Is God a figment of our imaginations? Who created who; did God create man or did man create god to help him feel safe and content? Yet in such an argument you will find all sorts of rational as to why God does or doesn’t exist. Recently in a think tank a member was discussing technology, life extension, robotic prosthetics and computer chips in the brains of every human to extend memory and help in cognition and was confronted by a well-intentioned man of faith who said; “God is not some mere fancy of imagination or self-imposed hallucination!”

After stating this fact an atheist and technology guru or self-proclaimed wizard of technology of the future stated:

“I totally agree God is not a self-imposed hallucination, fore the folklore is rather a social engineering and learned trait. It is not self-imposed it is socially imposed and for those who need the assistance of the group they find it easier to go along with it rather to do the old Thomas Paine thing. Of course one cannot condemn a schizophrenic, after all 1 in 100 people have this condition. Indeed, we cannot condemn either the believer of an invisible friend, fore we would condemn over 35% of the children under age 6. Additionally we cannot condemn a child under the age of five who still believes in Santa Clause. And in history we need not condemn those who could not read “The Book Who No One Read” fore it was banned and we all know the Earth use to be flat right? Great for playing “Risk” with all kings horses and all the Kings Men but today we exist in a more knowledgeable world, which includes a far more 4D Net Centric Battlespace.”

It is interesting indeed that two think tankers could have such different belief systems and use their belief systems to guide them in completely different directions with regards to the adoption of technology. What are your thoughts on this matter? It would be interesting to hear from you. Think on this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

“My soul is in anguish. How long, O Lord, how long?” (Psalm 6:3).

There are many how-longs in the Bible. While Providence smiles, we take no notice; His consolations seem insignificant to none when all is well in our lives. We forget that He gives as well as takes. Then when a cloud slips past the sun, we forget that the sun still exists. Even when it is midnight and we are deep in the dark night of our soul, God still lives. It is we who eclipse Him, not vice versa. And it is a vice to forget this. “As when the sun is eclipsed, though the earth wants the light thereof, yet not the influence thereof; so God’s supporting grace is ever with His deserted” (Trapp).

Complaint should be carried to God and not be of God or anyone else. Because He is the same yesterday when we had joy, today when we have grief, and tomorrow when we have a new kind of joy born of faith in His purposes, then we should trust anyway and always. “This, too, shall pass!” Our God has measured our crosses to our caliber and He has calibrated just what we can bear. He has also appointed the time, and there are times when our disappointment is His appointment.

Even if we carry our cross to our grave, when we arise in our resurrection, blooms of love and elation will be flourishing from that cross, because we were faithful and believed to the end that God will bring good from what is so bad. Sorrows may end here; they most assuredly will end hereafter.

Jesus asked His how longs, too: “O unbelieving and perverse generation…how long shall I stay with you and put up with you?” (Luke 9:41). Surely He felt a “how long” when He hung on the cross for us. We ask our how longs and our how muches; God simply asks us, “How much do you love Me? Is it enough to bear with what I now have for you, no matter how long it may last?”

A popular proverb say’s “one small good deed is better than the thousand grandest thoughts”. Mission trip travel applies rightly to this saying. Traveling on mission requires traveling not for one’s own joy and recreation but for much more noble cause of giving and serving humanity. Happiness does not always relate to receiving gifts and services, on the contrary even serving others give a serene sense of pleasure to the person who has done some kind of charity. Even the thought of being able to serve someone less fortunate and being able to bring a smile on the face of some suffering from any kind of short comings increases the self esteem of any individual. All these divine thoughts have lead to an ever-increasing number of mission trips throughout the world.

Apart form going for recreational vacations during the holidays spending time on mission trips is growing popular each day. Christians all through the world are realizing the importance of serving people who have lesser resources to live and are surviving under very unhealthy conditions. Men who are enjoying wider facilities in life and have been lucky to be a part of well-developed societies now want to serve the less fortunate as a way of thanks giving to Christ.

Mission traveling emphasizes on helping the under privileged mainly by way of physical work. If the church organizing the trip can afford the costs incurred it may pay the money required for transportation to and fro to the destination. In case the organizer of the mission trip is not capable of bearing the costs involved it is the responsibility of the travelers to bear their own personal costs.
Also the responsibility of personal food and expenses lies on travelers’ shoulders. Anyone going for mission trip needs to properly vaccinate himself from all types of diseases such as yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis, malaria and other similar illness because the chances of being infected on these remote sites may be there. One should not expect any kind of luxury during traveling, they must be ready to sleep in their sleeping bags or tents and eat whatever is available without any fuss. The sprit is always of devoting time and energy for others and not for personal fulfillments.

Travelers of mission trip should be prepared to face the hardships of life they must be ready for any type physical work which may be of construction or cleaning the area manually or any other similar activity. Many a times people who are from medical background may be asked to go to remote places where there are less number of doctors and treat the patients with utmost dedication. Popular places for mission traveling are the Caribbean, Africa, Inner parts of America, India, Australia and other backward countries. Missionaries throughout the world because of their noble cause are also offered discounted rates for traveling to their destinations. Also for food and lodging facilities men on mission work are offered services at discounted rates. There are people who have sacrificed their entire life to serve others and become lifetime missionaries. Not only Christians it’s always desirable for everyone else to at least once in lifetime experience the joy of mission traveling.

Mansi gupta writes about. mission trip Learn more at www.missiontriptravel.com

Art Braidic (a minister of the Sabbath keeping Church of God) and I have enjoyed a biblical discussion about whether or not God’s covenant with Judah is still active. I trust others may glean something profitable from our fellowship. I start with his intial response and add my comments:

My conclusion is that God brought the Jews back to fulfill prophecy, not to re-establish them as a nation permanently.

Thank you, Art, for prayerfully considering all this about Judah’s return under Ezra and Nehemiah and taking the time to respond. May God bless our fellowship and inspire us all to a better understanding of this holy subject. Such discussions prove true that “iron sharpens iron.”

God did indeed bring Judah back (but not all were willing to return just like today) to fulfill prophecy, but I must question if that was the only reason why did God not only send a scion of David (Zerubbabel), and a governor (Nehemiah), but a PRIEST to instruct the People in the Torah? Ezra had his Work cut out for him and did a marvelous job (Ezra 7:10).

His NATIONAL CONGREGATION repented of their Sabbath breaking (Nehemiah 13:17-22) and mixed marriages and entered into a COVENANT WITH GOD. We have no record of the Gentilized Israelites ever repenting, even in part, or returning and submitting to any biblical instruction (Ezra 10:1-3).

Judah had sinned worse than Israel originally, but THEY REPENTED and were brought back. Israel never repented and was never brought back. Some of Judah remained repentant from THE RETURN to the time of Yeshua, the New Testament bearing them record:

The priestly parents of John the Baptist (Luke 1:6), Simon and Anna - two holy and elderly witnesses and the Torah-observant Yosef and Miriam (Luke 2:25, 36-39).

And Yeshua said of the Gentiles and testified about the Jews:

John 4:22
22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.

He couldn’t say that about the Gentilized Israelites who had lost it all!

The Old Testament was to have seven eras.

I know the Church of God teaches this and I have shared it with others, but the Church of God isn’t consistent when they reject the God-given authority of the scribes and the Pharisees that Christ acknowledged on the matters of the sacred calendar and responsibility to properly proclaim the holy days.

Christ was to come from Judah. All this was fulfilled
and then, God destroyed the nation and scattered them exactly like He did their sister Israel.

God had already destroyed the former Judah and Jerusalem and scattered the Jews, but many of them repented and returned (part of true national repentance is to return to the Land, not just the Law). Those faithful Jews, the parents of John, the parents of Yeshua, Simon, Anna, and others like them remained faithful and accepted the Light that God had sent Judah and when the others rejected Him they were rejected.

But the physical and spiritual foundation of converted Jews continued without fail! The early Church of God was entirely Jewish, as you know. That Jewish/biblical foundation was most instrumental in the construction of the spiritual Temple that includes Gentile converts into that holy Branch. Most of Judah were temporarily cut off, just like the Gentilized Israelites, but SOME of them never were and continued right on as pioneers of faith towards the “New Jerusalem!”

Antiocus went through the land devastating it it and putting the abomination in the temple. I submit that if these people were God’s people, in a covenant with them, then they would have not suffered so.

Isn’t that a gospel of peace and prosperity? Don’t true believers suffer persecution? If God wasn’t in covenant with Judah, why did Yeshua call the defiled and CLEANSED Temple “My Father’s House?” God sent Judah - still His covenant people at that point - the Macabbees as in the days of the Judges, just as the Church also teaches that Daniel prophesied of them as the “people who know their God and do (military) exploits,” and they formed part of the seven eras of the Old Testament. Another traditional inconsistency!

To me, after Christ’s death, any relationship was completley over.

Yes, I agree that after the unwarranted hatred Yeshua experienced at the hands of His brethren, like our father Joseph did earlier as a type, the Anointed One who came to purify Judah’s religion and correct their misunderstandings and rebuke idolatrous traditions (which is why He spent so much time with the God-ordained Pharisees). He warned Judah of the Temple’s imminent destruction and their dispersion and they rejected Him and His warning message and many of them paid for it with their lives, God was through - for the most part - with collective Judah. However, as stated above, God kept His Word to be the God of our fathers and our God to a remnant, folks like the righteous I’ve mentioned whose kind made up the early Church.

As Paul writes… Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

I do know your point, but to be technical, it’s speaking of US being dead to sin (and its penalty) and resurrected in Christ, able to now marry Righteousness - it doesn’t state that about Christ.

So, in the marriage to Israel, God was married to Judah. Once He died, He was able to remarry. He now is espoused to those He has called, and He will marry them at His return.

I know and have also shared this Church of God teaching, but the Scriptures reveal God saying to physical Israelites in these last days, God pleading with us to return to Him as our Husband, that He never divorced us! Judah and Israel are still married to God even if we’ve broken our part of the covenant relationship and God has “SEPARATED” us from Him due to our unrepentant sins. But He wants us back! (Isaiah 50:1, Jeremiah 3:14).

The Church of God, like the Prophets, ought to call our people back to the Law and the Covenant that God made with our Fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (and confirmed with our fathers at Mount Sinai) and wants to RENEW with us and improve upon it by writing His Torah upon the tablets of our converted hearts and minds, so help us God!

I actually do not know what replacement theology is.

It is denying the spiritual importance of physical Israel to God forever, regardless of our present sins that will soon be history.

Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel, Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

All this is saying is that race alone isn’t sufficient. That a physical Israelite must also have a spiritual Israelite identity or they’re nothing more than physically circumcised spiritual Gentiles! And that physical Gentiles can be spiritual Israelites and join the Body of converted Israelite believers: the remnant of physical Israel who isn’t blinded!

Rom 11:1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid.

Replacement theology would say it doesn’t matter because spiritual Israel has replaced any need for physical Israelites to be in a covenant relationship with God and such a damnable heresy is dead wrong! Paul then stresses his PHYSICAL TRIBAL IDENTITY - he didn’t dismiss it as unimportant. God must always have at least a chosen few physical Israelites to keep His Promise to our Fathers to be their God and the God of their literal descendants.

But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

So, there is a remnant according to grace, not race. Who is that remnant comprised of?

Not so! The very example Paul used were ALL ISRAELITE. Why speak of a remnant except to refer to the relatively chosen few ISRAELITES who have not gone astray or been blinded? The remnant pertains to physical Israelites who are converted Israelites!

What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

The election or remnant of physical ISRAELITES! Just like the vast majority of Jews rejected Jesus but a remnant of physical Jews remained faithful and formed the foundational Church of God in Jerusalem!

Rom 11:16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree

While not the firstfruits, they are still holy because they are God’s people.

It is converted physical Israelites who are the firstfruits, converted physical Israelites who are the roots, a converted physical Israelite olive tree that converted Gentiles can be grafted into! We are the Israelite Church of God, as Herbert W. Armstrong taught, and it is counterfeit Christianity that is a Gentile Church that seeks to replace physical Israelites in every way, physically and spiritually.

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Blindness IN PART, a partial blindness among Jews and Israelites. I really don’t understand why God had to blind any of our people, maybe you know? Why couldn’t He just work with Gentiles and Israelites at the same time like He does in the Church? Ancient Israel always accepted Gentile converts and they weren’t at the expense of any Israelites. I really don’t understand this part of the mystery and pray to grasp it better!

And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

Back to physical Israel, showing their physical descent from Jacob-Israel remains important to God despite “spiritual Israel.” Again, it’s because of the covenant that God made with our Fathers. That’s why the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble” will be cut short - mainly for the ethnic election, the physical Israelites’ sakes! not the spiritual Church of God alone.

Matthew 24:22

22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.

Isaiah 1:9

9 Unless the LORD of hosts

Had left to us a very small remnant,

We would have become like Sodom,

We would have been made like Gomorrah.

Leviticus 26:44-45

44 Yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, nor shall I abhor them, to utterly destroy them and break My covenant with them; for I am the LORD their God.

45 But for their sake I will remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God: I am the LORD.’”

This GOOD NEWS is why the first chapter of Beyond Babylon: Europe’s Rise and Fall is gladly called “Survival Guaranteed!”

Rom 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.

Just like Elijah was opposed by most of his nation of Gentilized
Israelites, and the 7,000 were the chosen few (COG - Cave of God), all physical Israelites, so most of the nation of Judah rejected My God Yah in the flesh except for the chosen few physical Israelites who became converted and were the Church of God in Judea! The election, the ethnic elect, the Chosen People, will finally respond to our calling to become a Kingdom of Priests, a Light to all Nations, so help us God! Hosanna in the Highest!

Rom 11: 30 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

This is the mystery I wrote of above that I would like to understand better.

As you stated, their time will come again, but I believe it is not now.

I agree that the vast majority of Joes and Jews are presently blinded, but I believe there are individuals with whom God is working, His Holy Spirit is WITH THEM (not yet in them, like with His disciples originally), as part of the process of national redemption, laying the groundwork, preparing the way, for when God chooses to call us all again into a COVENANT RELATIONSHIP with Him, like Gershon Salomon of the Temple Mount Faithful and other faithful Jews, exceptions, just like Simon and Anna.

Even as Herbert W. Armstrong taught the children of Worldwide Church of God members are SANCTIFIED (I Corinthians 7:14), so too are the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Ezra 9:2). I believe this revelation needs to be better understood and taught in the congregations.

I love the Jewish people. I find them among the most bright, professional, and talented people in the world.

I know you do. I never doubted it. I also know that Judah offers the best and the worst in this world! We can either become “stars” (as the descendants of Abraham) or so much “dirt” (grains of sand).

May God bless klal Yisrael (all Israel/12 Tribes) to fulfill our incredible NATIONAL potential! (Isaiah 62:1-2, 6-7).

David Ben-Ariel is a Christian-Zionist writer in Ohio and author of Beyond Babylon: Europe’s Rise and Fall. With a focus on the Middle East and Jerusalem, his analytical articles help others improve their understanding of that troubled region. Check out Beyond Babylon.

Several weeks ago, while shopping in a grocery store, my wife was approached by a woman who appeared to be very refined — very courteous manner. She indicated that she had a question that possibly she could answer. She and her husband had observed that some women wear coverings similar to the one that my wife was wearing. Why are they worn? Her husband’s opinion was that it signifies marriage. She herself did not concur with that opinion. But why DO you wear it? That was her question. In response, my companion assured her that the wearing of the headcovering is a Biblical teaching recorded in 1 Corinthians 11. To her that was news. She seemingly was not aware that this was a Bible teaching, and with gratitude in her voice, she promised to go home and read for herself from 1 Corinthians 11.

A hundred years ago, an occurrence like that here in Lebanon county would have been unlikely. Why? Because a hundred years ago, this practice was still being observed in numerous non-Mennonite circles. The widespread loss of this practice demonstrates what can happen in no more than a hundred years. Whether that woman was a church member or not, I don’t know. I do know that today, in many church circles, this teaching is either omitted, or explained away, or twisted so as to make the hair the only needed covering.

But, it’s not my primary calling to condemn other church groups. Right within our own circles we have a big enough job to keep this practice alive and to keep it moving in the right direction. In order to get that job done requires giving periodic attention to this teaching. That’s why I’ve chosen to dwell on that subject this morning. My record shows that it’s been a little over 5 years ago that I devoted an entire message to this subject. That’s a pretty long interval - maybe too long.

I’ve already named the Bible passage in which this teaching is found, so let’s turn in our Bibles to 1 Corinthians chapter 11. The content of this chapter revolves around 2 items: the headcovering, and the Lord’s supper. Because of their nature, we believe that they both fall in the category of an “ordinance”. This is in agreement with the language of verse 2: “Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.”

The now-popular approach to this chapter throws away the first of these practices, the headcovering, but retains the second, the Lord’s supper. In my opinion, there is no valid ground for that kind of selectivity. Nonetheless, it’s being done. And that’s one reason why there are people around us like that lady who approached my wife.

In a few moments, I’m going to be reading 1 Corinthians 11:4, 5 and 6. Those verses serve as home base for both the doctrine and the practice of the headcovering. But all of the first 16 verses relate to the subject in one way or another. All right, let’s listen now to verses 4-6:

“(4) Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. (5) But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. (6) For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.”

Those last four words in verse 6 are my text: “Let her be covered.”

That is a straightforward command. It’s comparable to other commands that are stated in a similar way. “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body.” “Let no man deceive you.” “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.” “Let your light so shine.” Now the command in view here is no less binding than these other commands.

Shall we come before the Lord in prayer?

or is it more important to simply fit in??
A web-site you might profit from if this article seemed a drab bore is : www.successmagnet.org

In part two I will go into more detail on the subject. If your interested read on.

For more information on this topic or others please write :
Living Waters for Thirsty Souls
25853 Pinney Road
Cambridge Springs, PA, USA
16403-9801

The first thing I would like to do is give mans meaning of prejudiced.

1. Opinion formed beforehand: a performed opinion, usually an unfavorable one, based on insufficient knowledge, irrational feelings, or inaccurate stereotypes.

2. Holding of ill-informed opinions: the holding of performed opinions based on insufficient knowledge, irrational feelings, or inaccurate stereotypes.

3. Irrational dislike of somebody: an unfounded hatred, fear, or mistrust of a person or group, especially one of a particular religion, ethnicity, nationality, sexual preference, or social status.

When we speak of God, we speak of Pure Spirit and not flesh. The definitions of prejudice is only accountable to man and His disbelief in truth and righteousness. As we see in Jer 13:23, man is accustomed to doing evil and not good.

“Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.”

Lets take a look at some words from the definition.

1. Irrational dislike.

Gods answer. Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

2. Ill-informed opinions.

Gods answer. Mat 23:33-35. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

3. Inaccurate stereotypes.

Gods answer. Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Mar 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

4. Unfounded hatred.

Gods answer. 2Pe 2:4-9. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment: And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.

5. Insufficient knowledge.

Gods answer. Pro 2:2-6. So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

[Ref. Exo_31:3; 1Ki_3:9, 1Ki_3:12, 1Ki_4:29; 1Ch_22:12; Job_32:8; Isa_54:13; Dan_1:17; Dan_2:21, Dan_2:23; Luk_21:15; Joh_6:45; Eph_1:17, Eph_1:18; Jam_1:5, Jam_1:17 ]

Pro 14:18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

Pro 18:15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

Pro 21:11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

I have read many an article condemning Christians, especially preachers, for standing up for the word of God. Subjects as Homo-sexuality, Religion, Non- tolerance of Idol worship in their communities, and the such. They are always using the Bible as a source of self justification. They proclaim that God is all loving and, we should be like Him. But I’m afraid to say to these people, we are being as our Father in Heaven. We cannot justify, sin, unrighteousness nor ungodliness. We, as Christians, have been asked to accept teaching in our schools that are contrary to our belief in the Holy Scriptures. When many are calling for a separation of Church and State, then why are the forces of darkness allowed to teach anti-christian formats within our society. Changing children hearts from God to a form of self proclaimed religion. Corrupting society with false teaching. And all in the name of Unity.

Lets read a little Scripture.

Isa 1:4-5 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

Jer 9:2-5. Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men. And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD. Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders. And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.

Job 11:3 Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?

This is the Word of God.”Making them an ensample.” Gal 5:19-21. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Rev 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Ask yourself this question. After you have read the words of God, do you believe that we are to try to justify these types of people or warn them? Its not a matter of prejudice against these types of people, its a matter of loving them enough to warn them and to resist them. Warning them of the impending judgment. Resisting them in their efforts to teach their way of life to our children. So, Is God prejudiced? You answer.

Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries
A.R.Smith Sermons International
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/

The dictionary explains strength as being endurance, force, bravery, spirit and source of power. The Bible mentions many times about strength and songs. Now song explain in the dictionary means a call or utterance. Let’s see what the Bible says. It says in the book of Psalm 118:13 I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. This verse seems to be saying that the Lord gave him endurance, force, bravery, spirit and source of power, as well as a call or utterance. Since the beginning of time people have sang a song to the Lord. Look at Exodus 15:1 it says I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

Look at Deuteronomy 6:4 it says Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Look at 1Chronicles 16:9 it says For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose heart are fully committed to him.

Now look at Nehemiah 8:10 it says Nehemiah said, Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. What a merciful God!! Look at Psalm 28:6 it says Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.

Look at Psalm 46:1 it says God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. The Bible clearly tell us to give credit to the Lord. Look at Psalms 96:6 it says Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.

In the book of Isaiah 35:3 it says Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, Be strong, do not fear;; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you. Now look at Isaiah 40:29 it says He gives strength to the weary and increases the power to the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 41:10 says So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Now look at Mar 12:29 it says The most important one, answered Jesus, is this Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and will all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. Well said, teacher, the man replied. You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he sad to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

In the book of 1Corinthians 1:24 it says but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom , and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. Now look at 1Corinthians 14:26 it says What then shall say, brother? When you come together, everyone has a hymn or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.

Now look at the book of Ephesians 3:14 it says For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its nane. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love may have power, together will all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledgethat you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more that than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generation, for ever and ever Amen.

Look at Philippians 4:12 it says I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Now look at 2Thessalonians 2:16 it says May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

To conclude look at 1Peter 4:7 it says The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Love Always,
Your Sister in Christ,

Mellody Davis

Enjoy more reading at: http://www.hostinghelps.com/allaboutjesus

Now that the hustle and bustle of Christmas is around us, this may be a good time to sit back, relax, and contemplate what would be the best gift that we could give this Christmas.

We are often told that wisdom is passed down through the ages, so I would like to take you on a little journey back to the time of the Magi and see what truths we can glean from their wanderings.

Follow me, if you will to the Book of Matthew, Chapter 2, verses 1-12. (I will place the text here so that you can refer to it as needed: Taken from the King James Version)
NOW when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east toJerusalem,
2. Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalemlace with him.
4. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6. And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judea, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
7. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
12. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
What are some lessons that can be gleaned from the previous passage: Well, to start, we notice that it was the light which drew the Magi to Christ.
The Bible tells us in Mt.5:14-16 that Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

This is exactly what happened with the Magi; They saw the light and it was that light which drew them to Christ. Is your light shining brightly? Are others being drawn to Christ through you?

It was this light, which caused them to search:

The Wise men could have stayed where they were, but they knew that they would find God ONLY IF they followed the light.

God Promises us in Jeremiah 29:13,14a
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord:…

And what did they do when they found Him? They Worshipped Him!

The word worship, comes from the Greek word PROSKOONEH’O. It means: To Adore- To Fall Down Before God in Awe.

An Example of this type of worship can be found in Revelation 4:10-11
The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Worship is not just saying, “I Love you Lord” with your mouth, but with your whole being. Ezekiel 33:31 tells us …With their mouths they show much love but their heart goeth after their covetousness.

Many at Christmas say “I Love You Lord” but in their heart they are more concerned with what to buy so and so.

At Christmas We Can Get More Caught Up With Christmas Presents Rather Than His Presence!

We must be careful not to get caught up with the tradition of Christmas and forget to truly worship Him of whom Christmas is all about.

And Lastly: They opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. These were COSTLY gifts!

We think nothing of spending money for an extra special gift for someone we love. We will diligently seek for just that perfect gift.

The Question Is,
WHAT GIFT HAVE YOU FOUND FOR JESUS?
He is the one who loves you so much, He was willing to die for You. John 15:13 says, Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends

Now Please take note: I am not saying that Christ Expects you to kill yourselves for Him! What he does want is your life, but in the sense of a life that is dedicated to Him. It is a matter of giving up your way of thinking and doing things and taking on His ways, by learning of Him and acting the way He would have you to act.

While we think of our families and the gifts we will give them, let us not forget about Christ and what gift is the most fitting for Him.

Matthew 10:37-39 tells us,
Any one who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me, and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

ARE WE WILLING TO SPEND THAT MUCH?
IT IS COSTLY!
BUT WHAT A PERFECT GIFT TO GIVE HIM

Let us give our lives to Christ this Christmas and live our lives all year through in fellowship with Him.
“O COME LET US ADORE HIM, CHRIST, THE LORD”

This article is bought to you by Sharron Myers

Sharron Myers has been a teacher of Spiritual Truth for over 30 years. She also is a Certified Aromatherapist and Personal Development Consultant. Be sure to check out her site: www.sharron-myers.com

To Live the Life You Want, Learn the Skills You Need
www.sharron-myers.com

The Passion of The Christ has caused a lot of discussions. Some people accuse the film to be anti-Semitic or that it has the potential to incite hatred and violence towards Jews. Other people object mainly to Mel Gibson’s gruesome depiction of Jesus Christ’s last 12 hours on earth in his latest film: The Passion Of The Christ. Though these are of importance, we should not allow Christ’s main message to drown and be set aside in favor of our discussions of religion, politics, film-comparisons, film-critiques and censorship. We should take this opportunity to remember what it was that Jesus Christ died for. Perhaps we can re-think and re-learn the message He may have been trying to tell us two thousand years ago.

I would have preferred this paper to discuss only the main teaching of Christ and how it relates to us today; however I feel that I should address the two most popular discussions regarding the film before I can continue on. Was it anti-Semitic? I don’t believe the film was anti-Semitic. The Jews had to make a decision then and they did it no differently to how we, as a society, conduct our affairs today. In the latter part of this document, I argue that there is no reason for non-Jews to blame the Jews for what had happened. Was the gore and violence of the film appropriate? Yes. I think that the gore and violence of the film was important in illustrating the sacrifice that Jesus had to make, and was willing to take, so that we would understand what he had been trying to tell us all along. The pain and suffering he had endured shows the amount of strength that is required to love - completely and truly.

Regardless of what your religious beliefs are, or whether you have a religion or not, let me first ask you to assume, just for this paper, to forget religion. Forget the notion that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. Forget the notion that he was sent here by a Divine Power. Let us just assume that he was a mortal man, made of flesh and blood, just like you and me. He saw the world differently however. He interpreted information, his experiences and his emotions differently to how most of us process our internal and external environments. As a result, he gained immense wisdom and knowledge beyond the comprehension of most of us. He tried to tell us something. He tried to share with us what he knew.

The main teachings of Jesus Christ revolve around the core idea of LOVE. Love everything. Love everybody. Even your enemies! If they hit you on one cheek, turn the other cheek. Like Buddha’s message: Do NOT do unto others what you would NOT like others do unto you. Be compassionate towards all beings. That was what they taught: LOVE.

He believed that it is the only philosophy that will allow us all to achieve harmony and happiness in our universe and in our lives. No amount of hate should be allowed every day and in every way that we conduct ourselves. No matter what happens, we must not hate or wish malicious thoughts towards anything or anybody.

To spread that message, he spoke about it when he could, where he could. People flocked to the mountains and in the temples where he preached. A lot of his ideas fascinated people. They were new, bizarre and sometimes his ideas went against basic human instincts and the prevailing beliefs that people had at the time. He was a leader, like a shepherd guiding his herd of sheep. He led with utmost integrity.

We have had a lot of leaders in the past, now and we will continue to follow them in the future. They tell us one thing but they do not have the strength and courage it takes to refuse to do another. They contradict themselves and their ideals.

Is it only our leaders, celebrities and other prominent members of our society - whom we read about in the papers - who are at fault? No. Their faults are our faults. How is that? Because we still believe that it is OK to hate or express negative emotions towards others whom we feel have done us wrong or will do us wrong. We, as people, still exhibit little signs of compassion, consideration, thoughtfulness and understanding towards other people and other beings.

We experience negative emotions towards other people when they mock us, when they ridicule us, when they bully us, when they humiliate us, when they deny us justice or fairness, when they torture us, when they kill or threaten to kill our loved ones, or when they deny us anything else that we consider to be our ‘human rights’.

“Of course”, we say. “That’s natural!”

That is exactly my point! Jesus Christ had to endure all that and yet he had gone through his last twelve hours without displaying any signs of anger, hatred, disappointment, greed or fear. In fact, during his crucifixion, he still asked that his enemies be forgiven for they knew not what they were doing. Who among us has the courage, strength and wisdom to be able to accept our predicaments like that?

Jesus Christ has shown us that we must love even our enemies, be wise enough to increase our capacity to understand and show compassion towards all beings…regardless of what happens.

The Jews at the time had to make a decision: to kill Jesus or not. What would have been the right thing for them to do? They did not know. If you were a common person in the streets of Jerusalem at that time and you were asked what you would like to happen to Jesus, what would you have said? For a lot of people, the information they had of Jesus Christ was very sketchy. He was whispered to be The Messiah. He had many controversial ideas but he seemed very wise and he had helped ease the misery of a lot of people. At the same time, Jesus was also accused of being a liar, a madman, a witch and a blasphemer. He had made Lazarus come back to life, walked on water and he had turned water into wine. Would you have believed those miracles? If they were not true, why would people have made them up? If they were true then definitely, Jesus was no ordinary man. And if he had powers like that, what else was he capable of doing? What if he was the Devil in disguise? Maybe it was right that he be killed while his threat could still be subdued. There were so many people chanting for his death. Surely their reasoning would not have been baseless.

It was not an easy decision for any person or any group of people to make. Even Pontius Pilate who was in a position to have all the information in the land to make a decision, was torn what to do with Jesus. Pilate was like the President of the United States, with all the advisers, intelligence agencies and reporters at his disposal. Yet, he did not know what he was supposed to do.

The decision came to pass to crucify Jesus. The High Priests were threatened of him. Pontius Pilate weighed his decision and allowed the people to make the choice for him. Those who were most vocal and more aggressive in their belief that Jesus Christ ought to die, got their way that day. There may have been people who probably felt strongly against it but they were not willing or able to do anything to stop it. Others were not there probably because they allowed themselves to be in a position where they knew too little information to have an opinion at a time when it was crucial that they did. Sadly, many may not just have cared.

Think of all current issues we face. There are some of us who choose FOR or AGAINST a motion. Others do not choose, however, by not choosing, they have also made a choice. As one global voice, we are all divided in our opinions towards most of these issues. And only with hindsight, can we truly assess the impact of the choices we have made. It is the same dilemma that the Jews faced then.

Should we look outside ourselves to see whom we can blame for the killing of Jesus? No. The Jews killed Jesus, a fellow Jew, but how different are we when we kill or hurt our own? How different are we when we allow others to suffer because it was not our problem or because we did not yet know enough about the problem?

Added with our inability to be wiser than we are to accept and feel compassion towards all beings, it was our ‘human nature’ to hate and inflict pain and suffering on others that crucified Jesus Christ. That ‘human nature’ still remains unchanged even after two thousand years. What Jerusalem was then is what the world is now. And it will be that way forever…until we change.

Marquez Comelab is the author of the book: The Part-Time Currency Trader. It is a guide for working men and women interested in trading currencies in the forex market. It explains everything you need to know to create your own trading methodology; touching on the basics and preparation before expanding onto the topics of market analysis, tools, trading systems, risk management strategies, discipline and psychology. See: http://marquezcomelab.com. His other articles can also be found at http://thefreedomtochoose.com; along with other helpful trading, business, investing and self-improvement articles.

Christians with chronic illness need to know there is a source for healing beyond secular medicine that does not follow the pattern or knowledge of this world. That source is spiritual and comes from God! But there is a problem. Millions of Christians are being robbed the gift of spiritual healing through spiritual malpractice.

Numerous Christian traditions (doctrines) hold that the time of miraculous healing, spiritual healing, or by whatever name it is known by, is over. These traditions claim the time of divine healing, anointing with oil and laying on of hands ended when the last Apostle died. With this kind of teaching, no wonder there is so much confusion, sickness and suffering.

Those who make the claim that God no longer intervenes in this world through spiritual healing need to ask themselves one question. From who did this claim originate, God or Satan? If from God, then His will be done. But what if this teaching is not from God? Suppose it is from Satan whispering in the ear of man that God has ended spiritual healing. What then? What is the consequence of believing and teaching such a doctrine?

Such a doctrine and Church leaders who proclaim it would be responsible for denying millions of chronically ill Christians the gift of spiritual healing. For elders, pastors and Church clergy are all charged with the spiritual oversight of their flocks. The doctrines they teach have real consequences.

Spiritual Malpractice:

Canon Mark Pearson, author of Christian Healing, put it this way, “To keep the ministry of healing from God’s people because it happens not to interest Church leaders of a given congregation is as much spiritual malpractice as it would be medical malpractice for a hospital to refuse to treat heart attacks because the staff preferred only to treat pneumonia.”

Spiritual malpractice is a serious charge, because those who teach will be judged more strictly (James 3:1). More importantly, think of the millions of people who may have gone to an early grave, all because they believed God no longer heals.

The Church today is but a shadow of the godly influence it once enjoyed, due largely to the unclean spirit that whispered in the ear of man that God is out of the healing business. It is a lie from the father of lies.

Creating Confusion::

Many Church leaders today teach that healing must be instantaneous, something that is immediate to be called a miracle. But God’s Word does not limit spiritual healing to the instantaneous. The word “miracle” simply means of divine or supernatural intervention. All healing is divine and miraculous by its nature (Exodus 15:26).

The view held that spiritual healing must be instantaneous to be a miracle has led many Christians to abandon their faith in God to heal altogether. They reason: Almost no one is instantly healed of chronic illness; therefore, whatever healing may occur must happen through physical means beyond the direct intervention of God. Can you see the fallacy here?

Without the direct intervention of God, could there be healing of any kind? God’s Holy Word tells us that God is Yehovah-rapha, God our healer. But just for a moment, imagine that God has turned His back on healing the sick.

You fall sick with illness. The doctors tell you there is nothing more they can do. You are not expected to survive. What a bleak picture! Not because the doctors tell you that they can’t help you, but because God is out of the picture.

Friend, this is what happens many times a day in churches all across the land: Churches turn the sick in the body of Christ out to the world. God has not abandoned His children as their healer; Churches have abandoned God as our healer!

When the teachers of the law wanted to know by what power or name the Apostle, Peter, administered spiritual healing to a crippled man, Peter replied…

“It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed…Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” - Acts 4:10-12 (NIV)

Notice that Peter made no distinction between the man’s healing and salvation, because both are found in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (the Gospel). Although the men Peter addressed did not want to believe him, they nevertheless understood his statement. Why can’t we? Peter said this man was healed, not because he (Peter) is an Apostle, one of a select group of men, but because of the healing power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

What a statement! This is the crux of the cross, the absolute beginning and end for all healing, be it physical or spiritual. Nothing has happened to change this truth since Peter spoke those words 2,000 years ago. For just as God intends freedom from oppression for all mankind, so too is God’s intention for spiritual healing through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jim Lynn is the publisher of God’s Healing Word, a free newsletter, and author of the book, “The Miracle of Healing in Your Church Today.” Visit: http://godshealingword.org