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Hi Cance To See!
Interesing charts and nice job!
Would 2.1 million indicate engagement?
Not in my opinion. Q4 we were at 1.9 million so why would another crummy couple hundred thousand be meaningful?
It wouldn't.
This Q2 number needs to be NORTH of 2.5 million closer to THREE to indicate any serious traction at all imo.
Are we going to see that?
Don't know. I am putting off comment or numbers until the hard numbers are actually public record. Until then, everything else is mere speculation and guesses.
I am looking for verification of the ceo's comments after the ASHM. IF they were accurate then they will be verified by the numbers.
Anything else will be excuses, yet again.
the best,
mib
Barge,
Whole heartedly agree about mootness of point with regard as an Xtender. No question.
However, as a MARKETING and PRODUCT tool, the more drive storage, the better, and I was looking for reasons to purchase this rather than a PlayStation3.
IF one is going to cache downloaded movies using this venue, and then decompress them, one needs some serious storage space.
Just what I was thinking about!
take care,
mib!!!
Changing and Controlling "HEARTS"
Proverbs 21: 1 KJV
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
NASB
The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.
Bible in Basic English
The king's heart in the hands of the Lord is like the water streams, and by him it is turned in any direction at his pleasure.
IN other scriptures we are told God changes the hearts of fathers toward thier children.
These are but a couple examples that indeed God does "sway" our thoughts and our thinking.
As to FREE WILL, that is another DOCTRINE that is totally MISUSED in BB2's retort. The free will of man is a raging debate over millennia and Thomas Aquinas wrote of it extensively as well.
It has Everything to do with MAN and SALVATION and NOTHING to do with whether or not God, in HIS AUTHORITY, in His SOVEREIGNTY, according to HIS perfect plan and purpose and PROVIDENCE, is able to change or direct the thoughts of mere mortals!
News flash for some: There were some GOD used who were born with NO HOPE of salvation. GAsp and horror of horrors! Can this be? For the student of the Word, indeed so. Scripture clearly and plainly described it, but this is for another time.
In one's rush and haste to be CUTE with singling out Words, much like some people love to pick out a couple words out of a whole chapter's thoughts and subject, and twist them for their own purpose, we oftentimes walk all over God's attributes, and HIS WordS.
WE don't do it intentionally, but we do it out of haste because WE want ot be the "most right" or argumentative without substance.
IN particular, one poster loves to single me out and nobody else, which is an indicator.
Veritas, if you read this, and yes, you are a youngster, but I believe aa well meaninged one and trying to study to show thyself approved, please take this in the manner in which it is given.
PL or Pastor Phil or another can verify this for you, but a message to the Church takes about 12 hours to complete in study, and I Mean detailed study. One MUST have a working knowledge of DOCTRINES beforehand or it will take much longer than that. First, one must seek God's direction for what GOD would have us to preach on, and have peace about it. Then we must study and pray and read and exogete and make sure we are not trampling under the Doctrines of truth and that ALL scriptures are used in proper context from proper context.
We have numerous responsibilities to our members and those in our communities who are not members. Jesus said He did not come to call the righteous to repentence but the LOST.
SO, how do we find time for all these things?
It is HARD brother. And I say this for one reason only. A PAstor or full time servant of God is the highest calling on earth. Nothing greater or better!
I do not have time to be involved with cute little word picking diatribes with BB2.
I am very sad to see someone who claims to want to know thw truth walk all over God's Soverignty and be a smart alec to a brother, and always it is to me.
I think it best I leave the board and just concentrate on my flock.
I told you once before that these boards rarely if ever can work harmoniously because someone will always have their feathers ruffled.
DOCTRINES are what is important AFTER SALVATION. Serving CHrist out of a heart of LOVE is a command, not a request.
But it is important what ONE believes, and WHY so that they may "pass it on" in truth and not be a false teacher.
Galatians was written all about warnings of FALSE teachers and we see that warning all over the place throughout the New Testament.
Oh, things "sound good" but do they stand the scrutiny of the Word?
Yes, people laugh at the OLD time theologians, Godly men who devoted their lives to searching the scriptures and understanding God's great themes and doctrines.
I tell you in love as one almost twice your age and having been a Bible student for more than your lifetime it is important.
YOU will be held accountable by God for what you teach and if you mislead someone, you will be in big trouble.
RIGHTLY dividing the WORD does not mean picking a word here or there. It means entire themes throughtout ALL the scriptures.
I have given a brief bit in the previous post to help others understand that GOVERNMENTS and their rulers are in place by GOD and Ordained of GOD, and created by GOD.
If someone does not like that, well, they need to get in the Word and stop acting like a child on milk.
I like Paul, have finished my course, at least here on this board.
Insults I can do without. Nitpicking of words I can do without.
I am only interseted in helping edify saints and giving out the GOSPEL, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ to those who are lost.
I feel neither compelled to respond any further to those who simply wish to argue and fight when they clearly do not have a grip on Biblical principle.
Lastly, I will tell you why I object to that picture.
Because this is not a BROTHEL or Bordello, yet it gives that impression.
You may think that picture was illustrative of your topic, but I can't name one church that would have that poster or any other like it.
You can use all of man's reason you want to ask me about marriage and children etc, and it is only that, man's reasoning, the flesh. It is not God's reasoning or His thoughts.
ALas, that is being young. You have a good beginning point to grow from and some years of aging will help you a bit more.
I commend you for trying to be a witness and keepin some sort of discussion going on. I am confident we are brothers in Christ and I will see you in Heaven some day.
This is not personal but an older brother trying to help a much younger one who has zeal and fire, and that is a good thing!!
Bless you in your witness and remeber to rightly divide the Word of truth ALWAYS, even if it means you may discover your old thoughts or views may be changed.
Mine were over the decades and still can be today.
In the end, I will know but not until then.
His Bond servant,
mib
of Governments and Sovereignty
Who is in Control, God or Man, the Creator or the Creature?
Where does ALL POWER reside????
This SMALL POST will give SCRIPTURAL answer to Bizzy's nit picking words like "does God pull the voting lever"?
Somehow, this seems more like a smart alec remark than a brother trying to communicate. It also demonstrates a severe lack of understanding regarding fundamental Doctrines that are CRITICAL to this subject about God and GOVERNMENT.
A word of reproof for you BB. Whn you answer, please use SCRIPTURAL documentation instead of words like "wrong" and zero substantiation.
You sir are in error about several VITAL THINGS OF THE FAITH here with your flippant and arrogant retorts, and I suspect you probably do not even realize it.
Sovereignty is the BIG ONE. I put a SMALL piece of it as it relates to Governement and RULERS OVER YOU in this post.
However, if V would like, I can fill this entire board with endless messages about God's Sovereignty as can any other studied Pastor or Theologian.
Again, this is for clarification and edification.
Government is ordained by God
Dan. 2: 21
And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
Romans 13: 1 – 6
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Romans 13: 1 from “other” “Bibles”
International Standard Version
Every person must be subject to the governing authorities, for no authority exists except by God's permission. The existing authorities have been established by God,
New American Standard
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
God’s Word Translation
Every person should obey the government in power. No government would exist if it hadn't been established by God. The governments which exist have been put in place by God.
Darby Bible Translation
Let every soul be subject to the authorities that are above him. For there is no authority except from God; and those that exist are set up by God.
American Standard
Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God.
Bob Deffinbaugh, Th.M.
Civil Government Is Divinely Ordained
(Romans 13:1b)
For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
Paul’s entire argument is based upon a fundamental premise: God is sovereign. He possesses ultimate authority. He is the sole authority of His creation. All human authority is delegated to men by God.77 No one has authority independent of God.
How do we know that a given government is ordained of God and that He has given it authority? A government’s existence is proof that it is ordained of God and that it possesses divinely delegated authority. Paul says, “those which exist are established by God.” God is sovereign. He is in control of all things. He causes all things to “work together for good” (8:28). In days gone by, He raised up a disobedient Pharaoh (9:17), as well as Assyria and Babylon, as His chastening rod (for example, see Habakkuk 1 and 2). Whether democratic or autocratic, heathen or God-fearing, every government which has the power to rule over its people has been granted that power and authority by God.
Submission to government then is an expression of our submission to God. God has instituted human government to exercise divinely delegated authority over men. We should be subject to human governments for this reason alone. But Paul adds two very practical reasons for our submission and obedience in verses 2-7. These provide additional motivation for our obedience to this divine command.
John MacArthur
Romans 13: 1b
“For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.”
First Paul says, human government is ordained by God for the benefit of society. In whatever of the many forms it exists, civil authority derives directly from God.
There is no civil authority, Paul says, except from God. No matter what form it takes, no human government at any time in history, at any place on earth, among any people on earth, at any level of society , has ever existed or will ever exist apart from the sovereign authority of God, because “ALL POWER BELONGS TO GOD” (Psalm 62:11)
The entire world, everything in heaven and earth, including Satan and his hosts, are subject to their creator. God sovereignly created and absolutely controls the universe, with no exceptions or limitations. Also, without exception, the power that any person, group, or society may possess is divinely delegated and circumscribed. Paul’s point here is that this power has only one source------GOD.
From Dr. John Gill
for there is no power but of God;
God is the fountain of all power and authority; the streams of power among creatures flow from him; the power that man has over all the creatures, the fowls of the air, the beasts of the field, and the fishes of the sea, is originally of God, and by a grant from him; the lesser powers, and the exercises of them, in the various relations men stand in to one another, are of God, as the power the husband has over the wife, parents over their children, and masters over their servants; and so the higher power that princes have over their subjects: for it is the God of heaven that sets up kings, as well as pulls them down; he is the King of kings, from whom they derive their power and authority, from whom they have the right of government, and all the qualifications for it; it is by him that kings reign, and princes decree justice.
The powers that be are ordained of God.
The order of magistracy is of God; it is of his ordination and appointment, and of his ordering, disposing, and fixing in its proper bounds and limits. The several forms of government are of human will and pleasure; but government itself is an order of God. There may be men in power who assume it of themselves, and are of themselves, and not of God; and others that abuse the power that is lodged in them; who, though they are by divine permission, yet not of God's approbation and good will. And it is observable, that the apostle speaks of powers, and not persons, at least, not of persons, but under the name of powers, to show that he means not this, or the other particular prince or magistrate, but the thing itself, the office and dignity of magistracy itself; for there may be some persons, who may of themselves usurp this office, or exercise it in a very illegal way, who are not of God, nor to be subject to by men. The apostle here both uses the language, and speaks the sentiments of his countrymen the Jews, who are wont to call magistrates, "powers"; hence those sayings were used among them; says Shemaiah F20,
``(twvrl edwtt la) , "be not too familiar with the power".''
that is, with a magistrate, which oftentimes is dangerous. Again,
``says Rabban Gamaliel, (twvrb Nyryhz wyh) , "take heed of the power" (i.e. of magistrates), for they do not suffer a man to come near them, but in necessity, and then they appear as friends for their own advantage, but will not stand by a man in the time of distress.''
Moreover, after this manner they explain (Proverbs 5:8) ,
``"remove thy way far from her", this is heresy; "and come not nigh the door of her house", (twvrh wz) , "this is the power". The gloss on it is, magistrates, because they set their eyes upon rich men to kill them, and take away their substance.''
And a little after it is observed,
``"the horse leech hath two daughters, crying, give, give", (Proverbs 30:15) : it is asked, what is the meaning of give, give? Says Mar Ukba, there are two daughters which cry out of hell, and say in this world, give, give, and they are heresy, (twvrhw) , "and the civil power".''
The gloss on this place is,
``Heresy cries, bring a sacrifice to the idol; "Civil Power" cries, bring money, and gifts, and revenues, and tribute to the king.''
Nevertheless, they look upon civil government to be of divine appointment. They say , that
``no man is made a governor below, except they proclaim him above;''
i.e. unless he is ordained of God: yea, they allow the Roman empire to be of God, than which no government was more disagreeable to them.
``When R. Jose ben Kisma was sick, R. Chanina ben Tradion went to visit him; he said unto him, Chanina, my brother, my brother, knowest thou not that this nation, (the Romans) (hwkylmh Mymvh Nm) , "have received their empire" from God? for it hath laid waste his house, and hath burnt his temple, and has slain his saints, and destroyed his good men, and yet it endures.''
Nay, they frequently affirm , that the meanest office of power among men was of divine appointment. This is the apostle's first argument for subjection to the civil magistrate.
Gleanings of Sovereignty and Government
History
The Lord Jesus Christ in His Sovereignty controls all creation and all history.
The Lord Jesus Christ as the Sovereign executor of the Design of God for Creation and Revelation controls all history, including angelic and human history.
“And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
But He does according to His will in the host of heaven
And among the inhabitants of earth;
And no one can ward off His hand
Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’ (Daniel 4:35)
The Lord Jesus Christ also controls the heavens with the clocks of the Universe (reference The Ages). All of creation is under the active control of the Heavenly Control System. All this is controlled per the Design Specification of God.
The Lord Jesus Christ in His Sovereignty controls the rise and fall of nations.
The Lord Jesus Christ in His Sovereignty controls the birth of nations, their rise and fall, and type, whether good or evil. The Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ controls all international relationships. The image in Nebuchadnezzar's dream revealed the Design of God for the rise and fall of the great empires of human history (Dan 2:31-43). Up until now, the dream has proven entirely accurate because the Lord Jesus Christ controls human history. Daniel explained the handwriting of God on the wall to Belshazzar and how the kingdom had been stripped from him (Dan 5:25-28). The LORD stripped the kingdom away from Solomon, who was blessed in reversionism. However, He didn't do it during Solomon's lifetime because Solomon's blessing was through association with David (1 Ki 11:10-13). Solomon had an opportunity to submit to the Sovereignty of God, but he rejected the Sovereign Design of God and was cursed.
Government leaders are under the control of the Sovereignty of God.
Leaders of national and local government are under the control of the Sovereignty of God. God turns their hearts whichever way He wills to accomplish His Sovereign Design. He hardened Pharaoh's heart in order to demonstrate his great power through signs and wonders and to evangelize the world.
“But, indeed, for this cause I have allowed you to remain, in order to show you My power, and in order to proclaim My name through all the earth. (Exodus 9:16, NAS)
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.” (Romans 9:17, NAS)
God in His Sovereignty hardens or has mercy.
In the exercise of His Sovereign power, the Lord hardens the heart or has mercy.
So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. (Romans 9:18, NAS)
God in His Sovereignty raises one up and puts another down.
God in His Sovereignty raises one government leader up and puts another down.
But God is the Judge;
He puts down one, and exalts another. (Psalm 75:7, NAS)
“And it is He who changes the times and the epochs;
He removes kings and establishes kings;
He gives wisdom to wise men,
And knowledge to men of understanding. (Daniel 2:21, NAS)
Nebuchadnezzar was sent out to eat grass like a cow until he learned the Doctrine of Sovereignty and how the Most High rules over mankind.
that you be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place be with the beasts of the field, and you be given grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven; and seven periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whomever He wishes. (Daniel 4:25, NAS)
Daniel explained to Belshazzar how the Sovereign God promoted his father, Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel 5:18-19
18 “O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom and majesty, glory, and honor. 19 “And because of the majesty which He bestowed on him, all the people, nations, and languages feared and trembled before him; whomever he wished he killed, and whomever he wished he spared alive; and whomever he wished he elevated, and whomever he wished he put down.
http://www.biblenews1.com/define/sovereignty.htm
For the edification of the readers. I do pray that this will help those who have read the discussion to understand there is more at issue here than “who pulls the voting lever”.
The Lord bless you and give you understanding in all things through Christ, from whom all wisdom comes,
for HIS glory,
Mib…
observii
xbox NEEDS that storage for several reasons, but the biggest one I can think of is to be competitive with PlayStation 3 storage, which has 40 GB drive versus xbox's 20 gb drive.
IMO, neither is sufficient, 60 gb is an improvement and 500 gb would be far better.
jmo,
mib
V
According to scripture,
God does use the wicked to accomplish HIS purposes and plan.
So your assessment is correct imo.
mib
SO,
we throw out the book of Daniel to suit your comclusion?
CL
Just thopught I would stop by and say hello!
I hope all is well with you and yours! Good to see you moderating a board! Stop by and here and make your presence felt! loL!!!!
my best,
micro...
Great report Toro!
Thank you for sharing that! That's what I'm talking about! lol!!
mib
BB2,
Yep, every last word.
Can you name one thing God is not in control of or another way to say it is does not allow or permit?
God is in control of this universe He created, naming every last single star He hung, the angle of tilt of earth on it's axis, the distance from the sun so we don't become an ice planet or a piece of burnt toast, and HE is in absolute and total control of all things without exception.
HE ordained GOVERNMENT and he puts in place those whom he wishes to be in control.
Daniel 2: 21
And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
We have been given in prohecy in Daniel to know what the great world governemnts andpowers were in order and going to be. That could not be unless God is in control and HE determines who is in power and who is not.
Herod the Great dies rather suddenly did he not? Remember why and how???
God removed him from the throne.
Yes sir, I do believe God is in absolute and total control over this world, and all that are in power are there becasue HE has allowed it and He is incontrol so that HIS PLAN for the AGES will be brought to pass according to HIS perfect and infallible Word.
I am very thankful HE is in control over all these things. I sleep better knowing it. lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope this better explains it for you BB. WE are so fortunate to have a GOD who has mapped every detail of each and and every one of our lives. Think about HIM taking note of one sparrow. DO you not think He takes notice of YOU and I and the rulers of the nations??? Praise GOD HE DOES!
BLessed Saturday evening to you and an even more blessed Lord's day tomorrow!!!! Let us worship the KING!!!! He is coming!
mib
V
Jesus said the poor you have with you always.
Those "poor victims of war" you speak of, all had opportunity to be saved and now you bring into question God's Providence and purpose and plan.
Do you not think HE is guiding and knows all these things in advance and always has, from before He ever created this world?
War has existed on this planet almost from the very beginning God allowed MAN to have something called "time", because HE is not bound by time.
Man is though.
This endless railing about wars and abortion IS NOT giving out the Gospel, feeding the hungry, clothing the needy, or getting medical help for the sick.
It is NOT showing anybody WHY should they even consider becoming a BELIEVER in JESUS CHRIST.
And I don;t believe that is what YOU really want this board to be about, yet have allowed it to become because of YOUR SOCIAL ACTIVISM on display.
S a soldier, I RESENT your comments. As a believer I am appalled.
As YOUR brother I am trying to help you see a bit differently.
And why the hang up wioth the NEW TESTAMENT?
I did not read anyplace where GOD threw away all He said in the O.T. and we are not to look to it. In fact, it is still valid today. God did not do away with what He commanded there. He came to fulfill the LAw, not do away with it.
IF we are going to quote the Psalms and Genesis and other books, then we are going to USE ALL OF HIS WORD>
HE preserved it ALL.
WHY??? WHAT IS GOD'S WORD to be USED FOR?
2 Timpthy 3: 15 - 17 answers this.
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
I don't believe bickering over something endlessly is what we really want to do is it?????
This is NOT what will help struggling people, people lsot and on their way to an eternity in Hell without God.
I have finished all I have to say and do pray that you will keep in mind I am your brother inChrist, not Satan or his helpers, as also briboy is your brother and BB2 and PL1 and happydog.
Is Jesus being honored and seen through these verbal battles over who thinks they are right?
Please feel free to quote ANY of what I have written.
But do so in a way CHRIST is seen and lifted up.
THIS POLITICAL-SOCIAL battle of OPINION needs to end brother.
WHY have I said something FINALLY?
Because brother, as a veteran and a believer YOU have offended me with your remarks. According to MAtthew 18 I need to let you know this.
A compliment for you: I am glad to see the picture of the blonde black woman GONE. Started to look like a house of ill repute.
I doubt highly Solomon saw any blonde dark skinned women.
I hope you will take what I have said, and instead of raging and becoming hot under the collar, give it a chance. Think about it.
Please. Let Jesus be seen!
For His glory,
mib
Excel, well put!
Amen and amen!!!!!
mib
I Tim 2: 1-4
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Romans 13: 1 - 6 says
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
These passages speak volumes about our relationship to civil governemnt(s). We may not agree with things they do, but we are to obey laws and orders, unless of course they are in direct opposition and conflict with God's commands and hence, we should obey God rather than men.
We should pray daily for those in position of power and authority.
I am very glad that John Adams, Samuel Adams, James Madison, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Arthur Lee, and many more selfless men in the 1700's and 1800's reached the decision that it was better to fight a war and become an independent nation.
I am grateful that Abraham Lincoln was forced to fight a civil war to re-unite this country and make it one nation once again, and before that, that we fought against the British yet again in 1812 to keep our freedom.
Everyone can have differing views and opinions over whether they think the "cause" is good or not, but make no mistake, GOD controls the LEADERS of the Nations and all governments and accidents do not happen.
When your country calls and says I need you to go fight here or there, you are to go. Obey them that have the rule over you and resist not the higher powers. Pray for them.
To fight in battle is not to be a murderer. It is being a soldier. God had plenty of soldiers as Irael was developed and came to be, and I never read anywhere where God said those men who went to battle were murderers who fought on a battlefield.
It is all part of HIS PLAN. He knows the beginning and the End and how HE is going to get there.
Brothers, let us cease from being silly.
Murder is murder. Willful murder is just that and it is SIN and God does not take it likely. I would not want to be an abortionist standing in front of God at Judgment!
Soldiers are not murderers. Going to war is not the same. WE do not make those decisions. Those are made by powers that are ORDAINED OF and BY GOD.
IF we do not like it we have only one recourse. Take it up with HIM. But alas, HE has already spoken on that subject so when you pray, ask Him for safet for the individual soldier who obeyed those in authority, as scripture teaches.
Could we please go back to what is eternally important? Salvation of the LOST, witnessing for Jesus, edifying and uplifting the brethren in need. Caring for those who need our help?
These are what is important and what every believer should be focused on.
God bless as we take just a moment to refocus on what GOD wants us to do with the time He has given us here on this planet.
mib
Congrats briboy
on your daughter's acheivements!
Of course you know that her abilities are God given and you have acknowledged thanks unto Him for a healthy daughter and her athletic ability!
Now theen, do the next thing God has commanded father's to do!
Love your children! They are an inheritance and a treasure, a gift from above!
Cheer for her and bring us back a VICTORY REPORT!!!!
Supporing your daughter/som is vitally important for a parent to do. It shows them you care and are proud of them! It instills confidence and builds relationship!
And when you become older and they leave your protective nest, you will have them return to visit and be close to you, and God willing, may even bring you some "arrows" in the quuiver! (those would be grandchildren) God's special way of giving us re-newed love and life!!!!!
Nothing like it and indescribable.
Now then sir, go to that meet and WIN!!!!!!!1
Blessings brother,
mib
Devotional for today
The Same Old Baggage
When my airplane flight is over, it's not really over. You see, there's that closing chapter of a trip that you get to spend at baggage claim. At my home airport they have these big carousels where suitcases are dumped out and where they circle until their owners claim them. Now, my bags seem to have a knack for waiting until almost all the other bags are out, for some reason. So I just keep watching those suitcases of all shapes and sizes and conditions appear, and waiting for one I like - no, no, no. I mean, one I recognize. But there always seem to be some phantom bags there. They just keep circling and circling and circling. And since the luggage carousel is all I really have to look at, the show gets pretty boring! Yep, there goes that baggage again!
I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Same Old Baggage."
Probably the most curious question Jesus ever asked is in our word for today from the Word of God. It's in John 5:3-9. There was a pool where people went out to get their diseases healed and it says, "Here there was a great number of people and they used to lie there, the blind, the lame, the paralyzed, and there was one who had been an invalid for 38 years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time he asked him, 'Do you want to get well?' 'Well sir,' the invalid replied, 'I have no one to help me to get into the pool when the water is stirred.'" That's when the healing time was. "While I'm trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.' Then Jesus said, 'Get up, pick up your mat and walk.' At once the man was cured, picked up his mat and he walked.'
Now, this man has been a victim of paralysis for 38 years and Jesus says, "Do you want to get well?" Why? Well, let's stop for a moment and consider the condition that you are in, maybe. Something that fits the Biblical description that's given here, "In this condition for a long time." Maybe it's the pain or the memory of some past hurt or past abuse or past betrayal. It's haunted you; it's even held you back for a long time. Or, it could be that you've carried feelings of worthlessness for a long time, and they've caused you to make some very hurtful choices. It may be some enslaving sin that's held you down for a long time, but like this man at the healing pool, you've been in some way emotionally, or spiritually, or relationally paralyzed for a long time. And then along comes Jesus with this strange question - the one that comes before the healing, "Do you want to get well?" Or to put it in airport terms, "Are you tired of watching the same old baggage go by again and again?" In a way, those memories and those resentments, those no good feelings, those sins, they are the baggage in your life and they just keep replaying and replaying and causing more frustration and more damage.
Why does Jesus ask us if we want to get well? Because sometimes we're afraid to change. We've gotten used to playing the victim role, the loser role. We've settled into an identity that revolves around that same old baggage. Notice the man didn't just say "Yes." He responded with a nobody cares complaint. He's gotten used to being the guy with the problem, he was stuck in his victim identity, but Jesus acts miraculously and that man walks away carrying what had been carrying him for years.
Now, that's what He wants to do for you. He's got the power to do it. He wants to help you put the pain and paralysis of the past once and for all behind you once and for all. To take away the victim card and to replace it with one that says, "More than conquerors through Him who loved us." He wants to help you make today the day that you wrap up the past and put it in a book called Volume 1, and leave it on the shelf forever. Today is the beginning of Volume 2, one in which you release the hurt through forgiving the hurter, you release the sin through aggressive repentance, and you release the worthless feelings by living like the masterpiece God created you to be. That all happens when you come to the cross of Jesus and say, "Jesus, I'm Yours. You died to free me from all of this."
If you want to begin with Him today, I encourage you to go to our website. It's YoursForLife.net. And find some help to get connected with Him unless, of course, you'd rather just keep watching the same old baggage go around and around for the rest of your life. Do you want to get well? Then the next thing is the miracle.
yangside,
in my opinion only, there has been no reason prior or need to utilize tpm capabilities which clearly get into the DRM arena but also would be highly useful for say, the downloading, renting and viewing of motion pictures for example?
The applications for such utilization are indeed plentious and I think this useage by NBC may just demonstrate or perhaps "showcase" the advantages of WaveXpress and TvTonic as a viable alternative to the existing streaming portals.
As I recall in the long distant past much discussion revolved around others developing the "applications" to utilize our products. This would be a good one imo.
the best,
mib
Thought for the day
When we take time out from our frenetic lives, being troubled and disturbed about all kinds of things, and the problems begin to arise and seem ever bigger and bigger, to the point of being overwhelmed by the size of them,
drop to your knees and spend some serious time alone with God and you will realize that your perspective will begin to change.
How so brother?
Instead of being overwhelmed by the size and nature of the problem(s) you will forget about them as you begin to be overwhelmed by God! HE is in total, absolute complete charge of everything and has promised He will supply ALL your needs according to your abundant riches in Christ Jesus!!!
Overwhelmed by HIS great Love and faithfulness to us!
What a great God we do have, amen!
Blessings beloved,
mib...
Hi Barge!
How can anyone talk about protected media, whether it be music or or video, without a TPM being involved, which leads us straight into DRM terrtory?
I am not an expert at ANY of these other "video players" and neither have time to spend rsearching them endlessly, but, I know that TvTonic and WaveXpress do utilize the TPM capabilities, or at least have them available! lol!!!
I don't know for sure that the Hulu's of the world can say that. And let's face it, this will be a critical issue if a movie company like Netflix for example decides it wants to download movies for rental onto a DV-R and be cached.
The reasons are obvious and no need to go into huge discussion as to why.
Let's see what happens and while we are watching, we can be cheering for both TEAM USA AND Express simultaneously!
(does that qualify for simulcast?lol!!!!)
take care,
micro...
Amen brother!
mib
Amen!
mib
happydog,
could not have saisd it better about abortion, the scourge of the earth! Thou shalt not kill! Period. This is nothing more than taking innocent life that God created and He has plenty to say about it.
He also had plenty to say about wars on the earth.
They have always been and always will be until the end of the Millenial Reign, after the final battle!
Abortion, the willful killing of the unborn child, and being involved in a war are not comaparable things.
When I was "asked" to go to war in southeast Asia as a young man I went and fought for my country. Did this make me a murderer?????
What about ALL the wars fought in the Old Testament scriptures involving the nations of Judah and Israel and all their enemies?
Were they as "bad" as the murdering abortionists? God forbid!
The two cannot be compared.
Both are horrible. One is murder. The other is not.
Just a few thoughts. Thanks for yours!
mib
Song of Solomon 3: 6
Who is described here? One needs to go back and look at context, meaning the previous verse or two. When doing that, and realizing what is being described, you are seeing an intimate relationship between a bride and her "LORD", or husband if you will.
What relationship do we know of describing a bride and her "husband" in a continuing them throughout the scriptures.
The relationship between Christ and his "church" who is the Bride of Christ, and to be made "ready" for him.
Let's look at what Mathew Henry has to say about this.
These are the words of the daughters of Jerusalem, to whom the charge was given, v. 5. They had looked shily upon the bride because she was black (ch. 1:6); but now they admire her, and speak of her with great respect: Who is this? How beautiful she looks! Who would have expected such a comely and magnificent person to come out of the wilderness? As, when Christ rode in triumph into Jerusalem, they said, Who is this? And of the accession of strangers to the church she herself says, with wonder (Isa. 49:21), Who has begotten me these? 1. This is applicable to the Jewish church, when, after forty years’ wandering in the wilderness, they came out of it, to take a glorious possession of the land of promise; and this may very well be illustrated by what Balaam said of them at that time, when they ascended out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, and he stood admiring them: From the top of the rocks I see him. How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob! Num. 23:9; 24:5. 2. It is applicable to any public deliverance of the church of God, as particularly of Babylon, the Old-Testament and the New-Testament Babylon; then the church is like pillars of smoke, ascending upwards in devout affections, the incense of praise, from which, as from Noah’s sacrifice, God smells a sweet savour; then she is amiable in the eyes of her friends, and her enemies too cannot but have a veneration for her, and worship at her feet, knowing that God has loved her, Rev. 3:9. Sometimes the fear of the Jews was upon their neighbours, when they saw that God was with them of a truth, Esth. 8:17. 3. It is applicable to the recovery of a gracious soul out of a state of desertion and despondency. (1.) She ascends out of the wilderness, the dry and barren land, where there is no way, where there is no water, where travellers are still in want and ever at a loss; here a poor soul may long be left to wander, but shall come up, at last, under the conduct of the Comforter. (2.) She comes up like pillars of smoke, like a cloud of incense ascending from the altar or the smoke of the burnt-offerings. This intimates a fire of pious and devout affections in the soul, whence this smoke arises, and the mounting of the soul heaven-ward in this smoke (as Judges 13:20), the heart lifted up to God in the heavens, as the sparks fly upward. Christ’s return to the soul gives life to its devotion, and its communion with God is most reviving when it ascends out of a wilderness. (3.) She is perfumed with myrrh and frankincense. She is replenished with the graces of God’s Spirit, which are as sweet spices, or as the holy incense, which, being now kindled by his gracious returns, sends forth a very fragrant smell. Her devotions being now peculiarly lively, she is not only acceptable to God, but amiable in the eyes of others also, who are ready to cry out with admiration, Who is this? What a monument of mercy is this! The graces and comforts with which she is perfumed are called the powders of the merchant, for they are far-fetched and dear-bought, by our Lord Jesus, that blessed merchant, who took a long voyage, and was at vast expense, no less than that of his own blood, to purchase them for us. They are not the products of our own soil, nor the growth of our own country; no, they are imported from the heavenly Canaan, the better country.
ALso, let us keep in mind that in numerous passages in the scriptures we see the relationship between God and His chosen people described as "husband and wife". He has married them, he calls then His WIFE.
The bride or the wife are to be cleaned up and smelling lovely for the intimate relationship with the bridegroom. But also, let us keep in mind that CHRSIT ALONE has given to us EVERYTHING and clothed us with his own righteousness, which could also be what is described by the precious ointments and sweet smelling powders.
Yes, I woujld like to agree that this definitely and for sure points toward the Messiah, but I believe as many others that the case laid out by brother Mathew is probably more likely the scenario.
Now, before we get into a tug of war, let me say this.
THESE things are not worth fighting over. It will have NO EFFECT on anything eternal or the course of the age in which we live. They are speculative.
So it is okay to disagree about minor things.
However, let us keep in mind that scripture clearly and always talks about the relationship of the "bride"(church) or "wife" ( Jewish nation) between HISELF and them and this particular book describes that relationship between a husband and wife in that same manner.
Just thought I would add my two pennies worth to the thought on this chapter and verse V.
No harm intended. Just something else to consider.
Blessings dear brother,
mib
Barge,
Your position has definitely been consistent, and in the past has caused levels of angst with others who viewed things "differently", and over which was going to impact the bottom line of Wavx first.
I had adopted the position (and still do) and sided with you regarding the tremendous purchasing power of the consumer market but have adjusted my view a little.
At this stage of the game, staring down delisting notices closely together and what appears to be an endless stream of successive pipes, while taking note that at least Wavx does actually have some enterprise customers now that are supposedly utilizing their solution for security, I would be delighted if sizeable revenues came from EITHER SIDE of the space.
There is no glory in being shown to have been "right" in our very early stands for the consumer side.
Having said that, I still believe, as you do, that the power of the consumer is far greater than the power of business, or enterprise, or government, whichever phrase someone chooses to employ. (I think I covered them all)
This upcoming Olympics will give us an opportunity at best to see what the usage of TvTonic is and how it was received, which also may then be analyzed to determine its future viability and rev enue generating potential.
From that analysis, the management can determine if it wants to see if there is interest from anyone in procuring that division from Wave, thus providing much needed CAPITAL with no further diluting of shares in the core business.
The other scenario that is possible is that this proves to be a huge success, and hence, we will then sign some additional deals that bring in real money and keep this thing because it maight actually begin to have a positive cash flow and bring needed revenues into the parent company.
Consistency in being an early espouser of the significance of the consumer side of things has definitely been your trademark!
You may just see it come to fruition! Let's hope.
the best,
micro...
O.K. Veritas,
You have my curiosity.
Have yoy verified this info on the tongue? I mean, have you actually gone around comparing tongues? lol!!!!!
How do we know this statement to be true????? Someobody must have been a professional tongue inspector, no?????
I hope you know I'm just clowning with ya?
Thank you for laughter!
mib
Brotherly Love
IV. Brotherly love is more than lip service!
A. We must DEMONSTRATE our care by fulfilling other’s NEEDS, whether they be SPIRITUAL, FINANCIAL, or PHYSICAL!
1. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to
good works:” (Heb. 10: 24)
2. “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in
tongue; but in deed and in truth.” (I John 3: 18)
3. “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (Jas. 2: 14 – 17)
B. Love Enables us to Serve one another!
1. “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, [b'but by love serve one another.” (Gal.5: 13)
Again brethren, the point Precious Life brought up is so applicable to our everyday lives. This is a prime example of what the Lord meant when he said that the second greatest commandment was to LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF.
LOVE of the brethren is an outward indicator of an inward heart transformation! It is a tell tale sign that one has become a child of the KING!
Not only that, but an HEIR and JOINT HEIR with CHRIST! HE has by HIS grace and LOVE placed us into the same INHERITANCE as HIMSELF!!
Now beloved that is LOVE!!
What a LOVING GOD we truly have. As the hymn writer penned, Hallelujah, what a Savior!!
Blessings in Christ Jesus,
mib
PL1
Great stuff!
ALso you said "Does anyone have your back? Is anyone defending you – watching out for your spiritual welfare? You need a community of people who are saying to you: “We’ll be with you when you’re going through the tough times. We’re not going to let you get discouraged or depressed.”
This is exactly what the function of the Church is! The BODY of Christ!
I Cor 12: 18 - 26 addresses this very thing brother.
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow F44 more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
The Church has basically abdicated its responsibiliteies today. It has grown cold, and this is a sad thing to watch.
Every believer to have each other's back as you say, or if there is a need in one's life, and God has given you those things in abundance wherewith to help that brother or sister, you are comanded by God to do just that!
We are NOT to pay lip service to helping our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ! In fact, we are even to care for and help the UNSAVED as a testimony to and for the LOVE that Christ has for them and for us! He died for them also!
And but for HIS MATCHLESS GRACE, we would still be in that camp, on the broad road that leads to destruction, amen????
Oh my dear co-laborer in the work of the Lord, YOU have hit it on the squarely on the head.
The CHristian life is not about "ME", it is about OTHERS and serving Christ.
Blessings to you as you continue ministering to others!
God Bless,
mib
The great Faith chapter: Hebrews 11
1 Now faith is the substance F36 of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet F37 speaketh. 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 13 These all died in faith, F38 not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. 24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ F39 greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
Oh my brethren, let us hold fast to that faith which was once delivered to the saints and obtained a good report by it!
As Steve Green sang, Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful!!!
Blessings,
mib
Here is some Biblical references regarding the "natural man" aka the world.
1 Corinthians 2:6-14
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Romans 8: 7,8 says,
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Lastly, the parable of the Seed found in MAttew's gospel.
Matthew 13:1-23
1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. 18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. F27 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Blessings to the belevoved in Christ!
mib
HI Tenac and all!
Praise God with ALL our hearts, sing unto HIM with all our love, and BOW before HIM with all our adoration! Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Brother, you have listed several great men of God there and I agree with you about ALL of them! I have met brother John and brother Charles and I know borother Jeremiah. His father was the head of Cedarville University in A small town in southern Ohio called Cedarville. God has greatly used and blessed that Christian University and turned our thousands of Godly preachers and pastors, many of whom were taught by brother Jeremiah and his dear father, now home with the Lord. I saw his grave just this week-end.
You won't go wrong with any of those fine proclaimers of the truth.
Have you ever read any of the writings and books by H.A. Ironsides per chance? Also John Philips is extraordinary and I heartily recommend Andrew Murray, a faithful Pastor for decades who wrote several books, among which is one about being in the classroom of prayer with Christ!
It will change your life regarding prayer I promise you and it is inexpensive.
This man lived aboout 150 years ago and has an unbelieveable testimony!
I know that the guys you mentioned are on television except for J Vernon, but if you are a READER and a STUDIER, you will want to include some of these great Godly men I just mentioned.
Thanks for sharing Tenac! You do keep good company with that bunch!!!!
Blessings to the beloved,
mib
Thoughts on ADOPTION
Some stuff on Adoption
FOR the sake of His only Son, Jesus Christ, God has been pleased to make all justified persons sharers in the grace of adoption, by means of which they are numbered with, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of children of God. Furthermore, God's name is put upon them, they receive the spirit of adoption, and they are enabled to come boldly to the throne of grace and to cry 'Abba, Father'. They are pitied, protected, provided for, and chastened by God as by a Father. He never casts them off, but, as they remain sealed to the day of redemption, they inherit the promises as heirs of everlasting salvation.
Ps. 103:13; Prov. 14:26; Isa. 54:8,9; Lam. 3:31; John 1:12; Rom. 8:15,17; 2 Cor. 6:18; Gal. 4:4-6; Eph. 1:5; 2:18; 4:30; Heb. 1:14; 6:12; 12:6; 1 Pet. 5:7; Rev. 3:12.
The Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689
And from Mr. A.W. Pink
By adoption we become God's sons in law, as by regeneration we are made His children in nature. By the new birth we become (experimentally) members of God's family; by adoption we have the legal status of sons, with all the high privileges that relationship involves: Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts (Gal 4:6). Adoption makes known the high prerogatives and blessings which are ours by virtue of union with Christ, the legal right which we have unto all the blessings we enjoy, both here and hereafter. As the apostle reminds us, if we are children then are we heirs, co-heirs with Christ; yea, heirs of God (Rom 8:17)-to possess and enjoy God as Christ doth. Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king's son-in-law? exclaimed David (1 Sam 18:23), when it was suggested that he marry Michal: you may haply be the king's favorite and he may make you great, but to become his son-in-law is the highest honor of all. This is why we are told immediately after 1 John 3:1, Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him (v. 2)-like Him in our proportion: as He perfectly enjoys God, so shall we.
Let it be duly noted that it is through Jesus Christ we are sons and heirs of God. Christ is our pattern in election, the One to whose image we are predestinated to be conformed. Christ is God's natural Son, and we become (by union with Christ) God's legal sons. That he might be the firstborn among many brethren (Rom 8:29) signifies that God did set up Christ as the prototype and masterpiece, and made us to be so many little copies and models of Him. Every dignity we possess, every blessing we enjoy-save our election when God chose us in Him-we owe to Christ. He is the virtual cause of our adoption. Christ, as we have said, is God's natural Son; how, then, do we become His sons? Thus: God gave us to Christ to be married to Him, and He betrothed us to Him from everlasting, and so we become sons-in-law unto God, even as a woman comes to be a man's daughterin-law by marrying his son.
We owe our adoption to our relation unto Christ's person, and not to His atoning work. Our adoption as originally it was in predestination bestowed upon us, was not founded upon redemption or Christ's obedience, but on Christ's being God's natural Son. Our justification is indeed grounded upon Christ's obedience and sufferings: In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins (Eph 1:7). But our adoption and becoming sons-in-law to God is through Christ's being His natural Son, and we His brethren in relation to His person. God is faithful by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Cor 1:9). That fellowship or communion involves our participation of His dignities and whatever else in Him we were capable of; just as a woman acquires a legal title unto all the possessions of the man she marries. As Christ being God's natural Son was the foundation of His work possessing infinite worth, so our adoption is founded on our relation to His person, and then our justification upon His meritorious work.
We must, however, add this word of caution to what has just been pointed out: when we fell in Adam we lost all our privileges, and therefore Christ was fain to purchase them anew; and hence it follows that adoption, and all other blessings, are the fruits of His merit so far as their actual bestowment is concerned. Thus the apostle tells us Christ became incarnate to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons (Gal 4:5)-our sins and bondage under the law and its curse interposing an obstacle against God's actual bestowment of adoption. But mark the minute accuracy of the language used: Christ's redemption is not said to procure adoption for us, but only that we might receive it. That which procured adoption was our relation to Christ as God's sons-in-law: this being God's purpose from everlasting.
Let us duly consider now the greatness of this privilege. Adam was created holy, and Luke 3:38 tells us he was the son of God, but nowhere is it said that he was the son of God by adoption through Christ. So too in Job 38:7 the angels are called morning stars and sons of God, yet we are never told they are such by adoption through Christ. They were sons indeed by creation, for God made them; but not sons-in-law of God by being married unto His Son, which is a grace and dignity peculiar to believers. Thus we excel the angels by our special relation to the Son of God's love: Christ nowhere calls the angels His "brethren," as He doth us! This is borne out by Hebrews 12:22 where, in contrast from the angels mentioned previously, we read of the Church of the firstborn, a title denoting superiority (Gen 49:3): we being related to God's Firstborn, have higher privilege of sonship than the angels have.
But the love of God, in predestinating the church unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, has even a deeper root than viewing her as the bride of His dear Son. It springs out of and is most closely and intimately connected with the true, real, and eternal sonship of Jesus. Being chosen in Christ, the elect become the sons of God. Why? Because He is the true, real, and essential Son of the Father; and thus, as in union with Him, who is the Son of God by nature, they become the sons of God by adoption. Were He a Son merely by office, or by incarnation, this would not be the case, for He would then only be a Son by adoption Himself. But being the Son of God by eternal subsistence, He can say, 'Behold I and the children which Thou hast given Me: I Thy Son by nature, they Thy sons by adoption.' We see, then, that so great, so special was the love of God to His only begotten Son, that, viewing the Church in union with Him, His heart embraced Her with the same love as that wherewith He loved Him. (J.C. Philpot). (End of Pink’s thoughts.)
The apostle Paul tells us the Holy Spirit is the witness to our adoption into the family of God. Have you ever wondered how you got into the family of God?
http://www.abideinchrist.com/messages/rom8v15.html
CHRISTIAN’S PRIVILEGE IN THE FAMILY OF GOD
The believer is placed as an adult son in the family of God.
Two things happened in our relationship to God’s family the moment we believed on Christ as our Savior. The believing sinner, who is not a natural son or daughter of God, is positioned as an adult son in the family of God. This is a legal action and position. It is like a formal adoption or the legal placing of a child in a new family. Please keep in mind this is not the same as regeneration. It is the act of God, which places the believer in His family as an adult son. At the same time we are told in the Scriptures the believer is spiritually born into the family of God. This is the new birth or regeneration. In this sense we are as a child who needs to grow and develop. The believing sinner in his position is one of full privilege in the family of God; his practice, however, involves growth in grace and knowledge of Christ.
When the Apostle Paul speaks of our spiritual adoption by God he uses the word huiosthesia - (huios - a son) (thesis - a placing), to place as a son, the place given to one to whom it does not belong. A believer under grace is placed as an adopted son in the family of God. Galatians 3:26 says, "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus." He is an adult son of God. It is used only in reference to a believer in this age of grace. Adoption put the emphasis on the position we have with God as His full–grown children. This spiritual adoption takes place at the time one is saved and thus becomes a child of God. The one thus placed has at once all the privilege and liberty of a full–grown person. Moreover, it also imposes on the believer the responsibilities of belonging to full maturity. Whatever God declares true of any believer, He addresses to all believers. Because we have all been adopted God expects all believers to behave accordingly. Every believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and has the same enabling. Our position as a full-grown child of God enables us to live the Christian life. There is no other way to live it. God doesn't just save us and turn us lose on the world. He saves us and indwells us with His presence and power so He can live His life through us.
When a lost sinner becomes a Christian he enters into the very family of God. He does not deserve it. God in His amazing love, grace and mercy has taken the lost, helpless, poverty-stricken, debt-laden sinner and adopted him into His own family, so that the debts are canceled and the glory inherited. Jesus told Nicodemus a Jewish religious leader, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." There are no exceptions. We all must be born into the family of God.
The actual placement of the believer into the family of God is by this spiritual birth. This is the work of regeneration by the Holy Spirit. As a result of our spiritual birth we become "little children" (teknion). The believer's relation to God as a child results from the new birth (John 1:12, 13). "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." Because of this spiritual birth we are to grow and become mature in our spiritual life.
What does adoption teach us? God, in His mercy, has brought us into His absolute possession. The old life has no more rights over us; God has an absolute right to us. The past is canceled and its debts are wiped out; we began a new life with God and become heirs of all His riches. Since that is true, we become joint–heirs with Jesus Christ, God’s unique Son. That which Christ inherits, we also inherit. Since Christ was raised to life and glory, we also inherit that life and glory.
We are no longer members of Adam's family. We have a new father. We have a new head of the family. God the Father loves us and wants us to become members of His family. All of our inheritance from Adam with its sin and death has been cancelled out and we are now members of another family. God is now our Father and Jesus is our big brother! What a privilege and honor to be members of His family.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF ADOPTION FOR US
God the Father "predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ."
Salvation is not some accident or afterthought on the part of God. The accent falls on God’s eternal plan. God’s purposes are rooted in His eternal nature. God is a God of love who seeks a people for Himself. Election is God’s grace at work resulting in "saints," "holy ones", "set apart ones." He adopted people into His family through Jesus Christ. Adoption is family imagery. This adoption is based upon the death of Jesus Christ for our sins and His resurrection. "He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved" (Ephesians 1:5–6).
Dr. C. C. Ryrie makes this observation on Ephesians 1:5: "God has determined before hand that those who believe in Christ will be adopted into His family and conformed to His Son (Romans 8:29. It involves a choice on His part (Ephesians 1:4); it is done in love (v. 4); it is based on the good pleasure of His perfect will (vv. 5, 9, 11); its purpose is to glorify God (v. 14); but it does not relieve man of his responsibility to believe the gospel in order to bring to pass personally God’s predestination."
Nothing in Ephesians chapter one focuses on individuals; everything in the text focuses on those who are in Christ. Election takes place in Him (Ephesians 1:4) and through him (1:5). Talk about security of the believer! Here is where you find it. We are born with a craving to be wanted and loved unconditionally. We have a need for a sense of belongingness. We need someone who will take the initiative to love and accept us for who we are. God the Father has done this. He sent Jesus to come and die for us on the cross. The Bible says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
The Holy Spirit places the believing sinner in the family of God as an adult person (Romans 8:15).
This relationship with God gives us freedom. We are no longer slaves. "For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’" (v. 15).
The Holy Spirit delivers man from a terrible spirit – "the spirit of bondage." The bondage is fear. Man is gripped by the bondage of fear. There is a cosmic fear in all mankind outside of Christ. Man is not delivered from this terrible bondage until he places his trust in Christ.
The Holy Spirit delivers the believer from the bondage of fear. How? By adoption, by actually adopting the believer as a son (child) of God. The Holy Spirit bears witness that we are the children of God. The Holy Spirit quickens our hearts with the perfect knowledge and the complete confidence that we are children of God. He sheds abroad in our hearts the love of God. He spreads the knowledge that God loves us and He spreads it through our being. The Bible says, "the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Rom. 5:5), who "sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge" (II Cor. 1:22; cf. 5:5). "In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory" (Ephesians 1:13).
There is an intimate relationship with the Spirit of God (v. 15b-16). The believer receives this "Spirit of adoption"––this sense of consciousness, awareness, knowledge–– that he is a child of God. The indwelling Spirit gives the realization of this sonship to the believer's present experience. Paul reminds us in Galatians 4:6–7, "Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God." The Holy Spirit enables the child of God to call God, Father. The Holy Spirit testifies to our human spirit that we are children of God. Our own spirit has found peace with God and testifies to the fact that we are his children, but the voice with which it speaks is the Spirit of God. Ours is a Spirit–energized spirit that gives witness to our being a child of God. We have only a foretaste of what it will be like when Christ returns in His glory because the full manifestation of our sonship awaits the resurrection of the saints.
The Spirit gives access into God’s presence. The believer has access to God because he has been adopted as His child. The believer is a child of God with all the privileges of sonship, of access to God, of entering into His presence anytime and any place. This relationship enables the believer to break the bondage of fear.
My daughters have always been able to gain access to my presence. When our oldest daughter Paula was in high school she came by my office one afternoon and made herself an appointment through my secretary! She had called the office earlier and each time she called I was busy with someone. She told my secretary she wanted her own appointment with her father. Lois quickly gave her a time slot before someone else got it. We have that kind of relationship with our heavenly Father. And we don't have to go through someone else to get it! He is never in a hurry, never too busy, never preoccupied, never any chain of command, etc. Our heavenly Father reaches out to us ready to give us that sense of belongingness.
We are able to enter the presence of God, to lay our fear before God, to cry out "Father, Father––help me!" Cf. Ephesians 3:12; I Peter 3:12
God’s love for the adopted Child is as great as God’s sovereign power. God will do everything for the believer who is His adopted child.
We wait for our complete manifestation of adoption (Romans 8:23).
"And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body" (8:23). This is future and only when we have received our glorified bodies at the Second Coming of Jesus will we possess all that our adoption as God’s children involves.
We have an eternal inheritance with our older brother because we have been adopted into His family. We are joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him." We shall inherit all that God has and all that Christ is and has. We are part of the family! We are given the privilege of sharing in all things with the Son of God.
Everything we have is His, also. Every member has responsibilities within the family.
Are you a member of God's family by adoption? Have you been born spiritually into His family?
2 John, a lesson outline
2 John
March 10, 2002
I. Introduction (2John 1 – 3)
A. Addressees (Verses 1 –2)
1. John uses the title of “the elder” which refers to a senior officer in a local church (I Tim. 5: 17), though he is not a member there. His authority of “elder” comes from his apostleship. (Mt. 10: 1 – 2)
2. “The elect lady” has a twofold meaning. It can be the church or it can be specifically an individual saved woman that John knows.
3. Many early churches met in believer’s homes. (Rom. 16: 5; I Cor. 16: 9; Col. 4: 15; Philemon 2)
a. This lady’s home is just such an instance and John was concerned that this godly woman not permit any false or heretical in doctrinal teaching to come into her home or to the church members that were meeting there.
b. As the home goes, so goes the strength of the local church. The family is an important target in Satan’s war against truth.
4. “The Truth” is Jesus Christ (John 14: 6) and God’s Word is truth. (John 17:17)
a. God has revealed His truth in the person of His Son through the Living Word and the Written Word.
b. God has given us the Spirit of Truth to teach us and enable us to know “The Truth”. (John 14: 6 – 16; 16: 13)
5. “The Truth” causes us to love one another and empowers us to live for “The Truth’s sake” lives that are glorifying and honoring to Him.
a. He supplies the power for us to live above sin and temptation (I Cor. 10: 13) because one day we must all stand before the Judgment Seat and give an account of our actions, not our sins. (Rom. 14: 10; II Cor. 5: 10)
6. Knowing “The Truth”, which lives in us, is much more than having knowledge of the doctrines of the faith. It means that the believer’s life is controlled by love of “the Truth” and for “The Truth”.
a. All truth centers in Jesus Christ, who is The Truth, The Word, the Son.
7. Truth makes Christian love discerning and discriminating.
a. Believers need to be aware of others conduct or views that are contrary and opposed to the revealed truth of the Word.
b. Believers are never to compromise their stand for the Truth because of their love for others.
c. Truth and love work together in harmony in God’s plan for His people.
B. John’s Greeting (Verse 3)
1. John wishes for grace, mercy and peace for these believers.
a. These blessings come from both God the Father and God the Son because God is the source of grace, mercy and peace.
b. Grace is receiving what you don’t deserve and not receiving what you do.
c. Mercy is forgiveness extended to the helpless and needy.
d. Peace is the restoration of harmony and fellowship with God.
2. When we receive God’s grace and mercy, his peace comes upon us. (Rom. 5: 1)
a. God is not at war with the unsaved, the unsaved are at war with God. (Rom. 5: 10; 8: 7)
b. God reconciled Himself to sinners by the work of Christ on the cross and now sinners must reconcile themselves to God by repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (II Cor. 5: 14 – 21)
3. John affirms the deity of Christ by joining the Father and the Son. It is impossible to separate the two. “Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father”. (I John 2: 23)
4. The Christian faith stands or falls on the doctrine of the deity of Christ.
II. Exhortation to Christian Love (Verses 4 – 6)
A. Walking in Truth (Verse 4)
1. To walk in truth means to be obedient and submissive to the authority of the Word of God. “Be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only.” (James 1: 22)
2. The Father has revealed His truth to us and not granted us the option of disbelief or disobedience. We alone are responsible to respond to His revealed Word!
B. The Commandment (Verses 5 – 6)
1. The command is for us to love one another. (John 13: 34; I John 4: 21)
a. Brotherly love is an outward evidence of an inward condition. (I John 4: 16)
2. It is a testimony to the transforming and life changing power of Jesus Christ and The Word. “By this shall all men know ye are my disciples, if ye have love one for another”. (John 13: 35)
3. Christian love is an action, not an emotion. It is unselfish service undertaken by deliberate and willing choice.
4. “Not a new commandment” means that God gave this commandment a long time ago. “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself”. (Lev. 19: 18)
5. The Holy Spirit gives every believer the ability to love. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love…” (Gal. 5: 22)
6. Love and obedience must go together. “And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.” (I John 2: 3)
7. If we say we love God, and hate our brother, we can be sure that we do not really love God. “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar”. (I John 4: 20)
III. Warnings about False Teachers (Verses 7 – 11)
A. A Loss of Incarnation and of Full Reward (verses 7 – 8)
1. Deceiver means to mislead and includes more than just False Teachers. It also implies leading people into wrong living.
a. What we believe determines our conduct.
b. Wrong doctrine and wrong living always go together.
2. These deceivers came out from the church. “They went out from us, but were not of us”. (I John 2: 19)
3. John warns us about false teachers attacking the incarnation of Christ, denying that He was man as well as God in the flesh.
a. If Jesus Christ was not man, and did not live a sinless life, and offer Himself up to be the propitiation of our sins, then our faith is in vain and there is no hope.
b. A test to know a false teacher is to ask them what they believe about the incarnate Christ.
4. A believer can lose part of their reward at the Judgment Seat, but not all of their reward. The very fact you are there indicates you cannot lose your salvation and therefore you will receive a crown of life.
a. In order to receive a “full reward” we cannot be led astray but must continue steadfast in the work, diligently serving the Lord Jesus until He comes.
B. Defection from the Truth (verse 9)
1. The word “transgress” means to overstep, or run ahead too far, beyond the limits.
2. The false teachers will take extreme liberty with God’s Word and offer “new and exciting” things for people that are heretical.
a. The result is people being led astray from the true doctrines of the faith.
3. If a person does not abide in the true doctrine, then he does not have the Father or the Son. It is impossible to honor the Father and not the Son. “That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.” (John 5: 23)
4. People that take liberty and “overstep” the doctrines demonstrate that they do not have genuine salvation. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me”. (John 10: 27)
C. Reception of False Teachers (Verses 10 – 11)
1. We are not to extend hospitality to false teachers who come either to our homes or to our church.
2. We are not to even say good-bye to them as it means “God be with you”. “Be ye not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?” (II Cor. 6: 14)
3. It is okay to invite unsaved friends into your home because you can witness to them and share the gospel.
4. Three reasons why John was adamant about not allowing in a false teacher were that he did not want God’s children to:
a. Give the apostate the impression his heretical doctrine was acceptable.
b. Become infected by the false doctrine through fellowship with them.
c. Give the false teacher ammunition to use at his next stopping place.
IV. The Conclusion (Verses 12 – 13)
A. Visiting soon and Farewell (verses 12 – 13)
1. John states he wants to visit face to face, where their joy will be full.
2. When believers come together, the joy of the Lord is always present!
3. The children of this “elect sister” could be the natural children of this woman’s sister whom John has met or it could be local church members who are sending greetings.
Sorry for the lack of formatting here. I sure wish I could post some of these with the formats intact!
Blessings all,
mib
ITWAVE,
Let me
answer one of your questions for you.
You can add a TPM to your exisitng computer in the following manner. You would need to change the motherboard to one with a TPM on it. If that also requires a different CPU and memory, well, then you will have an investment.
Is your current CPU reasonably new, like a Pentium 4 or Pentium D series, or maybe a Core2 Duo?
If so, then you might not need to replace your cpu, just the board and perhaps the memory. Memory is CHEAP. 2 GB of DDR2 for less than $50.00 and less than $40. if you want the cheap generic stuff.
Can't help you with the other questions. The best,
mib
Wonderful passage BB2!
Thanks for sharing that encouraging WORD for those whose faith and trust is in GOD!
Blessings,
mib
Veritas
Some more
on your post about the church's being filled with people who will still be sitting when the trump of God sounds.
This is every Pastor's fear, or at least should be.
People often make a profession of salvation but miss heaven by 12 inches. They have a head knowledge but not a heart knowledge. They were not drawn by the Spirit and so a regeneration of the heart had not taken place to begin with.
Jesus said in Matthew
Matthew 7:21-23
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Even PREACHERS will miss heaven....... Not a good thing!
For HIS GLORY,
mib
Grant
Let me share something with you firsthand about death.
My wife's mother died very unexpectedly last October. In the hospital.
WE admitted her to the ER and after 12 hours there and growing worse by the hour, she was sent to ICU. About 1:00 a.m. we were sent home. They told us they had her stabilized.
Next morning around 8:00 a.m. my wife and I were first on the scene and asked by the doctor to please come into a counseling room. e needed to make some decisions regarding what she would want us to do as things were not looking good at this point in time.
Shortly some of the other family arrived and we ALL agreed NOT to keep her on life support or drugged up. She would not want that.
She had not opened her eyes or moved for ten hours and it was now about ten o'clock a.m. next day. The day wore onand all the family was on the scene. All 46 of us. Asa 3:30 p.m. approached my one daughter who lives out of state had arrived after driving all night and day to get here to see her grandmother alive for the last time.
She made it with twenty minutes to spare.
The chldren of my mother in law and their spouses gathered round the bed as she took her last few breaths, straining to breathe.
SUDDENLY, she OPENED HER EYES. She lifted her arms and stretched them out and forward as if she was reaching for something and SHE WAS trying to talk. HER EYES SPARKLED and they moved quickly from side to side as if seeing something spectacular.
We will never forget it.
After that, she closed them and the body lay still. She was gone home to Jesus.
I cannot tell you what she saw, but we know she saw something. This is not the first instance I have witnessed this either.
The scriptures are quite clear what happens when we take our last breath. We do not need to wonder. We have the answer in our hands.
Paul said to be absent from the body is to be present with the LORD!
Jesus said I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go to prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I AM, there you may be also!
Where is JESUS????
HE IS SEATED on the THRONE in HEAVEN.
Where are we going? To be with HIM where HE is! HEAVEN.
I John 5: 13 says "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. "
John 3: 17,18
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:35,36
The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
My friend, you feel the wind, and know it is there, yet you do not see it. Jesus told Thomas that Blessed are you for thou hast SEEN and believed. How much more bleesed are those that have not seen, yet have believed!
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb. 11: 1
Some things yoiu simpoly must accept by faith that are there, they exist, and you cannot explain it or see it with the human eye.
The BIIBLE has been a proof of many things in science. For instance fresh water rivers were discovered flowing in the depths of the oceans by the US Geological Institute in the mid 20th century. The BIBLE spoke of them about three thousand years earlier.
It also told medical science to quit bleeding people as a way of treating sickness, which is what happened to Gearge Washington and many others. The Bible says that the life of the flesh is in the blood.
Without blood, the body casnnot live.
So the BIBLE is a source of good information that has already been made known.
I truly hope God will awaken your eyes unto the calling of your spirit unto HIM and that should He call, you will run to HIM and accept HIM by FAITH as the only means of salvation of your eternal Spirit, and ask HIM to be your Lord, your God, and your savior before you die without HIM.
Then it will be eternally too late.
Blessings and thank you for posing your question!
mib
briboy
We are commanded to bear one another's burdens so bring it on!
That is what the beloved inChrist are supposed to do!
When one member of the body suffers, all suffer!
Here is some good reading for you. Go read Romans chapter 7 starting around verse 14 and go to end of chapter.
Notice very carefully what the Apostle Paul said about himself and the sin nature!!!!
"O WRETHCHED MAN THAT I AM"
I think it is safe to say you are not alone in going through these things and don;t beat yourself up over it.
Realize it, get on knees and confess it, ask forgiveness and deliverance, forsake, allow JESUS to CLEANSE IT. LEAVE IT at the the THRONE of GRACE brother.
OSorry to some readers as I do not wnat to burden or waste your time.
Praise GOD for putting 1 John 1: 9 in the BIBLE...
Praise God we have an advocate with the FATHER who doth appear on our behalf and HE JUSTIFIES US!!!!
Shouting time brother!!!!! OUR POSITION before GOD is one of JUSTICATION and RIGHTEOUSNESS because of the ADVOCACY of CHRIST. HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS is what GOD SEES when HE looks upon US! Praise the LORD!!!
Blessings dear brother this blessed Lord's day!
for HIS glory,
mib
Veritas
could not agree more. If the rapture were to take place on a Sunday morning during services, I have often wondered how full the church would still be.
This is wht I despise what a lot of preachers have reverted to in these latter days for an invitational altar call. It is AN EASY salvation. Just say these few words and you are saved.
It is a lie from the pit itself and I fear for the eternal destiny of those misled people and the judgment of that preacher.
Jesus said in Mt. 7: 13 - 14 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because F15 strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
He also said this about HIS LEADERS of the CHURCH: Heb. 13: 17
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Matt. 7: 21 - 25 says 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
WE are charged with the HIGH CALLING of GOD. To whom much is given, much is required. Luke 12: 48
It is an awesome responsibility to rightly divide the WORD of truth and deliver it faithfully, keeping in view that we will give an account of how we perform these duties! SOULS are in the balances.
This is why DOCTRINE is so important. REGNERATION is very important and little understood. So is SANCTIFICATION and JUSTIFICATION. These things are needful for a thourough knowledge of what is involved in a soul being supernaturally transformed from a child of the devil to a child of the KING, and one must have a regenerated HEART BEFORE faith will allow one who is an enemy of GOD to even desire to draw near to HIM by the SPIRIT. And YES, we are drawn by the SPIRIT.
I'll post a little bit about these needed and misunderstood doctrines that are really vital for those working in GOD's fields if it is okay with you.
HAve a wonderful day of worship and praise tomorrow in GOD'S HOUSE with the rest of the saints!
for HIS glory,
mib
Isn't it a marvellous thing
That we take on God's very nature when we are regenerated justified and sanctified? That never ceases to amaze me.
What is God? God is LOVE! This doesn;t preclude the fact that he also is a God of wrath and vengeance and greatly to be feared..
But we are nonetheless given those attributes and ARE TO SHOW THEM to one another and the world. Beloved, by this shall all men know that ye are mine if ye have love one for another!
Good point Veritas!
mib
V,
How about
being called to the mission field on Oahu! lol!!!
mib..
Bulletin humor:
The low self esteem class will have their weekly meeting on this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Please use the back door.
A THANK YOU
for your uplifing my daughter before the throne of Grace!
The efectual fervent prayers of righteous MEN (and women)availeth much!
I was astonished to see my daughter sitting up yesterday! Bless GOD from whom ALL blessings flow. THis was not expected until a few weeks had passed!
My sincere heart felt thanks and gratitude are with theprayer warriors of God.
for HIs glory,
mib