Christian Quick Start Guide

Lessons in Christianity

by David Anson Brown
DavidAnsonBrown.com

3C-Christianity.com - The-Jesus-Realm.com

BasicChristian.org

Introduction

Lessons in Christianity

A short lesson series in the basics of Christian growth and maturity

What is a Christian - Christianity?

A Christian is a follower, a disciple of Jesus Christ, a person that believes that Jesus is God!

Christianity is a Relationship with God. Christianity is Not a Religion!

All of the religions of the world focus on what man can do to make amends for his own shortcomings. This is called work. This is man's effort to reach God. Christianity is the opposite of religion. It is a relationship with God. In Christianity, God, because of His love for us, came to us in the virgin birth of Jesus.

In the beginning of the Bible we are told how God created the world, how He created mankind in His own image. This is the image/ability of mankind to think, reason, understand, and have emotions. Yes, the world is created by God. It is impossible for something to come from nothing and it is even more impossible for life to come from non-life. The Bible tells us that mankind was created for Fellowship with God, to have a relationship with God in the Image that God created us.

As we all know, Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sinned. Sin separated now sinful mankind from the Holy God. The Earth is a fallen place where sin is being lived out in disobedience, sickness and death, all at the displeasure of God. Heaven is where God's will is being obeyed and Heaven is out of the presence of disobedience, sickness, sin and death.

This is where Jesus comes in. Jesus being God, He created us, yet man's sin has separated us from God. In time, God took on the form of a man (became a physical man). In His body Jesus/God gave Himself and died on the cross, dying in the physical so we can now have a Spiritual relationship with God. Three days later Jesus rose from death (showed Himself to be Alive). Jesus is now Alive and in a Spiritual body. The Bible tells us that our physical eyes cannot see the Spirit/Heavenly realm, just as we cannot see radio waves though they exist.

Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world." John 18:36 Jesus is referring to His kingdom where man is reunited with God in the Holy Spirit.

A Christian is a person who acknowledges their own human sinful nature and accepts the Love of God to die on a cross for us. Being God He then Resurrected from death and currently is reuniting us into a living Spiritual Life with Himself/God.

God Bless You!
David Anson Brown

(Salvation Message) How do I become a Christian?

To desire to be a Christian is to desire to be a child of God, to be a person in a personal relationship with God.

To become a Christian is to partake in the actual event of receiving God the Holy Spirit within our own human spirit, therefore creating a new Spiritual life inside of us. It is this Spiritual life that unites us and makes us a child of God our Father.

In other words Christianity is not an Idea nor a Philosophy. Christianity is an event, specifically the event of God giving us each personally a new Spiritual Birth. This new Birth is also called the "Born Again" or "Born from Above" event.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be Born Again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.

Christianity is the series of actual events that are occurring throughout history

The Bible tells us what the basic series of events are that make Christianity real time events and not ideas or philosophies about life.

God created mankind to live forever so that we can get to know God forever.

Mankind disobeyed God and entered into a relationship with sin and with sin came death (separation from God).

Mankind is now separated from God. God as Jesus then came to mankind by taking on the form and appearance of a human. God became a human to interact with us on our human level.

God's entrance into the physical world as the physical person Jesus was accomplished via the Virgin Birth by Mary.

Jesus then died on the cross. Sin requires death and only through death can sin be completely removed. To die is the end and fortunately for us the death of Jesus on the cross is the end of sin as it is His death that we acknowledge was for us. Sin is dead and never to be resurrected again.

Three days later Jesus Resurrected from death to Life providing the opportunity for a new Spiritual life for us in the Resurrection Life of Jesus.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 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:

Gospel means Good News. Eternal Life in the Resurrection Life of Jesus Christ is the Good News of Christianity.

Since Jesus died for us there is only one thing for us to do and that is to Accept what Jesus did for us. This is called Faith and Trust. We have faith that Jesus is Alive even after He suffered and died. We have faith that the same Resurrection Life that Jesus now lives we too also live.

Faith is a wonderful thing! Faith is trust, we trust Jesus. Faith excludes works. It would seem natural to have to do something in order to gain the attention of God however we don't. We already have God's attention. What God desires is for us to have a personal relationship with Him. We can only have a relationship when we acknowledge the existence of the other person, in this case God.

When should we acknowledge God and become a Christian?

The Bible tells us that we are created to get to know God and that every moment in life is an opportunity to know Him. God wants very much for each and every person to acknowledge and to accept Him.

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 We then, as workers together with Him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored (helped/aided) thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

In the Bible when people became Christians they took action, they got Baptized in water, fellowshipped with other Christians, prayed and read the Bible and served and proclaimed Jesus to others. They also took the very important step of destroying in fire the elements of their past life that are unpleasing to God. It is important to rid our lives of the old unpleasing ways and that means destroying whatever does not glorify God. Sometimes it's drugs, pornography, music, movies, books or clothing. Whatever it is, destroy it in acknowledgment that it has been destroying your soul and your relationship with God.

To become a Christian is to acknowledge that Jesus is God and to acknowledge that Jesus is Alive and with us at every moment. To acknowledge God is to talk to God, this is called prayer.

You can start and talk to God in a prayer like this

God I acknowledge you in the existence of Jesus and I acknowledge your Love for me to come as a human and to die on the cross for me. I too love you and I desire to live my life in a relationship with you. Thank you that you love me. Thank you that you hear me when I call upon your name. I accept Your death and Your blood as the full penalty for all of my sins and I acknowledge that by the blood of Jesus I am now clean. I ask that you, having cleansed me, will now in Your Spirit come into my life and make me Your child. God I give You my life this day to take and to do with whatever You will. I now walk in faith day by day and moment by moment in the love and Resurrection life of Jesus. To the glory of God and the praise of His Holy Angels and to the delight of all the Saints of Heaven I now confess that Jesus is my God, my Lord, my Savior, my Companion, and also my Friend. In the name of Jesus I pray.
Amen.

1 John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

God Bless you,
David Anson Brown

Christian Growth and Maturity

(Growth & Maturity) I am a Christian now what do I do?

Congratulations on accepting Jesus as God and your Savior!

JOHN 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Having now given your life to the Lord Jesus you might have the feeling of what do I do now? Here are some simple guidelines of what to do next to help you grow in your loving relationship with God the Lord Christ Jesus.

Love God and Love Mankind

Deuteronomy 6:5/Luke 10:27
Love the Lord with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all your strength and with all of your mind, and, Love your neighbor as yourself.

Love means "commitment to the highest good" to love is to commit to the highest good that is possible for another person. The greatest love and highest commitment possible is a relationship with God in Jesus Christ.

READ THE BIBLE

JOHN 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

It is crucial to read the Bible especially in today's hectic society. Unfortunately you will not get God's word reinforced to you on the nightly news, or in any other segment of society. Reading daily, even one or two sentences in the morning and evening will help to fill your days with God's inspiration and love.

The Bible is God's actual word.
The Bible has been remarkably well preserved and is an accurate translation of what God intends for us to know about him.

PRAY

1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Prayer is our way of communicating with God. As with any relationship communication is crucial. Prayer isn't the only thing Christians have; but it is the best thing we have. While God desires to do many things for us he will not do some of them unless we specifically ask Him in prayer. Jesus said "you have not because you ask not."

FELLOWSHIP - ATTEND CHURCH

ACTS 2:46
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God.

Fellowship, attending church and other Christian functions is an anchor for our faith. Being around other Christians is the best way to see how God is working in the lives of other people, and it is the best way to be strengthened and built up in your own Christian walk.

ABIDE - STAY OBEDIENT IN CHRIST

PSALMS 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God

In becoming a Christian you now have the strength through Jesus to overcome worldly problems and addictions. Yes - it is necessary to turn from past deeds. Deeds that inside your heart you known to be wrong, even slightly wrong.

PROCLAME YOUR FAITH in JESUS

MATTHEW 10:27
Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before men I will disown him before My Father in heaven.

COMMON MYTHS AND MISUNDERSTANDINGS ABOUT BEING A CHRISTIAN

I'LL first clean up myself, then present myself to the Lord and to His Church.

Only God has the ability to forgive sin and the ability to cleanse us from our sin. When we come to Jesus, we come directly to God, and not to man. God then instructs us through the Bible in how to have a relationship with Himself.

I'LL worship God in my own unique way.

We worship God in His glory. We want to be recognized for who we are and likewise we should recognize God for who God is. That means worshiping God the way He has asked us to worship Him in the Bible.

Christianity is the easy way out and once I accept Jesus my life will be a breeze.

Not necessary the case: while accepting Jesus does give us great peace, like knowing that when you die you will go to heaven. At times your faith in Jesus will require great endurance, as your faith is put to the test. We walk with Jesus by faith and not by emotions, because our faith will endure while our emotions fluctuate and change daily.

Remember Jesus loves us and is in heaven right now praying for us.

JEREMIAH 29:11-13
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord.

God Loves you, and wants to have a relationship with you, and like every relationship, it takes two individuals. Any relationship is only as good as the effort that is put into it by the individuals involved. Put some effort into a relationship with God, and be Truly Blessed.

God Bless You!
David Anson Brown

Criteria for Christian Baptism

The person being baptized confesses a personal individual faith in Jesus Christ [the Apostles' Creed, a Psalm or a Bible verse can be read or recited]. Acknowledging the sinless Divine life, sacrificial atoning death on the cross and three days later the resurrection [eternal life] of Jesus Christ.

The person administering the baptism is to baptize in the Name of God the Father, the Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit [not in the name of any individual, group or denomination] i.e. (Matthew 28:18-20) "I baptize you in the Name of God the Father, the beloved Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit."

The water baptism event [submerging into water] signifies our (dying) death and burial to this world (sin and death) while then [emerging from the water] signifies our own personal resurrection with eternal life in Jesus Christ entering into a new life in the eternal Kingdom of God.

Note: The water baptism [and accompanying confession of faith] is the Biblical public confession of faith for each individual Christian and is not to be confused with an alter call that although being a public stand it is not in its entirety the Biblical confession of faith.

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them [Disciples], saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach [Disciple] all Nations, *baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son [Jesus], 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.

1 Corinthians 15:12-26 Now if Christ be preached that He [Jesus] rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ: whom He raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man [Adam] came death, by man [Jesus] came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His [2nd] coming. Then cometh the end [of mans' seperation from God], when He [Jesus] shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when He [Jesus] shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

1 Corinthians 15:35-50 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest [seeds of plants] is not quickened [sprouted], except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain [seed], it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a [flower] body as it hath pleased Him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial [stars] bodies, and bodies [planets - moons] terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It [human body] is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, *that [physical] flesh and blood cannot inherit the [sternal] Kingdom of God; neither doth [sin] corruption inherit [heaven] incorruption.

Genesis 3:17-19 And unto Adam He [God] said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: *for [bodily] dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Matthew 17:1-8 And after six days [six, incomplete not yet a permanent transfiguration] Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart [outside of Israel], And was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses [Law] and Elias (Elijah) [Prophets] talking with Him. ... While he (Peter) yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is My beloved Son, in whom I Am well pleased; hear ye Him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise [Resurrection], and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. - Note: Jesus was without sin and therefore could be bodily Transfigured something sinful humans cannot do we need to first die and separate from our physical body of sin (Romans 8:3) and then we Christians receive our new transfigured (1 Corinthians 15:35-55) bodies.

Colossians 2:6-17 As ye [Christian] have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: Rooted and built up in Him, and [established] stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in [Jesus] Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are [spiritually] circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision [new heart; mind, soul and spirit] of Christ: *Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen [resurection] with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened [made alive] together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; And having spoiled [Satanic] principalities and [Demonic] powers, He [Jesus] made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat [food], or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body [essence of reality] is of Christ.

Criteria for Christian Communion

First the 'body' (of Jesus Christ) bread [wafer] is to be unleavened (sinless), unsweetened (reality), salt (preserved), holes (pierced) and browned (bruised).

Second the 'blood' (of Jesus Christ) cup [grape juice, wine] is to be mingled (combined) 1/3 water with 2/3 grape [fruit of the vine]. Use three separate glasses or containers, 1 with water, 1 with grape, 1 empty. Then pour [mingle] at the same time both the grape and the water into the empty cup creating the cup of 2/3 grape mingled with 1/3 water.

Reading a Bible verse or passage provides the 3rd element of Communion the element of the Word of God being the Spirit of God.

Note: When the Communion bread is lifted up blessed, exalted and broken it represents the physical body of Jesus Christ on the cross then when the bread is eaten (consumed, eternalized) it represents the Spiritual [resurrection] body of Jesus Christ. Likewise when the Communion blood is mingled [grape, water] it represents the physical blood and water of Jesus Christ that was shed on the cross [after His death - by the spear wound (John 19:34-35)] for the remission of our sins and then when the blood is drink (consumed, eternalized) it represents the resurrection eternal life Spiritual blood of Jesus Christ. Both [the one body] the physical (earthly) body of Jesus Christ and His eternal Spiritual Resurrection [bodily resurrection] of Jesus Christ [along with our new eternal spiritual body in Jesus Christ] are represented in the one Communion of bread and wine (grape).

Matthew 26:26-29 And as they were eating, Jesus took [Communion] bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the Disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My Body. And He took the [Communion] cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is My Blood of the New Testament, which is shed [after the atoning death on the cross] for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that [Heavenly] day when I drink it new with you in My Father's Kingdom.

1 Corinthians 11:23 For I [Apostle Paul] have received of the Lord [Jesus] that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus *the same night in which He was betrayed [by Judas] took bread ... - Note: The Communion represents and is a part of the Levitical Feats of "The Lord's Passover" Jesus was betrayed on the night of the Passover Feast [14th of Nisan - Leviticus 23:5]. The very next day, the day of the crucifixion (cross) of Jesus is the Levitical Feast the "Feast of Unleavened Bread" [15th of Nisan - Leviticus 23:6] then that first day of the week [Sunday] is the Feast of Firstfruits [Leviticus 23:7] - Jesus Resurrected on Sunday the Feast of Firstfruits and began (John 20:22) to give individually to each one of His disciples the Firstfruits of His Holy, eternal resurrection life - Romans 8:23 And not only they [all of creation groans for redemption], but ourselves also, which have *the Firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption [from Children of God to Sons of God], to wit, the redemption of our body.

Christian Communion - The New Testament - The body [both the physical and the resurrection body of Jesus] and the blood [both the physical blood and the resurrection - eternal life, spiritual blood] of Jesus Christ: 1 Corinthians 11:23-32 23 For I [Apostle Paul] have received of the Lord [Jesus] that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread: And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is *My body [representing both the physical body and resurrection (spiritual) body of Jesus], which [physical body] is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me. After the same manner also He took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in My blood [both physical blood and resurrection Spirit-life blood]: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me. *For as often as ye eat *this [unleavened] bread, and drink this [grape and water mingled] cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily [thinking they are not a sinner], shall be guilty of the [sacrifice for our sins] body and blood of the Lord. **But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, **not discerning the Lord's body [that the physical body of Jesus was given physically for our sin on the cross (redemption) and that the Spiritual body of Jesus is given to us from His eternal life resurrection (Salvation)]. For this cause [not knowing that the same body of Jesus from the cross is the same body that resurrected and is for our eternal, resurrection life, salvation] many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep [are unaware of the power and of the pending resurrection in our own life]. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened (Hebrews 12:6) of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. - Note: The 'cup' is in reference to both the physical life-blood and the Spiritual life-blood of Jesus. The Communion of Jesus Christ represents both the body on the cross and the resurrection life body of Jesus. The New Testament - The Communion of Jesus Christ represents both the Redemption (cross) and Salvation (resurrection) body of Jesus Christ. - Also Note: Jesus being without sin in His body (Matthew 17:2), bodily resurrected in His same body. We having sin our own physical body we vacate our physical body and it returns to dust [Genesis 3:19] then we each receive a new spiritual body - not a new physical body [not a reincarnation of a physical body] but a new eternal spiritual body for the purposes of our [continuing] eternal spiritual life.

Christian Living - Can I take communion at home like the disciples did? YES! - Communion brings you closer to the Lord as it is to be a proclamation of what Jesus did for you - your mind and heart become saturated with the truth of who Jesus is and all that His blood purchased for you - We pay tribute and honor to Jesus when we remember Him via administering communion to [ourselves and or] one another
"Can I take communion at home like the disciples did?" YES! I will give you the scriptures that support my answer. I am familiar with the practices that surround the modern day observance of the Lord's Supper...taking communion during special times of the year, taking communion to signify the beginning of certain seasons & celebrations...and the administering of communion just before one passes from this world. I'd like to start by telling you a few inportant things concerning communion..the Lord's Supper..the meal that heals. Communion brings healing to your body..wholeness to your life. Communion brings you closer to the Lord as it is to be a proclamation of what Jesus did for you..your mind and heart become saturated with the truth of who Jesus is and all that His blood purchased for you. We pay tribute and honor to Jesus when we remember Him via administering communion to [ourselves and or] one another..our family, our friends, our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Quite often I have wondered (other Christian's have as well) why the modern Church doesn't seem to have all that which the early Church had..the power of God on their lives, the stick-to-it-ness or longevity when it comes to serving the Lord. I mean, we pray, we fast, we worship, we read the Bible..and yet, something seems to be missing. The answer? Daily communion [or weekly, or occasional comunion]. The New Testament believers (who were the Body of Christ..as we are today) met in one anothers home daily and did what Paul (in 1 Cor. 11:26) instructed them to do: "For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord's death until He comes again. While it is common practice to take communion in a church (like you mentioned having done) we know that the Church is really the Body of Christ Jesus...the New Testament believers gathered daily..ate together daily..observed the Lord's Supper daily. Keeping Jesus (and everything Jesus did) in the forefront of their lives made them strong as a family..communion, prayer, worship & the teaching of Jesus' words became the glue that held the early Church together...and it is no different for us today. [article link]

Communion Bread Recipe
Communion Bread Recipe Ingredients: 1/2 cup Water (cold), 1/2 teaspoon Salt, 6 tablespoons Olive Oil, 2 cups Whole Wheat Bread Flour [unleavened - no yeast]. -- Directions: Blend first three ingredients (water, salt, oil) in blender or beat vigorously in a bowl until white. Pour into flour and mix. Turn out onto floured board and knead for 5 minutes. Roll out to 1/4-inch thick {or thinner}, mark {a cross and or squares} lightly with a pizza cutter {or a knife}, cutting most squares almost through, but leaving some to be broken {off later - if necessary for Church} by {Church} Elders {also make pierce marks or holes with a fork}. -- Bake at 275:F degrees until nicely browned; (about 45 minutes to 1 hour). Note: Leftovers are traditionally burned or buried [it's not necessary and some or all of the bread can also be eaten by itself apart from Communion as a regular flatbread and also as a bread in a fellowship with God (break bread with God) meal/snack i.e. with cheese, smoked fish, sausage, olives, artichokes or other items and snacks, possibly including (unwatered) regular grape juice {juice can of course be watered down (and probably should) but not mingled like Communion wine just watered down to taste} or wine (if preferred) to drink]. Source: Adapted from Eat for Strength - Agatha M. Thrash, M.D. This recipe from CDKitchen for Communion Bread serves/makes 200. [article link]

Baking Stone - Do you have a stone oven? We don't - But we make "stone oven" pizzas, *flatbreads [Communion Bread], and hearth breads with this pizza baking stone
For the absolutely crispiest-crusted pizza and bread. Do you have a stone oven? We don't. But we make "stone oven" pizzas, flatbreads, and hearth breads with this pizza baking stone. Brick-oven baking stone absorbs the oven's heat, then transfers it to bread. Moisture disperses out through the crust, making terrific, light-textured breads and pizzas with an incredible crackly-crunchy crust. ... Cook's Illustrated Top Choice! "We tested 10 baking stones and came to prefer a fairly large one (16 by 14 inches is ideal) with smooth edges. The Baker's Catalogue Baking Stone's moderate weight and ample size make it our favorite." [article link]

Articles

heartlight.org - My Utmost for His Highest: March 29, 2008 - Our Lord's Surprise Visits "Be ye therefore ready also" Luke 12:40 - If we are going to be ready for Jesus Christ, we have to stop being religious (that is, using religion as a higher kind of culture) and be spiritually real
The great need for the Christian worker is to be ready to face Jesus Christ at any and every turn. This is not easy, no matter what our experience is. The battle is not against sin or difficulties or circumstances, but against being so absorbed in work that we are not ready to face Jesus Christ at every turn. That is the one great need, not the facing our belief, or our creed, the question whether we are of any use, but to face Him. Jesus rarely comes where we expect Him; He appears where we least expect Him, and always in the most illogical connections. The only way a worker can keep true to God is by being ready for the Lord's surprise visits. It is not service that matters, but intense spiritual reality, expecting Jesus Christ at every turn. This will give our life the attitude of child-wonder which He wants it to have. If we are going to be ready for Jesus Christ, we have to stop being religious (that is, using religion as a higher kind of culture) and be spiritually real. If you are "looking off unto Jesus," avoiding the call of the religious age you live in, and setting your heart on what He wants, on thinking on His line - you will be called unpractical and dreamy; but when He appears in the burden and the heat of the day, you will be the only one who is ready. Trust no one, not even the finest saint who ever walked this earth, ignore him, if he hinders your sight of Jesus Christ. [article link]

Discipleship Library - As many messages as possible, from Christian speakers in disciplemaking ministry, are being archived in digital form and made freely available on the Internet (Mp3's - PDF's)
Your online source for the very best in Christian discipleship training resources. We're digitizing thousands of classic studies that have been presented over the last 60 years and will be making them available for online training or downloading to your multimedia-ready computer. [article link]

The Important Resurrection of Jesus

Basic Christian: The Resurrection of Jesus and why it is important to humanity.

Why is the resurrection of Jesus important to humanity?

Romans 1:3-4 Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of Holiness, by the Resurrection from the dead:

The resurrection of Jesus shows to us and proves to us that Jesus is God just as He said that He is. No one else has ever returned from death. We can now be certain that there is a God (Jesus), that our sins are forgiven by God and that we who believe in the forgiveness of our sins, because Jesus died in our place, we too can look forward to our own resurrected life in the presence of God (heaven).

God shall Raise up us also by Jesus

2 Corinthians 4:14 Knowing that He which Raised up the Lord Jesus shall Raise up us also by Jesus,

We can be certain that all of our sins have been atoned for by the sacrifice of Jesus on His cross and that Jesus is the acceptable sacrifice because God accepted the sacrifice of Jesus by receiving Jesus/Himself back up into heaven. Only acceptable sacrifices are received by God into heaven. Let's look back to some of the first pages of the Bible and at the two differing sacrifice offerings to God by Cain and Able. Cain's sacrifice was not acceptable to God but the sacrifice of Able was and likewise we know that the sacrifice of Jesus is acceptable because Jesus is now in heaven. Had the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross not been sufficient to give us life, meaning that had Jesus not actually been God in the flesh then God would not have received Jesus up into heaven and not only is Jesus resurrected and in heaven it has been done as a public display in order to give each of us a real confidence in the resurrection life of Jesus.

Genesis 4:3-5 And in the process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Able, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Able and his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect.

The Bible says in the book of

1 Corinthians 15:12-22 Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? And if Christ be not risen, then our preaching is vain, and your faith is also vain, Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ: Whom he raised not up if so be that the dead raise not. Then is Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

With our own personal identification in the death of Jesus for our sins on the cross with our sins now dead we then become identified with the Life of Jesus and receive His Spirit and take part in His glorious resurrection life.

Romans 6:3-11 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. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For He that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him. For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jesus Himself makes it perfectly clear that there is a resurrection of God's people

Luke 20:34-38 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this [physical] world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world (heaven), and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage [in heaven]: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the [burning] bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. For He is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto Him.

Abraham along with his son Isaac and his grandson Jacob each lived and died a long time ago. Each died about 4,000 years before the visit/incarnation of Jesus. Yet Jesus called them alive. They are indeed alive right now and living in the presence of God. This is a difficult concept to grasp that people who physically lived and died are still alive in the presence of God but this is reality and thank God that through Jesus Christ it is also our opportunity to live for eternity in the presence of Jesus/God.

The Cross of Jesus is His Victory

The Cross of Jesus is His Victory over Satan, Sin, Death and the Despair of this World

In dying on the cross Jesus provided an end (death) to the agenda of Satan.

Colossians 1:12-13 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son:

In resurrecting three days later Jesus provided a re-birth to the agenda of God, the original agenda-plan of God in a relationship with mankind that He began in the garden of Eden with Adam and Eve.

Colossians 2:12-15 Buried with Him (Jesus) in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; And having spoiled principalities (Satan) and powers (demons), He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Satan still remains here on earth although without any real authority. Satan therefore is a trespasser in the kingdom of Jesus. Satan is now pretending that he has a kingdom, power and authority, it is however a dream, a Satanic scam, and when Jesus does return he will imprison Satan and Jesus will have His glorious 1,000 year Kingdom here on earth and then afterwards Satan will be cast into the lake of fire.

Death is finality, death brings about the ultimate end and in the cross of Jesus the death is the ultimate end of sin as sin is now paid in full and the effects of sin and the deadly kingdom of Satan have died while the resurrection life of Jesus now lives and rules and it is now the kingdom of Jesus that now remains, rules and glorifies God.

With Satan now powerless except for his own scams and deceits and with sin and death conquered and mankind reunited to God by the cross and resurrection of Jesus the despair of this world has also been vanquished, vanquished as long as we seek God and continue to obey Him and live in His kingdom of life and eternity.

The resurrection of Jesus makes perfect sense because it is not possible to kill God.

We can experience Jesus right now here on earth. Answered prayer is one way that we experience the living Jesus. Another way to experience the living Jesus is to read the Bible. The Bible is God's word and the Bible is clearly written with more knowledge than any human possess. Knowledge about God, heaven, the future, man, angels, Satan, demons, hell, etc.

1 Peter 3:21 .. the answer of a good conscience toward God, by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Because of the resurrection of Jesus and our belief in His resurrection we are now forgiven for all of our sins and with a clean conscience we can now approach and have a relationship & fellowship with God. We can get to know the God of heaven, the God that loves us, the God that created us, just like we can get to know people here on earth.

Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, Boldness to Enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a New and Living (Resurrection) Way, which He hath Consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say His flesh and having a High Priest (Jesus) over the House of God Let us draw near ...

What wonderful news it is that Jesus is Alive! This wonderful, news about the resurrection of Jesus and the reconciliation of sinful man to the Holy God, through the forgiveness of our sins is called the Gospel. The Gospel means just that Good News!

God Bless You!
David Anson Brown

Why Christian Church on Sundays

Why does the Christian Church specifically gather for Worship on Sundays?

How and why did this practice begin?

These are questions often asked and very easy to answer.

It is Jesus that started Sunday Worship as that is the Day that He Rose from the Dead and it is the "same day" that He began His Church.

It is the Glorious life giving Resurrection of Jesus and the birth of His Church that the Church gathers to commemorate every Sunday as it gathers and worships Jesus.

Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week (Sunday), when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection (financial giving) for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week (Sunday) let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

What is Worship?

Psalms 95:6 Come let us Worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

The word worship literally means to acknowledge the source and sustaining of our life, the Christian acknowledges that life comes from God as God is the creator and sustainer of all life. The embodiment of life is the Resurrection of Jesus, as it is now the Resurrection Life of Jesus that we the Christian live in and take part in having been rescued by Jesus from our own certain death through sin. Therefore it has been since the first Sunday and continues until this day that the Church gathers to Worship God on Sunday by acknowledging His Life giving Resurrection Life.

What is the Church?

The Christian Church is a unique gathering of people who's sins have been paid for in full by Jesus on the cross. The word Church means "out - gathering" those that are taken out of this sinful world and gathered together into the sinless image of Jesus by receiving His Holy Spirit, and having received the Spirit of God the Christian has now passed from death in sin into Life in Jesus.

Why hasn't the Church always existed?

True Christianity is an intimate Spiritual Personal Relationship with God and a Relationship with God is as old as Creation so it is accurate to say that Adam and Eve are the first Christians but then Sin separated mankind from an intimate Spiritual relationship with God and therefore postponed Christianity until after the Redemption of mankind via the Cross and the Resurrection of Jesus providing for us a renewed intimate Spiritual Relationship.

The Church did not exist during the Old Testament times. In other words, Noah, Abraham, King David, Solomon, and even John the Baptist, although each was in a relationship with God, they were not Christians and therefore not in the intimate Spiritual relationship that the Church enjoys, and for a very good reason, each of these people lived and died prior to the Cross of Jesus. Before the Cross of Jesus the remedy for Sin had not yet occurred and with sin a "Gathering of the Sinless (in Image)" was not yet available as God's Spirit is not intimately available with Sin.

Once Jesus came into humanity in the Virgin Birth and then died on the cross as full payment for all of the sins of the world then on His "Resurrection Day" the Church age could then begin. The Church could not be gathered prior to the cross and without the resurrection there would not be the Living Leader.

The Church/Christians are Identified as the one's who have acknowledged the Resurrection of Jesus and therefore have Received the Spirit of God and by receiving the Spirit of God are now in the Sinless Image of God our Father as the Christian is now a Child of God. This event of Jesus giving the Spirit and of individuals each receiving the Spirit of God began on Sunday the very day of the Resurrection of Jesus and continues on to this day as the Resurrection of Jesus and His Holy Spirit are the lifeblood of Christianity.

John 20:19-23 Then the same day (Resurrection Sunday) at evening, being the first day of the week (Sunday), when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, "Peace be unto you." And when He had so said, He showed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost: (Become a Christian) Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

Note: The verses and Biblical content of John 20:19-23 are dealing with a person becoming a Christian, with Salvation and with Regeneration via the Holy Spirit. Forgiveness of sins (via the cross of Jesus) and the imparting Baptism of Jesus (via His Resurrection) and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit into a person are direct functions of the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The knowledge of the removal of sin in the life of an individual person is referenced here in the Bible on the day of the resurrection of Jesus not on the day of Pentecost. Pentecost is referenced in the Bible in context with empowerment and of a person being a witness of Jesus but not in context of salvation as the Resurrection Day is associated with salvation.

Regarding the phrase "Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained" this clearly demonstrates that the removal of sin had occurred at the cross and that the knowledge of sin, the removal or the presence of sin in the life of an individual can be discerned by a Christian with the Baptism indwelling of the Holy Spirit since the day of the Resurrection of Jesus and of the giving of the Holy Spirit.

There are several examples in the Bible of people discerning the presence or removal of sin from the lives of individuals. All Christians even today can at times discern the spiritual state of another individual, how often has someone said that they are a Christian then deny Jesus and every tenant of Christianity and live a life completely opposed to the Biblical Christian precepts, we can often discern that the person though outwardly professing Christianity their sins remain. On occasion some people are in deep despair fearing that they can no longer be reconciled to God because they have offended God too much or have blasphemed the Holy Spirit and now conclude that they are eternally damned yet a Christian can often discern that God has not given up on them and that actually their sins are remitted and that they should seek after God because they will find God.

Acts 8:20-23 But Peter said unto him (Simon the sorcerer), Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity ...

Acts 17:22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

Acts 26:27-28 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know (perceive) that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

The Biblical reference also demonstrates that Christian Salvation the forgiveness of sins and entering into a relationship with the Holy God by becoming a child of God through receiving His Spirit indwelling in us is an actual event and it is an event predicated on an individual's faith and confession. Christianity is unique in that an individual can become a Christian at any moment and in any place regardless of time or circumstances. Since the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ a person does not need another external event, not a Pentecost or any event, not a certain moon phase or any celestial - comet occurrence and certainly not a ritual, a feast or a festival to become a Christian but with just a simple faith in the living Savior Jesus and a desire to be united to God a person will become a new creation a 'born again' Christian.

Did the Church actually start at Pentecost?

Sometimes people think that the Church did not start until fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus during a Feast called "Pentecost" Acts 2:1-4 but remember it is the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus that paved the way for the Church allowing for the individual receiving of the Holy Spirit of God, and not the waiting of Fifty days by the disciples that paved the way for the Church. There is a Feast of Pentecost every year but there is only one Cross and Resurrection of Jesus. There is not a fifty day gap between the Resurrection and the start of the Church. The same people gathered together and (Empowered) in Acts 2:1-4 had already received the Holy Spirit back in John 20:19-23 and would again be filled (Empowered) in Acts 4:31 and at other times as the Holy Spirit is leading.

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled (Empowered) with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Is Sunday now also the Sabbath day of the Church?

It is also important to note that Sunday is not a Sabbath Day and therefore the Church is not resting on Sunday when it gathers to Worship God but is Rejoicing in the Living, Loving, Jesus.

Saturday is still the Sabbath day proscribed by God for the Jewish people to physically follow by physically resting but for the Church our rest is Spiritual we rest in complete faith of the accomplished, completed work of Jesus, His Cross and His Resurrection.

Exodus 20:10 But the Seventh day (Saturday) is the Sabbath ..

Luke 24:1 Now upon the First day (Sunday) of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher (tomb), bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher. And they entered in, and found not the body of Jesus.

In establishing a time for the Resurrection - the disciples arrive at the tomb at about Sunrise, just prior, so we know that Jesus did not Resurrect later than sunrise and some might wonder if He rose earlier than Sunrise but the Biblical answer is no as it is exactly at sunrise that Jesus is revealing Himself to be Alive.

Also many of the Bible's names, references, types, and prophecies all reveal that He is the "Sunrise from on High." For example Jesus physically entered into the world in His Virgin birth at night into the darkness of this world - representing that Jesus is the light that shined and came into the dark world.

Continuing, Jesus (the Light of the world) Resurrected at Sunrise as His Resurrection is the new Dawn of Everlasting Life.

Luke 1:78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the Dayspring (Sunrise) from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Isaiah 60:1 Arise (sunrise), shine; for thy light is come, and the Glory of the LORD is Risen (Resurrected) upon thee.

2 Corinthians 4:3,4 But if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face (appearance) of Jesus Christ.

Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand (sunrise): let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

Could the Church have stopped for a while and then restarted?

Since it is the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus and Only the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus that paved the way for the Christian Church the Christian Church has continued and will continue until Jesus receives His Christian Church unto Himself in Heaven where He is. In order for the Church to have started and stopped and started again it would Require that the Holy Spirit would no longer be available to mankind and then Jesus would have to be re-Crucified and the Holy Spirit re-given, events that could never happen again and would never happen again as the one Crucifixion of Jesus is sufficient for ALL Sins for ALL Time and the one Resurrection of Jesus is sufficient for all Life for ALL Time.

Romans 6:9-11 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him. For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Hebrews 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (Believers).

It really is a common Christian tenant that the Christian Church began with Jesus, the Eternal, Leader and Founder, giving His Spirit to His followers on the day of His Resurrection Sunday and that the Church has continued and will continue until Jesus Himself receives His Christian Church up into Heaven where He is currently at and we will forever be with Him in His Glorious Fellowship.

God Bless You!
David Anson Brown

Basic Bible Study

Being A Disciple - Christian Growth - Maturity Steps (Mp3)

Biblion (975) book, scroll, writing

Verses - Exodus 17:14 24:7; Joshua 1:8; 2 Chronicles 34:14; Matthew 22:29; John 5:39; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 3:16

First Use: Genesis 5:1 this is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made He him;

1 Timothy 3:15-17 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. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect (complete) thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

The Bible is how God has chosen to reveal Himself to the world and to have His words preserved through the generations. The Bible is unique and unlike any other book ever written. The Bible is tangible proof that God exists. Approximately 40 separate authors wrote the Bible during a several thousand-year time frame. The Bible is one complete book it has a beginning in Genesis (Beginning) it has continuity from Adam and Eve to Jesus and the Bible has an ending, the book of Revelation (make known). There is no supplement or addition needed for the Bible. The Bible is complete; it covers the creation of the universe and all time, up to and including the future and Jesus' eternal everlasting kingdom. Most of the Bible at the time that each verse was written, it was written as prophesy. In the Bible the events were described in the Bible before the event actually happened. This prophetic writing of the Bible could only happen with knowledge of the future, knowledge man does not have, knowledge God does have.

The Bible thoroughly reveals to man who God is, His nature and His plan for mankind. The Bible is without self-controversy and without self-contradiction and the Bible is without error. Over the thousands of years of the Bible's existence, the Bible has one clear message and one clear meaning; the predicament of mankind in sin and death and the remedy of the love and forgiveness of God.

The Old Testament of the Bible was written by Jews in the Jewish language of Hebrew during the years 2,600 B. C. To 400 B.C (approximately). The Old Testament tells of God, man and the coming Messiah, Jesus. The New Testament was written by Jews in the international language of the day, which was the Greek language. The New Testament was entirely written in the lifetime of the disciples of Jesus, with writing being completed in the time frame of approximately 40 A.D. to 90 A.D.. The night that Mary gave birth to Jesus in the manger is the year 1 A.D. and Jesus lived on the earth as a human for 33 1/2 years, being crucified at the age of 33, which would be around the year 34 A.D. Then Matthew, who personally spent 3 1/2 years as a disciple of Jesus, wrote the Gospel of Matthew, followed by the 26 additional writings by a total of eight different authors completing the New Testament around the year 90 A.D. The Apostle Paul himself wrote 14 epistles (letters) comprising half of the New Testament's 27 books. The First book is thought to be the Gospel of Matthew written by the disciple Matthew around 40 A.D.. The last book written is thought to be the Book of Revelation, written by the disciple John approximately 90 A.D..

Septuagint

Septuagint is the entire Old Testament of the Bible translated from the Jewish Hebrew language into the Geek language approximately 200 B.C.. Many of our English book titles from the Old Testament are from the Septuagint version. Genesis (Beginnings), Exodus (Out of Path), Psalms (Songs).

The entire Old Testament was completely written by the Jews in the Jewish Hebrew language about 400 B.C.. Then approximately 200 B.C. the Old Testament was entirely translated by a small group of devout Jews from the Hebrew language into scrolls written in the Greek language. This is significant because these events occurred 400 & 200 years before the birth of Jesus. Much of the Old Testament was written as prophecy about the coming of Jesus. With two versions, the Hebrew and the Greek of the Bible circulating around the world prior to the birth of Jesus, it is impossible to add text to the Bible to portray the life of Jesus after the birth of Jesus. If text had been added to the Geek version of the Bible, it would no longer match the Hebrew Bible. Likewise if text were added to the Hebrew Bible about Jesus then there were still 2,500 years of Hebrew and 200 years of Greek Bibles circulating around the world that would not substantiate the new versions.

In 1947-1956 in the Dead Sea region of Israel, Hebrew Bibles called the "Dead Sea Scrolls" were found sealed in clay jars that were hidden in various caves. The Dead Sea scrolls date back to the times before, during and shortly after Jesus walked on earth. Almost the entire Old Testament was found. When our modern Old Testament Bibles were compared to the Dead Sea Scrolls, "Old Testament Bibles" the Bibles were virtually identical, except for a very few spelling differences they were identical. This is stunning proof that the Bible has remained unedited since it was originally written and that the prophecies about Jesus existed in the Bible years before the birth of Jesus, proving that the Bible is written with knowledge of events before they happen. This also proves the Bible to have been written with more knowledge than man possesses, knowledge that can only come from God.

God Bless you,
David Anson Brown

Articles

Basic Christian: Memo Summer of 2009 "Divine? Or Simply Just Not Fine?" - Recently a fiberglass and gold laden Maroni statue atop the latest LDS Temple was struck by lightning - Was it of God, mankind, nature or perhaps the demonic realm that is the cause and effect of the seemingly supernatural event or events?
Was it of God, mankind, nature or perhaps the demonic realm that is the cause and effect of the seemingly supernatural event or events? At a casual first glance it might appear that God struck the statue however was this actually a Divine act from God or was it simply just another not so fine act of a demonic entity? That is the important consideration that we each need to ask ourselves (and God in prayer) and it is a decision that we do need to reach, sometimes quickly when events happen. ... When faced with the extraordinary and the unexplainable keep in mind that God's extraordinary word the Bible explains above all that God loves each us and that He has an eternal plan of salvation for each of our lives. It is the Divine Miracle throughout all of the ages that God's love and fellowship is available to mankind if we would just seek after Him. Then when a relationship with Jesus Christ is accomplished in our hearts and in our minds even mighty lightning strikes and signs and wonders pale in comparison to the glory, majesty and justice of receiving the Holy Spirit inside of us. -- Note: It's unjust not to have the Holy Spirit inside of us. On the cross Jesus said "It is finished" or literally "It is paid in full." With full payment comes satisfaction the delivery the "Justice" the receiving of the Holy Spirit. The injustice of the world is the withholding of the Holy Spirit. God is not withholding the Holy Spirit, man is withholding the Holy Spirit as man seeks to deny God, by discounting the Virgin Birth, corrupting the Cross and counterfeiting the Resurrection of Jesus Christ it is man that is withholding justice both from themselves and from others. -- Also Note: After the rapture of the Christian Church there is going to be another delivery it is the delivery of the Kingdom of this World into the hands and authority of Satan for a short time. During the Time of Satan (Antichrist) the Holy Spirit will not be delivered to be inside of people like He is now in the present Christian Church age. The post rapture Martyred Saints of Revelation receive the Holy Spirit in fellowship but not inside, not in the 'born again' regeneration manner that the people of the Christian Church have received. During the Time of Satan - Time of Tribulation, Satan is going to deliver his particular form of justice and government upon mankind and it won't go very well for mankind few will even live through it. The Martyred Saints of Revelation do not receive the Holy Spirit inside of them because after the rapture it is during the time of Satan's Kingdom when God's Eternal Justice for mankind is now in Heaven separate and away from Satan's Kingdom on earth and also because their remaining lifetime on earth will be short, so short that they receive their eternal Satisfaction and eternal Justice in heaven after their unjust martyrdom at the hands of Satan. [article link]

***KJV 1611 Reader Edition PDF Bible - Formatted with no verse or chapter reference numbers {Did Sir. Francis Bacon alter the KJV Bible? If Bacon was able to alter the KJV Translation it would be most altered in the chapter and verse separations and numbering. The KJV 1611 is a translation from the original Hebrew and Greek into the English language so anyone can look up the original words or phrases and therefore render any alterations void. However slightly jumbling the KJV with too many chapter separations and verse references has been a problem that has not been so easily overcome. Some of the Bible's chapter and verse markings are in very inappropriate locations particularly the Holy of Holies in the Old Testament book of the Prophet Isaiah chapter 53. A Christian would not (or should not) have divided Isaiah 52-53 where it is divided. Isaiah 52:13 - Isaiah 53:12 are one comment and should not have been divided.} (PDF)
The Words of Jesus Formatted in Red. The Reader Edition of the KJV is a complete Bible with both the Old and the New Testaments. In order to provide a consistent and enjoyable read the reader edition is formatted without the verse or chapter references providing a continuous easy to read Bible. Note: The KJV 1611 Bible is in the Public Domain, anyone can quote from the KJV 1611 and anyone can take any of the Basic Christian KJV 1611 Bible versions (Red Letter, Reader Version, etc.) or types (PDF, HTML, DOC, etc.) and do anything they want with them. The formatting, packaging even the meta-data info can be changed altered or removed. [article link]

wikipedia.org: Chapters and verses of the Bible - The original manuscripts did not contain the chapter and verse divisions in the numbered form familiar to modern readers - By the time of the Council of Nicaea in AD 325, the New Testament had been divided into paragraphs, although the divisions were different from the modern Bible - Churchmen Archbishop Stephen Langton and Cardinal Hugo de Sancto Caro determined different schemas for systematic division of the Bible between 1227 AD and 1248 AD - It is the system of Archbishop Langton on which the modern chapter divisions are based
Chapters: The original manuscripts did not contain the chapter and verse divisions in the numbered form familiar to modern readers. Some portions of the original texts were logically divided into parts following the Hebrew alphabet; for instance, the earliest known copies of the book of Isaiah use Hebrew letters for paragraph divisions. (This was different from the acrostic structure of certain texts following the Hebrew alphabet, such as Psalm 119 and the book of Lamentations.) There are other divisions from various sources which are different from what we use today. The Old Testament began to be put into sections before the Babylonian Captivity (586 BC) with the five books of Moses being put into a 154-section reading program to be used in a three-year cycle. Later (before 536 BC) the Law was put into 54 sections and 669 sub-divisions for reading. By the time of the Council of Nicaea in AD 325, the New Testament had been divided into paragraphs, although the divisions were different from the modern Bible. An important canon of the New Testament was proclaimed by Pope Damasus I in the Roman synod of 374. Pope Damasus also induced Jerome, a priest from Antioch, to undertake his famous translation of the entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments, from Hebrew and Greek into Latin, the official language of the time. This translation is known as the Vulgate. The Church continued to finance the very expensive process of copying and providing copies of the Bible to local churches and communities from that point up to and beyond the invention of the printing press, which greatly reduced the cost of producing copies of the Scriptures. Churchmen Archbishop Stephen Langton and Cardinal Hugo de Sancto Caro determined different schemas for systematic division of the Bible between 1227 and 1248. It is the system of Archbishop Langton on which the modern chapter divisions are based. [article link]

Family Radio (Family Stations Inc.) - [Oakland based Family Radio = CIA = NWO] - Harold Camping the president of Family Stations, Inc. - which asserts that churches are no longer the vehicle of God for salvation - includes the ideas that Christian churches are currently ruled by Satan and that believers should leave the churches - an [Oakland] California-based ministry with worldwide broadcast facilities - Family Stations, Inc. began obtaining FM licenses on commercial frequencies - radio markets which are on prime commercial frequencies {Oakland California based Family Stations Inc. with director Harold Camping is a CIA front.}
Harold Egbert Camping (born July 19, 1921) is an American radio and television broadcast host teaching an interpretation of Biblical and Christian doctrines. He is also the president of Family Stations, Inc., a California-based ministry with worldwide broadcast facilities, including more than 150 outlets in the United States, as well a Web site. He is known especially for his teachings of the Bible as the sole and authoritative word of God; of the imminent end of the world[1] (his most recent prediction has the world ending in the year 2011); of the "end of the church age" (which asserts that churches are no longer the vehicle of God for salvation);[2] and of predestination, according to which God determined before the beginning of the world which individuals are to be saved. A number of his doctrines are considered erroneous by various Christian denominations, especially since his doctrine of the "end of the church age" includes the ideas that Christian churches are currently ruled by Satan and that believers should leave the churches and pursue a Christian life through study of the Bible and conducting their lives in accordance with it. Camping does not consider his own movement a church and does not claim ordained or hierarchical authority within a church or institution.Harold Camping came from a Dutch Reformed Church background and owned a construction company before founding Family Stations, Inc. (also informally known as "Family Radio") in 1958. KEAR, San Francisco, was the first Family Station. Richard "Dick" Palmquist met with Camping in April 1958, persuading Camping to help support fundraising efforts to raise the $20,000 down payment on that station. Family Stations, Inc. began obtaining FM licenses on commercial frequencies before many Americans owned FM radios and now has affiliates in the New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore/Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco radio markets which are on prime commercial frequencies. [article link]

Cult Watch - "Family Radio" [CIA radio] Harold Camping, Founder and President, Family Radio (Family Stations, Inc.) {Be careful what you listen too. This "Family Radio" is crackpot radio extraordinaire. I listened to the call in show for about an hour and had a good laugh as the guy, squirmed his way around caller's good questions and into his FACTS, it was very funny. Except that his facts are that Christians are not Saved (only him and his exact followers go to heaven - go figure!) True Christians have never claimed to be "perfect" or without mistakes. To look at the mistakes of Christians is to neglect to look at the only True and Perfect one - Jesus our Savior.}
A false prophet. He first predicted the end of the world to take place in 1994, and now claims the church age has come to an end. Phil Johnson notes: Harold Camping has finally gone completely off. Having proved himself a false prophet by predicting that Christ would return to earth on September 6, 1994, Camping continues to make false prophecies. His most recent one is the absurd claim that the Church age has come to an end, and the Tribulation has begun. God is through with the church, Camping insists. He wants all Christians to leave their churches and trust Family Radio to be the vehicle through which the gospel is preached to the whole world. (You can guess where Camping thinks you should send all your money.) This once-fine ministry is a tragic example of what can happen when one man is given too much control with no accountability. Source: Family Radio entry, Phil Johnson's Bookmarks : Really Bad Theology ... Camping's aberrant and extra-biblical teachings and behavior (including his lack of accountability) place him outside the boundaries of orthodox, evangelical Christianity. [article link]

CuttingEdge.org June 24, 2009: As Western Powers continued to attempt to overthrow the Iranian hardline regime of President Ahmadinejad and Ayatollah Khamenei, that regime suddenly got some traction of its own - First, let us examine the West's continued efforts to negate the election and install the key opposition leader {Suddenly "Western Powers continued to attempt to overthrow the Iranian hardline regime" that clearly has not been the objective of Western leaders. David Bay 'Director' [the CIA has directors, ministries have ministers] of Cutting Edge Ministries an anti KJV 1611 proponent is one of the most suspect CIA disinformation agents [along with Joseph Farah of World Net Daily] on the internet. -- The "Secret Mysteries of America's Beginnings" DVD series that David Bay is a front for does have interesting info however it is not David Bay's exclusive project it is backed by people with deep Illuminati and occult ties who are expressing and making public the knowledge of their occult agenda through the "Secret Mysteries" DVD series. As others have pointed out the End Game of David Bay and the Secret Mysteries series is to discredit the 1611 KJV saying that Francis Bacon wrote that version. First "that version" is a Translation so no one wrote it second Bacon [who was not a member of the translation team] might have fiddled with some of the placement of chapter and verse numbers and possibly a word or two here and there but the KJV 1611 remains the superior English Bible translation.}
First, let us examine the West's continued efforts to negate the election and install the key opposition leader. NEWS BRIEF: "Obama Rips Iran in Tactical Shift", The Wall Street Journal, June 24, 2009 "WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama delivered his sharpest criticism of Iran's election and political crackdown ... After days of criticism from Republicans, Mr. Obama opened a White House news conference saying he was "appalled and outraged" by the threats and confrontations in the streets of the Iranian capital. He declined to confirm whether a U.S. offer of direct talks with Iran will still stand, instead saying he would wait to see how the postelection crisis there 'plays itself out'." You know the situation is serious when the most powerful man in the world -- the American President -- uses the power of his bully pulpit to severely critize a foreign nation. This criticism should be viewed in its correct light, i.e., as outward evidence of the Illuminati attempt to overthrow the Iranian regime, a threat made quite public a few days ago by Henry Kissinger! - Secondly, let us examine Iran's counterattack. NEWS BRIEF: "Iran now cracks down on Mousavi as tensions with West mount", MySinChew.org, June 24, 2009 "TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran intensified its crackdown on opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, with the arrest of staff at his newspaper and vitriolic attacks from the hardline press on Wednesday after he vowed to press on with his campaign against the disputed presidential election." When Iran feels bold enough to arrest the newspaper staff of Mr. Mousavi, you can take that as a sign that the hardline leadership feels secure enough to start bullying the very man whom Western Intelligence has raised up to fight for regime change. Iran's leadership felt so confident in their ultimate success that they actually set a date for Ahmadinejad to take his oath of office. NEWS BRIEF: "Iran sets date for Ahmadinejad to take oath of office", Press TV, June 23, 2009 "After winning a landslide victory in Iran's closely-contested and disputed 10th presidential election, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be sworn in before parliament between July 26 and August 19. On Tuesday, parliament's board of directors set July 26 to August 19 as the period for the president's swearing-in and the introduction of the new cabinet, IRNA reported." One of the three candidates for President abruptly withdrew his complaint of election fraud, thereby weakening the case of the opposition against the hardline regime. NEWS BRIEF: "Iranian Candidate Withdraws Election Complaints: Weakening case of opposition", Gulf News, June 24, 2009 ... [article link]

Prophecies in the Bible - Out of 66 Books in the Bible • 17 are devoted to prophecy • Sixteen of them are in the Old Testament • Revelation is the one New Testament book devoted to prophecy - However, there are verses of prophecy given throughout the entire Bible - Prophecy links mankind's past, present, and future giving us a balance of the Lord's whole and eternal purpose
The prophecies in the Bible are numerous and address many events. God's Word is an exciting book that is filled with His promises and purposes. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. . ." (2 Timothy 3:16). He has given us prophetic Scriptures so that we might understand what is happening and going to happen -- proving our hopes are in Him alone. God does not operate in a linear time frame, as we do. He is all seeing, all-powerful, and knows what was, what is, and what is to come, all at the same time! This is difficult for the human mind to comprehend. Yet, to help us, the Lord has given us prophecy to encourage us and enable us to get a vision of His plan, judgments and blessings. He says in Revelation 1:3: "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand" (KJV). Out of 66 Books in the Bible • 17 are devoted to prophecy • Sixteen of them are in the Old Testament • Revelation is the one New Testament book devoted to prophecy. However, there are verses of prophecy given throughout the entire Bible. God's first prophetic statement begins in Genesis 3:15 as He speaks to Satan concerning the act of deception performed on Eve. Some were foretelling the rise and fall of kingdoms. Many of the Old Testament prophecies are called Messianic prophecies and were in regard to the coming Messiah. These Scriptures are a powerful confirmation of the accuracy of prophecies in the Bible. Here are just a few of the hundreds: ... To understand what prophecy is all about and its relevance to us, we must see the true scope of it and God's intent. It links mankind's past, present, and future giving us a balance of the Lord's whole and eternal purpose. [article link]

Bible verse: Matthew 5:1-12 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God - Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God ... {The complete Bible is available at ChristianFaithDownloads.com}

Matthew 5:1-12 And seeing the multitudes, He (Jesus) went up into a mountain: and when He was set, His disciples came unto Him: And He opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
Blessed are the poor [needy of God] in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek [dying to self]: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure [Holy Spirit cleansed] in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all
manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. -- Holy Bible [article link]

Bible verse: Judges 13:11-22 And Manoah (Samson's father) said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God. (Note: The problem with modern Christianity is that we think we can look upon the Holy God of Israel and not die. To see God is to die, it is to die to self and to die to this world because we have been with God and will have received a new desire to live with and for God in heaven. Another way to put it is that a personal encounter with the living Holy God will change a person it will change our attitude and our life for the better. It's simply not possible to meet God and not change that is why when we pray we press in to meet with God so that we will encounter God and we will be changed all the more into His likeness. It's the same way when we read the Bible, fellowship, attend Church or serve God we are changed and changed for the better when we have been in the presence and in the service of the Holy God.)
And Manoah arose, and went after his wife, and came to the Man (Jesus), and said unto Him, Art thou the man that spakest unto the woman? And He said, I Am. And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child (Samson), and how shall we do unto him? And the Angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Of all that I said unto the woman let her beware. She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe. And Manoah said unto the Angel of the LORD, I pray thee, let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a kid (small goat) for thee. And the Angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Though thou detain Me, I will not eat of thy bread: and if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the LORD. For Manoah knew not that He was an Angel of the LORD. And Manoah said unto the Angel of the LORD, What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honour? And the Angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after My name [Jesus], seeing it is secret? [the physical incarnation of Jesus was not yet revealed to mankind (Isaiah 9:6-7), the Jewish Prophets came after Samson's period of Jewish Judges -- later the angel Gabriel would announced the birth and name of Jesus (Luke 1:26-35)] So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it upon a rock unto the LORD: and the angel did wonderously; and Manoah and his wife looked on. For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground. But the angel of the LORD did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that He was an Angel of the LORD. And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God. -- Holy Bible [article link]

DebbieSchlussel.com: Leonard Nimoy (Spock) Talks about Judiasm in Star Treck - explains how he ripped off the holy greeting of the Jewish priests--the Cohens or "Cohanim"--for his Spock greeting [Nimoy and William Shatner are both Jewish] {Very interesting video.} (YouTube)
The second one (video), not so much. It puts forth the BS liberal Leonard Nimoy has been spouting for years. He pimps on some Jewish audience the baloney that Judaism is a liberal religion. It isn't. In fact, religiously observant Jews are very conservative and usually vote that way. It's the lapsed ones who are libs. ... FYI, "shul" is synagogue, the "bima" is a synagogue podium, and "talit" is the Jewish prayer shawl he puts on. For the record, I never look during the prayer of the Cohens--one of Judaism's coolest and most moving ceremonies. It's a very important prayer, and it's sad Nimoy mocked it and used it for "Star Trek." [article link]

Bible verse: James 1:19-27 ... For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God ... {The complete Bible is available at ChristianFaithDownloads.com}
James 1:19-27 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. -- Holy Bible. [article link]

Animated Jack Chick Tract - This Was Your Life (Flash) {Note in the Chick Tract how when the person is brought by the angel and meets God face to face, Jesus is seated (on His great white throne judgment seat Revelation 20:11) and compare this to Acts 7:55-56 where Jesus is standing to receive Stephen into His everlasting presence. We all have a choice in how we get to meet God either at His standing (as a Priest to accept us as an acceptable offering through His cross unto Himself) or as a Judge without His cross to condemn us out of His presence. The Chick Tracts are very Biblical even in the minor details.}
A pastor who recently called us summed up the life and ministry of Jack Chick quite well. He said, "The thing I appreciate most about Jack Chick is that thirty years ago when I read my first Chick tract, it was a pure soul winning tract, presenting the gospel in a simple format that anyone could understand. Today, thirty years later, he hasn't changed a bit. While many other Christian leaders have left soul winning far behind, Jack Chick is still faithfully producing easy-to-understand soul winning gospel tracts with a salvation message that anyone can understand. He has never swerved or strayed from his calling to share the gospel with the lost multitudes around the world." [article link]

Altar Calls and the Emerging Church - A discussion between Tony Jones and Sean McDowell - The first thing (the Apostle) Paul often did when he came to town was to preach to crowds [Acts 13] - Paul did not call crowds to respond, but the individual people in the crowds - While he addressed the group, he was still able to minister to the individuals
Sean says: Tony, I also have some concerns about the way altar calls are often done. Excessive emotional appeal often leads merely to a commitment of the heart when it should be both the heart and mind. Metanoia means a "change of mind." If an emotional appeal distracts from the true cost of following Jesus it is call for concern. This is why, if I do an altar call, I request for music not to be played until after the commitment period. Trained counselors must be on hand help students understand that it is all about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. If young people don't understand how to enter into relationship with Jesus, they will likely fall away. It bothers me when people give an altar call and think their work is done. In reality, the work has just begun! An altar call is often the first step in the spiritual journey of our students that can open the door for us to become deeply involved in their lives. There may not be examples of Jesus leading mass conversions, as you mentioned, but Paul gave mass evangelistic messages many times. He addressed entire crowds with a tailored gospel message. The first thing Paul often did when he came to town was to preach to crowds. In Acts 13 Paul preaches in Antioch of Pisidia to groups of Jews during Sabbath. In his Athenian speech to Jews and Gentiles, Paul once again addressed crowds with the message of the resurrection of Jesus. There were even many converts, as a result of his call to repentance (Acts 17:34). Paul did not call crowds to respond, but the individual people in the crowds. While he addressed the group, he was still able to minister to the individuals. Many times our kids are ministered to best in the midst of their peers. [article link]

Description of [20] Spiritual Gifts - These are supernatural enablements so that we (Christians) may serve God more effectively in the world and in the church. Every Christian has at least one spiritual gift, many are given more than one gift. All Christians are called to the work of the ministry and distinctions between "clergy" [professional] and "laity" [amateur] are foreign to the New Testament {As a reference point the "Basic Christian" ministry does not function as a Teaching or a Preaching ministry. The "Basic Christian" ministry does try to function under the following three Spiritual giftings #1 Gift of Service, #2 Gift of Faith-Vision, #3 Gift of Discernment. The result is Basic Christian is serving others by providing readily available Christian resources, information and links. Basic Christian is not providing any type of authority or oversight to the people who visit the website but is simply trying to make Christian information more easily available and accessible in order to serve the (Church) body of Christ and others.}
Natural talents and personality traits are natural human resources which all of us have. These are not the same as spiritual gifts which are given by sovereign choice, by the Holy Spirit, at the time we become Christians [the gifts actually come later in one's Christian life walk, at our own personal Pentecost-Empowerment given to us by the Holy Spirit]. These are supernatural enablements so that we may serve God more effectively in the world and in the church. Every Christian has at least one spiritual gift, many are given more than one gift. All Christians are called to the work of the ministry and distinctions between "clergy" and "laity" are foreign to the New Testament. Both spiritual gifts and natural talents must be employed in the power of the Holy Spirit and not in the self-energy of the flesh in order to please God and bring positive results. The various spiritual gifts are listed in Romans 12, Ephesians 4, I Corinthians 13-15, and elsewhere. Commentators differ as to whether the list totals 22, or fewer, gifts. The gifts are divided into (1) teaching/leadership gifts, (2) service gifts, and (3) sign gifts given to authenticate the work of apostles and prophets, particularly at the beginning of a new age (dispensation) when God does something new and different in the world. Here is a rather complete list: ... "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord (Jesus Christ); and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God (the Father) who inspires them all in every one. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Cor. 12:5-7). {Empowered - Pentecost: The Holy Spirit gifting-empowerment is not in the initial "born again" condition because being 'born again' is Not an Experience. We are each "born again" by the FAITH in the Living Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Pentecost experience "Empowerment" gifting comes later in the life of the individual (faithful, desirous, obedient) Christian. For example at the original Pentecost the Christians "spoke in tongues" speaking in tongues is a gifting of God and it is not a requirement to become a Christian. Many Christians do not have the Gift of speaking in tongues but every Christian has to be [Upper Room John 20:22] "born again" by faith in the Resurrection of Jesus to first be a Christian then later at the discretion of the Holy Spirit be given the empowerment [Pentecost] gifting by the Holy Spirit.} [article link]

Christian Testimony Ministry - Subjects - Advance Christian studies for the mature and growing Christian {If you want to find out what Mature Christianity is these are some of the *Best studies on the internet.} (Mp3's)
CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY MINISTRY MISSION: "THAT THE WORD OF THE LORD MAY RUN AND BE GLORIFIED" This one phrase from 2 Thessalonians 3:1 expresses both the mission of Christian Testimony Ministry. As the verse begins, the Apostle Paul requested, "For the rest, brethren, pray for us", and he followed with that phrase that is stated above. This was to be the substance of the prayers of the saints for the ministry of Paul. Likewise, we request the same from the Lord's people as we endeavor to bring the Lord's Word to them. We believe the times we live in are like the days of Samuel, as stated in 1 Samuel 3:1, "and the word of Jehovah was rare in those days: a vision was not frequent". In the Christian realm there is much spoken, but in many ways the word of the Lord is rare. What is spoken doesn't produce real vsion of the Lord and His purpose. Our burden is that the rare word of the Lord would be given in all its glory and our desire is that the word given will result in increased vision of the Lord and His great purpose. -- THE LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF: From Hebrews 1:1 we read, "God having spoken in many parts and in many ways formerly to the fathers in the prophets, at the end of these days has spoken to us in the person of the Son". God's final speaking and the emphasis of the ministry is the beloved son. He is the message and all the ministries we share are to focus first and foremost upon the Lord Himself. Our burden is as stated in Colossians 1:18, "that in all things He might have the preeminence". [article link]

Christian Testimony Ministry - Testimonies {More can be learned about God from one repentant sinner than from a group of professional preachers. Also note it is "The Goodness of God" that ultimately draws people to Jesus. God is good and kind and merciful and faithful and to encounter God is ultimately encountering the goodness that only God has to offer.} (Many Excellent Mp3's - Various Topics)
About Christian Tape Ministry - CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY MINISTRY MISSION - GOD'S ETERNAL PURPOSE: God is a God of purpose and all He does is with that purpose in view. In Ephesians 1:9-10 we read that the end of God' purpose, "which He purposed in Himself", is to "head up (sum up) all things in Christ". Christ Himself is to be the sum of all spiritual things. This is the purpose of God and the purpose of the ministry. We also read in Ephesians 3:10-11 that it is through the church that "might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord". This great purpose includes Christ and His Church. It is our mission that all the messages we make available are to further the eternal purpose of God by giving our Lord Jesus that central place and build up His Church. This present focus will be our aim to the end until according to Ephesians 5:27, "that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish". -- PERFECTING AND EDIFYING: Included in our mission is this emphasis according as God has given gifts to His church as we read in Ephesians 4:12, "For the perfecting of the saints; with a view to the work of the ministry, with a view to the edifying of the body of Christ". All our labor is with this in view. We offer all these messages and books from His gifts to His church for this work, "until we all arrive at the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, at the full-grown man, at the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ". If this ministry can in any way focus upon these things, our mission will be accomplished and our labor will not be in vain. [article link]

The Online Library of T. Austin-Sparks (Mp3's)
Theodore Austin-Sparks was born in London, England in 1888 and was educated in both England and Scotland. At the age of 25 he was ordained as a pastor, however, a few years later his "career" took a decidedly different direction when a crisis brought him to a place of brokenness and he left the denomination with which he was involved and dropped the title of "Reverend". -- "From his early years he had believed in the power and significance of the spoken Word of God, and that all developments of its exposition and application should be vitally related to the actual and growing needs of the spiritual life of representative bodies of God's people. Through His Word God would meet His own, but His way of giving to His servants was not merely through bookish, cloistered or studied matter. Rather it was made necessary, drawn out and given meaning by the call and answer of living conditions. Its value - if it was to be anything more than words - lay in its being able to touch the Lord's people at the point of experience and need which had been the occasion of its original calling forth. Such was the special calling of T. Austin-Sparks, a man ploughing a furrow perhaps a little apart from his contemporaries, but always true to Christ Jesus his Saviour and Lord, and committed to a vision of spiritually fruitful harvests throughout the whole field that is God's world." (by Angus Kinnear, author of "Against the Tide" and son-in-law of T. Austin-Sparks). [article link]

Revival in the Hebrides (1949) by Duncan Campbell - Note: The following is a transcript of a taped message on the Hebrides Revival - The report was given in 1968 by Duncan Campbell, a preacher in the Revival
Now I am sure that you will be interested to know how, in November 1949, this gracious movement began on the island of Lewis. Two old women, one of them 84 years of age and the other 82 - one of them stone blind, were greatly burdened because of the appalling state of their own parish. It was true that not a single young person attended public worship. Not a single young man or young woman went to the church. And those two women were greatly concerned and they made it a special matter of prayer. ... Well that continued for some weeks--indeed, I believe almost a month and a half. Until one night-- now this is what I am anxious for you to get ahold of - one night they were kneeling there in the barn, pleading this promise, "I will pour water on him that is thirsty, floods upon the dry ground" when one young man, a deacon in the church, got up and read Psalm 24. "Who shall ascend the hill of God? Who shall stand in His holy place? He that has clean hands and a pure heart who has not lifted up his soul unto vanity or sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing (not a blessing, but THE blessing) of the Lord." And then that young man closed his Bible. -- And looking down at the minister and the other office bearers, he said this - maybe crude words, but perhaps not so crude in our Gaelic language - he said, "It seems to me to be so much humbug to be praying as we are praying, to be waiting as we are waiting, if we ourselves are not rightly related to God." And then he lifted his two hands - and I'm telling you just as the minister told me it happened - he lifted his two hands and prayed, "God, are my hands clean? Is my heart pure?" But he got no further. That young man fell to his knees and then fell into a trance. -- Now don't ask me to explain this because I can't. He fell into a trance and is now lying on the floor of the barn. And in the words of the minister, at that moment, he and his other office bearers were gripped by the conviction that a God-sent revival must ever be related to holiness, must ever be related to Godliness. Are my hands clean? Is my heart pure? The man that God will trust with revival - that was the conviction. -- When that happened in the barn, the power of God swept into the parish. And an awareness of God gripped the community such as hadn't been known for over 100 years. An awareness of God - that's revival, that's revival. And on the following day, the looms were silent, little work was done on the farms as men and women gave themselves to thinking on eternal things, gripped by eternal realities. [article link]

**Revival Hymn a Call to Action (Video & Mp3 Downloads)
Have We No Tears for Revival? "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." (Ps. 126:5). This is the divine edict. This is more than preaching with zeal. This is more than scholarly exposition. This is more than delivering sermons of exegetical exactitude and homiletic perfection. Such a man, whether preacher or pew dweller, is appalled at the shrinking authority of the Church in the present drama of cruelty in the world. And he cringes with sorrow that men turn a deaf ear to the Gospel and willingly risk eternal hell in the process. Under this complex burden, his heart is crushed to tears. The true man of God is heartsick, grieved at the worldliness of the Church, grieved at the blindness of the Church, grieved at the corruption in the Church, grieved at the toleration of sin in the Church, grieved at the prayerlessness in the Church. He is disturbed that the corporate prayer of the Church no longer pulls down the strongholds of the devil. He is embarrassed that the Church folks no longer cry in their despair before a devil-ridden, sin-mad society, "Why could we not cast him out?" (Matt. 17:19). [article link]

Few taking advantage of brief mission trips - A new survey finds that few churchgoers in America have taken a short-term mission trip - The most active group of people in terms of short-term trips was evangelical Christians, 23% of whom had taken a short-term mission trip - According to the study, residents of the Northeast, Catholics, and political liberals were among the least likely to go on service trips
A new survey finds that few churchgoers in America have taken a short-term mission trip. ... "When you've got so many people who are going through the motions of attending church, or reading the Bible, or praying, these kinds of short-term mission trips seem to open up people's eyes and ears and hearts to the world around them...," he explains. Three-quarters of trip-goers, according to the survey, report the experience changed their life in some way. "They become more aware of how other people are struggling; they learn more about poverty or justice issues; they become more compassionate; they tell us that it actually enriches their faith; they become more generous as people," says Kinnaman. -- The Barna president urges church leaders to tap into those positive aspects of short-term missions. "Many pastors, parents, and teachers are searching for ways to transform hearts and minds," he says in the survey report. "One promising way to go about changing people's perspectives is to go on a service adventure together." [article link]

Missions - Calvary Chapel Bible College Extension Campus 8:43 AM 10/18/2008(Mp3's)
CDs can be obtained from the Bible College Office. MP3s can be downloaded by clicking on classes with MP3 media. If you want to listen to the MP3s and do not want to download the files first try these instructions. [article link]

The Living Waters Store - Classic Comfort Mp3 Set - More than 60 Messages by Ray Comfort in mp3 format (Mp3's $30.00)
"Anyone who is serious about engaging in the battle for souls MUST do whatever he or she can to get this audio series and listen to it over and over and over again. Put it in your car or walkman and keep it there. Many times I have felt beaten up by the world, feeling like I was out there all alone sharing the Gospel; and then I pop in this audio series and the Lord uses it to re-energize me and put that spring back in my step. The combination of Scripture, humor, logic and on-the-street encounters will keep you focused and ready to engage in this all-important battle for the souls of men...and women!" ~Larry Lee (GA). [article link]

Movie Focuses on Billy Graham's Early Years - Graham's story is told through the eyes of Charles Templeton, a former evangelist turned nonbeliever who was Graham's lifelong friend - On his deathbed, Templeton tells how Graham held on to his faith in the face of the horrors such as the Holocaust, while Templeton walked away from God - The independent movie was made without the blessing of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, the Charlotte-based ministry now run by Graham's eldest son, Franklin Graham - the movie "lacks my father's greatest passion: to preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to the world and point men, women and children to the (eternal-life) saving power" {I agree with Franklin Graham if the movie is only about a good person and not about Jesus Christ then the movie is an empty movie. To be "good" whatever that is in the eyes of society is to come up very short of the Eternal Life we have in Jesus Christ. Being "good" and being Eternally Alive by the Holy Spirit are two completely different things not to mention that the Bible says that no one is actually good (Matthew 19:17 … there is none good but one, that is, God).}
RALEIGH, N.C. - Robby Benson knows how it sounds. But his reason for making a movie about the life of a young Billy Graham, the director says, is simple: "I wanted to make a movie about goodness." "Billy: The Early Years" focuses on Graham's life as a teenager growing up on a dairy farm in Charlotte through his years as a young man, when he became a super-evangelist, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to his preaching tour "crusades." The film premieres in theaters Friday in more than a dozen Southern states. ... The independent movie was made without the blessing of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, the Charlotte-based ministry now run by Graham's eldest son, Franklin. But at some of those early screenings, a few pastors incorrectly said the movie was backed by the association. Gigi Graham believes that mistake led to the tension between the filmmakers and her brother, who has said the movie "lacks my father's greatest passion: to preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to the world and point men, women and children to the saving power." Benson said he's perplexed about Franklin Graham's concerns ... "I think all of us are very confused as to why he would have problems with the movie and why anyone who sees the movie would come away saying anything other than, 'What a great man,"' Benson said. [article link]

Building a Distinctive Ethical Life (Part 2) Eph 4:25-32 Tom Dixon {If you can get this ONE Christian concept it will open up your Christian faith, life-walk. God interacts with us not based on what we deserve but based on a relationship. Not what we have or have not done, not what we deserve or don't deserve but on a simple one to one friendship, relationship basis.} (Mp3's)
Xenos.org - Ephesians Series by Gary DeLashmutt (2008). [article link]

Mini Bible College - Getting People into God's Word and God's Word into His People - Pastor and teacher Dick Woodward has a unique approach to making the scriptures come alive - This teaching provides a devotional approach to the scriptures and is easily understood by those with little education and those who are very educated (FREE Mp3's)
The Mini Bible College serves as the core curriculum for nurturing believers and assisting the spiritual growth of the Church worldwide. Pastor and teacher Dick Woodward has a unique approach to making the scriptures come alive, cutting through denominational and cultural boundaries. This teaching provides a devotional approach to the scriptures and is easily understood by those with little education and those who are very educated. -- MBC is delivered through radio broadcasts, satellite, the Internet, audio tapes, CDs, as well as a full curriculum of booklets, leadership material and study guides. This provides a targeted approach to best reach ICM-built churches and ensures maximum leveraging of resources. ICM-built churches use this material for evangelism, teaching and nurturing believers in their congregations and Bible study groups. [article link]

The Teaching Ministry of Dr. Ravi Zacharias - Let My People Think (Mp3's)
Download archive in mp3 and real audio for the teaching ministry of Dr. Ravi Zacharias. Reaching the thinker and opinion makers with solid Christian apologetics. [article link]

Is Christianity Intolerant? A must-hear message! - Dr. Phil Fernandes - Dr. Fernandes looks at this topic and shows how Christianity is in fact, the moral conscience of a nation and that the apostasy from Christianity has led to that which Christians are blamed for. He shows how the "new tolerance" of political correctness and the neo-pagan movement has set up a "straw man" to attack genuine Christianity (Mp3)
Brief Sermon Overview: Much has been made in recent years about the bigotry and intolerance of Christianity in modern culture and the media. Christianity is routinely blamed for causing the Holocaust, slavery and a host of other ills. Is this really an accurate characterization of the Christian faith though? Dr. Fernandes looks at this topic and shows how Christianity is in fact, the moral conscience of a nation and that the apostasy from Christianity has led to that which Christians are blamed for. He shows how the "new tolerance" of political correctness and the neo-pagan movement has set up a "straw man" to attack genuine Christianity. ... Comments: "A much needed message..." This lecture addresses many important issues. It answers many of the modern liberal criticisms against Christianity, and the information presented on that topic alone is worth hearing. What makes this especially worth a listen are the probing questions that we, as Christians, should be asking ourselves. The Church--the TRUE Church--is a wonderful, God-ordained institution, but we must always guard ourselves against letting the world's systems infiltrate the Church. And we must not make the Church just another political tool for the Republicans, Democrats, or anyone else. ... Go to it Phil! Pulpits across the globe need to be graced with more men of your calibre! ... "Great Sermon!" I was blown away!Wow! Fernandes is an ardent speaker who tells it like it is.For today's post-Christian milieu,we need more courageous voices to speak the truth; we need more pastors like Dr.Fernandes. ... "Great Sermon!" The title does not indicate the essential nature of this lecture nor does it hint at the powerful insight into our crumbling culture. A must-hear message! [article link]

Campus Crusade for Christ - New Testament Survey (Summary Introduction) Downloads *Limited Availability (20 Free Lessons - Mp3's)
Below are links to MP3 files for the "New Testament Survey" class. Right click on a link and choose "save target as" to save a file to your computer so you can listen to it. Be sure to save it to a location where you can find it, like your desktop. (Macintosh: press "control" as you click on the link, then select "Download Link to Disk".) You will need an audio player, for example WinAmp, to listen to the files. WinAmp has a free version if you do not have an audio player already on your computer. These lessons are large in size so depending on your connection speed they might take a few minutes to download - all 20 files add up to 500 megs. [article link]

Dare to be Christian - Popularity that Matters (Mp3)
Brief Sermon Overview:LESSON: To be popular with everyone brings a warning; to be popular with Christ brings heaven's blessing. OUTLINE: I. Popularity with everyone brings Christ's warning. II. Popularity with Christ brings Christ's blessing. III. To side-step criticism for Christ links you with the false prophets. IV. To risk criticism for Christ links you with God's true prophets. CONCLUSION: Dare to be Christian -- through and through. Even if your peers curse you, Christ will bless you when you risk being criticized for Him. [article link]

Lectures - Current Semesters Class Recordings - Calvary Chapel Bible College Extension Campus (Mp3's)
CDs can be obtained from the Bible College Office. MP3s can be downloaded by clicking on classes with MP3 media. If you want to listen to the MP3s and do not want to download the files first try these instructions. [article link]

Right Before our Very Eyes - I remember, back when I was a young believer, when it seemed every Christian was passionate for God's Word (Bible), when evangelism was a normal activity, and when false teaching was something that happened out there, hidden in the shadowy world of the New Agers and cults - Now things are different - Today, ever increasing numbers of Evangelicals are now joining in with the skepticism, doubt and denial of the Word of God - They are speaking the same words as those in the New [Age] Spirituality - They have joined the New Faith - They have joined the One World Religion
I remember, back when I was a young believer, when it seemed every Christian was passionate for God's Word, when evangelism was a normal activity, and when false teaching was something that happened out there, hidden in the shadowy world of the New Agers and cults. Now things are different. The New Agers have gone mainstream; popularizing their occult religion in every venue of our culture, from education to entertainment and the marketplace. What used to be found only in a crystal and incense filled Berkeley bookstore is now openly promoted throughout society. Even the main textbook for the foundation of my college major existed to mainstream the New Age. The world religions, the New Agers, secular humanists and the occult have come out from the underground and have normalized their worldview. -- Now things are really different. Now we have many from within Christianity, joining in with what is now called the "New Spirituality". I remember ten years ago when I walked into a bookstore, and saw a prominent display of John Shelby Spong's book, Why Christianity Must Change or Die. Yes this was a liberal mainline skeptic's manifesto. But something was up. Then a few years later he gave us A New Christianity for a New World: Why Traditional Faith is Dying and How a New Faith is Being Born. At that point, I realized that Protestant Christianity had joined with the New Age. Today, ever increasing numbers of Evangelicals are now joining in with the skepticism, doubt and denial of the Word of God. They are speaking the same words as those in the New Spirituality. They have joined the New Faith. They have joined the One World Religion. -- Just like God said would happen, thousands of years ago. We are seeing it unfold now, right before our very eyes. Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostacy comes first, and the man of lawlesness is revealed, the son of destruction…2Thes.2:3. [article link]

Part 1: Ditching Discipleship for the Doctrines of Demons - "My goal is to destroy Christianity" - Erwin McManus (Emerging Church leader) - Erwin goes on to say, "The church isn't here for us - We are the church and we're here for the world" - But is it biblical? Well, it is, partially - And that pretty much sums up the entire [Fale Teaching] Emergent movement
Erwin goes on to say, "The church isn't here for us. We are the church and we're here for the world." [6] Yes, that is a very well-known mantra at Mosaic, one I'm sure Erwin is very proud of. It's so altruistic. But is it biblical? Well, it is, partially. And that pretty much sums up the entire Emergent movement - biblical, partially. Yes, we are the Church and we are here for the world. But the Church is also here for us, or rather, we the Church are here for one other. The early believers "devoted themselves to the Apostles teachings and to fellowship , to the breaking of bread and prayer" (Acts 2:42) Galatians 6:10 says, "Let us do good to everyone, especially to those who are of the household of faith." Paul did command acts of kindness toward unbelievers here, but he placed special emphasis on doing good to other believers. Jesus Himself said that it is by our mutual Christian love for one another that the world will know we belong to Him (John 13:35). ... Discipleship calls for loving one another in the body of Christ. I already addressed this previously in this article, but here are a few more references: Romans 12:10 says, "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." 1 Th 3:12 says, "May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you." Heb 13:1 says, "Let brotherly love continue." 1 Pet 3:8 says, "Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind." 1 Pet 4:8 says, "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." And 1 John 2:10 says, "Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling." And there are many, many more. -- Discipleship calls for preserving and defending the faith, i.e. doctrinal truth. Paul reminds Timothy that the Church of Jesus Christ has the utmost responsibility and privilege to be the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Tim 3:15), and Jude likewise warns Christians in his epistle to "contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). Being Christ's disciple is a high call to preserve and fight (contend) for that truth. Discipleship calls for "intelligent evangelism." Again, the Great Commission commands us to make "teach the nations." Teach them what? Truth! As I said earlier, worshiping God requires knowing the truth He has revealed from His word. That is why evangelism is so crucial. Romans 10:17 says, "Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." Faith comes through hearing the word of Christ being proclaimed because Christ's word brings knowledge of the truth which leads to pure worship of God. God's ultimate end in all He does is the glorification of His great name, and only intelligent evangelism, proclamation based on knowledge of the truth He has revealed, can lead people into God-exalting worship. [article link]

The Danger of Robert Schuller's Rethink Conference - ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS WE HAVE IN THE CHURCH TODAY ARE MEN AND WOMEN WHO GOD HAS CALLED TO LEAD THE PEOPLE, WHO HAVE SOLD OUT GOD AND HIS TRUTH FOR THIS WORLD!!! - This is even a greater issue for those God has called to lead His people since they will be judged more harshly
ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS WE HAVE IN THE CHURCH TODAY ARE MEN AND WOMEN WHO GOD HAS CALLED TO LEAD THE PEOPLE, WHO HAVE SOLD OUT GOD AND HIS TRUTH FOR THIS WORLD!!! NOW MORE THAN EVER, AS WE ARE IN THE LAST DAYS, GOD NEEDS MEN AND WOMEN OF GOD WHO WILL NOT COMPROMISE HIS TRUTH, NOT WATER DOWN THE GOSPEL, NOT WAVER UNDER THE TEMPTATIONS OF THIS JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE, BUT HOLD FIRM AND DECLARE TO THIS LOST AND DYING GENERATION THAT GOD'S TRUTH IS THE ONLY TRUTH AND JESUS IS THE ONLY HOPE FOR MEN NOW AND FOR ALL ETERNITY!!! -- The danger of Robert Schuller's "Rethink Conference." Before you do anything today, you need to get out your Bible and read each of the anchor verses: Romans 16:17,! Corinthians 5:6-8, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, Ephesians 5:11. I am constantly amazed at Christian leaders who align themselves with men and women who do NOT know Christ as their Savior, reject the Bible as the only Truth there is, and embrace the false gods and lies of this world. The Bible has much to say about our relationships and those people we align ourselves with. We can never forget that as a man or woman of God, we are His ambassadors and the ones who have been called to carry His light and Truth to this dark and fallen world we live in. -- This is even a greater issue for those God has called to lead His people since they will be judged more harshly. Why do these men of God insist on being part of unholy alliances that require the absolutes of His Word to be compromised and the Gospel to be watered down? I hear all the time the excuse that this is what it takes to get things done in a world that rejects Biblical Truth and Jesus Christ, but I call that a lie from the pits of hell itself. Paul dealt with the kings and princes of his day. He spoke to the business leaders and people in the cities he traveled to. PAUL NEVER COMPROMISED GOD'S TRUTH OR WATERED DOWN THE GOSPEL! PAUL NEVER FAILED TO TELL MEN THERE IS ONLY ONE NAME BY WHICH MEN ARE SAVED, THE NAME OF JESUS! But then again, Paul wasn't looking for earthly fame or fortune, only to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and see men saved!!! [article link]

The Danger of Robert Schuller's Rethink Conference - Rethink Conference - A giant step toward the convergence of the three-legged stool - WARNING: A large number of the speakers scheduled for Rethink are meditation proponents - Speaker List: Includes Dan Kimball, John Ortberg, Kay Warren (wife of Rick Warren), George Bush, Sr. (Satanist), Larry King (married LDS Mormon), Lee Strobel (False Doctrine - Deceiver), Gary Smalley, Rupert Murdoch (Fox News, HarperCollins - owner/distributer of Satanic bible), Jon Gordon, Erwin McManus (Emergent Church), Jay Sekulow (False Flag Operator), and others
Quotes by Robert Schuller: "I met once more with the Grand Mufti [a Muslim], truly one of the great Christ-honoring leaders of faith.... I'm dreaming a bold impossible dream: that positive-thinking believers in God will rise above the illusions that our sectarian religions have imposed on the world, and that leaders of the major faiths will rise above doctrinal idiosyncrasies, choosing not to focus on disagreements, but rather to transcend divisive dogmas to work together to bring peace and prosperity and hope to the world." p. 502 ... "Standing before a crowd of devout Muslims with the Grand Mufti, I know that we're all doing God's work together. Standing on the edge of a new millennium, we're laboring hand in hand to repair the breach." p. 501 ... What is Robert Schuller Doing These Days? Robert Schuller interviewed New Ager Gerald Jampolsky on October 2004. Schuller's web site began promoting and advertising Jampolsky's 1999 book, Forgiveness (with a foreword by Neal Donald Walsch). [article link]

The Danger of Robert Schuller's Rethink Conference - Erwin McManus Teams Up with Robert Schuller 2008 - Could Have Far-Reaching Effects - What is really taking place at the Rethink Conference is the reality of Schuller's dream that there be a global unity among all religions and beliefs and that all these paths lead to the same God (i.e., "we're all doing God's work" and all these paths can "bring peace and prosperity and hope to the world") - The glue is mysticism [Christian meditation], and this is what is being inculcated at the Rethink Conference - The effects of this could be far-reaching as you can see by the earlier quotes.
In January 2008, the Rethink Conference will take place at Robert Schuller's Crystal Cathedral. According to Church Communication Network (CCN), the event will be hosted by Robert Schuller and Erwin McManus. On the Rethink Conference website, the event is described as: "Leading Thinkers and Influencers offer a perspective you may never have imagined." These thinkers and influencers include a wide array of prominent personalities such as Kay Warren, Chuck Colson, former president H.W. Bush, Larry King, John and Nancy Ortberg, Rupert Murdoch, Gary Smalley, and of course hosts Robert Schuller and Erwin McManus. While at first glance there might appear to be little, if anything, in common between these speakers. However, a number of them do have one thing in common, and that is a propensity toward contemplative (i.e., mystical) spirituality. Those would include Kay Warren, the Ortbergs, Erwin McManus, Robert Schuller, Dan Kimball, and H.B. London Jr. (Focus on the Family). -- According to the conference site, "If you want to increase your influence as a leader in an ever-changing culture, then ... Rethink gives you the tools and perspectives you need to lead today." The event is designed for pastors and leaders in particularly, and promises that even theologically conservative pastors will feel comfortable. Ironically enough, many of the speakers whom Christian pastors and leaders might be more willing to trust (those who are professing Christians) may be the very ones who will pass on a mystical perspective. For instance, H.B. London Jr. is an avid promoter of Richard Foster's spiritual formation, and Erwin McManus, who says it is his goal to destroy Christianity, claims that the core of his book, The Barbarian Way, is mysticism.2 Kay Warren recommends Henri Nouwen's contemplative book, In the Name of Jesus, and her husband Rick Warren has supported the contemplative (spiritual formation) movement for years (see ATOD, ch. 8) -- While Robert Schuller will be representing Christianity as well, he too has a long history of mystical affinities. Listen to Ray Yungen explain: ... The Rethink Conference is bringing together leaders from several different philosophical and religious camps under the auspices of Robert Schuller. If one wonders what his purpose is, that answer might be found in his book, My Journey, when he states: [article link]

Robert Schuller's Rethink Conference - February 5-7 2009 - *At the request of Crystal Cathedral, Rethink 2009 has been postponed to 2010 {That's unusual, usually the deceivers seldom take a day off from plying their dirty trade of fraud, deceit and lies against unsuspecting mankind. Remember the deceiver must first deceive themselves! Usually the deception substitutes Man in the place of God and that is never a good teaching, it is always a false teaching. Christian teachings that separate man from needing the salvation of Jesus Christ and separate man from the Holy Bible and imply that Jesus is not unique and not God are teachings that are using the model and blueprint of deception.}
At the request of Crystal Cathedral, Rethink 2009 has been postponed to 2010. If you have already registered for the event, you will receive a full credit for your payment. We sincerely regret any inconvenience. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at: info@rethinkconference.com. [article link]

Willow Creek Hegelian Dialectic & The New World Order - "Consensus Process" is a 200 year-old, three-step process of "thesis, antithesis and synthesis", developed in the late 1700's by a german named Georg William Friedreich Hegel that results in what we now know as "group-think " - For the benefit of those who have not yet heard of the Hegelian Dialectic, let me briefly run through it as taught by Authority Research Center - Here's how it works: A group gathers, and has agreed beforehand that each in attendance will ultimately surrender his or her own personal position on any given issue to the will or "consensus" of the group after *processing to consensus* through dialog
With ministers from around the country attending Willow Creek's Leadership Conference, Bill Hybels, acting as "facilitator", brings everyone into the "Consensus Process" to hear Bill Clinton's confession-less appeal for forgiveness to try and gain the approval and acceptance of the evangelical community just in time for the Democratic Convention. For the benefit of those who have not yet heard of the Hegelian Dialectic, let me briefly run through it as taught by Authority Research Center president, Dean Gotcher. The Hegelian Dialectic or "Consensus Process" is a 200 year-old, three-step process of "thesis, antithesis and synthesis", developed in the late 1700's by a german named Georg William Friedreich Hegel that results in what we now know as "group-think ". It is a system Dean calls "Praxis" that Socialists have used for centuries to seduce, seize and control mass populations without warfare. It is also in full operation here in the United States under such names as: "Outcome Based Education", "Goals 2000", "Sustainable Development", "School To Work", "DARE" and many more. It's all about embracing "tolerance, diversity and unity" for The New World Order. To put it in layman's terms, it's brainwashing. -- Here's how it works: A group gathers, and has agreed beforehand that each in attendance will ultimately surrender his or her own personal position on any given issue to the will or "consensus" of the group after *processing to consensus* through dialog. In a Christian setting, the presupposition is that the group's will determines "the will of God". The group's "facilitator", whoever that may be, mediates between sides, be they "good and evil", "for and against", "republican and democrat", "liberal and conservative", etc., whatever the case may be, often instigating heated confrontations between the opposing sides for the purpose of suggesting compromise as the perfect solution to restore and maintain the peace and the relationships of everyone involved. The resulting outcome or *consensus* is then re-introduced if necessary, at the next meeting for more "Praxis", more dialog and more compromise until another "consensus" is reached. Then the "process" repeats all over again...and again...and again until the facilitator's desired outcome is achieved. Over time, the convictions and concerns anyone may have had originally are processed away beyond recognition or relevance leaving one and all to accept the facilitator's pre-determined outcome as the consensus of the group. It's no longer a question of what is right or wrong, good or bad, lawful or unlawful, but rather HOW WE ALL FEEL ABOUT IT...no absolutes, no conscience, no convictions, no laws, no Constitution, no Bible and NO GOD!!!...only consensus....and a contrived consensus at that. Pretty slick huh? That's the Hegelian Dialectic. -- That's exactly what "facilitator" Bill Hybels accomplished the other day between church leaders attending the Willow Creek Conference and his friend Bill Clinton on ABC's Nightline. Protesting evangelicals (thesis), demanded socialist Bill Clinton (antitheses), answer for his lies and sexual indiscretions at the meeting. Hybels, as the "facilitator" voices their protests and then injects that Clinton HAD confessed to them by saying he publicly admitted: "I have sinned". Yeah, well...we ALL have sinned Bill. The Bible says it in Romans 3:23. That's not news. That's not a confession either. Nor is a politically expedient appearance in front of a church full of evangelical Christians before the Democratic Convention a demonstration of repentance. The fact is, Clinton has done everything he possibly could to save his political neck leaving a bloody trail of "Arkancides" strung out from Little Rock, to Washington D.C., to Waco, to Ft. Worth, to Ruby Ridge, to Kosovo, to Croatia, to China and beyond. While Hybels brings everyone together under socialism's religious umbrella of "tolerance, diversity and unity", Clinton's REAL crimes continue to be covered up, whitewashed, blackmailed, threatened, bribed and snafued away. -- But that's OK. The good reverend just wants us to forgive his pal Clinton so we can all be one big happy family. Thesis + Antitheses = Synthesis...the Hegelian Dialectic. Sounds like the perfect formula for an Apostate Church to me. I wonder if Hybels has sent everyone personal invitations to "The Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders", meeting at the United Nations later this month as well? I hear they're all getting together to create a great big One World Religion for us here on planet Earth. Won't that be wonderful?...A WORLD CHURCH! Socializing The Church "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (II Timothy 4:3-4). [article link]

Reba Says She's a Reincarnated Man - "I believe in reincarnation" she told the Pittsburgh Post Gazette - "I will get flak from Christians who will say I can't be a Christian if I believe this - That's true, and I'm sorry, but this is how I live my life, this is what I believe" she told the paper
"I believe in reincarnation," she told the Pittsburgh Post Gazette in advance of her Friday concert at the Mellon Arena. "I believe I've gone both ways - that I have been here before as a man." McEntire, who has sold 55 million records and enjoyed success on the stage and big and small screens, knows her beliefs may irk some of her fans. "I will get flak from Christians who will say I can't be a Christian if I believe this. That's true, and I'm sorry, but this is how I live my life, this is what I believe," she told the paper. "I believe I have spent time with my son Shelby before. I believe I have spent time with other people in my life before. Who knows? Maybe I'm part Buddhist." Who know? Maybe President George W. Bush! Reba and the president keep in touch by texting. "We e-mail each other on our Treos all the time - nothing political, just passing jokes back and forth," she explained. [article link]

The Shack is NOT a Christian Novel, but Simply More New Age Heresy - "The Shack" is an allegorical fictional novel - It conveys postmodern spiritual ideas and teachings that challenge Biblical Christianity - a very engaging and emotional story - This "God in everything" immanence is why The Shack is such a deceptive book {Note: "a very engaging and emotional story" is pure poison it is the #1 way that Cults try to pull people into their cult. Avoid the poison of dramas and Soap Operas in other peoples' lives. Everyone has options in life to fix life's wrongs, like getting a lawyer or calling the police and making a report (something the drama people Never seem to want to do is fix their problems) so do not live out the melodrama lifestyle of another person. Calling out to God is the #1 option that all people have to fix their problems. -- The book "The Shack" is sold [targeting our youth and teen audience] in many Christian bookstores and through online distributers. Please comment to every Christian retailer that it is an un-Christian product!}
William P. Young, the author of "The Shack," is the son of missionaries whose dad also pastored churches in Canada. He went to Bible College and later graduated with an undergraduate degree in Religion from Warner Pacific College in Portland, Oregon. However, there is absolutely no information available on his theology. "The Shack" is an allegorical fictional novel. It conveys postmodern spiritual ideas and teachings that challenge Biblical Christianity, all in the name of God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit. -- Much like New Age author James Redfield's book "The Celestine Prophecy," "The Shack" is a fictional vehicle for upending certain Biblical concepts and presenting contrary spiritual scenarios. Young's book moves through a very engaging and emotional story to eventually present the New Age teaching that God is "in" everything. God is not "in" everyone and everything. The Bible makes it clear that man is not divine and that man is not God! "The Shack" presents many of the same New Age concepts and ideas that plague the controversial Bible paraphrase The Message, written by Eugene Peterson who enthusiastically endorsed "The Shack," as well as Rhonda Byrne's "The Secret" that I warned you about years ago and was heavily promoted by the queen of the New Age gurus Oprah, New Age leader Benjamin Crème's, "The Reappearance of the Christ and the Masters of Wisdom," and New Age matriarch Alice Bailey, in her book "The Reappearance of the Christ." This "God in everything" immanence is why The Shack is such a deceptive book. [article link]

New Age Teachings Passed of as "The Message" Bible (NavPress.com) - 'Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy' [Romans 15:13]
King James Version: Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13. - The Message: Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope! - Romans 15:13 [article link]

What kind of message is The Message'(NavPress.com) - Written in 1993 in response to several requests
The Message DELETES the reference to God's holy name, ADDS requests not voiced by Jesus, and changes the meaning of other verses. Follow the link and learn more about the phrase, "As above, so below." [article link]

The Message (NavPress.com) by Eugene Peterson: - Eugene Peterson's (New Age) Opinion of The Bible - several correspondences with NavPress proves that Eugene Peterson has no doctorate
The research article referring to Dr. Eugene Peterson addresses the assumption many have that Eugene Peterson has a doctorate in languages, which in many minds, would qualify his translating a Bible. However, several correspondences with NavPress proves that Eugene Peterson has no doctorate, with the definitive statement, "He doesn't have a PhD but he has 3 honorary doctorates from Seattle Pacific University, Messiah and Northwestern." ... The honorary doctorates Eugene Peterson has received are discussed as well as the teaching positions he has held, including, for example, the ecumenical Regent University, his return to the ecumenical New York Theological Seminary, the ecumenical St. Mary's Seminary, the first Catholic seminary in the U.S. It is owned and operated by the Sulpician Fathers, who are diocesan priests dedicated to the continued formation of priests for the Catholic church. These teaching positions are discussed in relation to his time spent at each and the theological positions of the various universities or seminaries. Research is also presented concerning Eugene Peterson's Pentecostal background and his ordination in the United Presbyterian Church, the relations that denomination has with the National Council of Churches, the World Council of Churches and the ecumenical movement in general. It should be noted that his Pentecostal bias concerning tongues and "private prayer language" is implanted into The Message. [article link]

The "Days of Noah" Are Here - The Bible tells us that we are to live "holy and righteous" in this age - We are to be actively sharing the gospel in order for others to be redeemed - precisely because "the days are evil"
That describes today quite accurately. Those who have normalized homosexual behavior have done so to the point of thinking anyone who opposes it are "crazy," "homophobic," "intolerant," and "bigots." -- For Bible believing, Christ following born-again Christians, such derogatory views and labels are only perpetuating deception about this dangerous behavior. Furthermore, homosexual activism both secular as well as in the church distracts people from what is truly most important in this life - that is - confessing and repenting of sin and knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Bible tells us that we are to live "holy and righteous" in this age. We are to be actively sharing the gospel in order for other to be redeemed - precisely because "the days are evil." ... This world is filled with lust, murder, theft, adultery, fornication, lying, idol worship and the list could go on and on. Yet, most sane people do not advocate for churches to accept such concepts as "sanctified." However, this is exactly what is being done in liberal "Christian" churches throughout America! Claiming that a particular sin should be allowed to be "sanctified" within Christ's church body meaning, all believers is an abomination to God! It is a form of idol worship. It is, in fact, as the Scriptures inform us, "exchanging the truth for a lie!" [article link]

Americans: My Faith Isn't the Only Way to Heaven - America remains a nation of believers, but a new survey finds most Americans don't feel their religion is the only way to eternal life - even if their faith tradition teaches otherwise {People have opinions, the Bible has FACTS! -- John 6:38-40 For I (Jesus) came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. -- John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.}
The findings, revealed Monday in a survey of 35,000 adults, can either be taken as a positive sign of growing religious tolerance, or disturbing evidence that Americans dismiss or don't know fundamental teachings of their own faiths. Among the more startling numbers in the survey, conducted last year by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life: 57 percent of evangelical church attenders said they believe many religions can lead to eternal life, in conflict with traditional evangelical teaching. In all, 70 percent of Americans with a religious affiliation shared that view, and 68 percent said there is more than one true way to interpret the teachings of their own religion. "The survey shows religion in America is, indeed, 3,000 miles wide and only three inches deep," said D. Michael Lindsay, a Rice University sociologist of religion. "There's a growing pluralistic impulse toward tolerance and that is having theological consequences," he said. [article link]

The Three Stages of Discipleship - Christians are designed to grow - Whenever a Christian is stagnant, something is drastically wrong
The Advanced Stage of Discipleship is where the mature Christian is refined over a longer period of time. John compares them to the father. The father is mature. He is a leader and works with other younger ones so that they can be protected, guided and properly cared for. These spiritual fathers have a constant need for growth. Except one will not see much of it from the outward. Their spiritual roots are growing very deep as they come to know God more. The father is the one who bears children. The mature Christian should bear fruit. This fruit will show itself in several areas of life: more Christlikeness, serving others to help them grow, use of their spiritual gifts to equip the body of Christ and general overseer tasks of protection from cults, leadership decisions and help to those needing comfort. The fathers have been there. They have experienced trials and are best at comforting others. BFF has a lot of training material for those in the Advanced Stage of Discipleship. Because of lack of clarity and challenge, many men and women drift at this stage when they should be bearing much fruit. [article link]

Christians Hungry for Sermon Podcasts - Overall, 23% of all adults said they downloaded a church podcast in the past week - Yet, nothing matches the potency of life-on-life discipleship
Nearly half of large churches that have more than 250 adults have adopted podcasting, an earlier Barna study found. Overall, one out of every six Protestant churches has taken up podcasting. David Kinnaman, the lead researcher of the latest Barna study, praises the use of podcasts to reach the masses. But he cautioned church leaders to balance the spiritual and cultural potential of the technology. "Having the means of reaching the masses - for instance, through podcasting - is a good thing. Yet, nothing matches the potency of life-on-life discipleship," he said. "In this respect, social networking and blogs can be effective tools to intimately connect with a small, natural network of relationships. The key is using the technology in a way that is consistent with your calling and purpose, not just an addictive self-indulgence. "In this respect, social networking and blogs can be effective tools to intimately connect with a small, natural network of relationships. [article link]

Possibly the World's Oldest Christian Church Unearthed in Northern Jordan - dating from AD 33 to AD 70 - the Rihab area of Jordan has been "rich in unique archaeological sites" with some 30 churches uncovered there so far {A wonderful ancient Church discovery! The original and oldest Christian Church was in Jerusalem. The "Upper Room" where the disciples received the "Born Again" Spirit from Jesus (John 20:22) then Christianity spread out from Jerusalem.}
(Jordan)-In what is being hailed as an "important milestone for Christians all around the world," an ancient cave was discovered recently, beneath St. Georgeous Church in Jordan. Archaeologist Abdul Qader Hussan, head of the Rihab Center for Archaeological Studies, said the find was "amazing," stating that they "uncovered what we believe to be the first church in the world, dating from AD 33 to AD 70." According to the report, the Rihab area of Jordan has been "rich in unique archaeological sites" with some 30 churches uncovered there so far. ... "We have evidence to believe this church sheltered the early Christians: the 70 disciples of Jesus Christ," explained Hussan, citing a mosaic inscription on the floor of St. Georgeous Church that reads: "the 70 beloved by God and Divine." [article link]

Southern Baptists worried by decline in baptisms - Baptisms in the Southern Baptist Convention have fallen to a 20-year low - growth, fell in 2007 for the third year in a row - We are commanded to go and preach the gospel (eternal life in Jesus) to every person - Several delegates interviewed by Reuters expressed their concern in such terms: fewer baptisms meant fewer saved souls
INDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) - Baptisms in the Southern Baptist Convention have fallen to a 20-year low, a trend that is setting off alarm bells in America's largest evangelical denomination. The number of people baptized in Southern Baptist churches and ceremonies, an important indicator of conversions and denominational growth, fell in 2007 for the third year in a row by 5 percent to 345,941. That was the lowest number since 1987, a trend on the minds of many of the 7,000 delegates known as "messengers" attending the SBC's annual meeting in Indianapolis. This year's theme is called "Fulfilling the Mission" and the logo pointedly depicts a picture of a baptism in progress. For Southern Baptists, a decline in baptisms is a worry because a major tenet of their faith is to spread it. Many believe the "unchurched" are doomed to an eternity in hell. "We should always be concerned when baptisms dip. It's about salvation. ... We are commanded to go and preach the gospel to every person," said Tommy French, a 77-year-old pastor from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Several delegates interviewed by Reuters expressed their concern in such terms: fewer baptisms meant fewer saved souls. [article link]

Pastoral malpractice - I would consider pastoral malpractice among the greatest treasons a minister can commit against the Gospel of Jesus Christ - Unfortunately, it is practiced weekly without inhibition - Regrettably, too many evangelical churches have become centers for motivational speaking
The reality is that fewer people are showing up in our churches to get even a watered-down Gospel because the age of attractional evangelism is rapidly dying, as recent research shows. It is not enough to throw the doors open and shout at the culture, "Come in." Gospel malpractice goes beyond the pulpit and is a trait of a complacent church that limits the mandate of the Great Commission to an invitation to come when we are clearly told to "Go!" ... I believe with every fiber of my being that the transformation of the church lies within the pages of the Bible. If individuals and churches are going to become effective incarnational witnesses in the culture, we must dig in. Paul, again to Timothy, says: "You have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:15-17). How my heart pleads with God to transform our churches to being training and equipping centers that send people out into culture to be Jesus' ambassadors. I'm not talking pious moralists who point people to their sins, but servants who through humility and loving relationships point people to an all-sufficient Savior. We must meet people in their context, but we must share the Gospel. Morality does not reconcile people to God; it comes through the Gospel of Christ. [article link]

Changing Good (Job Skills) Programmers (Church Staff) into Great (Life Skills) Programmers (Church Staff) - But the vast majority of the programmers fell somewhere in the middle, They were good, Not amazing, but definitely not bad either - How can you transform the good programmers into fantastic, amazing, awesome programmers? - Thus, at a minimum the programmers must be aware of what can go wrong, and must know how to write code that handles those situations correctly - The moral here, then, is to make sure your programmers are familiar with the information resources (i.e The Holy Bible) {This Excellent job skills information article applies to all jobs and to living life itself. There is a low road and there is a high road, Jesus Christ is the high road. Even in tough times Jesus is the high road.} -- Holy Bible Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led "up" of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
During the past two decades, I've worked with some really great programmers and software developers. And, unfortunately, I've worked with more than a few who probably should have chosen a different field. But the vast majority of the programmers fell somewhere in the middle. They were good. Not amazing, but definitely not bad either. For managers and executives who have programmers and software developers reporting to them, the variation in skill can present quite a problem when you're trying to build a great product. How can you transform the good programmers into fantastic, amazing, awesome programmers? Believe it or not, you can. Let's see how to do it. First, you need to make sure your programmers have the essential skills, the fundamentals. Some do; some don't. Just because they survived an undergrad program in computer science doesn't meant they do. Now this is going to sound obvious, but at the very least, every software developer must be a master of writing good lines of code. You've seen those who aren't, the programmers who sit there for hours, staring at 10 lines of code, trying to figure out what's wrong and can't. This kind of thing can happen to all of us programmers occasionally. But the problem is the programmer who does that on a regular basis. ... Also, programmers have a tendency (myself included) to want to add all sorts of extra features to really make something cool. For example, a file locking mechanism would be even more useful if it included built-in file caching and a queue to manage the locks, and went far and beyond the little one in the library. But that's overkill. And the last thing you want is for your programmers to spend two weeks, a week or two days writing code when all they need to do is write the one or two lines to make use of the class Microsoft gave us (or whoever built the library you're using for your particular platform). Besides, remember that even though the programmer might be able to roll out his or her own version in a day, your testers will have to now test that code in addition, and what was a day of work could turn into a week or two weeks. Compare that with using one or two lines of code that call a pre-existing, tested class. Which, then, I ask is better? Which is the right way to do it? Conclusion: The moral here, then, is to make sure your programmers are familiar with the information resources, especially the online documents, as well as any existing libraries and frameworks they might have access to that have been tested many times over. Then you need to make sure that they're not rolling their own classes and components when one already exists that does the job. Finally, they need to be aware of the real issues that come up in a multiuser, high-performance system such as a Web server handling thousands or even millions of sessions a day. [article link]

Baptism Testimonies Videos - BecauseWeCare.com
The following video clips are the testimonies of those that have taken part in baptism. To watch the video, please click the appropriate link below. [article link]

poll: Americans believe in God -- and hell, UFOs, witches, astrology - The survey by Harris Online showed that 82 percent of adult Americans believe in God
An overwhelming majority of Americans believe in God and signicant numbers also think that UFOs, the devil and ghosts exist, a poll showed Tuesday. The survey by Harris Online showed that 82 percent of adult Americans believe in God and a slightly smaller percentage -- 79 percent -- believe in miracles. More than 70 percent of the 2,455 adults surveyed between November 7 and 13 said they believe in heaven and angels, while more than six in 10 said they believed in hell and the devil. Almost equal numbers said they believe in Darwin's theory of evolution (42 percent) -- the belief that populations evolve over time through natural selection -- and creationism (39 percent) -- the theory that God created mankind. Seventy percent of Americans said they were very (21 percent) or somewhat (49 percent) religious, while around one-third of those polled also said they believe in UFOs, witches and astrology. [article link]

GLAD TO BE CHRISTIAN - Streaming Video - An introduction to the Jesus Army UK
Glad to be Christian! An introduction to the Jesus Army UK. (Video) [article link]

CHURCH - STEEPLE OR PEOPLE? A look at Christian community - Streaming Video - Jesus Army UK
Does the Christian church have a future? With yet another church closing its doors every week in the UK, its hard to think so. Life is changing. Fast. Half of us don't even know the person living next door. A third of all UK households consist of just one person living alone. This video takes a look at the other extreme: what happens when a group of Christians choose to live together and asks the question: Is 'Church' a building or people? [article link]

Now Try God - Click the "Now Try God" button to start (Interactive Flash)
For the rest of us, the story goes a little different. Life doesn't live up to the advertisement. We thought we did the right things. But somehow it just didn't happen. [article link]

Travel The Road - Missionary Journeys (12 episodes DVD)
Current Episode: The guys feel the heat as they continue across Ethiopia. Heavy persecution, close encounters with dangerous wildlife, and a major change will test their moxie. But let's face it, they didn't choose life on the road for the souvenir mugs. [article link]

View clips of ByFaith (Mission Journeys) TV - DVD (Europe Only) {Scroll down screen - select Trailer buttons}
This series is a thoroughly entertaining experience, with a challenging message of complete surrender to the call of Christian discipleship. This fast paced and engaging programme has a bold Christian worldview, and a clear biblical message. Discover how the mission journeys are the setting where Paul and Mathew explore fifteen biblical subjects through the life-lessons that God prepares for them in each nation. [article link]

Don't stifle Christianity by political correctness, says England's Carey
The public expression of the Christian faith and other religions is being undermined by political correctness, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey of Clifton, says. "I think there is a view around that practicing Christianity and all the symbols that go with it embarrasses people of other faiths and of course that's nonsense," he told GMTV's Sunday Programme. "There's certainly nothing wrong with wearing a cross or crucifix or having those symbols in our classrooms. It's proper that you should have a discussion of that nature." Lord Carey, who retired as head of the Anglican Church in 2002, said that Christians should be more explicit about their faith and proud of the Cross. "We must avoid the kind of political correctness that is creeping in and undermining the public expression of the Christian faith." [article link]

'The Sweet Life' Former Avalon Singer Offers Her Testimony
"I had a 10-year relationship that had gone really sour," says Christian singer Cherie Adams, formerly of the group Avalon. "We were like high school sweethearts, and I went from seeing him every day to never seeing each other again." "I was physically sick. I thought about killing myself. Then one day my mother was bugging me to go to church and I said, 'I don't know why I'm going to bother because God doesn't love me anymore. He doesn't know me." But Adams went and says her life was forever altered by this single service. Today, Adams travels the country, singing songs, talking about her experiences as a platinum-selling artist in the music business and her life as a Christian, and giving support to other women who have been through similar hardships. [article link]

St Paul's Cathedral - London, England
A Cathedral dedicated to St Paul has overlooked the City of London since 604 AD, a constant reminder to this great commercial centre of the importance of the spiritual side of life. The current Cathedral - the fourth to occupy this site - was designed by the court architect Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1675 and 1710 after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. Its architectural and artistic importance reflect the determination of the five monarchs who oversaw its building that London's leading church should be as beautiful and imposing as their private palaces. As the Cathedral of the capital city, St Paul's is the spiritual focus for the Nation. This is where people and events of overwhelming importance to the country have been celebrated, mourned and commemorated since the first Service took place in 1697. [article link]

Explore St Paul's Cathedral - Virtual Tours - "Virtual Tours like yours are inspirational" (click the Explore Here link)
Our online virtual tour enables visitors to interactively explore St Paul's Cathedral, London. Visitors may view 23 different areas of the cathedral through 360° panoramas, maps, narrated mini-movies, music and text. A small 360° panorama above a clickable map allows a quick view of any area. Having spotted something of interest, visitors can then click to open a window with a much larger and higher quality 360° panorama, and then zoom in and pan around for a detailed inspection. For example: To view Sir Christopher Wren's original design for St Paul's - The Great Model. At any point, visitors can view narrated mini-movies about the people, architecture, politics and history of the site (also includes full Text for the hearing-impaired). [article link]

"The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times." Psalm 12:6 - The (Latin) Bible was still forbidden in the (English) vernacular - In accordance with Cromwell's injunction, copies of the Great (English) Bible were placed in every church
Although there were some attempts during the Old and Middle English period to translate portions of the Bible into English, the first complete Bible or New Testament in English did not appear until the fourteenth century. John Wycliffe (c.1320-1384) is credited with being the first to translate the entire Bible into English. It is to be remembered that no Greek or Hebrew texts, versions, or editions were yet fabricated. Wycliffe did his translating primarily from the only Bible then in use: the Latin Vulgate. He is often called the "Morning Star of the Reformation" for his opposition to ecclesiastical abuses and the Papacy. Wycliffe's New Testament translation was completed in 1380, and the entire Bible in 1382. William Tyndale (c. 1494-1536) has the distinction of being the first to translate the New Testament from Greek into English. He early distinguished himself as a scholar both at Cambridge and Oxford, and was fluent in several languages. Tyndale soon advanced both his desire and his demise, as seen in his reply to a critic: "I defy the pope and all his laws; if God spare my life, ere many years I will cause the boy that driveth the plough in England to know more of the Scriptures than thou doest." The Bible was still forbidden in the vernacular, so after settling in London for several months while attempting to gain approval for his translation efforts, Tyndale concluded: "Not only that there was no room in my lord of Londons palace to translate the New Testament, but also that there was no place to do it in all England, as experience doth now openly declare." Accordingly, Tyndale left England in 1524 and completed his translation of the New Testament in Germany. ... Although the Coverdale and Matthew Bibles were "set forth with the King's most gracious license," the Great Bible was the first "authorized" Bible. Cromwell delegated to Myles Coverdale the work of revising the Matthew Bible and its controversial notes. In 1538, an injunction by Cromwell directed the clergy to provide "one book of the bible of the largest volume in English, and the same set up in some convenient place within the said church that ye have care of, whereas your parishioners may most commodiously resort to the same and read it." The completed Bible appeared in April of 1539. Although called the Great Bible because of its large size, it was referred to by several other designations as well. It was called the Cromwell Bible, since he did the most to prepare for its publication. It was also termed the Cranmer Bible, after the often reprinted preface by Cranmer beginning with the 1540 second edition. Several editions were printed by Whitechurch, and hence it was also labeled the Whitechurch Bible. In accordance with Cromwell's injunction, copies of the Great Bible were placed in every church. This led to it being called the Chained Bible, since it was chained in "some convenient place within the said church." [article link]

The (Welsh) Christmas Story: Queen, Elizabeth 1 decreed that a copy of the Bible in Welsh should be deposited in every church in Wales by Christmas 1588
The Christmas Story: Queen, Elizabeth 1 decreed that a copy of the Bible in Welsh should be deposited in every church in Wales by Christmas 1588. The Bible, the Old Testament and the New Testament, was translated by William Morgan, vicar of Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant in Clwyd at the age of 43. Morgan later became Bishop of Llandaf. [article link]

Spiritual Warfare Resources

Highly Recommended OCTOBER 1st, 2005 9:00 PM CST 2nd Hour RUSS DIZDAR - REAL LIFE NIGHT STALKER (Mp3's)
Russ Dizdar has been tracking Satanic activities for 18 years. He is the Director of the agency SHATTER THE DARKNESS. He has personally held over 300+ deliverance sessions from demon possession. Russ has spent thousands of hours dealing with, interviewing, counseling, researching, tracking, investigating satanic crime, cult multiples, covens, rouge military, and underground dark occultism. He is currently writing a book entitled 'THE BLACK AWAKENING' on the satanic underground agenda.

Note: The attacks of the Devil including the hardships, oppression and the troubles as difficult as they are they are not the main demonic attack. The main attack comes from the Devil when he lets up on the trials in our life and then comes in with a counter attack and destroys us in our newfound leisure. The Devil destroys us and others with our new pride and our new subtle willingness to now cut corners and be more tolerant towards sin.

This is why we see so many people throughout the Bible and even now that make it through the times of severe hardship and persecution only to be tripped up and taken captive by the Devil when things seem to be going rather smoothly.

The Apostles Paul and Barnabas experienced this (Acts 14:1-23) when the Devil was first attacking them with persecution and ridicule in cities like Iconium but the real attack came later in Lystra where the people wanted to worshiped them. This acceptance and hero worship for healing a crippled person was the attack that was intended to devastate their ministry and mission and would have prevented the true gospel from spreading as now Paul and Barnabas would have become the focus of the people and not Jesus. After successfully keeping themselves as servants and Jesus Christ as Lord and Master then Satan set out to kill Paul however the Devil is not the final authority in life and death, Jesus is, so Satan failed even in the attempt on Paul's life.

Acts 14:19-23 ... and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

"SATAN HINDERED US" 1st Thessalonians 2:18 - Since the first hour in which goodness came into conflict with evil, it has never ceased to be true in spiritual experience that Satan hinders us - in order that, if possible, we may miss the blessing - What then? We are not alarmed because Satan hinders us, for it is a proof that we are on the Lord's side and are doing the Lord's work, and in (Jesus) His strength we will win the victory
From all points of the compass, all along the line of battle, in the advance party or in the rear, at the dawn of day and in the midnight hour, Satan hinders us. If we work in the field, he seeks to break our implements; if we build a wall, he tries to cast down the stones; if we are serving God in suffering or in conflict-everywhere Satan hinders us. He hinders us when we are first coming to Jesus Christ. We had fierce conflicts with Satan when we first looked to the cross and lived. Now that we are saved, he tries to prevent our growth in Christian character. You may be congratulating yourself: "So far I have walked consistently; no one can challenge my integrity." Beware of boasting, for your virtue will soon be tested; Satan will direct his engines against the very virtue for which you are most famous. If you have to this point been a firm believer, your faith will soon be attacked; if you have been meek like Moses, expect to be tempted to speak unadvisedly with your lips. The birds will peck at your ripest fruit, and the wild boar will dash his tusks at your choicest vines. Satan is sure to hinder us when we are faithful in prayer. He hinders our persistence and weakens our faith in order that, if possible, we may miss the blessing. Satan is equally vigilant in obstructing Christian effort. There was never a revival of religion without a revival of his opposition. As soon as Ezra and Nehemiah began to work, Sanballat and Tobiah were stirred up to hinder them. What then? We are not alarmed because Satan hinders us, for it is a proof that we are on the Lord's side and are doing the Lord's work, and in His strength we will win the victory and triumph over our adversary. [article link]

Christian (Spiritual) Warfare : Christ-centered, Team-oriented, & Battle-focused
In Christian teaching, spiritual warfare should not be separated from the Christ-given mission to make disciples of all nations. We are in a spiritual battle for the eternal souls of all humanity. Not simply securing a place in heaven after death, but redeeming this lifetime by yielding our lives to the work of our Lord Jesus Christ continued in us and through us. Our enemy, the devil, fights against us every moment. [article link]

spiritual warfare : soul struggles against evil - WHAT IS SPIRITUAL WARFARE?
'Spiritual warfare' is the struggle to have life in this material world reflect as much as possible God's loving governance. It is a 'war' because there are forces working vigorously to thwart God's work. God is in charge, but there is an enemy that is in full-scale revolt, and it has powerful influence all around. As with the unseen God, the forces behind the revolt are unseen, non-physical, and supernatural. They lust after power in the world of visible, material beings. Just because the battle is unseen doesn't mean it isn't going on. It is. In every nook and cranny of our earthly existence. In deciding to follow Christ, the believer accepts the rulership of Christ in his/her life (that's what's meant when Jesus is called 'Lord' -- His authority and rule). This New You yields the throne of the self to Jesus, but the Old You doesn't like it one bit. The struggle against the Devil and all his empty promises is at its heart a 'second Person' matter, a work of Christ Himself. The Holy Spirit leads us in our part of the struggle. [article link]

Your Adversary The Devil (Mp3)
I Peter 5:8-14 - Your Adversary The Devil 50-23017.mp3 (free download) [article link]

SpiritWatch.org: What Is "Countercult Ministry"? - Countercult ministry is a militant response to the challenges of Satan
Countercult ministry is a militant response to this challenge of Satan. Dr. Gordon Lewis' remarks on this are sobering and to the point as he sought to highlight the high stakes involved: " .. we are led to specialize in delivering people from counterfeit religions. .. we seek to expose (1) deceptive teachings, (2) immoral ways of life, and (3) oppressive ministerial, missiological tactics, like heavy-handed shepherding of every detail of life in religions, cults and the occult. But these are two-edged swords that have a way of cutting against aberrant Christians as well as cultists. Our battle is not only against the religious oppressors of this dark world, but also against 'the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms' (Eph. 6:12) .. Among the evils we deplore in the cults are abuses of human rights, destructive violence, institutionalized violence, and the undermining of the family and the inhuman exploitation of people in the cults. We must deplore those evils even more if they occur among missionaries to the cults or aberrant Christian groups." "Lone Ranger" heroes will not survive long in this atmosphere, and the high turnover of countercult workers and ministry is proof of this. Only within the context of the Christian community of faith can such a ministry be conducted, and only among Christians united together can countercult workers "be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." It is nothing less than warfare in the spirit, a conflict that is invisible to all but discerning believers. It is a contention for the truth of the Gospel in the face of false prophets and teachers, to both evangelize and restore the deceived and to edify and defend the Body. We contend there are few more demanding ministries and disciplines required than for the countercult ministry. And it goes way beyond simple argumentation with cult missionaries: the countercult ministry requires an integrative approach that can easily demand of the countercult worker a dear price: the patience of the pastor, the aptitude of the teacher, the zeal of the evangelist, the discernment of the prophet, and the mission mindedness of the apostle. [article link]

Strategy For Spiritual Warfare: Know What Spiritual Tactics To Use & When To Use Them {The four basic components to overcoming Satan's spiritual warfare are 1. Prayer 2. Bible devotions - Bible study, 3. Christian Fellowship & Church attendance 4. Serving-giving and volunteering of time, money and gifts to the Church and to those in need.}
We have been studying the Biblical strategy for spiritual victory. Let's review what we have covered so far. If you will be victorious in the Christian life, you must... Realize that you are in a spiritual battle; Recognize that you cannot be neutral; Become acquainted with the character and strategy of the enemy; Know and use your weapons. Our weapons are... The (Bible) Word of God; Heavenly Wisdom; Prayer; The Power of God, Not The Arm of The Flesh; Our Christian Testimony Backed Up By A Godly Life; Putting Our Life In The Hands of God. [article link]

Cleaning her mountains one bottle at a time - "The parks surrounding the school were littered with plastic bottles and beer bottles," recalls Salva - So Salva began Esperanza de Vida in 1997 to organize and lead young participants in "making our streets and our environment cleaner" {This is an incredible Church outreach opportunity to clean up graffiti, fix vandalism and pick up trash (use gloves and a trash tongs if you can). Graffiti, vandalism and trash are very demonic elements and are used by the occult as invitations to commit crime and to decay-destroy society.}
TILCARA, Argentina (CNN) -- Carmen Salva's mission may be ambitious, but her belief is simple: "It's never too early to start caring for the land you live in and grow up in." That's why on Saturdays, Salva and a group of 60 to 100 students, parents and teachers can be found venturing into the high altitude of their northern Argentina mountains, trash bags in hand and llamas in tow. They're part of Esperanza de Vida (Hope for Life), Salva's youth environmental group that is out to clean up the surroundings, one plastic bottle at a time. ... "We have a lot of issues to work on -- the problem of water contamination; there's so much trash," Salva says. "We can't just think that it will take care of itself." ... "The parks surrounding the school were littered with plastic bottles and beer bottles," recalls Salva. They began volunteering with a government program, collecting and bagging waste in the area. But the program waned after a year, and students and teachers could no longer continue their environmental efforts. "Our city had no formal recycling program or even knowledge of why it was important to learn about fresh water, forestation, and the importance of recycling," says Salva. So Salva began Esperanza de Vida in 1997 to organize and lead young participants in "making our streets and our environment cleaner." [article link]

Sabbath Rest and Trust 2012 - Entering into the finished and completed Eternal works of Jesus Christ

Genesis 2:1-3 Thus the heavens (sky) and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His [six days of] work which He had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all His work which God created and made.

Isaiah 11:10 And in that day [Day of Salvation] there shall be a root [offspring] of Jesse [Kind David's father], which shall stand for an ensign [leadership flag] of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and His rest shall be glorious.

Isaiah 56:4-8 For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep My Sabbaths [complete, spiritual, emotional rest by trust in God], and choose the things that please Me, and take hold of My [New] Covenant; Even unto them will I give in Mine House and within My walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an Everlasting Name, that shall not be cut off. Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD [Jesus], to serve Him, and to love the Name of the LORD, to be His servants, every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it (Hebrews 3:12), and taketh hold of My covenant (Hebrews 4:1); Even them will I bring to My Holy Mountain, and make them joyful in My House of Prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar (1 Peter 2:9); for Mine House shall be called an House of Prayer for all people. The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others [Christians] to Him, beside those [Jews] that are gathered unto Him.

Matthew 11:27-30 All things are delivered unto Me [Jesus] of My Father: and no man knoweth the Son [preexistent in Heaven], but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him. **Come unto Me [Jesus], 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.

Hebrews 4:3 For we [Christians] which have believed do enter into rest, as He said, As I have sworn in My wrath, if they shall enter into My rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

BasicChristian.org: Article Introduction - The 7 physical and spiritual dimensions as unfolded in the 7 Days of the Genesis creation model {the 8th dimension being God's realm of unrestricted eternity}
Humans exist in and are limited to the first three physical dimensions (length, height, width) and also the fourth dimension (restriction) of time. The spiritual realm of demons, angels and in part the coming Antichrist exists in the less restricted 5th and 6th dimensions. In fact the coming Antichrist is going to bring down or "contact" the 5th and 6th dimensions and infuse 4th dimensional human beings with 5th dimensional demons [Nephilim spirits] and 6th dimensional fallen [Satanic] angelic spirit beings consequently orchestrating 5th and 6th dimensional miracles and signs and wonders in order to deceive mankind. Note: So who is Melchizedek? Melchizedek is the manifestation [into our human realms] of the infinite dimensional (infinite dimensions - no restrictions - unrestricted) God in Person. Melchizedek is God the Holy Spirit in Person. Melchizedek is the Order of the Holy Spirit Priesthood. -- Also Note: In the Basic Christian article "Who is Melchizedek?" the 8 dimensions (restrictions) are listed in conjunction with the original creation week (Genesis 1:1-2:4) and are categorized as follows: 1. Length [Day one creation - light separated [Judgment] (length) from darkness] 2. Height [Day two creation - divided the waters above from the waters below] 3. Width [Day three creation - dry land and plants] 4. Time [Day four creation - sun, moon, stars for times and seasons] 5. Demonic [Nephilim spirits] - demons [Day five creation - fish from the waters below, birds from the waters above] 6. Angelic - Holy Angels and also Satan with all of his fallen angels [Day six creation - land animals and humans (pre-fall) - humans the highest part of creation created separate and above the animals and equal to the angels but with sin mankind fell from the 6th dimension to the 4th dimension, in fact with the sin of mankind all of creation also fell from its original creation status] 7. Human Salvation redeemed by the blood, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ [Day seven creation - Rest] 8. Unrestricted [outside of creation] - The only Unrestricted, Eternal, Wise, ∞ Infinite, Almighty God consisting of God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. -- "Genesis 2:4 These are the generations [dimensions] of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens ..." [article link]

Basic Christian: Spiritual Warfare - Introduction 1 of 5
The teaching of the Basic Christian ministry is that according to the Bible's Genesis Creation model [Genesis chapters 1 and 2] there are 8 dimensions total 7 of the dimensions are represented in God's 7 days of creation [six days of creation and the 7th Day of Rest (Genesis 2:2)]. Accordingly mankind [Adam - Eve] were originally created about equal (Hebrews 2:6,7) to the angels and functioned in a higher 6th dimension [mankind created on the 6th day (Genesis 1:26, Genesis 1:31)]. Through sin mankind was reduced to the lower 4th dimension [height, width, length and time] restrictions that we now physically inhabit (Genesis 3:9,10). It is the further teaching of the Basic Christian ministry that both holy and fallen angels still inhabit the less restricted 6th dimension while according to Genesis Chapter 6 fallen angels [6th dimensional beings] mated with fallen humans [4th dimensional beings] producing 5th dimensional beings commonly referred to as demons. [article link]

Basic Christian: Spiritual Warfare - The Doctrines of Demons 2 of 5
The demonic 5th dimension seems to be a realm of doom and destruction purposefully visited upon the human realm via the guidance of the fallen angel Satan aka Lucifer. The 5th dimension often attempts to trap mankind into a hopelessness and despair. The primary teaching of the Doctrines of Demons (1 Timothy 4:1) is that hell [and legalism] is real and is an inescapable reality that mankind cannot avoid having a 'hellish' existence either on earth in this life or in the life to come. -- Many people are successfully able to identify, reject and for the most part avoid the false Doctrines of Demons and their destructive teachings and the accompanying dangerous, addictive, lifestyle results. However many of the same people who successfully recognize [even secular people] and avoid the dangers of the demonic 5th dimension are themselves unaware of the even more deceptive and destructive 6th dimension and the Doctrines of Fallen Angels. [article link]

Basic Christian: Spiritual Warfare - The Doctrines of Fallen Angels 3 of 5
After successfully navigating the battering of the demonic 5th dimension a person is often presented with the 6th dimension and the even more clever and deceptive Doctrines of Fallen Angels (2 Corinthians 11:14). Doctrines that seemingly reject the brutalities of the Demonic 5th realm but present an even greater deception in that the 6th realm is offering a false peace, false hope, false love and a false security all absent the very real human predicaments of our own fallen sinful nature and of our individual need for Redemption and Salvation only by and through the finished works of Jesus Christ. -- Isn't it interesting that Satan and the other fallen angels would be most interested in having a Doctrine where hell is not a part of reality. "Matthew 25:41 Then shall He [Jesus] say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, **prepared [originally] for the devil and his angels:" [article link]

Basic Christian: Spiritual Warfare - The Doctrine of Jesus Christ 4 of 5
Instead of the 5th dimension Doctrines of Demons and the 6th dimension Doctrines of Fallen Angels there is another Doctrine it is the True and reliable 7th dimension Doctrine of Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:28). Jesus said that He is Life made available for all of mankind. Those who wisely want to reject the destructive Doctrines of Demons and avoid the false and misleading Doctrines of Fallen Angels have real hope and real life in the very real Doctrine of Jesus Christ. The simple, pure, loving, truthful Doctrine of God in the person Jesus Christ having come to mankind with truth and reality to provide a way out of our sins and into the everlasting hope and glory of Jesus Christ! -- "Matthew 11:28 Come unto Me (Jesus), all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I (Jesus) will give you rest." [article link]

Basic Christian: Spiritual Warfare - Conclusion 5 of 5
Conclusion: The (7th dimension) restoration [Luke 5:37-39] of mankind is at a higher level (dimension) than even the original Genesis (6th dimension) creation of mankind. God has the ability and the desire to not only overcome the fall and sin of mankind but to make the restored version (realm) of mankind an even higher, better realm than the original glorious 6th dimension creation of mankind. -- "John 5:24 Verily, verily, I (Jesus) say unto you, he that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him [Father] that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." - "John 6:63 It is the Spirit that quickeneth [makes alive]; the flesh [physical] profiteth nothing: **the Words that I (Jesus) speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are [eternal] life." - "John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way (8th dimension) [for humans into the 7th dimension], the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father [Heaven - both a different dimension and a different (non- physical) realm], but by Me." [article link]

Bible Verse: Matthew 24:45-51 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord (Jesus) hath made ruler over His household [fellowship], to give them meat [sound doctrine Bible study] in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when He cometh shall find so doing. {The complete Bible is available at ChristianFaithDownloads.com}
Matthew 24:45-51 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord (Jesus) hath made ruler over His household, to give them meat [sound doctrine Bible study] in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when He cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That He shall make him [faithful servant] ruler over all His goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth His coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for Him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. -- Matthew 13:41-43 The Son of Man (Jesus) shall send forth His [Holy] Angels, and they shall gather out of His Kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Who hath [Spiritual] ears to hear, let him hear. -- Holy Bible [article link]

blog Bible Study: Deuteronomy 5-6 - In giving the people a perspective of God's abilities Moses exhorted the people to Hear, Learn, Observe and Act in regards to the commands, statutes and promises of God -- 'Deuteronomy 6:3-6 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:'
Remember that thou wast a servant: We are admonished to keep a perspective of our past life of sin and bondage. Remember that at one time we were a servant to sin. The bondage and cruelty of sin is something that we have been delivered from and it was only in the love of God and by the capabilities of God that He delivered us, we did not deliver ourselves. If we forget that sin actually deceived us and took advantage of us we might be tempted to go back to some of our old ways however those old ways were not God's ways and they are no longer our ways either. - 'Deuteronomy 5:15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath (rest) day [rest in the accomplished works of God not in the abilities of yourself or of other people].'

blog Bible Study: Psalms 92 - A Psalm or Song for the Sabbath [Rest] Day -- 'Psalms 92:1-4 A Psalm or Song for the Sabbath Day. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto Thy Name, O most High: To shew forth Thy lovingkindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness every night, Upon an instrument of ten strings [during trials and tribulations], and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound. For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through Thy work: I will triumph in the works of Thy hands.'
Psalms 92:5-15 O LORD, how great are Thy works! and Thy thoughts are very deep. A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this. When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever: But thou, LORD, art Most High for evermore. For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered. But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil. Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me. The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the House of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; To shew that the LORD is upright: He is my Rock, and **there is no unrighteousness in Him. - Note: The Biblical desire [both Old and New Testaments] is that all mankind will Repent and come into the Salvation of God (1 Timothy 2:4). In the Psalms enemies are often referring to the Demonic and fallen Angelic realm and that is what the Christian is battling against not against our fellow mankind but against spiritual deception and wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12).

blog Bible Study: Isaiah 56-57 - After the cross of Jesus Christ and now our ability to live an earthly "Kingdom of God" [Matthew 6:33] existence and also the necessity for us to also at the same time live a Heavenly "Kingdom of Heaven" [Matthew 7:21] existence -- 'Isaiah 56:1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for My Salvation is near to come, and My Righteousness to be revealed [the Millennial reign on earth of Jesus Christ].'
Isaiah 56:1-8 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for My salvation is near to come, and My righteousness to be revealed. *Blessed is the man that doeth this, *and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath [rest in God] from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak [despairingly], saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say [despairingly], Behold, I am a dry tree. For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep My Sabbaths, and choose the [Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven] things that please Me, and take hold of My Covenant; Even unto them [no one is excluded by God from the Kingdoms of God] will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them [childless] an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. *Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him, and to love the Name of the LORD, to be His servants, every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of My covenant; Even them will I bring to My Holy Mountain [Government], and make them joyful in My house of prayer: their [outsiders who accept Jesus] burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon Mine [Melchizedek] altar; for Mine House (Temple) shall be called an House of Prayer for all people. The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, *Yet will I gather others [Gentiles] to Him, beside those [Hebrews] that are gathered unto Him. - The Kingdoms of God are given from God to be accessible to mankind all of mankind.

blog Bible Study: Ezekiel 19-20 - God has done a miraculous work and will continue His extraordinary work in and through the Nation of Israel "for My Name's sake" -- 'Ezekiel 20:19-22 I am the LORD your God; walk in My statutes [ways], and keep My judgments, and do them; And hallow [holy] My sabbaths [rest]; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God. Notwithstanding the children rebelled against Me: they walked not in My statutes, neither kept My judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted My sabbaths [rest]: *then I said, I would pour out My fury upon them, to accomplish My anger against them [Israel] in the wilderness. *Nevertheless I withdrew Mine hand, and wrought [Deliverers, Judges, Priests, Kings, Prophets in Israel] for My Name's sake, that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen [unholy], in whose sight I brought them forth.'

Ezekiel 20:33-44 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm [on the cross], and with fury poured out, will I rule over you: And I will bring you out from the [Gentile] people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm [on the cross - the cross of Jesus Christ saved Israel], and with fury poured out. And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face. Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD. And I will cause you to pass under the rod [to be numbered in servitude], and I will bring you into the bond of the [New] Covenant: And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against Me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. As for you, O House of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto Me: but pollute ye My Holy Name no more with your gifts, and with your idols. For in Mine Holy Mountain, in the Mountain [Temple Mount] of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the House of Israel, all of them in the land, serve Me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things. **I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered [70 A.D. Diaspora]; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country [May 14, 1948] for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers. And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought [created, worked] with you for My Name's sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye House of Israel, saith the Lord GOD. - God has begun to bring the Nation of Israel back into the land of Israel. "I [God] will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people" is also a commitment and a promise that is made by God to the Christian Church. - 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 Wherefore come out from among them [unsaved], and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

blog Bible Study: 1 Chronicles 13-16 - King David the Zadok Priesthood and the people of Israel all assist one another in order to bring the Ark of God, the Presence of God into Jerusalem -- '1 Chronicles 13:1-5 And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader. And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the LORD our God, let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are left in all the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites which are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us: And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul. And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people. So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjath-jearim (Samuel 7:1).' - Note: The Ark of the Covenant entered into Jerusalem on the Sabbath Day - the same day that Jesus would later enter into Jerusalem in on His triumphal entry.
1 Chronicles 16:37-43 So he [King David] left there before the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD *Asaph [Psalms 50 and 73-83] and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required: And Obed- edom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obed-edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters: And **Zadok the Priest [Zadok also dedicated the Temple for King Solomon (1 Chronicles 29:22)], *and his brethren the Priests, before the Tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon, To offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which He commanded Israel; And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because His mercy endureth for ever; And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters. And all the people departed {being (Saturday) the close of the Sabbath Day} every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house. - Note: With God's presence in Jerusalem, with King David on the Throne in Jerusalem and Zadok officiating as one of the Priests of Israel the transition from Saul and Eli had been completed and the transition from the Tabernacle/Temple Ministry of animal blood sacrifice to the Ministry of the Holy Word of God, later confirmed, established and completed in the birth, cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ for all mankind was well under way.

blog Bible Study: Matthew 21 - Jesus and His Disciples are now near Jerusalem - Jesus sends two of His Disciples to a Donkey with its young offspring - The Disciples bring the Lord [ultimate owner] His Donkey [the guy probably didn't redeem His donkey according to the law (Exodus 13:13) and as a first born colt it did belong to God] - Jesus then enters into Jerusalem riding upon an untamed colt [untamed to man but tame to God] -- 'Psalm 118:23-29 This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day [Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem] which the LORD hath made; we (Kingdom Disciples) will rejoice and be glad in it. Save [Salvation] now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity [healing]. Blessed be He (Jesus) that cometh in the Name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the House [Temple worship] of the LORD. *God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice [Jesus] with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. Thou art My God, and I will praise thee [while Jesus is enduring His suffering He will praise His Father in Heaven]: thou art My God {My Father}, I will exalt [honor] thee. O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever.' {Note: The 70 Weeks of Daniel are counting the days of Gentile Kingdoms starting at "the commandment [by king Artaxerxes to Nehemiah to rebuild the Jerusalem wall about 445 B.C. (source: http://www.bereanwatchmen.com/j.r.lawendowski/daniels-70-weeks.html) - following the earlier King Cyrus 538 B.C. command for the Jews to return back to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity - both commands were given during the Gentile Persian empire of the 4th Global Gentile Kingdom] to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah" -- The 69th Week concluded on Saturday [not Sunday but (Palm Saturday)] the day of the [Jewish] Triumphal Entry [fulfillment of the Feast of Sabbath] of Jesus into Jerusalem [ending Global Gentile Kingdom reign (the beginning of the end of 1 Nation Gentile Global Reign until the 7th Kingdom, the Global Kingdom of Antichrist)]. Also Note: The 70th and final week of Daniels' 70 Weeks is in the Book of Revelation during the Gentile Antichrist Global Reign while the time period between the Triumphal Entry of Jesus (completed in Resurrection Sunday) is the Christian Church Age (Acts 15:14-18) until the empowerment of the 1 Antichrist Global Kingdom.}
A Day foretold by the Prophets and the Scriptures: The Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem was foretold throughout the Hebrew Old Testament. The Psalms particularly Psalm 118, the Prophets Daniel and Ezekiel and in fact all of Heaven and all of creation desired to see the Day that the LORD had made the day that God came and established His Holy, just and righteous Kingdom among all mankind. - 'Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass [donkey], and upon a colt the foal [baby donkey] of an ass.' - 'Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass [donkey], and upon a colt the foal [baby donkey] of an ass.' - **'Daniel 9:24-27 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people [Jews] and upon thy Holy City [Jerusalem], to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision [Law] and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy (Jesus). Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah (Jesus) the Prince shall be seven weeks [seven Jewish decades 49 years - these weeks were the Jewish decade of seven years the Levitical decade seventh year of release], and threescore and two weeks [62 Jewish decades 434 years]: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks [the 434 years] shall Messiah be cut off [crucifixion], but not for Himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And He [Antichrist] shall confirm the covenant with many for one week [the 70th and final week regarding Jerusalem]: and in the midst of the week at [3½ years] he [Antichrist] shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation [in the rebuilt 3rd Temple] to cease, and for the overspreading [saturation] of abominations [evil] he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation [end of the Book of Revelation], and that determined shall be poured [bowl judgments of Revelation 16:1] upon the desolate.'

Church Accountability 2011 - Leadership, Financially and Churchwide

No more enabling, perpetuating and furthering the very serious and real problems of Predatory Preaching (exercising spiritual authority over others) and
Predatory Tithing (receiving finances from others for personal lifestyle uses) and the many other compromising and
Emergent/New Age spirituality problems that are now creeping up within the true Christian Church!

Bible Verse: Matthew 24:45-51 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord (Jesus) hath made ruler over His household [fellowship], to give them meat [sound doctrine Bible study] in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when He cometh shall find so doing. {The complete Bible is available at ChristianFaithDownloads.com}
Matthew 24:45-51 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord (Jesus) hath made ruler over His household, to give them meat [sound doctrine Bible study] in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when He cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That He shall make him [faithful servant] ruler over all His goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth His coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for Him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. -- Matthew 13:41-43 The Son of Man (Jesus) shall send forth His [Holy] Angels, and they shall gather out of His Kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Who hath [Spiritual] ears to hear, let him hear. -- Holy Bible [article link]

The New Testament concept of Fellowship financial openness and accountability -- "John 15:14-16 Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I (Jesus) command you. **Henceforth I call you not servants (lit. slaves); for the servant (slave) knoweth not what his Lord doeth: ***but I have called you friends (lit. brotherly love); for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known [openness] unto you. ... that [with brotherly love and openness] whatsoever ye shall ask [i.e. Moses in the Tabernacle (Tent) of the Congregation speaking to God - Numbers 7:89] of the Father in My name, He may give it you."
John 15:11-27 These things have I (Jesus) spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is My Commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, *if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen Me, but ***I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that [with brotherly love and openness] whatsoever ye shall ask [i.e. Moses in the Tabernacle (Tent) of the Congregation speaking to God - Numbers 7:89] of the Father in My name, He may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for My name's sake, because they know not Him (Father) that sent Me (Jesus). If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke [covering] for their sin. He that hateth Me hateth My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin [of open rebellion]: but now have they both seen and hated both Me and My Father. But this cometh to pass, that the Word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They [sinners] hated Me without a cause. But when the Comforter (Holy Spirit) is come [Pentecost], whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He (Holy Spirit) shall testify of Me (Jesus): And ye (Apostles) also shall bear witness, because ye have been with Me from the beginning. [article link]

The Old Testament concept of Congregation financial openness and accountability - Moses publically reported the gifting, finances and tithes given and offered to his congregation --"Numbers 7:89 **And [after public openness and accountability] when Moses was gone into the Tabernacle [Tent] of the Congregation to speak with Him [God], then he heard the voice of One speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the Ark of Testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto Him."
Example: Numbers 7:10-89 And the princes offered for dedicating of the altar in the day that it was anointed, even the princes offered their offering before the altar. And the LORD said unto Moses, They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedicating of the altar. And he that offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah: And his offering was one silver charger [a serving tray], the weight thereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them were full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering: One spoon of ten shekels of gold, full of incense: One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: One kid of the goats for a sin offering: And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab. On the second day Nethaneel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, did offer: He offered for his offering one silver charger [a serving tray], the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering: One spoon of gold of ten shekels, full of incense: One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: One kid of the goats for a sin offering: And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Nethaneel the son of Zuar. On the third day ... And all the oxen for the sacrifice of the peace offerings were twenty and four bullocks, the rams sixty, the he goats sixty, the lambs of the first year sixty. This was the dedication of the altar, after that it was anointed. **And [after public openness and accountability] when Moses was gone into the Tabernacle [Tent] of the Congregation to speak with Him [God], then he heard the voice of One speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the Ark of Testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto Him. [article link]

FBCJaxWatchDog: Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability (ECFA) Webinar - "Unleash a Generosity Surge at Your Church" - This webinar will encourage generosity in your church as we review the results from the State of the Plate and the View from the Pew surveys {Note: We as Christians can't do much about the level of greed, abuse and corruption at the U.N. but we can certainly still do something about it in our local Churches. If the Church is not 100% Transparent with their financial statements [readily assessable legal - tax documents] then don't donate or donate only a minimal amount. We all have to take part in reducing the greed and corruption within the current Christian Church system, it is at the point that if we don't take a stand against it we are becoming a part of the problem! - Also Note: the ECFA is seemingly a very unaccountable and suspect [red flag] organization itself. The ECFA though pretending to provide financial oversight for Churches and Ministries refuses to make their own financial statements publically available. Any Church or organization that is ECFA affiliated should be immediately removed from being considered a good, accountable, responsible, viable or safe place for our hard earned donations. - It's not too much to ask any Church or fellowship to display their financial [tax filings] documents and statements, in fact, it's a minimum that an honest and open Church or Ministry must do!}
The same group that Senator Grassley is hoping will encourage churches to be more financially transparent and thus avoid federal legislation in the area of religious organization fund raising - is actually hosting a webinar to help churches squeeze more money out of their people. And their logo has a pastor's head overlay-ed on top of a pile of money. I'm sure Grassley is going to love that! It would have been better to have him with a fist full of cash in his hand! Who has ECFA hired for their webinar? Why none other than "bestselling generosity author" Brian Kluth, also described as "one of the world's leading authorities on charitable giving and generosity". Experts in generosity? Can't we just call it what it is: "fund raiser". We've had people for decades know how to "raise funds", but in the church that wouldn't go over well, so we call them "generosity consultants". Click here to see Brian Kluth's "Maximum Generosity" website where churches can buy his resources on how to get your people to be more generous. Can't be too much longer and we'll see informercials on this. If we have "generosity experts" marketing their wares to pastors, how long before the SBC seminaries start pumping out PhD's in "generosity"? Shouldn't every mega church have a PhD in "generosity", aka "fund raising"? Look below at the blurbs from the ECFA website and blast email - while the speaker isn't using Alec Baldwin's "AIDA" approach, it is awfully close: the five I's: Instruct, Inspire, Influence, Involve, and Ignite! And of course, he'll explain three things you can do, pastor, to increase giving 10% in the next 12 months. -- Here's a strategy: how about preach the gospel, convert the lost, and then just let the Holy Spirit grow your church and let them give according to New Testament standards? Nope, the gospel and Jesus aren't good enough anymore. We need more. We need to pay generosity consultants to tell our pastors how to tell us how to give more money and stop being stingy. -- Preach Jesus, love people, teach people to love Jesus, and see what happens. [article link]

Looming [U.N.] Financial Crisis Forces U.N. to Mull Less-Than-Radical Cutbacks - The government of Britain was the first to deliver that message last month, when its ministry for international development announced it would cut off four minor U.N. organizations entirely from funding at the end of next year, and put others on warning that they would face the same fate if they did not improve performance - Other generous U.N. funders, like Norway, have started financial reviews that could lead to similar results
One country that has not yet taken the austerity approach is the U.S., which provides at least $6.4 billion for the U.N., according to U.S. government compilations. What most of the suggestions sent to the Nairobi meeting reveal is that despite years of a widely-touted effort to "deliver as one" united organization in its humanitarian and other efforts, the U.N. is still a widely disparate array of uncoordinated bureaucracies, ranging from such giants as the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the World Food Program, to such relative backwaters as the International Labor Organization and the International Maritime Organization. ... They also call for "intensification of audits of operations at country, regional and global level," which would reinforce "the sense of fiscal discipline, responsibility and cost consciousness." The suggestion does not note, though another systemwide U.N. study does, that U.N. auditors are already over-stretched, under-qualified for their work, and often impeded and ignored by their bosses. None of the ideas presented to the Nairobi meeting included a drastic change in the ramshackle way the U.N. system itself has grown in the past six decades. Notably, nothing in the suggestions addresses the inefficiency of having 28 international funds, agencies, programs, regulatory agencies and other major global bureaucracies in the first place, many with overlapping and competing mandates for their activities, especially in such rapidly expanding areas as environmentalism. Changes in that overall bureaucratic challenge likely are beyond the pay-grades of even the top- most U.N. executives -- not to mention, perhaps that the changes might not be in their personal or bureaucratic interest. [article link]

CNN: NATO takes command in Libya - U.S. officials, opposition warn Libya could get bloodier - CIA operatives have been in Libya working with [Al-Qaeda backed?] rebel leaders to try to reverse gains by loyalist forces, a U.S. intelligence source said {Note: these stunning Middle-East developments and the UN response and involvement could be no less than the disintegration of the UN as a viable organization. Only days before the Libya crisis began England was in the process of reducing their funding commitment to the UN. The UN response to Libya has been disastrous, when Libya a UN member Nation asked for impartial observers the UN responded with one of the most outrageous military assaults in modern history by delivering untold death and destruction upon the tiny UN Nation of Libya. Biased UN decisions and actions that can only ultimately in all likelihood result in the withdrawal of reasonable (UN) member Nations particularly the Middle-East Nations.}
Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- From the halls of Congress to the shell-pocked streets of Libyan cities, intertwined themes rang clear Thursday: Leader Moammar Gadhafi is determined to prevail, and the opposition needs more training and allied airstrikes to have a chance. ... The United States, insisting it is now fulfilling more of a support role in the coalition, shifted in that direction as NATO took sole command of air operations in Libya. The ferocity of this month's fighting and Gadhafi's advantage in firepower was clearly evident in Misrata, which has seen snipers, significant casualties and destruction. ... The CIA has had a presence in Libya for some time, a U.S. official told CNN earlier this month. "The intelligence community is aggressively pursuing information on the ground," the official said. The CIA sent additional personnel to Libya to augment officers on the ground after the anti-government protests erupted, the official said, without giving details. ... NATO emphasized Thursday that the U.N. resolution authorizing action in Libya precludes "occupation forces." NATO Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola, chairman of the NATO Military Committee, indicated that the presence of foreign intelligence personnel does not violate U.N. Security Council 1973, which authorized action in Libya. The term "occupation forces" has "a quite clear meaning," he said at a news conference in Brussels, adding that NATO receives and uses intelligence from allies and does not judge the sources. The NATO mission, called Operation Unified Protector, includes an arms embargo, a no-fly zone, and "actions to protect civilians and civilian centers," NATO said Thursday. It follows U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973, allowing member states to take all necessary measures -- "while excluding a foreign occupation force of any form" -- to protect civilians under the threat of attack in Libya. [article link]

Heartlight.org: The Authority of Reality "Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you" (James 4:8) - from My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers
It is essential to give people a chance of acting on the truth of God. The responsibility must be left with the individual, you cannot act for him, it must be his own deliberate act, but the evangelical message ought always to lead a man to act. The paralysis of refusing to act leaves a man exactly where he was before; when once he acts, he is never the same. It is the foolishness of it that stands in the way of hundreds who have been convicted by the Spirit of God. Immediately I precipitate myself over into an act, that second I live; all the rest is existence. The moments when I truly live are the moments when I act with my whole will. Never allow a truth of God that is brought home to your soul to pass without acting on it, not necessarily physically, but in will. ... We have to go clean over on some word of our redeeming Lord and transact business with Him. His word "come" means "transact." "Come unto Me." The last thing we do is to come; but everyone who does come knows that that second the supernatural rush of the life of God invades him instantly. The dominating power of the world, the flesh and the devil is paralysed, not by your act, but because your act has linked you on to God and His redemptive power.

Minister or Sinister? Pimppreacher via Apostasywatch: How to know when your Church has become a cult - Everything is about CONTROL - The main tools used to control members are INTIMIDATION and MANIPULATION - *The intimidation and manipulation are very subtle and disguised with a false sense of love and concern - It's all a strategic COURTSHIP
RUNNING GAME The Cult [suspect Church] will have a team of people (we will call them the GAMERS) who are assigned to COURT you (THE PROSPECT) [for their gain - power, prestige, finances, etc]. The courtship begins with COMMUNICATION. Good communication starts with paying attention to what is said. The Gamer will ask strategic questions about the PROSPECT, their family and their life. Once they hear something they can identify with the prospect (YOU) they will begin telling the prospect how wonderful the church is (disclaimer: they will always say "we're not a perfect church, but we love God and our Pastor loves the people of God, we are a loving church"). -- The Gamer will tell a story about how they were so lost, broke down, and hurt BUT because of this ministry they were able to get their lives together and they don't know where they would be without this ministry (*not GOD, but the ministry) this will of course include many examples of how the Cult Pastor is very sincere and loving. This call will conclude with an invitation (FIRST DATE). This first date may be an invitation to come to the midweek service, a fellowship, or next Sunday's service and the prospect is told to ask for the Gamer as soon as they come through the door so the two of them can sit together. The members are moved by what they HEAR they are compelled to say YES TO THE FIRST DATE. ... PROPHET OR PROFIT? In treating the members as children they are taught to NEVER speak against the leader. If fact, any questioning of the ministry teachings, any criticism, any independent thinking is considered a form of rebellion. "Touch not my anointed and do my prophet no harm" I Chron. 16:22. There will be a strong emphasis on authority, unquestioning obedience and submission. Members become afraid to say anything, even if they know something is wrong because speaking against what they KNOW to be wrong is speaking against the "Pastor" and it's a SIN. They are convinced that if the Pastor is wrong - God will get him and when the "wrong' is continued they assume the Pastor was right. And if anyone is ever so bold to speak against the leader they are ostracized by the entire church. Yes, this "loving" church will turn their back on you. -- SiGNS TO LOOK FOR: 1. LOST OF IDIVIDUALITY. You are no longer a creative, independent thinking individual. Everyone must speak the SAME thing.say what the leader says at all times.any other opinion is going against God. 2. LOST OF RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS. Relationship with friends, relatives, and children - ANY NON-MEMBER is severed. - RELATIONSHIP IS BASED ON MEMBERSHIP 3. EXCESSIVE GIVING. Extreme pressure to give all you have. Several offerings, large sums, public announcement of your amount resulting in guilt and intimidation. 4. ISOLATION. Isolation from anything and anyone not directly affiliated with the church. 5. CONTROL OF TIME. 6. LOSS OF FREE WILL. Members cannot make any independent decisions concerning personal life. Cannot question leadership.

Fbcjaxwatchdog: (Predatory Tithing) Ed Young's Tithing Sermon: Show Me the Money! - The video of Ed Young posted here on Sunday has gotten quite a bit of play around the blogosphere It has even moved over to YouTube - Christians and non-Christians alike are flabbergasted that a pastor from the pulpit is trying to get people to commit to give 10% of their income to his church through automatic withdrawal {Note: the Corporation Churches [501(c)3] need to own up to their public accountability and financial obligations in reporting and accounting for every single dime that they collect in offerings [so called tithes, offerings, gifts]. The Basic Christian Ministry is going to designate 2011 as a year of Church accountability [actually starting now!!] - No public disclosure of legal financial statements provided by the church and staff then no money provided by the congregation it's that simple!! - Also Note: The people that are blindly donating to demanding and offensive personalities are the very people that are enabling, perpetuating and furthering this very serious [*Predatory Tithing] problem within the Church. It's important that everyone within the congregation accept responsibility and withhold financial support from any Church or organization that is not 100% transparent with its organizational structure, affiliations or income disbursements.} (YouTube)
He tells them they are cursed if they don't tithe. He wonders why they come to church if they don't bring the tithe, tells them to stay home or play golf, to quit wasting Ed's and God's time. He says to watch your wallet if you're sitting next to a non-tither. He brags that "blessings track him down" for his 29 years of faithfulness. He even declares multiple times that the blessings of the Christian life are "all about the money". Ed even says "Show me the money" - which I take to mean "show me your bank account and routing number". He says that if you don't tithe, your marriage, your job, your kids, will all suffer because you're under God's curse. I hope that someone in Ed's circle of friends - maybe John Cross, or maybe Ed's father - someone, will help Ed see that he is abusing his congregation. Comments: Anonymous said... 80% of Ed young's church membership need to leave the church now. Those people should choose a place to meet and have a great time in fellowship. choose a God fearing man as a teacher while giving him some living standards. No jet. And learn the truth of the [B]ible.

Basic Christian: Note: Only informed responsible giving (tithing) is cheerful giving - Previous year 501c3 non-profit tax form filings should be open and publically available (in Church offices) and on the internet for anyone and everyone to look at and only then is a person capable of making an informed decision about personally donating to charitable 'Churches' and causes i.e. a Harvest Crusade type of event -- "2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth [responsibly] in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful [responsible] giver."
Only informed responsible giving (tithing) is cheerful giving! Not the ignorance is bliss, dutiful giving that the modern Church now wants us to participate in. -- "Ecclesiastes 7:12 For wisdom is a defense [refuge], and money [opportunity, power, influence, prestige] is a defense: but [more important than money] the excellency of [Biblical] knowledge [accurate, reliable Biblical doctrine] is, that wisdom giveth [eternal] life to them that have it."

Donor Bill of Rights: PHILANTHROPY (Charitable Donations) is based on voluntary action for the common good - It is a tradition [and religious requirement] of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life - To assure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the not-for-profit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights: I. To be informed of the organization's mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes - II. To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization's governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities - III. **To have access to the organization's most recent financial statements - IV. To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given
I. To be informed of the organization's mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes. II. To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization's governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities. III. To have access to the organization's most recent financial statements. IV. To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given. V. To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition. VI. To be assured that information about their donations is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law. VII. To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature. VIII. To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors. IX. To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share. X To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.

Questions: Ask a Nonprofit (Church - Crusade - Conference - etc.) *Before Investing in [or contributing to] it - 3. What are your annual goals, needs, and results? How do they compare to similar organizations in your community? - 6. How well have you utilized your funding? Describe how efficiently you have fulfilled your goals of recent years in relationship to the amount of funds you have raised
Thinking of donating to a nonprofit? Here are some suggested questions to ask nonprofit organizations before investing in them. The answers can help you determine which charities to give to and evaluate the performance of the philanthropies you already support. 1. How are you collaborating with similar organizations on a local, regional, or national level? 2. What are the main obstacles that inhibit the fulfillment of your mission? How are you planning to overcome them? 3. What are your annual goals, needs, and results? How do they compare to similar organizations in your community? 4. How much turnover have you experienced of employees and board members in the last two years {and how many related family members are employed and in what places within the organization}? 5. To what degree have you attracted new people {non-family members} and new ideas to your organization and board? 6. *How well have you utilized your funding? Describe how efficiently you have fulfilled your goals of recent years in relationship to the amount of funds you have raised. 7. Most for-profit organizations have recently restructured themselves in recent years to become more efficient and productive. How, if at all, are you considering (or have you implemented) some version of this approach? 8. How efficiently is your organization run? To what degree have you assigned day-to-day management responsibilities to a tightly run executive committee instead of relying upon your full board? 9. Who are your main competitors and how do your results in recent years compare to theirs?

Tips for Choosing a Charity: A Donor's 9-Step Guide to Giving Wisely - Avoid charities that won't share information or pressure you - Reputable nonprofits: Will discuss their programs and finances - [they] Don't use pressure tactics - Are willing to send you literature about their work or direct you to a Web site - Will take "no" for an answer - Trust your instincts: If you still have doubts about a charity, don't contribute to it - Instead, find another nonprofit that does the same kind of work and with which you feel comfortable, then make your donation
Tips for Choosing a Charity: A Donor's 9-Step Guide to Giving Wisely - Here are GuideStar's tips for donors who want to give with their heads as well as their hearts. Researching Charities Clarify your values. Do this before you open your checkbook, volunteer your time, or look at that letter from a charity. Identify your preferences. Ask yourself: "What is important to me?" The environment? Education? Hunger? Animal welfare? Helping sick children? Where should the charity do its work-in your neighborhood, region, the nation, or internationally? Ask yourself if you want to support a large or small charity, a new or an old one. Search the GuideStar database to find charities that meet your criteria. Focus on the mission. Look at each charity's description in the GuideStar search results, on its Web site, or in its literature. Find the nonprofits that fit best with your values. Eliminate organizations that don't meet your criteria. Now you're ready to look more closely at these organizations. Evaluating Charities Get the cold, hard facts. A reputable organization will: Define its mission and programs clearly. Have measurable goals. Use concrete criteria to describe its achievements. Compare apples to apples. Be sure to compare charities that do the same kind of work, especially if you're looking at their finances. The type of work a charity does can affect its operating costs dramatically. Avoid charities that won't share information or pressure you. Reputable nonprofits: Will discuss their programs and finances. Don't use pressure tactics. Are willing to send you literature about their work or direct you to a Web site. Will take "no" for an answer. Trust your instincts. If you still have doubts about a charity, don't contribute to it. Instead, find another nonprofit that does the same kind of work and with which you feel comfortable, then make your donation.

Fbcjaxwatchdog: Update: Predatory Preaching - Why So Much Angst About Anonymous Critics? {Note: I was listening to this [terrible outburst] again this morning [and again I'm very disheartened to have to listen to it - such an obvious wolf in sheep's clothing speaking from behind the pulpit]. I was left wondering why does this pastor only rail against anonymous criticism, if he were to be consistent wouldn't he be equally offended by anonymous donors as well. If the modern church leadership [and I use that term lightly] is going to take such a self-imposed righteous stand against anonymous criticism then equally they need to reject all anonymous donations as being equally "pathetic" and from "narcissistic zeros" and for the record, whoever made that anonymous comment, he or she was very smart to make it anonymously. It seems that some leaders- pastors want info in order to use it [seriously] in [Satanic] curse rituals against the person that is trying to help the Church move forward in a godly way. So yes, be very careful about letting your name, as a helpful person or as a critic get in the hands of some of these pastors where once they have an identity they can go to work behind the scenes [demonically casting spells and socially casting dispersions] making life very difficult for anyone they desire to do harm to.} (Audio)
I recently came across the audio excerpt below from Matt Chandler, where he absolutely blasts people who would dare send him anonymous, critical emails. He angrily calls them several choice names like "pathetic" and "narcissistic zeros". I came across this audio clip at Dr. Alvin Reid's blog site, as he included Chandler's clip with his blog post here entitled "Dealing with Critics". You really have to listen to this. It gives I think a glimpse into just how much disdain there is for anonymous emailers and bloggers critical of the Southern Baptist power structure. It is my view, based on my experience as a formerly anonymous blogger, that Chandler's disdain for anonymous critics is shared by many of our Southern Baptist leaders. After all, Alvin Reid posts it for his readers (many of whom are our future pastors!), presumably as an example of how to view those who dare to criticize anonymously.

Emerging Church DVD:Extremely Important Viewing!!! Part 8 - Dialectic Deception - [To Download Click the Share Button] (Online Video)
Emerging Church DVD (Online) This two hour and forty-five minute DVD takes a hard look into the beliefs and practices of what has become one of the most dangerous deceptions assaulting God's people today - The Emergent Church. - Part 8: Sandy Simpson speaks on: Methods used by false teachers to deceive God's people.

Revival 2010 - Personally and Churchwide

Spiritual Revival and fellowship with God both personally and throughout the Church

Christ Life Ministries - (Mp3s)
Committed to providing messages, materials, and ministries that will further revival, both personally and corporately in the local church.

Revival Hymn - (Mp3s - Video Downloads)
Revival Hymn - Few people have ever lived through the experience of God working in revival power - One of the few exceptions in modern times took place in the Scottish Isle of Lewis between 1949 and 1952 - At Barvas Parish Church the Hebridean revival began [while a man 'young man' in the (Friday night), weekly Church prayer meeting (held in a barn) was praying the 24th Psalm and asked "God are my hands clean, God is my heart pure"] - It is also called "Revival Fire" at some locations on the internet. The transcript has been added to help with the clarity of the spoken word. - The speakers included in this message are Ian Paisley, Leonard Ravenhill, Paris Reidhead, Duncan Campbell, A.W. Tozer and T. Austin Sparks. May it light a "revival fire" in you as it has in me!

Revival on The Isle of Lewis by Duncan Campbell - (Mp3s)
Listen to this first-hand account of the Lewis Revival during the early 1950s. Duncan Campbell was God's instrument in this extraordinary awakening. In this tape Campbell recounts point-by-point this three-year movement of the Holy Spirit over the Hebrides Islands. Thousands were converted, conviction overwhelmed villages, outward sin disappeared, and prayer meetings were packed! Your heart will be thrilled as you listen to this tape about this heaven-sent revival in Lewis. {Note: Duncan Campbell differentiates between Revival and Church Evangelism (modern Church growth efforts). Modern Church growth "is not revival" only personal growth is Revival "God are my hands clean, God is my heart pure." The modern Rick Warren type of Churches are attempting to grow their own membership primarily in order to grow their finances and to increase their influence only within other modern socially driven Christian churches but not Biblically within society itself. The result is a compromised modern influence that is greatly based on biblical and doctoral error and therefore it is a worldly false influence and primarily being a false influence the revival and a personal fellowship growth with God is greatly diminished not being "gripped with eternity" even though the larger numbers of people in attendance might indicate revival and a worldly success modern church growth is more of an exercise in human manipulation than a Divine, eternal, personal revival move of God.}

Pray The Scriptures - The Names of God
The Names of God 1: Paul Cox of Aslan's Place sent this incredible list to subscribers of his newsletter. When I looked through it, the hair stood up on the back of my neck. The Names of God just incite you to prayer! In fact, I just got a Names of God category going on the blog. What a prayer resource! There are enough names with Scripture references to provide you with daily study for a year. In fact, there are so many names that I plan to make them available in three or four installments. When I first printed the list for myself, it took thirty pages. So here is the first installment. The second installment is here: Names of God II. {Group prayer should primarily consist of different people prayerfully reading out loud and commenting on a Psalm or a scripture selection [each person reading in turn about 3-5 verses (only if they want to) then the person that read the verses can comment first on them then in order everyone can comment on the verses read and when ready the next person can read the next 3-5 verses (anyone can pass on their turn to either comment or read out loud)]. Then at one point or at several points in between the readings and the comments people can present personal prayer requests to the group but the group gathering itself should begin with God, focus primarily on God and end with God. - Also Note: It is up to the maturity of the prayer group to keep the focus on God and away from rumor and gossip and also it is the maturity of the group to be able to navigate through theological topics that might arise as discussions [not letting one person dictate theology - everyone is entitle to an equal comment]. Intend to focus the individual comments primarily on personal devotions and what the verse means in the life of each individual.}

Prayer Tips: George Müller
2. Müller's Discovery Was That After Meditating On Scripture He Was More Able to Experience a Meaningful Prayertime. "Reading [the Bible] without meditation is unfruitful; **meditation [and praying] without reading [the Bible] is hurtful [emotional wandering (i.e. emotion based New Age practices and highly emotional books like The Shack) - quickly leads to spiritual deception - especially in prayer groups if all people do is pray their emotions and their personal problems and the group does not focus on the Truth of God through the Bible it can open up a very big door to spiritual deception for everyone involved in the prayer group]; to meditate and to read without prayer upon both is without blessing." ~ William Bridge, Puritan Writer Christian meditation (thinking deeply on Scripture) is "the missing link between Bible intake and prayer." If there was a "secret" to George Müller's prayer life, it was his discovery of the connection between meditation and prayer. Müller's discovery was that after [*actually during] meditating on Scripture he was more able to experience a meaningful prayertime. ~ Donald S. Whitney, "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life" (partial quote and partial paraphrase). -- [ Mueller read the Bible through over 200 times, half of these times on his knees. He said he knew of some 50,000 specific answers to prayer...requests to God alone! - source: www.believersweb.org/view.cfm?ID=177] {Note: George Müller prayed as he read through the Bible - he didn't separate prayer and Bible devotions. His prayers and intercession to God where primarily during his daily Bible devotional readings and were based on what he was reading in the Bible at that moment.}

Prayer Meeting Tips
Always Begin Prayer Meetings with a Worshipful Tone, ala the ACTS method. This will pre-focus the attention of all, on God Himself, and thus brings all which we would pray about, into the proper perspective. It helps remind us that nothing is impossible for God, thus encouraging us to start believing, and confidently asking Him for the impossible. It reminds us that God loves us, is for us, and wants His best for us. Sometimes, it helps to start with a 1-5 minute period of silence, during which each is encouraged to thoroughly focus on God Himself. [2 Cor 10:5] Another idea, is to invite a worship leader, from your local church, to lead the prayer group in two or three worship songs [or use a CD], before prayer begins. Like I said on the Key Elements page, if we first get our eyes on our BIG God, our problems suddenly don't look as hard, for, we've engendered the faith that God, for whom nothing is impossible, will face these problems for us. {Note: Generally and historically personal prayer and prayer meetings are for Praying thorough scriptures in the Bible. Praying personal needs is important but praying [prayerfully reading and also commenting] on the Psalms, Proverbs the N.T. and other sections of scriptures while focusing on who God is by removing our focus from ourselves and our needs is really what is intended in prayer.}

Biblical Proof That Jesus is God

Revelation 21:3 God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.

1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

A note about the Holy Bible, as a document the Bible was spoken by God and written down by prophets and scribes. Today some people think of the Bible as a collection of ancient events and stories while in actuality the Bible is a legal document containing both the Old & New Testaments, the covenant and contract between God and mankind. The words, terms and phrases are legal in nature and binding in stature. When Jesus refers to Himself as Christ, Lord, Savior, and God, He is saying it in a legal binding term, a legal binding term between God and mankind.

In the historical events of the life and crucifixion of Jesus Christ the reason for the guilty verdict, the recorded "crime", by the leaders of His day in order to condemn Him at His multiple trials was that Jesus repeatedly declared Himself to be God to many eyewitnesses.

Declaring oneself to be God is a part of the crime of blaspheming (misrepresenting God) unless of course as in the case of Jesus where God actually was in human flesh visiting mankind to remove the sins of the world.

In other words Jesus was sentenced to death and crucified not for committing a crime like robbing a bank or kidnapping or something that we would normally associate with a death penalty case. Jesus was convicted of the "crime" of blasphemy, declaring Himself to be God.

Had Jesus not repeatedly declared Himself to be God and instead maintained for instance that He was only a prophet then He would not have been crucified at least not under the law of blasphemy. {Likewise had the "Virgin Mary" the mother of Jesus, who was also at the public trial - execution of Jesus, had she spoken up and declared that there was no actual virgin birth for Jesus then she would have been a witness that Jesus was not God and therefore discrediting His claim and removing His crucifixion/death penalty. Had Mary the mother of Jesus been able to save her son from the agony of the cross she indeed would have done so. Mary however knew the truth of the virgin birth of Jesus and was unable to alter the occurring events of the day.}

Jesus did declare Himself to be God and it is even likely that a verbal declaration alone would not have even gotten the attention of the leaders. However in the case of Jesus, His many miracles, healings, prophecies, signs and wonders gave such credibility to Jesus being God in the flesh that the leaders both the Romans and the Jews, like everyone else, were forced to either accept the words of Jesus as God or to reject Jesus and to then plot to remove Him.

A note about the many miracles of the early Christian Church

Prior to the cross and resurrection of Jesus while He was among His disciples mentoring and teaching them Jesus Himself gave them power to heal and the power of authority over demons. Later after Jesus returned back into heaven the same Apostles and disciples continued healing miracles in the early Church.

Matthew 10:1-2 And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; ...

In the very early days of the Christian Church God preformed many miracles through His Apostles and disciples the people who were personally familiar with Jesus. The Miracles were used for the one and only purpose of authenticating the Gospel message of our resurrection and eternal life in Jesus.

The same Apostles and disciples of the early Church who performed the miracles are the same people who wrote our Christian New Testament Bible. The miracles were authentication of the Gospel until the Bible epistles (letters) could be written and distributed. With the New Testament scriptures the focus on authentication of the Christian message centers on the Bible itself and specifically on the many Bible prophecies. Miracles are now deemphasized while Bible prophecy is emphasized. Remember the coming Anti-Christ is going to perform many false and deceiving miracles therefore the Christian message is to look to the Bible for truth and not to modern miracles. This in no way means that the gifts of God the Holy Spirit have ceased or have even diminished but what it does mean is that the emphasis, the focus, of God's relationship with mankind is based on His Word the Bible the rock and foundation of all truth.

Luke 1:1-3 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

In many, places in the Bible, Jesus declares Himself to be God and our Savior, here are just a few!

John 10:30 I and My Father are one.

John 4:25,26 The woman saith unto Him, I know that Messias (Messiah) cometh, which is called Christ: when He is come, He will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am He.

John 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love Me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of Myself, but He sent Me.

Mark 14:62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am He (Christ), ye shall die in your sins.

John 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill Him (Jesus) {For their perceived blasphemy of Jesus calling Himself God}, because He not only had broken the Sabbath {customs, as they understood them}, but said also that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.

John 8:18 I am one that bear witness of Myself, and the Father that sent Me beareth witness of Me.

*In approximately the year 90 A.D. on the island of Patmos the resurrected living Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, personally introduced the book of Revelation (Chapter 1) to His disciple John. Jesus then personally dictated all 7 letters of Revelation (chapters 2-3) to the existing Church. Jesus asserts His continued command and His leadership of all the Christian churches and throughout the seven letters the resurrected Jesus Christ personally interjects His approvals and disapprovals of the entire existing Church age.

Jesus then personally concluded the book of Revelation and indeed the entire Bible both the Old and New Testaments with His concluding remarks!

Revelation 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel [messenger] to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

In many, many places the Bible references, referrers to and calls Jesus, God, here are just a few!

1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

2 Corinthians 5:19 To whit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself,

Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son (Jesus) He (Father) saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy Kingdom.

Revelation 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be Glory and Dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Colossians 1:14-15 In whom (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn {Inheritor} of every creature:

Colossians 2:9-10 For in Him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power:

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Romans 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Some of the Bible Quotes reference that Jesus contains the Characteristics and abilities of God within Himself this therefore associates Himself as God. This is necessary because Jesus is God in Human form. When God does split open the Heavens and reveals Himself to us as God it won't be necessary to explain who He is but until then He came to us in human form and therefore an explanation and clarification are necessary and helpful. Likewise other verses directly call Jesus God providing instances of pre-incarnation, incarnation and post-resurrection are all covered in the Divinity of Jesus.

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost (Spirit) hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which He hath Purchased with His Own Blood.

Revelation 1:5 Unto Him (Jesus) that loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.

Zechariah 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me (Jesus) whom they have pierced {Crucified}, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for his Only Son, and shall be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for his Firstborn.

It is Jesus that shed "His Own Blood" was crucified and died on the Cross for us. Since the sin of Adam and Eve all humans are now conceived and born as sinners. Sin separates us from the Holy God. Because we were separated by sin from God there could not be a gathering together with God, meaning there could not be a Church of God's people until after the cross of Jesus, where our sins were removed. The penalty of sin is death, without death there cannot be an end or a stop to sin. The shedding of Blood reveals death, and death being the end or stopping of sin. Blood reveals death in that blood is the "life of the flesh" and in Jesus' case the shedding of His blood was also another proof of His death because his blood had already separated into the two distinct parts of water and the heavier red blood cells revealing that His heart was no longer pumping to keep the water & the red blood cells mixed together.

Jesus bled and died on the Cross proving His death and in dying paying the full cost for our sins, the cost of sin, disobedience to God, is death and with sin now ended by death our sins have been removed. But it is not enough to remove sin to have a relationship with God so then three days later after the cross, Jesus Resurrected, He showed Himself to be alive in a new Spiritual body. A body created to have a new Spiritual relationship with us. That resurrection day Jesus created His Church by giving His disciples a New "Born Again" Eternal Spiritual Life, without sin, and with Himself. The Church is now a gathering of fellowship with people who's sins are forgiven and who are now close to and in fellowship with God and with one another.

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, Love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it.

1 Corinthians 10:32 Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the Church of God.

The Names used to refer to Jesus reveal that Jesus is God in [Substance, Authority, and Character]

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the LORD Himself shall give you a sign; Behold a Virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name [substance, authority, character] Immanuel ("God with & among us").

Luke 2:21 ... His name [substance, authority, character] was called JESUS ((JE = God, Yahweh, Jehovah) + (SUS = Salvation, Healing)), which was so named of the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain (emptyness); for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain (emptyness).

The third of God's 10 Commandments requires that we keep the substance given in each of God's names that He refers to Himself by. To empty - make vain any of God's names is an act even worse than the profaning of God's names.

Jeremiah 23:6 In His days Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS (Jehovah - Tsidkenu).

Currently we refer to God by the name of Jesus acknowledging and referring to the Salvation & Healing work that He is currently doing in our life. To know Jesus is to know Salvation & Healing from God (Jehovah). Later when Jesus bodily returns to Rule the earth we will call Him "Jehovah - Tsidkenu," "THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS" acknowledging and referring to the Righteousness of God. With the presence of Jesus we will know His Righteousness, true righteousness.

*Note YHWH or Yahweh is a Hebrew or Jewish name for God, while Jehovah is a Latin or Roman name for God, just like "God" is an English name we use for God.

The Mighty God

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost and these three are one.

Jesus Himself forgave sins and allowed Himself to be worshiped as only the one and only true God can

Mark 2:5-12 When Jesus saw their faith, He said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, He saith to the sick of the palsy, I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

John 9:35-38 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? he answered and said, Who is He, Lord, that I might believe on Him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen Him, and it is He that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he Worshipped Him.

In the Greek Language that the original New Testament Bible was written in the word "and" is also an "=" sign

Words that are grouped together using the word "and" have equal significance and are equal in value.

For example:

John 20:28 And Thomas answered and (=) said unto Him (Jesus), My Lord and (=) my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and (=) yet have believed.

James 1:27 Pure religion and (=) undefiled before God and (=) the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and (=) widows in their affliction, and (=) to keep himself unspotted from the world.

James 1:1 James, a servant of God and (=) of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and (=) the glorious appearing of the great God and (=) our Savior Jesus Christ;

1 Thessalonians 3:11 Now God Himself (Holy Spirit) and (=) our Father, and (=) our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and (=) the God of all comfort;

2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and (=) the love of God, and (=) the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

Jesus is also referred to Exclusively as the Savior, Messiah, Lord, and King

Savior

Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jude 1:25 To the only wise God our Savior, be Glory an Majesty, Dominion, and Power, both now and ever. Amen.

Titus 1:1-4 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested His word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Messiah - Christ

John 4:25,26 The woman saith unto Him, I know that Messias (Messiah) cometh, which is called Christ: when He is come, He will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am He.

Lord

Numbers 15:41 I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD your God.

Romans 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Zechariah 14:5 ... and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee [second coming].

King

1 Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

2 Peter 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

John 18:36 Jesus answered, My Kingdom is not of this world: if My Kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should be not delivered to the Jews: but now is My Kingdom not from hence.

Psalms 74:12 For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.

Jesus has always existed as God

Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made into the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death on the cross.

John 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love Me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of Myself, but He sent Me.

John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily (truth), verily (truth), I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am (I existed).

John 10:30 I and My Father are one.

Jesus is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; manifested into our physical realm

Exodus 3:14-15 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is My name for ever, and this is My memorial unto all generations.

One of the Memorial names that God has chosen to reveal Himself to us by is His name "I AM". I AM is a present tense verb and denotes that God is Always with us in the present moment, in the here and now. God is the "I AM" thankfully he is not the I was or that he will be, but He Truly is "I AM" the God of all time, at all time.

John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Mark 14:62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

John 18:5-6 They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed Him, stood with them. As soon then as He had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

John 8:24 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 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up (Crucified) the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

*In the better Bibles words that are added during the English translation process are identified in italics i.e. he. In the above verses he is an added English word not found in the original Greek Bible verses.

Jesus is the Son of God

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever, Believeth in Him should not perish, but have Everlasting life.

Jesus is the Son of God: This statement seems to offer some confusion. People wonder how can Jesus be God and be the Son of God?

Actually the term "Begotten Son of God" requires that Jesus is God.

Revelation 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be Glory and Dominion forever and ever. Amen.

To say that Jesus is not God, Exactly like the Father is God, is to say that our earthly father is not a human like we are a human. Our earthly fathers are Humans that is why we are humans. We are what our fathers are. If the father is a bird than the offspring is also a bird, a fish, or whatever the father is denotes what the likeness is in the relative/offspring.

John 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill Him (Jesus), because He not only had broken the Sabbath {customs, as they understood them}, but said also that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.

Jesus is God as His Father is God. Jesus is God, He has always been God and He will always be God.

The reason that the term Son and Father are applied to Jesus and the Father is because Jesus became a man. With Jesus becoming a human in physical form in the Virgin birth, with a birth, it is necessary to Identify the Father. Jesus Identified His Father to us. The Father of Jesus is God. We know that Jesus does Not have an earthly father, if Jesus did He would be a human only, like us and not God.

Also it is Important that Jesus has a Father. To not have a father is to be an orphan, or in old English to be a bastard. Jesus is not an orphan nor is he a bastard. Jesus is Family with the Father and is Beloved of the Father. Jesus is accepted by His Father God. By accepting Jesus we humans become family with Jesus and the Father. We do not become Gods, we are humans in a relationship with God, while Jesus is God in a relationship with humans.

Another way to look at this and to see the eternal nature of Jesus and the three in one nature of God is to recognize that of the two Bible references regarding the Virgin Incarnation and the Virgin Birth of Jesus is to recognize that the "Father" is not mentioned in this context but that it is actually the Holy Spirit that is credited with overseeing the manifestation of Jesus into the human realm. The significance is that if the three are not One God and that Jesus was not preexistent then the Father is not the Father. If they were separate or Jesus was simply a creation of God's then it would be the Holy Spirit that is the Father of Jesus and not the Father Himself. Therefore we know that the terms "Father, Son, First Born, Son of Man" etc. are all positional and description terms used for our clarification into the significance of God in Christ Jesus, God in the flesh.

Matthew 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Luke 1:31-35 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Jesus is the Only Begotten Son of God

1 John 4:9 In this was manifested the Love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him (Jesus).

The importance and significance of Jesus being the "Only Begotten" Son of God is of course that there is no salvation for mankind apart from Jesus.

Acts 4:10-12 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the Stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

There is an important distinction in the Bible regarding when Jesus is actually referred to as "the Begotten Son of God" and this reference is actually to both the Virgin Birth of Jesus and also to the Resurrection of Jesus. Meaning that Jesus has always been God and did not become a God at the virgin birth or at some other time or by some other occurrence.

Psalms 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said to Me, Thou art My Son; this day [Virgin birth & Jesus' Resurrection] have I (Father) begotten Thee.

Hebrews 1:4-6 (Jesus) Being made (having status) so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said He (Father) at any time, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son? And again, when He bringeth in the first begotten into the world, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him.

Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten (Resurrected) of the dead ...

The Resurrection of Jesus proves that Jesus is indeed God and therefore the acceptable sacrifice to take away the sins of mankind.

Romans 1:2-4 Which He (God) had promised afore by His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of Holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

The Deity of Jesus is referred to in the New Testament as it constantly refers to Jesus as a Son (adult) in status, even at his birth, and not as a child like we humans are called. The difference being that a Son (adult) has authority where a child does not have any authority and Jesus being God retains His authority (Sonship) even at the Virgin Birth.

Mark 1:1 The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her (Mary), The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that Holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

The birth of Jesus as Son, adult in status, is also foretold in the Old Testament.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the LORD Himself shall give you a sign; Behold a Virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel (God with & among us).

Jeremiah 31:22 for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, a woman shall compass a man (lit. Warrior).

In summary, almost anyone could claim to be the Son of God and from time to time in history various people have made that claim yet only Jesus has demonstrated authority over life and death by His resurrection. The return to life of Jesus, the Bible prophecy matches of his life, eyewitnesses accounts of both His life and His resurrection, along with the witness of the Holy Spirit all confirm that Christians comfortably know and trust that Jesus is God.

Jesus is submitted to the Father

John 6:38 For I (Jesus) came down from heaven, not to do My own will but the will of Him (Father) that sent Me.

Matthew 26:39 And He (Jesus) went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed saying, O Father if it be possible, let this cup [the crucifixion] pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as though will.

The Holy Spirit is submitted to Jesus

John 16:13 Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come. He shall glorify Me (Jesus): for He shall receive of mine and shall show it unto you.

Revelation 19:10 And I (Disciple John) fell at his (Angel) feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See though do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: Worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy.

The Church is submitted to Jesus

Ephesians 5:23 ... Christ is the head of the church: and He is the savior of the body.

Christians are submitted one to another

1 Peter 5:5 ... Yeah, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble.

Remember: God is our example, we are to be submitted to one another even as God is submitted to one another (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), out of love and respect for one another. God is showing us how to have a loving, caring, committed, relationship.

Jesus has all Authority

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.

1 Peter 3:22 Who (Jesus) is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him.

The Judgment and Inheritance belong to Jesus

Psalms 82:8 Arise, O God, Judge the earth: for though shall inherit all nations.

John 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into the world, that they which see not might see; and they which see might be made blind.

Ephesians 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

Jesus as God is the creator and builder of all things

Hebrews 1:2 (God) Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom (Jesus) He made the worlds {The physical and the spiritual realms}.

Hebrews 1:10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

Hebrews 2:10 For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom (Jesus) are all things (created), in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Hebrews 3:4 For every house is builded by some man; but He that built all things is God.

The Deity of God the Father

1 Thessalonians 1:1 ...unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 6:23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Deity of God the Holy Spirit

Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

John 14:16,17 And I (Jesus) will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of Truth; ...

Acts 5:3,4 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, ... thou hast not lied unto men but unto God.

Triunity - Trinity the Three in One Nature of God

Isaiah 6:3 And one (Angel) cried unto another, and said, Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory.

Revelation 4:8 And the four beasts (Angel - Spirit beings) had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

Angels in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible are recorded as saying, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD" this is in reference to God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 3:16,17 And Jesus, when He was Baptized (by John the Baptist), went up straightaway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him (John the Baptist), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a Dove, and lighting upon Him (Jesus): and a Voice from Heaven, saying, This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am Well Pleased.

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Spirit);

One Name = one God meaning that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all equally, yet separately, the one and only God.

Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) LORD:

The Hebrew word used for "one" is (Echad, 259) which means one untied group as opposed to (Yachiyd, 3173) a single, alone, one.

Activities and functions of God

Creation

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God (Gods-Father, Son, Holy Spirit) created the heaven and the earth.

The first word in the Bible to describe God to us is the Hebrew word (Elohim, 430) which is the plural form of El (God) meaning Gods.

John 1:3 All things were made by Him (Jesus); and without Him was not anything made that was made.

Job 33:4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

Resurrection of Jesus

Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead;

John 10:17,18 Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My father.

Romans 8:11 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 (make alive) your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Sinned against by mankind

Genesis 39:9 ... how then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?

Luke 24:7 Saying, the Son of Man (Jesus) must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Forgiveness of man's sins

Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

Colossians 1:14 In whom (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Hebrews 10:15-18 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that He had said before, ... and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

All of these events took place Before, During and After the physical earthly appearance of Jesus, proving that Jesus is indeed the Promised Savior of Mankind that the Prophets of the Holy Bible spoke so many times about.

In Jesus the Christ (Messiah) we Christians do have the True, Living, Loving, Savior, God to put all of our trust, our hopes and our cares into.

There has been an interesting development regarding this topic of the Bible proclaiming Jesus as God.

A couple of non-Christians have remarked that it really seems almost silly to post Biblical proof that Jesus is God and their point is that of course the Bible proclaims Jesus as God because that is what the Bible is written about. However they don't believe the Bible, they think that the Bible is only written by humans and not inspired by God.

But even as non-Christians they rightfully understand the Topic and Content of the Bible yet they do not understand the Divinely Inspired and Prophetic nature of the Bible and have not yet chosen to follow it. It really does underline the obvious message of the Bible which is "Jesus is God" and that this message is universal to the Bible. It is only a few unconventional cult groups that determine that the Bible does not specifically and repeatedly present to the world "Jesus as God in the flesh."

God Bless you,
David Anson Brown

Articles

GodThoughtsWired! JESUS...IS GOD! As an "equipper of the saints" (see Ephesians 4:11-13), here's some helpful "equipment" in regard to the clear, biblical teaching that Jesus is God
JESUS...IS GOD! As an "equipper of the saints," (see Ephesians 4:11-13), here's some helpful "equipment" in regard to the clear, biblical teaching that Jesus is God. ~Thomas knew that Jesus was God: "Thomas answered and said to Him (Jesus), 'My Lord and my God'" (John 20:28). ~Peter knew that Jesus was God: "To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:1). ~The Apostle Paul knew that Jesus was God: "Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus" (Titus 2:13). ~Jesus knows that He is God: "Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am...Now Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was" (John 8:58; 17:5). ~Those around Jesus knew that He claimed to be God. After Jesus told the crowd, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30), the bible tells us that they began to pick up stones to stone Him because, "You (Jesus) being a man, make Yourself out to be God" (John 10:33). ~Finally, God the Father* acknowledges that Jesus is God: "But of the Son He (the Father) says, 'Thy Throne O God, is forever and ever" (Hebrews 1:8). It is through this God alone, Jesus Christ, the Jesus of the Bible, that salvation is made available. "And there is salvation in no one else..." (see Acts 4:12) Brothers and sisters, biblical Christianity acknowledges that Jesus is God. He is the Savior of the world (see John 3:16). There is NO OTHER way to get to heaven, accept through the Jesus of the Bible. I guess, the real question is whether or not you believe that the Bible is really God's word? Because the Bible teaches that there is no other way to get to heaven accept through Jesus. If you believe otherwise, according the the God of the Bible...you are deceived. "I, even I, am the Lord, and there is no Savior besides Me...There is no God besides Me...Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me...I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God...There is no one besides Me, I am the Lord and there is no other..." Isaiah 43:11; 44:6; 43:10b; 45:5; 45:6 Comprende? ps. If you actually receive this, would you drop me a short note to let me know? Thanks. :) *For an in-depth discussion of The Trinity, click on, What Does the Bible Say About...The Trinity? [article link]

Actors tell Hollywood 'Enough is Enough' - Petition set up to seek respect for Jesus' name - Actress Kathy Griffin's rant at the Emmy awards - and as we have learned, her verbal assault was calculated {Respect is basic to life. Jesus is the greatest life of all and the most worthy of all respect.}
The question now is whether Kathy Griffin will pay a similar price for her outburst. And as we have learned, her verbal assault was calculated." The Miracle Theater organization said: "Our attempt is not to throw stones at Ms. Griffin, or anyone else. It is every American's God given right to worship freely and to speak freely. We believe, however, that as Christians, we should not accept her mockery of our Lord quietly! What is shocking to us is how people tend to respond to comments like this about Jesus Christ. It made our heart sick to see people in the audience at the Emmys laughing at Griffin's remarks." The idea for its petition effort, "Million Voices for Christ," came about after many people saw the original ad, and called to express their thanks. The group then purchased a second ad to announce its petition plans. "It seemed that many were looking for a way to speak out on the matter. If we together stand up and say, 'Enough is Enough!' we can show the media that there are MILLIONS OF US that love our Lord! With a million signatures, together, we can remind Hollywood that this country was founded on the principles of God's Holy Word," the group said. "The message of this petition is simple respect. Our primary objective is to give any person who wants to speak out in support of Christ an outlet to do so," said Russ Hollingsworth, general manager of The Miracle Theater. "There is strength in numbers. One million people speaking up just can't be ignored." He said every American has the right to worship freely and to speak freely. "We believe, however, that as Christians it's time for us to take a stand for our faith and ask for respectful treatment from the media and the entertainment industry." The petition is on the organization's web page. [article link]

The Names of God - JEHOVAH: LORD in our English Bibles (all capitals) - Yahweh, YHWH is the covenant name of God - Occurs 6823 times in the OT First use Gen. 2:4 (Jehovah Elohim) - From the verb "to be", havah, similar to chavah (to live) - JESUS: Derived from the Hebrew "Joshua" (Y'shua) or "Je-Hoshua" meaning JEHOVAH (God) IS SALVATION
CHRIST: is equivalent to the Hebrew 'Messiah' (Meshiach), "The Anointed [Alive-Living] One." Other NT Titles for Jesus: Shepherd of the Sheep; Master; King of kings; Lord of lords; Bishop and Guardian of our Souls; Daystar, Deliverer, Advocate, Last (or Second) Adam, Ancient of Days, Branch, Chief Cornerstone, Immanuel, First Born, Head of the Body, Physician, Rock, Root of Jesse, Stone, Potentate; Chief Apostle; Great High Priest; Pioneer and Perfecter of our Faith (or Author and Finisher); Lamb of God; Lamb Slain before the Foundation of the World; Lord God Almighty. [article link]

Names of God: A Way to Understand His Nature and Character - "ELOHIM" (or Elohay) is the first name for God found in the Bible, and it's used throughout the Old Testament over 2,300 times {In the Bible God gives over 300 names and descriptive names for Himself, none of the names are Allah. Allah is Not a Biblical name for God!}
Names of God: A Way to Understand His Nature and Character - The Names of God used in the Bible act as a roadmap for learning about the character of God. Since the Bible is God's Word to us, the names He chooses in scripture are meant to reveal His true nature to us. Names of God: His Titles Revealed in Scripture - "ELOHIM" (or Elohay) is the first name for God found in the Bible, and it's used throughout the Old Testament over 2,300 times. Elohim comes from the Hebrew root meaning "strength" or "power", and has the unusual characteristic of being plural in form. In Genesis 1:1, we read, "In the beginning Elohim created the heaven and the earth." Right from the start, this plural form for the name of God is used to describe the One God, a mystery that is uncovered throughout the rest of the Bible. [article link]

Bishop urges Christians to call God 'Allah' - Catholic leader believes it would help ease tensions between religions - a survey published showed 92% of the more than 4,000 people polled oppose the bishop's view {It's always better to please God than man. So I'll continue to call God Jesus as God has asked us to do by instructing His angel Gabriel to tell us.}
Catholic churches in the Netherlands should use the name Allah for God to ease tensions between Muslims and Christians, says a Dutch bishop. Tiny Muskens, the bishop of Breda, told the Dutch TV program "Network" Monday night he believes God doesn't mind what he is called, Radio Netherlands Worldwide reported. The Almighty is above such "discussion and bickering," he insisted. Muskens points to Indonesia, where he served 30 years ago, as an example for Dutch churches. Christians in the Middle East also use the term Allah for God. "Someone like me has prayed to Allah yang maha kuasa (Almighty God) for eight years in Indonesia and other priests for 20 or 30 years," Muskens said. "In the heart of the Eucharist, God is called Allah over there, so why can't we start doing that together?" Muskens thinks it could take another 100 years, but eventually the name Allah will be used by Dutch churches, promoting rapprochement between the two religions, he said, according to Radio Netherlands. However, a survey published today in the Netherlands' largest newspaper, De Telegraaf, showed 92 percent of the more than 4,000 people polled oppose the bishop's view, the Associated Press reported. [article link]

Bible verse: Saint Luke 1:26-35 the angel Gabriel was sent from God - and shalt call his name JESUS - which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God ... {The complete Bible is available at BasicChristian.info}
Saint Luke 1:26-35 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. -- Bible [article link]

Testimony - MY SEARCH - by Lambert T. Dolphin (Mp3)
In 1962 my then-roommate's parents invited me one day to church where for the first time in my life I heard what the Bible had to say about reality. All my attention immediately shifted to That Book No One Reads Anymore. I started at the end---in the Book of the Revelation. This new phase of My Search went on intensively for several months until I decided to see the pastor---so that I could ask him all my hard questions, and once and for all find the loopholes and inconsistencies I was sure made Christianity a man-made religion like all the other religions in the world. The pastor refused to give me his own opinion on things, but answered every question by pointing me to various passages in the Bible. I was especially moved by such statements as "The natural man does not understand the things of the spirit...they are foolishness to him," and "Unless a man humbles himself and comes like a child he will in no way enter into the kingdom of God." Evidently, "there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus who gave Himself as a ransom for all." I realized I had never prayed in my whole life. What if you called out to God for help and He helped you? If He were more intelligent than I was (that thought had just dawned on me), then mere outward profession of faith wouldn't do. The pastor said that anytime I decided I would like to become a Christian, he would be glad to be a witness. It was then I realized that God must be a living Person and that He was apparently ready to meet me if I would but give Him my permission. I decided that then and there was as good a time as ever. My first prayer went something like this, "OK God, if you are there, I think I may need to be forgiven. And, you can have the rest of my life. Please help me." I waited no more than a millisecond until I felt flooded and overwhelmed with love---God's love. There in that office, and now in my heart, was the same Jesus I had read about in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Grandmother had been right and the Bible was no ordinary book. It seemed as if all the lights had been turned on in what had been a very dark house. To this very day, (43 years later) that experience of my Christian conversion stands out in my memory like night and day---"If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold all things have become new." [article link]

BasicChristian.org

Christian Statement of Faith

We believe that God is the creator of the universe creating both of the seen (physical) and the unseen (spiritual) realms and that God the creator is also the giver of life.

We believe the Holy Bible is God's word Personally spoken by God for mankind for the purpose of revealing who He is and it is without error in all issues to which it speaks.

We believe in the Triunity (Trinity), one God in three Persons, consisting of Father, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit.

We Believe Jesus Christ is Divine God who came from Heaven to mankind as a man yet retaining the Divinity of God and who while living a sinless life was rejected and betrayed by man to be crucified and die on the cross yet not to remain dead but to Resurrect the third day in accordance with His Everlasting Divine life.

We believe that the death of Jesus on the cross provided complete atonement for all the sins of the world therefore cleansing those who choose to be cleansed from their sin to then receive the Holy Spirit and by receiving the Holy Spirit becoming "Born Again" and being Born Again becoming children of God. Children in the family of God and as children in a personal relationship with their Father who is God above all and as children also inheritors in the Heavenly Kingdom of Jesus the kingdom that is without end.

We believe that Jesus is the judge of all of mankind's thoughts, intentions and actions and that He is just and wise in His judgment. As judge, Jesus will judge the unjust [those who are not covered by the blood of Jesus Christ] to everlasting condemnation while to the righteous [those who are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ] He will give of His life, His gifts, and His glory.

We believe Jesus physically rose from the dead, was seen by and interacted with many eyewitnesses including the Disciples and Apostles and that Jesus has now ascended back into Heaven where He originally came from. Jesus is currently seated in Majesty, Power and Authority alongside the Father and He is now accessible to us in both Prayer and Fellowship.

God Bless you,
David Anson Brown

BasicChristian.org

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Basic Christian: Christian Quick Start Guide

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David Anson Brown
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