tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40947329966042144152024-03-01T17:06:11.009-08:00LET MY WORDS BE FEWizonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-42996506850756277212023-07-05T09:02:00.002-07:002023-07-05T09:02:39.295-07:00Rejection and Pearls<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;">In chapter two, once again, in the book Dealing with the Rejection and Praise of Man by Bob Sorge.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;">Today, as I asked God to teach me more about this, I was reminded of the oyster and the irritant.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;">That little grain of grit that gets inside and tries to wreck havoc and discomfort to the little oyster. It’s a story Jesus told to help us understand that in this life, we will have trouble.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;">Some trouble will even come from those we thought were our closest friends.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;">Jesus said that He was rejected by men (even His most intimate of friends), and so, we shall also be rejected in this life.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;">The rejection Jesus speaks of is not rejection for something we did wrong.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;">No, this type of pain can only come when we are being obedient and trying to do good and help others.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;">Thankfully, the oyster (us) has been equipped at its conception, to handle the painful things, in a way that changes that gritty, uncomfortable thing into something smooth, soft, beautiful and of great value.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;">These are the pearls we make of the insults, false accusations, judgments and rejections we experience.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;">No one really wants to have to experience this type of pain, they and we just want to see something valuable come from it.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;">But to get to the end result of a beautiful Pearl, the oyster has to once again experience pain.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;">To extract the Pearl, the oyster has to literally be torn apart to remove it.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;">It that’s the point of laying one’s life down for another.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;">Jesus did it.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;">He is our Pearl of great price that was torn apart to give us value we didn’t deserve.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;">We were the irritant and we became His Pearl.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;">He paid a great price for us - His very life.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;">Because He did it for me, it encourages me to allow the irritants or rejection to be transformed into pearls for others to benefit from. Of course, we must be careful who we offer our pearls to and why.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;">All for God’s glory and praise.</span></p>izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-8419749667759638832023-03-11T22:54:00.002-08:002023-03-11T22:54:15.015-08:00A STUDY ON THE TRINITY VS ONENESS<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u>THE ONENESS IN THE 3-IN-1 GODHEAD <o:p></o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">A STUDY BY LEEANNA PORTER<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>WHOSE SON IS THE CHRIST? IS HE ETERNAL? IS HE THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA, THE ALMIGHTY GOD, THE MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH? IS HE THE CREATOR? HAS HE ALWAYS BEEN WITH GOD AND IS GOD? HOW DID HE APPEAR IN THE OLD TESTAMENT? DID OTHERS SEE GOD AND IF SO, HOW DID THEY SEE THE INVISIBLE GOD? HOW DID GOD APPEAR TO MEN IN THE BIBLE? HOW DID HE CLOTHE HIMSELF OR WRAP HIMSELF TO BE SEEN BY MEN SO THEY DIDN’T DIE? <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>In our English vocabulary, we generally use the word “person” to describe a flesh and blood human being. When Trinitarians use the phrase “in three persons” are they saying they worship 3 gods? Absolutely NOT. Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. But Jesus also said, in Mark 12:28-37, that knowing this commandment was not all the Scribe needed to know to inherit the Kingdom of God. There was more they had to acknowledge. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u>DEFINE: Immortal – (aphthartos #861)</u></b> – in essence or continuance undecaying. Not corruptible, incorruptible uncorruptible, (NOT subject to death or decay; perpetually not mortal)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">1 Timothy 1:17 Now to the King <b>e<u>ternal, immortal</u></b><u>, </u>invisible, the only God be honor and glory forever and ever, Amen. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Romans 2:6-9 …..to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and <b><u>immortality, eternal life. </u></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"> <b><u>immortality (aphtharsia #861), genuineness, incorruption, unending existence<o:p></o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u>eternal life (aioni</u></b>os #<b><u>165 & Zoe #2198 life in time) </u></b>Eternal, everlasting, perpetual life – including past to future. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u>YOU ASKED WHO “ALONE” HAS IMMORTALITY” See also, <o:p></o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">2 Timothy 1:10 (Jesus Christ has abolished death, and, brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">1 Timothy 6:14-16 (our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in UNAPPROACHABLE LIGHT, whom no man has seen or can see (#1492 See literally or figuratively; in the perfect only; to know). To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">1 Corinthians 15:53 For this corruptible must put off incorruption and this mortal must put on <b><u>immortality (#110 athanasia deathlessness).<o:p></o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">1 Corinthians 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption (<b><u>#861 aphthartos – incorruptibility; unending existence; sincerity)</u></b> and<b><u> this mortal shall have put on immortality, </u></b>then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u>DEFINE: Eternal: #H6924 qedem qedmah) Law of 1<sup>st</sup> Mention: </u></b>(Absolutely the fore part/front place, relatively, the East; antiquity of time; before time; ancient time, Before; east end<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal (#6924)</b> God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms; and He shall trust out the enemy from before thee, and shall say, Destroy them. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Matthew 19:16 & 25:46 (speaking of the righteous into life eternal) <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Acts 13:48 as many as were ordained to eternal life believed….<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">John 3:15 whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">John 4:16….gather fruit until life eternal<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">John 6:54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood, has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">John 10:28 Jesus speaking…I give them eternal life3; and they shall never perish (experience full destruction or loss, be lost, or perish) , nor shall any man pluck them out of my hand<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u>Eternal #G166 aionios, perpetual (also used of past time or past and future as well): eternal forever. Everlasting world (began). <o:p></o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u>John 17:3 and this is life eternal #166; </u></b>LIFE ETERNAL is that they might know You, the Only True God, AND Jesus Christ, whom Thou <b><u>has sent.<o:p></o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is <b><u>eternal life #166,</u></b> through Jesus Christ our Lord.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i> </i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i> </i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i> </i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i> </i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i> </i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i> </i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i> </i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i>ROMANS 1:20. FOR THE INVISIBLE THINGS OF HIM FROM THE CREATION OF THE WORLD ARE CLEARLY SEEN, BEING UNDERSTOOD. BY THE THINGS THAT ARE MADE, AND ALSO, EVEN HIS <u>ETERNAL POWER AND GODHEAD; </u>SO THAT THEY ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE. <o:p></o:p></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">ETERNAL #G126 from 104 AIDIOS Ever enduring (forward and backward or forward only), eternal and everlasting. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><u>GODHEAD #G2305 Theiotes – Divinity, Godhead<o:p></o:p></u></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">2 Corinthians 4:18 the things which are <b>not seen are eternal #G166</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">2 Corinthians 5:1. We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">#165 Eternal same as #104 aion, an age eternal, perpetuity (also past); specifically (Jewish) a Messianic period (Present or future); eternal age, forevermore, beginning without end<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">#G4286 purpose prothesis: a setting forth; a proposal (intention); specifically, the Show Bread (in the temple) as exposed before God; purpose shown<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">2 Timothy 2:10 …. That they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Titus 1:1-2. Paul, BOND-Servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in the hope of <b><u>eternal life</u></b>, <b>which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago</b>, but at the proper time <b>manifested His word in</b> the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Hebrews 9:14. How much more shall the blood of<b> Christ, </b>who <b>through the eternal Spirit</b> <b>offered Himself without spot to God</b>, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u>DID THE APOSTLES TEACH AND GIVE EVIDENCE THAT FATHER, SON JESUS CHRIST, HOLY SPIRIT WERE WORSHIPED AS ONE? JOHN 1:1-14 COULD NOT BE MORE CLEAR THAT THEY CERTAINLY DID. JOHN IN REVELATION ALSO SAW JESUS IN HIS GLORY AND IN HIS ONENESS WITH FATHER GOD. <o:p></o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>PRE-INCARNATE the Son was Spirit and Creator God with God and was God. The Father, The Eternal Son, The Holy Spirit are all God and they are ONE God, not “3</b> people” as Oneness people seem to take pleasure in trying to “prove” trinitarians worship 3 gods. This is a lie. We worship the God of the Bible who teaches us that the FATHER is GOD, the SON is GOD, and the HOLY SPIRIT is God. All three existed in the beginning without any beginning and without any end. The Son, being fully God, came at the appointed time in history to become our KINSMAN REDEEMER. A Kinsman Redeemer had qualifications: They had to be a close relative, they had to have flesh and blood, they had to had the ability to redeem or pay the ransom, they had to also have the will to pay it, they also had to follow through to the paying of the ransom. Only the blood of a spotless Lamb/our Kinsman Redeemer would pay our ransom. AND HE DID. Yes He was GOD and yet HE BECAME A MAN BORN OF A WOMAN so that he would take on flesh and blood body to be the sacrifice for our sins. It was not the FATHER who died on the cross, but it was the Eternal Son who volunteered to Go into the world in obedience to the Father’s will and be our sacrifice but not just any kind of sacrifice, the humiliating excruciating death on the cross. After the resurrection, Christ was glorified back to the Father where he sits at the RIGHT HAND of the FATHER on HIS THRONE. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"> As Stephen being stoned IN ACTS 7, saw the heavens opened and saw the glory of God, <b>and SAW THE SON OF MAN STANDING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD. ***IT MAKES NO SENSE HOW THE ONENESS PROPONENTS DISMISS THIS AND MANY OTHER SCRIPTURES LIKE THIS TO MEAN THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE “BEING” PRESENT. OVER AND OVER THE BIBLE CLEARLY REFLECTS TWO BEINGS ON THE THRONE. JESUS TOOK THE SCROLL OUT OF THE ONE WHO SITS ON THE THRONE IN REVELATION. WAS JESUS HOLDING THE SCROLL ON THE THRONE AND THEN ANOTHER JESUS COMES AND TAKES THE SCROLL? IT DOESN’T MAKE ANY SENSE AT ALL. THEY SAY IT IS JESUS ONLY AND HE IS ALSO THE FATHER—ONE AND THE SAME. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THE BIBLE IS VERY CLEAR---THEY ARE ONE IN ESSENCE AND IN SPIRIT BUT THE APPEARANCE OF THE FATHER WHICH WE SEE, IS IN JESUS. THEY ARE ALL HOLY SPIRIT AND THEY ARE ALL GOD, BUT THEY ARE NOT ALL THREE JESUS ONLY. JESUS NEVER CALLS HIMSELF FATHER AND NEITHER DO THE APOSTLES EVER CALL HIM FATHER. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">1 John 1:2. For the life (#2222) was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness and show unto you that eternal life (#166 & #2222) WHICH WAS WITH THE FATHER, and was manifested unto us.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">1 John 5:11. GOD has given to us eternal life and this life is IN HIS SON<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><u>JOHN 1:1. <o:p></o:p></u></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><u>In the beginning </u></i></b>Was the Word, and the Word was with God, AND THE WORD WAS GOD.<b><i><u><o:p></o:p></u></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">John 1:2. The same, The Word, was in the beginning with God<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">John 1:3. All things were made by Him (The Word); and without Him was not anything made that was made.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Genesis 1:1 In the Beginning, GOD created the heavens and the earth. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Genesis 1:2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Genesis 1:3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Genesis 1:4 God saw that the light was good and God separated the light from the darkness<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Genesis 1:1-31 Everything was created on Days 1-6 and God rested on Day 7<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Genesis 1:26 on Day 6 God said, “LET<u> US</u> MAKE MAN IN <u>OUR </u>IMAGE, AFTER <u>OUR</u> LIKENESS. AND LET<u> THEM </u>HAVE DOMINION ….<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Genesis 1:27 So God created man in <u>his </u>own image <u>in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.</u> <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">John 1:4. In Him (The Word) was life #G2222; and the life was <b>the light (#5457 phos: manifestation like shining luminous rays)</b> of men<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">John 1:5 And the light shineth (#5316 phaino: lightened, showed, appeared) in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend (#2638 & 3756: from #2596 & 1983 katalambano: to take eagerly; to comprehend or attain or obtain or overtake it)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">John 1:6-9 John the Baptist was sent to bear witness of The Light (The Word) that all men through Him (the Light; the Word) might be saved through Him. This is the True Light which lights every man that comes into the world. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">John 1:10 He (The Word and The Light), was in the world and the world was made BY HIM (The Word, the Light) and the world did not know Him.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">John 1:11 He came unto His own, and his own did not receive Him.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">John 1:12 But, as many as received Him, to them He gave power to become the sons of God, to them that believe on his name.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i>John 1:14 AND THE WORD (THAT WAS WITH GOD AND WAS GOD AND MADE EVERYTHING THAT WAS MADE IN THE BEGINNING), WAS MADE FLESH <o:p></o:p></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i> </i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i>(WHEN THE FULLNESS OF TIME HAD COME, GOD SENT FORTH HIS SON): SEE GALATIANS 4:4<o:p></o:p></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i>AND DWELT AMONG US, AND WE BEHELD HIS GLORY THE GLORY AS OF THE ONLY BEGOTTEN OF THE FATHER FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH. <o:p></o:p></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">JOHN 1:15 JOHN BARE WITNESS OF HIM, AND CRIED SAYING, THIS WAS HE OF WHO I SPOKE, HE THAT COMES AFTER ME IS PREFERRED BEFORE ME FOR <b><u>HE WAS BEFORE ME.<o:p></o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u>DEFINE BEFORE: #4413 Protos; foremost in time, place, order or importance; before the beginning, the best, the chief, former, first of all<o:p></o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His <b><u>only Begotten</u></b> Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>DEFINE BEGOTTEN: #3439 Monogenes Only born, sole begotten son, <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">John 3:19 This is the judgment that <b><u>the Light has come into the World</u></b>, and men loved the darkness rather than The Light for their deeds were evil. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">1<sup>st</sup> mention of begotten in the scriptures is when Adam beget Seth<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>H3205 Yalad <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Medically birthed child; calved brought forth, to show lineage<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Revelation 1:5 JESUS CHRIST who is the faithful witness and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>1 JOHN 5:1 WE WHO BELIEVE JESUS IS THE CHRIST, ARE BEGOTTEN OF GOD; <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i> </i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i>************PAUL WROTE THIS 1 Cor. 8:6 …. ********<o:p></o:p></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i>FOR US THERE IS ONE GOD THE FATHER, FROM WHOM ARE ALL THINGS AND FOR WHOM WE EXIST, AND ONE LORD, JESUS CHRIST, THROUGH WHOM ARE ALL THINGS AND THROUGH WHOM WE EXIST. HOWEVER, NOT ALL POSSESS THIS KNOWLEDGE…..<o:p></o:p></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>(GOD IS THE FATHER; JESUS IS NOT THE FATHER, JESUS IS OUR LORD AND THEY ARE GOD—THEY ARE THE GREAT I AM)<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>THERE IS ONE GOD AND ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MEN, THE MAN CHRIST JESUS, WHO GAVE HIMSELF A RANSOM FOR ALL, TO BE TESTIFIED IN DUE TIME, FOR WHICH I WAS APPOINTED A PREACHER AND AN APOSTLE—I AM SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN CHRIST AND NOT LYING—A TEACHER OF THE GENTILES IN FAITH AND TRUTH. 1 TIMOTHY 2:1-7<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>HEBREWS<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>1:3 HE, Jesus, is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature and he upholds the universe by the WORD OF HIS POWER,. After making purification for sins, he sat down AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE MAJESTY ON HIGH, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say,<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>You are my Son,<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Today I have begotten you?<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Or <u>again,<o:p></o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u>I will be</u> to him a father,<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>And he shall be to me a son? (<i><u>when he brings</u></i> the firstborn into the world)<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u>For someone to bring someone somewhere, he had to be somewhere beforehand<o:p></o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>IT IS BEYOND DISPUTE ACCORDING TO HEBREWS that <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Jesus was a High Priest after <u>the Order of Melchizedek</u>, appointed by God, <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>See Hebrews 7:1-28 Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, king of Peace, WITHOUT FATHER OR MOTHER, or having a genealogy, having NEITHER BEGINNING OF DAYS NOR END OF LIFE, but resembling the Son of God, he continues a priest forever. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>The Melchizedek priesthood is forever eternal unlike the Levitical priesthood. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Jesus came from the Tribe of Judah, not the Tribe of Levi.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>IN THE BEGINNING WITH GOD AND WAS GOD:<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Philippians 2:5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours In <u>Christ Jesus who, though he was In the form of God,</u> (Form: #G3444 morphe—having the nature of, in the shape of/ form of God) <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>****Notice that God the Son was fully aware and the one who did not cling to his position to become like one of us, This was not just an idea in the mind of God. The Son was a willing participant BEFORE the incarnation. He was fully aware of being the BREAD COMING DOWN FROM HEAVEN to be born into a human body. He obeyed the FATHER. He was NOT the FATHER. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Jesus did not count equality (#2470 isos—being equal in likeness) with God a thing to be grasped (as if he was afraid of losing his equality) but He emptied himself (#2758—made himself of no reputation as being equal with God; didn’t cling to that form he had before the incarnation), but taking the form of a servant and being born in the likeness of men and being found in human form he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>PRE-INCARNATE SON<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>John 17:2-3 This is eternal life, that they may know YOU, the only true God, AND Jesus Christ whom YOU have sent. I glorified you on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. NOW, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself with the glory which <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>I HAD WITH YOU BEFORE THE WORLD WAS. I HAVE MANIFESTED YOUR NAME TO THE MEN WHO YOU GAVE ME OUT OF THE WORLD. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>John 17:8 I came forth from You and they believed that <u>YOU SENT ME.</u> <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>John 17:18 As you sent me into the world, I ALSO HAVE SENT THEM INTO THE WORLD. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>JOHN 17:21 Jesus prayed to the Father, that they may all be one, even as You, FATHER, ARE IN ME and I in YOU, that they also may be in US, so that the world may believe that YOU SENT ME<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #4472c4;">(*****TO BE SENT SOMEWHERE, YOU MUST FIRST HAVE EXISTED ELSEWHERE)</span><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">JOHN 5:39, 43-44 YOU SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES BECAUSE IN THEM YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">IT IS THESE THAT TESTIFY ABOUT ME; AND YOU ARE UNWILLING TO COME TO ME SO THAT YOU MAY HAVE LIFE…..<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">I HAVE COME in my Father’s name and you do not receive Me, if another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another, and you do not seek THE GLORY that is from the one and only God?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">JOHN 5:45-47 JESUS said he will not accuse them, but that Moses would accuse them before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses in whom you have set your hope. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, FOR HE WROTE ABOUT ME<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">If you do not believe His writings, how will you. Believe My words?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">WHAT MOSES WROTE ABOUT JESUS:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Genesis 3:15 – I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head and you will strike his heel. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Galatians 3:16 as commentary on Gen 3:15—The promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to ONE, “AND TO YOUR OFFSPRING, WHO IS CHRIST.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Philip found Nathaniel and said he had found the One Moses wrote about in the law…<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Jesus is the Passover Lamb whose blood was shed for our salvation<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Like the manna in the desert, Jesus is the Bread from Heaven (John 6:51)_<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Jesus said, I am the living bread <b>that CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN</b>. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever, and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Life the water that sprung from the rock, Jesus is the Living Water that satisfies our spiritual thirst (John 7:37)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">John 3:14-15 Like we have been bitten by the snake, satan, in our sin we can look up to Jesus who was lifted up and be saved.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">1 Peter 3:18 The rock that was struck in the wilderness, was Christ: Should never be struck twice because Jesus suffered once for all time. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Jesus is the fulfillment of the life of Joseph, which foreshadows Him being the beloved Son, envied by His own brothers, rejected by his own relatives and cast down into a pit, then resurrected from the pit, sent to a distant country where he became the lord of all and who then provided salvation and forgiveness for His own who repented for rejecting him. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Jesus is The Lion of the Tribe of Judah Genesis 49:8; Revelation 5:5<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Moses also said God would raise up “a prophet like me”( in Deut. 18:15), a reference to the coming Messiah.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The prophetic act of Abraham sacrificing Isaac In Genesis 22:1-19, representing God sacrificing his one and only begotten son Jesus for us. (*Abraham said, we are going to the mountain to worship God and we will return). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Jesus is our Great High Priest, After the order of Melchizedek, to whom Abraham paid tithes to Christ because Christ was prior to Melchizedek<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Jesus said, Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">THE LORD made appearances to Adam and Eve in the garden; Abram in Gen 12:7; Abram in Gen 17:1; Gen 18:2; 26:2; 26:24<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">God appeared to Jacob and he called the place El Bethel, because God appeared to him<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"> Gen 35:7<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">God appeared to Jacob again and blessed him in Gen. 35:9 <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Gen 48:3 Jacob told Joseph that God Almighty appeared to him at Luz in th4e land of Canaan and blessed him there.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Exodus 3:2, The Angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in a flame of fire from the middle of a bush and Moses told the Elders The Lord God of your fathers, of Abraham of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying “I have surely visited you and see what is done to you in Egypt.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The context of Deut 18:15-18 is speaking of Jesus because Peter quotes it himself in the context of Jesus. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">REVELATION 1:5-8<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">1:5 FROM JESUS CHRIST THE FAITHFUL WITNESS THE FIRSTBORN OF THE DEAD, AND THE RULER OF KINGS ON EARTH; TO HIM WHO LOVES US AND HAS FREED US FROM OUR SINS BY HIS BLOOD <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">1:6 AND MADE US A KINGDOM,<b><u> PRIESTS TO HIS GOD AND FATHER</u></b>, TO HIM BE GLORY AND DOMINION FOREVER AND EVER AMEN. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">1:7 BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, AND EVERY EYE WILL SEE HIM, EVEN THOSE WHO PIERCED HIM, AND ALL TRIBES OF THE EARTH WILL WAIL ON ACCOUNT OF HIM, EVEN SO AMEN. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">1:8 I AM THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA SAYS THE LORD GOD, WHO IS AND WHO WAS AND <b><u>WHO IS TO COME THE ALMIGHTY<o:p></o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Revelation 22<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u>V13 JESUS SPEAKING: I Am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. <o:p></o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Revelation 21:22 I saw no temple in the city fo<b><u>r its temple is the Lord God the Almighty AND the Lamb…. </u></b>The glory of God gives the city light and its lamp is the Lamb.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>Rev 22:1-3 The throne of GOD <u>AND OF </u>THE LAMB….<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>WHO DIED AND WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD? <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The Father gave His only Begotten Son (Jesus emptied himself of his equality with God and willingly became our Kinsman Redeemer by taking on flesh and blood body to be born of the virgin Mary to be sinless sacrifice--- free of any originai sin of the First Adam. Jesus was the perfect Lamb of God. The Lamb of God was the sacrifice that was killed and it was his blood that was applied to the Mercy Seat in heaven. Believers are washed in this blood when we believe on Jesus). So who died? The human flesh and blood part of Jesus died on the cross. HIS HOLY SPIRIT INDWELLING HIM DID NOT DIE---JESUS SAID, FATHER INTO YOUR HANDS, I COMMIT MY SPIRIT AND HE GAVE UP THE HOLY GHOST to the Father. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i>Jesus said, in John 10:18 NO ONE TAKES MY LIFE FROM ME. I SACRIFICE IT WILLINGLY (VOLUNTARILY). I LAY DOW MY LIFE OF MY OWN ACCORD. I HAVE AUTHORITY TO LAY IT DOWN AND I HAVCE AUTHORITY TO TAKE IT UP AGAIN. THIS COMMAND I RECEIVED FROM MY FATHER! <o:p></o:p></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i> </i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i>When Jesus gave up the Holy Ghost to his Father in his human death, the Holy Ghost the Spirit of Jesus went back to the Father. <o:p></o:p></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u>WHO RAISED CHRIST JESUS FROM THE DEAD</u></b>?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Ephesians 1:4-5 says that the Father has chosen and predestined believers to adoption in Jesus Christ. Jesus accomplished redemption through his death and resurrection, 1:7, and The Holy Spirit has sealed the Believer providing the down payment and assurance and security of the eternal destination to the believer (eph 1:13-14). Eph 1:18-20 says that the FATHER’s POWER WAS EXERTED WHEN HE RAISED CHRIST JESUS FROM THE DEAD. THE SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD, WHO IS IN THE FATHER AND IN THE SON, AND NOW IN US, IS THE SAME POWER THAT RAISED CHRIST JESUS FROM THE DEAD. All of this is for God’s glory (Eph 1:6, 12, 14). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">we see the involvement of the FATHER, THE SON, and THE HOLY GHOST involved in our redemption. They are ONE in all they do. THE Father glorifies the Son and the Son glorifies the Father. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Hebrews 10:5 Therefore when Christ came into the world he said, <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">But a body you prepared for Me; <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">With burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Then I said, “Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">I have come to do your will, my God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">And by that will, we have been made holy. Through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (vs10). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">1 CORINTHIANS 15:15 GOD RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">By His great power and might! <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">IF JESUS IS GOD, WHY DID HE SAY “THE FATHER IS GREATER THAN I”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Jesus became flesh to be our Kinsman Redeemer. Flesh is lower than God (FOR A LITTLE WHILE, JESUS PUT HIMSELF IN A PLACE OF HUMILITY TO THE FATHER). JESUS in context, is telling his disciples that he is doing His Father’s will and by the nature of the incarnation Jesus was temporarily made a little lower than even the angels that HE himself created. THAT IS HUMILITY!! Being subservient in role does not mean he was subservient in nature or essence of being. There is no difference in the equality of the Father and the Son in their essence as God. But Jesus laid aside his rights to become one of us in flesh nature. But they are still divine in their God nature. When Jesus took on the form of a man (FOR A LITTLE WHILE), IN NO WAY NEGATES THE DEITY OF THE SON NOR DIMINISH HIS EQUALITY WITH GOD. Remember when Jesus washed his disciples feet? He said the greatest among you will be the servant of all. The first will be last and the last will be first. Human people cannot comprehend the truth that a servant is greater than a master who lords over others and demands to be served to prove their worth. Jesus is our example of emptying ourselves and allowing ourselves to be another’s servant. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><u><o:p> </o:p></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u>IS THE WORD TRINITY IN THE BIBLE?<o:p></o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">NO the word “trinity” is not in the bible but neither is the word “oneness”. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The word omnipotent is also not in the bible, but God’s omnipotence and the revelation of 3 beings but one God, is seen in demonstration all over the old and new testaments. It cannot we wished away or cut from the scriptures. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u>DID JESUS GIVE UP ‘HIS WEEKEND” OR HIS WHOLE LIFE FOR US?<o:p></o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">This is a question clearly answered in the verses I have given above. He gave up his rights to remain on the Throne in Heaven and his rights as equal to God in essence and He willingly and voluntarily said “Here I am, send Me”. He became our closest blood relative and paid our ransom for our sin debt with his own priceless spotless blood and the body that was PREPARED FOR HIM. His entire Body died. The Holy Ghost within him did not and could not die—His Spirit went back to His Father. He is eternal and his Spirit CANNOT DIE. Ours in Christ also cannot die. When our flesh is dead, our spirit returns to the Father and so we shall always be with the Lord. Jesus received a resurrected body at his resurrection. He is the first fruits of a new glorified body. Jesus is still God in his resurrected body. If you want to see what Jesus really appears as in Heaven, read Revelation 1-3 and 20-22. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Can anyone truly understand the nature of the Almighty God the Father, God the Son and Goed the HOLY SPIRIT? We are human and we try to put God in a human box the way we understand things humanly. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">GOD IS SPIRIT. Father is Spirit in essence, the Holy Spirit is spirit in essence is also God, and the Son, who is also God, volunteered to take on a body prepared for Him by the Father and He was called Emmanuel “God is with us” and we called him Jesus for God is our salvation (Jesus is also God). When Jesus almost got stoned by the jews for making himself the Son of God and claiming to be the I AM revealed to Moses, He was not joking around. Unless you believe that Jesus the I AM you will die in your sins. These are Jesus’ words. This is the same Jesus who claimed “Before Abraham was, I AM”. Was Jesus God before the incarnation to be our Kinsman Redeemer? Well, yes He was. Now He was been glorified just as he was before the incarnation. He sits at the right hand of God the Father, just as Stephen saw him the day he was stoned to death. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">To quote George MacDonald on Water, by CS LEWIS, Pages 95-96 :<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Is oxygen-and-hydrogen the divine idea of water? God put the two together only that man might separate and find them out? He allows his child to pull his toys to pieces; but were they made that he might pull them to pieces? He were a child not to be envied for whom his inglorious father would make toys to such an end! A school examiner might see therein the best use of a toy, but not a Father! Find for us what in the constitution of the two gases makes them fit and capable to be thus honored in forming the lovely thing, and you will give us a revelation about more than water, namely about the God who made oxygen and hydrogen.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">There is no water in oxygen, no water in hydrogen; it comes bubbling fresh from the imagination of the living God, rushing from out of the great white throne of the glacier. The very thought of it makes on gasp with an elemental joy no metaphysician can analyze. The water itself, that dances and sings, and slakes the wonderful thirst---symbol and picture of that draught for which the woman of Samaria made her prayer to Jesus—this lovely thing itself, whose very witness is a delight to every inch of the human body in its embrace—this live thing, which if I might, I would have running through my room, yea, babbling along my table---this water in its own self its own truth, and is therein a truth of God. Let him who would know the truth of the Maker, become sorely athirst and drink of the brook by the way—then lift up his heart—not at that moment to the Maker of oxygen and hydrogen, but to the Inventor and Mediator of thirst and water, that man might foresee a little of what his soul might find in God. <o:p></o:p></p>izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-69802975394110259872023-03-11T22:51:00.003-08:002023-03-11T22:51:51.585-08:00WHY ARE YOU ANGRY? <p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Week 9: Genesis 4:1-8</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Day 3: Why Are You Angry?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">READ: Genesis 4:1-16, noting the significance of anger and sin, resulting in death and separation<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">EXPLORE:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Oh! Happy day! when the first woman, Eve, conceived her first child and gave birth to a son named Cain. What joy to also give birth to his brother Abel! We don’t learn much about their early years except that Cain was a farmer, a tiller of the ground, bringing forth fruit of the ground. Abel, on the other hand was a keeper of flocks. As God would have us to know, we learn that there came a day, in the course of time, that these men would bring forth offerings and present them to the LORD. As we learned in week 5, day 2, of our WTL study, the LORD Yahweh is God’s personal name and reveals the desire of God to have a close relationship with his children; in this case, Cain and Abel. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">We soon see that these two brothers presented their offerings to the LORD. Abel’s gift was the first of his flock with its fat portion and the LORD was pleased. But as for Cain’s offering, the first fruit of the ground, the LORD did not approve. In this exchange, the LORD observed that Cain was very angry over the LORD’s disregard of his fruit offering. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">I love the ministry of Breakthrough Prayer and often use this biblical example of how the LORD asked Cain a self-discovery question, in order to help him see the danger ahead of him. Unconfessed sin will often lead to terrible consequences. Knowing this, the LORD graciously asked Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” What is the principle here? That if we do not discover the root of why we are angry and master it, we will cultivate it, to the point of our anger becoming sin. The result of Cain’s unresolved anger and intense jealousy, was murderous rage, resulting in death and separation, not only from the one he despised most, but also from the ones he loved the most. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The LORD, being a personal God, wanted to have a conversation with Cain about his anger. He wanted to talk with him about it and help him see the error of his ways. When the LORD didn’t regard Cain’s offering, He had a very good reason. In fact, the LORD is always just and right in His decisions, no matter how we might feel about it. It would have been beneficial for Cain to inquire of the LORD, repent and make his offering acceptable, as Abel did. But Cain’s intense anger and refusal to come to the LORD with his pain, blinded him to doing the right and honorable thing towards God and his brother. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">APPLY: Do you have any unresolved unforgiveness, jealousy, or anger towards another person? How long has this festered and how much longer will it continue? Do you sense any hesitancy or resistance to having a conversation with the LORD about what happened to you? What do you believe would happen if you talked this over with God in prayer? Sometimes, hurts are valid and the only cure for truth-based pain is to allow the LORD to carry it. However, unresolved anger is never the way to a cure. As you surrender your anger and unforgiveness, to the only One who truly knows the entire story, you will be free. He is the Just Judge of the Universe and judges wisely on your behalf. If you need help letting go of your hurts, reach out to our Breakthrough Prayer Ministry. We truly do want to go on this journey of freedom, with you. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-16640626263721375742023-03-11T22:50:00.003-08:002023-03-11T22:50:53.935-08:00KNOWING GOD THROUGH HIS NAME <p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Week 5: Genesis 2:4-17</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Day 2: Knowing God through His Name<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">READ: Review Genesis Chapters 1 and 2, marking the names of God, revealed in these chapters<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">EXPLORE:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">As you read and marked the Creator’s name, in Chapter 1:1 – 2:3 you probably observed God’s exclusive name used as “God” or Elohim. Then, in Genesis 2:4-22 you may have noticed His name seemed to change exclusively to “LORD GOD” or the compound Yahweh-Elohim. Does this mean the Genesis account of creation is referring to two different gods and their accounts of creation? This concept of some, is not true. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">I would first like to draw your attention to the rest of the Bible and what it says about God. Deuteronomy 6:4 says, “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!” Look what Isaiah 43:10 declares: “…I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me.” Isaiah 44:6 confirms this with “Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me.” The New Testament also confirms this truth: “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5).” <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The two different Hebrew words used to reveal God, in the creation account of Genesis 1 and 2, describe different characteristics of our one true God. The author is wanting to emphasize the majestic and all-powerful, awesome Creator God, “Elohim” in Chapter 1. In Chapter 2, God’s character is revealed to His creation/man, as Yahweh-Elohim. Yahweh (always translated in all capital letters as “the LORD”), is God’s personal name and reveals the desire of God to have a personal relationship with us, His special creation. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Another Old Testament name referring to God, Adonai, means “my master”, is also translated as Lord in English, but not with all capital letters. These two names translated in Scripture for the name of God (LORD Yahweh and Lord Adonai), can often be confusing. The context of how the name is used will help clear up any questions. Just as Elohim, Yahweh-Elohim, and Adonai, are names of our one true God, Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Nissi, Jehovah Rapha, El Roi, Immanuel, and others, are also used, at times, to help us humans understand God’s nature. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">We can be assured that the Scriptures clearly teach that our God is one, even when He is described by different names. There is no contradiction between the creation accounts, in Genesis 1:1-2:3 and Genesis 2:4-22, merely because two different names and attributes are given us. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">APPLY: What did you learn about the character of God today? How does this knowledge inspire you to worship and have a more personal relationship with your Creator?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-35154442183992793572023-03-11T22:49:00.001-08:002023-03-11T22:49:12.983-08:00NOAH’S DRUNKENNESS<p> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Week 18: Genesis 9:18-24</span></b></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Day 4: Do Not Be Drunk, But be Filled with the Spirit<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Read: Genesis 9:20-21 “Noah began to be a man of the soil (a husbandman), and he planted a vineyard. He drank of the wine and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Usually, when we read others opinions on Noah getting drunk, we immediately assume that Noah had a reputation of being a drunkard. In other words, habitually drunk. But this is not at all what we read from the text given to us. It is never a good idea to read more into something than what is actually revealed. We are given very little information on the why of Noah’s inebriation, and what we do have, does not say that Noah sinned or was even reprimanded. This may reveal Noah was actually blameless in this one act. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The conditions of farming the earth became drastically different, after the Flood. The soil was probably different and the sun more potent. It seems that Noah was the first to plant a vineyard, after the flood, and the first to drink some of the fruit of it. Both of these terms: “vinedresser” and “drunk”, were the first mentioned, in the Bible. We cannot presume that Noah already had experience with the fermentation of grapes. Nevertheless, after this occasion of Noah drinking “of the wine”, with no mention of him partaking excessively on purpose, he became drunk. If post-flood atmospheric conditions surprised Noah with the vine’s potency, could this single recorded act of drunkenness, have been accidental on Noah’s part? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It would seem terribly unfair to label Noah a (habitual) drunkard for all eternity, when there is no subsequent proof he ever let it happen again. The literal definition of drunkard, or even glutton, for that matter, is “one who habitually consumes more than is needed or required; in excess.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Having said that, it would seem that Noah learned a valuable lesson, as did his sons and grandsons. Drinking more than enough, risks predisposing a person to great shame and heartaches. No one disputes that knowingly and purposely getting drunk is disallowed biblically. At this point in Noah’s story, he became suddenly aware of what fermented wine, even “some”, in this new world, could do. Being a godly man, I think it’s safe to believe that Noah didn’t intend to get drunk at all, if he even knew what that meant. Certainly Noah doesn’t deserve the bad rap of being labeled a “drunkard”. It’s sad that a righteous man like Noah has had to take the fall, for being the first to happen upon drunkenness, in the Bible. But I suppose someone would eventually have been the first. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Since “love always thinks the best” when in doubt, we would be wise, to take Noah’s unfortunate experience to heart, learn from his presumed innocent ignorance, and not repeat the same mistake. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Main Idea: </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Consider applying the lifestyle, of the disciples of Jesus, to overcome the temptation to get drunk with wine, beer or strong drink.</span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Application Questions</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">To walk with God, we must walk in the Spirit. To walk in the Spirit is to be filled with the Spirit. When filled with the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit will manifest in your life: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Faithfulness and Self-Control. Does the way you eat, drink or even do other things in excess, currently exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, in particular self-control? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ephesians 5:17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Do you struggle with moderation in all things? Do you get drunk habitually?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Acts 13:52 And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Since today’s subject is the matter of drunkenness, you should be aware that the Bible is clear: those who practice drunkenness will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Therefore, if this is your current lifestyle, it’s of utmost eternal value to humble yourself, confess your sins, to one another, and be made whole, in Jesus name. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><o:p> </o:p></p>izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-39933180635741419112023-03-11T22:46:00.003-08:002023-03-11T22:46:57.314-08:00ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD<p> Week 11: Genesis 5:1-8:14</p><p>Day 4: Enoch walked with God; How can I?</p><p>READ: Genesis 5:22-24; Hebrews 11:5-6; Genesis 6:9</p><p>EXPLORE:</p><p>Today, we explore what it must have meant, for Enoch to live in such a way, that he was taken to heaven by God without experiencing physical death! How can one live before God, in such a well-pleasing way? First, who was this man Enoch? Enoch was the great-great-great-great- grandson of Adam, as well as the great-grandfather of Noah. Enoch was an antediluvian Patriarch—who lived before the deluge of the world-wide flood. Enoch’s great-grand son, Noah was a righteous man and the only blameless person who lived on the earth during his days. Hebrews 11:5 tells us a little about how Enoch walked with God. First of all, he walked by faith. This type of faith pleased God so much that Enoch was caught up and taken to heaven so that he would not have even a glimpse of death! If you have ever watched a loved one linger and suffer a drawn out death, you can just imagine how blessed Enoch was! Enoch left behind a testimony that we still read to this very day—that he walked with God and God was well- pleased. The word walk in Hebrew indicates that Enoch “walked back and forth” with God. Psalm 73:24 says God guides me with His counsel, and later receives me in glory. Isn’t this all we hope for? Hebrews 11:1 indicates Enoch participated in the God-kind of faith. Faith being the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. Without faith, Enoch could not have walked close with God, nor could he have pleased God. For whoever comes near to God must certainly believe God exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. By faith, Noah also had faith and walked back and forth with God.</p><p>I often wonder if Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Elijah and others walked with God so closely, because perhaps every thought these men experienced, from within, or without, were turned into conversations with their Creator. Years ago, I had the idea from God, to turn every thought into a prayer conversation with God. I got this thought when reading about Eve’s temptation. I realized Eve only had to be tempted by satan’s words and suddenly she was having a conversation with herself! She, having a conversation with her flesh, determined that the fruit was good for food and could make her wise. I thought, how could this temptation have turned out differently, if Eve would have instead, turned to her God and asked Him, ”The Serpent just told me this, but what do you say, God?”</p><p>We are told that in Christ, we are a new creation. The old man has passed away and the new has come. Though we have not seen Him physically, we love Him and believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy. For in this hope, we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what we see is temporary and what we do not yet see is eternal.</p><p><br /></p><p>Our hope is not in this life but in eternity, where we will forever be with the Lord. As we live on this earth, we must remember we are not of this world. We have another dwelling place above. As we walk back and forth, in continual prayer and conversations with God, and as we study the Word of God daily—because we love Him and want to please Him—He will guide us with His counsel and later receive us into glory.</p><p>APPLY:</p><p>- Question: To walk with God, we must walk in the Spirit. To walk in the Spirit is to be filled with the Spirit. When filled with the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit will manifest in your life: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Faithfulness and Self-Control. Does your life currently exhibit the fruit of the Spirit?</p><p>- Question: Those who long to walk closely with God, follow the leading of the Holy Spirit daily. They allow the “Word of Christ to dwell in them richly” (see Col 3:16). 2 Timothy 3:16 teaches us that the Spirit of God uses the Word of God “for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness”. Would you like to experience a walk, that pleases God? By knowing God through His Word and being filled daily with His Spirit, this is the way. Would you be willing to turn your every thought into prayerful conversations with your Creator God? He loves you like no other!</p><p>- Question: Will you pray this prayer: Father, fill me with your Holy Spirit and immerse me in your truth. I want to please you and be a testimony of your grace in my life. In Jesus’ name and for His name’s sake, amen.</p>izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-91768699540518151572022-03-04T08:05:00.004-08:002022-03-04T08:05:53.042-08:00Why am I Suffering <p> God does not and is not punishing you or me. </p><p>But He allowed sickness and disease due to sin in the world. It’s a natural consequence of sin. We are all decaying and dying from different things. Jesus came to show he has the ability to heal the sick, forgive sins, raise the dead, that He is I AM. He is God. He proved that. Now we live in him. Now we trust Him no matter what our circumstances are. We pray for healing and imprisonment etc and wait for Him. </p><p>In the meantime, we continue to bring him glory in our bodies right where we are physically and circumstantially. </p><p>We don’t yet know all the details of why. But we know our WHO. Part of suffering, as in Job, is to reveal to us a personal Savior who is sovereign, loving and kind. One who is always for us—-not against us. </p><p>When suffering causes us to question the goodness or reality of God, this exposes a lie in us that needs to be replaced with Truth. We find the truth in His Word. </p><p>If our suffering is because of personal sin, God is not an accuser nor is he holding out on us. He will convict us by His Holy Spirit immediately as we sin. When he does that, we can choose to repent and turn and do the right thing and we are blessed. Sometimes when we sin personally, and have a consequence not from God, but from the result of the sin (if one is an unrepentant alcoholic, maybe alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver develops. For this, God is not the cause or the blame). If I have hereditary neuropathy in my legs, which I do, not due to my own sin, but nevertheless due to someone’s sin in past DNA (or if one is born blind, deaf, maimed in some way, not due to their own sin etc) then we are suffering in this life due to a sin sick world that we were born into. This suffering is not God’s fault but due to original sin. </p><p>As God warned Adam “you SHALL SURELY DIE” so it is. I deserve death, in this body, because I also like Adam personally sinned against God in my lifetime. Thankfully, my spirit is sealed for eternal life. We suffer in our bodies here, but this is temporary (even if it feels eternal). </p><p>The real issue is not if we are healed here or not. The real dilemma is what will we do with God, in this test? Let the questions come and bring them out in the open. I do—with respect to God—ask Him questions, but never do I question if He is the cause of my condition but rather, I might ask if I have I personally sinned or do I personally walk in unforgiveness? Is there any sin or behavior in me that is resulting in these consequences? </p><p>If my conscience is clear that I am clean before God, then, will I ask if He give me healing in my body, or grace to endure and bear up under it, or wisdom to seek direction for answers, in this moment. God will surely be faithful to hear and answer these prayers. In His timing and in His providence, he surely will reveal Himself, to me, in a significant way. </p><p>I also realize I have an enemy called The Accuser of the Brethren. His MO is to bring condemnation without representation. He will come and accuse and condemn but never with anything tangible It goes like this: “You are sick because of your sin!” When I ask what have I done, he will reply with, “You are just a rotten sinner—I’m not going to tell you, just go figure it out!” That is condemnation and it is not from God! </p><p>God, the Holy Spirit, doesn’t condemn. Rather, He comes to convict. This is a totally different approach. When I sin, the Holy Spirit IMMEDIATELY lets me know. It’s like a referee in a game who blows the whistle the moment I make a foul play. In that moment, that I am sinning or fouling up, I KNOW full well why he’s blowing the whistle. I don’t have to guess why, because he will call the foul out then and there! The next immediate step for a Believer is repentance and receiving the punishment Jesus took on my behalf and going forward to sin no more in that way. Draw near to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you. When conviction comes, draw near to God. When condemnation comes, resist that devil. </p><p><br /></p>izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-7848481306927010192022-03-03T14:43:00.003-08:002022-03-03T14:43:33.099-08:00A Venue for the Gospel<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif; font-size: 17.5pt;">A Venue for the Gospel</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">Read Acts 16</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">Like Paul and Silas, the prophet Jeremiah was once placed into a dungeon prison.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">He felt his life had been cut off and he might die there.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">But Jeremiah cried out to the LORD in prayer, “I called upon thy name O Lord from the low dungeon” (See Jeremiah 37:15, 16; Jeremiah 38:26; Lamentations 3:53-55).</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">In Job 13:27; 33:11 Job likened his afflictions as being from God.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">“Thou puttest my feet in the stocks and mark my heels.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">Thou looks narrowly at all my paths and marks my ways. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">Paul would have been familiar with the imprisonments of Jeremiah and the afflictions of Job. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">In our devotion today, we learn that at midnight Paul and Silas were also in a deep inner prison with feet in stocks.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">Their bodies bleeding from a beating and feet bound fast.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">However, their spirits were are rest and at peace.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">In another place, Paul will teach us that we can have peace in EVERY circumstance! </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">Their prison circumstance was exacted upon them for preaching the gospel of salvation and now they were suffering for the sake of Christ. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">They were not bitter—Their souls knew where their help comes from and they had learned what real peace feels like.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">It’s not found in the absence of troubles but in the midst of them, with Christ.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">With loud voices they cried out praises and songs of worship.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">At that moment, a strong earthquake rocked the place where they were bound.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">The rattling loosed all the prison doors and released all who were there from their stocks. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">The prison guard almost committed suicide out of fear of his life.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">He was sure all the prisoners would have escaped.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">But Paul cried out, “We are here”. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">This prison guard went from one moment being willing to kill himself and face the unknown afterlife to falling on his face and</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">asking how to be saved, instead. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">Had this prison guard been a witness to the slave girl crying out that these men were able to show him the way of salvation? Did he suddenly feel the power of the Holy Spirit calling his name to repentance and eternal life? </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">Did Paul snd Silas remain in the prison knowing God had allowed their feet to be fastened in the stocks, bound in this very place,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">for this very reason? For such a time as this were they placed as prisoners to be ambassadors for Christ! Could this dirty dungeon really become their god-given pulpit to exalt the beauty of Christ’s love?</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">What is your current platform to preach the gospel? Are you in a tight place that seems impossible for any good to come of it? Paul and Silas had an attitude of gratitude and were ready in season and out of season to preach the gospel.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">For their willingness to not run prematurely from their prison, they and this prison guard and his household, were richly rewarded.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">They were all in the right place at the right time for God’s glory. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">BIG IDEA: The Bible says to be careful when suffering not to call evil good and good evil!</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">Only God is wise enough to use all things (even the evil of men who mean to harm us) to work together for good for those who love God and are called according to HIS PURPOSE. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">APPLICATION: What if you are right where you are because God has determined where you would live and move and have your being in this world? </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">What if your sometimes miserable circumstances are meant to be used by God for good?</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">What is your attitude in dark, uncomfortable places?</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">PRAYER: Let’s pray for an attitude of praise and give</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">thanks to God for an opportunity to be his witness in these unusual</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;">places. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".AppleSystemUIFont", serif; font-size: 17.5pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-22930188141171260602022-02-02T12:44:00.001-08:002022-02-02T12:44:17.355-08:00Scripture Prayer for Salvation <p> PRAYER FOR SALVATION</p><p>Most WONDERFUL, Heavenly Father,</p><p>Your Word declares that _____’s sin have separated her from You, that she is a lost sheep, and has no Shepherd. You have said, unless you call _____, she cannot come to You. LORD, we ask that You would call ______ to Salvation! Stand at the door of her heart and knock HARD and knock LOUDLY! Give ____ what she needs to respond to Your call. Take out her heart of stone, and give to her a soft heart of flesh. Write Your laws upon her new heart, so that she may no longer sin against You. Give ____ the gift of repentance. Give her seeing eyes. Give her hearing ears. Give ____ the gift of grace and faith, so she can believe in You, for without faith, it is impossible to please You and without grace and faith, it is impossible to be saved. If it is Your wisdom, Father, send signs and wonders ahead of the Gospel, so she will be drawn to Your great love. LORD, unless____ hears the Good News of Your Son, Jesus, she cannot be saved and she cannotheartheGospelunlesssomeoneissenttoher. SendapreacheroftheGoodNewsto ____. Give Your preacher boldness of speech and power to witness. Send Your love to ____ through this minister of the Good News. Allow ___ to open her heart to the love of God, to the Good News, and receive it into her heart, causing her to be saved. LORD, grant ____ the gift of faith to believe and be saved. Give her the power to believe and the boldness to confess You, before men, with her mouth, resulting in salvation. Give _____ the gift of Your Holy Spirit of Promise and let it be with the same evidence the early Church possessed. May she be able to praise You and confess you before men, with boldness. Fill her with the Gifts of the Spirit and the Fruit of the Spirit and with a greater measure of love than we can ask or imagine possible. Heal ___ of her sin-sickness and give health and wholeness to her entire body, soul and mind. Father, You said if we would pray, according to Your will, believing and not doubting in our hearts, that You would hear our prayers and when You hear us, You will give us the very thing for which we are asking You. Father, in John 3, You said it is not Your will that any, even _____, should perish, but that You will that she should come to have eternal life, in Your Son. So, according to Your will, we ask for ____’s salvation and for ____ to be filled with eternal life in Your Son, Jesus. You said, if 2 or more agree in Your name, and believe for anything, You will do it. Father, we agree in Your name, now, for ____’s salvation. Be speedy in Your answer, LORD, for we have no one in heaven or on earth Who can save, but You! You said, if we ask anything in the name of Jesus, we can have it. So, in the name of Jesus Christ, and for the glory of the Father, we ask, agree, and believe for ____’s salvation! Amen! To God be the glory and all the thanksgiving and praise! Amen, Amen, and Amen!</p>izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-75819600779113846462022-02-02T12:40:00.002-08:002022-02-02T12:40:18.985-08:00Is Jesus God? <p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">’ve studied this for myself through the years and it’s a very important question that needs to be answered from the Scriptures.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Here is a compilation of many proof texts.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thus is not exhaustive but is more than is needed to back up the claims of Jesus and the stamp of God on Jesus’ Deity.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">God bless you and keep seeking The Truth.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Apple Color Emoji"; font-size: 11pt;">🙏❤</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">️</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Apple Color Emoji"; font-size: 11pt;">🦋</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Absolutely, Scripture is abundantly clear that Jesus claimed to be God and God himself called Him God.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The Bible evidence is astounding and the references are overwhelmingly in favor of that truth. Take a look.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Bible verses that say Jesus is God<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">If anyone tries to tell you that Jesus is not God in the flesh close your ears because anyone who believes that blasphemy will not enter into Heaven. Jesus said if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins. If Jesus wasn’t God how could He die for our sins? Not only your sins or my sins, but everyone in the whole world. God said that He is the only Savior. Can God lie? Scripture clearly says there is only one God so you must believe the Trinity. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are 3 divine persons in one.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">First and Last: There’s only one God<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Isaiah 44:6 Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">1 Corinthians 8:6 Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Revelation 2:8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Revelation 1:17-18 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">2 Peter 1:1 Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus was fully man to live the life that man couldn’t live and He was fully God because only God can die for the sins of the world. Only God is good enough. Only God is Holy enough. Only God is mighty enough!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">In Scripture Jesus is never referred to as “a god.” He is always referred to as God. Jesus is God in the flesh and it is mind-boggling how anyone could go through the Bible and deny that Jesus is God!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus says, “I Am.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus reiterates God on various occasions. Jesus is “I Am.” Jesus was saying He was the eternal God incarnate. Such a statement was blasphemy to the Jews. Jesus says that those who reject Him as God incarnate will die in their sins.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">John 8:58 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">John 8:24 “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Isaiah 45:5 I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus forgave sins<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The Bible makes it clear that God is the only one who is able to forgive sins. However, Jesus forgave sins while on Earth.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Mark 2:7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Isaiah 43:25 “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">John 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">PRETTY CLEAR<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Luke 1:35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus calls Himself the Son of Man.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Notice in the Bible that Jesus calls Himself the Son of Man. Jesus Reveals Himself as the Messiah. He was giving Himself a Messianic title which was worthy of death to the Jews.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Daniel 7:13-14 The Son of Man Presented “I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. “And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus has no beginning and no end. He was involved in creation. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Revelation 21:6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">John 1:3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Colossians 1:16-17 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities– all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus reiterates the Father and calls Himself “the First and the Last.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Isaiah 44:6 “Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me.’<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Revelation 22:13 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">There is no Savior besides God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus is the only Savior. If Jesus is not God, then that means God is a liar.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Isaiah 43:11 I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Hosea 13:4 “But I have been the LORD your God ever since you came out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">John 4:42 and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">To see Jesus is to see the Father. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">John 14:9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father‘?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">John 12:45 And whoever sees Me sees the One who sent Me.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Colossians 1:15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus is the way<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">If Jesus is not God, then when He says things like “I am the way, the truth, the life,” then that is blasphemy. Just because you believe God is real does not save you. The Bible says Jesus is the only way. You have to repent and trust in Christ alone. If Jesus is not God, then Christianity is idolatry on the highest level. Jesus has to be God. He is the way, He is the light, He is the truth. It’s all about Him!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus is called names that only God is called.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus has many nicknames in Scripture such as Everlasting Father, Bread of Life, Author and Perfecter of Our Faith, Almighty One, Alpha and Omega, Deliverer, Great High Priest, Head of the Church, Resurrection and the Life, and more.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Wonderful Counselor, <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Mighty God, <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Everlasting Father, <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Prince of Peace.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"> God Almighty was seen on various different occasions in Scripture. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">God was seen but there are various Scriptures in the Bible that teach us that no one can see the Father. The question is then, how was God seen? The answer must be someone else in the Trinity was seen.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus says no one has seen the Father. When God is seen in the Old Testament it has to be the preincarnate Christ. The simple fact that God was seen shows that Jesus is God Almighty.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Genesis 17:1 Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Exodus 33:20 But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">John 1:18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The Trinity is found in Genesis<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">If we take a close look in Genesis we see members of the Trinity interacting. Who is God talking to in Genesis? <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">He can’t be talking to angels because humanity was made in the image of God and not in the image of angels.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Genesis 3:22 And the LORD God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">To see Jesus is to see the Father. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">John 14:9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father‘?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">John 12:45 And whoever sees Me sees the One who sent Me.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Colossians 1:15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Colossians 2:9-10 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Check out Bible reasons . Com<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Bible Q&A: Where Does the Bible Say That Jesus Is God?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Question: Apart from the statement in the Athanasian Creed that says “the Son is God,” is there any evidence in the Bible that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God or that he is the Son of God?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Answer: This is Pastor Tim. While I was in school (seminary), I wondered the same thing. From a cursory reading of the Bible, it did not seem obvious to me that Jesus claimed to be God. So, at one point I read through the entire New Testament, asking of the biblical text the question “Is there any urgency on the part of the biblical writers to make the claim that Jesus is God? Or is this argument based on a few obscure passages?” Because it’s too important of a claim to be relegated to the background.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">What I found astonished me.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Nearly every New Testament book makes a claim, given in a variety of ways, with different words, that Jesus is God. None of them say the exact words, “Jesus is God.” I’m not suggesting that every one of these examples proves that Jesus is God, only that taken all together, there is clearly a major thrust of New Testament teaching that intends to convey to the reader that this is so.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">I’ll give you a sample. I’m using the ESV (English Standard Version). Here are 10 New Testament passages that indicate that Jesus is God:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">1. Matthew 1:23<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name, Immanuel (which means, God with us).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">In some sense, in the coming of Jesus, God is “with” us. What does this mean? In what sense is God with us? I believe the straightforward understanding of this is that Jesus is God, so when he takes on human flesh and comes to earth God is, in fact, with us.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">2. Mark 2:5-7<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">To answer the scribes’ question: No one can forgive all of a person’s sins except God. The reader is left with a decision: Is Jesus blaspheming? Or is Jesus God? Surely, the writer of this Gospel, Mark, is insinuating that Jesus is, in fact, God, rather than a blasphemer!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">3. John 1:1<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">John begins his Gospel by talking about “the Word” and saying essentially three things about “the Word”:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">* He existed “in the beginning,” which is a reference to creation (Genesis 1:1).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">* “The Word” was with God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">* “The Word” was God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">So, of course, this raises the question: Who could possibly be all three of these things at the same time? It’s an astonishing statement. John 1:14 answers the question: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory.” He is clearly talking about Jesus Christ, and he is referring to the transfiguration (see Luke 9:28-36).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">4. John 5:18<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Here is evidence that Jesus himself claimed to be God (or that his enemies misunderstood him). However, the apostle John does not try to correct this misunderstanding. He seems instead to affirm that this is the reason his enemies wanted to kill him (and they were right in this matter – not to kill him, but that he was claiming to be God).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">5. John 20:27-29<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Then [Jesus] said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">There are other situations like this in the New Testament, where for example, a person worships Peter (see Acts 10:25-26), and Peter tells him, “Stand up; I too am a man.” Jesus makes no such correction, but instead affirms the man’s faith (and, in essence) his worship. Clearly, in the Bible, Christian worship is reserved exclusively for God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">6. Philippians 2:5-7<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The point of Philippians 2 is to encourage Christians to imitate the humility of Christ, who was “in the form of God” but “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.” In other words, although Jesus is God, he humbled himself by taking on human flesh (wow!), and we (as Christians) should humble ourselves too.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">7. Colossians 1:15<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">[Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created…<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Notice the apostle Paul is saying here that “by [Jesus] all things were created.” This is a pretty astonishing statement to be made about any man! Nothing like this was ever said about Moses or David or Paul. The implication (as we saw in Philippians 2) is that Jesus existed before he was born of the virgin, Mary. How can we explain this? Jesus is God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">8. Colossians 2:9<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">In [Christ] all the fullness of deity dwells bodily.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">I don’t know how else to explain this, than to say that the apostle Paul is saying that Jesus is fully divine. Jesus is “the” visible expression of God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">9. 2 Peter 1:1<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with outs by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Both the apostle Paul and the apostle Peter refer to Jesus as our “God” and Savior. Pretty straightforward.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">10. Hebrews 1:3<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">[Jesus] is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">This is not the description of any angel or any man, even a superhuman man. This is a description of God. Because Jesus is God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">There are many, many more examples in the New Testament, but see that the Christian belief that Jesus is God is not a simple misinterpretation of two or three passages, nor is it based on one or two obscure passages. This theme is pervasive and emphasized in the four Gospels and in the New Testament letters.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">You cannot avoid it. Though you can nit and pick about what individual passages may mean, there is clearly a pattern of making claims about Jesus that could only be true of God (and are never said about anyone else in all of the Bible). He is the unique God-man.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Warmly, Pastor Tim Augustyn<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Is Jesus God?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">by Dr. Ron Rhodes on June 17, 2010; last featured December 5, 2014<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Is Jesus really God? There are many cults and false religions today that deny it. What is the truth about Jesus Christ? We turn to the Scriptures for the answer.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Is Jesus God? There are many cults and false religions today that deny it. The Jehovah’s Witnesses, for example, believe Jesus was created by the Father billions of years ago as the Archangel Michael and is hence a “lesser god” than the Father. The Mormons say Jesus was born as the first and greatest spirit child of the Heavenly Father and heavenly mother, and was the spirit-brother of Lucifer. New Agers claim Jesus was an enlightened master. Unitarian Universalists say Jesus was just a good moral teacher. What is the truth about Jesus Christ - is Jesus God? We turn to the Scriptures for the answer. Is Jesus God? Yes.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">There are numerous evidences for the absolute deity of Jesus Christ in the Bible. The following is a summary of the more important evidences.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus Has the Names of God<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus Christ possesses divine names—names that can only be used of God. For example:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus is Yahweh. Yahweh is a very common Hebrew name for God in the Old Testament, occurring over 5,300 times. It is translated Lord (all capitals) in many English translations of the Bible.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We first learn of this name in Exodus 3, where Moses asked God by what name He should be called. God replied to him, “I AM WHO I AM. . . .Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you’ ” (verse 14). Yahweh is basically a shortened form of “I AM WHO I AM” (verse 15). The name conveys the idea of eternal self-existence. Yahweh never came into being at a point in time for He has always existed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus implicitly ascribed this divine name to himself during a confrontation He had with a group of hostile Jews. He said, “I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58). Jesus deliberately contrasted the created origin of Abraham—whom the Jews venerated—with His own eternal, uncreated nature as God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus is Kurios. The New Testament Greek equivalent of the Old Testament Hebrew name Yahweh is Kurios. Used of God, Kurios carries the idea of a sovereign being who exercises absolute authority. The word is translated Lord in English translations of the Bible.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The affirmation that “Jesus is Lord” (Kurios) in the New Testament constitutes a clear affirmation that Jesus is Yahweh.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">To an early Christian accustomed to reading the Old Testament, the word Lord, when used of Jesus, would point to His identification with the God of the Old Testament (Yahweh). Hence, the affirmation that “Jesus is Lord” (Kurios) in the New Testament constitutes a clear affirmation that Jesus is Yahweh, as is the case in passages like Romans 10:9, 1 Corinthians 12:3, and Philippians 2:5–11.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus is Elohim. Elohim is a Hebrew name that is used of God 2,570 times in the Old Testament. The name literally means “strong one,” and its plural ending (im in Hebrew) indicates fullness of power. Elohim is portrayed in the Old Testament as the powerful and sovereign governor of the universe, ruling over the affairs of humankind.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus is recognized as both Yahweh and Elohim in the prophecy in Isaiah 40:3: “Prepare the way of the Lord [Yahweh]; make straight in the desert a highway for our God [Elohim].” This verse was written in reference to John the Baptist preparing for the coming of Christ (as confirmed in John 1:23) and represents one of the strongest affirmations of Christ’s deity in the Old Testament. In Isaiah 9:6, we likewise read a prophecy of Christ with a singular variant (El) of Elohim: “And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God [El], Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus is Theos. The New Testament Greek word for God, Theos, is the corresponding parallel to the Old Testament Hebrew term Elohim. A well-known example of Christ being addressed as God (Theos) is found in the story of “doubting Thomas” in John 20. In this passage, Thomas witnesses the resurrected Christ and worshipfully responds: “My Lord and my God [Theos]” (John 20:28).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus is called Theos throughout the rest of the New Testament. For example, when a jailer asked Paul and Silas how to be saved, they responded: “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31). After the jailer believed and became saved, he “rejoiced, having believed in God [Theos] with all his household” (verse 34). Believing in Christ and believing in God are seen as identical acts.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus Possesses the Attributes of God<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus possesses attributes that belong only to God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus is eternal. John 1:1 affirms: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The word was in this verse is an imperfect tense, indicating continuous, ongoing existence. When the timespace universe came into being, Christ already existed (Hebrews 1:8–11).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus is self-existent. As the Creator of all things (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2), Christ himself must be uncreated. Colossians 1:17 tells us that Christ is “before all things, and in Him all things consist.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus is everywhere-present. Christ promised His disciples, “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). Since people all over the world gather in Christ’s name, the only way He could be present with them all is if He is truly omnipresent (see Matthew 28:20; Ephesians 1:23, 4:10; Colossians 3:11).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus is all-knowing. Jesus knew where the fish were in the water (Luke 5:4, 6; John 21:6–11), and He knew just which fish contained the coin (Matthew 17:27). He knew the future (John 11:11, 18:4), specific details that would be encountered (Matthew 21:2–4), and knew from a distance that Lazarus had died (John 11:14). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">He also knows the Father as the Father knows Him (Matthew 11:27; John 7:29, 8:55, 10:15, 17:25).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus is all-powerful. Christ created the entire universe (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2) and sustains the universe by His own power (Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3). During His earthly ministry, He exercised power over nature (Luke 8:25), physical diseases (Mark 1:29–31), demonic spirits (Mark 1:32–34), and even death (John 11:1–44).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus is sovereign. Christ presently sits at the right hand of God the Father, “angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him” (1 Peter 3:22). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">When Christ comes again in glory, He will be adorned with a majestic robe, and on the thigh section of the robe will be the words, “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:16).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus is sinless. Jesus challenged Jewish leaders: “Which of you convicts Me of sin?” (John 8:46). The apostle Paul referred to Jesus as “Him who knew no sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus is one who “loved righteousness and hated lawlessness” (Hebrews 1:9), was “without sin” (Hebrews 4:15), and was “holy, harmless, [and] undefiled” (Hebrews 7:26).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus Possesses the Authority of God<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus always spoke in His own divine authority. He never said, “Thus saith the Lord” as did the prophets; He always said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you. . . .” He never retracted anything He said, never guessed or spoke with uncertainty, never made revisions, never contradicted himself, and never apologized for what He said. He even asserted, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Mark 13:31), hence elevating His words directly to the realm of heaven.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus Performs the Works of God<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus’ deity is also proved by His miracles. His miracles are often called “signs” in the New Testament. Signs always signify something—in this case, that Jesus is the divine Messiah.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Some of Jesus’ more notable miracles include turning water into wine (John 2:7–8); walking on the sea (Matthew 14:25; Mark 6:48; John 6:19); calming a stormy sea (Matthew 8:26; Mark 4:39; Luke 8:24); feeding 5,000 men and their families (Matthew 14:19; Mark 6:41; Luke 9:16; John 6:11); raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43–44); and causing the disciples to catch a great number of fish (Luke 5:5–6).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus Is Worshiped as God<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus was worshiped on many occasions in the New Testament. He accepted worship from Thomas (John 20:28), the angels (Hebrews 1:6), some wise men (Matthew 2:11), a leper (Matthew 8:2), a ruler (Matthew 9:18), a blind man (John 9:38), an anonymous woman (Matthew 15:25), Mary Magdalene (Matthew 28:9), and the disciples (Matthew 28:17).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Scripture is emphatic that only God can be worshiped (Exodus 34:14; Deuteronomy 6:13; Matthew 4:10). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">In view of this, the fact that both humans and angels worshiped Jesus on numerous occasions shows He is God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Old Testament Parallels Prove Jesus Is God<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">A comparison of the Old and New Testaments provides powerful testimony to Jesus’s identity as God. For example, a study of the Old Testament indicates that it is only God who saves. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">In Isaiah 43:11, God asserts: “I, even I, am the Lord, and besides Me there is no savior.” This verse indicates that (1) a claim to be Savior is, in itself, a claim to deity; and (2) there is only one Savior—the Lord God. It is thus highly revealing of Christ’s divine nature that the New Testament refers to Jesus as “our great God and Savior” (Titus 2:13).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Likewise, God asserted in Isaiah 44:24: “I am the Lord, who makes all things, who stretches out the heavens all alone, who spreads abroad the earth by Myself” (emphasis added). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The fact that God alone “makes all things” (Isaiah 44:24)—and the accompanying fact that Christ is claimed to be the Creator of “all things” (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2)—proves that Christ is truly God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Preincarnate Appearances of Christ<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Many theologians believe that appearances of the “angel of the Lord” (or, more literally, “angel of Yahweh”) in Old Testament times were preincarnate appearances of Jesus Christ. (The word preincarnate means “before becoming a human being.”) There are a number of evidences for this view:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">1. The angel of Yahweh appeared to Moses in the burning bush and claimed to be God (Exodus 3:6).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">2. Yet, the angel of Yahweh was sent into the world by Yahweh (Judges 13:8–9), just as Jesus was sent into the world in New Testament times by the Father (John 3:17).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">3. The angel of Yahweh prayed to Yahweh on behalf of the people of God (Zechariah 1:12), just as Jesus prays to the Father for the people of God today (Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1–2).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">4. It would seem that appearances of this “angel” could not be the Father or the Holy Spirit. After all, the Father is One “whom no one has seen or can see” (1 Timothy 6:16, NIV; see also John 1:18, 5:37). Moreover, the Holy Spirit cannot be physically seen (John 14:17). That leaves only Jesus.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">5. The angel of Yahweh and Jesus engaged in amazingly similar ministries—such as delivering the enslaved (Exodus 3; Galatians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2 Timothy 4:18; Hebrews 2:14–15) and comforting the downcast (Genesis 16:7–13; 1 Kings 19:4–8; Matthew 14:14, 15:32–39).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">These evidences suggest that appearances of the angel of Yahweh in Old Testament times were preincarnate appearances of Christ. Assuming this is correct, the word “angel” is used of Christ in these verses in accordance with its Hebrew root, which means “messenger, one who is sent, envoy.” Christ, as the angel of Yahweh, was acting on behalf of the Father, just as He did in New Testament times.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The Biblical Basis for the Trinity<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The deity of Christ is intimately connected to the doctrine of the Trinity. This doctrine affirms that there is only one God and that in the unity of the one godhead there are three coequal and coeternal persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Let us briefly consider the evidence for this doctrine.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">There Is One God<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">In the course of God’s self-disclosure to humankind, He revealed His nature in progressive stages. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">First, God revealed that He is the only true God. This was a necessary starting point for God’s self-revelation. Throughout history, Israel was surrounded by pagan nations deeply engulfed in the belief that there are many gods. Through the prophets, God communicated to Israel that there is only one true God (Deuteronomy 6:4, 32:39; Psalm 86:10; Isaiah 44:6). Even at this early juncture, however, we find preliminary indications of the Trinity (Genesis 1:26, 11:7; Isaiah 6:8, 48:16). God’s oneness is also emphasized in the New Testament (Romans 3:29–30; 1 Corinthians 8:4; Galatians 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 1 Timothy 1:17, 2:5; James 2:19; Jude 25).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The Father Is God<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">As history unfolded, God progressively revealed more about himself. It eventually became clear that while there is only one God, there are three distinct persons within the one godhead, each individually recognized as God (Matthew 28:19).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The Father, for example, is explicitly called God (John 6:27; Romans 1:7; Galatians 1:1; 1 Peter 1:2). He is also portrayed as having all the attributes of deity—such as being everywhere-present (Matthew 19:26), all-knowing (Romans 11:33), all-powerful (1 Peter 1:5), holy (Revelation 15:4), and eternal (Psalm 90:2).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The Son Is God<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus is also explicitly called “God” in Scripture (Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8). And He, too, has all the attributes of deity—including being everywhere-present (Matthew 28:20), all-knowing (Matthew 9:4), all-powerful (Matthew 28:18), holy (Acts 3:14), and eternal (Revelation 1:8, 17).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The Holy Spirit Is God<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The Holy Spirit is also recognized as God (Acts 5:3–4). He, too, possesses the attributes of deity, including being everywhere-present (Psalm 139:7–9), all-knowing (1 Corinthians 2:10–11), all-powerful (Romans 15:19), holy (John 16:7–14), and eternal (Hebrews 9:14).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Three-in-Oneness in the Godhead<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Scripture also indicates there is three-in-oneness in the godhead. In Matthew 28:19, the resurrected Jesus instructed the disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The word name is singular in the Greek, thereby indicating God’s oneness. However, the definite articles in front of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (in the original Greek) indicate they are distinct personalities, even though there is just one God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">These distinct personalities relate to each other. The Father and Son, for example, know each other (Matthew 11:27), love each other (John 3:35), and speak to each other (John 11:41–42). The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at His baptism (Luke 3:22), is called another comforter (John 14:16), was sent by the Father and Jesus (John 15:26), and seeks to glorify Jesus (John 16:13–14).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">An Analogy<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">A helpful analogy of the Trinity is that God is like a triangle that is one figure yet has three different sides (or corners) at the same time. So there is a simultaneous threeness and oneness. Of course, no analogy is perfect since in every analogy there is a similarity and a difference. For example, water can exist simultaneously in three different states as ice, water, and steam; that is, as a solid, liquid, and a gas at pressure of 4 Torr and temperature of 273K. One substance but three totally different personalities.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Answering Objections<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Cults and false religions often raise objections against both the deity of Christ and the doctrine of the Trinity. In what follows, key objections will be briefly summarized and answered.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus Is the Son of God<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Some claim that because Jesus is the Son of God, He must be a lesser God than God the Father. Among the ancients, however, an important meaning of Son of is “one who has the same nature as.” Jesus, as the Son of God, has the very nature of God (John 5:18, 10:30, 19:7). He is thus not a lesser God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The Father Is “Greater” Than Jesus<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Some cults argue that because Jesus said the Father is “greater” than Him (John 14:28), this must mean Jesus is a lesser God. Biblically, however, Jesus is equal with the Father in His divine nature (John 10:30). He was positionally lower than the Father from the standpoint of His becoming a servant by taking on human likeness (Philippians 2:6–11). Positionally, then, the Father was “greater” than Jesus.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus Is the Firstborn<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Some cults argue that because Jesus is the “firstborn of creation” (Colossians 1:15), He is a created being and hence cannot be truly God. Biblically, however, Christ was not created but is the Creator (Colossians 1:16; John 1:3). The term firstborn, defined biblically, means Christ is “first in rank” and “preeminent” over the creation He brought into being.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus Is Not All-Knowing<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Some cults argue that because Jesus said no one knows the day or hour of His return except the Father (Mark 13:32), Jesus must not be all-knowing, and hence He must not be truly God. In response, Jesus in the Gospels sometimes spoke from the perspective of His divinity and at other times from the perspective of His humanity. In Mark 13:32, Jesus was speaking from the limited perspective of His humanity (see Philippians 2:5–11). Had he been speaking from His divinity, He would not have said He did not know the day or hour. Other verses show that Christ, as God, knows all things (Matthew 17:27; Luke 5:4–6; John 2:25, 16:30, 21:17).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jesus Prayed<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Some cults argue that because Jesus prayed to the Father, He could not truly be God. Biblically, however, it was in His humanity that Christ prayed to the Father. Since Christ came as a man—and since one of the proper duties of man is to worship, pray to, and adore God—it was perfectly proper for Jesus to address the Father in prayer. Positionally speaking as a man, as a Jew, and as our High Priest—“in all things He had to be made like His brethren” (Hebrews 2:17)—Jesus could pray to the Father. But this in no way detracts from His intrinsic deity.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The Trinity Is Illogical<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Some cults claim the Trinity is illogical (“three in one”). In response, the Trinity may be beyond reason, but it is not against reason. The Trinity does not entail three gods in one God, or three persons in one person. Such claims would be nonsensical. There is nothing contradictory, however, in affirming three persons in one God (or three whos in one what).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The Trinity Is Pagan<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Some cults have claimed the doctrine of the Trinity is rooted in ancient paganism in Babylon and Assyria. In response, the Babylonians and Assyrians believed in triads of gods who headed up a pantheon of many other gods. These triads constituted three separate gods (polytheism), which is utterly different from the doctrine of the Trinity that maintains that there is only one God (monotheism) with three persons within the one godhead.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Conclusion: Jesus is God<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We have seen that Jesus must be viewed as God by virtue of the facts that He has the names of God, the attributes of God, and the authority of God; He does the works of God; and He is worshiped as God. We have also seen persuasive scriptural evidences for the doctrine of the Trinity. Our triune God is an awesome God!<o:p></o:p></p>izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-29966154018581493002022-02-02T12:37:00.004-08:002022-02-02T12:37:35.903-08:00Whose Yoke do you Wear? <p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? Acts 15:10</span></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2">In our contextual passage of Acts 15:5-11, we find Peter addressing a council who was brought together in order to discuss whether the Gentile believers in Jesus must become Jewish converts and follow Jewish law in order to be saved. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2">Some of the ones wanting to require this are believers in Jesus who are still identifying themselves as Pharisees. They insist these newly converted Gentiles must be circumcised and follow the Mosiac law, in order to be saved by Jesus. These Pharisees not only enforced the laws of Moses but also added to it. This “yoke” was completely unbearable! Therefore, Paul and Barnabas sharply disagreed with the Pharisees and took this issue to the Apostles to settle. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2">Since Peter was the first to witness the uncircumcised, unconverted to Judaism, Gentiles become followers of Jesus and subsequently be filled with the Holy Spirit, just as the Jews had (Acts 10:44), he was qualified to settle the division by speaking his decision: Gentiles and Jews alike, are saved through grace, and not by works. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Peter responded to them in this way: “God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. </span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.” (Acts 15:8-9)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2">If the Gentiles were to follow the law of circumcision, it would be a sign that they are falling under the law of Moses and they would be rejecting salvation by grace and erroneously embracing a false salvation by following the law (Galatians 5:1–6). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-size: 17.5pt;">Jesus taught his followers, “</span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">they tie up heavy burdens and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with <i>so much as</i> their finger.<span style="background-color: white;"> </span>And they do all their deeds to be noticed by <i>other</i> people </span><span class="s2"><span style="font-size: 17.5pt;">(Matthew 23:4-5a). In contrast, Jesus said, </span></span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">28 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. </span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">29 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. </span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">30 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2">In our passage of study today, Peter points out that even the Jews can't keep the Law perfectly, so how could these Gentile converts? Peter reminds these leaders and Pharisees that Jews and Gentiles are saved only "through the grace of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 15:11).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2">Application Questions: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="s2">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="s2">Has anyone ever tried to yoke you to the heavy burden of law-based salvation?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="s2">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="s2">In what ways do we see some believers today trying to make others follow their laws, in order to be saved? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="s2">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="s2">What is the clear teaching of the Apostles regarding salvation? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-left: 0.25in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><o:p> </o:p></p>izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-61949420239269047252022-02-02T12:35:00.002-08:002022-02-02T12:35:20.435-08:00Slave or Free? <p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Acts 16:16-24</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Let’s contrast this slave woman who had a spirit of divination with Paul, a bond-servant of Christ who had the Spiritual gift of discerning of spirits. This woman’s owners were making themselves rich on this demonic spirit of fortune telling. In contrast, Jesus told his disciples they were to go out and heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and CAST OUT DEMONS, FREE OF CHARGE (Mat 10:8). Jesus said, “In my name, they will cast out demons” (Mark 16:17) and this they did without profit. In fact, they cast out demons to their own detriment and without concern for their own welfare. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Because Paul and Silas cast out the evil spirit, they were seized, dragged through the market place, brought before rulers, stripped of their clothing, beaten with rods and thrown into prison with their feet locked into stocks. All of this was the consequence Paul and Silas received for obeying the instruction of Jesus, to his followers, to cast out demons. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Which spirit influenced the slave woman and which spirit influences you? The truth is, we will all stand before God one day and give an account for our words and deeds. No one will be able to blame the devil or say, “ the devil made me do it”. . Even though demons have great influence on human behaviors, we still are accountable for our choices. The reality is, every evil that has ever been done on this earth has human fingerprints all over it. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">This woman was given the opportunity to walk free of her spiritual bondage and turn to Jesus who cast out her demons, through His bond-slave, Paul. Unfortunately, her human owners weren’t willing to see her set free. They preferred the riches of this world instead of freedom in Christ. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Demons are purely the spirits of fallen angels. What connects an evil demonic spirit with a human host is rebellion and sin. They can smell it and are attracted to it. They inhabit humans who are unrepentant and sin-sick. The good news is something wonderful happened at the cross. The death and resurrection of Jesus opened the way for us to believe the gospel message and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Like Jesus, a believer can say, “The prince of this world is coming, but he has no place in me (John 14:30). When we receive Christ, we receive a new Spirit. He comes to take residence in our body. We are now his temple and home. We can now draw near to God, resist the devil and he MUST flee. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">A demon only has power over those who believe its lies. When we know the Truth, the truth will set us free. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Question: Jesus wants to set you free by delivering you from the evil one. Have you trusted Jesus as your sin-bearer and savior? Have you renounced the spirits of darkness who only come to steal, kill and destroy? Have you asked Jesus to fill you with His Holy Spirit and to deliver you from evil? Will you, this day, choose to be a bond-servant of Jesus, forsaking all other spirits of influence and surrender your whole life to follow Him, no matter the cost? Let us know if you would like prayer. God’s gifts are free and life-giving. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-88332221914976124752020-05-28T13:45:00.000-07:002020-05-28T13:45:17.372-07:00CHANGE INVOLVES RISK<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1">Genesis Process Change Group </span></div>
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<span class="s2">💕</span><span class="s1">Leeanna</span></div>
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<span class="s1">DO YOU FEEL STUCK IN A DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR? </span></div>
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<span class="s1">“Why do I do the very thing I don’t want to do”? What will it take to make me uncomfortable enough to CHANGE? </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Stagnation is staying stuck in the middle of a double bind. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Resolving double binds is the key for change. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Discomfort/pain is usually the motivator for change. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Doing the right thing is usually the hard thing. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Simply making a choice to act can result in reducing the power of the double binds and destructive behaviors those produce. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">DOUBLE-BINDS</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Identify the double bind by Charting out the </span></div>
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<span class="s1">PROBLEM: example FOOD</span></div>
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<span class="s1">WHAT DOES GOD SAY ABOUT FOOD? </span></div>
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<span class="s1">What Scripture comes to mind? </span></div>
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<span class="s1">IF I DO CHANGE, I FEAR....</span></div>
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<span class="s1">What Will Happen if I Give Up the FOOD Problem or Resolve it? What is the bad thing I will feel/experience/be vulnerable to if I change? </span></div>
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<span class="s1">IF I DON’T CHANGE, I FEAR...</span></div>
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<span class="s1">What Will Happen If I Do Not Change and keep avoiding the PROBLEM OF FOOD? What might be the consequence of NOT changing? A year from now, where might I be if I do not change?</span></div>
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<span class="s1">THE RIGHT THING TO DO</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Identify the right thing to do. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>What’s the hardest of the two? To Change or not to change? </span></div>
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<span class="s1">WHAT/WHEN/WHO/WHERE/HOW</span></div>
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<span class="s1">What specific and practical step can I take towards change this week and who will keep me accountable? Move towards what you fear and take ACTION! </span></div>
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<span class="s1">DOUBLE-BINDS</span></div>
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<span class="s1">An Example of Double-Bind concerning Food:</span></div>
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<span class="s1">DOUBLE-BIND PROPLEM: FOOD</span></div>
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<span class="s1">#1 ON THE ONE HAND</span></div>
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<span class="s1">IDENTIFY WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DO MOVE TOWARD CHANGE BY ASKING QUESTIONS:</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Look for the negative unconscious beliefs driving this behavior by asking yourself questions:</span></div>
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<span class="s1">What bad thing do I believe will happen if I lose the weight, stop turning to food, and change? </span></div>
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<span class="s1">If I give up food as a way to cope, I will have to ask for help. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I will have to feel rather than feed my feelings of loneliness, anger, anxiety, sense of failure (due to a belief that I can’t maintain for life so why bother—hopelessness), sadness that I will miss out on fun of eating out or have a stifling, dull existence, I will be deprived or other negative beliefs. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I also may have to deal with attracting attention to myself; good or bad or I will be ridiculed or judged for doing something others don’t approve of or cannot do. I may have to feel the pain of being “different”, not fitting in with the crowd, “missing out” on what others “get” to have, etc. this keeps me stuck and resistant to change. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">#2 ON THE OTHER HAND,</span></div>
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<span class="s1">IDENTIFY WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DON’T CHANGE BY ASKING QUESTIONS: </span></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1">What bad thing will happen if I don’t change, if I keep turning to food for comfort?</span></div>
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<span class="s1">If I don’t change and keep going in the same pattern and direction I have been, for another year or two, or ten, what will more than likely be the result?</span></div>
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<span class="s1">If I don’t give up eating when not hungry, if I don’t stay on a healthy eating plan, and consistently take my supplements </span><span class="s2">😊</span><span class="s1"> I will continue to jeopardize my health, feel like a failure, become more isolated and alone, and continue to stuff and not deal with what I’m using the food to cope with. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">THE HARD THING IS THE RIGHT THING</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Which of these two things are the hardest thing to do? <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>That’s probably the right thing to do and God will bless it. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(The hardest thing to do is #2: Stick with the plan! Feel and identify my feelings and beliefs, when confronted with things that come up in #1). </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Coping behaviors like overeating, TEMPORARILY push back unwanted thoughts, feelings and memories. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Which is harder? Which is the right thing to do? What does God say about this?</span></div>
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<span class="s1">CHANGE INVOLVES RISK</span></div>
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<span class="s1">What am I willing to do THIS WEEK, to risk out of this stuck place, by moving toward resolving this double bind? Where am I in the “Hope Cycle”? HOPE comes from CHANGE, CHANGE comes from RISK, RISK comes from FAITH, FAITH gives you HOPE to CHANGE and RISK again! </span></div>
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<span class="s1">What specific and practical thing can I do to move towards what I fear the most this week, in order to make a change? WHAT I FEAR THE MOST is keeping me from what I need the most. I WORSHIP WHAT I FEAR. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">What does the Bible/God say about Fear? </span></div>
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<span class="s1">ACCOUNTABILITY</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Who will you share this with and allow them to follow up in a week? </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Repeat this process weekly.</span></div>
izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-46604772895181022372020-05-12T12:07:00.002-07:002020-05-12T12:49:43.035-07:00Resist the Devil (Like Dorris)<style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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<b>RESIST THE DEVIL<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Leeanna Porter<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.Ephesians 6:12 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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Slightly 5 foot 1 inch tall and sporting flaming red hair, which was actually auburn enhanced by Miss Clairol, my mother stepped onto the elevated front porch. With one hand on her boney hip, and the other shaking a pointing finger, she fearlessly addressed the motorcycle gang, that had just taken unprecedented liberties with her freshly manicured front lawn and her beloved monkey grass and petunia-lined sidewalk. Well-heard, over the sound of 13 revving Harley's, Dorris barked out her orders with the authority of a Hitler to his underlings. "GET THOSE BLANKETY-BLANK BIKES OFF OF MY BLANKETY-BLANK GRASS, RIGHT NOW!!!". <o:p></o:p></div>
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At just 7 years old, I was captivated by the way my mother was able to sound out her orders so loudly, while at the same time balance a freshly lit Winston filterless cigarette out of the corner of her Merle Norman painted lips. Horrified, her teenage rebellious son, who had just returned from California with these Goliath beings on the lawn, abandoned his own bike in a flash and leapt onto the porch in order to save our french-twisted mother's uninformed, spunky life. I heard my brother in a loud panicky whisper say, "MOM! HUSH! You don't know who you are yelling at! Those are THE HELL'S ANGELS!". My mother's reply? "WELL, HELL'S BELLS! I DON'T CARE WHO THEY ARE"! She yelled even louder, "THEY CAN GET THEIR BLANKETY BLANK ARSES OFF MY BLANKETY BLANK GRASS OR ELSE!!".<o:p></o:p></div>
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No one was more surprised than me, when I saw twelve, 200-pound Hell's Angels, carefully back their Harley's off my mother's grass and thunderously slink away.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After I was born-again, and began to experience the Adversary trying to wreck havoc on the “property” of my own mind and life, this story would return to my memory and teach me a principle for spiritual warfare. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">The Word of God has instructed us on how to deal with the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:11 says, Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. And 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith. <o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Remember, man (flesh and blood) is not our enemy. The forces of evil spirits are our foes to wrestle with. <o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Do not accept the invasion of the enemy on your turf. Be bold, be brave, be firm and be ready to recognize his intentions and send him on his way. The spiritual weapons of our warfare are MIGHTY and can pull down strongholds. Be strong in the Lord, in the strength of HIS might! Draw near to God. Resist the devil and he must flee. <o:p></o:p></li>
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izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-53639243087692363502020-04-30T22:06:00.004-07:002020-04-30T22:06:51.699-07:00Corona Life 2020<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1">Perfect love casts out all fear. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Truth will help us sort it out. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Fear and lies will just lead our country to a worse place than this virus ever will. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I am praying for truth to come to light. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Feelings are not always based on truth. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If I’m walking through a forest and I see a poisonous snake, I might feel great fear and run. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>However, if I look at the snake closer because someone tells me it’s a harmless stick, I would immediately lose my fear, either kick that stick away so I don’t trip on it, or go around it and carry on. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Fear would no longer control my progress forward. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Now, so no one <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>misinterprets my meaning here - I am NOT saying this virus is harmless! But I am saying that Fear is a Liar. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The Word says, anything done done from faith is sin”. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">I am trying my best to keep my ear tuned to what God says and not be distracted by what men who are not led of God are saying. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Especially if it’s fear driven and keeping me from acting in faith. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We are to obey our leaders unless they ask us to sin. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Our God-appointed President is saying get back to work and don’t give up our constitutional rights. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I’ve heard him say that over and over. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Yet, Unelected people are trying to overrule him. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>So again God is my Counselor. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He directs my path. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd; another voice I will not listen to. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Whatever is not from faith is sin, is a reminder that fear or faith, truth or deceit will guide us. There are numerous supports for this outside Romans 14:23. For example:</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Paul <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>in Romans 4:20 says that faith glorifies God: “Abraham grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God.” The reason faithless acts are sin is that they don’t glorify God as trustworthy.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">1 Corinthians 10:31, Paul said, “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” But you can’t glorify God if you are dishonoring him by not trusting him. So where there is no faith, 1 Corinthians 10:31 is being disobeyed. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please him.” Therefore, all acts even “good” apart from Faith, displease God.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">I believe in order to live by faith in this generation, we need a reset button. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Resetting us to remember who our King is. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We are not of this world. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We are in it and we must obey our leaders unless they ask us to sin, but this is not our ultimate home. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>When we try to hold on to the things of this world, we risk forfeiting our souls. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It’s His Peace that should rule in our hearts and be our umpire with every decision. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Fear is a powerful voice in our heads especially if spoken by many loud and angry <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>voices. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Let’s get away and seek the Lord and His direction through His Word and by His Holy Spirit Counselor. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He said we will hear his voice saying this is the way, walk in it. The question is, will we lean towards His voice of Peace and truth or the voices of many who demand we bow to them instead? <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>When we step back, pray, reset, listen, the Peace of God will rule. </span></div>
izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-34344975921319278422020-04-13T09:58:00.003-07:002020-04-13T09:58:44.860-07:00We Hear God’s Voice<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 30px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3px;">
<span class="s1" style="font-weight: bold;">For those who think Christians are dumb sheeple and crazy weirdos</span></div>
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<span class="s2">So this is only to enlighten those who sincerely care to listen. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If you can’t read it all, don’t bother reading any of it, because you are not open to understanding us. </span></div>
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<span class="s2">True, authentic Believers in Christ Jesus are those who have supernaturally been transformed by the Holy Spirit of God. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Yes, unfortunately, there are authentic and fake Christians in this world (Wheat and Tares); You will know the real ones by their love and their good fruit. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>True Christians have believed the good news (Christ Jesus died to pay our penalty of death for sin on a cross with His sacrifice of His own spotless sinless blood and released us from the sentence of eternal death to give us promise of eternal life). <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And after believing the Gospel, we were immediately baptized/immersed (identified with) the Holy Spirit Of Promise. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Now every one of us who are baptized into Christ can hear his voice within us. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We literally have the “Mind of Christ”. His Spirit bears witness with our Spirit that we are born again as his child. </span></div>
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<span class="s2">Since WE HEAR and know His voice, His Scriptures become alive to us and we understand them. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Before the Holy Spirit came to live in us, the Scriptures were like jibberish to us and didn’t make sense. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Apart from the Spirit of Christ, no one can understand the Scriptures. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Now, In Christ our eyes and ears have become tuned in and we understand them. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” </span></div>
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<span class="s2">Have you ever wondered why devoted Christians seem to cling to Christ so radically? Why do they die for their faith? Even the most horrific deaths? <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Why did everyone of Jesus’ disciples allow themselves to be tortured and murdered for their faith? Why would they not renounce Christ as they were tied to a stake to be burned, if it weren’t true? Because they could literally HEAR the voice of God through His indwelling Holy Spirit. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I can say this without a doubt because I too hear His voice, regularly. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He is more real to me than anyone else. </span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+30%3A21&version=ESV">Isaiah 30:21</a></span><span class="s4" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s2">And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10%3A27&version=ESV"><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold;"> John 10:27</span></a></span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s2">My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A16-17&version=ESV"><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold;"> John 14:16-17</span></a></span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s2">And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.</span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A16&version=ESV">Romans 8:16</a></span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s2">The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10%3A3-4&version=ESV"><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold;"> John 10:3-4</span></a></span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s2">To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.</span></div>
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<span class="s2">There once was a person named Saul who persecuted Christians with a passion. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He was so sure that he was righteous in doing so. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Much blood of many saints of Jesus were killed by his hand. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Now what would cause a devoted man like Saul to change his mind and believe in Christ as Lord and God? HE HEARD THE VOICE OF JESUS! It’s no different than us who are born again who now hear Jesus and follow him to the death. </span></div>
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<span class="s2">Here’s how it happened to an unbeliever named Saul who later became known as Paul:</span></div>
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<span class="s4" style="font-weight: bold;">Saul’s Conversion</span></div>
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<span class="s7" style="font-size: 30px; font-weight: bold;">Acts:9 </span><span class="s2">Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">2 </span><span class="s2">and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">3 </span><span class="s2">As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">4 </span><span class="s2">He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”</span></div>
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<span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">5 </span><span class="s2">“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.</span></div>
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<span class="s2">“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">6 </span><span class="s2">“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”</span></div>
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<span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">7 </span><span class="s2">The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">8 </span><span class="s2">Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">9 </span><span class="s2">For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.</span></div>
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<span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">10 </span><span class="s2">In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”</span></div>
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<span class="s2">“Yes, Lord,” he answered.</span></div>
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<span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">11 </span><span class="s2">The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">12 </span><span class="s2">In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”</span></div>
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<span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">13 </span><span class="s2">“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">14 </span><span class="s2">And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”</span></div>
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<span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">15 </span><span class="s2">But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">16 </span><span class="s2">I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”</span></div>
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<span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">17 </span><span class="s2">Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">18 </span><span class="s2">Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">19 </span><span class="s2">and after taking some food, he regained his strength.</span></div>
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<span class="s4" style="font-weight: bold;">Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem</span></div>
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<span class="s2">Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">20 </span><span class="s2">At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">21 </span><span class="s2">All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">22 </span><span class="s2">Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.</span></div>
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<span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">23 </span><span class="s2">After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">24 </span><span class="s2">but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">25 </span><span class="s2">But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.</span></div>
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<span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">26 </span><span class="s2">When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">27 </span><span class="s2">But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">28 </span><span class="s2">So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">29 </span><span class="s2">He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[a] but they tried to kill him. </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">30 </span><span class="s2">When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.</span></div>
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<span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">31 </span><span class="s2">Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. </span></div>
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<span class="s2">While the Bible does not specify when and how Paul died, we know that 2nd Timothy was written while Paul was in a Roman prison from 66-67 AD—not long after the burning of Rome in 64—and that during this time Paul was anticipating his death: “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:6-8). Furthermore, an early church historian Eusebius wrote that Paul was, indeed, beheaded at the order of the Roman emperor Nero.</span></div>
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<span class="s2">Why would someone like Saul die as a martyr? <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Because he heard the voice of Jesus! <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If you could hear his voice like we do, you would also die for your faith. </span></div>
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<span class="s2">Others have died for what they believe. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Such as these examples in the Bible. </span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+11%3A37&version=ESV">Hebrews 11:37</a></span><span class="s4" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s2">They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—</span></div>
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<span class="s4" style="font-weight: bold;">The Stoning of Stephen</span></div>
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<span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">Acts 7:54 </span><span class="s2">Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">55 </span><span class="s2">But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">56 </span><span class="s2">And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">57 </span><span class="s2">But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together[b] at him. </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">58 </span><span class="s2">Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">59 </span><span class="s2">And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” </span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;">60 </span><span class="s2">And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.</span></div>
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<span class="s2">WHY DIE FOR CHRIST?</span></div>
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<span class="s2">If you will subscribe to a magazine called THE VOICE OF THE MARTYRS, you can read of modern day Christians who live and die daily for Christ. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Who would willingly die for a false faith!? <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>God is real. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>His voice is loud and clear to us who believe. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It’s not a joke. </span></div>
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<span class="s2">Are you like I was at one time? A mocker of Christians? One who is spiritually dead in their trespasses and sins? Are you like Saul, a persecutor and hater of Christians? Do you want us dead? <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Do you ever wonder why your heart is so set on murdering us? <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I think I can show you why if you have ears to hear. </span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8%3A47&version=ESV">John 8:47</a></span><span class="s4" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s2">Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+30%3A21&version=ESV"></a></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+30%3A21&version=ESV">Isaiah 30:21</a></span><span class="s4" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s2">And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+16%3A13&version=ESV"></a></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+16%3A13&version=ESV">John 16:13</a></span></div>
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<span class="s2">When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+5%3A25&version=ESV"></a></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+5%3A25&version=ESV">John 5:25</a></span><span class="s4" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s2">“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.</span></div>
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<span class="s2">I pray that this is you. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>That you will hear the voice of the Son of God and live. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>That you will open your heart to the Spirit of Truth and walk in it. </span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10%3A27&version=ESV">John 10:27</a></span><span class="s4" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s2">My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A16-17&version=ESV"><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold;"> John 14:16-17</span></a></span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s2">And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.</span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A16&version=ESV">Romans 8:16</a></span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s2">The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10%3A3-4&version=ESV"><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold;"> John 10:3-4</span></a></span><span class="s6" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s2">To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+5%3A14&version=ESV">1 John 5:14</a></span><span class="s4" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s2">And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A21&version=ESV">John 14:21</a></span><span class="s4" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s2">Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+23%3A1-6&version=ESV">Psalm 23:1-6</a></span><span class="s4" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s2">A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...</span></div>
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<span class="s2">Would you also like to hear His voice and be saved? We can talk more about that if you are willing to have the conversation. </span></div>
izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-41703491008148896162019-03-13T07:22:00.001-07:002019-03-13T07:22:36.006-07:00Is it a daydream or a goal? Do you just daydream/fantasize or do you go further and make goals and objectives? In life, I’ve realized that just visualizing or hoping for something I want, is not enough and will never be enough. If you have a dream, make it work. What’s your goal? What are your objections to reaching that goal? When will you start? What is your target date to achieve it? A dream without a goal with objections is just a fantasy. What will you do today to practice hitting the mark? Stop dreaming and hoping and start making your plans. What is ONE THING you can take action on today to reach that goal? <br />
Faith Without Works Is Dead<br />
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.<br />
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But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by mmy works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.<br />
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Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?<br />
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For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.<br />
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James 2:14-26<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gOQkDG7RQgqr36gJR4VNAJI8ZkgYaFrZSxp-o2rBGyfA2XmW3UyTMOebTTBtog_n6v12Xir0235fSlGrvW8efnl1SQrm6vzTBaEwQ8goXrfPDqp1FesC1vYd7cenKQFRrSZ9AL2g-FQ/s1600/A44BCF46-68D6-4F00-BF52-035B0F257AAD.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1455" data-original-width="1242" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gOQkDG7RQgqr36gJR4VNAJI8ZkgYaFrZSxp-o2rBGyfA2XmW3UyTMOebTTBtog_n6v12Xir0235fSlGrvW8efnl1SQrm6vzTBaEwQ8goXrfPDqp1FesC1vYd7cenKQFRrSZ9AL2g-FQ/s320/A44BCF46-68D6-4F00-BF52-035B0F257AAD.jpeg" width="273" /></a></div>
izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-2366291274755696442019-02-15T06:16:00.003-08:002019-02-15T06:16:46.403-08:00Masters Degree in Worry<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Display"; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;">
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay-Bold"; font-size: 23pt; font-weight: bold;">Jesus said, “</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">I used to have a Master’s Degree in Worry and was working on my Doctorate. One day, I received a breakthrough. I felt the Spirit reveal to me, “Worrying is just praying to the devil. It’s just you trying to fix something without my help. What good is that?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">Those who seek </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay-Bold"; font-size: 23pt; font-weight: bold;">the Lord</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;"> lack no good thing. (Psalm 34:10b)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">Those of </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay-Bold"; font-size: 23pt; font-weight: bold;">steadfast</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;"> mind you keep in </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay-Bold"; font-size: 23pt; font-weight: bold;">peace</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">—because they </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay-Bold"; font-size: 23pt; font-weight: bold;">trust</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;"> in you. </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay-Bold"; font-size: 23pt; font-weight: bold;">Trust</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;"> in </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay-Bold"; font-size: 23pt; font-weight: bold;">the Lord</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;"> forever, for in </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay-Bold"; font-size: 23pt; font-weight: bold;">the Lord God</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;"> you have an </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay-Bold"; font-size: 23pt; font-weight: bold;">everlasting</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;"> rock. (Isaiah 26:3-4)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">Consider the lilies and wildflowers, how they grow [in the open field]. They neither labor nor spin [wool to make clothing]; yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory and splendor dressed himself like one of these. But if this is how God clothes the grass which is in the field today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You of little faith!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">Little faith...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">This reminded me of the daily manna. So I sensed the Spirit of God continuing to teach me. The manna came daily and they were not to try to collect more than one day’s worth or it would rot. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">Worry is like that rotten manna. Faith is good for only one day, then we collect more the next day through prayer. The question I heard in my Spirit was “Do you have everything you need for THIS DAY? Have I met your needs TODAY”? The answer that day and everyday since has always been “YES! A thousand times yes!” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">So then, why do you worry about tomorrow? Today is all you have been promised and God has been faithful today, hasn’t He?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">Worrying is an insult to God. Kick it to the curb. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:6-8)</span></div>
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<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Display"; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">As Christians, we have a way to acknowledge our anxiety and worries, and even plead in prayer to Our Father, our despair, and receive a mind-renewing revelation that we are not alone in our circumstances. But first, we must humble ourselves by acknowledging we are not the savior and we can’t fix anything by worrying. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance, the Lord be with you all. (2 Thessalonians 3:16)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay-Bold"; font-size: 23pt; font-weight: bold;">Jesus said, </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)</span></div>
izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-85032105729656566872019-02-15T06:13:00.003-08:002019-02-15T06:13:41.484-08:00Do not worry<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Display"; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;">
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay-Bold"; font-size: 23pt; font-weight: bold;">Jesus said, “</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Display"; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;">
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34) </span></div>
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<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Display"; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">I used to have a Master’s Degree in Worry and was working on my Doctorate. One day, I received a breakthrough. I felt the Spirit reveal to me, “Worrying is just praying to the devil. It’s just you trying to fix something without my help. What good is that?”</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Display"; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;">
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">Those who seek </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay-Bold"; font-size: 23pt; font-weight: bold;">the Lord</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;"> lack no good thing. (Psalm 34:10b)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">Those of </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay-Bold"; font-size: 23pt; font-weight: bold;">steadfast</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;"> mind you keep in </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay-Bold"; font-size: 23pt; font-weight: bold;">peace</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">—because they </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay-Bold"; font-size: 23pt; font-weight: bold;">trust</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;"> in you. </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay-Bold"; font-size: 23pt; font-weight: bold;">Trust</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;"> in </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay-Bold"; font-size: 23pt; font-weight: bold;">the Lord</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;"> forever, for in </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay-Bold"; font-size: 23pt; font-weight: bold;">the Lord God</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;"> you have an </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay-Bold"; font-size: 23pt; font-weight: bold;">everlasting</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;"> rock. (Isaiah 26:3-4)</span></div>
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<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Display"; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">Consider the lilies and wildflowers, how they grow [in the open field]. They neither labor nor spin [wool to make clothing]; yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory and splendor dressed himself like one of these. But if this is how God clothes the grass which is in the field today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You of little faith!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">Little faith...</span></div>
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<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Display"; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">This reminded me of the daily manna. So I sensed the Spirit of God continuing to teach me. The manna came daily and they were not to try to collect more than one day’s worth or it would rot. </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Display"; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;">
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<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Display"; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">Worry is like that rotten manna. Faith is good for only one day, then we collect more the next day through prayer. The question I heard in my Spirit was “Do you have everything you need for THIS DAY? Have I met your needs TODAY”? The answer that day and everyday since has always been “YES! A thousand times yes!” </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Display"; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;">
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<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Display"; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">So then, why do you worry about tomorrow? Today is all you have been promised and God has been faithful today, hasn’t He?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">Worrying is an insult to God. Kick it to the curb. </span></div>
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<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Display"; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:6-8)</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Display"; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Display"; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">As Christians, we have a way to acknowledge our anxiety and worries, and even plead in prayer to Our Father, our despair, and receive a mind-renewing revelation that we are not alone in our circumstances. But first, we must humble ourselves by acknowledging we are not the savior and we can’t fix anything by worrying. </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Display"; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;">
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<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Display"; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance, the Lord be with you all. (2 Thessalonians 3:16)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay-Bold"; font-size: 23pt; font-weight: bold;">Jesus said, </span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)</span></div>
izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-37580559573885822792018-07-16T11:46:00.003-07:002018-07-16T11:46:41.478-07:00Discipline Disappointments: Complete Your CallingFOR MY GRANDSON JACOB, I'm so proud of your decision to answer God's calling to be God's prophet, as a youth pastor. You are following the path created for you, and spoken over you, before you were even born. I've been in ministry for close to 40 years and I can say, without a doubt, it is the highest and most fulfilling calling you could ever accept. Like Luke Skywalker and the military officers you have studied, you will find that your assignment is a constant fight for the highest good. It won't often be easy, but it will always be exciting. I wrote this for you. <br />
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What do you do when rejected? How do you handle disappointments? What circumstances throw you off course? What troubles cause you to give up and quit? Who are what are you most afraid of? Sickness, rejection, or loss of a loved one? <br />
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Do you know your assignment on this earth? Do you know the work God created you to accomplish here? For you are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God ordained in advance of your birth, that you should walk in. He even set a path for you and made this assignment ready for you. (Eph 2:10). What causes you to abandon your post or question your calling? My friend Alita Allen said, "Discipline your disappointments". Stick with your troubles longer! Stop quitting or losing heart over various trials that certainly will come. Pray for more faith and do something that will move you back toward your goals and dreams GOD placed within your heart. NEVER entertain the thought to doubt in the dark what God gave you in the light. He hasn't changed his mind about the dream he put there--but your fears might one day try to. <br />
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Yeshua, at the end of only 3 short years of an incredible ministry assignment, was able to confidently say to His Father, "I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do". More than any other living soul, Christ felt rejection! More than once he was sought after to be stoned or killed because His assignment was to speak Truth and reveal Himself as God in the flesh and to show what the Father was truly like. Our LORD stood for the truth and they didn't love the truth but preferred to embrace the lies instead. If you go back and read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and take note of every time Christ stood for truth and was rejected for it, you might be amazed. <br />
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Being a minister of the Gospel is not fun or easy or even comfortable. In fact, if your goal is to feel accepted and comfortable and for life to be easy and fun, you just might not be on the right path. Nothing worth eternal value comes without a measure of struggle and pain. But the joy to come far exceeds the temporary afflictions we endure here. One day, the accuser of the brethren will be cast down and we will triumph over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony, as we do not love our lives so much as to shrink from death. <br />
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The Lord saved a man named Saul on the road to Damascus, and said, "This man is My chosen instrument to proclaim My name to the gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel and I am going to show him how much he must suffer for My name's sake" (Acts 9:15-16). Saul became Paul and indeed he suffered for the name of the LORD. This is the truth. Ministry was never intended to be easy or fun. It is an assignment and it is unto death. Paul was imprisoned for his assignment of truth, he was flogged severely, exposed to death again and again. He received 40 lashes minus one FIVE TIMES, he was beaten with rods 3 times, once he was pelted with stones, 3 times he was shipwrecked and a day and a night in the open sea. He traveled on many long journeys. He was in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from his fellow Jews, in danger from the Gentiles, in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea, and in danger from false believers. He labored more than any other minister and toiled and went often without sleep. He knew hunger and thirst and often went without food. He experienced cold and being naked and besides all of this, he faced the daily pressure of his concern for all the churches. Paul knew what it meant to suffer for Christ and yet, at the very end of his life on earth, he was able to say: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith". What is easy or fun about a fight or race like that? But the JOY Paul experienced in all his hardships was worth more than any life of ease or luxury he could have attained as a worldly man. Just read Philippians to see where true joy comes from! <br />
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Here's the challenge: 1) Know your assignment(s), 2) Stay the course, fight the good fight like a good soldier, 3) Discipline your disappointments, 4) Stick with your troubles longer; don't quit, 5) Pray for more faith, 6) Set your face like flint and keep your eyes on the prize, 7) Be about your Father's business, pleasing Him, not men. <br />
8) Build your hope on the firm foundation of Christ, 9) Remember only treasure in heaven remains, the rest will turn to dust and decay, 10) Make it your life's goal to KNOW THE LORD, truly.izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-92061855319084382782018-05-05T06:29:00.002-07:002018-05-05T06:29:37.495-07:00Anticipating Resurrection Power Good morning sweet friend. I’ve had you on my heart and in my prayers for 3 days. I’m not sure what this day holds for you but I know Who holds you. Reading again about Lazarus today and how Jesus waited 4 days to come. If he had been there Lazarus wouldn’t have died. But God wanted to take this family to the next spiritual level. Instead of just healing him, and some saying “Oh well, he wasn’t THAT sick”, God showed much more of His power and glory by raising him from the dead. And not just any dead, but FOUR DAYS dead. That’s how I know we feel in so many ways. We’ve prayed and sought the Lord so many times for the same issues—dear family, beloved friends, and even personally. Our four days have turned into years, decades even. But somehow I still believe we will see the resurrection power of God in all these things, in the land of the living. I’m thankful to have been a part of your journey through all of these trials. A Mary and a Martha knowing He will come and His coming may appear to be too late, but in fact, it will be right on time, to shine His glory and to make our testimony in this earth that much more spectacular! Believing with you this beautiful morning for the miraculous days ahead. My dear Sister, I love you and appreciate you more than words. ❤️🌈🌹izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-27579354387130016822018-03-18T14:30:00.001-07:002018-03-18T14:30:11.090-07:00Faith works - For right reason & right timing<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Display"; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 21pt;">Reading in Luke this morning about how Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit while he was in the water baptism process, and then immediately led into the wilderness by Father to be tempted of the devil, which He passed with flying colors! How many times have we all been tempted to do the right thing for the wrong reason? John 5:19 says that Jesus only did what the Father led him to do. He did the right thing for the right reason in God’s perfect timing. He worshiped and served only the Lord our God. This is a great reminder that temptation can come from any direction and when we are filled with the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the devil is especially fond of tempting us to do evil by doing something good for the wrong reason. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 21pt;">Now there is another side to this equation, doing NOTHING for fear of doing something wrong. Don’t settle for just having faith! LIVE YOUR FAITH - make it active - DO something with it. It’s why you have it - not to keep but to give. Faith is an action word. James says if we have faith, we should practice it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 21pt;">Here’s the bottom line: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 21pt;">God gives you faith that is activated by God’s Holy Spirit and inspired by Him to put it into practice in His perfect timing and for the right reason. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 21pt;">Just words to ponder. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIDisplay"; font-size: 21pt;">Have a blessed day!</span></div>
izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-37088561624573586472018-02-12T09:03:00.003-08:002018-02-12T09:03:42.321-08:00CLEAR THE STAGE & CRUSH THE IDOLSI have been doing a new Bible study in my quiet time with God. It is called NO OTHER GODS by Kelly Minter. I highly recommend it. I came across the study during the week Jimmy Needham's song CLEAR THE STAGE had my attention (and it still does). I've pondering this scripture for about a week or more now: <br />
They (God's chosen people) worshipped the LORD, but they ALSO served their own gods (idols). Even while these people were worshipping the LORD, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did. They secretly did these things against the LORD their God that were not right" 2 (Kings 17:32-33, 40-41, 8-9).<br />
I remember the first time I read about Israel and idols, I thought how can they bow down to a manmade statue?<br />
But looking all around me all I can see is manmade stuff. <br />
Anything can become an idol. <br />
Even ministry, when man made and sustained, is an idol. Even my children. Even my grandchildren. When I think about them too much, even good things can become an idol. I love Jimmy Needham's lyrics that remind me that anything I can't stop thinking of, or worrying over, is an idol. I've been asking God to show me my idols because I believe all of God's chosen are capable of having them. Today I crushed one of them: Candy Crush. Deleted from my phone. The way I knew it had to be an idol was because I had been justifying why it was ok to enjoy it for 15 minutes a day. Last night on my knees I asked God show me my idols. This morning I woke up to the candy crush song and seeing candies crushing. It was pretty clear, so I crushed it from my phone. The Word says to confess our sins to one another and be healed. <br />
I'm going to continue praying this prayer. The world we do life in is worse than Sodom and Gomorrah. May God have all our hearts. Every single last part of them. I love you friends. izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-61909764965255122712017-12-07T14:58:00.002-08:002017-12-07T14:58:26.043-08:00Listen to the Voice of the LORDRead 1 Samuel 1-3 this morning.<br />
I was greatly encouraged<br />
1. That Hannah dedicated her son to the Lord to live in His house forever as God’s servant and she made this decision before he was even conceived. She “lent him to the Lord” for as long as he should live. It was a sacrifice pleasing to the LORD. <br />
2. That Samuel was raised in the House of the Lord by Eli, who was Aaron’s grandson, and yet, was not brought up to truly know the Lord! 1 Sam 3:7. A person can be in the house of the Lord daily and under the care of God’s priest and still not know God. Eli’s two sons were themselves blasphemous men who did not know God even though they served in the House of the Lord. Being in God’s house and serving Him does not equal knowing God!<br />
3. It takes a revelation and a calling from God to truly know Him. God is the one who raises us, and our children up, to know Him. It is God who calls our name and anoints us to follow Him. God told Eli: “I will raise up for Myself, a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in MY heart and in My mind, and I will build him a sure house and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever.” <br />
4. 1 Sam 3:19 “and Samuel grew and the LORD was with him, and let none of his words fall to the ground”. For when the LORD spoke to Samuel in Shiloh, “Samuel, Samuel!”, Samuel’s response was, “Speak, for Thy servant hears”! (1 Sam 3:10).<br />
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My application: I, who have the privilege of the Holy Spirit within me (The temple of the LORD), should be as Samuel, ever alert to the voice of the LORD who is speaking. I am His servant and also His friend, if I do all he commands me to do. Every morning, every evening and during the night watches, LORD train my ears to be attentive to your voice. Make me keenly aware of your instructions. Cause me to run to obey You and may the fear of man not hinder me from carrying out Your will. LORD, thank you for the great privilege of carrying Your Presence within me. May I be a priest who keeps your fire burning without going out. May I be a Wise Virgin whose lamp is constantly full of oil - at all times - and my intercession never cease. I pray that the doors to Your temple are free of participating with any “prostitutes” (1 Sam 2:22) and any vile thing that would love to lead me astray from my First Love and corrupt your name I bear. By Your grace, I take every thought captive to do Your will. May my thoughts be Your thoughts and my will be Your will in Jesus name.izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4094732996604214415.post-39634149129922562542017-10-18T21:43:00.001-07:002017-10-18T21:43:20.702-07:00Choices<br />
I have been thinking a lot about choices, lately. Everyday, I have the opportunity to make many, if not hundreds, of choices. Every choice has a consequence- good or bad. Most choices are subconsciously made, and take no extra thought or prayer. But now that I've become aware of choices, I see them literally almost every minute. They begin with the alarm clock - do I snooze or stop the alarm? Do I read a devotional or FB first? Do I wear the dress or the jeans? Do I answer that phone call now or call them back tomorrow? Do I attend the luncheon or take a walk instead? Those may seem insignificant, but what if they are life-changing for someone instead? How do my choices of action or inaction change the course of my life or another's life? And does God care? Suddenly, I think he does care. If Galatians 2:20 is TRUE, then my choices DO matter. My attitudes matter. Whether I engage or don't engage matters. Everything matters.<br />
And every choice that doesn't reflect God's love, is not an option for this child of His. I pray God continues to make me aware of the things that truly matter to His heart and that I have the courage and the strength to choose wisely instead of selfishly today.<br />
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HOW TO MAKE WISE CHOICES<br />
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SCRIPTURAL TEST 2 Timothy 3:16<br />
Has God already spoken about it in His Word?<br />
SECRECY TEST Proverbs 11:3<br />
Would it bother me if everyone knew about my choice?<br />
SURVEY TEST 1 Timothy 4:12<br />
What if everyone followed my example?<br />
SPIRITUAL TEST Galatians 1:10<br />
Am I being people-pressured or spirit-led?<br />
STUMBLING TEST Romans 14:21<br />
Could this choice cause another to stumble?<br />
SERENITY TEST Philippians 4:6-7<br />
Have I prayed and received peace about this decision?<br />
SANCTIFICATION TEST 2 Corinthians 3:18<br />
Will this keep me from growing in the character of Christ?<br />
SUPREME TEST 1 Corinthians 10:31<br />
Does this choice glorify God?<br />
Walk as children of light... and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord<br />
Ephesians 5:8, 10<br />
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<br />izonprizehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701151448373870385noreply@blogger.com0