Christian

Any Other Name

I noticed on Twitter someone complaining that Jesus Christ isn’t a name. I get it. I think years ago, I even pointed that out to someone in a conversation myself.

Technically it is a name and a title. But is it worth arguing about. I’m not so sure. There is only one Christ and many Jesus’s. The Holy Bible refers to him as Christ Jesus and Jesus Christ. Christ may not be a last name, but it is an identifier. I think as long as we know whom we are discussing it’s a bit of a moot point.

I personally do not care for the name Yeshua. To me it appears to be a modern Hebrewization of the name Jesus. I prefer the name Jesus, it’s what I grew up with. If you happen to hear of historical evidence Jesus was ever called Yeshua, please comment.

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

Everyone Welcome

It seems the last few days I’ve been expressing things that bother me about some churches and preachers.

Churches that have “Everyone Welcome” on their church signs bother me.

Here’s why. I think they are missing the point. I believe the Church of Christ is an exclusive, members only group. Now I don’t necessarily mean being a member of your local church, I’m talking about being a living member of Christ’s Church; Being baptized by immersion in his name or in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost and trying to live out God’s word keeping his commandments.

1 Corinthians 5:11 KJV
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

Psalm 119:115 KJV
Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

Romans 16:17 KJV
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Galatians 6:1 KJV
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

There are many warning verses throughout the Holy Bible and I maintain if anywhere is the place to be clickish, it’s with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

Revering the Cross

I just heard John Hagee use the phrase “the blood of the cross” in a prayer.

I take issue with this, the hymn, The Old Rugged Cross, and people who wear crucifixes.

Here’s why. Our redemption has nothing to do with the means of Jesus’s death. The wood or tree did not save me. Jesus did. His sacrifice was becoming human and dying to show us all to follow the Father’s will.

So why do crucifixes bother me? Isn’t it an image or likeness as described in

Exodus 20:4-5 KJV
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: [5] Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

The crucifix may not be graven out of wood it could be forged out of metal, but I think Jesus wants us to focus on him in spirit and in truth. Why bow down to an instrument of death?

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

Seek the Commandments of the Lord

1 Chronicles 28:8 KJV
Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the Lord , and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the Lord your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.

I watch TBN and many a preacher complains about religion being rules and regulations.

If God is going to write his laws upon our hearts and minds, we have to let him. Having an open heart to seek his commandments is the first step. Keeping them is the second.

Standard
Christian

A Call to Shame

When preachers call the congregation to repeat a word or phrase in Church or leave you verbally wanting to respond, with a comment like “and all God’s people said …”. It is a shame.

Do you know why?

The answer is in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35.

Is every man ignorant? You have the right to be. 1 Cor 14:38.

Seriously, don’t look up these verses if you prefer not to know. Preachers, however, should know better.

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

Unbelief

At one point, I thought I would spend my life in the Church of Christ denomination. Not because they do everything right, but because of the churches I am aware of, the Church of Christ seemed the lesser of error and evils. At the very least it has the right name. The COC understands baptism and offers the Lords Supper weekly.

Yet, I have concluded to leave the Church of Christ denomination. Here’s why. As a denomination they misinterpret 1 Corinthians 13:10 KJV But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. They erroneously declare this verse to mean an end of miracles because Jesus was perfect, he has been here, and thus the season of miracles is over.

Why is this crucial. Read the warning in 2 Timothy 3:5 KJV which accurately describes the modern Church of Christ denomination! Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

They sing songs, they pray, they offer the Lord’s Supper, but they do not believe in the very real power of God to perform miracles today.

It goes further than this, as I have spoken with and overheard members of the COC speak unbelief and dissension. One preacher said, regarding Pharoah and the plagues, he didn’t believe the Lord could reach inside a person and harden a heart. This is more than unbelief. It is argument against the word of God which clearly says God hardened Pharaohs heart. One said God couldn’t grant knowledge miraculously, but rather only through study and work. I was told this was logical. Another said he didn’t believe God could help a man walk perfectly before the Lord. These not only reflect disbelief they actively contradict the Word of God.

I suspect these opinions are mirrored in Church of Christ churches all over the nation.

This is serious enough that one should dissassociate with the COC. Why? Because God says to turn away. I have speculated maybe their deafness to truth and discernment is connected to their unbelief. I have also wondered if they are secretly and by majority the people described in 2 Timothy 3:2-7. If verse 5 is true could the inverse description of the people also be true?

All speculation aside, God commands we leave them in 2 Timothy 3:5 and He knows what’s best for us, his children. When someone wants to argue logic, remind them our relationship with God is not only logical, but passionate as well!

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

3 Points

Three points to ponder.

  1. If the USA was truly a Christian nation we’d still be British.
  2. Don’t try to teach Greek without mastering the English Bible first.
  3. You can’t leave your schoolmaster (the law) behind without graduation.
Standard
Christian, Inspirational

Something New

I’ve heard two preachers say, we don’t know who wrote the book of Hebrews.

Really. First, don’t include me in your we. I stand with the Holy Ghost inspired translators of the KJV. Over 400 years ago, they were convinced Hebrews was written by Paul.

Since my foundation is sure in the King James Version Holy Bible, I am able to see this modern controversy for what it is. It is another attack by Satan and unstable preachers on the KJV.

Make sure your foundation! You can trust in the accuracy and validity of the KJV.

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

A Morning Moment

I often forget to acknowledge the Lord in the morning. I typically read the Bible and pray before going to sleep.

It occurred to me, the Lord’s Prayer is intended to be prayed in the morning. Matthew 6:9-13. Here’s why:

Matthew 6:11 KJV
Give us this day our daily bread.

It doesn’t make much sense to pray for our daily bread before we go to sleep and the day is over unless we are praying for the next day.

After several years of praying the Lord’s Prayer, I can’t believe I only noticed it now. We should think when we pray, not just recite.

Standard