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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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The Honor of Honest Work
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Nov 13, 2009 11:15 am
72 Views
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Mark 1:11
"And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son , in whom I am well pleased." KJB
Not one person can not say that Christ is our best example in all things that we do, at least and be honest saying it. When He moved among His Disciples He also ministered and He did this as Jesus of Nazareth. His time here was very short indeed, a little under 33 years but the time He spent ministering was only three years. The Scriptures tell us that during His formative years and all through His youth and even early manhood, He worked diligently at the same trade as His earthly father did, and that was as a carpenter and builder. He became well known in Nazareth as "the carpenter", and during that time, He was skilled, honest, reliable, and probably very fair in His dealings. (Mark 6:3) KJB.
We do not read much about His dealings with people during those times of being a carpenter but His Father, heavenly Father, said of Him "...I am well pleased." This was said before He started His earthly ministry, before He was lead of the Spirit in the wilderness to be tested of Satan for 40 days and 40 nights. (Mark 1:13) KJB. We do not read anything about Joseph, His earthly father, at this time, therefore, it is possible that he was not even in the picture. Jesus had several siblings and it was His duty to help them out. This time cannot be dismissed because we read little about His years from the age of twelve where He said to Joseph and Mary after they found Him in the temple speaking to those that were in the temple, He said: "How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" (Luke 2:49) KJB. You have to remember, He was twelve, and yet we read this of Him: "And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing." (Luke 2:46-4 KJB.
It was after His time in the wilderness that His time here on earth became very public and He was constantly found ministering to others, healing, teaching about heaven and hell, and also driving demons out of those who were possessed. He did this because He came to not only "...seek and to save that which was lost..." (Luke 19:10) KJB. but to be an example to us in what we do here while in service to Him and others. We read over and over again that we are to be servants as He served us and gave Himself for us, for He is our example. He served unto death, can we do any less? We read from Paul this: "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another...Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ." (Galatians 5:13; Colossians 3:24) KJB. Sometimes it takes great strength to serve those who do not want to be served but that is what we do, because He did, even though the killed Him for He said on that cross, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." We are not only to be about His business while here but also to serve not only our brothers and sisters in Christ, but also to serve Him for when we do it unto the least of God's creatures, we do it unto Him.
We are told two things to do while here. We read: "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24) KJB. We are all given gifts and these gifts were given to us that we might use them for the Lord and we read from Paul again and He said: "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness." (Romans 12:6- KJB. If we use our gifts for the Lord, we are to do it "...heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men...for ye serve the Lord Christ."
There were great and sometimes hard demands on the Lord to heal the sick, to feed the hungry, to hearten the downtrodden, to help those who were in sorrow, to rescue and save the lost and to teach those around Him the truth. If He is our example, then should we do less? The answer to that should be a hardy NO! Over and over again, Jesus let us know that "My father works...and I work." for the work He did was always the Fathers will, and nothing more and nothing less. Every bit of His work on this earth was heavy work, because carpenters did not have the equipment we do today, His work was hard work, for He was constantly in danger, the work that He did here as also honest work. Not once did He do anything to displease the Father, even to the point of keeping the laws.
All of what Christ did leaves us with a very profound perception, for it elevates any task that we do which has been entrusted to us by the Father, to a very lofty level indeed. This means that any work that we do here is done with love, with humility in cooperation with Christ. There is no such thing as a job to little or to important to do because when we do it as unto the Lord, it is for Him that we labor. Our first duty though is to reach the lost for Christ and the rest is as unto Him. This means that any job, no matter how small or menial, can be a great or supreme service for Him as we do our jobs while here. It is a noble, joint adventure as we do all things as unto the Lord, doing them all with love and worship to the Father. Some seem to think that we can only worship in the house of God but that is not true, for if we do all things, even our earthly jobs, as unto the Lord, then we are giving the honor and glory unto Him who saved our wretched souls.
How we view our work can bring honor and glory to Him, or it can be a negative reflection on what He did for us, it is our choice. We can be joyful, or we can be miserable, it is our choice. A person might simply sweep the streets and yet while doing it, can sing in His soul with joy. A mother might care for small children, or even tough teenagers and yet see it as a badge of honor and a very high calling. A doctor, as an intern, might bathe the open wounds of a leper, but do so with a sparkle in their eyes, because they do it as unto the Lord. Can you see the difference? We can go to our jobs and be miserable or we can go and be a blessing to those we serve or minister to, our choice. Also a layperson can labor at the most menial of jobs and yet bring to that job, dignity of work which is well done and the give the gift of love to those to whom He labors for, because he or she does it as unto the Lord.
Remember this: "Before you cry in your distress, always bless the Lord first for His faithfulness to you in life. Then your simple tasks, done faithfully with Him each day, become lovely mosaics, laid down in the humble pavement of your private walk with Him." (What Makes Life Worth Living, by W. Phillip Keller, page 23). I do not think that I can add anything to that, because when I read it, I could not help but say, AMEN.
So, any work that we do, if it is honest work, and all work that is done for Christ and as unto Him, should always be honest work. DO ALL THINGS AS UNTO THE LORD AND YOU SHALL NEVER FAIL, NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO.
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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Knowing God
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Nov 11, 2009 12:15 pm
92 Views
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Titus 1:16
"They profess that they know God ; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and
disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." KJB
I know, we struggle each and everyday with truly knowing our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. But the only way that we can actually know Him, at least firsthand, is to give the control over your life to Him to run. Let's face it, we do a lousy job at taking the control over our lives, we need to admit it before we can actually give Him the control. We also have to realize at the same time it is the most challenging choice, because that is what it is, that we have to do or ever make. This, giving the control of our lives over to God, is a positive move on our parts but there are two reasons that we have a hard time doing it. When we give control of our lives over to the Holy Spirit, we give it to one who is more powerful than we, ourselves, will ever be, but He needs to be Lord of all or He is Lord of nothing.
Humans are very reluctant to give our lives, our love over to even God, because, let's face it, the old cliche, we like to be kings over our own castles. Especially in America, because it is our right to be free from oppression; we insist on forcing our "rights", to make our own decisions, even though those actions will be totally destructive in nature. WE want to do it, and nothing is going to stop us. Our feelings of exerting our "rights" seems to fall even in the realm of religious actions. WE are certain, no, we "KNOW" that we hold sovereign reign over our own lives, our careers or even our personal conduct towards others, even that is towards God Himself, who is our heavenly Father, even our friend.
We are told in James this: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4 ) KJB. Now, this one verse does not give leeway to hold Lord over our own selves but rather to "Submit...therefore to God..." and why is it that we "submit" to God? Because He gives us the power to "Resist the devil..." and when we do, "...he will flee from..." us. When we are tempted, we can resist: when we have doubts, which are from the devil, we can resist those doubts. After all, it is one of Satan's most effective tools, to make us doubt, because he is constantly saying, "Yea, hath God said..." (Genesis 3:1) KJB.
Now, there are two actual or main reasons or misunderstandings that will underlie our rigid failure or resentment to give control over our lives to God or for that matter to anyone. The first reason or misunderstanding is, to think we can get along fine on our own. We can do it, for we are an entity unto ourselves. Unfortunately, this is a dreadful idea or rather delusion on our part for it is abundantly evident by the terrible direction in which people all over the world are following. We cannot help but see the inhumanity or violence of one man against another. We see the exploitation of the rich to take from the poor, the terrible crimes committed against each other, specifically against the innocent victims. There is also the terrible prejudice of one race against another, of one religion against another religion. I have mentioned the rich but the ruthlessness of those who are rich against the poor can not be left out. Or the many social evils all over the world. All of this should be a warning, we cannot hold complete control over our lives and not stand by and watch all this terrible stuff happen. There is one thing very apparent, men and women the world over, cannot get along with each other, it is as simple as that. If there is land that someone wants, there will be this evil, if there is something that is coveted, there will be this evil, and if there is but one dollar, ruble, or Euro, there will be this evil. We seem, to say, "Why is this happening, if God is a God of love, then why is there such evil in this world?" Because all men and women, the world over, wants the control over their own lives and therefore, because they desire something they are not supposed to have, will not submit to God. Adam and Eve had the complete control over their lives, and God gave to them only one commandment, to not eat of the fruit of the tree which was in the midst of the garden, but what is it that they did? They desired it, they took it, and they ate it, disobeying God. What happened? They lost the fellowship with their Creator and sin came into the world and that is the reason we are in such a miserable condition now, SIN.
The second reason, which is a serious misunderstanding, is about God Himself. All through the tragic history of man, we have sought after God, hence the many different belief systems the world over. We have made gods, making gods of wood, stone or some other material, making false gods to worship. Adam and Eve knew the True God and yet only a few generations later, man sought after other gods to worship, why? Because they did not want to submit to the True God, seeking other gods who would not control them, gods fashioned from their own minds. The Greeks had many gods, the Romans had many gods. God chose one people, the Jews, to tell the world about the ONE TRUE GOD, but they failed miserably, keeping this True God to themselves, and not sharing Him with other peoples or nationality's. There have been literally many deceptive deities which have been formed from mans imaginations. So, it is easy to realize that this dilemma is upon us, because we do not want to give up the control over our lives to the living and personal God of Creation. People are very prejudiced against the phony evil piety of gods and are against any form of religion and this is what adds to our burden of life itself.
So, as you can see, because of man's desire to "run" their own lives, we fail to give the complete and utter control over to God and the best way is to totally ignore the fact that there is a God. But, the truth is, the joyous good news about the one and only True God, is, in fact, the exact opposite of what we believe. Jesus said something that is taken out of context in many "religions" of today, He said: "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:36) KJB. If we submit to the urging of the Holy Spirit, within those who are saved, and submit to God in all things, this is what we shall have, total freedom. We say we are free here in the United States, right? But are we truly free? NO, because true freedom is only found in one thing, or one person, Jesus Christ. If you do this, then the inner person, the real you, will be satisfied and His precious presence in the our lives is of the Holy Spirit, for He is our Comforter and Guide in all things.
Are you truly FREE? NO! If not, submit to God totally and be free for ever more, for all eternity. I am not saying that you will not have problems, but what I am saying is, when the problems come, and they will, you will be given the power, the peace within your souls to get through them.
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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Letter from Jesus about Christmas
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Nov 9, 2009 8:07 pm
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On occassion, I receive e-mail which are too good and carry such a good message that they are worth sharing with as many as possible. The following is one of these received today.
Dear Children,
It has come to my attention that many you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. . . although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. Not just during Christmas time, but all through the year. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing the president complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sends out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family? Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions and words that you are one of mine.
Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :
I LOVE YOU,
JESUS
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Many Called Few Chosen
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Nov 9, 2009 2:32 pm
85 Views
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Matthew 22:14
"For many are called, but few are chosen." KJB
In our text today we read the last verse in one of Christ's parables. This parable concerns the giving of a feast and the master calls many to attend that feast because of a marriage for his son but very few show up. At first, when he sent for his servants, they "...would not come" (vs 3). So, he sent forth his servants again and said "...all things are ready: come unto the marriage" (vs. 4). But those who were bid to come unto the marriage of his son, "But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise" (vs 5). Then next verse in this parable is the most telling of all, for we read: "And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them" (vs. 6). What we have here is a parable about our Lord's disciples and their being a witness for Him, bidding people to come to the greatest feast of all.
"And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God." (Revelation 19:9) KJB. He sends us, his servants (US), to call people to the "...marriage supper of the Lamb..." for those who are called are to be His bride at this the greatest supper that there ever will be. As His servants, when He sends us forth, we come to those who "...would not come...". It seems that when you and I speak the gospel unto the dying we are told to keep our religion to ourselves. Even some say, "I will come when I am ready to come and not any sooner." But, unfortunately there is a date of this the Marriage Supper of the Lamb of God and they will miss the date because they are not ready.
We are sent out again to bid people to come to this supper but those who are told "...made light of it, and went their ways...". Is this not what the world is doing today, we bid them to come but they make light of this bidding, using excuses for why they cannot come. We know that a true believer is also not only a follower of God but also a servant of God. Paul said this: "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God," (Romans 1:1) KJB. And then in his epistle to the church at Galatia he writes: "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10) KJB. As a servant, sent forth to preach the gospel, which is to come to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb of God, he was not only ignored but he also was beat, stoned, left for dead and then finally beheaded for the very cause Christ sent Him forth, to reach men with the gospel so that they to could come to the great supper. God sends forth us, His servants, to bid the multitude to come.
Then we read in this parable this: "The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage." (Matthew 22:8-9) KJB. Those who are bid to come, having killed the servants, are "...not worthy..." but the Master sent forth more servants even to those who killed the first servants He sent, and He told them to "Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage." This is where we are at now. There have been many killed for the cause of Christ, some 55 million since the first murder, that of Christ on the cross of Calvary. Today, even in these modern times, are many servants still being killed because they are going forth bidding men and women to come.
Then we read in this parable, this: "So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?" (Matthew 22:10-12) KJB.
In other words, they who would come did not have on the right garment, which is the righteousness of Christ through salvation so the final act of this Master is this: "Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 22:13) KJB. The final act of the Lamb of God, the Righteous Judge, will be to send those who reject His bidding to come, will be to "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:15) KJB. Jesus taught more about "hell" than He did about "heaven". And those who were judged and rejected His bidding to come will be cast into this lake of fire which was originally prepared for Satan and his evil angels.
The last thing we read in this parable, is our text: "For many are called, but few are chosen." Are you one of those chosen to attend the Marriage Supper of the Lamb of God as His bride? If not, then is it not time to do so, for His second coming and the final judgment at the white throne of judgment is soon there after. Do not be among those who are not of the chosen. WE can chose to reject Him or we can chose to accept Him, our choice.
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
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Times and Seasons
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Nov 8, 2009 5:52 pm
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Acts 1-8
"And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." KJB
Our text is taken from the period of time when Jesus ascended into Heaven to be with the Father till such a time as He would come back as He promised He would. His disciples asked Him: "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6) KJB. However, Christ's answer was far from the answer they were expecting, but He did teach them something that was important: that there was some information that was for the Father alone, and according to this text, the times and seasons was included. We as "finite" beings cannot totally understand nor could we handle some of the information that God alone has, because there is some information that, if we understand it, we would use it incorrectly and usually for our own benefit or improperly. Psalms says this: "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it." (Psalm 139:6) KJB.
I tend to agree with David in this instance.
The Prophet Isaiah teaches us the very same lesson many years before, and we read: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9) KJB. Isaiah is writing what God is telling him to write and in this case God is telling us, through Isaiah, that His ways are far above ours and even His thoughts are not our thoughts, because He is thinking about us, and usually we are not thinking about anyone but ourselves, and that is unfortunate, but true. However,God, through His word, has revealed to us just enough to help us understand that He has a marvelous plan for each and everyone of us and if we would only seek Him out we would learn what that plan is for our lives. However, sometimes the details of that plan are only known by Him and Him alone, we just need to trust and obey, for there is no other way. These plans are completely under His "own power" or rather His control. He not only knows the future but He is in complete control of it, despite what Satan thinks. We might not know what He is doing sometimes but 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 KJB.
If God created time, and He did (Genesis 1:1), it is evident that He can hold authority over it, knowing the past, the present and the future all at one instant. We are held to watching time move by, sometimes too slow, and sometimes way to fast. We see the past, and can do nothing about it, we see the present and can only control that instant of time, and the future we can never know, regardless of what some seem to think. Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, He is also the first and the last (Revelation 22:13), so if that is the case and it is, then He has everything in control because all "...power in heaven and earth..." is His (Matthew 22:1. And because of that "Power" He is the only one who can work out His good pleasure which rests solely with "...the only wise God our Saviour...now and forever" (Jude 25). He can do of His own pleasure no matter what man thinks and does for nothing we do can change what will be: for what will be, will be.
Even though this "power" is His alone He does promise us, His disciples, that "...ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you..." and that "power" will be for one purpose and one purpose, "...ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." This power is not for "prophesying" nor is it for "healing" but rather as His "witnesses" the world over, starting in your own family, spreading out to cover the whole world. AMEN. The only time this power was used for something other than to be a witness was for the Apostles, because Jews require a sign before they would believe, so God gave them even the power to raise from the dead, Peter did, Paul did but we do not hear anything more about that. Some seem to think today that they have the power to heal, but, I am very skeptical about these so called healers, because usually their motivation is money centered.
So let us be His witness unto all the world and wait for the "time and season" of His second coming. Let us reach the lost world with the gospel of Christ, so that they to might be saved.
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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Prepared for YOU
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Nov 7, 2009 6:18 pm
107 Views
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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
99 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
96 Views
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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
111 Views
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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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