"But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house." (Mark 6:4)

 

A town will give great honor to a "hometown boy" if he makes good in athletics or the entertainment world. But if he becomes known as an influential Christian, the hometown folks usually are embarrassed about it.

 

Jesus Himself experienced this. He grew up in Nazareth, and it was there that He had "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man". When He returned to Nazareth, however, after the early days of His ministry, "as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read". He was already recognized there as proficient in the Scriptures, and they had heard tales about His miracles, so the invitation to speak was natural, but there were certain mumbles. "Is not this the carpenter's son?" they asked. "Whence then hath this man all these things?".

 

At first, "all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth". But then, as He applied a key prophecy to Himself, and rebuked them for their unbelief, they "were filled with wrath" and tried unsuccessfully to slay Him. "Neither did his brethren believe in him", and only His mother was with Him when He was crucified. As David had written prophetically, "I am become a stranger unto my brethren. . . . For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up".

 

Perhaps those Christians who have been rejected by their family and former friends can identify with Jesus when He said: "For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother". We still have a family--an eternal one!

Colossians 1:15)

"Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature." (Colossians 1:15)

 

A widespread cult heresy based on this verse claims that Jesus Christ was not eternal, but merely the first being created--perhaps an angel--before becoming a man. Note, however, that the verse does not say He was the "first created of every creature," but the "first born of every creature," and there is a big difference. In fact, the very next verse says that "by him were all things created" (v. 16). He was never created, for He Himself is the Creator. "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made".

 

He is "born" of God, not "made," the "only begotten Son" of God. "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him". The eternal Father is omnipresent, and therefore invisible, inaudible, inaccessible to the physical senses. The eternally existing Son is the "image" of the invisible Father, the One who declares, reveals, embodies His essence. Although He is always "in the bosom of the Father," yet He is eternally also "the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person". He is the eternal, living Word, which was "in the beginning with God", and which "was God".

Zechariah 12:10

"And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn." (Zechariah 12:10)

 

For centuries now, Jewish scholars have pondered the meaning and interpretation of this verse, and as one might imagine, there have been many varied interpretations. Since they cannot allow admission that they themselves pierced Jehovah, some have applied it to the nation of Israel with its persecutions in mind. But to resolve the issue, the question must be answered: Who is this "whom" who has been pierced?

 

Interestingly enough, the Hebrew word translated "whom" is simply the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet, aleph and tau, elsewhere denoting completeness and transcendency. Next, consider the fact that the primary name for God in Scripture,Jehovah, conveys a similar thought, although difficult to translate. Evidently the nameJehovah communicates, among other things, the all-encompassing and ever self-existing nature of God.

 

Psalm 17:8

"Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings." (Psalm 17:8)

 

There are twelve references in the Bible to God's "shadow," understood as a type of His invisible, but very real, guiding presence. The reference in our text above is the first, and there are three other references to this beautiful metaphor--the "shadow" of the wings of God.  Assures us that men can "put their trust under the shadow of thy wings," and  that we can take refuge there "until these calamities be overpast," and then we can "rejoice" there.

 

The Lord's presence is like "the shadow of a great rock in a weary land," according to. The same prophet quoted God as saying that "I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand" even as He formed the heavens and the earth, while hiding us "in the shadow of his hand".

 

Then there is the wonderful promise of. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." He can also be "a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall," bringing down "the heat with the shadow of a cloud" . Similarly, He is "a tabernacle for a shadow in the day time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain".

 

Will Obama Force Homosexual Marriage on all 50 states????

NEW PETITION!  Defend the Defense of Marriage Act, Marriage between One Man One Woman. Select, sign, WE WILL FAX your petition to 535 Congressmen/Senators now! Obama:  Force Homosexual Marriage on all 50 States.   Take Action! This week the Obama Administration ordered the Justice Department to stop defending the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act [DOMA] which prohibits homosexual "marriage" and defines traditional marriage between one man and one woman.  All 50 states will soon be forced to welcome homosexual "marriage" in federal court, unless their individual members of Congress intervene.  The Hill newspaper reports U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder left open the possibility that individual Congressmen would be permitted to defend DOMA law, if they choose to join lawsuits in place of the Obama Administration.   Associated Press reports, "In a major policy reversal, the Obama administration said Wednesday it will no longer defend the constitutionality of a federal law banning recognition of same-sex marriage.  Attorney General Eric Holder said President Barack Obama has concluded that the administration cannot defend the federal law that defines marriage as only between a man and a woman."  At a December news conference, Obama said his position on gay marriage is "constantly evolving."  [It's not evolving.  He wants gay marriage.]  But Traditional Values Coalition Director Andrea Lafferty said, "This unprecedented power grab demands the immediate reaction of the United States House of Representatives,who must do everything possible to fight back against what can only be described as a despotic and alarming attack on the rule of law."   Congress has authority to defend traditional marriage DOMA lawsuits if the President won't.  Will your Congressman defend traditional marriage?  Let's ask them. Call 202-225-3121, and then let's bury them all in fax paper. Please select here to SIGN NEW, URGENT PETITION to DEFEND MARRIAGE AND DOMA IN COURT, and STOP ENDORSING HOMOSEXUAL MARRIAGE, and we will auto-fax your petition to all 535 Senators and Congressmen (saving you much time!)  The Justice Department had defended the act in court until now.  The move quickly drew praise from homosexual Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA)--> who told TPM news:  "It's great news...I got some indication they were thinking about their position and I urged them to go ahead with it. I thought there would be no political problem."  The move drew swift rebuke from Speaker John Boehner (R-OH)'s spokesman Michael Steel:  "While Americans want Washington to focus on creating jobs and cutting spending, the president will have to explain why he thinks now is the appropriate time to stir up a controversial issue that sharply divides the nation." But here's the good news:  The Hill newspaper reports AG Holder left open the possibility that individual Congressmen would be permitted to defend DOMA law.  "While both the wisdom and the legality of Section 3 of DOMA will continue to be the subject of both extensive litigation and public debate, this administration will no longer assert its constitutionality in court," Holder said.  "I have informed Members of Congress of this decision, so Members who wish to defend the statute may pursue that option.  The Department will also work closely with the courts to ensure that Congress has a full and fair opportunity to participate in pending litigation." But is your Congressman willing to defend DOMA in court?  If not, then all 50 states will be forced to embrace homosexual "marriage" by President Obama's failure to defend the law in courts everywhere, nationwide.  Let's take action... Please select here to SIGN NEW, URGENT PETITION to DEFEND MARRIAGE, DOMA, AND STOP ENDORSING HOMOSEXUAL MARRIAGE, and we will automatically fax your petition to all 535 Senators and Congressmen (saving you much time!)  Friends, our nation will soon endorse homosexual "marriage" in all 50 states, if your Congressman doesn't take a stand to defend DOMA in court, since Obama won't.  Let's take a stand today, and demand Congress defend the 1996 DOMA law in court.

God Bless you, in Jesus' name, Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt For media interviews, select here.

Job 9:8-9

"Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea. Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south." (Job 9:8-9)

 

The book of Job is the oldest book in the Bible. It is not surprising, therefore, that it contains a number of references to creation and the Flood, for these great events were still relatively fresh in the thinking of Job and his contemporaries. The first of these creation references in Job is our text above, and it is remarkable that it centers especially on the stars and their constellations. Still another constellation is mentioned in: "By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent." Finally: "Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?". The term "Mazzaroth" actually means the twelve constellations of the Zodiac.

 

Thus, God not only created the stars, but arranged them in star groupings that could be used for "signs, and for seasons". Since God does nothing without a holy purpose, we can be sure that these sidereal signs were not to be used as astrological signs. God's Word, in fact, forbids the practice of astrology. The constellations must all in some way have testified of the coming Savior. "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ".

1 Timothy 4:3

"Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth." (1 Timothy 4:3)

 

Paul, in his instruction to his younger disciple, Timothy, knew that "in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils". Timothy had to be warned and prepared for this, as do we. The message could not be ignored, for Paul had received it from the Holy Spirit who had spoken "expressly" on these matters. Certainly we are in the "latter times," and the message applies to us.

 

In addition to "speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron", we will recognize these false teachers by two of their doctrines (among others described elsewhere in Scripture). We can look for a false show of spirituality or appearance of piety and self-denial--in this case "forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats" .

 

In both cases, however, to teach or believe so is to deny the clear teaching of Scripture, for both were created by God for His glory and our proper use, and are intrinsically good.

 

Marriage was one facet of God's design. "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled"

Afghani convert to Christ about to be executed by Muslim government

Afghani convert to Christ about to be executed by Muslim government

February 21, 2011

Said Musa is a former Muslim who converted to Christ about eight years ago. He has been sentenced to die by the Afghan government for the Islamic crime of apostasy.
A spokesman for the so-called Ministry of Justice said, "The sentence for a convert is death and there is no exception."

This is one of the truly terrible things about Islam: it has no respect for freedom of religion and conscience, precious values for us in the West.

As Congressman Trent Franks and Doug Lamborn wrote last fall, this is a "government that allows the same restrictions on basic human rights that existed under the Taliban."

The United States, a Christian nation, has spent enormous treasure and spilled much American blood to provide stability for the people of Afghanistan. It is not too much to expect our government to insist that the Afghan government spare this man's life and grant him and his family asylum in the United States.

Musa is the father of six children, one of whom is disabled, and is himself an amputee, having lost a leg to a landmine while serving in the Afghan army. He had been working for the Red Cross/Red Crescent as an adviser to other amputees.

While in prison, he has been subjected to mocking, beatings, and sexual abuse because of his faith.

In a letter he smuggled to the West, he pleads, "Please, please, for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ help me."

TAKE ACTION

Send an email to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Speaker of the House John Boehner and urge them to pressure the Afghani government to grant Said Musa asylum in the U.S.
  Send an email to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Speaker of the House John Boehner now!

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Christian Leaders Launch Twitter Campaign to Stop Execution of Said Musa

http://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-leaders-launch-twitter-campaign-to-stop-execution-of-said-musa-49081/Sun, Feb. 20, 2011 Posted: 11:21 AM EDT

Christian leaders have launched a Twitter campaign to save Said Musa, an Afghan who is awaiting execution for converting to Christianity from Islam.

Musa, 45, was told by a judge that he would be hanged within days unless he reconverts to Islam, the Daily Mail reported Feb. 7.

The Twitter buzz started with Denny Burk's appeal Saturday to President Obama to "to persuade the Afghan govt. not to execute our brother Said Musa." Burk is the Dean of Boyce College at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Then, John Piper tweeted a similar message, "Mr. President, speak wisely and boldly, in private if necessary, for Said Musa, imprisoned in Kabul."

His post included a link to a Compass News Direct report on a letter it received from Musa in late October, in which the Christian of eight years addressed Obama as a "brother" and pleaded with the international community for prayer and his release.

As media-saavy Christians re-tweeted Piper's message throughout Saturday and Sunday, other Christian leaders also joined the spontaneous campaign to tweet and re-tweet on behalf of the imprisoned physiotherapist and father of six.

On Sunday, Rick Warren, named as one of the top 20 Twitter celebrities by Forbes, brought attention to how the media has underreported Musa's story.

"Media CLAIM to champion free speech but if they really did, they'd report these stories everyday," Warren told his 245,653 Twitter followers.

The Saddleback Church pastor also linked a National Review Online article, "America Quiet on the Execution of Afghan Christian Said Musa," which questioned why Obama weighed in on the threat by Terry Jones to burn the Qu'ran but has not made a move on Musa's situation.

"If the actions of a Florida pastor who threatened to destroy a book holy to Muslims deserved public and presidential attention, then the actions of the Afghan government, ostensibly a ‘democratic’ ally, to destroy something holy to Christians, a human being made in the image of God, also deserve public and presidential attention," argued writer Paul Marshall.

Pastor Matt Chandler of The Village Church in Dallas was among the 100-plus people who re-tweeted a message from Christian Hip Hop artist Shai Linn that asked for prayers for Musa.

"Let us not be quiet," read a tweet Saturday by David Platt, author of the best-selling book Radical. "Pray/Plead for Said Musa…& unknown others who face death for confessing Christ."

Musa, a former Red Cross worker who lost his left leg in a landmine explosion, has been prison since last May, after he appeared in a video broadcasted by a local TV network that showed Afghan Christians being baptized by westerners. He was arrested when he attempted to seek asylum at the German Embassy.

He said that while in prison he has been sexually abused and beaten and spat on for his faith in Jesus Christ.

Despite facing a death sentence, Musa has refused to renounce his faith, telling the Sunday Times, “My body is theirs to do what they want with. Only God can decide if my spirit goes to hell.”

"No man should die b/c (because) he wants to change religion ," posted Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research, in a re-tweeted message. He also put in a hash tag for "barackobama" and asked others to re-tweet.

Musa's case is the first case of apostasy, which is punishable by death under sharia law, that has led near execution since the fall of the Taliban in Afghanistan.

According to Afghan's Constitution, a case will be deferred to a judge's verdict under sharia law only if there is no clear verdict in the constitution. Officials have said Constitution does not mention converting to another religion.

However, Godfrey Yogarajah, executive director of the World Evangelical Alliance’s Religious Liberty Commission, argued that Musa's trial breaks at least three provisions of Afghanistan’s 2004 Constitution.

Human rights groups have also called on Afghanistan, a signatory of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to honor religious freedom and the freedom to change religions as mandated by the document.

Since being detained Musa has been denied a fair trial and access to a lawyer. Some defense lawyers have refused to represent Musa unless he reconverts to Islam while others have dropped his case after being threatened.

His wife and six children have fled to Pakistan.

Katherine T. Phan
Christian Post Reporter 

Not this man

"Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber."

"Unfortunately, this is the attitude of every generation toward its Creator and Redeemer. Jesus Christ "was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not" (John 1:10-11).

"Not this man!" they cried, and still cry today. "We will not have this man to reign over us". Even in a nation founded as a Christian nation, the name of Jesus Christ is banished from the schools, ignored in the halls of government, and blasphemed on the streets.

And whom did they choose instead of "this man"? They preferred Barabbas, who was not only a robber, but also a revolutionary and murderer . Today, they idolize the atheist Darwin, or the robber Lenin, or the revolutionary Mao, or the murderer Hitler, or any one of a thousand antichrists; but they will not have Christ.

What, then, will they do with Christ? "Away with him, away with him, crucify him" was the cry even of the religious leaders during His life here on earth, and it is little different today. "Ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you," proclaimed Peter . "The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ".

The rejection of Christ today is often more subtle, but it is just as real. Rulers, industrialists, scientists, educators, and commentators all say in deed, if not in word, that "|they| will not have this man to reign over |them|" . "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name"

Acts 4:18

"And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus." (Acts 4:18)

Every Christian knows that he or she should witness for Christ, but most are very reluctant to speak in His name very often. The most obvious reason for this hesitancy is fear. Sometimes we may be actually forbidden, as were the apostles, to teach of Him, but their courageous answer was: "We ought to obey God rather than men", and so they prayed: "Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word".

More common than fear of physical persecution or personal harm, however, is fear of ridicule, or loss of prestige or position. Such fear is out of character for real Christians, "for God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind". If we love the Lord and those for whom He died, we must learn to conquer our fear of men.

One of the saddest rebukes that could come to a Christian is the indictment lodged against those believers who, because of their high position, refused to take an open stand for Christ: "Among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God" . How often do modern professional and business men--even theologians--compromise their stand for Christ and His inerrant Word because of fear of peer pressure in what should be their spheres of influence and testimony?

May God give us the courage of Paul. "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,"

Colossians 3:2-3

"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:2-3)

 

The apostle Paul, looking forward to the time when we shall "ever be with the Lord", wrote: "For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you".

 

The fact is, however, that we can be "with Christ" even while still abiding in the flesh, as Paul himself emphasized. This is the great principle called positional truth. "Positionally," we are already "with Christ," for that is where God sees us and how He relates to us. He has "raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus".

 

Before we could be raised up with Christ, however, we first had to die with Him. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me". God even saw us as buried with Christ when He was buried, and this is the great truth symbolized in our baptism. "We are buried with him by baptism into death".

 

"Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more". He died for us, so our deserved death became His substitutionary death, and His victorious resurrection becomes our own unmerited deliverance from death in eternal resurrection life. This is our position now, and our assured everlasting possession then, for we are with Christ, who "dieth no more."

 

What you need to know

Take Action | Contribute



Dear Dustin,

Today's House vote approving Rep. Mike Pence's Amendment stripping Planned Parenthood of all federal funding is long overdue and sends a clear message: The American people do not want their tax dollars used to support the nation's largest abortion provider.

In just a few days, the ACLJ has heard from nearly 55,000 people who urged the House to defund Planned Parenthood by signing on to a petition demanding action. You are a critical voice in this fight for the lives of unborn babies.

There's no better place to begin the budget-cutting process, than putting a stop to funding Planned Parenthood. It's stunning that Planned Parenthood receives more than $360 million dollars a year in federal taxpayer funds. According to its own filings, Planned Parenthood reported more than 330,000 abortions in 2009 alone, a number that continues to climb. By receiving this windfall of federal funds, Planned Parenthood is able to free-up other resources, enabling them to continue to promote and expand their pro-abortion agenda.

The ACLJ continues to work legislatively and legally to protect human life. The ACLJ is in federal court in California pursuing a massive fraud case against Planned Parenthood affiliates in that state. The ACLJ is representing a former Planned Parenthood executive who alleges the organization overbilled the federal and state government by millions of dollars.

Now that the House of Representatives has passed this budget that bans taxpayer funds for Planned Parenthood, it goes to the United States Senate. This is going to be a much tougher fight; but with your help, we will keep the pressure on and be the voice for the unborn.

Thank you for making your commitment to life and your support of this tremendous victory.

Sincerely,

Jay Sekulow
ACLJ, Chief Counsel

P.S. We are still needing every pro-life American to sign our petition to Congress as we take the fight to the U.S. Senate. Please sign the petition now if you have not done so already and forward this email to pro-life friends and family members. Thank you.

Isaiah 55:9

"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9)

 

God's thoughts and ways are by no means equivalent to man's. How, then, can we hope to understand those things which He has communicated to us in His Word? To be sure, God has not told us all He knows, but what He has provided is sufficient for our faith, and He has also given clues as to the nature of many things we can only fully know in eternity. We know enough now to trust Him for the things we can't verify. But the aspect of Scripture that sets it apart from all other "religious" writings is that its truths are surrounded by and based on historical and scientific facts that are verifiable. The fact that we find Scripture to be accurate wherever it can be checked, gives us reason to believe that those teachings which we can't check are accurate as well.

 

What are some of God's favorite object lessons? Certainly His creation is one. A God who can call something into existence which didn't exist before can do anything. "Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things". Another standard is God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt. "According to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him marvellous things". Yet another is the second regathering of Israel in the last days. "The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from . . . all the lands whither he had driven them".  The final great guarantee that He will work on our behalf is the fact of the resurrection. "His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead".

 

Make no mistake! God is capable of solving any problem we have.

Genesis 2:4

"These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens." (Genesis 2:4)

 

There are two accounts of creation in Genesis, with the above text marking the dividing point. In the first, the name used for the Creator is "God" (Hebrew Elohim), and its termination is the summarizing "signature," as it were: "These are the generations (Hebrew toledoth) of the heavens and of the earth when they were created."

 

The second account  normally uses the name "LORD God" (Jehovah Elohim) in chapters 2 and 3 (except where the serpent and Eve used Elohim when she was being tempted) and then simply "LORD" (Hebrew Jehovah) in chapter 4. This second creation account ends with Adam’s signature: "This is the book of the generations |i.e., toledoth| of Adam."

 

Critics claim that the two accounts are contradictory. Actually they are complementary, the second merely giving more details of the events of the fifth and sixth days of creation week. The Lord Jesus (who was there as the Creator!) used them both, quoting from each  at the same time in the same context.

 

Note also that "create" (Hebrew bara) is used seven times in Genesis 1, never in. In that second account, "made" and "formed" (Hebrew asah, yatsar) are the words used.  Stresses the fact that "create" and "make" are different, when it tells us that God rested "from all his work which God created and made." Evidently the verb "create," which always has the Creator as its subject, refers to His work in calling entities into existence; "make" refers to systems constructed (by either God or men) out of previously created entities. The heavens and the earth were both "created" and "made"

Mark 7:37

"And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak." (Mark 7:37)

Jesus indeed "hath done all things well." One strong evidence of His deity is this very fact. No matter how carefully we study His deeds, we can find no flaw in any of them--no deficiency, nothing He should have done differently, or left undone. He never had to apologize or express regrets, as we often at least ought to do. He was always master of every situation. Peter said that He just "went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him".

The same truth would apply--perhaps even more emphatically--to His words. He never had to speculate or equivocate: "And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes". Jesus never guessed about anything or merely expressed an opinion, as we frequently do. He never suggested a "possible" interpretation. Everything He taught was with absolute authority, for He was (and is) the very Word of God.

His words occasionally were harsh and judgmental when dealing with hypocrisy and false teaching, but more often were kind and forgiving. In fact, "all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth". Even the soldiers sent to arrest Jesus returned empty-handed, for as they said: "Never man spake like this man".

Indeed, "his word was with power". He was "Jesus of Nazareth . . . a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people". In fact, He was more than a man; He was the perfect man, and the only-begotten Son of God!

Luke 24:44-45

"And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures." (Luke 24:44-45)

 

On the day of His resurrection, the Lord Jesus had given a wonderful session of Bible teaching to two of His followers on the road to Emmaus. "Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself". Later that same evening, Jesus appeared to the eleven apostles and the other disciples, probably in the upper room, and gave a similar study to all of them together, as summarized in our text above.

 

We can learn much from our Master Teacher concerning how we also should teach the Bible, for it was He, through the Spirit of Christ, who in effect wrote the Bible in the first place. Note in both cases, for example, that the whole Bible speaks of Christ in prophecy, or type, or in other ways. Note also that He began with the writings of Moses, which means first of all the account of creation and primeval history which is the foundation of all the rest.

 

It is evident, too, that He regarded "all the scriptures" to be of divine authority, which "must be fulfilled," either at His first coming or His second coming. He believed implicitly in plenary inspiration of the Bible, as well as the miracle of fulfilled prophecy.

 

Who are the Muslim Brotherhood???

“Thus the Lord will make Himself known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day. They will even worship with sacrifice and offering, and will make a vow to the Lord and perform it. The Lord will strike Egypt, striking but healing; so they will return to the Lord, and He will respond to them and will heal them.”(Isaiah 19:21-22) 

Dr . Michael Youssef

What is the Muslim Brotherhood that we’re hearing so much about these days? Back in 1928, Egypt was under British rule. They had an Egyptian parliament and cabinet, but the British controlled three key cabinet positions: the army, the police and the finances. At that time, a young school teacher by the name of Hassan al-Banna, under the influence of the Wahabi movement in Saudi Arabia, declared that a war of independence from British rule must be fought. He believed that this war must not be waged on a secular “classic liberal” basis but, instead, through Islamic ideology. But that meant Egypt returning from modernity to “Stone Age” 700 A.D. Arabian rule, under which the founder of Islam and his successors, the Caliphates, claim to be inspired by Allah and his Shariah law.

Shortly after the founding of the Muslim Brotherhood, they developed a “secret apparatus” which became involved in assassinations and terrorism. This group was responsible for the assassinations of prominent politicians and Coptic Christians whom they saw as hindrances to achieving their Islamic state. For example, in December of 1948, the Muslim Brotherhood’s secret apparatus assassinated Egyptian Prime Minister, Mahmud Al Noqrashi Pasha, whom they saw as a British puppet. In October 1954, their attempt to assassinate President Nasser proved to be their undoing. He rounded them up, put some to death and others were sent to hard-labor prisons. The imprisoned Brotherhood members remained there until Nasser died in 1971 and his successor, President Anwar Sadat released them.

Since 1971, Brotherhood members have been reorganizing themselves in a variety of ways (even under the guise of doing charitable work) with the goal of becoming a formidable force to take control of Egypt and eventually the world. Many of those who were released from prison in the early 70’s left Egypt and settled in other Arab countries, namely Qatar. In fact, most Al Jazeera operatives are former members of the Muslim Brotherhood; hence their agitation and expulsion from Egypt a couple of weeks ago.

The Muslim Brotherhood has spent the past 40 years forming chapters all over the world, including many European capitals and the United States. Until 2001, the Muslim Brotherhood’s publication in London Risalat Al-Ikhwan declared on the front page, “Our mission: world domination.” In 2004, the former Brotherhood Supreme Guide, Mohammed Akef, declared his “complete faith that Islam will invade Europe and America.”

The current logo that adorns the Muslim Brotherhood’s paraphernalia is comprised of two swords crossing each other with the words “Get Ready” underneath  an indication that they’re getting ready for Islamic Jihad. I’m writing all this to answer a question a reporter asked me recently, “Why should we in America care about what happens in Egypt?” To the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt and Jordan are small steps toward their ultimate goal: world domination.

In regard to the demonstrators on the streets of Cairo, the Muslim Brotherhood reportedly has declared that these stooges, like El Baradei and others, are “hemir al-thawra” or donkeys of the revolution. After they use them, the Brotherhood will discard them.

For years, journalists  Muslim journalists  have been warning the world of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Jihadi intentions. But people, particularly the Western liberal leftist media, have chosen to ignore these warnings. On June 25, 2007, Egyptian columnist Tariq Hasan published an article in the Al Ahram newspaper stating that the Muslim Brotherhood was preparing for a violent takeover in Egypt using its masked militia to replicate Hamas’ seizure of power in Gaza. Sadly, Hasan and others were ignored. Now, we are watching painfully as a beautiful country with an ancient civilization is in free fall to utter destruction. But even more alarming  this is only a harbinger of things to come.

 

Philippians 1:7

"Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace." (Philippians 1:7)

 

The gospel, of course, embraces all the truths concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ, from creation to consummation. Since these truths have been under Satanic attack throughout all the ages, it is vital that the gospel both be defended against its enemies and confirmed in the hearts and minds of its friends.

 

The word for "defense" (Greek, apologia) is the same as "answer" where we are commanded to "be ready always to give an answer . . . a reason of the hope that is in you." The word for "confirmation," on the other hand, is essentially the same as "established," or "stabilized," as in  "Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith." Thus the saving gospel of Christ--from its foundation in genuine creationism to its consummation in His coming kingdom with its central focus on the crucifixion and resurrection--is both to be defended against false teaching and established as truth. These two aspects correspond in general to apologetics in defending the faith and Christian evidences in establishing the faith.

 

"And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of." (Genesis 22:2)

 

There are many types of love in the world--romantic love, marital love, erotic love, brotherly love, maternal love, patriotic love, family love, and love for all kinds of things--pets, food, money, sports, and on and on. But what is the greatest love?

 

Love is probably the greatest word of the Bible and, by the principle of first mention of important biblical words, the first time the word "love" occurs should be a key to its use all through the Bible. Rather surprisingly, love is first encountered here in our text, speaking of the love of a father for his son, of Abraham for Isaac, the son of promise. Furthermore, the father is being told by the very God who made the promise to offer his beloved son as a sacrifice!

 

From the New Testament, we know that this entire scene is a remarkable type of the heavenly Father and His willingness to offer His own beloved Son in sacrifice for the sin of the world. This tells us that the love of this human father for his human son is an earthly picture of the great eternal love of the Father in heaven for His only begotten Son.

 

And that means that this love of God the Father for God the Son is the ultimate source of all love, for that love was being exercised before the world began. When Jesus prayed to His Father the night before His sacrificial death, He confirmed this great truth; "for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world," He prayed. Indeed, "God is love", and the eternal love within the triune Godhead is the fountainhead of all true human love here on earth. 

John 1:1

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)

 

The Holy Scriptures and the person of our Lord Jesus Christ are so inseparably bound together that whatever calls into question the integrity and authority of one correspondingly casts aspersions on the other. Let us not be guilty of saying that the written Word and the incarnate Word are in all aspects the same, but the Bible does clearly reveal Christ as "the Word . . . made flesh, |who| dwelt among us". "And his name is called The Word of God".

 

In carefully worded arguments, Christ time and again called attention to the fact that the teachings of the Old Testament Scriptures were actually teaching about Him. "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. . . . For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?". "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead".

 

Therefore, those who diligently search the Scriptures find in them sufficient testimony to Christ, and where there is faith in the witness of Scripture, there will be faith in Christ and His words. But if men reject the testimony of Scripture, they will not even be convinced by His miraculous resurrection from the dead.

 

Christ claimed that all of Scripture from the Torah  to the prophets spoke of Christ.

The Father loves you

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8-38-40)


The Psalmist David said that he was convinced that "If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. was trying to demonstrate the reach and the love of the Lord for those that are his. Which Father among you would, stand by and watch your child suffer, if you knew you could something to keep your child from harms way?  The love of our Heavenly Father is greater than ours. you do not have to believe, John 3:16 is a clear indication of the depth of His love for us who were once  His enemies. He gave his only begotten son for us so that we would know his love. For he loved us first.

Psalm 27:1

Therefore, since "the LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1)

"The only thing to fear is fear itself." This is a nice platitude, but it is altogether pointless without trust. There is no antidote to fear except trust in One who is able to deliver us from the thing we fear. The first mention of fear in the Bible is significant. Adam said to God, "I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid", can be found in Genesis . Indeed, one should be afraid when he has ignored or rejected God's Word, for "it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" . The same warning to sinners of all the ages is given in the Bible's final reference to fear. 

In contrast, note the last mention of fear in the Old Testament and the first in the New, both speaking of the entrance of the Son of God into the world. "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings".

Thus the remedy for the fear of man or anything else is the true fear of the Lord. "I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears". He has already endured everything we could ever fear, even death itself, that through His victory He might "deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage". If we are in God's hand then pray tell what then should we fear??? 

All Things Are Possible for Christ

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

 Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Christ. (John 14:29)
Peter starts off well, takes a few steps, and begins to sink, Peter took his focus of of the one who redeems us the one who in the book of John we told that all things are created through Christ. "Why did you doubt?" I pause and ponder, "Who did Peter doubt? Christ or himself?"  I remember that every promise given and every truth declared was for us, all of us, and none of us have it together.
Our humanity isn't too much for our Heaven Father to handle.Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it's the Lord's purpose that prevails read Proverbs 19:21There is nothing God can't do through a heart fully surrendered to Him. Nothing that our Father is not able to do example of this is.Leading an entire nation through a desert. Knock down a giant with a single stone.  So if he able to do all that surely he is able to fulfill His purpose for your life if you but trust him. Let's believe that in us, through us, in spite of us...With God all things are possible.

Don't limit God

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are differences of administrations, but the same
Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)


Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. The Heavenly Father is unlimited (but people can limit what God does for them). True, God cannot deny Himself. That means He cannot act contrary to who He is and what He has said. But beyond that God has no limits that we know of. The Bible tells us the people of Israel limited what God could do for them. We should not make the same mistake. God is very creative. From looking at His creation, you could even guess that sameness might bore Him. Every fingerprint is different. Every eyeball is different. Every ear is different. No two leopards have the same spots.Yet people think things like:

"God cannot work outside of our denomination, yea you heard me correctly." "Every church has to be just like ours." "Heavenly Father can only move in this one way." "God will only do this, if . But God is bigger than you realize! God may have a million different ways to do something. Just look at what He created. There is not just one type of bug. No, there are millions. We know of nearly a million types of beetles alone.

So don't limit God in your life allow him to bless you as he desires to do. No there is no  delima  that you are facing that the Father is not able to get you through.  God is actuality not probability He spoke the earth and all that is on into existence, so pray tell what plight is that you could face that the creator of all could  give you victory over???

God Loves you

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Yes, you know that Christ (Yeshua) died for you, that God watches over you, protects you and provides for you. But that does not

really give you insight into how God feels about you. He could do all that just because He felt obligated to take care of you

because He created you. No. That is not the whole story. God LOVES you. "But why would God love us? I don't even love myself" you might say. Well, pray for a divine revelation -- that is really the only way to know. However, for those of you who are parents, this may help give you a little insight. Think about the love you have for your children. Can you adequately communicate how you feel to them? Well, our human love for our children is just a shadow of God's love for you, as His child.

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (1 John 3:1)

Luke 11:50-51

"That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation." (Luke 11:50-51)

 

God's true prophets have been persecuted from the beginning. Abel, son of Adam and Eve, was the first, according to Jesus, for his blood was shed by Cain "from the foundation of the world." A "prophet" in biblical terms was a man who proclaimed inspired words from God (not necessarily predictions of the future, but words inspired by the Holy Spirit.

 

1 Samuel 16:7

"But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)

 

Man does, indeed, look on the outward appearance rather than inward convictions. This has always been true, but never more so than in these latter days, even among evangelical Christians.

 

There is very little emphasis in the Bible on such things, however. As far as dress and adornment are concerned, Paul said: "I will therefore that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works." 

 

With respect to physical conditioning and development, the following is almost the only reference in the Bible: "Bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things. The apostle Paul himself probably the most effective and fruitful Christian of all was a man of most unimpressive appearance. "I was with you in weakness," he reminded them, but nevertheless it was "in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.

 

Luke 12:33

"Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth." (Luke 12:33)

 

The Lord Jesus frequently warned us against trying to accumulate wealth here on earth. "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth," He said. Rather, "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven". In our text above, He even says to sell what we have and give it away. To the rich young ruler, He said: "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven."

 

God's Word cannot contradict itself, however, so this teaching must also be balanced against a man's responsibility to "provide for his own, and specially for those of his own house". Similarly, "the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children."

 

We are also encouraged to "give to him that needeth" and to sow "bountifully" as "a cheerful giver." Such instructions imply that by faithful labor in the vocations God has given us, we shall have the wherewithal to do such things. Ananias and Sapphira were punished, not for retaining part of their possessions for their own needs, but rather, because they lied about it. Our giving should be done "with simplicity"--that is, with "singleness" of heart.

 

All we have is of the Lord and should be used in ways that honor Him, in accord with His Word and His providential leading. We should provide judiciously for the needs of those dependent on us, but our own personal needs and wants should be kept minimal, so that more can be used in His service and to meet the needs of others. 

2 SAMUEL 12:22-23

And David said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." (2 Samuel 12:22-23)

 

The death of a loved one is always a time of great sorrow, but the death of a beloved child is perhaps the keenest sorrow of all. Nevertheless, for the Christian believer, we "sorrow not, even as others which have no hope".

 

Our text verse makes it clear that, when a child dies (even one born of a sinful relationship such as this child of David and Bathsheba), that child goes to be with the Lord in heaven. Jesus said: "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven".

 

Heaven is thus a place where there are many "little children." Their inherited sin-nature never yet had generated acts of willful sin, and their Maker is Himself "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world", so they are safe in Him. Although there are few specific Scriptures on this subject, what we do know, both from the love of God and the Word of God, suggests that the souls of all deceased little children are with the Lord in heaven, but also those who died in early childhood (and even before birth) from every time and place since the world began. There they, along with all those who were saved by personal faith in Christ and are now awaiting the resurrection, will receive new bodies when Christ returns to earth. The old and lame will be young and strong again, and the children will grow to perfect maturity, for all will become  "like him". "God shall wipe away all tears", and all will say: "As for God, his way is perfect".

Thou has made me glade

"For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands." (Psalm 92:4)

"IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME, O MOST HIGH". So begins this "Song for the Sabbath day" (heading), the psalmist extolling the virtues of praising God both day and night. The true believer, with a proper understanding of God's majesty, can see, in every situation, His lovingkindness and faithfulness. There is no better way to begin and end the day than to rehearse manifestations of His loving control over each event and circumstance and express confidence in His ability to handle new situations. "O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep".

Conversely, the righteous will ultimately flourish. Whether in this lifetime or in the next, God's justice will prevail. "Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God".

The claim of ultimate victory must not be considered as vague, insufficient, and improbable, as skeptics have always claimed. The reputation of God Himself is on the line. He will not allow His name to be tarnished. He must act "to shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him."

Which Jesus do you serve????

Yes your right this one is a repeat and it I will continue to repeat this till i know that each of us has answered that question.

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

 The call to imitate God is a call to separate ourselves from the world though we may be in but not of it  (Ephesians 4:17-19) and how we have been made new (Ephesians 4:20-24) and then gave us specific ways to do that (Ephesians4:25-32).

Our call is to live with the same love that Christ has demonstrated.  Jesus laying down his life for us, was first of all an expression of his love for his Father. Jesus did it, not only because of his love for us, but because first of all he loved the Father and this was  the Father’s will. This ‘life of love’ is not to be something we do to make ourselves feel good or appear good, it is to come out of and be an expression of our love for God Himself.  When John says, “We love because he first loved us,” (1 John 4:19). The first thing we need to do in the Christian life is become utterly convinced of God’s love.

On Sunday they raise their hands to heaven and declare that it is Jesus that they serve.

Then why do we look so much like the world?

Did you know that the wheat and the tare, the world can't tell which is which and quite frankly neither can I. So I pose the question again, which Jesus do you serve?

My Savior bleed and suffered and died and rose again for a sinner like me. My Savior, was a friend to friendless, He remembers the forgotten ones among us, Which Jesus do you follow?

 Which Jesus do you serve?

Is it this picture of the American dream that you chase after? Is the prince of this world who you serve or did you miss that part when you decided you want fortune and power?

If Jesus was here would you walk right by him or cross over to the other side of the street? 

Would you even recognize him or have time to speak to him?

Pretty blue eyes and curly brown hair and a white complexion Michael Angelo version of Jesus ,is that the Jesus you serve? My Savior was battered and bruised for my sins, did you miss that part? Sometimes I ponder do we really understand what the price he paid for us?

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they understand and they know My Savior. So which Jesus do we serve. is it the one whom we pray to bless us with great wealth? Or the Jesus who said

blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness?

 So who do you serve? The one whose promises are like shifting sand?

Marine says it God , then country and the marine Corp, what comes first for you?

My Jesus would he be accepted in your churches today? All bloody and bruised with no shoes on his feet, would we want him sitting next to us?  He was not rich he didn't have a pillow to lay his head upon. Today my Jesus would look like a homeless man or perhaps we would see him as mentally insane.

He spent His time with criminals and those that are considered the least among us. Did you know he had a heart for the poor, so which place would  He come to eat Sabbath meal at your house or among those that were forgotten by society?

Its time we decide which Jesus do we serve but I'm not sure we understand what that means to be like Christ,

Jesus said to live like HIM, love like HIM but then does that mean we must be willing to die for HIM as he died for you and I???

Can we be Imitators of Christ? Can we live like our Savior?  Which one do you want to be ? I turned on the TV set today and heard a man preaching Jesus wants to make you rich and that he never intended for us to be poor.  Is that the Jesus your seeking??? Heard a pastor say that his Jesus says that we should never be sad. Yet my Jesus wept when heard his good friend was dead. So which Jesus do you serve?  I know that I want to be more like my Savior and less like me.  I want to be an imitator of my Savior what about you????