Christian Witnessing And Gifts

Christ gave a command that is very clear to every Christian. This was Christ's last command to the community of Christians - to make disciples. This is what the church calls the "Great Commission" and was not merely intended for the 11 disciples remaining, or only for the apostles, or in present times, only for those who might have the gift of evangelism. This "Great Commission" is the duty of every man and woman who has faith in Christ.

Contemporary Church and the Rise of Renewalism

We live in a time where the church is conforming to the culture in contradiction to scripture. We live in a time when the church is taking their eyes off the finished work of Christ and focusing on sensuality and believing this is evidence of the work of the Spirit. The work of the spirit is an overflow of what Christ has done for you. The work of Christ provides salvation to all who accept Him. It is salvation by grace through faith and not by works. What God does in your heart has no part in your salvation since we are saved by His work. Any effort to move forward from the cross is to move away from the gospel. We are justified by faith, so any work the Spirit does in us has No part in our salvation. If you are justified, you will begin to be sanctified. You cannot have sanctification without justification so to focus on the Spirit's work in you is to become unfocused on Christ's work for you. The sensual experiences that contemporary Christian music provides can be seen in music concerts of any kind. There is an energy and enthusiasm held by the crowd. The same can be seen in sports games. Inner peace can be seen in yoga. The Hindu practice of yoga promises inner peace and a transcendental spiritual experience. The real evidence of the work of the Spirit is not an emotional experience but the preaching of the true gospel of the finished work of Christ and Salvation through faith. Also, another evidence is the conformity of the nature (sanctification) Yes sanctification is an evidence but if it becomes the focus, the gospel is lost.

Positive Voodoo Stories

I have received many questions from people who use Google and have doubts about the religion of Voodoo being a positive influence on someone's life. In many cases, this is like someone who is suffering from minor symptoms typing them into a search engine and getting hold of the worst case scenario. I have never pretended that voodoo isn't dangerous. I have never suggested that it can't cause harm. However I have always been adamant that the experience will be dictated by the intentions of both the priest and the individual who wishes to engage with the Ioa.

There Is A Christian Gift To Match Every Occasion

Often, when we shop for Christian apparel and other gifts, we can get lost due to the wide assortment available on the market. There is such a wide variety of fashionable accessories, t-shirts, music, jewelry, items of home décor and books - for every age group. Although it might be hard to decide, the good thing about these gifts is that they do leave a lasting impression and the person you give the gift to, will appreciate your gift often for a lifetime.

Set Your Mind On Things Above, Not On Things Of The Earth

When you became born again, your spirit became new but your mind and body did not become new so you will need to renew your mind to conform it to the new spirit that is inside of you. Romans 12:2 read and do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. When the mind is renewed, the body will follow because if you began to believe in healing and speak healing scriptures, your body will be healed. Not only that, but once you renew your mind concerning anything it will be done for you.

More Fodder For The Bitter Six-Day Creation Debate

Evolutionists and creationists attack each other with all the hostility of rival religionists. That is because they represent essentially rival religious world views. This article may not soothe the hostility but does offer some alternative viewpoints on the issues.

What's the Truth About the Bible

To learn the truth about the Bible, it helps to understand how God had His messages delivered to mankind. God called spokesmen to be both His mouthpieces and His scribes. These people were called prophets and apostles.

Who Is The Whore Of Whores Of Revelation 17?

What I am about to say here will be madness to most. But I predict (it can be 20 years, it can be 50 years, but it will happen) that Catholics (so also Greek, Russian and other orthodox) that venerate Mary as the queen of heaven sometime in the future will be sorely oppressed. This on the basis of the epistle to Thyatira in Revelation 2. This prophecy does not refer to the iconoclasts.

Jezebel here can be identified with the Vatican and its dogma's, but I think that it is a spiritual name for the whore of whores from Revelation 17. Now the apostle John was greatly amazed when he saw her in the vision. Who is she? Jezebel refers to the woman in the O.T. that persecuted the faithful and installed Baal priests. Her name means 'without husband.' Now who is without husband that can be called the whore of whores, really! Who are her children that will be killed? In the O.T. the name 'Queen of Heaven' occurs several times. Why does the so-called Mary of the Catholics also bear that title?

I will tell you who I think is without husband and she is Eve, the once wife of Adam... The so-called assumption of Mary in reality must be the 'rape' of Eve, when after Adam died she was transferred to perhaps even paradise, in the third heaven, by Satan (who according to the book of Job has access there) where she can eat of the tree of life (which according to Revelation grows there now).

I realize that both Adam and Eve were driven from the garden of Eden and from the tree of life. But it was predicted that both would die. Now the whore of whores is killed by the beast, burned and her flesh eaten in one act of grand, religious cannibalism. This person can only be Eve. Also it is said that the Lord gives her time to repent, but she does not want to. Now a fallen female angel, a demoness, cannot be a person of flesh and blood and will never be given an opportunity to repent! That she is human is also indicated by the reference to her becoming ill and being confined to a (sick)bed.

Now the story becomes even stranger and madder. Her children will be killed it says. Obviously not her children by Adam, nor any Roman Catholic. It must refer to the children she has born as Jezebel, as the queen (read: quean) of heaven. And these must be super humans living somewhere in the universe... Call me crazy. It is O.K. However the future will bear out what the Bible states.

In Zachariah it is predicted that a woman, called unrighteousness, will be put in a grain measure and be taken out of the country (of Israel) by two great storks. In Malachi it is stated that 'my people are married to the daughter of a strange god'. Who is this god? Could it be the god of forces or fortresses, Eloah Mauzzim? Who perhaps became her spiritual father and of whom it is said that apostate Jews in the end times will worship him (a god whom their fathers did not know). Also it is predicted of the woman called unrighteousness that a house will be prepared for her in Shinar. Now, is Shinar not the abode of demons? Will Eve be resurrected and live there during the Millennium?

Although Adam and Eve were clothed with lambs' skins after their fall, they did not then come to repentance. Instead Adam blaimed Eve and Eve blaimed the serpent. The lambs' skins were the first practical preaching of the gospel and understood by Abel, called prophet by the Lord. Shortly before her death at the stake she is still described as having the blood of the martyrs in her cup and saying in her heart: 'I will sit a queen for ever!' In her grand folly she thinks that she can beat the Lord whom all power in heaven and earth has been given. Even of Satan it is said that he will be very angry, as he knows that his time will be short. But Eve is, as ever, deceived... We know from Revelation chapter 19 that the whore will be lost for ever. Throughout history God will have had patience with Eve, but one day that patience will run out. The first man born, Cain, was thought by Eve to be the savior, but he became a murderer. Adam is said to have died, but of Eve this is not written... Also it is said of the whore of whores that the blood of ALL the slaughtered on the earth are found in her cup. Now as the woman seduced by Satan and giving of the forbidden fruit to her husband who was with her at that tree, she is together with him responsible for the death of all humanity.

Just as Satan as the highest angel, being 999, became negative, so it should not come as a surprise for us that also a perfect woman as our first Mother, being 777, fell and will be lost for ever. We know that Adam called his next son, after Abel, Seth; which means 'replacement'. Also we know that in his time the Name of the Lord was begun to be called upon. Perhaps, then there is hope for Adam. At any rate the Lord is called the second human and last Adam. In Him the entire human race has hope and deliverance.

At the end of Revelation 17 it is stated that the whore is (to be identified with) the great future city of Babylon. But that does not mean that there cannot be a literal woman as well. For just as the beast is on the one hand the empire, so on the other hand the beast is also the head of that empire. One must distinguish between the two, between the humans involved and the political entities they embody and preside over. (Actually I hope that I am wrong on Eve being the whore, but at the moment I see no other explanation. If she is not Eve--and after all there would be enmity between the woman and satan--then she might be a demoness turned human à la the demons in Genesis 6 turned human (whose offspring became giants, like Goliath [see the explanations on this given by the apostles Peter and Jude]). In that case the opportunity to repent does not mean she can be saved, but means she is allowed to change her mind. However she is called a mystery and the nature of a mystery is that it is hidden and not yet revealed, just like the identity of the beast, 666).

Who is the real queen of heaven then? The New Jerusalem, called our mother (sic!) by the apostle Paul, consisting of all true believers, the one and only true and invisible Church of the living God! Whereas, according to Solomon, a foolish woman breaks off her house with both her hands, so true wisdom has her maids and seven pillars. True wisdom has her sacrifice in Christ.

A New Command?

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." (John 13:34 KJV)

Bible Stories for Children - Living in Today's World

Bible stories for children not only teach kids about bible history they teach about today's world. For many people, this is hard to understand. How can something that happened thousands of years ago help us today?

New Life From What Appears to Be Dead Wood

I am always amazed at what nature does during spring. It is my favorite time of the year. Winter is cold, summer is hot and although I do like fall, things are starting to die off. There is a sadness about knowing that the blooms will not come again until the next spring.

Boston Marathon Tragedy

Yesterday, a tragedy unfolded at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Two incendiary devices were detonated within seconds of each other, killing three people and seriously wounding dozens of others. Like all terrorism, it was a senseless and hateful act committed by gutless cowards against innocent people. Our prayers and thoughts go out to all of those affected by the vicious attack as well as to the friends and families of all of the victims.

Finding Your Purpose: A Dangerous Distraction

What is my purpose? Why am I here on earth? Am I accomplishing the tasks that I was meant to? I feel like I am missing the point of life. I just want to know where I fit in. These questions and statements haunt us all. They can scratch at our very soul until we are left raw, in pain, and defeated

Words Do Hurt

You may have heard this saying, sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. Well contrary to popular belief that words does not hurt, that is not true because our words can hurt us.

Unbelieving John And The Weeping Jesus

Whenever one gives Scriptural interpretation that seems to go against traditional beliefs, the door of religious scrutiny will be opened. It is important that we acknowledge that God said what He meant and meant what He said, thus pluralistic view points of Scripture are not to be brought into question. What I want to address is the humanizing of God's Word and thus the introduction of misinterpretation. Some people take liberty to introduce a new doctrine or teaching that seemingly deviates from God's intent. Let me illustrate with two examples. It is amazing that some believe, when John the Baptist was in prison, that he questioned the deity of Jesus, and whether He truly was the Messiah. (Luke 7:19-20) Reading the text without the Holy Spirit's tutorage will give way to misunderstanding and the promoting of human misdirection. If John actually doubted his own faith, would Jesus have said there was not a greater prophet than John? (Luke 7:24-28) It was the disciples of John that doubted, not John. What John did was to send some of his disciples to Jesus to have a live encounter with the Messiah. To make it easier for them to question Jesus, he told them to use his name and to say he was wondering whether He was the Messiah. Jesus responded to their enquiry by telling them to tell John of what they were seeing and hearing. (Can you not see the smile on Jesus face as He understood what John was doing?) Luke 7:22, 23) Many of us have faced spiritual doubters in life. We have tried to explain issues with the questioning saints only to be discouraged at their lack of understanding. What we need to do is get them to Jesus and let Him lead them into understanding.

We Must Ask Ourselves, Am I My Brother's Keeper?

Genesis 4:6-9

In the 4th chapter of Genesis Cain and his brother were born. They grew and in time they both offered sacrifices to God. Abel offered a sacrifice from the animals. He was a keeper of sheep. Cain offered a sacrifice from the field. Not only did Abel offer God a blood sacrifice but the sacrifice he offered was the first born. God was pleased with Abel's sacrifice and he accepted it, but he was not pleased with Cain's offering. Abel's offering required him to kill a living creature but Cain only picked food from the field.

This difference in the sacrific

When We Agree With God - Part II

If you had the opportunity to learn from anyone in the Bible besides Jesus, whom would you choose? For me and for this season of my life, I would choose the Prophet Elisha. One of the reasons I would choose him is that he himself knew the value of learning from a great man of God. His teacher and mentor was none other than the Prophet Elijah. So hungry was Elisha to learn from this man of God, that even when Elijah seemed to not want him around, Elisha refused to be offended or to lose his opportunity to learn what he desperately needed. How well did Elisha learn? He ended up being used of God to perform twice as many miracles as his mentor. He learned well.

Real Christian? Use This Checklist

"A bit simplistic!" - You protest! Yes, it has limitations, but the Bible, God's word, does call on people to examine their consciences and their lives to weigh up this all-important subject. Here are some simple tests, but be careful - if you fail (and some people will), you must take appropriate action. I'll make that clear as I conclude.

•     FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD

Here's the direct challenge: 'Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realise this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you fail to meet the test!' (2 Corinthians 13:5).

So, here is the first big test (All the following references are from the First Letter of John) - do we now have peace with God through faith in Christ and share our inmost self with God - hiding nothing, and learning to love and obey him day by day? 'If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth' (1 John 1:6).

•     A CLEANSED HEART

This is a big test, because by nature sin makes us all dirty and unclean in God's sight and nothing - no self effort, no spiritual meditation, no religious good works will cleanse us. God's cleansing power comes only through being 'born of God' (1 John 5:4) by his Holy Spirit, who enables us to know that 'the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin' (1 John 1:7). Are you being made clean through the power of Jesus' blood, shed once on the cross?

•     FORGIVENESS OF SINS

This is closely connected to the previous tests, for no one ever became a real Christian without receiving the forgiveness of their sins. Christ, the eternal Son of God, died making 'propitiation for our sins' (1 John 2:2) - that is, in his suffering on the cross, Jesus fully satisfied, once for all, God's holy judgement against sin. Now 'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness' (1 John 1:9).

•     THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT

A vital part of the self-examination test we noted is to check if 'Jesus Christ is in you'. This is the indwelling Christ, who is given to us by God's gracious Holy Spirit, 'Whoever has the Son has life' (1 John 5:12). When we are born of God he goes on transforming, teaching us from God's word and sharing fellowship with God to us; 'By this we know that we abide [remain or continue] in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit' (1 John 4:13).

    YOU KNOW YOU'RE A CHILD OF GOD

What an amazing honour, to be adopted into the family of God! All these tests tie in together. The forgiveness of our sins, being cleansed and born of God into his family, and having fellowship with God and the beginnings of true righteousness from our inner transformation, are parts of the same wonderful reality of being in Christ. This amazes us as we 'See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are' (1 John 3:1).

•     A LOVE FOR FELLOW CHRISTIANS

Yes, this searches the hearts of all Christians! So, do I have some measure (we never love perfectly!) of practical, caring, self-denying love for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? Am I self-centred or other-centred? Do I pray for them, encourage them in their faith and share my material blessings with them? 'We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers' (1 John 3:14).

•     FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST ALONE

This is the bottom line - do you have personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ - is he your Saviour and Lord? Some of the tests will have helped to clarify this vital issue helping you to gain a clear assurance of eternal life. An assurance grounded in what Christ has accomplished for you and has begun to apply in you, as John makes clear, 'I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life' (1 John 5:13).

•     FAILED?

If you have failed at some point is these tests and realise you are most likely not a real Christian, don't stay in the darkness of spiritual death, cut off from God, or just uncertain. Come to him today, just as you are. Go back over some of the biblical truths I have shared and ask God to apply them you to your life.

Think on These Things

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7 NKJV).

Without the ability to think, none of us could function. Our bodies work because our brains tell them what to do although those who do not have control over their bodies can be productive if the thought processing part of the brain is still there.

My Reincarnation Sacks Religious Ideology

Why Heaven and Hell

It took until my feet were on solid ground before feeling comfortable about revealing the experience of my reincarnation. The facts had to be proven about why people believe in things like heaven and hell, devil angels and saints. That took years of observation and research and finally to when the Spirit called me to a job almost 30 years ago and then led and guided me to the answers of some deep mysteries, especially those of religions.

Have You Figured It Out Yet?

In the thirteenth chapter of Genesis we read there was strife between Abram and Lot servants. This was no major concern for Abram. He had figured it out he would receive an abundance of blessings too many to number according to God's promise. Genesis 12:1-3. This is one of the reasons why he let Lot choose first with which direction he wanted to go. The purpose for the blessings upon Abram's life was so he could be a blessing to his own family, and every other family that believed in the true and living God according to the genealogy line through the seed of Abraham.

Tips for Buying Books on Spirituality

While spirituality is a concept that has been around for years, it is one that majority of people are still trying to come to terms with. There are things that are not easy to understand and which require clarification from experts. One way through which people can access this is by reading books on spirituality. Ideally, there are different types of books that touch on this subject and while this is the case, not all of them can be suited for your needs. In order to get the most out of these, you need to know how to pick these books and to guide you, consider the following.

Vile Bodies and Power Struggles In a Divine Setup

Women occasionally blog the view that sex is abhorrent, disgusting, filthy or dirty. As there is a close association between excretory and sexual functions there is some justification for the comments. Hormones usually manage to override these reservations.

Why Obedience Is Worship

Obedience according to the Sage Dictionary is the act of obeying, dutiful or submissive with respect to someone else. It is a characteristic that we have to learn on our own, someone said God is always talking what He is looking for is just a willing life to listen and do.

Catholic Crucifix: The Ultimate Symbol of Faith

The Catholic crucifix is the ultimate symbol of the Catholic Church. The representation of Christ as Redeemer and Savior is the central theme of Christianity. The Catholic crucifix serves as a reminder of Christ's sacrifice and love for all men.

Female Priests - Still Lacking Recognition From the Catholic Church

Ever hear of a Catholic Bishop that is a woman? I sure haven't, until the other day that is. Mary Kay Kusner was ordained into priesthood on the 13th of June and it was really quite a big deal. It is good to see the Catholic Church becoming more open and welcoming to woman who want roles in their organization. This nontraditional ordination is a great step for the church towards integrating more woman into their faith.

Romans 12:2 "Be Not Conformed To This World"

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV

Should Atheists Convince Theists That Their God Is Pure Superstition and Fantasy?

Not long ago, I was talking with an atheist about the problems which occur when an atheist and a theist get on the topic of the existence of god. He suggested that the atheist ought to be prepared for such an encounter. But, I ask why? Why try to reason with a superstitious soul? Nevertheless, the atheist stated he was rather passionate about convincing and converting believers into atheists in order to maintain the separation of church and state. Okay so, let's talk about this shall we?

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Are you interested in finding out what the Catholic church actually believes in? Do you have many questions and many thing that are on your mind when it comes to what Catholics believe? The Catechism Of The Catholic Church is the set of beliefs for the church and you can use it as a guide to help you understand the stance that the Catholic church takes and why. Here are a few things to get you started.

Show It

Many Christians have never led anyone to a personal relationship with Jesus. They realize that they are suppose to speak of their faith and to share it with a lost and dying world, but to make that a reality is something else. There are many emotions that come into play when it comes to talking to a stranger about Jesus Christ. Some of these feelings are; a fear of rejection, a feeling of inadequacy, ignorance of the Scripture, and even embarrassment. Even if a Christian is given a tract to pass out, they just can't seem to muster up enough courage to approach someone with the Gospel message. What happens to people like that is they develop a sense of guilt that is reinforced by the evangelical militants. Then they resolve not be involved in any kind of outreach. Some then migrate into larger churches in order to blend into the masses and by doing so, let the other people assume the outreach to the lost. Others seek out fellowships that do not cater to evangelistic outreach. Whatever the reason, when one fails to reach out to the lost, there is a danger of developing immunity to spiritual growth.

The Heavenly Trio

Why should we even talk about the Trinity, let alone listen to me preach about it? That is a question I asked myself several times during my preparation for this morning's homily. The Trinity is a difficult concept for anyone to grasp, and I remembered the reason why it is so difficult for us to understand when I came across these words which I found in the sermon I preached on Trinity Sunday in 2010.

The Pivotal Point in History

Throughout my lifetime, I have been accustomed to seeing historical dates using BC - before Christ - and AD - Anno Domini meaning the year of our Lord. Although they have been around for a very long time, I have recently discovered an alternative to this dating: CE - Common Era - and BCE - Before Common Era. The C in these designations can also mean Christian or Current, but since Common Era and Before Common Era do not explicitly reference Christ or Domini, they have become more acceptable. It seems that because the BC and AD usage is offensive to non-Christians, authors, publishers and other groups wishing to be neutral use CE and BCE attempting to remove overt references to Christ.

Catholic Religion - The Myths About the Catholic Religion

I am a Catholic and very proud to be. I hope that was not enough to make you stop reading this article. Usually it only takes the fact that I am Catholic for those that are not Catholic to stop talking to me about religion. This is because we are all human and I have to admit that I do not have the deepest understanding of many different religions, but I would like to clear up a few of the myths about the Catholic religion.

Real Christian? Not This Way!

Even with the decline of Bible-based Christianity in the West there are still many people who have inherited the idea that it's "Christian" to be kind and honest and a loyal citizen, but anything beyond that - like holding strong beliefs, only produces religious fanaticism and an unbalanced mind. What do we make of this?

I Have Fought a Good Fight

II Timothy 4:7
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Mission Possible!

Let's be realistic, I have no intention of clipping your wings, but while many things are possible for you and me, a great many simply are not. Personally, I shall never pilot an airliner, a submarine or a space-craft - but I don't mind. I care more about the Christian mission of the world-wide proclamation of Jesus Christ. And so my question is; 'is this great commission still possible, what is the central message, and how shall we reach this present very large and challenging generation?'

Persecution According to the Bible

Persecution is honestly too strong a term when it comes to Christians being mocked, mistreated, or discriminated against for their beliefs in America. What Christians "suffer" in America for expressing their faith is very mild compared to what the early apostles suffered and what many Christians today endure in other countries who do not have religious freedom. If you are from one of those countries, you understand more than I do about being persecuted.

Our Heavenly GPS Receiver

Good morning boys and girls!

Who can tell me what this is? It is a compass. Can anyone tell me what a compass does?

Praise Opens The Door To God's Grace

This year two wonderful men of God have proclaim a prophetic word from the Lord to His people; one of them said, this is the year of great grace and the other one said that this is the year of the key of David and that means that God will open doors for us that no man can close and He will close doors for us that no man can open; both of these messages are saying the same thing. We will have great grace from the Lord.

Proverbs 3:5 "Trust In The Lord"

 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. - Proverbs 3:5

Proverbs 3:5 is a well known Bible verse that encourages believers to be confident and know that God works through them. We have often heard the phrase "called up", to describe those who have given their life to Jesus and the spreading of the Gospel. These people are from all walks of life and levels of education. God doesn't choose someone to represent him, based on their IQ levels or athletic ability. God chooses first and then works through the chosen. He puts the words into their mouth, when they may not know what to say. He allows their eyes to see what he needs them to see. He gives them the abilities needed, to fulfill their purpose for God.

Conspiracy Not Just a Theory: It's Revealed in the Bible

God told Habakkuk that He would do a work that people would not believe, though it be told to them. Colonel Ammerman (under General Schwarzkopf) cited unclassified information to say there were a million UN troops in N America, mostly on closed military bases. But with evening news like a lullaby, most people have no clue and wouldn't believe that government could be moving toward surveillance and tyranny.

How Do You Become a Christian? Through the Sinner's Prayer or the Great Commission?

Is the "sinner's prayer" compatible with the great commission given by Jesus?

Many Protestant church organizations lead people in a sinner's prayer to initiate them into Christianity. Various evangelists like Billy Graham and Campus Crusade for Christ have used the this type of prayer for many years. Perhaps the first to popularize it in modern times was Dwight L. Moody.

Finding the Will of God

Finding the will of God for our lives has been a journey of explorations. Many of those exploits have been runs of trial and error. Doors have been rattled, windows lifted, and streets traveled, all in pursuit of finding God's will for our lives. Caution lights have been neglected, even red lights ignored, all with a careless abandon to find God's direction for lives. In our endeavor to seek His elusive will, we have even attempted to help God by making suggestions. How long will it take for us to realize that the way to understanding the will of God is to open His Word and let Him speak to us? It is not simply reading the Word, but seeing it as a "burning bush" that will draw us into the presence of God. So many Believers wander aimlessly in the wilderness of life thinking about their past victories and mistakes. I can just see Moses reliving his riches to rags story over and over again! It was only when he was drawn to the fire retardant bush that his depressive life would not only change, but he would affect the lives of generations to come.

Do You Have Any Chains That Are Holding You Down?

Those who do not move do not notice their chains.

-Rosa Luxemburg-

There are many different forms of living in bondage other than being confined behind bars of iron in a prison cell serving out a sentence of several years.

Door Jam

Occasionally my husband has been asked to teach a Bible study at the United Nations in Vienna, Austria. As might be expected, the facility is very secure. It takes special permission to get in. There are security guards when you leave.

Giants Do Come Down

I Samuel 17: 38-51

In the book of I Samuel the Philistines had a giant in their army whose name was Goliath. This giant was a mighty warrior in the Philistines army and he came against the children of Israel. David went up and fought against Goliath and he defeated him. How was the giant Goliath defeated? He was defeated not using man's armor but through faith in God. David believed God, he trusted God. He did not stand around patting his feet saying God will defeat the giant. He did something, he fought. The scripture says, faith without works is dead. When David came against Goliath he took off the armor of man, he took off Saul's armor and he put on the armor of God. He took off the natural and put on the spiritual.

How Could God Have a Mother?

It would seem that many have a naïve view of the great Creator that defies belief. The perception that God has a mother is a claim that before God there was a woman who gave birth to 'him'. That takes some getting the head around. It also challenges scientific evidence that the creation we see everywhere around us has virtually no limit in age related terms. We don't know how old it is or how it came about but there are many guesses with no conclusions and many denials without evidence.

Come Back Home

Luke 15: 11-24

This parable is about the prodigal son. He wasted his substance with riotous living. He took everything his father (God) had given him, his inheritance and used it for his own pleasure. He said give me my inheritance. He did not ask his father humbly, but demanded his inheritance. His attitude was wrong. God gives us all things; talents, gifts and abilities. These were given to us to be used for God's purpose and for his glory, but sometimes we take these abilities and use them for our own purposes.

A New Vision of Globalization

Undoubtedly, one of the most important events of 2009 was the long-anticipated release of our previous Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI's third and final encyclical, Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth). This was the first social encyclical to emanate from the Vatican since Pope John Paul II published Sollicitudo Rei Socialis in 1987. Pope Benedict's first encyclical, Deus Caritas Est (God Is Love), drafted by John Paul II a few months before his death, had been completed and released in December 2005 within the first year of the new pontificate. Two years later in November 2007, Pope Benedict had issued his second encyclical, the first written entirely by him, Spe Salvi (Saved by Hope). This led some observers at that time to wonder whether a reverse pattern of the theological virtues was being set: with the new pope's first encyclical on love and a second about hope, would the third deal with faith? The late Father Richard John Neuhaus said in an EWTN interview with Raymond Arroyo that he did not think this would be the case. Although Father Neuhaus did not live to see the release of our present Holy Father's third encyclical, it turned out that he was correct. (However, Pope Benedict did declare a Year of Faith from October 2012 to November 2013, and he did begin drafting a fourth encyclical on faith that may soon be completed and published by Pope Francis.)

Are You Simple Minded?

Proverbs 7:1-27

1. My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. 2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. 3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. 4 Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: 5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words. 6 For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, 7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, 8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house, 9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night: 10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart. 11 (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: 12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) 13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, 14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows. 15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. 16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. 17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. 19 For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: 20 He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. 21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. 22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; 23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. 24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. 25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. 26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. 27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

Beyond Laziness Is Blessing

Taking the initiative to go to church on a Sunday morning can be demanding for many of us, particularly those who face the economics of living in a place like the USA where holding two jobs is a norm, and not the exception. Therefore, even on the occasional free Sunday morning, resting, sleeping, or catching up on domestic chores take priority over seeking God's face. Some suggest that salvation, and not the works of faith leads to heaven. Therefore, since they can obtain forgiveness through a clean heart with God, they can safely avoid going to church. The implication is that church attendance is secondary to salvation. This is not true because faith and salvation are not supplementary concepts; rather they complement each other for a true Christian life.

America's Parallels to Egypt Imply Impending Calamity

Since historians and many people believe "history repeats," here are some similarities between Egypt then and America now.

Bible Lesson on a New Creation in Christ

What is Sin?

If you have accepted Jesus into your heart, you should not keep carrying on your sinful lifestyle. Sin happens when you disobey against God's commandments in the bible. Adam and Eve sinned against God by eating the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Immediately after taking a bite from the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, they became able to discern between right and wrong. They saw their own nakedness and they felt ashamed sir quickly sew fig leaves to clothe themselves.

Bible Study Lesson on Tithing

Not Paying Tithe is Robbing God

Tithing is giving a tenth of your income to God every month. Many Christians think it is unnecessary to pay tithe. They have many excuses when coming to give the ten percents of their incomes to God. Some Christians think they don't need to pay tithe because the church already have enough money to cover the expenses including utility bills and workers salary. This is a wrong concept because tithing is a commandment of God. Not tithing is sinning against God. It is robbing what should belonged to God.