Baby Christians

 

In Hebrews 5:12-13, the apostle Paul had this to say about Spiritual Immaturity.

 

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

 

Becoming skilled in the Word requires discipline and maturity. The path to eternal life is a lifelong process which requires knowing, not just believing. Simply listening to a preacher talk about God is not spiritual growth.  

 

Spoon-fed Churchanity teaches that "born again" is instant and one is ""saved" by simply believing. But is that what the Word says?  Even the demons believe...  ~ James 2:19

 

Baby Christians can believe all they want, but nothing happens until they are mature enough to conceive to the Holy Spirit. Jesus was 30 years old before he requested baptism and received the Holy Spirit. ~ Matthew 3:16 

 

Let that sink in. Real Christianity is for mature people who go through the process of spiritual birth.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, (He will teach you, not your pastor) and bring to your remembrance all things that I (Jesus) said to you. ~ John 14:26

 

Judging Others

 

As children of God, we are all at different levels of understanding. Jesus warns us not to judge (condemn) others with whom we disagree. 

“Do not judge (condemn), or you too will be judged (condemned). For in the same way you judge (condemn) others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ~ Matthew 7:1-3

If you would like to get into the meat of the Word, you are cordially invited to join Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ~ 2 Timothy 2:15 

Let's revisit what Jesus said about being born again

 

Wise Men

 

 

Wise Men From The East ~ Matthew 2:1-12

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? (properly translated - King of Judea) For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

 

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

 

So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

 

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

Note: 'young Child', not a baby in a manger. Jesus was probably over a year old when the wise men from the east arrived at the house where Joseph and Mary had moved. Only the shepherds came to the stable the night Jesus was born.

 

When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.  And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

What do the three gifts represent? Gold - a gift fit for a King, Frankincense - the anointing oil of a Priest, and Myrrh - the burial ointment for the sacrifice of Jesus.

 

Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. Another way not only means to avoid Herod, but a new mindset... a New Way to live, and think, and act.

Then Herod, when he saw that he was tricked by the wise men, was exceeding angry, and sent forth, and killed all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.~ Matthew 2:16

Notice 'his star' guided the wise men to Jerusalem, the Scriptures led then to Jesus. The same is true today -- going to Church will lead you to "Jerusalem" (Yah's city of peace), but the Scriptures lead you to Christ. Wise men and women still seek Christ, but you will not find Him in organized religion. Salvation is a free gift, no need for a middle-man. Assembling together is for fellowship, not to make brownie points with God or man.

As it is written: But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,  and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for 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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. ~ 2 Timothy 3:14-17

 

You are cordially invited to join Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group

The purpose of this post is to get people to think about what they believe and why they believe it, not debate who's right or wrong. To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you. 

 

Israeli-Palestine Conflict

 

By Mike Farris

This may be the most informative history of the Israeli-Palestine conflict you will ever read.

On April 5, 1944 a Texas newspaper, The Amarillo News, published two essays on "The Problem of Palestinian Homeland," one from a Jewish rabbi and one from a Palestinian Christian businessman living in Amarillo. This was four years before Israel declared statehood.

First, from Rabbi Arthur Bluhm:

"Let me, as shortly as possible, outline the Palestinian problem for you... During the First World War, Turkey fought on the side of Germany against the Allies. England tried to persuade the Arabs, who were oppressed by the Turks, to revolt against their masters. As a reward, the Arabs were promised independence in Arabia... Two small areas were excluded under the terms of this understanding. The first was Lebanon with its important Christian population. The other was Palestine which was set aside for... a national home for the Jewish people.

"At the peace conference in Versailles [1919], the Jewish and Arab representatives were united and supported one another reciprocally...

"[The Arab argument in 1944] is that the Arab leaders at Versailles were not entitled to give up Palestine [because they did not represent Palestinian Arabs].

"Historically, the Arabs lost their sovereignty over Palestine in 1517... when the Turks conquered it... until 1917 when the English took Palestine away from the Turks.

"At the end of WWI, Palestine was a poor and neglected country. Now, since 450,000 Jews have immigrated to Palestine, 500,000 Arabs from neighboring countries have also settled in Palestine. These Arabs have the highest standard of living amongst all the Arabs...

"The former Grand Mufti of Palestine worked against the English (during WWII). He is now advisor of the German propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels, and is one of the most intimate friends of Mussolini.

"What the Arabs decide is not only against Jews, but against Christians as well."

A.K. Barakat, the Palestinian Christian living in Texas, replied (in summary):

"I... proclaim that my home, my property and my business are in Amarillo, and Amarillo shall continue to be my Jerusalem, and Texas, my Palestine."

"The Jews say that at one time or another, Palestine was their home, and they have legal justification to claim it. The Arabs say, nonsense, we lived in Palestine for 1300 years, and in Spain for 650 years - are we justified to claim it? Or are the Indians justified in claiming America?"

"Palestine is sacred to Jew, Mohammedan and Christian alike. Let us make it a spiritual state, an international state, for all faiths and for all the people of the world."

End of article. My Personal Comments Below.

 

Two wrongs never make a right. I am for peace whenever possible. Both sides of the Israeli-Hamas conflict are dead wrong for not coming to a peaceful resolution a long time ago. Warmongers profit from wars and encourage conflicts at every opportunity.

For over 75 years, the Israeli government has done to the Palestinians exactly what the U.S. and British governments did to the indigenous peoples of North America and Australia. It was wrong then and it is wrong now.

The Israelis have taken not only the land, but the homes and businesses of the Palestinians. They have oppressed a once peaceful people to the point that hatred has boiled over into senseless violence. The Israelis moved the Palestinians to the "reservation" of Gaza and the West Bank and then claims Israel is the victim.

The Palestinians are totally controlled by the Israelis. Palestinians cannot do anything without a permit from Israel. They cannot farm, build a home, start a business, get a passport, or do anything that normal human beings have a right to do. Until each Israel and Hamas respects human life over territory and resources, I will not support either side.

 

What does the Bible say about who owns the land once called Judea and Galilee? After conquering armies sent by God to punish the unbelievers, the land was renamed Palestine and in 1948 renamed again, Israel. According to Joel; 3:2. God owns the land and will give it to His people. When will God give the land to His people? Ezekiel 37:12-14 gives us the timeline: ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’ ”  Not one single Jew or Palestinian has ever been brought up from the grave. 

Neither the Jews nor the Palestinians have legal title to the land. The Jews forfeited all rights to Jerusalem when they rejected Jesus Christ to rule over them in 30 AD. The ten northern tribes of Israel had been deported to the northwest and isles of the sea long before the birth of Jesus. In 70 AD, God removed the three remaining tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi.

The people of Edom, a small area just south of Jerusalem, moved into the devastated and abandoned land. They were the descendants of Esau who sold his birthright and had no claim on the land. They adopted Judaism as their religion and falsely claimed to be "God's chosen people." 

 

In Revelation 2:9 and 3:9 Jesus states: I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 

The Truth of the Israeli-Hamas War

The present day State of Israel is a counterfeit of Biblical Israel and false teachers cause God's people to misunderstand what God had recorded by His prophets. The promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 is NOT fulfilled in the State of Israel; it was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. ~ Galatians 3:16

The Israel-Palestine conflict is a senseless war brought about by hatred and a total disregard for the plain truth of Scripture. Why are Christians so eager to go to war? Jesus tells Christians to practice "loving your enemies, doing good to those who do evil, and to pray for those who despitefully persecute you."  "Seek peace and pursue it" as the Lord commands.

Satan knows his time is short and is causing as much misery as possible before the return of Jesus Christ. As it is written: Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” ~  Revelation 11:15  Amen, Come quickly Lord.

 

When the time is right, I, the Lord, will come quickly. I will make these things happen. ~ Isaiah 60:22 (ERV)

 

Reminder: Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. ~ Matthew 5:9  

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Peacemakers

 

 

It's time, no, no, it's PAST time for Christians, Jews, and Muslims to learn the truth of their identity.

All the promises of God were made to Abraham, repeated to Isaac, and then to Jacob/Israel and his descendants.

Abraham had two sons. Ishmael by his servant girl, Hagar, and Isaac by his wife Sarah. His second wife, Keturah, bore him six more sons. Isaac had two sons, Esau and Jacob. 

 

Abraham's descendants had many children becoming great nations (families grown large). Ishmael's descendants adopted Islam as their religion, Esau chose Judaism, and Jacob/Israel's family, and those who came in contact with his family, converted to Christianity.

Esau married Ishmael's daughter. Isaac married his second cousin, Rebekah. Jacob married two daughters of his uncle Laban, Leah and Rachel.

Christians, Jews, and Muslims are family... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins. The only thing dividing us is organized religion. When are we going to wake up to that fact and stop hating each other?

The Gospel of the Kingdom is really good news for ALL people because God made a way for all of us to be born into His heavenly family. Someday there will be a huge family reunion. Do we want to face God on judgement day with blood on our hands for the murder of our own family members? 

You say, I have not murdered anyone, but what about Leviticus 19:17: You shall not hate your brother in your heart.

As it is written: Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. ~ Matthew 5:9

The apostle Peter, quoting from Psalm 34:14, wrote: Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. ~ 1 Peter 3:11

 

Flesh and blood is not our real enemy... ~ Ephesians 6:12

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Why?

 

Why was it necessary for Jesus to die to save mankind? If God is our Father why couldn't He just save us without the murder of His only begotten Son?

Short answer: Because God cannot lie. He never breaks His promises or His Law.

Jesus became sin for us and bore our sins in his body on the cross, thus fulfilling the law. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”  ~ 2 Corinthians 5:21

When we break man's laws that makes us a criminal. When we break God's Laws that makes us a sinner. Both sets of laws are for our good, but come with consequences for our guilty actions.

Sin is the transgression of the Law and God could rightly destroy us all. Because God loves us He chose that One sinless person to take our place and die in our stead. That kind of love and forgiveness is divine. That gift deserves our respect and we should be ever grateful that God was willing to sacrifice His Son. And on top of that, Jesus was willing to be that sacrifice.

The day Jesus was crucified. there were two thieves on either side of Him. The thief on the right accepted God's will because he knew he was guilty and deserved his punishment. The thief on the left rejected God's will and refused to take responsibility of his crimes. The man in the middle, Jesus Christ, chose God's will even though He had committed no sin.

What kind of person are you, or would like to be? Do you accept, reject, or choose God's will? By choosing God's will you agree that you are the one who deserves the death penalty, but you choose to honor the gift of salvation with obedience to God's way of life.

That means you must also love and forgive others in the same manner Christ loves and forgives you... no easy task since we humans are not divine. However, one of God's promises is to send His Holy Spirit to enable us to overcome the world even as Christ overcame and an example for us to follow.

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Forget Not The Lord

 

By Arthur Pink, 'Forgetting' 1950

What a wonderful thing is the memory — one of the many precious faculties with which the Creator has endowed us. By it we are enabled to live the past over again in our minds, to revive the early experiences of childhood, to recall the words of those who are no longer with us. By it, we may review the Lord's dealings with us in grace and in providence, call back to mind His interventions on our behalf, delivering us when in straits — or rejoicing our hearts while He talked with us along the way. By it, we can turn over the pages of our checkered lives, and read what is recorded both for and against us.

Memory is the power of retention, the storehouse in which all our knowledge is preserved. It is not possible to assess its value in silver and gold. How much poorer would we be — if everything were erased from its tablets! One of the greatest tragedies of life, is for a person to lose his mind and memory. It is indeed hard to part with any faculty, but, if compelled to make the choice, probably most of us would rather be deprived of our limbs, our hearing, or even our sight, than our mentality — yet comparatively few cultivate and use it as they should.

The memory is indeed of vast importance, for it is the treasurer of the soul. What the understanding takes in — the memory stores up. Knowledge, intellectual growth, social fellowship, the spiritual life — all have their roots in this faculty of retention. But this invaluable gift, like all others, entails a corresponding obligation. Each talent that God has bestowed upon us is for use — and if it is not employed, it will deteriorate. As unexercised limbs become stiff, and muscles flabby — so an unused memory becomes enfeebled. The memory may be developed and controlled — though time and trouble are required for this, as for everything else of worth.

Memory is largely a matter of volition. Said the Psalmist, 'I will not forget your word' (119:16). Definiteness of purpose is required, whether we shall recall a thing or dismiss it from our minds. Remembering is a setting of knowledge to work, reviewing the notions and impressions we have received, by exercising our thoughts about and meditating upon them.

The seat of the memory is the heart. Of Mary it is said, that she kept all these things 'in her heart' (Luke 2:19, 51) — things kept there, are never lost.

This leads us to point out that there is both a notional or speculative remembering — and a practical or influential one. The former is where we barely think of things — and receive no profit or benefit from them. The latter is where the mind is so engaged with the object recalled — that the affections are fired and the will moved by it. Thus the faculty of memory is given us by God as a means unto an end — to be a help in promoting piety.

The Scriptures abound with exhortations to remembrance. At the fore of them, we would place that one where those of tender years are bidden, 'Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come' (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Bear in mind that, since He is our Maker, He is therefore our rightful Lord and Owner — so conduct toward Him as such, rendering unto Him the homage and honor that are His due. Meditate much upon His glorious perfections; call Him to mind constantly while your heart is yet impressionable, and habits for good or evil are being formed for life; and thereby you will be fortified against the temptations of youth. All of men's wickedness and misery comes through forgetting God, hence the warning, 'Beware that you forget not the LORD your God!' (Deuteronomy 8:11)

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Be Doers of The Word

 

As Disciples of Jesus Christ we should not allow turmoil in Washington, D.C., or world events, to direct our emotions or dull our hope. 

 

Governments will change, trouble will come but our mission remains the same: Seek first the Kingdom of God and HIS righteousness. ~Matthew 6:33
 
"The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: Yahweh our God, YHWH is one. And you shall love YHWH your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." ~ Mark 12:29-31

BE DOERS

If the Bible is true (and we believe it is), then the most loving and eternally significant thing you can do for someone is to share the Gospel with them. Jesus said, make disciples, not church members. The Kingdom of God is not confined within the walls of organized religion. No Church organization has a monopoly on the Truth or a franchise on God. The Church Jesus built is a Body of Believers following HIM, not following a denomination or celebrity pastor.
 
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." ~ Matthew 28:19-20

We are not all called to preach, pass out Bible tracts, or even "witness." People would rather see a sermon than hear one. What we can do is share the Good News of the Kingdom. The Holy Spirit will do the rest. 

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:16

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Depression

 

It is only natural to get discouraged, even depressed, by your struggle with difficult circumstances.

Consider this: The fact you have a struggle is evidence that the Holy Spirit is motivating you to resist.

The devil does not want you to struggle. He encourages you to indulge in self-pity, anger, resentment, and hopelessness.

God allows you to struggle to make you stronger in faith, hope, and love. ~ 1 Corinthians 13

The faith that pleases God is born in a place of deadness... the deadness of all human possibilities. It is a place where man-made plans flourish at first then die. It is a place where human hopes bring temporary relief but soon crash, adding to a sense of helplessness.

Have you been at this place of deadness? Has it seemed like you have no options left? The heavens are like brass when you pray?

 

God declares to you that HE is at work. His Spirit is working to get you to stop considering the impossibilities. Stop looking to human ways and means, trying to think your way out of your situation. The Holy Spirit is urging you, “Quit hunting for help from some human source. Quit focusing on how hopeless you think your situation is. Those are hindrances to your faith.”

 

Strive to obtain the fruit of the Spirit. On a deeper level, the Fruit of the Spirit expresses itself as love, joy, peace, long-suffering (patiently enduring lasting offense or hardship), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. When our Faith is low and we experience no inner “blooming,” we feel the lack of something – no joy or peace of mind. ~ Galatians 5:22-23

 

Jesus has the answers. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  (and with His help, you can overcome too!) ~ John 16:33 "No Jesus, no peace. Know Jesus, know peace."

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Plain As Dirt

 

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. ~ Psalm 19:1

God, and the Book about God, is as plain as dirt if a person is willing to take God at His word. Organized religion has made the Bible difficult to understand by mistranslating many of the original Hebrew and Greek words into meanings that are inaccurate and deceiving.

If a person understands how a seed germinates and grows into a plant that produces fruit, then they can understand how God makes everything a process. 

 

Two of Churchanity's Favorite Doctrines

 

The way Churchanity teaches salvation is you give your heart to the Lord and your money to the Church. What does the Bible teach about salvation? Born Again Revisited

Churchanity loves to preach a fire and brimstone hell. What is God's Great Plan?

There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true (Jewish fables and traditions of organization religion); the other is to refuse to believe what is true (the Word of God). ~ Titus 1:13-15

 

To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you.

 

No Church has a franchise on God or a monopoly on the truth. The Church Jesus built is not an earthly organization, it's a body of Believers who seek first the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Bible really is as plain as dirt. You just have to dig deep and trust the original languages as God inspired the prophets and apostles to record. As it is written: All Scripture 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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. ~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17

 

The purpose of this post is to get people to think about what they believe and why they believe it, not debate who's right or wrong. To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you.

 

Life Lessons

Life Lessons From an Old Marine

The most important thing I learned: God is real and is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. ~ Hebrews 11:6  

Learn to love God's Book. If the Book says do a certain thing, try to do it. If the Book says not to do certain things, try not to do it. The Bible is not religious, it's practical down to earth advice.

The second thing I learned: When the going gets tough, the tough get going. I was a United States Marine on active duty from 1958 to 1962. Then in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1962-1964. Marines do the difficult immediately, the impossible just takes a while longer. You never fail until you fail to try.

The third thing I learned: Debt is a killer. The very word mortgage comes from the root word for death. i.e., mortal. mortician. When you are in debt, you are in a "death grip."

Put Everything Into Perspective

1. Always maintain a good sense of humor.
2. Never be too good to start at the bottom. Only ditch diggers start at the top.
   
3. Exercise every single day, even when you don't feel like it.
4. Don't spend more money than you make.
5. Love at first sight is not a fable.
6. Having a bad job is better than having no job at all.
7. Your family is the most precious thing you will ever have in life.
8. Your life is delicate, and if you neglect yourself, you'll spoil.
   
9. Don't ever be afraid to be your true self.
10. Everyone has too many clothes. Wear what you have and quit buying more.
11. You must be able to forgive, even if it's difficult to do.
12. Save your money now and spend it later.
13. Love is not always easy; sometimes you have to work at it.
14. Find something comical in every single situation.
15. If you're faced with a problem, don't delay asking your earthly father and your Heavenly Father for advice.
    
16. Make sure you're doing what you love; don't be afraid to follow those dreams you have for yourself.
17. Education is important, but not necessary. Life can be an education in itself.
18. Explore your world and stay curious.
19. Don't take yourself too seriously.
20. Life is a gift that you must unwrap. It's up to you to determine if what's inside will lead you to happiness or despair. God gave you the power to make that decision for yourself.

Change your perspective from get to give. Another piece of good advice from the Bible found in Acts 20:35

I'm not trying to "get you saved," Your Heavenly Father loves you no matter what, and there's not a darn thing you can do about it. God just wants you to find the true way to live, have peace of mind, and be healthy and happy. Set aside time every day to read one chapter of the Bible. Start with the Book of Proverbs. Pray for wisdom.

You're Invited to Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group... https://mlf1070.blogspot.com/2021/01/renew.html

 

Fishers of Men

 

By Donald Wiley

"For the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the sons of God" (Romans 8:19). That's the King James Version. Most modern versions use the word "creation" instead of "creature." And I think that gives the sense of what is being said a bit more clearly. 

All of the previous generations of mankind were subjected to a futile, vain existence temporarily. Various North and South American Indian tribes rose and fell, living out life's little day in a vain existence. This held true for almost all other sons of Adam - the Asian hordes, the nomadic peoples of other lands, the aboriginal peoples of Australia. God made no effort to enlighten them or enter their lives in any way - THEN! But divine mind had conceived a plan, a plan that would bring many sons to glory and immortality. 

That is why Jesus is called THE FIRSTBORN OF MANY BRETHREN (See Romans 8:29). All the created peoples of ages past are waiting in their graves for our change from physical flesh to immortal spirit. That is WHY when speaking of the dead Jesus Christ, all the prophets, and all the apostles used but one of two terms to describe the condition of the dead, saying they were either dead or "asleep." The "elect" of God, the only truly redeemed will someday be used of God to be "fishers of men." When Jesus told Peter and Andrew, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men," He was not primarily speaking of them leading others to salvation. (See Matthew 4:19). 

He was actually alluding to an ancient prophecy uttered by the prophet Jeremiah who wrote what God said, "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said, The Lord lives, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, but the Lord lives that brought up (from the dead) the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them, and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers. Behold I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them, and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holds of the rocks (used by the Hebrew people as tombs since time immemorial)" (See Jeremiah 16:14-16). 

 

That is WHY Jesus said, "The works that I do shall you do also." He was raising the dead! We, too, shall be used of God in raising the dead of ages past - billions and billions. Those having received that "other" spirit spoken of by Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:4, call this "cherry picking" as they do not have the eyes to see or hearts to understand what God is saying through the writings of His prophets!

Most preachers are totally oblivious to what God is doing on this earth. They think "getting saved" is just escaping being burned alive in hell and flitting off to heaven where one walks on streets of gold for all eternity. They also think "getting saved" is merely confessing publicly you believe Jesus died for you and, presto-chango, you are then and forever a full-fledged child of God heaven bound. Satan's work of deception is staggering!

"For as many as are LED by the Spirit of God, THEY (and no others) ARE THE SONS OF GOD" (Romans 8:14). Led continuously, day in and day out, throughout one's life, from the moment true and lasting full repentance is achieved and one is thereby granted God's wondrous and powerful Holy Spirit. Salvation is not accomplished in one fell swoop, one moment in time way back there in that Sunday service when on the 14th chorus of "Just As I Am" you finally broke down and "went down front" and had the preacher pray over you and assure you that you had just escaped hell and were now bound for glory. Read God's Word and believe it, folks. And the Holy Spirit will help you  understand.

Christ's Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12)

Donald Wiley

What is Salvation and How Do You Obtain It?... https://mlf1070.blogspot.com/2022/10/altar-calls.html

For more Bible enlightenment, You Are Cordially Invited to Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group... https://mlf1070.blogspot.com/2021/01/renew.html