Encouragement | God's Truth in Love

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The Wrong Tree

In Advice, Agape Love, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Prayer, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Revival, Rhema Words, Truth, Uncategorized on June 11, 2014 at 2:41 pm

You may submit your own question via the contact information on the “ABOUT” page. A link to the about page can be found at the top of any of the website pages.

Question Summary:

God did not want Adam and Eve to eat from the tree in the center of the Garden of Eden. Why? Then they had to die. Why?

Reply:

This might be a question you would need God to answer in order to obtain a true and complete answer because I believe there were many more reasons than we might realize. Scripture does not tell us everything, every reason exactly, but it does tell us enough to draw some conclusions, which is what I have done in answering your question. However, I do not presume to speak for the Creator of the universe and mankind regarding all of His reasons for His command.

First let me state, we are required to trust God and thus obey God regardless of our personal understanding. God told them not to do eat of this specific tree. He had provided them everything they needed in life, He was trustworthy, He was their Creator, and His command should have been respected just as His commands to us today should be respected.

That said…

Examining Genesis 1:17, 3:5,22, 6:3

In my answer, I wish to point out something that people do not often consider about God’s command to Adam and Eve. God not wanting them to eat of the tree was for their own protection, for to have knowledge of the contradictions of good and evil is a fate worse than denial of something one might want.

The sentence of death, which derived from the cruse, was further protection of man from God, for to live forever with knowledge of evil would be a fate worse than death. Therefore, out of mercy God later put a cap, so to speak, on human life – 120 years.

Regarding worldviews:

Secular sources – self-help, advice, mass media – some of these resources can be useful in obtaining knowledge about what is going on in our world but they are not credible sources for a Believer when it comes to establishing beliefs, opinions, and directives for life. The gap between the two foundational platforms (biblical vs. secular) is too vast at this point in our present day society to bring reconciliation between the two. A Believer should seek out Christian lifestyle training, godly counsel, and Christian forms of mass media using those to shape their approach to life.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

¹¹And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹²for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, ¹³till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; ¹⁴that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, ¹⁵but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— ¹⁶from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

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Women Men and Church

In Advice, Agape Love, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Persecution, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Remnant, Revival, Spiritual Fruit, Truth, Uncategorized on June 8, 2014 at 6:00 pm

You may submit your own question via the contact information on the “ABOUT” page. A link to the about page can be found at the top of any of the website pages.

Question Summary:

The role of men and women in the corporate church seems to be a topic that never gets old and is constantly being examined or reexamined. Recently I was asked a series of questions about a woman’s roles within the Body of Christ and the spiritual authority of women.

I am going to list those questions and my answers below, just as they were asked and answered.

I want to first note that a woman’s relationship with her husband differs from her relationship with any other man, whether that man is a spiritual leader, her pastor, an elder, her brother, etc. The authority a husband carries over a wife is far different from, superior to, and much more extensive than the authority any other male would hold over a woman.

Reply:

Women and spiritual authority:

Q – “What is the proper role of women in spiritual authority in the Body?”

A – To minister in ALL capacities to the women of the Body of Christ and for specific women with certain spiritual gifts and callings to advise/counsel and pray for male spiritual leaders.

Q – “As I understand what you wrote, women are the leaders of women in the church, and men are the leaders of men?”

A – For practical life application purposes, your assessment would be correct. However, the male spiritual leaders are also the leaders of the women as well, in most areas – expect personal counseling, which I adamantly believe, should only be done by the same gender.

Q – “So a woman who is a pastor would be a pastor over the women? Can they also be pastors over men?”

A – Yes, a woman pastor is the women’s pastors. A woman can be a co-pastor or an associate pastor but not a head or senior pastor. Technically their role as a pastor would give them more authority than a congregation’s member who is male but typically, when a congregation is functioning well the men and the female pastor do not make an issue of her gender – they just each do their own thing. The female pastor should never attempt to usurp the authority of her male counterparts or take too much authority over her male congregants.

Q – “But then a man is usually something like a senior pastor or at the top of the chain of authority in a congregation, is that right?”

A – Yes, in my belief based on Scripture there should be a male senior pastor in a congregation if there are any males in the congregation.

Spiritual authority in general, whether inside a corporate church congregation or within the Body of Christ as a whole is largely based on a person’s calling regardless of gender. Meaning the callings are to be respected in a certain order – called the five-fold ministry. That order laid out in Scripture is not random; it is based on spiritual authority given them by Christ and is to be respected as such – again, regardless of gender.

1 Corinthians 12:28 (NKJV)

28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

Ephesians 4:11–15 (NKJV)

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

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Advice, Bible, Biblical Principles, Christian, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Encouragement, God, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Prayer, Questions, Rhema Words, Salvation, Truth

Vocal or Silent Prayer

In Advice, Agape Love, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Prayer, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Revival, Rhema Words, Spiritual Fruit, Spiritual Remnant, Truth, Uncategorized on June 6, 2014 at 3:00 pm

You may submit your own question via the contact information on the “ABOUT” page. A link to the about page can be found at the top of any of the website pages.

Question Summary:

Will God accept and listen to prayers that are not audibly spoken? Prayers prayed within a person’s own mind, internal prayers. Does praying silently anger God?

Reply:

First, let me state with all faith that no sincere heartfelt God honoring prayer angers God. God desires communication with His creation and longs to hear from us in good times and in bad, when our hearts are right and when they need to be set right by His Holy Spirit.

God is all-knowing, He is omniscient, therefore He knows our every thought, feeling, action, motive, and so forth thus nothing escapes God’s knowledge and understanding. When we pray He knows everything we say, think, and feel whether it is expressed aloud, within our own hearts and minds, or not expressed at all. Thankfully, God uses this knowledge to answer our prayers in a way that is beyond even our own understanding.

We are many times imperfect people with imperfect prayers but GOD ANSWERS PRAYER PERFECTLY!

We must keep our hearts humble in prayer, always remembering that prayer is a request to God and should be submitted with all the reverential awe and respect the Holy Almighty deserves. Far too often people spout off words that are often meaningless but are instead said for the benefit of those listening more than, in sincere respect and honor to God and God’s Will. We must guard our hearts from indulging in such prayer for it would be better for us to pray one sincere prayer a year for someone than to prayer a thousand prayers a year that are meaningless and empty for the same person.

Here are a few things to keep in mind that Scripture tells us about prayer.

There is a time for secret prayer, family prayer, and public prayer.

Matthew 6:6(AV-KJV) But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Acts 10:2(AV-KJV) A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

Acts 10:30(AV-KJV) And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

Matthew 18:20(AV-KJV) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

If we wish God to receive our prayers, we need to have a pure heart before Him when we pray or our prayer needs to be about setting our hearts right with Him.

Psalm 66:18 (NKJV) If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.

It is important that our faith be invested in our prayer. We need to pray what we believe; we often receive what we believe. The best way to find faith in our prayers and to be able to believe what we pray for will come to pass, is to pray what God’s Will is in the first place. Instead of asking for what we want, we should be asking God what He wants then praying for that.

If people want me to pray for them their way or for what they want I often will not pray for those people. If I sense in a person’s spirit that they are not prepared to handle, or due to inner sin or damage will be angered or disturbed by, hearing the Will of God prayed over them I will not pray for them until I can do so according to God’s Will. Praying words over a person just for the sake of praying or making them feel better is all but useless in the spiritual arena of bring about God’s Will, as in heaven, into the earthly realm so it can be manifest in people’s lives.

Matthew 21:22(AV-KJV) And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

1 John 5:14–15 (NKJV) 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

When we pray we should keep it simple. We will never impress God with our prayers and may the Lord Jesus help us if we are attempting to impress others with our prayers. Let our words be sincere, heartfelt, real, simple and without hypocrisy.

Matthew 6:7 (NKJV) And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Jesus is our intermediary and it is in Jesus’ name that we must believe and we must pray. Self will not get our prayers answered, our pastor will not get our prayers answered, our mentor will not get your prayers answered, our friend will not get our prayers answered, a world renown ministry will not get our prayers answered, one things, One Person will get our prayers answered, our Savior, our Jesus; thus, we pray in Jesus’ name and no other name.

John 14:13 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

If your prayers are not going through Jesus, they are not going anywhere.

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

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Clothes and Salvation

In Advice, Agape Love, Apostasy, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Revival, Spiritual Fruit, Truth, Uncategorized on June 4, 2014 at 6:00 am

You may submit your own question via the contact information on the “ABOUT” page. A link to the about page can be found at the top of any of the website pages.

Question Summary:

Jesus wore a tunic form of clothing, so does that mean wearing the same type of clothing will get us eternal life so we can go to heaven?

Reply:

Wearing a tunic or any form of clothing will neither get you into heaven nor keep you out of heaven. Eternal life and salvation through Jesus, the Christ, has absolutely nothing to do with clothing.

It is our simply faith in and dependence upon Jesus, and His shed blood on the cross for us, that secures us forgiveness of sin and ensures our salvation. It is Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, and the power of that resurrection, that make eternal life possible for us.

John 3:16 (AV)(KJV) Jesus speaking

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.

When you look into the Greek language at the meaning of the word “believeth” found in the above verse it has three parts and collectively they make it clear that this belief is not merely an intellectual assent of Truth. It goes much deeper than agreeing with the facts. To “believeth” in Jesus is “to have faith in, upon, and with respect to” Him with “moral conviction of a religious truth” as to “the truthfulness of God, especially when it comes to reliance upon Christ for salvation.” Believing in the “only begotten Son” means “to entrust oneself, especially one’s spiritual well-being to Christ” with all we have within us and to “commit to put trust with” Him and “believe” Him continually as we “credit” Him with our salvation, growth, change, eternal life, et cetera. There is the clear meaning in the Greek language that this belief or to “believeth” is a form of “persuasion, credence, and moral conviction” which is so strong we continue with “constancy in such profession, assurance, belief and faith” with “fidelity” throughout our lifetime. To “believeth” is to submit to “the system of religious (Gospel) – truth itself.”

Romans 5:12 (NKJV)

12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—

Romans 3:23 (NKJV)

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23 (NKJV)

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

There is no individual of any age who has never sinner. Whether one sin or one million it is all the same to God. Whether you told a white lie or murdered someone it is all the same to God. Sin is sin and sin stinks in the nostrils of a Holy God. Therefore, we need Jesus and His shed blood to cleanse us from that sin and keep us clean.

Romans 5:8 (NKJV)

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:9–10 (NKJV)

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Simply cry out to Jesus, ask Him to forgive you, ask Him to be your Lord and to direct your life according to His Will. Then continue in that for the rest of your life, when at last you will exchange the temporal life for the eternal life you gained, or will gain, at the moment you called, or call, out to Him.

1 Corinthians 15:1–4 (NKJV)

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

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Do We Quit?

In Advice, Agape Love, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Truth, Uncategorized on June 1, 2014 at 6:00 pm

You may submit your own question via the contact information on the “ABOUT” page. A link to the about page can be found at the top of any of the website pages.

Question Summary:

A young person, 20 years old, expresses they are becoming filled with anxiety and have been overwhelmed with stress during the last year as they work as an apprentice. The individual feels their boss wishes them to working at a greater level of skill and speed than they are capable of doing. They have tried their best but the demands are simply not possible for them and their excessive effort results in mistakes and a product that is of low quality. Ultimately, it leads to unhappiness and personal embarrassment for this young person because they know the quality of the product they are producing is low, to the degree the product does not even function correctly. It does not seem the situation is going to get better and the person is seeking counsel about what to do. They want to know, “Do I quit?”

Reply:

You are twenty years old and your life will be much more fulfilling if you learn early in life that God created you with a specific temperament, with certain talents, with certain abilities, with certain strengths, and with certain weakness.

Most people agree with the above statement, generally, except the last part – “with certain weakness.” On that point, people like to believe they are a mini god who can do anything. Well, you cannot. YOU CAN DO ANYTHING GOD WILLS FOR YOU TO DO! This is a more scripturally accurate statement. Our weaknesses are used of God to keep us out of areas of life where we do not belong. Our strengths are used of God to cause us to excel in the areas where He wants us.

¹³ For You formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴ I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well.

¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret,

And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

¹⁶ Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.

And in Your book they all were written,

The days fashioned for me,

When as yet there were none of them.

Psalm 139:13-16 / King David speaking

Definitions in the Hebrew Language –

possessed = formed

7069 to erect, i.e. create; to procure, by purchase, to own, possess (-or), purchase, recover, redeem

my reins = inward parts =

3629 an essential organ); fig. the mind (as the interior self)

made =

6395. to distinguish (lit. or fig.)

fashioned =

3335 (through the squeezing into shape); to mould [skeletal makeup aka mold] into a form; espec. as a potter; fig. to determine (i.e. form a resolution):— × earthen, fashion, form, frame, make (-r), potter, purpose.

God made each of us a specific way with everything we need to accomplish His Purpose for our lives. We are meant to allow God to grow us, change us, refine our character, educate us, train us, et cetera as He manifest what He placed on the inside of us before birth. We are to cooperate with this process not go against this process.

The secular world uses aptitude testing to determine what people would be good at and the Christian community has a godly version of something similar. I personal do not believe in secular aptitude testing and find it can be harmful to people because of its worldly approach. However, finding someone who understands temperaments and someone who could guide you toward the path more in line with your God given design would be wise because you should not have to struggle with your profession throughout your lifetime. That said, we all do jobs we don’t like at times out of necessity but it is not God’s plan that we remain in a situation where we are not productive, where we are unhappy, and where we expose ourselves to so much stress that the door to Satan is opened through anxiety, which is what you have described.

The truth…it may not be possible for you to get good enough at what you are currently doing to make you happy, your boss happy and to bring your stress level down to a healthy level, which does not involve anxiety. You may not have the talents and abilities for that profession but I assure you that you have the talents and abilities for the profession God ordained and desires for you. Find someone to help you figure out what that profession is and find that person soon, so you maximize the amount of your lifespan you spend within God’s Will for your life. Then once God opens a door make the change.

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

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Do Spiritual Gifts Cease?

In Advice, Agape Love, Apostasy, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, Exhortation, Fruits of the Holy Spirit, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Rhema Words, Spiritual Fruit, Truth, Uncategorized on May 19, 2014 at 9:10 pm

You may submit your own question via the contact information on the “ABOUT” page. A link to the about page can be found at the top of any of the website pages.

Question Summary:

“I have done some reading on my own but would love your input on this particular verse, 1 Corinthians 13:8. It seems it could be taken out of context to mean something different then intended but I’m not sure.”

Reply:

Thank you for your question about 1 Corinthians 13:8 and yes, it is a verse that is often misrepresented and misused, by those who do not believe in what is often referred to as the Pentecostal or Charismatic Gifts, of prophecy, words of knowledge, and tongues. It is a verse that is distorted in order to make a claim that these Spiritual Gifts are not in operation anymore within the Body of Christ.

As I frequently try to remind people, context is everything with Scripture. Context of the verses surrounding the verse you are studying, context of the entire chapter, and at times context of the entire book of the Bible you are examining. Therefore, we should look at the context of 1 Corinthians before and after chapter thirteen.

Chapters 1-4 Talks about spiritual gifts, the use of wisdom, carnality, the need for good stewardship in handling mysteries of God, the need for spiritual parenting and spiritual care…

Chapters 5-7 Deals with immorality within the church, the need to “judge”, yes judge immorality, how Christians should treat each other, how we should treat our bodies, how we should act in marriage, instructions for the unmarried and widowed…

Chapters 8-10 Has us examine ourselves internally (our conscious), the need for self-denial, service, and perseverance throughout the Christian’s lifespan…

Chapters 10-11 Addresses religious practices and ordinances.

Chapters 12-14 Focuses primarily on love and on the use of the spiritual gifts in their proper form.

Then we reach the part of the book on which the question is based and that will be the focus of our examination. However, it is important to point out the context of the few chapters that follow this portion.

Chapter 15 Addresses our Resurrected Christ and our ultimate glorification in the next life.

That for the most part is the book of 1 Corinthians. Now understanding the context of 1 Corinthians, we examine this specific passage of Scripture.

Paul has just described what “love” looks like in a tangible sense (1 Corn.13:4-7) and is now going to make a point about love.

1 Corinthians 13:8–13 (AV) (KJV)

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

“they shall fail” v.8

“it shall vanish away” v.8

“shall be done away” v.10

“I put away” v.11

All four of these phrases have the same Greek definition. It is as follows:

2673. καταργέω katargĕō, kat-arg-eh´-o; from 2596 and 691; to be (render) entirely idle (useless), lit. or fig.:— abolish, cease, cumber, deliver, destroy, do away, become (make) of no (none, without) effect, fail, loose, bring (come) to nought, put away (down), vanish away, make void.

There is clearly a time when these gifts will cease to exist. However, the key to when that time is, or will be, can be found in proper understanding and context of 1 Corinthians as a whole and through understanding of other passages in the Bible.

In order for those gifts to cease, “that which is perfect” v.10, must come into existence.

According to the Greek language, “that which is perfect” is a “variety of states of completeness, in character, perfection, growth, labor” and that completeness means “to set out for a definite point or goal”, “the point aimed at as a limit”, “a result immediately or ultimately or prophetic of a purpose”, “specifically to levy an end”, “the uttermost” of a state, and most importantly, “the conclusion of an act or state (termination [literally, figuratively, indefinitely]” – which speaks to the eternal not the temporal.

This addresses the state of being once the Body of Christ has entered Glory, not while the Body of Christ is on the earth.

Let me elaborate on this point by addressing each verse that follows verse eight, where the statement about the ceasing of the gifts is made – verses ten through thirteen.

v.10 In perfection (glory) everything will be complete, there will be no more need for gifts of tongues, prophecy, etc.

v.11 Paul equates transferring from this life to glory, as a level of perfection or maturity that is simply the next step. Then he gives the example of transferring from a level of maturity a child would have, to a level of maturity a man would have. He says, ‘he put away childish things’ because it was the next step in his perfection or maturity as a young man. One day, our next step in our maturity or perfection in Christ, will be to put off this world, the spiritual gifts we use in this world and move into the next realm of our existence, glory, where we will be perfectly completed in Christ.

v.12 Paul talks about the completeness and maturity of his understanding, of our understanding, and spiritual insight once we see Jesus face to face and know ALL there is to know and UNDERSTAND all there is to understand. He acknowledges that he, Paul, is fully known by Christ but that he, Paul, does not fully know the things of God this side of heaven, this side of residing in His, Christ’s, Glory.

v.13 Paul talks about faith, hope, and charity (agape or action type love) and he tells us that for now we act, live, use our gifts, etc. out of “faith”, to the degree of our “faith”, and we rest our “hope” in the Truth that God will use them, having our “hope” in God alone, as we act motivated by “charity” aka love for God and the Body of Christ. He makes the point that of the three, “charity” (love) is the primary one that will transcend this life into the next life, eternal life in glory. Once in glory, faith will not be needed, for our faith will become complete because all will be seen and known (Heb. 11:1). Once in glory our hope will also be made complete because we will have the fulfillment of all we have hoped for during our Christian walk on earth (Heb.11:1).

Paul then immediately launches right into encouraging us and exhorting us to desire the most coveted spiritual gifts and tell us why. Therefore, the use and importance of these gifts are a priority, both then and now. Paul had addressed the three gifts of, Words of Knowledge, Gif of Tongues, and Prophecy because he had been teaching in the prior chapters that all gifts were important and needed within the Body of Christ; therefore, there was no need for spiritual jealousy among the brethren – that ultimately all spiritual gifts regardless of their power would go away once we were all in glory together. Prior to this point in 1 Corinthians 13 and 14, the focus has been on the need for unity and love among True Believer, instead of infighting and jealousy over gifts and callings (1 Corn. 12:12-31).

1 Corinthians 14:1–5 (NKJV)

Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

It is also made clear in the book of Ephesians, when spiritual gifts are being addressed, that the need for apostles and prophets exist, the two callings that tend to use the aforementioned gifts the most. The purpose is to grow the Body of Christ and keep them from the spiritual danger of being lead astray or becoming apostate, which sadly is exactly what wrong teaching on the subject of 1 Corn. 13:8-13 does. Proper teaching, which the fivefold ministry is required by God to do, is to continue until the Body of Christ or the individual is completely spiritually mature, which is something that never happens until a saint goes to be with Jesus in glory. I have never met any mature Christian, who consideration themselves to be completely mature, or perfect – only perfect in Christ. Each mature Believer, I have ever encountered, knew there was so much more they had to learn – this attitude, in and of itself, is a testimony to their maturity.

Ephesians 4:11–16 (NKJV)

Again, in conclusion, in the end all spiritual gifts will go away once we are all in glory together, but not prior to that time. They might be exhibited among the Brethren to a greater or lesser degree at any given time in history but they will not completely cease until after the rapture and/or the Body of Christ has been transformed in the New Jerusalem. This passage in 1 Corinthians 13 is meant to remind us of our need for unity and love among the True Saints of God, Saints being another name for Believers.

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

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His Cross or Your Cross

In Advice, Agape Love, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Truth, Uncategorized on April 29, 2014 at 8:37 am

You may submit your own question via the contact information on the “ABOUT” page. A link to the about page can be found at the top of any of the website pages.

Question Summary:

This man indicates that as he grows in his faith he is becoming even more confused about how to overcome issues in his life. He feels that his begging and pleading with God has fallen on deaf ears. He has tried reading his Bible and resisting but still struggles. He can sense something is wrong but does not know what is wrong. All he knows is that, try as he might he cannot seem to have overcoming victory, to be righteous. He is seeking input and feels very confused.

Reply:

Dear Sir,

Let me first say that your question is a question I have heard hundreds of times, if not more, asked in an untold number of different ways. You are not alone in your concerns and doubts. I was there at one time myself.

If you know Jesus and have truly made Him LORD of your life, you cannot become righteous, given that you are already righteous in God’s eyes and in the spiritual realm. The reader must first realize that he is asking Jesus to do something Jesus has already done. Jesus is not going to help you, me or anyone "overcome certain things in life" when He has already overcome those things for you, me, and all His children on the cross. We experience freedom from any form of bondage once we place our faith in the TRUTH that Jesus did overcome those things for us on the cross thus He is able to manifest the power of that overcoming victory once, by trust and faith; we fully accept what He did.

This is one of the major reasons I recommend Neil Anderson’s book, “Victory over the Darkness” to all new Believers in Christ. If we do not understand who we are in Christ and what His death on the cross accomplished for us, our spiritual foundation will be unstable consequently, our walk with Him will be difficult to say the least. All new Believers would do well to absorb this book fully in their spirits before taking on greater pursuits in the Lord. The book is filled with Scriptures and packed with Truth.

Dear man, stop asking Jesus to do for you and start thanking Him for what He has done. We accept victory the same way we accepted salvation by way of by trust and faith.

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

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The Sin Struggle

In Advice, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Revival, Truth, Uncategorized on April 25, 2014 at 9:30 am

You may submit your own question via the contact information on the “ABOUT” page. A link to the about page can be found at the top of any of the website pages.

Question Summary:

I love God but I continually struggle with sin. Why?

Reply:

We all have a sin nature but once we have redeemed by Christ He has given us a new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17) to which we must yield ourselves. Therefore, when we cut away all the fluff, rationalization, and excuses your reason for your struggle with sin is the same reason we all struggle with sin in any particular area of our lives. Sin and disobedience to God is an option for us.

If disobedience were not an option, you would not be struggling.

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

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Advice, Bible, Biblical Principles, Blessings, Christian, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Encouragement, Evil, God, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Good, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Questions, Rhema Words, Salvation, Truth

Blessing of Good and Evil

In Advice, Agape Love, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Persecution, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Remnant, Truth, Uncategorized on April 24, 2014 at 3:34 pm

You may submit your own question via the contact information on the “ABOUT” page. A link to the about page can be found at the top of any of the website pages.

Question Summary:

Why do people who are sinful get blessed? Why do people who are godly have trouble? Why do people believe sin causes trouble and blessings? How can we make sense of all the mess and injustice in the world?

Reply:

This is actually a combination of several questions whose answers have the same basic root. I have been asked this question in one form or another ever since I became a minister. It comes from the heart of hurting people or angry people who cannot understand how the world, Satan’s kingdom, and the eternal, God’s Kingdom work. Jesus is our example for all things so I will use situations surrounding Jesus to address these questions.

The first point I will make, regarding the evil aspect of the question, is that people can be rewarded, bribed, or compensated by Satan in this world. He can do nothing that has not been allowed by God, Job is an example of that, but Satan can in fact provide worldly blessings for sinful people. We have seen some of the most corrupt and depraved, sometimes privately, individuals and families receive blessings in this lifetime. Their ultimate cost however, for those evil blessings is something much deeper that they lack inside and their eternal souls many times. Satan even tried to bribe Jesus.

Matthew 4:8–11 (NKJV)

⁸Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ⁹And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”

¹⁰Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”

¹¹Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

The first point I will make, regarding the godly aspect of the question, is that people can know God, people can profess all the right things but still be deeply rebellious in their hearts and that rebellion will cause them problems in life. Even Jesus chose obedience over rebellion. Scripture referring to Jesus, states how He had to hear the Father and choose not to have a rebellious heart. If Jesus had to consciously make that choice, while He was here in human flesh, of course we each must do the same every day. If we remain in rebellion, either inwardly or outwardly, against God’s Will we will not be consistently blessed in life.

Isaiah 50:5 (NKJV)

The Lord God has opened My ear;

And I was not rebellious,

Nor did I turn away.

Another reason we see both groups blessed and both groups suffer is because God has chosen such for His own purposes. Jesus taught that, when He walked the earth in the flesh.

Matthew 5:45 (NKJV) Jesus speaking

that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

For a True Believer any suffering or difficulty they go through that is the type, which Jesus taught about above, has a guaranteed redemptive purpose. God wants to use what they went through. For the Unbeliever any difficulty they go through that is the type, which Jesus taught about above, are magnets meant to draw them to Him.

For the True Believer any blessings they obtain from the hand of God that is the type, which Jesus taught about above, are meant not merely as a form of reward but as a source to be used to glorify God further. For the Unbeliever any blessings they obtain from the hand of God that is the type, which Jesus taught about above, are intended to draw them to God through His goodness. Those blessing given to both groups are almost always removed one day if the Giver is not acknowledged and glorified.

There is much injustice, evil, and wrongdoing in the world. It is often hard to make sense of it all but people, most especially Christians must keep in mind this world is currently under Satan’s dominion and Satan can afflict people, including True Believers, with harm, disease, various afflictions, and general difficulties.

2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV)

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

John 14:30 (NKJV) Jesus speaking

³⁰I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.

Luke 13:16 (NKJV) Jesus speaking

¹⁶So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?”

Most dedicated Believers make claims about wanting to be like Jesus and to live for Him. They aspire to resemble their Savior but then are shocked and backslide when life, the world, and the Devil brings about difficulties. Yet, do they really know their Jesus, who He really was and is, as well as what He went through while walking the earth. I will end with passages form Isaiah, one of which that addresses some of what Jesus was to expect, and received, when He came to the earth. The passage also reflects how He responded.

Jesus knew and knows who He was and is, He knew and knows His power and ability, yet, He states what He choose to allow people to do to Him and how He chose to respond. We should pray for the grace of God to do likewise when we find ourselves in difficult circumstance for there is abundant life to be found in that type freedom, strength, and power.

Isaiah 50 (NKJV)

The Servant, Israel’s Hope

50 Thus says the Lord:

“Where is the certificate of your mother’s divorce,

Whom I have put away?

Or which of My creditors is it to whom I have sold you?

For your iniquities you have sold yourselves,

And for your transgressions your mother has been put away.

² Why, when I came, was there no man?

Why, when I called, was there none to answer?

Is My hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem?

Or have I no power to deliver?

Indeed with My rebuke I dry up the sea,

I make the rivers a wilderness;

Their fish stink because there is no water,

And die of thirst.

³ I clothe the heavens with blackness,

And I make sackcloth their covering.”

⁴ “The Lord God has given Me

The tongue of the learned,

That I should know how to speak

A word in season to him who is weary.

He awakens Me morning by morning,

He awakens My ear

To hear as the learned.

⁵ The Lord God has opened My ear;

And I was not rebellious,

Nor did I turn away.

⁶ I gave My back to those who struck Me,

And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard;

I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.

⁷ “For the Lord God will help Me;

Therefore I will not be disgraced;

Therefore I have set My face like a flint,

And I know that I will not be ashamed.

⁸ He is near who justifies Me;

Who will contend with Me?

Let us stand together.

Who is My adversary?

Let him come near Me.

⁹ Surely the Lord God will help Me;

Who is he who will condemn Me?

Indeed they will all grow old like a garment;

The moth will eat them up.

¹⁰ “Who among you fears the Lord?

Who obeys the voice of His Servant?

Who walks in darkness

And has no light?

Let him trust in the name of the Lord

And rely upon his God.

¹¹ Look, all you who kindle a fire,

Who encircle yourselves with sparks:

Walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled—

This you shall have from My hand:

You shall lie down in torment.

Isaiah 55:1–13 (NKJV)

An Invitation to Abundant Life

55 “Ho! Everyone who thirsts,

Come to the waters;

And you who have no money,

Come, buy and eat.

Yes, come, buy wine and milk

Without money and without price.

² Why do you spend money for what is not bread,

And your wages for what does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,

And let your soul delight itself in abundance.

³ Incline your ear, and come to Me.

Hear, and your soul shall live;

And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—

The sure mercies of David.

⁴ Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people,

A leader and commander for the people.

⁵ Surely you shall call a nation you do not know,

And nations who do not know you shall run to you,

Because of the Lord your God,

And the Holy One of Israel;

For He has glorified you.”

⁶ Seek the Lord while He may be found,

Call upon Him while He is near.

⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way,

And the unrighteous man his thoughts;

Let him return to the Lord,

And He will have mercy on him;

And to our God,

For He will abundantly pardon.

⁸ “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

⁹ “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts.

¹⁰ “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,

And do not return there,

But water the earth,

And make it bring forth and bud,

That it may give seed to the sower

And bread to the eater,

¹¹ So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;

It shall not return to Me void,

But it shall accomplish what I please,

And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

¹² “For you shall go out with joy,

And be led out with peace;

The mountains and the hills

Shall break forth into singing before you,

And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

¹³ Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree,

And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree;

And it shall be to the Lord for a name,

For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

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Children and God

In Advice, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Prophet, Prophetess, Truth, Uncategorized on April 21, 2014 at 12:19 pm

Question Summary:

Is there a specific age when children become accountable before God?

Reply:

People are often confused by this topic. When do children become accountable for their sin? Do children go to hell? This is an area where spiritual leaders have tried to find a definitive answer in order to appease or comfort people when there is no definitive answer according to Scripture.

There are denominations that teach that a child becomes accountable for sin at the age of twelve, a belief that has been derived by combining scripture, psychology, a legal mentality, child development theories, and a specific event in Scripture. There are other denominations that believe baptism of the child must take place in order for the child to enter heaven, thus, accountability in some proxy form via the parents begins at about a week old. Neither is absolutely true as neither one is actually based in a clear mandate specifically for children from Scripture.

The specific event I referred to earlier was Jesus’ appearance in the temple when He was about twelve years old (Luke 2:42-50). The train of thought is that if Jesus, at age twelve, was aware enough that He knew He need to be in the Father’s house, then children are accountable by age twelve, thus age twelve became the age used to mark firm accountability before God. All of that sounds wonderful and yes, by age twelve a child is self and sin aware but that awareness of self, sin, and God can come before age twelve as well.

God is characterized in Genesis as knowing that the heart of people is sinful and evil early in life, in their youth.

And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. Genesis 9:21

Youth in the Hebrew is a “young person, childhood, the state of juvenility” then when you dig even deeper into the meaning back to one of the root words, one aspect of the word means “a boy or girl” from “from the age of infancy to adolescence” which is a wide range of age.

Therefore, the age of accountability is not one set age but differs from person to person based upon their mental, emotional, and spiritual makeup and development. Whereas, one child may be very self and sin aware by age eight another may not be until age ten. Many children have had their spiritual conversion long before age twelve. I myself became saved at age eleven with much evidence to support true conversion. Likewise, my child converted to Christ at a very young age, seven, was writing salvation tracts at age eight, on her own, and by twelve was having dreams and vision, which came to pass almost immediately and repeatedly. I am aware of a little boy who was converted at eight, and was prophesying shortly afterwards with Scriptural accuracy and consistency for a long period of time. True spiritual accountability before God will vary, sometimes greatly, from person to person.

Once a child begins to show evidence of self, sin, and God awareness, they should be presented with the Truth of the gospel and encouraged to turn their lives over to the Lordship of Jesus, the Christ. People should not assume that they have until that child is twelve to concerns themselves with that child’s salvation. Jesus should be shared as soon as the individual is aware of God, aware of his or her own sinfulness, and aware that sin is wrong.

Our God is also a just God and a loving God. Children who died in infancy or before they are fully aware of God, and their accountability before Him, are taken to be with Him because they are clean in His sight, having never really understood and therefore never really ever rejected Him.

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

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Resurrection Power

In Agape Love, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Prophet, Prophetess, Truth, Uncategorized on April 20, 2014 at 6:00 pm

It is my prayer that each one of you, who have truly embrace Jesus as your Lord, have awareness of the Resurrection Power living inside of you. It is also my prayer that in the year to come between this Easter Sunday and the next that you will grow in your understanding and execution of this Truth and the use of that resurrection power.

Romans 8:11 (NKJV) But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

As you celebrate the glorious resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus, the Christ, this Resurrection/Easter Sunday in your own way, I pray His Presence will not be far from you and He will be continually in your thoughts. Despite what we might do today we must always remember today is about HIM and His glorious victory.

Today will be, and has been, filled with many activities for each of us. Such as our usual Easter Sunday; a wonderful morning service to celebrate the Triumphed King followed by a massive family reunion at our family compound also know as my great, great, aunt’s (long since gone to be with the Lord) sprawling home tucked away from the world. This family reunion dates back to before I can even remember attending and is inclusive of every family member imaginable past and present; every aunt, uncle, cousin, etc. and for a family who enjoys reproduction that is a throng of people. There will be all the kiddies with their Easter clothes and Easter baskets. The adults of a certain generational group will be called to the caretakers house in the back of the property where the elders of the family, men and women alike, will dispense the wisdom and lay down the law (as I like to call it) for how the family matters and business will be handled for the next year. No one would dare dream to tell them otherwise; you respect your elders and your leaders and God blesses you, you don’t and He doesn’t. I know for many people they will experience a very similar day, which is wonderful and I believe God rejoices over such gatherings, but I want to suggest something more you might want to do with your day.

If the server for this website works correctly, you should be receiving this posting or it will be available via the blog in the early evening, my time, on Easter Sunday. The day will be coming to a close in just a few hours and you just may have a few minutes for the following. I would like to encourage you to take a few moments alone, just Jesus and you, and read the account of the first Good Friday and the first Resurrection/Easter Sunday.

Luke 23:26–24:12 (NKJV)

Christ is Crucified

Also found in Matt. 27:31–56; Mark 15:20–41; John 19:16–30 .

²⁶Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.

²⁷And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. ²⁸But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. ²⁹For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’ ³⁰Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’ ³¹For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?”

³²There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. ³³And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. ³⁴Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

And they divided His garments and cast lots. ³⁵And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”

³⁶The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, ³⁷and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”

³⁸And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS

³⁹Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”

⁴⁰But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? ⁴¹And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴²Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

⁴³And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

⁴⁴Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. ⁴⁵Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.

⁴⁷So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!”

⁴⁸And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned. ⁴⁹But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Christ is Buried

Also found in Matt. 27:57–61; Mark 15:42–47; John 19:38–42.

⁵⁰Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. ⁵¹He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God. ⁵²This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. ⁵³Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. ⁵⁴That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.

⁵⁵And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid.

In the Grave

⁵⁶Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

The Resurrection

Also found in Matt. 28:1–8; Mark 16:1–8; John 20:1–10.

24 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. ²But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. ³Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. ⁵Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? ⁶He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, ⁷saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ”

⁸And they remembered His words. ⁹Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. ¹⁰It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. ¹¹And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. ¹²But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.

We too should marvel at the great power of our Savior!

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

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Advice, Bible, Biblical Principles, Christian, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Encouragement, God, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Money, Questions, Rhema Words, Salvation, Tithe, Truth

Gifts and Money

In Advice, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Prophet, Prophetess, Rhema Words, Truth, Uncategorized on April 19, 2014 at 4:45 pm

Question Summary:

Is it right for pastors, leaders, ministers and bishops to take gifts and money this is given directly to them?

Reply:

The person who posed this question did not provide many details to work with and this is a topic that can be very hard to discern without a good bit of information. Therefore, the best I can do is show examples of what is godly and righteous and what is ungodly and unrighteous in the arena.

In the end, it comes down to the motive of the giver and the receiver. If people are trying to manipulate people into giving them money and gifts, then it is ungodly. If people are giving money and gifts in order to gain favor or be able to have influence, then it is ungodly. However, it is not ungodly for people to give or receive money and/or gifts in every circumstance.

I have seen, experienced, and heard, from reliable sources, numerous and various situations in the arena of money and gifts, some that were godly and some of which were ungodly. Both extremes exist out there.

On one end, I have seen pastors bleed dry and manipulate their congregations for money through the use of reciting chants (the repetition of a word or phrase for the purpose of brainwashing); while he showed off his Rolex watch to those people he considered leaders. On the other end of the spectrum, spiritual leaders have given some people hours and hours of their time over the course of a long period and never received anything from those people for their efforts, not money, not gifts, not even a meal or cup of coffee bought for them. I have seen all kinds of scenario in-between the two extremes as well.

Real life examples of less than godly scenarios. Amassing wealth and materials on the backs of your struggling congregation, like buying Rolex watches while most of your congregation struggles financially. Browbeating your congregation viciously over a $400.00 monthly shortfall in the budget while you and your spouse drive to church in fairly new Sport Cadillac and a Cadillac Escalade. Working for a non-profit organization while driving the company car, a Jaguar. Going out into the woods and building a mansion with money from the church coffers. Spiritual leaders moaning to people about the things they need in the hopes that the people, or some individual, will buy what they want for them. Trying to manipulate people into buying you things you want by making sure they know you want them, on purpose. Buying big houses and driving Lexus cars while you refuse to counsel Believers in need because they cannot afford your $100.00 an hour fee.

One has to keep in mind that the hunger and thirst that people have for money comes from greed and a poor mentality. The fear of being without, of being poor, drives people to hunger for money. It does not seem to matter if they have ever been poor or not. Their worth is tied up in what and how much they have. The “love” of money, or the things money will buy, causes people to act in the ways described above. 1 Timothy 6:10 (NKJV) “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Inside themselves, their value is nothing because their value is based on what is on the outside. What is on the outside will always decay (looks, health, physical ability) or could easily be taken away (money, home, possessions) in a moment. Most individuals who act like the people described above usually end up in very bad situations. If you doubt this truth, watch them over the course of a lifetime. They rise and they fall.

Real life examples of where leaders acted in a godly manner, which might have resulted in either their detriment or good. Spiritual leaders struggling to make ends meet while they serve people who never give them anything, neither in money or gifts. I have seen spiritual leaders starved out of the ministry, literally. Their congregation was stingy with money and/or gifts and supplies that they could not afford to live, they were literally going hungry at times, because they did not have enough money. They had to return to secular work. I have seen spiritual leaders given vehicles they needed but could not buy without going into debt. I have seen spiritual leaders given to hospitality, leaders who hosted people in their home continually, cooking for them regularly, have a new dual oven bought for them as a gift in thanks. Women leaders treated to clothes and shoes by those they served, so they could look nice. Men and women leaders alike given watches, Bibles, supplies, computers, etc. all to aid them in their ministry work.

Before anyone determines that I am for or that I am against giving either money or gifts; I will share some personal examples that will help you discern my views more accurately.

Years ago when I first starting out in the ministry I was one of the churches co-pastors and I was teaching my first Bible Study course. At the beginning of each session we spent time just chatting with one another before we would start. During one of the first few sessions, I was talking about how my spouse loved espresso and that perhaps I would buy my spouse an espresso machine. The next week before class started someone walked up and gave me an espresso machine they had owned for several years but only used a couple of times. Did I take the machine? You bet I did and my spouse enjoyed it for years.

I received that machine before I ever even received my first paycheck in the ministry. That machine was my first compensation for ministry and to this day, it sits on a bookcase shelf in my study.

The person who gave me the espresso machine was so blessed by giving that machine to me and it made them so happy. I was so blessed that someone cared enough to listen to a casual conversation and meet my need, or more aptly my desire, in life. It made for a beautiful start in ministry. Therefore, under the right circumstances I have no issue with giving spiritual leaders gifts.

I do believe in giving money to spiritual leaders, and others, either directly or indirectly. Let me explain. I do not share this often but here I believe it can serve a godly purpose.

My spouse and I very much believe in giving, so much so that we give 55% of all sources of our total revenue and income to the work of Kingdom of God. We live in the neighborhood that makes that possible. We bought a house that makes that possible. We drive the cars that make that possible. You get the point.

We do believe in giving indirectly and anonymously whenever possible. This is not always possible however thus giving directly at times does have to take place. We also believe that giving does not have to be done only to churches, ministries, or spiritual leaders it can be given to any work or effort that will glorify God.

As Believers we do have a responsibility before God to give our money wisely but with that said if God leads me to walk up to a stranger and hand them $100.00 I am going to do so. If God leads me to buy a strangers gas or meal, I am going to do so. Anywhere God tells me to put His money is where the money need to be. What we will not do is use that money to buy influence with a church, group, or a person, which is why giving anonymously in cash is so important to us.

My spouse and I also will not give money to God then deduct it on our taxes thus getting our money returned to us in another form. If it is going to be given to the work of the Kingdom of God, it is going to be fully given without looking for a refund of said money later.

Give and give freely, directly or indirectly, to your pastors, spiritual leaders, ministers and bishops. Give them either money, give them gifts, give them serves, or give them all of these things. However, to whomever you give just do so wisely and under the guidance and direction of God. It is not a one size fits all answer of whether it is wrong or right for spiritual leaders to take money, gifts, or serves; it is something that must be determined in each circumstance, every time, considering all the people involved and their motives. What is okay with God for you to do today might not be okay with God next month or next year. We always seek Him in all things.

Proverbs 3:5–6 (NKJV)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

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Apostasy, Bible, Biblical Principles, Christian, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, End Times, Exhortation, God, Godliness, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Persecution, Prophecy, Remnant, Revival, Rhema Words, Salvation, Spiritual Activism, Spiritual Activists, Spiritual Fruit, Spiritual Remnant, Truth

Faith and Freedom

In Advice, Apostasy, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, End Times, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Persecution, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Remnant, Revival, Rhema Words, Spiritual Activism, Spiritual Activists, Spiritual Remnant, Truth, Uncategorized on April 18, 2014 at 6:37 pm

Alliance Defending Freedom Online Town Hall

Living out Your Faith in an Increasingly Hostile Culture

http://www.alliancedefendingfreedom.org/home/detail/8962

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Advice, Bible, Biblical Principles, Christian, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Encouragement, God, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Heaven is for Real, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Near-death Experiences, Questions, Rhema Words, Salvation, Truth

Near-death Experiences

In Advice, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Truth, Uncategorized on April 17, 2014 at 4:43 pm

Note

I decided years ago when I began doing Q & A Forums that I would not address questions, which were too vague to answer wisely or questions where the answers required too many variables of explanation, thus making answering in a few paragraphs all but impossible and neglectful of godly quality. Those types of questions typically just go unanswered. This next question boarders on that type of question, yet, I am going to go ahead and address this topic because I believe it is of immense importance to many people. That said, please know my answer will not be exhaustive on the topic and should anyone have any follow up questions I encourage you to send them instead of assuming what I might be attempting to communicate.

Question Summary:

Are near-death experiences (like in the new movie, Heaven is for Real) true and if they are how can this happen since we cannot go to heaven and back according to Luke 16? Are ghost real? Can we see the dead?

Reply:

First, let me clear up the question about Luke 16. Here is the primary verse that prompts the misunderstanding and the entire parable Jesus taught will be listed at the end of my reply. Luke 16:26, Jesus speaking, “ ²⁶And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’”

People say we cannot cross the chasm but what is their interpretation of crossing the chasm. For the person who asked the question; the chasm, and crossing the chasm, is misunderstood and perhaps has been taught to them incorrectly.

That “great gulf” is in the Greek Language is most definitely an “impassable chasm and interval” of that we can be certain. However, what was Jesus saying here? Was He saying no person could see heaven and live, if so what about John the Revelator who wrote the Book of Revelation. Was He saying no living person could have a vision of the other side or people there or beings [angles] there, if so what about the prophet Elijah [1^st & 2^nd Kings and 1^st & 2^nd Chronicles] or the experience of Jesus, Peter, James, John, Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration, Matthew 17 and Mark 9. All too often we try to tell ourselves that the experiences of the people in the Bible are completely over and none of that stuff happens today but upon what do we base this mistaken assumption.

The correct teaching for Luke 16:26 is that once we die we cannot pass between heaven and hell. Once we die our opportunities for salvation through trusting in and depending upon Jesus, the Christ, for our redemption, is over. We have until that moment of COMPLETE death to either accept Him or reject Him. However, once COMPLETELY dead and in heaven or hell, we will not be allowed to pass between the two. We will be either in heaven or in hell for all of eternity, no person will go from one to the other after death. That is what Jesus is teaching in Luke 16:19-31.

I have personally known, talked to, heard of, saw interviews with and read accounts of people who have stated that they had a near-death experience, died and came back to life, or have seen people who have died. Of these accounts, some individual’s experiences were of heaven and some were of hell. Not all of these accounts seemed credible to me. However, there have been some accounts that did seem credible. I personally believe each individual account would have to examined carefully through a theologically sound lens in order to determine its validity. I have heard accounts where what God expressed to the individual did not line up with the God of the Bible, therefore, their account cannot be considered credible to me. The Word of God is the Standard we go by for all things for He has made it clear that He is not one who would alter His Word. God will not contradict His Word.

Now let me address this movie specifically, Heaven is for Real, which opened yesterday. I did go and see the movie yesterday and brainstormed with others afterward about the theology of the movie. If you have been thinking of going to see the movie, I would not deter you from doing so.

http://www.movies.com/heaven-for-real/m69482

Whereas, the movie covers some areas that there is no theological way of proving or disproving about the physical state of human beings in heaven, the balance of the movie has redeeming value. I believe it is a good choice for an Easter movie.

The movie shares the account of a near-death experience of a small child about five years old. Small children typically are not able psychologically to cultivate elaborate lies. In the movie, you get to see a spiritual leader struggle with his own faith, struggle with what he teaches, and struggle with what he truly believes himself. You see examples of those individuals who have allowed wounds they carry to affect their faith to the point of almost complete loss of faith. You see the religion of people who claim to believe the Bible until they are confronted with the Truth of the Bible. Most of all you see how one persons experience can affect the lives of an entire community.

At the very end of the movie, a real painting will be shown that a little girl painted after her near-death experience. For anyone who sees the movie I would like you to look closely at the eyes this little girl painted for Jesus. When you look closely at the eyes there seems to be an endlessness to them. In my spiritual mind, those eyes represent the vastness and endlessness of my Savior, Jesus the Messiah of all of mankind, who always was, always is, and always will be. That aspect of the film was very profound.

I once talked with a small child who was three years and few months old who stated they had a vision/encounter with an individual who had died several years before. This child, like the child portrayed in the movie, knew things the child had no way of knowing in the natural. This child’s account of seeing, or having a vision of, someone who had previously died did seem credible to me.

Luke 16:19–31 (NKJV) – Jesus speaking

Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

¹⁹“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. ²⁰But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, ²¹desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. ²²So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. ²³And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

²⁴“Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ ²⁵But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. ²⁶And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’

²⁷“Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, ²⁸for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ ²⁹Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ ³⁰And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ ³¹But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”

Regarding movies, I do have questions about the movie Noah, which may be addressed at some point. I do want to state this about that move. The movie Noah is incredibly inaccurate theologically and biblically. It is not a movie I would recommend anyone see. My concern as a spiritual leader is that people do not study the Word of God for themselves enough and therefore, might actual base their beliefs about the flood on a movie produced by Hollywood, not even a Christian media source.

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

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Ribs

In Advice, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Prophet, Prophetess, Rhema Words, Truth, Uncategorized on April 15, 2014 at 3:00 pm

Question Summary:

What about the extra rib is it factual? Genesis 2:22

Reply:

Genesis 2:21–23 (NKJV)

21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.

23 And Adam said:

“This is now bone of my bones

And flesh of my flesh;

She shall be called Woman,

Because she was taken out of Man.”

Women do in fact have a small extra rid (bone) in their rib cage area. Science proved we had a Creator when the x-ray generator was invented in the late 1800’s. God’s Word and claim to creation preceded man’s machine, man’s proof, by thousands of years.

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

▶ Comment

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