The Cycle of Life

"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship."

"The average age of the worlds greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence:

1. From bondage to spiritual faith
2. From spiritual faith to great courage
3. From courage to liberty
4. From liberty to abundance
5. From abundance to complacency
6. From complacency to apathy
7. From apathy to dependence
8. From dependence back into bondage

Psalm 9:17 - "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."

4-11-2020

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What a difference 100 years can make!

AMA Labels Abortionists “Monsters of Iniquity”

The American Medical Association has defined abortion as “the slaughter of countless children no mere misdemeanor, no attempt upon the life of the mother, but the wanton and murderous destruction of her child—such unwarranted destruction of human life”

Again, the AMA has described the abortionists themselves: “Men who cling to a noble profession, only to dishonor it, false brethren educated assassins, these modern Herods, these men who would with corrupt hearts and blood-stained hands destroy what they cannot reinstate, corrupt souls, and destroy the fairest fabric that God has ever created, under the cloak of that medical profession, monsters of iniquity.”

Indeed, these accurate denunciations of abortion and abortionists were pronounced by the American Medical Association—but in 1859 and 1870, respectively.

The words remain true, but the AMA has sadly declined. In 1967 abortion was redefined as “the interruption of an unwanted pregnancy,” and by 1970 it was termed simply “a medical procedure.”

What a difference 100 years can make!

"As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all." ~ Ecclesiastes 11:5

THE IRONY OF EXCUSES

A man was asked by a second man if he could borrow his lawnmower; the first man replied ‘NO, I am baking a cake’; to which the second man stated, ‘what does baking a cake have to do with my borrowing your lawnmower’? The first man replied, ‘nothing, but when you need an excuse; one is as good as another’.

So likewise for the half-hearted disciple; God invites him to commune every week on Sunday, but he "has a cake to bake". What does baking a cake have to do with worship? “Nothing, but when you need an excuse, one is as good as another.”

Speaking of excuses for not assembling for worship; one is 'as good as another'. The irony of excuses is seen when the same person will use opposite "reasons" to hide the truth about why he couldn't assemble to worship.

The same person who said on one occasion, "I had a hard week at work", then said on another occasion, "I needed to work".

Who said on one occasion, "I had relatives show up…", said on another occasion, "I went to visit relatives".

Who said on one occasion, "I’m sick, and couldn't go out", said on another occasion, "It was such a beautiful day; I went out".

Who said on one occasion, "I went last week", said on another occasion, "I’ll go next week".

Who said on one occasion, "I overslept", said on another occasion, "I slept in".

Who said on one occasion, "I was on vacation, said on another occasion, "I need a vacation".

Truly, "...wisdom is justified of all her children."

Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:35

4/8/2020

COMPARE AND $AVE

When Jesus had taught in the temple the Jews were astonished at how He could teach, "having never been educated" (John 7:14-15).

When they heard Peter and John teach they were astonished at the confidence with which they taught, being “unlearned and ignorant men”. “And then they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)

Any similarities in the teaching of Jesus with the teaching of Peter and John? What else would have made the Jews connect Peter and John as having “been with Jesus”?

What about today? Is it not still true that teaching can identify/connect one as having “been with Jesus”? Certainly so! But it can also be proof that teaching is in error. If not, why not? The teachings of the Jews could not identify them with Moses because they did not teach what Moses taught, but taught “traditions” (Matthew 15:1-9).

The apostle Paul stated in 2 Thessalonians 2:15, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.” Paul once taught things, that he later recognized as being in error (Galatians 1:14). But, when he began preaching “the faith which once he destroyed”, he was connected as having “been with Jesus”, for his teaching was similar to what Jesus taught (1 Corinthians 14:37). Teaching will either cause the teacher/preacher to be connected with Jesus’ teachings, or in error.

The responsibility is upon each person to compare what is taught today, with what was taught by Jesus and the apostles.

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).

4/8/2020

The Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error ~ 1 John 4:1-6

Throughout the first epistle of John it is clear that the apostle is concerned about Christians being deceived. He wrote with urgency to warn them about anti-Christs in chapter two. In that context he said, “no lie is of the truth”, and, “who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?” In chapter 3:7 he said: “let no one deceive you”.

John had a realistic concern about Christians being deceived, for he knew the spirit of error as opposed to the spirit of truth. If that reality escapes our notice, we are in trouble today. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of GOD; because many false prophets have gone out into the world”.

How important is it to “not believe, but test” the spirits? If you have ever watched religious television programs you know it is common for a preacher to tell his audience that he has the Holy Spirit, or that God personally appeared to him and told him to do or say certain things. Apart from the scriptures and not subject to any verification, can you be satisfied with the man or woman who simply says they have the Spirit? Consider what the apostle John says here: “Don’t believe all people who SAY they have the Spirit”.

There are many passages in the New Testament wherein belief (i.e. faith), is commanded. Look back in 1 John 3:23 – “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ”. In Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, evidence is given upon which to base our faith in Christ. Belief is encouraged, urged and also commanded. But here, in 1 John 4:1, belief is PROHIBITED: “Believe NOT every spirit”. We have a command PROHIBITING the acceptance of anyone who CLAIMS to have the Spirit. WHY SO? Because it may be the SPIRIT OF ERROR! You simply cannot believe everything you hear.

Let me mention several fields of human activity: Politics – Medicine – Science – History – Computers. Can you believe everything you hear? What about religion? Can you believe everything you hear? If you listen to the various religious messages in the world today, you will soon discover that messages are in CONFLICT with each other. All that we hear simply CANNOT be the truth. Some theological systems maintain that we are predestined without regard to the personal will of the heart. Others have built a sacramental system surrounded by traditions and man-made doctrine and practice. At large in “evangelical” religion, there is a primary concentration on belief in Christ, but often denying the role of baptism and downplaying obedience to the teachings of the apostles (Acts 2:42). Religious cults claim authority in their writings and structure. Human creeds are enforced. Some in world religions deny that Jesus Christ is the Savior, the only begotten Son of God. Do we just believe everything we hear?

The messages in modern religion are in conflict. So John says: ‘Do NOT believe everybody who claims they are telling you what you ought to believe and do in religion! Do NOT accept every teacher’s claim that he is telling you what the Holy Spirit revealed’. Rather, John said to TRY the spirits; TEST all religious teaching!

Let me ask you – Which religious teachers today should we apply this test to? The answer is: every single one of them! Every single religious teacher should be tested in the same way by simply seeing if what he preaches is as the Lord and His chosen apostles preached in the Scriptures!

Let me state the matter in these terms. Never think that:

~ If a man is popular and brings in huge crowds, it means he must be teaching the truth!

~ If a man is a good public speaker and can hold the attention of an audience, this means he must be teaching the truth.

~ If you like the person, he must be teaching the truth.

~ If a man quotes a lot of Scripture, he must be teaching the truth.

~ If a man has academic, educational credentials, he must be teaching the truth!

There is only ONE way to determine if a man is teaching the truth – SEE IF WHAT HE SAYS IS WHAT JESUS AND THE APOSTLES PREACHED IN THE BIBLE! It is a mistake to decide you like the man, so therefore you’ll accept everything he says. The better approach is take the message, compare that message with what is revealed; then accept the message – not because of the man, but because it is revealed.

One thing must influence everything we believe, teach and practice--The Word of God. There has to be something that is the standard by which all teaching can be "tested" to know whether it is true or a deception; whereby we can know the "spirit of truth" from the "spirit of error". The scriptures can be "twisted", i.e., distorted (2 Peter 3:16) when preached. The reality of false preachers in pulpits cause the need for "testing" all that is proclaimed. Satan has ministers in pulpits (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). There must be a standard to "test". It is the teaching of Jesus and the apostles.

You cannot turn your soul’s salvation over to men. You cannot just listen to a preacher you like and let that govern your response to God without searching the scriptures and comparing what a preacher today says to what the Lord and the apostles said. Hear, believe and obey the gospel message that Jesus and the apostles preached regardless of who is preaching today. Remember, YOU CAN KNOW TRUTH FROM ERROR! (John 8:32).

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4/12/2020

“THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.” ~ John 6:45

Salvation involves God providing what man could not and man responding to that which God provided. This is seen from John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Consider, “FOR WHOM DID JESUS DIE?” Perhaps, the question should be, “FOR WHOM DID JESUS NOT DIE?” Didn't He die for everyone? The Bible declares that God is not willing that ANY should perish (2 Peter 3:9). Thus, He “gave His only begotten Son" for everyone. NOW, consider this: IS EVERYONE SAVED BY VIRTUE OF THE FACT THE CHRIST HAS DIED FOR EVERYONE? IF NOT, WHY NOT?

We are told in Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation HATH appeared to ALL men…”

If we are saved by the grace of God, and the grace of God HAS appeared to everyone, why isn’t everyone already saved? It is because of what is stated in 1 Peter 2:24 (and elsewhere) about GOD'S ETERNAL PURPOSE for man. The latter part of 1 Peter 2:24 says, “…that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.”

Titus 2:12 says that grace “teaches”. Grace came by Jesus (John 1:17), and Jesus taught (John 6:63). Salvation is dependent upon the things taught by Jesus. He gave commands never before preached; and these commands MUST be obeyed. Notice Peter’s words in John 6:68: “Lord, to whom shall we to? Thou hast the words of eternal life”. Jesus had earlier said of his teachings, “…the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).

Jesus had earlier spoken of the necessity of being taught in connection with salvation in John 6:44-45 as follows: “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, and they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” One must learn how (i.e., be ‘TAUGHT’ – John 6:44-45); in order to come to Christ. The prophets prophesied of this very thing in regard to the Messiah.

This is why preaching is crucial. Jesus’ sacrifice was necessary to reconcile man unto God and the message of reconciliation explains how and why. Thus the apostle Paul would call his preaching a 'message of reconciliation' in 2 Cor. 5:18-20: "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."

Uniting people from all nationalities into one body, the church, was God’s eternal purpose. How could such a great feat be accomplished?

~ By recognizing and abiding by the authority that was given unto His Son.

~ By following the same doctrine that He (and they) taught.

This is why teaching is crucial. It is what separates truth from all else. It is unique. Let us go back to the text of 1 Peter 2.

v. 24 - "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."

Notice the latter part of 1 Peter 2:24: Jesus bore our sins for a reason: “…that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.” This is stating WHY Jesus ‘bore our sins in His body’; (i.e. the purpose for which God sent Him into the world). Titus wrote of the purpose for which Jesus died in this way: “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14). So we were redeemed for a particular reason or purpose. That reason/purpose is here stated. To ‘live unto righteousness’ and to be ‘zealous of good works’ [these are one and the same].

In this same chapter (Titus 2:11-12) this purpose for which we were redeemed is stated again by the apostle Paul: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world…”.

Now let’s compare Paul & Peter’s language: “live unto righteousness”; to be “zealous of good works”; deny ungodliness and worldly lusts…live soberly, righteously, and godly. God’s ‘GRACE’ is said to teach how to live in this manner. GRACE appeared for this PURPOSE (i.e., it was God’s purpose to show grace to man for a particular reason).

God’s grace taught us through the things taught by the Lord. We can know how to overcome ungodliness and worldly lusts and how to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this way. His teaching on how to ‘die to sin and to live unto righteousness’, are as much a part of God’s eternal purpose as was His sacrifice. They are inseparable, for no one can receive the benefits of God’s grace without dying to sin and living unto righteousness. This must be taught. This is why the things that are taught from the Bible are so important. It is why the doctrines of the Bible must be ‘rightly divided’; to teach the eternal purpose of God.

The ironic “power” of Easter Sunday!

The ironic “power” of Easter Sunday!

Miracles occur! The eyes of the blind opened…to see the truth of Hebrews 10:25.

Their darkened understanding, is miraculously transformed to comprehension of this command of God. A day of miracles indeed! 

People who can't make a 10 a.m. service arrive early for a sunrise service! People who never attend; show up!

Those who sow sparingly, are miraculously transformed into generosity as no budget crunch factors in on spending for new clothes and accessories, for the resurrection of the Lord MUST be remembered on this one day.

Those who normally “don’t have time”, to attend on any other Sunday, are able to perform a miracle and “create” time on this particular Sunday.

Yet perhaps the most powerful miracle of Easter Sunday is the fill of spirituality and religion, which endures for another 51 weeks.

Truly, wisdom is justified by her deeds ~ Matthew 11:19