Category Archives: Christian

Christian, Inspirational

Relationship

I’ve heard preachers and people on-line say Christianity isn’t about rules and regulations.

What does Jesus say?

1 John 2:3-4 KJV
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. [4] He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

If we want to have a relationship with Jesus we need to keep his commandments. Let no one dissuade you. Commandments are rules and regulations. The Ten Commandments can be found in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. Read your Bible. There are other rules and regulations in the Old and New Testament that we should follow.

When you hear someone say it’s not about rules and regulations stay away from them – they are liars. If you want true relationship with Jesus you have to read what he said, you have to learn, you have to do.

Proverbs 19:16 KJV
He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.

John 14:21 KJV

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

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Christian, Inspirational

Let There Be Light

I just watched Kevin Sorbo’s new movie today. It was an okay movie, but at the baptism scene I said, Let There be Deeper Water!

Baptism is not a public declaration of faith. It is the point where we join God’s family. The water not only represents Jesus’s blood, but resurrection, and God’s plenty. The Earth’ surface is 2/3 water. Yet people today actually practice non immersion baptism.

Why? They do not understand baptism. People get baptised multiple times. Which one counted, if any?

Baptism requires an age of understanding. One must confess Jesus is Messiah repenting of their past sins. These elements require an acquired knowledge, who Jesus is, the difference between right and wrong. Age of understanding may vary among individuals, but baptizing an infant accomplishes nothing.

The act is both admission of faith and submission to the Lord, it is the shared death and resurrection of our Savior.

It is correctly performed by immersion in water by another, that person saying I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost or in the name of Jesus Christ.

The man, woman, or child of appropriate age arises from the water a new creature in Christ.

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Christian, Inspirational

Filthy Rags

Isaiah 64:6 KJV
But we are all as an unclean thing , and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

This verse is used by some to discourage self effort in living righteously.

I tell you a truth.

God might have a use for your filthy rags.

There is a song, Must I go and empty handed. Must I go and empty handed, thus my redeemed meet? Not one day of service give Him, lay no trophy at his feet.

Don’t let anyone, especially a so called preacher of the Word talk you out of trying to do right and having good works.

Notice in Acts 10:4 KJV how Cornelius is rewarded with an angelic visit that eventually saves his house, … What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

Many have defined Grace as unmerited favor. Remember God can and does reward based on merit as well.

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Christian, Inspirational

The Journey

The Bible tells us to fear God. Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

And indeed we should, but the Holy Journey presented to us, from God introducing himself in the Old Testament to Jesus’ sacrifice for us in the New, is to go from fear to friendship.

John 15:14 KJV
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

1 John 4:18 KJV
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

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Christian, Inspirational

Another Gospel

Below you will find erroneous doctrine that I have heard on TBN recently. Remember – an exaggerated truth is a lie.

Just one drop of Jesus blood cleanses the whole world. – If this were sufficient, Christ need not have died. Jesus blood was indeed precious, but do you know why? It’s the value you place on his sacrifice. It’s the value God the Father placed on it.

God loves you so much he would have sent Jesus to die on the cross for you if you were the only person that ever existed. I doubt it. I’m hesitant to say he would have come up with a better plan, but the Truth is God did have a better plan. He planned for many children, coming to Salvation through Jesus, not just one person.

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Christian, Inspirational

About

“The gospel is not about behavior modification.” – Joseph Prince

Matthew 9:12-13 KJV But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. [13] But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

So we see contrary to the opinion of Joseph Prince, Jesus came specifically for the behavior modification of sinners. This is inherent in the definition of repentance. Repentance is not only sorrow for wrong doing, but stopping the wrong or sinful behavior.

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Christian, Inspirational

Law and Love Combining

There are those that preach Grace and there are those that preach the Law, but there are few that grasp the Truth as well as Owens and Lorenz in the hymn Give Me the Bible.

Precept and Promise, Law and Love Combining!

2 Timothy 2:19 KJV
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

How can we depart from iniquity without knowledge of the law.

Give me the Bible, Holy message shining; Thy light shall guide me in the narrow way; Precept and promise, law and love combining, Till night shall vanish in eternal day.

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Christian, Inspirational

Use My Name

I have been thinking on prayer. 100% of the time at the Church I attend “in Jesus name” is how prayer is ended. But must it always be so?

When we pray. We pray to the Heavenly Father. When we pray, we pray through or with Jesus his Son. Not just in his name, but actually with him. I believe that we should pray with Jesus as our attorney, our advocate, our mediator. In a courtroom today we don’t say to the Judge, in the name of my attorney. We go to the attorney ourselves, who then with us makes our wishes and pleas known to the Judge.

Certainly the Heavenly Father is a Great Judge. And when I pray I will try to end those prayers with … through you Jesus my Saviour I pray, rather than simply ending the prayer with in the name of Jesus. I think the former conveys a healthier and more active relationship with Jesus and with our Heavenly Father.

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Christian, Inspirational

At Hand

Whenever you hear someone say a scripture or Bible passage is no longer valid because the Kingdom of God has come, understand they are in error.

Ask yourself are we face to face with God? The answer is no. 

It is true Jesus has come. And it is true the Kingdom of God can live in us. It is also true, the Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13 should still be prayed. “Thy Kingdom come.” Some erroneously say it came with Jesus. I tell you, we will know when God’s Kingdom has come, because we will either be face to face with him or in Hell.

Let no one lead you astray. Why call him Lord, Lord and do not what he says? 

Matthew 6:9-13 KJV After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. [10] Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. [11] Give us this day our daily bread. [12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

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Christian, Inspirational

Context is Key

When reading the Holy Bible it is important to be aware of context. It can affect correct interpretation of the scripture. Yet, I think context at times may be of minimal importance. 

For example: Malachi 3:10 KJV says,  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it .

This verse is often used to encourage giving. I think by context, however, it is really a one time statement by God to the Israelites. Read Malachi 1:1 KJV The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi. Can we take a verse like Malachi 3:10 and believe if we give we will receive? In my opinion, God can choose to honor a giver however he chooses. In fact, Jesus said something similar to Malachi 3:10 in Luke 6:38. 

Some guidelines and warnings I’d recommend for interpretation of scripture.  Just because something was written to the Church at Corinth or to Timothy, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t apply to you. All 66 books of the Bible are included for a reason.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV tells us All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

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