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I noticed while going through all the discussion groups listed, that BC does not have a library of recommended reading material which, along with God's word "the Bible" might be of benefit to other believers. If I have missed something, please let me know.
If you have suggestions of Christian materials which might benefit another person on this site, please let us know the name of the book/publication, the author/publisher, and where this might be obtained.
Bibles come in numerous translations but are all the Word of God. What Bible do you use, and why is it meaningful to you?
In setting up this site, I would like to let everyone know that they would please stay to the topic intended for the use of others who may be in need of information.
God Bless all who respond, and thank you.
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Prepared for YOU
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Nov 7, 2009 6:18 pm
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Matthew 25:34
"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:" KJB
Keeping this one small verse in context we see that it is applying to those living believers that He recognizes as "sheep" at the time of His return, His return to judge the nations of Gentiles at the end of this age. It is for these that he prepares for them a great and wonderful kingdom in which they can fully serve Him here on this earth. Its comparison, as does many other Scriptures, give us a contrast in that the "goats" which are spoken of are those who reject Him and their everlasting judgment from God will be spent in "...everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." (Matthew 25:41) KJB. Some would try to tell you that there are gray areas in what God says and that there is such a thing as purgatory where they can be bought or prayed out of but that does not exist in the Scriptures for there are only two places that people will go, either to heaven or hell, that is all, no more, zippo, nada, etc.
We also read that Jesus went to prepare for us a "mansion" for His faithful followers, and we read: "In my Father's house are many mansions...I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2) KJB. Again, Jesus is preparing something that is fantastic for those who are His true followers. There are many who claim to be followers of Christ, but when push comes to shove they are far from Him, for a great gulf is fixed between them and Christ. Notice what He tells them about this as they said: "...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?" and then what Jesus says: “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:22-23) KJB. They play at being Christian but their hearts are far from Him, and that is a shame. There are many who are great Bible scholars but their hearts are just as black as those who claim to be atheist (which I do not believe there are such things as atheists).
Jesus is indeed preparing for us a fantastic place, a place where it will be just a thought away from Him, for indeed there will be "many mansions" in heaven with our Lord. One day soon, very soon, it will be completed and we will see it as John the Revelator said it would look like, for he said: "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband" (Revelation 21:2).
This place will be a fantastic place: making all the mansions look like small sheds. John describes some of the things in this place in our Bible's last two chapters: But Paul said this: "...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." (1 Corinthians 2:9) KJB. Therefore, as Paul said, we can say also: "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:1 KJB. What a glorious day that will be when we are taken to the "mansions" in the sky, prepared by God for those who love Him and have truly accepted Him as Lord and Savior. Jesus has definitely prepared for us something spectacular but no man nor woman will see it without going through Jesus Christ for He "...is the way, the truth and the life...". (John 14:6) KJB.
Do not delay, for the time is almost upon us when it will be almost too late to be with Him in glory, do not, I say again, DO NOT DELAY.
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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Repliest Against God
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Nov 6, 2009 8:31 pm
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Romans 9:20
"Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?" KJB
It is fascinating to me that we tend to question God when something that we do goes wrong and we ask Him "Why?" and that is what our text is speaking about. In this day of great "science" it is very important for us to remember that "scientists" cannot even begin to answer why things happen the way they do in this Universe. Science cannot answer a question which begins with "why". Science deals with answers which begin with "what" and "how" and maybe "where" and "when" but never "why". The types of questions, which answer the question "why" pertains to the moral or Spiritual realm.
How many times have you been asked, "Why do the righteous suffer?" The better way to ask that question is, "Why is there such evil in this world, a world which was created by a God who is totally good?" Now, the question becomes personal when we ask "Why did this have to happen to me?" The answer to the question of "WHY" can only be answered by the word of God and the only way we are going to find the answer to this very perplexing question is by studying "...to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15) KJB.
Take for instance the book of Job, many tend to think that it was written to answer the question of "why" because no more Godly man ever existed, yet suffered more than any person should ever have to suffer. He never, not once turned his back on God, even though at times he too asked the question "why?". His wife told him that he should "Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God , and die." (Job 2:9) KJB. She, it seems, did not have the same integrity that Job did. Even though He lost everything, including every one of his children, not once did he ever doubt that God was in control. God answered Job's very probing questions by simply pointing to His very complex and wondrous creation.
If we can only remember that God made us for Himself, but at the same time gave to us a will of our own. Not once did God "pull" the strings of Adam of Eve. He created them to have fellowship with Him and He could not have that fellowship with them if they did not have that free will. Jesus answered that question with this: "What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter" (John 13 ) KJB. If we question God with "why" things happen the way they do, we might not know the answer to that question this side of Glory, but we will know the answer to that when we stand in front of Him, because we shall know Him as He is, because we will be like Him. (1 John 3:2) KJB. Oh, what a glorious day that will be when we know Him as He knows us, in the day that we shall be like Him.
Jesus in His human form asked the same basic question on the cross of Calvary when He asked the Father this question: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) KJB. Now, because of the Word of God, we know the partial answer to that very telling question, for we read from Paul's Epistle to the church at Corinth this: "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:21) KJB. We also know that God so loved His creation that He came to earth in the form of man, and died on the cross for man's sin debt, which no man could pay, except by the One who did no sin whatsoever. (John 3:16; 1 Peter 2:22) KJB. He, Jesus, was the only "man", even though He was God, who could give Himself as a sacrifice.
Man might die for someone else, but they could never pay that payment, “why” because of sin, more specifically, the sin of Adam which was passed down through the centuries all the way down to us, some 6,000 years after Adam and Eve sinned. God would have them not sin, but because He created them with a will of their own, He gave to them to ability to sin against Him. He gave them only ONE commandment, not to eat from the tree which was in the midst of the Garden, and they failed that ONE commandment or rule. How do we think that we can keep all of the 613 commandments which are in our Bible, if Adam and Eve failed with only one? The answer to that is a simple, "We can't!"
Now, for the answer to other "why" questions, we might have to wait for God's timing. We might not know this side of eternity, but we will ultimately know the answers that we seek. We tend to question even the most basic of God's law, the law of entropy, or rather the 2nd law of thermodynamics, which tells us that everything falls apart given enough time. Even diamonds, the hardest known natural occurring substance in the world, will deteriorate given enough time. Until the time we know the answer to the "why" questions we ask, we know that "...all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:2 and we can say with Job this: "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him" (Job 13:15) KJB.
What about you, do you ask God "why"? Be comforted in knowing that God has everything in control, even though He might take us home to be with Him. Let us have the faith of a child and follow Him no matter what happens. We can ask "why" but know this, we might never know the answer to that question, but do not forsake or leave Him because He does not give you the answer to your "why" question, just trust and obey.
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission.
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Gift of Grace
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Nov 5, 2009 6:31 pm
48 Views
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James 4:6
"But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." KJB
The gift of grace that God gives is something that cannot be earned but is given freely to those who ask, because the definition of Grace is "unmerited favor." Unfortunately that is something that the "religious" group of people would try to have you believe, that you have to earn your way in order to get into heaven, that your good deeds will out weigh the bad. Grace is the greatest blessing which God can bestow upon His people. This thing that God "gives freely" has been called "the gift" (which could mean "the grace" or "the free gift" because it is the Greek word "charis" where we get out English word "charity", getting something for nothing. But the "free gift" of God is actually "salvation", and we have been given Jesus at the instant of salvation, for His very name Jesus literally means, "He shall save His people". (Romans 6:23; Matthew 1:21) KJB.
We read this: "For by grace have you been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2: KJB. Then Paul also says: "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9) KJB. Jesus had the riches of heaven at His command and yet He humbled Himself, became as man that He might save His people. It is through this poverty that we have been made rich, what greater gift than that of eternal life? This one verse, the previous verse, kinda shoots holes, big hole, in those who try to teach us that Jesus was very rich, therefore, He desires all His disciples to be rich, monetarily that is.
Now, this thread, naturally follows because Jesus has shed on us His abundant grace or salvation, and God will not give us this "free gift" simply because we are sinners. We were sinners before we become saved and we will remain sinners until He either comes and takes us to be with Him or we die, either way it is His grace which will sustain us and even prosper us. Now, in our text for today, James is paraphrasing what we read in the Proverbs. "Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly" (Proverbs 3:34) KJB. We can also read this truth from the writings of Peter: "Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5) KJB.
Now, finally, Paul says that even true Christian leaders are a gift of grace from God because He says: "I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ" (Ephesians 3- KJB. Therefore, we should never forget that these many blessings of His grace come through God and God alone. For such is the "free gift" of His grace given to them who simply ask to be saved. God gives grace only to the humble, and not to the proud. So let those who come to Him, come in the humbleness of heart that He requires of all. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) KJB. We are saved unto good works and not by our good works. (Ephesians 2:10 paraphrased) KJB.
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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Blessings in Heavenly Places
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Nov 4, 2009 7:36 pm
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Ephesians 1:3
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" KJB
We should all know the story of the crucifixion and all the things that have happened since that time. Some are fantastic, like man's salvation, God's grace even though we do not deserve it and the best of all, God's love for us shown by what He did on that cross. I used to use the word "luck" but since receiving Christ as my Savior, I have learned that there is no such thing as luck, but for the Christian there are blessings, some good, and some not so good. We all know when we receive the many blessings God has for those who love Him but when it comes to the blessings we receive through the bad things that happen to us. I know, you are thinking and even asking, "Blessings from the bad things that happen to us?" Yes!, Think of it this way, when the bad things happen, and they will that is promised us, but think on what transpires after those bad times? We might lose a father or mother to the Lord taking them home, and we are beside ourselves with grief, even though we know that we will see them again, we fail to see what happens to those who were at the funeral, they might come to Christ, yet saving another person from perishing. Or we might see someone change the way they do things, realizing that they were selfish but when they heard that your father or mother was totally unselfish in all that they do, always there to help those in need, and because of it their lives are changed for the good. Are not those blessings?
We tend to think that blessings come with a dollar sign attached to them, but that is not the only blessings we receive each and every day. We might receive a smile from someone, even though they have never smiled before, but because you helped them in some way, they smiled at you and thanked you. Brothers and Sisters in Christ, to not miss the every day blessings which the Lord bestows upon those who love Him and live for Him each and every minute of the day.
We read this from the Prophet Jacob as he called his sons to him to bestow on them their family inheritance: "Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb: The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren." (Genesis 49:25-26) KJB. I do not think Jacob left anything out here when he talked about the blessings of God for his children.
The word "blessing" in our text for today is the Greek word "eulogia", which means "fine speaking or rather elegance of language". We get our English word "eulogy" from this one word which is actually a compound of two words "eu" (well) and "logos" (speech or talk). Which one could say of the English word being actually a transliteration of the word instead of a translation, meaning using the actual word in some form. No one can speak from heavenly places any better than God the Father. Remember what He said about His Son, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased ; hear ye him." (Matthew 17:5) KJB. And if we remember that "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above , and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." (James 1:17) KJB. And then we read also in the same book by James this: "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." (James 3:17-1 KJB.
Blessings which come from heavenly places are never troublesome but are among those which gives us peace, knowing that our God and Father wants nothing more than to give to His children good things, and wisdom being among those good things. We read about the blessing of wisdom this: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." (James 1:5-6) KJB.
Let us never forget where blessings come from, God. Even if those blessings seem not to be so. Let us give thanks for everything, for this is a commandment from God.
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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Walking Before God
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Nov 3, 2009 1:54 pm
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Genesis 17:1
"And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect." KJB
God desires to walk with His children because that is where He was in the Garden of Eden and desires to do so again. Abram (soon to be Abraham) had been doing so for over 25 years when God gave this command to him. As God appeared to Adam and Eve in the Garden He also "appeared" to Abram. Abram, which means "high father", became Abraham, which means, "father of a multitude" but we all know that he did not have a son until he was 100 years old. (Genesis 17:5) KJB. The reason he is called the, Abraham, (father of the multitude) is because he became the father of the Israelites. Abram had already experienced what the Pharaoh of Egypt had been doing, and he had also experienced a great victory against Chedorlaomer, King of the Elamites, and he had also been obedient to and had great humility towards Melchizedek, the high priest.
As God was very explicit about His promises to Abram He is the same with us for our God is the same yesterday, today and for ever. (Hebrews 13: KJB. God had promised Abram and heir, which at this time had not been given to him. Unfortunately Abram listened to his wife, went and had sex with her handmaiden, Hagar, and she conceived, giving Abram Ishmael, but this was not the son of promise. Abram had strayed from his walking with God and it was later on that when he was 100 years old and Sarah was 99, that she conceived and Issac was born, which was the son of God's promise to Abraham. God the eternal father, had promised Abram that he would be made a father of the multitude, but Abram had to "...walk before me, and be thou perfect."
We all know that man cannot ever be perfect, no matter what we try to do, and our need of a Savior is very apparent in all who finally come to this realization of being in sin. The Hebrew language that is in our text verse for today is highly unusual. The word "panyim" (before me), which basically means "the face". This is the same word which is used in the very first commandment when it says "...have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3) KJB. In other words, this word "panyim" could be read in our text for today like this "...walk, looking at my face...". In the New Testament we find Simeon, the old man who asked God to see the Messiah before he died said this: "For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." (Luke 2:30-32) KJB. God went before the people during the Exodus, and became their Light at night, and all they had to do was to walk towards the light in order to see their salvation. This is what Simeon saw, his salvation, for the very name, Jesus, means "he shall save His people." Simeon saw that salvation when he laid his eyes on Jesus, at 8 days old. In other words, in the first commandment we can read it like this, "Do not let any thing come between you and your God, because it will cause you to take your eyes from Him." Anytime we place our eyes on anything, that will cause us to remove our eyes from our God.
Now, the implication of our text is very clear and very obvious, once we learn what the words in the text mean. Our God, desires us to live our lives in such a manner that His "face" (which could be His Person, His character, or His presence) should always be "before" us, so that our "walk" (our lifestyle, our behavior) can be "perfect", which is not perfection per'se, but rather that our "walk" is complete, whole, or healthy. Nothing should come between us and our God or rather nothing should inhibit our relationship with our Heavenly Father and "...of him with whom we have to do..." we should never falter but walk uninhibited before Him in all things. (Hebrews 4:13) KJB.
We read in our Bible that "Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations..." (Genesis 6:9) KJB, but that simply means that he walked before His God and obeyed Him in all things. It does not mean that Noah was perfect but rather that He never took his eyes from His salvation, God his Father. And it was said about Abraham (Abram) that his faith in God made him justified in God's sight. Even though the nation of Israel was surrounded by Pagan nations, Moses told them that they needed to "...be perfect with the Lord thy God..." (Deuteronomy 18:13) KJB. Which they failed at many times but yet they are still the "people of God", even to this day.
This is all said to say this, no matter what we are going through, if we keep our eyes focused on His "face" we shall walk according to His word and be perfect, but the instant we take our eyes off of Him we shall fall. So let us keep our eyes on His face, so that we might be perfect in our walk with Him.
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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God the Gardener
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Nov 2, 2009 5:32 pm
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Genesis 2:8-9
"And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil." KJB
This is the very first account of our Bible as God being the Gardener which planted the Garden of Eden. Notice something, He did not create it, but He planted it. Notice also, "...every tree that is pleasant to the sight..." and that every tree was "...good for food..." and that there was a tree which is called the "...tree of life..." which was the very same tree in which Eve ate from when she and Adam sinned against their God and creator. There was also a great river in the midst of the Garden which was used "...to water the garden...". (vs. 10).
Notice the picture if you will of what John the Revelator said about the throne of God and the river which flowed from it. For we read; "And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river , was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." (Revelation 22:1-2) KJB. Because of the wording, one cannot help but think that when He kicked Adam and Eve from the Garden, He removed it and placed it in heaven, because what John is describing seems to be what God said about the Garden in Genesis.
All of the heavenly pictures of God in His garden with Adam and Eve was halted when man sinned, breaking the sweet fellowship that man once had with His creator. We read about this and the story picks up: "And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden." (Genesis 3: KJB. They both knew that they had sinned against God and they both tried to hide from Him but I know that our God knew exactly where they were and He only wanted them to come forth and confess their sin but what did they do? They blamed someone else for their sin. Adam blamed Eve and said: "...the woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat." (vs 12) and then Eve said: "...The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat." (vs. 13). Then the culmination of what they did came down to only recourse for the Father to do: He kicked them out of the Garden cursed the ground because of it. (vs. 23).
Now, many years later in yet another Garden, seems that Jesus the Creator loved gardens, we read this account. "He went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples" (John 18:1). This is none other than the Garden Gethsemane. While our Lord went to pray, Jesus told them to wait but they soon fell asleep, once again, as did Adam and Eve, leaving Him alone in a garden. He had "...withdrawn from them about a stone's cast..." (Luke 22:41) and it was there that He "...offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears..." (Hebrews 5). It was there, alone, because the disciples fell asleep, that He was in such agony that we read this: "...and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." (Luke 22:44b) KJB.
But I want you to notice something about Luke's words here. There is a teaching that says Jesus shed blood in the garden because His stress was so great but is that what Luke saying? Most skim over the words he said, but notice the short phrase "...like as it were...". Now, does that phrase say He shed blood? NO, it doesn't, but what it does say, is that the sweat He shed was so thick that it looked like blood not blood itself. Just a side note to peak your thinking a tad.
It was in this garden He was brought face to face with what He was sent to do, to die for man so that man could once again, walk with Him in the garden or be in fellowship with the Father/Creator. He asked the Father three times to take away the cup but He also said, "...not my will, but thine be done...".
There was yet another garden which the Creator would be alone for we read: "Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand." (John 19:41-42) KJB. Our Creator had walked alone in the first garden (seeking Adam and Eve), He prayed alone in the second garden (before He was taken to die) and He was buried alone in the third garden (dying for His own). However, we have read earlier that there will be another Garden and it will be in the new "paradise of God" where the pure river flows and the same tree of life from the first Garden grows for all eternity, (which I feel He transplanted there, taking it from the first garden). It is there that "...His servants shall serve Him..." and even reign with Him "...for ever and ever..." (Revelation 2; 22:1-3, 5). What a glorious day that will be as we "walk with Him in the Garden" which He planted originally for Adam and Eve. AMEN.
What about you, will you be there, and walk with Him? If not, why not?
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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Spiritually Hygienic
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Nov 2, 2009 5:27 pm
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1 Timothy 4-8
"But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." KJB
Have you ever noticed that there seems to be more commercials on TV for dieting than there is any other type of commercial? The bombardment of diet plans, exercise programs, different types of machines all guaranteed to help one have that body only athletes seem to have. All of these are given to help you change our lifestyles or to simply improve our lives. These types of things might improve the outward person or the physical insides but nothing is ever given to help our spiritual lives. But from the standpoint of being right with God is the most important thing that we need to do. Our text for today gives us some great directions in order to help improve our spiritual lives.
Cleaning up our spiritual lives is definitely more important than cleaning up our physical lives. As a child or newborn babe in Christ, we need to "...desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2) KJB. And for adults or mature Christians, "..strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age" (Hebrews 5:14) KJB. Now, mature Christians are those who are "...unskillful in the word of righteousness" (vs. 13). In other words, the more we study the word of God, as newborn babes in Christ, the closer we become to becoming mature Christians and it takes the deeper things of God's word. The more we learn about Him, the more we want to know, at least that is what I find in my own desire to serve Him in the things He has me doing.
Now, our nourishment should come from the Word of God, when it comes to our Spiritual maturity, therefore, we are to be "...nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine". (1 Timothy 4:6) Unfortunately, sound doctrine seems to be falling by the wayside and more so as we see the day of His second coming drawing nearer, and it is, everyday. We are admonished to profess and use "...sound doctrine..." (which literally means "healthy doctrine", and we are also admonished to be in "healthy faith" (1:13, 2:2). We are also admonished or told to have healthy "charity" (love) as well as "patience" (2:2). The last thing that we need to use is "healthy speech" (2:.
Our exercise needs to be both physical and spiritual but the spiritual is the most important of the two. If you are taking any substance into your body and you know that it harmful to that body are you helping your self to have a healthy body? Well, the same thing happens when you take something into your spiritual side and it is harmful to that spiritual nature. We all have both physical and spiritual sides of our being, however, some seem to think that the spiritual is not important. Exercise for both psychical and spiritual should never be ignored. If you are not taking care of the physical being, then the chances of not taking care of the spiritual being might not be present either. Not to say that a person who does not take care of the psychical body will naturally not take care of the spiritual, but the chances are better/worse for that not happening. We should "...exercise...unto godliness..." (1 Timothy 4), which enables us to "...discern both good and evil..." (Hebrews 5:14) KJB. In other words, the more we feed the spiritual nature the more we will be able to discern the difference between what is good and what is evil, and there are many evil things out there which seem to not be but are for Satan is very cunning and deceitful, for those are his natural desires. But, this admonishment might be in the form of "chastisement" from the Lord, because our Bible tells us that a good father always chastises or corrects his children, and God the Father of us, is no different. This chastisement is sometimes in the form which "...yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness..." (12:11). In other words this chastisement might be there to guide us into the right path in which we are to walk. Do not ever despise any form of chastisement or correction, from our earthly fathers and especially from our heavenly Father.
Now, cleanliness is also important because we read: "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word" (Psalm 119:9) KJB. We learn as we study our Bibles that Christ gave Himself "...that He might sanctify and cleanse [the church] with the washing of water by the word, That He might present it to Himself a glorious church. Not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but it should be holy and without blemish..." (Ephesians 5:26-27) KJB. What better way to cleans ourselves. If we clean the inside the outside soon falls into place. We cannot expect to clean the outside and expect the inside to be cleansed also, it does not work that way, but if we clean the inside the outside is soon to follow. At least that is what I have found out over the years being saved.
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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The Holy Spirits Ministry
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Nov 1, 2009 7:30 pm
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1 Thessalonians 4:8
"He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit." KJB
Every believer should have some awareness of the Holy Spirit and His work in their lives, but unfortunately some choose to ignore the small voice within them and do what they want anyway. If there is no such awareness then the chances of salvation are negligible and the relationship with God is nil if at all. In fact Paul tells us this: "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." (Romans 8:9) KJB. Therefore, we need to earnestly look at the ministry of the Holy Spirit and what He has to do with your life.
Those who have come to the saving grace of Jesus could not get there on their own but rather were prompted by the Holy Spirit of wrong doing and their need for a Savior. All, who have come to that point, have been urged or convicted by the Holy Spirit prior to their salvation. Now, from the world's slant on things, that is where the ministry of the Holy Spirit is and should remain. We see, through the teachings of Christ Himself, that He is sent to "...reprove the world of sin and of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16: KJB. Which He does very well indeed or we who are saved would not be so. We all needed to be reminded that we are sinners who need the righteousness of God placed on us rather than our own righteousness. The Holy Spirit, in acting on the behalf of the Father, draws us into a very personal relationship with the Father and gives to us the enlightenment of our sins and confirms to us that we do not have any righteousness, or right standing, with the Father and our need for Christ's righteousness is the only way we can come to the Father and He, the Holy Spirit, is confirming to us that we will stand in judgment of our sins unless we accept the righteousness of Christ.
Now, reproof from the Holy Spirit has but one single goal: to bring about the regeneration of our hearts towards a just and Holy God and to give us the witness or proof that we are the children of God through accepting the Lord as our Savior. Until we do that we are not the children of God, despite what the world teaches. (Titus 3:5; Romans 8:16) KJB. We are born from above, right? (John 3:3) KJB and we are made a new creature by the Triune Godhead (2 Corinthians 5:17) KJB. Paul reminds us through his writings, and through the prompting of the Holy Spirit, that we are created like Christ, in "righteousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:24) KJB. The Holy Spirit renews or rebuilds our "dead" spirit, and makes us alive and well. (1 Peter 4:6) KJB. In other words, without the ministrations of the Holy Spirit in our lives we would still be dead and sick because of the sin which we inherited from Adam who was the first to be thus, dead to their disobedience to God. (Romans 5:12) KJB.
Without the Spirit filled life we would never be able to live for God in no way what so ever. We are filled with the Holy Spirit at the instant of salvation and we will never receive any more of the Holy Spirit than that day and time. Without the unction or anointing of the Holy Spirit within our lives we could not be of any service to God. Now, salvation is only the beginning of life. Even though we might come to God at an age later than someone else we cannot truly live until He comes in and makes our souls alive unto God and it is through His prompting that we live each and everyday. When we do not have this prompting, it is not the Holy Spirit which leaves us but rather us who leave Him or rather ignore Him. The Lord will allow things to happen in our lives to get our attention and until we recognize those things that God is allowing, and maybe causing, we cannot live a total and complete life. Life in Christ is much better than a life without Him working in our lives.
Now, salvation, like I said, is only the beginning! Once regenerated or "born-again" the Holy Spirit sees that we are lead to all truth, the truth which lies in Christ and Christ alone. (John 16:13) KJB. The Holy Spirit is what John calls, "the Spirit of truth" and He will lead us to truth. Even though we might have read the Bible before salvation, we cannot learn the truth without the "Spirit of truth" directing us into this truth and He will. The Holy Spirit will not invent new truth for us to learn but will lead us only to the truth which is in His word, our Bible, regardless of what some might think. Before salvation we do not have the ability to learn the truth or understand His word, the Bible, but after salvation, the Holy Spirit opens up a new and wonderful world for us to explore. When I was in Vietnam, being there as a Mormon, I read the Bible several times and could not hardly understand any of it, but after I received Christ some 19 years later I was able to understand what I was reading. Even though I read it before, many times, it was after my salvation that I was able to understand it. That is the power of the Holy Spirit working in my life. The Holy Spirit will take the truth from the only source that is truth, His word and that is straight from the mind and heart of God.
Now, through the leading of the Holy Spirit, we are both sanctified positionally and progressively. (2 Thessalonians 2:13) KJB. We are sanctified at the instant of salvation but we are also made more so by the Holy Spirit directing us into the Word of God as we learn and mature as God's children. Also, with the power of the Holy Spirit, (Acts 1:, we are able to give forth fruit (helping others to learn of Christ), and to help us build them up in their faith. Paul tells us about this in his epistle to the church at Galatia. (Galatians 5:22-23) KJB. When we come under the filling of the Holy Spirit, or when the Holy Spirit moves in our lives, because as I said we do not receive more of the Holy Spirit for at salvation we have all we will ever have, we have the power of God to lead others to Christ's saving grace. That is the power we have, the power to be His witnesses to others around us, across the nation and around the world.
Now, I pray that we all have the glorious ministry of the Holy Spirit and that He may be ours as our Lord promised and that we all learn how to practice what He commands us to do, to be His witness to others so that they to may come to Him and make disciples also.
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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Grow in Faith
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Nov 1, 2009 3:36 pm
73 Views
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Hebrews 11:13
"These all died in faith, 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." KJB
Every single believer needs to grow in their faith because it does not come automatically and in full force at the time of conversion but rather is a growing part of our belief. Each believer also should hold fast to the faith and it should never waiver because when our faith waivers in the slightest Satan uses that against us: sometimes without even our realizing it. Every believer faces many challenges through their life but there are at least two of them which at times is very difficult to handle. The first thing is that we cannot see heaven with our physical eyes and so without that our earthly nature sometimes has a hard time with the very idea of heaven and without that our minds seem to question whether or not that there even is a heaven. The nation of Israel, as they stood on the far bank of the promised land finally realized that it actually existed but for the forty years that they wandered through the desert they could not help but think the same thing that a modern Christian cannot help but ask: "Is the promised land actually there?" The writer to the Hebrews, which I believe is Paul, in our text for today was very aware that this question could lead to doubt and that doubt could lead to being highly discouraged and at the end might cause some to fall by the way side. He wrote this: "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." (Hebrews 10:38-39) KJB. Notice that this seems to say that someone might be able to lose their soul but does it actually say that? NO! It says, "...if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." A parent does not stop loving a child when that child disobeys but rather does not have any pleasure in the fact that the child did disobey. The same thing is said there.
Even though we cannot see the promised land or heaven, does not mean that it is not there! However, by complete faith, we can "...see [it] afar off". Because remember, "...faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) KJB. Now, our Bible is a very good source for finding out that heaven actually exists and when we study it out we cannot help but realize that it is true. Our faith is found in the Word of God and not in man. Paul seems to tell us that there is a very special power in the Word of God which enables believers to be able to grow in their faith because we read: "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them." (Romans 1:17-19) KJB. I know, you are probably thinking, wow, it takes faith to be able to grow in faith. Faith is actually the fuel or energizer which helps us to have greater faith and that is illustrated in our text for today very well. Hebrews chapter eleven has been deemed as the "faith chapter" of our Bible because we read about Noah, Abraham, and many others in regards to their faith. They believed God and did what He told them to do and that took great faith. Take for instance Noah. He preached to those around him for over 100 years and yet not one believed him when he told them about what God was going to do with the flood. Only eight souls were saved at that time and the rest of the world, man, animals and plants died out during that forty days and forty nights of rain and the waters which came from the deep. These in this "faith chapter" had seen the promises of God by faith and not by sight. Abram (Abraham) went forth not knowing where he was going and yet he stepped out in faith and went. These in Hebrews Eleven showed their faith by their actions and it was their faith which helped them to grow in more faith. These promises were so real to these wonderful giants of faith that they "embraced them" (the promises) like we should do as believers in Christ and our walk with Him. We grow in our faith and walk as we learn of Him and what He did for us. We also grow in faith as we read about our sins and sin nature. I want you to realize something, it is only through our faith and making it as an integral part of our lives that we are able to grow and mature as Christians.
Our churches are full of "babes" in Christ because they refuse to learn about Him, so there faith does not come through that word and therefore it does not grow. The only way we can grow and mature as Christians is to learn more and more about the Lord.
Now, another challenge that we all face each and every day is the fear of the world's coming against us in some shape or fashion. We are told over and over again in the word of God that the world will come against us, that, we can take to the bank, by faith. The world does not like what a Christian stands for, and that is the Word of God. Now, this fear of what the world can do to us will stop many believers from being a witness for Him and will actually stop them from "confessing" their faith. Now, I realize that this might be a stop to some but to others it is a "dying faith", even though it is difficult to speak up when ones life is in the balance. Paul says: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16) KJB. And then to the church at Philippi he said: "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed , but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:20-21) KJB. This should be the attitude of every believer or should I say true believer. We should not faint when it comes to proclaiming our faith to the world because the world can do nothing to us, the true us. Sure they can kill the body but the soul will live for all eternity.
Now, like nothing else can, the shouting forth from the roof tops the gospel of the living Christ helps us to build our faith in Him and it truly honors Him. So, if you want to grow in your faith, learn of Him in our Bible, then proclaim Him to all the world, even though that world might kill you. The question is, are you ashamed of what Christ did for you on the cross? NO! Then prove it!
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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Not of Private Interpretation
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Oct 31, 2009 7:09 pm
107 Views
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2 Peter 1:20-21
"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." KJB
I find it interesting to note that when it comes to the Bible, and when you are speaking to someone about those Scriptures, the statement which I hear the most is: "That is your own opinion." But unfortunately, those who say that, generally are those who say they are Christian. The Greek word here is the one "idios" which in literal sense means "by one self" or rather by yourself. You see, if we try to read the Bible and we interpret it by what we understand without God's help then we are doing the interpreting by ourselves. It is interesting to note that Paul tells us about this in his first epistle to the church at Corinth for he said: "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. 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. 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." (1 Corinthians 2:12-14) KJB. I want you to notice something that Paul said here, and I will attempt to paraphrase it so that I can tell you what Paul was saying. Notice first off, Paul said "Now we have received...the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." He said, it was through the Holy Spirit that he was able to speak about what God gave to them, the truth.
Then He said in the next verse this: "...we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." He said, "We speak, not through the wisdom of man, but rather through the guiding of the Holy Spirit and we compare the things of God (spiritual) with other things of God (spiritual).” In other words, Paul said that Holy Spirit will guide us unto all truth which is found in the word of God, comparing Scriptures with Scriptures.
And then Paul continues to define what he is saying: "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." In other words, without the Holy Spirit guiding them, the natural man (unsaved) cannot understand the things of God because it is the Holy Spirit within the saved who will let us understand the things of God. In other words, Scriptures are of no private interpretation: you cannot understand them alone, but with the Holy Spirit we can understand them.
I want you to understand something. The natural man (unsaved) when they read or hear the Word of God, they are doing it alone, without the help of the Holy Spirit. In other words their "...heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing..." and will not be able to "understand" what they are reading nor will they understand the things they are hearing, unless the Holy Spirit draw them. Their minds and their hearts are bound by their inability to understand and they will fall back on their own opinions, stubbornly denying the One who draws them to salvation.
First off, the Word of God, our Bible does not need to be interpreted in the least, because when we are saved He will give us the interpretation at the time we need to have it interpreted for us. As I have said many times in past devotionals, before I received Christ as my Lord and Savior, I read the Bible several times and each and every time I had great difficulty understanding what it was about. However, when I received Christ, the pages of my Bible were opened to me and I finally could read it and understand what I was reading. Now, I want you to understand something, I did not get a complete understanding of the Bible at the time of my salvation, 14 April, 1988 at 3:30 PM. Throughout the years since, the Lord has opened my understanding at the time I needed it. Why? To help others come to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
In every other New Testament reference to "interpretation", and not in our text for today, we see that the word means to "explain" or "to give exposition for". Now, the simple truth is, that in the other verses it is a simple matter of translation and does not need to be interpreted nor does it need to be corrected, which many attempt to do. Our Bible does however, need to be properly translated and it was done during the reign of King James around the first part of the 17th century. Now, some try to tell you that even the King James has gone through numerous corrections or revisions, but those corrections were only for spelling or the proper use of words and not to change what the translators did when they translated the Greek and even Hebrew into English. It is true that the English language does not completely translate directly from the Greek or the Hebrew but if we start thinking that God is not able to make sure that His word is pure in no matter what language that it is translated into then we are falling into one of Satan's greatest traps, "Yea hath God said?". God has the power to keep His word pure and true and if we as His creation start thinking that He is not able to, then we soon fall by the side because of our doubts. And when that happens, Satan wins.
Our God is able to say what He means, and is able to keep what He says pure and above reproach, no matter what Satan tries to say or do to it. In past times He used the prophets of the Old Testament to faithfully write down His word, with the help of the Holy Spirit guiding them. He is able to keep His word pure and without mistakes even in the New Testament era. "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven." (Psalms 119:89) KJB. Also, when it comes to preserving the Word of God, we need to read this: "The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever." (Psalm 12:6-7) KJB. In other words, God said it, and He shall keep it, no matter what man might try to do to it. So, when we think that what we have is not the pure word of God, then doubts arise and we are told over and over again the doubt about God's word is sin, pure and simple.
We are told, as God's children that our Father wants to communicate to us through His word, that is why it is so important to study it and to simply read it. His authoritative Word to all men and women should never be doubted nor should it be ignored because it is through the Word where we learn of the One who saves our souls and is saving us from the wiles of the Devil by the constant hiding of it in our hearts. Now, to all students of the Bible [and we all should be] He says: "Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path." (Proverbs 2:3-9) KJB.
Remember, to say today that we do not have the pure word of God, then we fall for Satan's trap and the results of that trap is DOUBT. Also, we cannot interpret His word without Him being in our hearts, in other words, the Word of God is of no private interpretation, we need the Holy Spirit to know it rightly. It takes not one, ourselves, but God needs to be there also to understand what He has for us.
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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