Time for Church!

 Time for Church!

"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed [when we became believers]. 

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. [the day of the Lord’s return is at hand “So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.”]

“Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. [“Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.”]

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” [“Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.”] - Romans 13:11-14 

Make sure, to begin with, you have “put on Christ” and you are not making “provision for the flesh.”

You do this by repenting of your sins, being baptized in the name of “JESUS” for the remission of your sins, and being baptized with His Spirit (being filled with the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues as His Spirit gives you the utterance Acts 2:4).

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." - Galatians 3:27 

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 

"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." - Galatians 5:16 

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." - Galatians 6:9 

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. - Hebrews 10:25

Salvation - A One, Two, Three Step Plan

 

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38 KJV

Happy Thanksgiving

Today is a special day to give our sincere thanks to the awesome God we serve. Jesus is full of mercy and love. He has blessed us in so many ways today and over the years that it will take eternity to thank Him. 

Today as we give thanks to the Lord, may each and every one of you feel His loving presence and His precious joy!

"Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms." - Psalm 95:2 

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name." - Psalm 100:4 

"And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing." - Psalm 107:22 

"I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD." - Psalm 116:17

In Everything...With Thanksgiving...

 

Jesus works things out for us in every situation when we ask Him to help us. When we go one step further and pray in the Holy Ghost, we find the peace of God which passes understanding.

We find confidence that Jesus is taking care of the problems in our life that we are turning over to Him - situations that were too big for us to handle, too stressful, seemingly impossible to deal with.

Through His Spirit, He guards our mind and thoughts from fear and doubt, keeping our confidence in Him and His power to take care of our every situation.

There is nothing too big or too small to ask Jesus for help with. His faithfulness and all that He does for us is a reason for every request to be made with thanksgiving.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 KJV

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit" - Ephesians 6:18 KJV

"But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost," - Jude 1:20 KJV

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful." - Colossians 3:15 KJV

Birth of the Church

 From: Exploring God's Word Bible study.

Church!

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with THANKSGIVING, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." - Psalm 100:1-5 KJV (my caps)

 

The "Christmas Tree"

 The “Christmas Tree” is secured upright and placed as a centerpiece in the home where family and friends may gather around it in awe of its glory. Adorned with gold, silver, and lights, gifts placed at its foot and a heav⁵enly star for a crown. Even a song, "O Christmas tree”. 

It has long been a pagan custom to set an evergreen tree inside the house during Winter Solstice celebrations, honoring the woodland spirits. (When all the other trees were dead, it was alive – “by a spirit”)

"The idea of bringing the evergreen into the house represents fertility and new life in the darkness of winter, which was much more of the pagan themes," Dr Dominique Wilson from the University of Sydney said.

What does Jeremiah say about this? "Learn not the way of the heathen..." Jeremiah 10:2-6

"Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 

"For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 

"They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. 

"They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. 

"Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might."

In EVERYTHING give thanks!

 

In EVERYTHING give thanks!

When things are going good, it is easy to give thanks to Jesus. What about when things are going not so good?

There is a story about a certain Rabbi (From: Jewishhistory.org):

“Rabbi Akiva’s favorite maxim was, “All that God does He does for the good.” Once, after he was unable to find any place to sleep in a certain city, he passed the night alone in the forest and repeated his maxim calmly, “All that God does is for the good.” Then, one after another, a lion devoured his donkey, a cat killed his rooster and the wind extinguished his candle. Each time he said, “All that God does is for the good.” When dawn arrived he discovered that a band of robbers had fallen upon the city and carried its inhabitants into captivity. Only he had escaped because his donkey and rooster were not around to make any noises and his extinguished candle did not give away his location (Berachos 60b).”

If we think about it, we can remember events in our life that appeared bad at the time, but later worked out to be a blessing. Some of these events were financial. Some of these events were spiritual. People have been delayed and missed being involved in bad accidents. Others that have turned their back on God, their life going in a bad direction, have experienced a catastrophe in their life that turned them back to God saving their life and soul from destruction. God has a purpose, and ALL things work together for our good.

"And 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 8:28 KJV

This is why we can and should give thanks in everything! God is working things out in our life for a purpose and for our good.

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV

Thanksgiving

 

When we make our requests to God, we show COMPLETE faith when we give thanks WHEN we pray. 

Another important thing we are to include when we pray, is to ask ACCORDING TO GOD’S WILL.

"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:" - 1 John 5:14 

Jesus knows the future, He knows what is best for us and best for everyone. WE IMAGINE what is best for what we are praying about, but Jesus KNOWS what is best.

This is why we can give thanks when we pray. We know that Jesus is going to answer our prayer according to what is best!

And this is why we can have peace – that passes all understanding! It is because we have faith that Jesus is going to answer our prayers the best way there is.

"Be careful for nothing [Don’t be anxious]; but in every thing by prayer and supplication WITH THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 (caps my emphasis).

Overcoming Temptation

  How can I overcome temptation?

As it has been said, our battles are in our mind.

The Bible often speaks of the heart. In many verses, the heart is describing our mind where our thoughts are. For example, "And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?" - Matthew 9:4 KJV (Luke 24:38, Act 8:22, James 4:8).

One of Thayer’s definitions of heart is, “the center and seat of spiritual life, the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors…”

Proverbs speaks of our heart, but we can see the meaning is our mind:

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." - Proverbs 4:23 KJV Another translation of this verse, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." - Proverbs 4:23 NLT

We need to guard our mind. Our senses are exposed to the world around us. We can make choices that limit temptations, by choosing carefully what we look at, and what we listen to.

Often, we do not choose the things we are exposed to (what we see, what we hear). We can, however, choose if we will allow our mind to think on these things. We must guard our minds, continually being aware of our thoughts. If we are being tempted, or having an evil thought, we must put it out of our mind. 

"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man [And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else]: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust [desires], and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin [These desires give birth to sinful actions]: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." - James 1:13-15 KJV

When we are an overcomer of temptations, Jesus gives us His promise.

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation [who remains steadfast under trial]: for when he is tried [for when he has stood the test], he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." - James 1:12 KJV

[God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. NLT]

Added to the Church

How in the Bible were they added to the church?

On the Day of Pentecost, when the church began, Peter preached the gospel.

"Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it." - Acts 2:22-24 

Peter preached to them the gospel of Jesus, of His death, burial, and resurrection.

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." - Acts 2:36 

They responded with repentant hearts.

"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" - Acts 2:37 

Peter told them how to obey the gospel.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38 

Peter told them of the promise of the Holy Ghost.

"For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:39 

He urged them to obey the gospel.

"And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation." - Acts 2:40 

They then received the gospel and obeyed it. (Mark 16:15-16).

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." - Acts 2:41 

This is how they were added to the church.

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. ... praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." - Acts 2:42, 47

One God - His Name is Jesus

"Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me." - John 12:44-45 KJV

"I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." - John 8:24 KJV

Church!

Sunday is Time for Church!

When Solomon dedicated the Temple of God by prayer, fire came down from heaven consuming the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the house. The sacrifices he offered were acceptable to God.

"Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house." - 2 Chronicles 7:1 KJV

On the Day of Pentecost, when the 120 were praying in the upper room, cloven tongues like as of fire sat upon each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. 

"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:2-4 KJV

Because they were acceptable living sacrifices, Jesus consumed them with the fire of His Spirit. (Matthew 3:11). The sign of His acceptance was their speaking in tongues as His Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4, Acts 10:43-48, Acts 11:15-17, Acts 19:1-7, Acts 2:38-39).

Time for church! Let’s worship Jesus and be consumed with the fire of the Holy Ghost!

There is One God - Jesus is His Name

 

The Wrath of the Lamb

 The Wrath of the Lamb

How could a lamb, the symbol of gentleness, have wrath?

Jesus is "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29). As the Lamb, His visitation to man is one of gentleness and mercy.

Yet Jesus, the Creator of the Universe, has two Divine Attributes. He has the Divine Attribute of Mercy, as well as the Divine Attribute of Justice and Judgement.

Jesus told His people when He dwelt among them that He did not come to walk among them in judgment; He came to them in mercy, love, and forgiveness.

"…for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world." - John 12:47 

Jesus took up a cross and died for our sins, was buried, and on the third day He rose from the dead. After 40 days of witnessing of the power of His resurrection, His disciples watched Him ascend up to heaven. We will see Him again in the clouds at the time of the rapture, the first resurrection.

"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus [believers who have died] will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord [still living when the Lord returns] shall not prevent them which are asleep [will not meet Him ahead of those who have died].

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ [believers who have died] shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." - 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 

Those that are caught up to meet the Lord in the air, know Him in His Divine Attribute of Mercy.

Those that are left in the world, shall meet the Lamb of God with His Divine Attribute of Judgment.

"And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" - Revelation 6:15-17 

"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." - 2 Corinthians 6:2 

"… Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:37-39

Church!

 

Church!

"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." - Psalm 16:11

"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD." - Psalm 122:1

"I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High." - Psalm 9:2 

"Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. ... Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." - Psalm 100:2, 4-5 

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." - Titus 2:11-14 

"Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:" - 1 Peter 1:8

Give thanks and praise His name JESUS!

Living Water

 

Part 2

Living Water - The Spirit

How does this living water 

spring up into everlasting life (give eternal life)?

"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken [“give life to”] your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." - Romans 8:11

The Spirit gives us eternal life when the Spirit dwells in us. The Spirit dwells in us when we have received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus [those dead that are baptized in Jesus name and filled with His Spirit] will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent [precede] them which are asleep [those that are dead]. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ [those dead that are believers] shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain [believers] shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord [be forever with the Lord]." - 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17

Those baptized in the name of Jesus and full of the Holy Ghost when they die (“the dead in Christ”), will rise first. Those baptized in Jesus name and full of the Holy Ghost and living when Jesus returns (“we which are alive and remain”), will join those that rose from the grave, to be caught up together in the clouds, to meet Jesus in the air. The gift of the Holy Ghost, the living water, gives us everlasting life with Jesus.

How do we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost?

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38

"For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:39 

Jesus

 

Our Heavenly Father put on a body of flesh and blood in order to pay the price of our sins, which is death, for the wages of sin is death.

He came in His name of salvation, which is above every name, the name of Jesus.

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." - Acts 4:12 

"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 2:10-11 

"Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me." - Isaiah 45:21 

"I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear." - Isaiah 45:23 

Our Heavenly Father defeated the devil and delivered us from the fear of dying.

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." - Hebrews 2:14-15

We are delivered from the fear of death when we obey the gospel. By obeying the gospel, we have the hope of eternal life. 

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 6:23 

Peter preached how to obey the gospel:

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 

There is one God – our Heavenly Father. His name is Jesus.

The Gospel

   Repentance is death to sin. Water baptism in the name of Jesus is burial of old nature. Holy Ghost infilling is resurrection to new life.

Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth,

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 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 15:1-4 

Paul preached the gospel, the church received the gospel, they stood in the gospel, and they were saved by the gospel, if they kept in memory what he preached to them, or else their belief was in vain. They believed that Christ DIED for their sins, that He was BURIED, and that He ROSE again. Their BELIEF in the gospel would be in vain if they didn’t OBEY the gospel.

Paul wrote to the church in Rome,

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." - Romans 6:1-4 

Paul preached we are DEAD TO SIN by REPENTANCE. We are BURIED with Jesus Christ by WATER BAPTISM in the name of Jesus. We are RESURRECTED by the infilling of the HOLY GHOST to walk in new life.

This is how we OBEY the gospel, so that our belief is not “in vain.” (Mark 16:15-16).

On the Day of Pentecost, Apostle Peter preached the gospel – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When asked, “What shall we do?” he preached how to obey the gospel.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38

Church!

 

 Time for Church! Worship and praising Jesus and hearing His word! Our mirror, sword and shield!

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." - Psalm 119:11 

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12 

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" - Ephesians 6:17 

"Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word." - Psalm 119:114

Teach Your Children

Teach your children 

What is the first priority in teaching our children?

Paul wrote to Timothy reminding him that from a child he knew the holy scriptures.

"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." - 2 Timothy 3:15

We can teach our children the things to get by in this world, but this world is not our home; there is the reality of heaven beyond this mortal world. We need to prepare our children for a place in heaven.

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." - 1 Corinthians 2:9 

God impressed on His people how important it is to Him to teach our children  His commandments. 

"And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." - Deuteronomy 6:7 

Because of Timothy’s knowledge of the Word and his answer to the call of God in his life, he was able to not only save himself, but to teach others of the kingdom of God and how to be saved. (2Timothy 1:5, 1Timothy 4:14).

"Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." - 1 Timothy 4:16 

Because we love our children and we want the best for them, we teach them about Jesus and His love for them. We teach them the gospel and how to be saved. We give our children the knowledge of the Word as we have been given the knowledge, passing it on to them so they too can have a place not only in heaven, but a place to be used in the kingdom of God here on earth.