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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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This Thing Called Charity
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Oct 1, 2009 2:43 pm
331 Views
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1 Corinthians 13:4-7
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." KJB
The word "charity" which we find in our Bible and specifically the New Testament, is an Old Elizabethan English word and is used to distinguish the different kinds of love somewhat similar to the Greek language, which has several words defining different types of love. The Greek word which is used here in our text for today is the word "agape" and it is the strongest form of "love" which we find in the Bible.
This form of love is the type of love in which the father or mother would show to their children and in the Bible it is God's love for us. It is the form of love which Jesus showed when He went to the cross of Calvary for all mankind. (John 10:17-18; 15:13) KJB. The actual use of the word "agape" is best seen in the verse which is the most quoted verse in the New Testament, John 3:16. But in the terms of marriage it is the love which each married couple should show towards each other. One of the other Greek words which define what love is the the word "phileo": this type of love is the type which a friend might have for a friend, a fondness type of love and not the burning type of love which one parent might show towards their children.
But, our text for today tells us what love actually is and listed are fifteen things which this form of love is and therefore we need to say a little bit about each one. We are speaking about true love, the word "agape".
1. "Charity (agape love) suffereth long..." Which means that "true love" has plenty of patience towards others. As God the Father has towards His creation man. He could have taken man out and created a creature that was totally obedient to Him but He created us, who sin against Him at each turn of the road.
2. Charity is "kind". How many of you are actually kind, God's form of kind towards each other? One of our Lord's commandments for us is that we love (agape) one another as He loved the world and gave Himself for it. True kindness cares little about self but everything towards others, especially towards those we love.
3. "...charity envieth not...": this word "envieth" is the Greek word "zeloo" and has many definitions but one of those is our word "jealous". And is from the word "zelos" which is translated as "jealousy", now we know that jealousy, the wrong form of jealousy is a sin. There is a form of jealousy which is not sin and that form is the type which God has towards us. He is jealous if we worship other god's.
4. "...charity vaunteth not itself...", The Greek word used here is "perpereuomai" and it is literally means to boast. We are saved by grace and grace alone so that we cannot boast about what we did to get to heaven. When we boast about our accomplishments in this life we do not show the humble heart which is what we need to do, humbles ourselves and boast not about what we do. You know, it is hard not to boast about the things we do but that is what we are commanded not to do, boast.
5. "...is not puffed up...": This is the Greek word "phusioo"and literally means to be proud. Now, as there are different forms of boasting, there are also different forms of pride. Now, we can be proud of the things we have accomplished but that pride needs to be directed towards God and not back to self. We walk a fine line when it comes to pride, and when we thump our own chests and say "Look what I have done!" and forget that it is God who works in us then that is sin. But if we give credit where the credit is due, to God, then we are less likely to cross that fine line.
6. Charity "...Doth not behave itself unseemly...": is the Greek word "aschemoneo" and literally means unbecoming which means not to behave proper. We need to strive to be more Christ-like, because when we do we will behave properly towards others and specifically towards God.
7."...seeketh not her own...": This is one of those things which is a form of pride. If we do what God wants us to do we won't be seeking to please ourselves and forget about others. We are not to please ourselves but rather to please God. (Matthew 6:33) KJB.
8. "...is not easily provoked...": Now, this is something which each of us needs to work on, whether we want to admit it or not. How many of you get angry over the slightest little things? I know I am guilty of this. This is something that I have to work on each and every day. This is our temper. If we get hold of our temper then we will not say or do anything which will harm another person. Give your temper to the Lord and seek Him to stop it.
9. "...thinketh no evil...": If we think about God and His kingdom, we will not think evil towards someone else. Think on the things of God and fill your mind with Him and the evil thoughts will not have access in your life. The Devil wants you to think evil because he is evil. He does not care about you or me in the least. He only wants to get back at God.
10. "Rejoiceth not in iniquity...": We all sin, that is the nature of our flesh, but we are commanded not to rejoice in it. We do not need to be "cheerful" (rejoiceth) which the Greek word means.
11. "...but rejoiceth in the truth...": True charity does not rejoice in iniquity or sin but does rejoice in the truth. Truth is Jesus Christ, (John 14:6). When we rejoice in Jesus we are rejoicing in the truth. The truth is only found in Jesus Christ. The world thinks they have the truth when they teach that man came about by accident and not by the creative power of God, but they do not know the truth, Jesus Christ.
12. "...Beareth all things...": True love, agape love, will take anything that is thrown against it. If we are truly in Christ, we can bear everything that the world can do or throw at us. True love does not rebel against what the world does to it but rather rejoices because Jesus overcame the world. Folks, we will have trials and tribulations in this world, but remember, Jesus overcame the world when He went to the cross of Calvary. The battle has already been won, so let us rejoice in this fact and bear the things which come against us.
13. "...believeth all things...": Now, this does not say that we can believe everything that the world is trying to teach us. We are to believe those things which comes from God that is for certain and the test of whether it comes from God or not is written in our Bible. The Greek word here is "pisteuo" and literally means to have faith. Paul is speaking about Godly faith here so yes, we can have all the faith in the world but it is the faith which comes from God. We can have faith that the sun will come up again and we can have faith that it will set again, at least for now. This is what we need to believe and not the worldly things.
14. "...hopeth all things...": Hope can only be found in abundance when we hope in God and His many promises for us.
15. "...endureth all things." While here on this earth, we can endure what the world can do to us when we are in Christ. We can endure if we remember that He is in charge and in the end we will be with Him. In His strength we can find rest and outside of His strength we fail. It is as simple as that.
In all these things which I have listed we need to remember that we can do what true love is, the agape love of God, when we look to Him for His love. He showed us His love for us when He went to the cross and died. Can you show this form of love towards those who persecute you? You are commanded to do so! Remember Jesus did not sin but yet He became sin for us so that we to can give this agape love to others as He loved us.
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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Continuous Preaching/Teaching
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Oct 1, 2009 10:27 am
304 Views
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Acts 5:42
"And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." KJB
When Christ gave us what has been called the Great Commission in Matthew 28 we see what he wants each and every believer to do each and every day of their now born-again lives. And this is the daily preaching and teaching of His word, the Gospel. We read in the Great Commission these great words: "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:18-20) KJB. I want you to realize something from the get go, the early Christians were very serious about doing what the Lord commanded them to do, not because they had seen all of the great miracles that He did while they were with Him during the three years of His earthly ministry. Notice, the fact, that our text tells us about how serious they were in regards to teaching and preaching the Word of God! There are several things that we need to see in the Great Commission.
The first thing is the fact that Jesus was given all the power "...in heaven and in earth." What more power can there be than what was shown to man from the very beginning of time. The very fact that God spoke everything into existence by simply speaking it, what more power is there? Some seem to think that because they have many billions of dollars that they have the power to do what every they want to. I cannot help but to think that this might be true, here on this earth, but what about afterwards, where will that "money" power leave them when they die and they are standing in front of the one who has the true power? I will tell you, on their knees confessing that He is the King of King's and Lord of Lord's, and saying that they want Him to send someone to tell their families that they were wrong. Remember the story of the poor man and the rich man: And after the rich man died and found out that he was wrong: "Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." (Luke 16:27-31) KJB. Obviously this was a Jewish rich man who found power in his wealth. Remember, when you die you cannot take it with you. What would happen if you died today, would you be as the rich man or would you be as the poor beggar, Lazarus (who was comforted in the bosom of God). The rich man died, found himself in hell and asked God to send someone to tell his five brothers about what happened to him. Folks, real power is not found in things but in God. I am not going to quote Matthew 6:33 again but read it yourself and find out for yourself what you are supposed to do.
The next thing we see in the Great commission is that Jesus commands us to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations...", so what is it we are to go and teach? Remember what Jesus said in Mark 16:15?"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." KJB We are to go and preach the gospel! I have spoken on numerous occasions what this "gospel" (death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Himself). When we believe, not just that Jesus died and was buried, because everyone dies at some time or another and is buried (cremation is a type of burial), but the main issue about the Gospel is that Jesus rose again the third day. That is what we are to preach to them so that they can be saved. We also need to make sure that they understand that they are sinners in need of a Savior.
The very next thing we are to do is by "...baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost...". I want you to understand something. BAPTISM HAS NO SAVING VALUE WHAT SO EVER BUT RATHER IT SHOWS THE WORLD THAT WE HAVE BEEN BOUGHT WITH A PRICE AND THAT WE ARE SHOUTING TO THE WORLD THAT WE ARE HIS AND HIS ALONE. What about when Mark said: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16) KJB. This is often quoted by those who believe that they need to get baptized in order to be saved, but of which baptism are they speaking of? There are two main types of Baptism spoken of in our Bible, first baptism is the baptism we receive from the Holy Spirit the instant we ask Jesus to come into our hearts and save us. John the Baptist said: "I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost." And then we read also from Matthew these words: "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:" (Matthew 3:11) KJB. The first baptism we receive, as I said earlier in this devotion, is from the Holy Ghost. The very word "baptism" is the Greek word "baptizo" which literally means, to plunge to immerse completely. We are "immersed or completely covered by the Holy Ghost” and God the Father does not see us but rather He sees the Holy Ghost and not our sins because they are covered by the blood of the Lamb of God, for when He sees the blood He will passover us and not condemn us. That is the first Baptism, the second baptism is only a picture, as I said before, the picture of our Lord's death, burial and resurrection. We are made wet by the water which completely covers us, a picture of the Holy Ghost covering us completely, and we are raised again as our Lord rose from the dead. He is standing at the Right Hand of God, so shall we be at some time in the future, but only if we are saved.
The last thing that we read in the Great Commission is this: "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you...". You mean, the first teaching is to get them saved, and the last teaching is something different? Yes! But it is great to cover the doctrine of salvation again and again, so that they can also lead someone to the Lord the same as they were lead to the Lord. So then, what are we to teach them? We are to do what has been called "disciplining" or rather to teach them the great doctrines in the Bible. And there are many doctrines in the Bible so it will take a life time to learn them. So, are we ever completely finished in our learning about the Bible? NO! I tell you, I have my bachelors, my masters, and my doctorate in Theology but the more I learn, the more I think I have to learn. I am seeking my second doctorate and will never learn all there is in the Bible. So, do not ever think that you have learned it all because it is at that time when you will most likely be so heavenly that you are no earthly good. We are told over and over again to GO, TEACH, PREACH THE GOSPEL SO THAT OTHERS CAN COME TO THE LORD. So we will never be through doing this thing called the Great Commission because there are over 6 billion people in the world today and "most" of those will go to a Christless hell because they rejected God, the true God of the Bible, for there are many god's in this world but there is only One God who can get us to heaven, Jesus Christ, for He is the only way to the Father. (John 14:6) KJB.
Both peaching and teaching is vitally important to man for it is because of this that men, women and children are saved. If we fail to teach and preach we will have to stand before God and explain to Him why not! But you know something, there is no excuse for not doing as commanded to do. The Great Commission is not given to just the Pastors and the Deacons of the church but to every one who calls themselves born-again. There are some who call themselves Christian but they teach and preach the wrong Jesus (ie., Mormon's or Jehovah's Witness). Their Jesus in definitely not the Jesus of the Bible. The Mormon's Jesus is the brother of Satan, the Jehovah's Witness's Jesus is a Spirit and not of flesh and bones. It does matter what Jesus is preached and taught! So, the only way to learn about the Real Jesus is by "Studying to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, but rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15) KJB. And here is the reason why: "But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness... Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (2 Timothy 2:16, 19) KJB.
First, get saved, Second get baptized (for not one was baptized before they received Christ as Savior), then learn more about Him by taking good Bible classes or study your self by getting a good study Bible to work with.
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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The Birth of the Song "Precious Lord"
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Sep 28, 2009 7:23 pm
407 Views
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(Received via e-mail)
THE BIRTH OF THE SONG 'PRECIOUS LORD'
Back in 1932, I was a fairly new husband. My wife, Nettie and I were
living in a little apartment on Chicago 's south side. One hot August
afternoon I had to go to St. Louis where I was to be the featured soloist at a
large revival meeting. I didn't want to go. Nettie was in the last month of
pregnancy with our first child. But a lot of people were expecting me in St.
Louis. I kissed Nettie good-bye, clattered downstairs to our Model A
and, in a fresh Lake Michigan breeze, chugged out of Chicago on Route 66.
However, outside the city, I discovered that in my anxiety at leaving, I
had forgotten my music case. I wheeled around and headed back.
I found Nettie sleeping peacefully. I hesitated by her bed; something
was strongly telling me to stay. But eager to get on my way, and not wanting
to disturb Nettie, I shrugged off the feeling and quietly slipped out of
the room with my music.
The next night, in the steaming St. Louis heat, the crowd called on me to
sing again and again. When I finally sat down, a messenger boy ran up
with a Western Union telegram. I ripped open the envelope. Pasted on the
yellow sheet were the words: YOUR WIFE JUST DIED.
People were happily singing and clapping around me, but I could hardly
keep from crying out. I rushed to a phone and called home. All I could hear
on the other end was 'Nettie is dead. Nettie is dead.'
When I got back, I learned that Nettie had given birth to a boy. I swung
between grief and joy. Yet that same night, the baby died. I buried
Nettie and our little boy together, in the same casket. Then I fell apart.
For days I closeted myself. I felt that God had done me an injustice. I
didn't want to serve Him anymore or write gospel songs. I just wanted to
go back to that jazz world I once knew so well. But then, as I hunched
alone in that dark apartment those first sad days, I thought back to the
afternoon I went to St. Louis. Something kept telling me to stay with Nettie. Was
that something God? Oh, if I had paid more attention to Him that day, I
would have stayed and been with Nettie when she died.
From that moment on I vowed to listen more closely to Him. But still I was
lost in grief. Everyone was kind to me, especially one friend. The
following Saturday evening he took me up to Maloney's Poro College , a
neighborhood music school. It was quiet; the late evening sun crept through the
curtained windows.
I sat down at the piano, and my hands began to browse over the keys.
Something happened to me then. I felt at peace. I felt as though I could reach
out and touch God. I found myself playing a melody, once into my head they
just seemed to fall into place: 'Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on,
let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn, through the storm, through
the night, lead me on to the light, take my hand, precious Lord, lead me
home.'
The Lord gave me these words and melody, He also healed my spirit. I
learned that when we are in our deepest grief, when we feel farthest from God,
this is when He is closest, and when we are most open to His restoring
power.
And so I go on living for God willingly and joyfully, until that day comes
when He will take me and gently lead me home.
-Tommy Dorsey-
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Blessed Peacemakers
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Sep 28, 2009 7:18 pm
323 Views
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BLESSED PEACEMAKERS
Matthew 5:9
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." KJB
This, the seventh of nine beatitudes, is important in that it is among the opening of Christ's Sermon on the Mount and is actually the first mention in the New Testament of the word "peace." The word "peace" is the Greek word "eirenopoios" and means literally "pacificatory", peaceable. In other words, Jesus is saying that anyone who strives to make peace is "blessed" and throughout the history of Christianity we see over and over again that true Christians have striven to make peace no matter what the problem is. Jesus actually calls these, "...the children of God." Of course, peacemakers do not have to be Christian in order to strive for peace, whether it is among themselves or between others.
I cannot help but to think what does Christ mean or rather what makes one a peacemaker? I want you to notice something though, even though the meaning of the Greek word literally is of a "pacificatory" attitude or sense, but that does not make peace makers pacifists. Have you noticed that the word "peace" is being thrown out there by those who are the ones who are not at peace? There have been many through out the history of man that talk about peace, but they do nothing about actually making it happen. Now, how does one make peace, when it seems that peace is the last thing on the minds of those who actually need the peace?
If one was to study history thoroughly, they would find that no lasting peace can ever be found between men, or man to man. There is one thing for sure, this cannot happen until they actually make peace with God first. Remember what Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you." If we are to make or seek peace with God first then peace with man is a by-product of that union between God and man. Paul said: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). And then He said this: "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:1 KJB. In other words, when we are first reconciled to God, this thing called peace is from Him because we of ourselves have a hard time making peace with those who seem to be against us. Notice the problem with trying to make peace outside of having Christ in our lives? It is hard to make peace when one does understand what true peace is. Paul also says this: "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding , shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4 ) KJB.
Now, if the problem of not being able to make true peace outside of Christ, then after our conversion, we are in a position to become true peacemakers. The best way to help others become peaceful would be to lead them to Christ. The day that I received Christ a peace came onto me that I cannot explain, it was as though the weight which weighed me down from carrying around so much baggage, most coming from my experience in Vietnam. It was from that time till now that I have been able to speak about it and to tell others what I went through, why? Because the peace that I received from Christ, helped me to speak about it. Our commandment from God is to lead others to Christ, right? Then why do most of us not do what we are commanded to do? If the peace which passeth all understanding is ours at our conversion or salvation, then why wouldn't we want to share that with others, especially the ones that we love, our friends and family. Jesus, "...hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation..." or rather given to us what we need to know in order to lead others to Christ, even if that was just our testimony, and when we finish that verse, we would read: "...To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:18-20) KJB.
Paul tells us that we are ambassadors for Christ, as Paul said in his epistle to the church at Corinth, and the the word "ambassador" is the Greek word "presbeuo" and that means to be a representative for another. We are "ambassadors" for Christ or rather we are His representative here on this earth, therefore, we are true ambassadors for Christ when we become His peacemakers. Now, there are several types of peace, there is world peace, racial peace, industrial peace, family peace, or personal peace and when we help them to be reconciled to God, then His peace will come on them also. When people are reconciled to God their faith in the peace-making work of Christ by changing the hearts of those who accept Him and what He did on the cross of Calvary. Christ said: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) KJB. Notice, while we are on the world, we will have tribulation, but Christ overcame the world and we can find our peace through the knowledge that He has already won the battle. Peace is not hard to come by, if only the world would all come to the saving grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But, alas, that will not happen until He is here and done what He needs to do, and that is to make the world complete in Him, which will "make true peace": the peace that the world has never known, at least since the fall of Adam and Eve.
What about you? Are you at peace with God? If not why not? Seek Him first, then the peace which passeth all understanding will be yours to have. Then tell someone else about this peace you have.
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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God's Story
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Sep 28, 2009 7:13 pm
357 Views
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1 Corinthians 15:1
"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;" KJB
The very word "gospel" comes actually from the Anglo-saxon word "god-spel" and literally means "God's-story." Paul uses the Greek word which is "euaggelion" which literally means "good-story", and we get our word "evangel" from this word, which means the "good message" or "good messenger". Now, the prefix "eu" or "ev" is the word "good" and "aggelion" means "messenger", there for we have "euaggelion", "good messenger". When someone comes to you and tells you about the "good message" or "gospel" they are relating to you the "good message" or "God's Story”. Therefore, the messenger or angel is the bearer of God's great message to His Creation, so what is this message?
When we read in the next few verses about what this message is we see what Christ did on the cross of Calvary. Thus it is God's good message relayed through the cross about God's love for mankind. Paul first tells us that he "declares" the gospel to them and that he even preached it unto them. They, meaning those he talked to, received this great message and because they received it, they stand in it also, or rather live because of it. We further read: "By which also ye are saved..." which means that this good message of God's story is given to them, they received it, they live because of it and now we read that they are also saved by this "good news" or God's Story. And then Paul reminds them that because he preached it to them, "...if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain." Was what they heard, received, and saved by, received by them in vain or was Paul's words for nothing?
Then, the very next two verses give us the definition of what this gospel is, or it is the very heart of the "good message". For we read: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) KJB. Paul delivered this good message, they received it, now what is the actual good message?
The first thing that we see, is "...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures...". Christ came, fulfilled the prophecies (ie. Scriptures) in that He would be lifted up and killed for the sins of the whole world, for He "...came to seek and to save that which was lost" which is actually the souls of men, for we also read in the Old Testament Scriptures this: "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." (Leviticus 17:11) KJB. It was His blood, shed on that cross, which atones for the souls of all the world's lost. We read that when the soldiers noticed that He was dead they did not break His legs but rather thrust a spear into His side and what came forth was a mixture of water and blood.
The next thing we read about this "good message" is "...that he was buried...". The Jews or rather Nicodemus, the same who came to Him at night and Jesus taught him about being "born again", it is the same who asked for his body so that they can get Jesus into the tomb before it got dark, because of their beliefs about the "Passover". Jesus was buried in this mans own tomb, which again, fulfills Scriptures in that the Messiah would be buried in a borrowed tomb, one in which was not His own, but rather someone else's.
The last things we read about this "good message" is that Jesus "...rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" In other words, He fulfilled His own prophecies when He told them Pharisees and Sadducees that if they destroyed this temple, meaning Himself, He would rebuild it again in three days.
The Jews mocked Him because it took several years to build the Temple, which Rome destroyed in 70 AD. He rose again, proving that He is God and that He was the Messiah. They were afraid that those who followed Him would steal His body from the tomb, therefore, the Romans placed a guard on the tomb so that they would not happen. We have to remember this, if a Roman soldier failed to do what he was commanded to do, it was a matter of death and he would surely be put to death because of his failure. So, for those who claim that His body was stolen from the tomb does not wash. He rose from the dead, having the angels remove the stone from in front of His tomb, but He was not there. He rose through the solid rock and He only left His burial cloth there. Jesus is the only one in history who rose from the dead and is still alive today, standing at the right hand of God, making intercession for all believers.
This "Gospel" is a glorious set of great news. (2 Corinthians 4:4) KJB. This Gospel is through which Christ "...hath brought life and immortality to light..." (2 Timothy 1:10) and it is through this Gospel we are saved. Without this "Gospel" there can not be salvation, because if He did not go to the cross, die for our sins, was buried, and rose again, we would not have a chance at this immortal life. This "Gospel" is the "...gospel of peace..." (Ephesians 6:15) KJB. This gospel is the one which brings "...the fullness of the blessing..." (Romans 15:29), to all mankind, if they would only believe it.
Now, the time frame for this is "everlasting" (Revelations 14:6) and is from the beginning of time when God created the heavens and earth which is the foundation of this gospel. (Revelations 14). This, from the beginning, is by Christ Himself (Colossians 1:16) and the apostle Paul warns us about "any other gospel" which is not this gospel. The true gospel is the one He preached, we received, and are saved by, Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. No other gospel will do. (Galatians 1:8-9). Now, this gospel, the Story of God's Love for mankind, is the only one which can save lost souls from their sins and should never be replaced by any other gospel, because no other gospel gives life eternal and is only there so that Satan can keep mankind from coming to the true Gospel of God, the Great Story of Salvation and Deliverance for all mankind. This is the only Gospel which we are to preach, teach and live for, no other gospel will do.
What about you, do you believe that Jesus is who He said He is, the Messiah: God who came in the flesh, died, was buried and rose again the third day? (John 1:1-14) KJB.
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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Something to think about.
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Sep 27, 2009 4:30 pm
339 Views
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DID YOU KNOW?
As you walk up the steps to the
building which houses the U.S Supreme Court
you can see near the top of the building a row
of the world's law givers and each one is
facing one in the middle who is facing forward
with a full frontal view ... it is Moses and he
is holding the Ten Commandments!
DID YOU KNOW?
As you enter the Supreme Court courtroom, the
Two huge oak doors have the Ten Commandments
Engraved on each lower portion of each door.
DID YOU KNOW?
As you sit inside the courtroom, you can see
The wall, right above where the Supreme Court
judges sit, a display of the Ten Commandments!
DID YOU KNOW?
There are Bible verses etched in stone all
over the Federal Buildings and Monuments in
Washington , D.C.
DID YOU KNOW?
James Madison, the fourth president, known as
'The Father of Our Constitution' made the
following statement:
' We have staked the whole of all our political
institutions upon the capacity of mankind for
self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to
the Ten Commandments of God.'
DID YOU KNOW?
Every session of Congress begins with a prayer
by a paid preacher, whose salary has been paid
by the taxpayer since 1777.
DID YOU KNOW?
Fifty-two of the 55 founders of the
Constitution were members of the established
orthodox churches in the colonies.
DID YOU KNOW?
Thomas Jefferson worried that the Courts would
overstep their authority and instead of
interpreting the law would begin making law
an oligarchy
the rule of few over many.
How then, have we gotten to the point that
everything we have done for 220 years in this
country is now suddenly wrong and
unconstitutional?
Lets put it around the world and let the world
see and remember what this great country was
built on.
It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God.
Therefore, it is very hard to understand
why there is such a mess about having the Ten
Commandments on display or 'In God We Trust'
on our money and having God in the Pledge of
Allegiance. Why don't we just tell the other
14% to Sit Down and SHUT UP!!!
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Problems Galore
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Sep 26, 2009 3:37 pm
362 Views
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Psalm 55:6-7
"And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah." KJB
This Psalm of David is literally a Psalm of "complaint" and gives us great insight into what he was going through. What with having to dodge the king and his murderous rampage and many other things, he looked for a way to escape, to run away from, or even to "...like a Dove..." and "...fly away..." and "...remain in the wilderness."
Many years earlier, the prophet Jonah (his name literally means Dove), tried that very tactic and look what it did for him: swallowed by the great whale and was there for three days and three nights. (Jonah 1:3-15). If we are to take David's and Jonah's example, it does not pay to run from your problems, because usually they just follow you any way. AMEN
Then I want you to notice what David did in his complaining to the Lord. (Psalm 55:9-15). He tried to berate them and complain to the Lord at: "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice" (Psalm 55:17). The words, "...pray, and cry aloud..." could also be translated as "complain and mourn", so if we rewrite this verse it would say: "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I complain and mourn: and he shall hear my voice." However, in verse nine we see David's actual motive towards those prayers, for we read: "Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city." (vs. 9). And then David starts in belittling them by saying: "Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it. Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets." (vss. 10-11). But these are not enemies which David is complaining about but rather those who are his supposedly "friends" for we read: "For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company." (vss. 11-15). These friends of his were out to destroy David probably because they wanted to get on the good side of King Saul, the one who had tried to impale David with a spear at least twice before because of jealousy. Of course, that is just speculation on my part. But, the apostle Paul tells us this: "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." (Romans 12:19), which is actually a quote taken from an Old Testament Scripture in Deuteronomy 32:35 KJB, "To me belongeth vengeance , and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste."
But when David thought all was lost and the Lord would not give him an answer, and he would find the rest that he so diligently sought after, for we read: "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." (vs. 22). Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) KJB. What better person to lay your burdens on than the King of King's, and the Lord of Lord's. David had the same Lord as we do today and his problems are no more worse than those we face today, even though at the time David thought otherwise. Of course, we might not have someone out to kill us like David did but maybe to us it would cause the same burdens as David had. Notice what David said in the very last verse of that Psalm: "But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee." David knew that in the end his God would have the final say about what happens. The great thing about it is this, we have the same or better knowledge about what the end would be like because David did not have the end of the story as we have in our Bible, God's final word to mankind.
There has been over 2,400 years of silence from the Lord, the 400 years between Malachi and the New Testament, and the last 2,000 years. But, the time will come when the very words of the Lord will be broadcast over the entire world and all will know what He wants and what He is going to do and that time is rapidly approaching. Are you prepared for that time to come? If not, why not?
If you are troubled and heavy laden with problems, give them to the Lord to handle. He can do a much better job of fixing them than you can ever think of doing and everything that He does will be perfect of that you can rest assured. The way to actually deal with your problems is not to flee from them but rather to face them head on and to give them to the Lord: Peter said: "Casting all your care upon the Him; for He careth for you" (1 Peter 5) KJB. If you run from them they will be there when you get back or you will take them with you, you cannot escape your problems. Jonah learned the lesson the hard way because I know that I would not want to be swallowed by a large fish and left in it's belly for three days. Can you imagine the stench and all the other stuff that the fish swallowed before and after you? Yucccckkk.
What about you, are you trying to run from your problems? If so, give them to God instead and watch what He does with them.
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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The Good Shepherd
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Sep 25, 2009 12:53 pm
393 Views
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Psalm 23:1
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." KJB
This one chapter in the Bible is one of the most loved and quoted chapters in the entire Bible. Along with John 10:1-30 we have one of the greatest examples when it comes to the security of the believer. The 23rd Psalm is a beautiful picture of Christ and John 10 literally has Christ telling us that He is the Great Shepherd. He is the "good shepherd" which "giveth His life for the sheep", which He did on the cross of Calvary. However, He did it not only for the sheep which knoweth Him, but for the entire world. If we could understand these two chapters we can understand how much God loves us and willingly stood and gave His life for this world, this world which rejects Him over and over again. Humanly speaking, when man is rejected they want nothing more to do with those who reject them, but speaking Godly we see that is when God tries even the more to bring those who reject Him into the fold.
During the time of David we find that the shepherds would take the flock of sheep out into the country side to eat and when it came time to take and pen the flock back up they would do so and then usually sleep across the entrance to keep out those who would harm the flock. After all, sheep are not the smartest animal in the world. Therefore, when one understands how the shepherd protects the flock it is easier to accept that the security of the believer is there for all who accept the Great Shepherd.
Within the 23rd Psalm we find that all six verses are fine examples of God's testimony towards the providing and protecting the believer in Christ. And in the 10th chapter of John we find that the word "shepherd" is used six times and each time it is used gives us another picture of God's work when it comes to providing the protection for the believer. I hazard to guess, this is not a mere coincidence, but is set this way in order to show us how much the Old Testament and the New Testament are interconnected. Without the Old Testament we would not be able to understand much in the New and vice-versa. There are also six other references in the New Testament in regards to the shepherd.
David, in the 23rd Psalm, gives us a very personal aspect when he uses the personal pronouns such as "I", "me", "my", etc. He lets us know that we have also the same Good Shepherd and we to can have no need to want of anything because He will provide all our needs according to His riches in glory. (Philippians 4:19) KJB. He makes us lie down in those very same green pastures, speaking also of His providing our sustenance to live. (John 10:9) KJB. And He calms the stormy seas of our lives and gives to us the still waters. (Matthew 8:27; Mark 4:41; and Luke 8:25) KJB. When anyone receives Christ, their souls are restored or as our Lord said, they are born-again. (John 3:3). If we listen to the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, we will be lead in the "paths of righteouness for His name's sake." We all walk through many valleys of the shadow of death and we need not fear what man can do to us because our souls are already in the hands of God, who gave His life that we might have that eternal security, because as we go through this life, as His child, Christ Jesus is with us. We, as His children, has the comfort of knowing that God loves us because when His "rod and staff" is brought to bear we are reminded that when God does chasten us, He is showing His love towards us. That is why it is so important that we, as God's children, understand that when He uses that rod and staff to correct us when we do wrong, we could do no less with our own children. The world does not comprehend this and never will until our Lord is their Lord and Savior. Our lives are bountiful and even though our enemies would seek to destroy us, the Lord provides what we need when we need it because He prepares the table while we are yet buffeted about by those enemies, and the entire world is our enemy. As David said, the Lord "anointest my [our] head with oil" a picture of salvation and that the soul is healed completely because of it. Our cups definitely over flow with the many blessings that He gives to those who love Him and seek after Him. While we are yet here on this earth, His "goodness and mercy shall follow" us "all the days of my [our] life" and we shall "dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."
The word "sheep" is used 17 times in John 10 with this grand theme of His loving us so much that He died for us and when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, that salvation will be for all eternity and can never be taken away. Now, the number 17 is repeatedly crops up throughout our Bible and each and every time it comes up, it is referring to the security of the believer or that of the nation of Israel if it is in the Old Testament. For example, we find Paul in the 8th chapter of his Epistle to the church at Rome listing 17 things that can never "separate us from the love of God" (eternal security). (Romans 8:35-39) KJB. This in only one example but it is the example which is used the most to show that we are eternally secure in Christ when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, no matter what man can do to us.
Now, this 23rd Psalm which speaks of David's security in His Lord, which by the way is the very same Lord that we have, contains this great promise and testimony. As David said, we can say "Surely Christ's love, His goodness and His mercy shall follow me as long as I live, and when I die I will live in His presence within His house for all eternity." What a great and wonderful promise we have in Christ when we learn to accept Him and then live for Him while yet here on this earth. When we learn this, we are joyful beyond measure. Now, having joy and being happy are not the same thing because we can have joy in the Lord and yet not have happiness because of our circumstances while here on this earth.
Take heed in what David said and you to shall say the same thing as he did.
Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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Tears in Heaven
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Sep 24, 2009 2:47 pm
442 Views
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Isaiah 25:8
"He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it." KJB
Some will try to tell us that there are no tears in heaven but there are at least three places in our Bible which literally speaks of our tears and how God will wipe those tears away. Our text is the first place in the Bible which speaks about this, the wiping away of our tears off all faces. What a great promise.
This text is quoted in the New Testament by Paul, he said, (even though it does not speak about the tears portion but it is in regards to the second coming of the Lord): "Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1 Corinthians 15:54-55) KJB. The graves will be emptied on earth and death itself will die when Christ comes again! But there will still be those tears in heaven, because He could not wipe them from our eyes if there were not tears.
We read about the tears portion from the Apostle John in the book of Revelation and we read: "For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Revelation 7:17; 21:4) KJB. These tears, that He will wipe away from our eyes, will be no more but they are still in heaven, but once He wipes our tears from our eyes, we will never cry again. All three references to our tears being wiped away are in regards to the second coming of Christ. "...[who] shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Now, the last one is actually in New Jerusalem, "...God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
The question has been asked, why should there be tears when death has finally been wiped out completely? Our Bible does not speak clearly on this subject but I believe that probable these tears are in regards to those lost opportunities to speak to others about the salvation which comes through Jesus Christ, especially with our own loved ones. But, once those tears are wiped away and when we are in His presence, He will wipe those tears away and they will be no more, AMEN. Our Bible does say though, in the new earth, we shall "look upon" the lost (Isaiah 66:22, 24) and that some of the saved "shall suffer loss" when their works during their physical life, do not "abide" in the judgment and Paul speaks of this in his epistle to the church at Corinth, (1 Corinthians 3:13-15). However, even though these tears will be shed, God will wipe them from their eyes, and there will not be any more tears nor even crying anymore. AMEN. I know, that in my life, there are those times when I did not speak about the Lord and His gracious salvation to some who came into and out of my life after I received Christ myself. It still amazes me, that after over twenty one, almost twenty two years of my Christian walk, that I still feel very emotional and shed a few tears over those who I am able to lead to the Lord and I know that is He who lives within me that is over joyed with their salvation. But there are some with whom the Lord caused a sense of needing to speak to someone and I did not do it, it is those times which I might shed tears in heaven because of my disobedience to the Holy Spirit and His nudging me. I have asked the Lord for forgiveness for those times.
What about you, do you speak about the Lord to others? If not, why not? As you came to the Lord because of someone speaking about Him to you, why won't you speak to others about Him? We are all commanded to spread the Gospel of Christ so that others might learn and be saved. God will wipe away those tears of regret and we shall never shed tears again because there will not be any more sorrow, nor even pain for that matter in heaven. Praise God for His great promise.
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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Son of Man Son of God
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Sep 23, 2009 9:27 am
258 Views
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Matthew 8:20
"And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." KJB
In our Bible we find two descriptions of Jesus as being both the Son of God and the Son of man, which He was the only one capable of fulfilling both roles. Jesus taught clearly that He was the Son of God and that we need to think of Him in both His roles, as God coming in the flesh, and as one who came to experience being fully man at the same time. We read this: "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities ; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15) KJB. He couldn't be touched with the feeling of our infirmities because He was feeling them for Himself. He felt pain, He felt anger, He felt love, He felt sadness and the rest of human feelings, which we all go through while here on this earth.
We read the phrase, "...son of man..." first in the book of Numbers: "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man , that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19) KJB. Notice in this one verse, being about the Messiah to come, brings out both His being man and also God, who cannot lie and does not need to repent of anything. We find that the phrase "...son of man..." is used 196 times in our Bible, and most of them refer to God in some way or another, bringing forth God's attributes as the son of man. We read in Psalms this: "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man , that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour." (Psalm 8:4-5) KJB. This one reference is about the Messiah coming to earth, becoming man, but yet He is still God come in the flesh. After a few verses in which we find what He is in control of, and then the last verse of Psalm 84, we read: "O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!" (Psalm 8:1, 9) KJB. Both words which are translated as "LORD" here is the word "Jehovah" which literally means "self-existant or eternal God". We cannot help but think about the New Testament verses when we read these words in Psalms, which says: "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11) KJB.
We learn by reading the New Testament that God had to come to earth, to live a sinless life, and die for the sins of all mankind in order for us to be saved. He came to seek and to save that which was lost, the souls of mankind. John wrote: "Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world." (1 John 4:2-3) KJB. As perfect and sinless man, He could represent us before the Father, and finally, because a perfect blood sacrifice was required to atone for the sins of man, Christ went to the cross, shedding His perfect blood, making the payment for man's sins, all of them (past-present-future). Some would try to tell us that because of this doctrine we have full license to sin all the more, which is true, but they do not understand, that once we are saved, we do not want to sin. In fact, we go out of our way not to sin, not even the appearance of sin. If someone was to look at you, would you reflect Jesus' perfection back at them or would they still think you are sinning because of what they see? Remember, our Bible tells us, "Abstain from all appearances of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:22) KJB. That means, if someone would even think you are not doing the things they think a Christian should do, they would say, "What a hypocrite that person is! They say they are Christian but look at them, look at what they are doing." Even though you might be doing everything you can not to sin, they might not see that you are. People will see what they want to see. If they look for sin, they will find it in something you do or don't do. So, remember to not put yourself in the position where someone would say you are not who you say you are, a child of God.
Satan and his cohorts recognized Jesus as the Son of God (Matthew 4:3; 8:28-29) KJB. But not once did Satan recognize Jesus as the son of man! This attitude is reflected today in the so called "New Age" movement, and also the so called "pantheistic"religions of today. Pantheism is the doctrine which equates God with the forces and the laws of the Universe. They mock Christ and glibly speak of Christ as a spirit which might possibly come on many and very bitterly refuses to recognize Him as fully man as well as being the Son of God, coming as God in the flesh.
To end this, I cannot help but to realize, that He only became the Son of man at His incarnation, but that He will remain the Son of man for all eternity. John saw Him in His glory, as we will see Him in the same glory when we are with Him, for we will see Him as the "...one like unto the Son of man..." (Revelation 1:13;14:14) KJB. We will see as He is, AMEN! What a glorious day that will be.
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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To link to this blog (livingmyfaith) use [blog livingmyfaith] in your messages.
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