believes that we are spirit beings before birth. At birth the spirit beings are given physical bodies, and have the freedom of choice as to how they live their lives. If they live according to the church and perform temple obligations satisfactorily, that person has the opportunity to become a god of another planet. This person can also produce ‘spirit children’ to populate his new world, like God did on the earth. (what a great ego appeal!). Of course, the Christian church does not teach that we are spirits before birth, and cannot attain godhead of another planet, or even populate another world with spirit children.
Let’s take a look at how the Mormons see Jesus. The church (Mormon), believes that Jesus and Satan are spiritual brothers. God put a plan of salvation, and Satan also put forth a plan. Jesus accepted God’s plan and agreed to take on a physical form from Mary. He was crucified on a Roman cross, rose in three days and established his deity. The life and position of Jesus is attainable by any Mormon who performs at a righteous level.
The Christian church teaches that Jesus existed eternally as the Son of God, the second part of the Trinity. Jesus came to the earth by a physical birth by way of the virgin Mary. He was crucified on a Roman cross, rose three days later and established His deity. (This is a common way Mormons try to convince people that they are Christians.)
The Mormon church teaches and believes that Jesus died on the cross, and rose again guarantees salvation to all mankind. Spiritual death can only be avoided by obedience to God’s commandments, and forgiveness of sins requires faith, repentance and baptism by an approved Mormon priest. They also engage in the baptism for the dead. This would include those people who did not have a proper Mormon baptism while they were alive.
The Christian church teaches that we are unable to live a life righteous enough to meet God’s holy standard. We establish a relationship with God by faith in what Jesus accomplished for us at the cross, not by our own works. Baptism and good deeds are acts of obedience, not a method of gaining eternal salvation.
The Mormon church teaches that although there may be temporary punishment for the most wicked, all will end up in some degree of heaven, through a series of different levels depending on your (goodness) position.
Next month: Christian Scientist
---------
The Smell of Rain
A cold March wind danced around the dead of night in Dallas as the doctor walked into the small hospital room of Diana Blessing. She was still groggy from surgery. Her husband, David, held her hand as they braced themselves for the latest news.
That afternoon of March 10,1991, complications had forced Diana, only 24-weeks pregnant, to undergo an emergency Cesarean to deliver couple's new daughter, Dana Lu Blessing. At 12 inches long and weighing only one pound nine ounces, they already knew she was perilously premature.
Still, the doctor's soft words dropped like bombs.
"I don't think she's going to make it," he said, as kindly as he could.
"There's only a 10-percent chance she will live through the night, and even then, if by some slim chance she does make it, her future could be a very cruel one" Numb with disbelief, David and Diana listened as the doctor described the devastating problems Dana would likely face if she survived.
She would never walk, she would never talk, she would probably be blind, and she would certainly be prone to other catastrophic conditions from cerebral palsy to complete mental retardation, and on and on.
"No! No!" was all Diana could say.
She and David, with their 5-year-old son Dustin, had long dreamed of the day they would have a daughter to become a family of four. Now, within a matter of hours, that dream was slipping away But as those first days passed, a new agony set in for David and Diana. Because Dana's underdeveloped nervous system was essentially 'raw', the lightest kiss or caress only intensified her discomfort, so they couldn't even cradle their tiny baby girl against their chests to offer the strength of their love. All they could do, as Dana struggled alone beneath the ultraviolet light in the tangle of tubes and wires, was to pray that God would stay close to their precious little girl.
There was never a moment when Dana suddenly grew stronger. But as the weeks went by, she did slowly gain an ounce of weight here and an ounce
of strength there. At last, when Dana turned
two months old. her parent were able to hold her in their arms for the very first time. And two months later, though doctors continued to gently but grimly warn that her chances of surviving, much less living any kind of normal
life, were next to zero, Dana went home from the hospital, just as her mother had predicted.
Five years later, when Dana was a petite but feisty young girl with glittering gray eyes and an unquenchable zest for life. She showed no signs whatsoever of any mental or physical impairment. Simply, she was everything a little girl can be and more. But that happy ending is far from the end of her story.
One blistering afternoon in the summer of 1996 near her home in Irving, Texas, Dana was sitting in her mother's lap in the bleachers of a local ball park where her brother Dustin's baseball team was practicing. As always, Dana was chattering nonstop with her mother and several other
adults sitting nearby when she suddenly fell silent.
Hugging her arms across her chest, little Dana asked, "Do you smell that?"
Smelling the air and detecting the approach of a thunderstorm, Diana replied,
"Yes, it smells like rain."
Dana closed her eyes and again asked, "Do you smell that?"
Once again, her mother replied, "Yes, I think we're about to get wet. It smells like rain."
Still caught in the moment, Dana shook her head, patted her thin shoulders with her small hands and loudly announced,
"No, it smells like Him. It smells like God when you lay your head on His chest."
Tears blurred Diana's eyes as Dana happily hopped down to play with the other children. Before the rains came, her daughter's words confirmed what Diana and all the members of the extended Blessing family had known, at least in their hearts, all along.
During those long days and nights of her first two months of her life, when her nerves were too sensitive for them to touch her, God was holding Dana on His chest and it is His loving scent that she remembers so well.
"I can do all things in Him who strengthens me."
The love of God is like the ocean, you can see its beginning, but not its end.
ANGELS EXIST but some times, since they don't all have wings, we call them FRIENDS.
______
The Human Brain
Your brain makes up two per cent of your body, but twenty per cent of the blood that comes from your heart flows to your brain. Your brain is the most protected organ in your body. The 100- 200 billion cells that
make up your brain are guarded by three different layers, the scalp, the skull, and a set of membranes that envelope the brain and spinal cord called meninges.
The brain has two types of cells, neurons and neuroglia. The neurons transmit information throughout the brain. The neuroglia protect the neurons. You are born with a fixed number of brain cells which you gradually lose. By the age of three, a human has lost half of the brain cells you had at birth, and while that loss rate decreases, the losses occur none-the-less. The brain compensates for these losses by changing its structure, connections between neurons change and become more complex. Different parts of the brain control different functions for us. Sight, hearing, etc., and even memory occurs in its own section of the brain.
We have seen an explosion of knowledge about the brain and how it does all of the things it does. The greater emphasis has been on how our senses of sight, smell, hearing, taste, and feeling are handled by the brain. May Pines has said it best: We can recognize a friend instantly-full face, in profile, or even by the back of his head. We can distinguish hundreds of colors and possibly as many as 10,000 smells. We can feel a feather as it brushes our skin, hear the faint rustle of a leaf. It all seems so effortless: we open our eyes or ears and let the world stream in. Yet anything we see, hear, feel, smell, or taste requires billions of nerve cells to flash urgent messages along linked pathways and feedback loops in our brains, performing intricate calculations that scientists have only begun to decipher. What we are finding as we start to decipher the brain is that there are incredible differences between various sections of the brain and some incredibly designed sections that fit our life styles. Even the differences tell us a great deal about the designed features of the brain. When you watch a movie at the theater, for example, there are 24 separate pictures being put onto the screen every second. If the subject on the film is moving, your brain interprets the object as a moving object. If the object is
sitting still, you still see it. It does not have to be moving for you to be able to see it and identify it.
A frog, on the other hand, cannot see an object unless it is moving. Place a fly that is immobile in front of a starving frog and it will ignore it. Unless the fly is moving, the frog cannot tell that it is there. If the fly starts to move, then the frog will eat it. Basically, the retina of the frog detects movement while our retina does not--we use our brain to detect motion. Dennis Baylor, of Stanford Medical School, has said it best: "The dumber the animal, the smarter its retina."2 The intricate design features used to allow all living things to survive are still being studied. Our ears can hear and distinguish some 20,000± different frequencies. Comparing the 24 images per second of the eye with the 20,000 of the ear tells us a great deal about how these sections work, but speak even more eloquently about their design. How limited would be our world of sound if only 24 sounds a second could be processed and understood.
We marvel at computers and the people who build them and program them. The human brain is so enormously more complex than any system man has designed. To suggest that this device which builds computers, creates art and music, and expresses the beauty of literature and mathematics could arise by chance defies any logical viewpoint of what we are. The Psalmist said it best when he said "I will praise thee Lord, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made and that my soul knoweth right well" (Psalm 139:14) and the brain is one of the great demonstrations of that statement.
--John N. Clayton
Know when to speak #15
What is faith? This little word has done more to confuse people through the ages than anything else. Faith……Some of the popular beliefs include; ‘I believe in God,’ ‘Yes, Jesus was on the earth,’ “I have a special relationship with God, even though I don’t worship Him or thank Him, or praise Him, or, or, or……’ Do any of these sound familiar? What about the super smart one that tries to hit you with what they think is a conflicting verse when you try to explain that faith is trusting alone in Jesus and transferring all trust to Him? And, they go straight to John 6:47 to try and prove their point. (Verily, verily I say unto you; he who believes has eternal life.) If taken out of context, this verse says all you have to do is believe. Hmmm. Will you buy this one? Of course not! In verses before this and after, Jesus is explaining what He is saying.
As you are clearing the air with this super smart one, you take them to James 2:19, which says: “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” If believe is all it takes, we are going to have some very undesirable company in heaven.
Now that we’ve thrown a wrench into the works, let’s take a look at what faith is not.
· Faith is not mere head knowledge. Knowing something like a historical event, a poem, a song, that Jesus was on the earth, that He was a good man, etc., does not constitute saving faith.
· Faith is not temporal. Praying to God when you have financial problems, illness, air travel, or any dangerous activity. This is like taking God down off of a shelf when you need Him. This is only temporary faith. …Let’s be more precise here. These are good things to pray about, but when that’s the only reason for prayer, well, this does not constitute saving faith.
When a person puts their trust for eternal life in the payment Jesus provided on the cross, you have saving faith. There is no other way to accomplish this. Works will not do it. Going to church will not do it. Speaking good things about God will not do it. These are all good, but are not saving faith. Let’s look at an illustration. Suppose you are looking at a chair sitting across the room. The question is, ‘will the chair hold you?’ You would probably say, yes. But, how will you know for sure? The only way is to get up and go over and sit in the chair. The same applies to saving faith. You can talk about it all day, but until you actual come to a point in your head and heart to accept Christ as your personal savior, nothing will happen, and you won’t know for sure, will you?
John 14:6 says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” He makes it quite clear and simple. Every other way will not cut it.
Next month we’ll see how to summarize and ask someone if they would like to receive Jesus as their personal savior.
-------
A Little Humor
I Like Myself
I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.
I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or fornot making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant. I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They too will get old.I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventuallyremember the important things. Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).
MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!
------
Daylight Savings begins March 14th
CULTS
Jehovah Witness
Jehovah Witness theology has many subtle (and not-so-subtle) nuances. Here are the basics of Watchtower doctrine: God is a single being, not a Trinity. He is not all-knowing or present everywhere.
First, God created Michael the Archangel, through whom God later created all "other things," such as the earth, the universe, and all mankind. This process took place over exactly 42,000 years. When it was time for the birth of a savior, Michael became a man, in the form of Jesus Christ.
He was without sin and kept every law of God. According to Jehovah's Witness theology. Jesus was put to death on a "torture stake." It is here that He bore the sins of all mankind (except for Adam). Later, Jesus rose from death in spirit, but did not rise in physical form. Jehovah's Witnesses who faithfully abide by God's organization on earth will be spared from eternal annihilation.
Followers are asked to maintain a modest appearance and demeanor, refusing to vote in government elections, salute the American flag, join the U.S. armed forces, or celebrate birthdays and Christmas.
Jehovah Witness and Christian theology actually have some basic similarities. Generally, they both teach that God is the Creator of everything, as opposed to naturalistic evolution, and they both share the belief that Jesus Christ will ultimately return to earth to destroy Satan and establish God's eternal kingdom. However, this is where the general similarities cease.
The Jehovah Witness teachings concerning Jesus Christ clearly contradict the teachings of the Bible. Multiple passages tell us that Jesus Christ, who existed as God, took the bodily form of a humble servant so that He could die on the cross in our place. He was not Michael the Archangel.
The NWT (New World Translation Of The Holy Scriptures), is not a legitimate translation, and merely reflects Jehovah Witness theology, especially its bias against the deity of Jesus Christ and the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. For example, John 1:1 in the NWT reads, "and the Word [Jesus] was a god." All other legitimate Bible translations say, "and the Word [Jesus] was God."
Through the Holy Spirit, all Christians are capable of interpreting and understanding the Holy Bible. As far as the Jehovah's Witness (WBTS – Watchtower Bible and Tract Society), claim that this is the only way to God and salvation, the Christian response is that all people who have accepted the free gift of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are saved. Salvation is "by grace through faith" in Jesus Christ alone. No amount of works or membership in any religious group is required for eternal life with God.
If a Jehovah's Witness leaves the organization, he is shunned in all ways. Outside the WBTS organization, "Christendom" is considered "demonic." Christianity is deemed "apostate," filled with pastors who are antichrists, in churches run by Satan, who support the earthly governments.
A Thought….
Many times we see those people who do things that are wrong or just plain stupid. They do these things and if they get away with them without hurting themselves or someone else, they figure it is alright. On these occasions they look both ways to see that no one saw them in their act. However, they forget to look one direction……up.
And, of course, Scripture tells us about this person in Proverbs 12:15: “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.”
Know when to speak #14
Last month we learned that there was no way that man could save himself. We saw that he can not earn his way, buy his way, deceive his way, do anything to merit heaven on his own. This leaves him/her with quite a problem. If he/she leaves the issue there, the end result will not be pretty.
This prompts him to look elsewhere for the answer. A good idea would be to see how God deals with our problem.
There are numerous places throughout the Bible that tells him that God loves him. For example, Jeremiah 31:3b; “The Lord appeared to him from afar, saying, I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Or, look at 1 John 4:8b; “…for God is love.”
God will forgive iniquities, transgressions and sin, however, there is a flip side to this. He also says in Exodus 34:7b; …”Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.”
Man continues to have a problem. God loves him, but He will not let sin go unpunished. Since he can not earn, deserve or merit his way to heaven God must take care of this for him. He solves his/her problem in the person of Jesus Christ.
Who is Jesus? Answers to this question are countless. Some of the popular ideas are; He was a teacher, He was a prophet, He was a good man, and He didn’t do very many wrong things. You could say most anything you like, but when it comes down to the actual fact of the matter, Jesus was the infinite God man. That is, He was wholly God, and He was wholly man. And, when we make a statement like this we’d better be able to back it up with scripture. Let’s look at John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” From there go to verse 14, which says: “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” And, since we are on a roll here, we might just add the verse from John 20:28, which says: “Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!” I think we’ve made our point. Now let’s examine what He did.
He died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the penalty for our sins and to purchase a place in heaven for us. It’s much like a record book of sins. This book has every sin we have ever thought of or committed. When Jesus paid the price on the cross all of these sins were washed clean. Scripture points out our position before Christ in Isaiah 53:6: “All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way.” When we receive Christ things change as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:17, which says: “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
It’s at this point we are offered a gift. Next month we’ll see how this gift is received as we discuss what faith is and isn’t.
------------------------------
When there is nothing left but God, that is whenyou find out that God is all you need.
God said NO!
I asked God to take away my habit. God said, No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up. I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, No. His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary. I asked God to grant me patience. God said, No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness. God said, No. I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you. I asked God to spare me pain. God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me. I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, No.
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you
fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. God said No. I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things. I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me. God said... Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.
CULTS
Church of Scientology
To start this off let’s look at the founder, L. Ron Hubbard, who said the following: “I’d like to start a religion. That’s where the money is.” Having this statement from Mr. Hubbard, we can easily see how this religion came about. As a matter of record, Judge Breckenridge, from the Los Angeles Superior Court said: “ [The court record is] replete with evidence [that Scientology] is nothing more in reality but a vast enterprise to extract the maximum amount of money from its adepts by pseudo scientific theories.”
Immediately we find that Mr. Hubbard did not believe in the Christian Christ. False Christian concepts were forced upon a Thetan (Scientologist person). The Christ legend was an implant formed a million years ago in pre-clears (Scientology rating).
Mr. Hubbard casts doubt upon Jesus as the Messiah. The Church of Scientology teaches that Jesus Christ may have believed in reincarnation. They site this on the part of religious historians showing the early education of Jesus of Nazareth as being a member of the cult Essenes, who believed in reincarnation.
Hubbard attributes Hindu teachings to Jesus. “Christ,” he wrote, “was a bringer of information. He never announced his sources. He spoke of them as coming from God. But they might just as well have come from the god talked about in the Hymn to the Dawn Child the Veda.” Hubbard looks down upon Jesus from his OT VIII position, claiming, “Neither Lord Buddha nor Jesus Christ were OT, (Scientology rating), according to the evidence. They were just a
shade above clear.”
Scientology’s view of reincarnation includes extraterrestrial life, evolution on other planets, evolution on earth, implant stations, forgetter implants, and engrams that keep people trapped in reincarnation. The OT III, section three, (Scientology paid for rating), material was entered into court cases, from which we find Hubbard’s journey of the Thetan. He claims this discovery was in December 1967: “The head of the Galactic Confederation (76 planets 95,000,000 years ago) solved overpopulation (250 billion or so per planet) by mass implanting. He caused people to be brought to Teegeeack (Earth) and put an H-bomb on the principal volcanoes and then the Pacific area ones were taken in boxes to Hawaii and the Atlantic ones to Las Palmas and there “packaged.” His name was Xenu”
As you can see, The Church of Scientology is designed with one goal in
mind … make money. They have a system of ratings that must be purchased as intensives. To get to the highest level of salvation it will cost more than $ 300,000.00. They have special training positions that people can work through if they don’t have the immediate funds available to purchase their salvation status.
If you desire more detailed information, plus Mr. Hubbard’s college transcripts and grades, there are books that give this information. Kingdom of the Cults, is a good reference material. This article only represents a small portion of the immense amount of material a person must purchase to attain a higher level in the Church of Scientology.
Know when to speak #13
Now you can reinforce the free gift and point out that this is something we can’t merit on our own. Turn to Ephesians 2:8-9. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Again you may stress the fact that heaven is not obtainable by anything we can do.
Somewhere in this discussion we usually hear the comment, “It doesn’t seem possible that there is only one way to get to heaven. What about all the other people in the world who believe they can get to heaven by some other means? Surely there are more ways to get there than just one….”
Let’s look at another analogy. We’ll say you are caught in a burning house with no way out. The firemen arrive and start to rescue you by cutting a circle through the fire and burning debris. They tell you to go through the circle they have cut, but all your life you have heard a rescue must take place by cutting a square. So, you hesitate and don’t go through the rescue circle, because you feel there is another way to reach safety, and, we know the result of that action. The same is true with the gospel. It is scriptural and extremely simple, but there are those who won’t avail themselves of the simple free way to heaven because they think there are other ways to reach eternity with God.
As we progress our way through the gospel, this would probably be a good time to discuss what the Bible has to say about ‘man’.
Right off the bat. Look at Romans 3:23. “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We have all sinned. None of us escape this one. Now that we know that we all have sinned, I think a definition of the word ‘sin’ is in order. A list of sins or types of sins can be stretched from Mission Viejo to the ocean, but we may still be confused as to what the actual definition of the word means. Suppose we make it simple. A sin is anything we do that is displeasing to God. The arguments continue to come. Now, we get those who say they don’t sin very much. We’ll try a little math on that one. What would we consider ‘not sinning very much?’ How about 10 times a day? Now that’s in thought or deed. Ok, ok, we’ll say only 3 times a day. ….That’s very close to ‘walking on water.’ Time for a little math. 3 times 365 days a year, equals over 1000 sins. That figure times an average of 70 years equals over 70,000 sins. Where do you think this person would end up if they had this many criminal counts against them? So much for ‘I don’t sin very much.’
Do we need more? Illustrations are useful, but they are not scripture. Turn to Matthew 5:48. “Therefore you are
to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” It would seem the passing grade into heaven is 100%, not ‘I don’t sin very much, or any other excuse we can find.’ And, just for those who think, ‘if it feels good, it must be alright,’ here’s another point in scripture that blows that away. Turn with me to Proverbs 14:12. “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
Need we say more? The idea here is that man cannot save himself. Next month we’ll take a look at God, and see how He handles our problem.
Just Stay
A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside. 'Your son is here,' she said to the old man.
She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened.Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength.
Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile. He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital –the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients.
Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited.Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her.'Who was that man?' he asked. The nurse was startled,
'He was your father,' she answered. 'No, he wasn't,' the Marine replied. 'I never saw him before in my life.''Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?'
'I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn't here. When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed.'The next time someone needs you ... just be there. Stay.
WE ARE NOT HUMAN BEINGS GOING THROUGH A TEMPORARY SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE.
WE ARE SPIRITUAL BEINGS GOING THROUGH A TEMPORARY HUMAN EXPERIENCE.
A Little Humor
(Or is it?)
RECALL NOTICE:
The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed "Sub-sequential Internal Non-Morality," or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed. Some of the symptoms include:
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion
10. Unforgiving heart
The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect. The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.
The number to call for repair in all areas is:
P-R-A-Y-E-R.Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next,
download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component. No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control
Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Believers' Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes. WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded.
For free emergency service, call on Jesus. DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility. Thank you
for your attention!
- GOD
Church of Scientology
To start this off let’s look at the founder, L. Ron Hubbard, who said the following: “I’d like to start a religion. That’s where the money is.” Having this statement from Mr. Hubbard, we can easily see how this religion came about. As a matter of record, Judge Breckenridge, from the Los Angeles Superior Court said: “ [The court record is] replete with evidence [that Scientology] is nothing more in reality but a vast enterprise to extract the maximum amount of money from its adepts by pseudo scientific theories.”
Immediately we find that Mr. Hubbard did not believe in the Christian Christ. False Christian concepts were forced upon a Thetan (Scientologist person). The Christ legend was an implant formed a million years ago in pre-clears (Scientology rating).
Mr. Hubbard casts doubt upon Jesus as the Messiah. The Church of Scientology teaches that Jesus Christ may have believed in reincarnation. They site this on the part of religious historians showing the early education of Jesus of Nazareth as being a member of the cult Essenes, who believed in reincarnation.
Hubbard attributes Hindu teachings to Jesus. “Christ,” he wrote, “was a bringer of information. He never announced his sources. He spoke of them as coming from God. But they might just as well have come from the god talked about in the Hymn to the Dawn Child the Veda.” Hubbard looks down upon Jesus from his OT VIII position, claiming, “Neither Lord Buddha nor Jesus Christ were OT, (Scientology rating), according to the evidence. They were just a
shade above clear.”
Scientology’s view of reincarnation includes extraterrestrial life, evolution on other planets, evolution on earth, implant stations, forgetter implants, and engrams that keep people trapped in reincarnation. The OT III, section three, (Scientology paid for rating), material was entered into court cases, from which we find Hubbard’s journey of the Thetan. He claims this discovery was in December 1967: “The head of the Galactic Confederation (76 planets 95,000,000 years ago) solved overpopulation (250 billion or so per planet) by mass implanting. He caused people to be brought to Teegeeack (Earth) and put an H-bomb on the principal volcanoes and then the Pacific area ones were taken in boxes to Hawaii and the Atlantic ones to Las Palmas and there “packaged.” His name was Xenu”
As you can see, The Church of Scientology is designed with one goal in
mind … make money. They have a system of ratings that must be purchased as intensives. To get to the highest level of salvation it will cost more than $ 300,000.00. They have special training positions that people can work through if they don’t have the immediate funds available to purchase their salvation status.
If you desire more detailed information, plus Mr. Hubbard’s college transcripts and grades, there are books that give this information. Kingdom of the Cults, is a good reference material. This article only represents a small portion of the immense amount of material a person must purchase to attain a higher level in the Church of Scientology.
Know when to speak #13
Now you can reinforce the free gift and point out that this is something we can’t merit on our own. Turn to Ephesians 2:8-9. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Again you may stress the fact that heaven is not obtainable by anything we can do.
Somewhere in this discussion we usually hear the comment, “It doesn’t seem possible that there is only one way to get to heaven. What about all the other people in the world who believe they can get to heaven by some other means? Surely there are more ways to get there than just one….”
Let’s look at another analogy. We’ll say you are caught in a burning house with no way out. The firemen arrive and start to rescue you by cutting a circle through the fire and burning debris. They tell you to go through the circle they have cut, but all your life you have heard a rescue must take place by cutting a square. So, you hesitate and don’t go through the rescue circle, because you feel there is another way to reach safety, and, we know the result of that action. The same is true with the gospel. It is scriptural and extremely simple, but there are those who won’t avail themselves of the simple free way to heaven because they think there are other ways to reach eternity with God.
As we progress our way through the gospel, this would probably be a good time to discuss what the Bible has to say about ‘man’.
Right off the bat. Look at Romans 3:23. “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We have all sinned. None of us escape this one. Now that we know that we all have sinned, I think a definition of the word ‘sin’ is in order. A list of sins or types of sins can be stretched from Mission Viejo to the ocean, but we may still be confused as to what the actual definition of the word means. Suppose we make it simple. A sin is anything we do that is displeasing to God. The arguments continue to come. Now, we get those who say they don’t sin very much. We’ll try a little math on that one. What would we consider ‘not sinning very much?’ How about 10 times a day? Now that’s in thought or deed. Ok, ok, we’ll say only 3 times a day. ….That’s very close to ‘walking on water.’ Time for a little math. 3 times 365 days a year, equals over 1000 sins. That figure times an average of 70 years equals over 70,000 sins. Where do you think this person would end up if they had this many criminal counts against them? So much for ‘I don’t sin very much.’
Do we need more? Illustrations are useful, but they are not scripture. Turn to Matthew 5:48. “Therefore you are
to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” It would seem the passing grade into heaven is 100%, not ‘I don’t sin very much, or any other excuse we can find.’ And, just for those who think, ‘if it feels good, it must be alright,’ here’s another point in scripture that blows that away. Turn with me to Proverbs 14:12. “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
Need we say more? The idea here is that man cannot save himself. Next month we’ll take a look at God, and see how He handles our problem.
Just Stay
A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside. 'Your son is here,' she said to the old man.
She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened.Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength.
Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile. He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital –the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients.
Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited.Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her.'Who was that man?' he asked. The nurse was startled,
'He was your father,' she answered. 'No, he wasn't,' the Marine replied. 'I never saw him before in my life.''Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?'
'I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn't here. When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed.'The next time someone needs you ... just be there. Stay.
WE ARE NOT HUMAN BEINGS GOING THROUGH A TEMPORARY SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE.
WE ARE SPIRITUAL BEINGS GOING THROUGH A TEMPORARY HUMAN EXPERIENCE.
A Little Humor
(Or is it?)
RECALL NOTICE:
The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed "Sub-sequential Internal Non-Morality," or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed. Some of the symptoms include:
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion
10. Unforgiving heart
The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect. The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.
The number to call for repair in all areas is:
P-R-A-Y-E-R.Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next,
download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component. No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control
Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Believers' Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes. WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded.
For free emergency service, call on Jesus. DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility. Thank you
for your attention!
- GOD
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