Homosexual hires woman so he can have children from his own seed

MY OBJECTIONS:

1. I object to paying a woman to have children and then just like a supermarket, have the babies picked up after delivery.

2. I object to a man choosing a woman, based on her beauty, to impregnate her, without love, without marriage, without relationship, but just like a breeding instrument

3. God condemns the gay lifestyle and all those who say they are godly should also condemn it and object to children being raised by them.

4. I object to the NEWS AGENCIES who because of their political correctness wrote an article in a way that it seems these things are acceptable human practices for our society.

Homosexual hires woman so he can have children from his own seed

Difference between Bible Study and Worship Service

There are some Christians who would equate the two and are satisfied with a Bible Study in the home and get rid of the guilty feeling in their minds by saying secretly, "it's the same"

But in truth, it's not the same.

When the Lord was on earth, He went into the Synagogue to teach and He went into the temple to pray.  He called the gathering of the Jews outside the temple, "their synagogue" (Matt. 12:9) but He called the temple which Herod built, "My Father's house"

As the Lord built the church and gave himself for it, it is the temple of the Holy Spirit on earth.  Each New Testament church is a temple, a house of prayer.  When the congregation gathers to worship God, it is not a Bible study but a worshipful gathering of believers.

A Bible study group is profitable and needful but it must not be a substitute for worship of the whole church.

Question and Answer about Sinful Christians

I believe in Christ, I know he saved me, but I still have this struggle about lusts.

1 Peter 4:1-2  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;  (2)  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

I want to live the rest of my life in the will of God, but it seems there is a fight within me, I still have sins that I do and afterwards I am sad because I did sin.  Is this normal for a Christian?

Galatians 5:17  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

So what should I do?

Romans 6:6  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

I don't want to serve sin, but it seems some sins are too strong for me.

Ephesians 4:22-24  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  (23)  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  (24)  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

The Blessings of the Lord

The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
(Proverbs 10:22)

The blessing is not primarily material riches but always spiritual.

There are blessings of the Lord which the spiritual men enjoy and makes them rich in truth, rich in works, rich in words.

It is true that there are promises of prosperity in the Bible to the people of God, but material prosperity is promised to the nation of Israel, and most of the OLD TESTAMENT passages are about material riches for Israel, but the goal is always spiritual riches.

After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying,

Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
(Genesis 15:1)

When we consider salvation and God Himself as our riches, the greatest blessing that ever happened, more than any prosperity, then we are truly blessed.

We acknowledge that God does not stop there, He also has some material blessings to those whom He want to bless.  That is as He wills, according to His plan, when divine providence so requires.

The devil also blesses however, so how do we know?

When it is of the Lord, directly, He addeth no sorrow to it, but when from the enemy, then with riches, with material prosperity comes sorrow, you are sad that you became rich, because it came thru evil or the costs are high spiritually. Some get rich but do not have family and friends any more

God's blessings

The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
(Proverbs 10:22)

The blessing is not primarily material riches but always spiritual.

There are blessings of the Lord which the spiritual men enjoy and makes them rich in truth, rich in works, rich in words.

It is true that there are promises of prosperity in the Bible to the people of God, but material prosperity is promised to the nation of Israel, and most of the OLD TESTAMENT passages are about material riches for Israel, but the goal is always spiritual riches.

After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying,

Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
(Genesis 15:1)

When we consider salvation and God Himself as our riches, the greatest blessing that ever happened, more than any prosperity, then we are truly blessed.

We acknowledge that God does not stop there, He also has some material blessings to those whom He want to bless.  That is as He wills, according to His plan, when divine providence so requires.

The devil also blesses however, so how do we know?

When it is of the Lord, directly, He addeth no sorrow to it, but when from the enemy, then with riches, with material prosperity comes sorrow, you are sad that you became rich, because it came thru evil or the costs are high spiritually. Some get rich but do not have family and friends any more

Higher Ground Baptist Church Romblon Camp

Going to Alad Island

Approaching Alad

Kahanga-hanga sila

Senior citrizens

Pero after a long march going inland, energy pa din para magwalis

ATTITUDES AND THOUGHTS AFTER MARRIAGE

Courtship and Marriage are like Jupiter and Mars, they are worlds apart.

During courtship you have an idea of what you want your partner to be, you plan what you will be, you share things about what will make you happy together.

In Marriage, what you want is not always what you get, but you can work hard to get to that ideal place of marriage bliss.

Both of you should ask, "what am I willing to give up, to sacrifice, to contribute, to make this marriage as good as the Lord wants it to be?"

Once you or your spouse says, "what am I getting out of this relationship?  It seems I am not happy, I am not getting what is right for me" then you are working for the demise of your marriage.

You should have one income, what is his is hers and what is hers is his.

You should follow the divine order, Father over Christ over Husband over wife.

The wife should avoid saying these during arguments, "this is what my family wants" "all my friends told me, that you are treating me wrong"

The wife should defend the reputation of her husband to death, and the husband should defend the reputation of her wife to death.

Both the husband and the wife should let the Lord rule by using the word of God to convince one another about the correctness of their proposal or decision.  They should do it, knowing that both of them will give an account to God how they used the word of God in their relationship.

Both the husband and the wife should forbear, forgive, have long suffering, be kindly affectioned one to another, comfort one another, and love one another.  Whatever is good for the church as a whole should be good for the little family in microcosm. 

MORE TO FOLLOW

CHECK OFTEN

I WILL ADD AND DEVELOP THIS BLOG

A note to Christians about Allan Cayetano

Brethren and friends,

We have a task at hand, to put in power a man whom we suppose would do good and not evil in the sight of the Lord; who will be pliable to God's will.

A Presidential candidate who is winnable because he is credible, popular, has the support of a good number of our people and who is qualified to be in the highest office of the land.

We will give our wholehearted support and selfless sacrifice to his candidacy not for gain nor reward but because we believe that our country if led by someone who follows after righteousness would have a better chance for greatness. We are not deceived that our candidate can never do wrong. He still has that human nature that all of us have. The best of men who read daily the word of God and are bathed in prayer, may still be ungodly.  Only our Master, Jesus Christ is perfect.  We are persuaded however, that at least, if he commits error he will mend his ways and not call good as evil, nor call evil good.

We also trust that he will uphold the constitution, execute faithfully the laws of the republic and not follow the ways of the traditional politicians who circumvent laws by seeking loopholes, inventing schemes with deniable plausibility, and use well rewarded fall guys.

Once elected, we will require of him brutal honesty, without sacrificing national security, and if he is culpable irreparably, we expect that he will honorably give up the post.

We will work, we will donate, we will promote, we will campaign, but most of all we will pray that God may be merciful to our beloved country the Philippines that in such a time as this, the next President will be close to His heart, will be a minister of God unto national prosperity, will not bear the sword in vain toward justice against all who will sabotage and destroy our country, and an instrument of national unity and identity.

We desire that that next President would be Allan Peter Cayetano but we submit to the glorious, all wise, and perfect will of God and echo the words of our Savior, "nevertheless, not my will but thine be done"

TENT PRICES IN SAUDI ARABIA

SACO TENTS

SR 649

PLUS S+H

SR 849

PLUS S+H

SR 599

PLUS S+H

SR 429

PLUS S+H

PANDA TENTS

SR 75

PLUS S+H

SR 160

PLUS S+H

Faction mentality is not good in God's church

The members of The church of the Lord, the body of Christ tend to form many sub-groups.

There are those who are rich and they tend to mix together; the rich with the rich.
There are those who are professionals, nurses, doctors, lawyers, engineers, and they tend to form a sub-group of like-minded individuals.
There are those who are Chinese, Visayan, Ilocano, Capampangan, and they tend to join forces and help each other.
Then there are those who went to the same school, or they have the same surnames, or they belong to the same clan.

We can not avoid these groupings and sub-groupings, but when it increases schism, when there are divisions along these lines, then it is not a healthy aggrupation and therefore deserve to be disbanded immediately.

There is One church, with One Lord, One faith, One baptism, let us all be of the same mind one toward another, as we follow Christ.

Close friendships are good, even inside the church, but when it is pushed to the extreme so that when a friend is in error, then we commit the error with them, or defend or justify the mistake, that friendship is of the flesh and not of faith, and whatsoever is not of faith is SIN.

When we see a friend, a co-worker, a relative, angry; and that person is persuading us to go with him in his anger, let us look up to the LORD instead of the flesh.  If they say, let's leave this church and transfer to another church, that is the time you are to be an INDIVIDUAL and not with the group.  Judge righteously, conduct yourself in all godliness, and then make up your own mind, after much prayer.

Different kinds of giving

Stressful giving and cheerful giving

When you give believing that you are obeying and making a difference in your life and in the life of others that is cheerful giving.

When you give believing that you have to obey or else, that is stressful giving

To the kings of the earth today, from a wise king of yesteryear

Ecclesiastes 9:18 KJV

[18] Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.

This is for Obama and Putin.

For Aquino and all Kings and Rulers

Tanks, planes and missiles destroy countries because of the failure of wisdom

When wisdom is gained, war stops

But the good that wisdom brings in stopping the war

Is destroyed overnight by a lie, a betrayal of trust, a greedy heart

Don't just say it, live it

IT IS VERY EASY FOR PEOPLE TO SAY, I'M A CHRISTIAN

In order to back up your claim to Christ and all that are Christ's, try to live the life.
If you succeed then you have strong assurance, but if not ... then you are just deceiving yourself.

Isa_32:17  And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

A man who is in Christ will have two natures, and one of those two natures would be a natural tendency to be righteous.  The effect of that proclivity to righteousness is a heart at peace with God, which Isaiah describes as quietness.  The effect of having peace with God is assurance of a relationship which can not end, it is for ever.  This then goes on to a circular pattern; the more you have quietness and assurance, the more you yearn for a righteous life which gives you more peace and assurance.

Col_2:2  That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

Those who have not yet or have never received the true New Birth experience will fail and keep on failing no matter how hard they try, in this pattern of being knit with Christ and with the brethren.  Such a one will also fail to understand and appreciate the things of God.  At the time of trials, their hearts will not be comforted by Christ, but will be tempted and will tend to go away.


Heb_10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Words like this will not appear to them.  Instead of drawing near, the religious but lost will walk afar off, further and further, and their fire for the ministry will be turned to smoke.

But those who are Christ's will have a true heart in full assurance of faith.  They will have consciences sensitive to the wooing of the Spirit.

Did I just describe who you really are?

PRACTICAL GENEROSITY

GOING TO THE TEMPLE OF GOD WITH AN EMPTY HAND IS NOT GOOD!

God Himself revealed that this attitude is what He wants His children to have.

Exo_23:15  Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) 


The feast of unleavened bread is a shadow and we are done with shadows.  Surely we in the N.T. are not to celebrate Jewish feasts.

But the principle that God wants every one to go in front of Him, with something in their hands is a good principle which is not hard to do, and we can surely gladly do it.

He repeated the principle here two more times for the children of Israel:

Exo_34:20  But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou redeem him not, then shalt thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear before me empty. 

Deu_16:16  Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty: 

Again, offering an ass or a goat is past. That is not for us.
But going in with other believers to worship God with something in your hand to give away is a good practice which we can surely do.

LOOK AT THESE VERSES AND BE TAUGHT OF THE LORD:

2 Corinthians 8:14-15  But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:  (15)  As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

1. Paul used an Old Testament principle to teach a New Testament practice
2. Paul encouraged those who are in abundance to supply the needs of those who are in want

What do we do then?

Every day of worship, we are actually coming before the Lord in a special way as a congregation.  We bring our tithes, offerings, love gifts, special giving, food, acceptable service, and we can surely give something extra.

1. Let us ask our brethren and our visitors if they have something to give, if they don't have anything, then let us give them something so that NONE SHALL APPEAR BEFORE THE LORD EMPTY
2. Let us prepare our own somethings when we appear before the LORD as a congregation with gladness.
3. Each time after God's word is expounded, will be the time of bringing all these somethings in front.

What do we bring?

1Co_14:26  How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 

1 Corinthians 16:2  Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

So it is either money, goods, something that will benefit others unto edification

Who are the beneficiaries?

Whoever has a lack, that there may be equality.

How to be a fulfilled happy member of a local New Testament church

Do you want to be a happy member?
Do you want to have a fulfilling experience as a member of the body of Christ and then go on to the next life to be commended by your Master?
Do you desire to hear the words, "Well done" coming from the mouth of Jesus?

FOLLOW THE COVENANT

1. Walk together in Christian love.

2. Strive for the advancement of your church.

3. Help your church become prosperous.

4. Help your church become spiritual. 

5. Make your presence count in its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrinal efforts

6. Contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of its ministry. Be active in contributing to the expenses of the church.

7. Be a part of any relief efforts for the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.

Entrance into the Local New Testament Church

How do you become a member of BCA?

1. Believer's Baptism - Once God saves a soul, the next step of obedience is Baptism by immersion. When BCA Baptizes you through its ordained servant, after a suitable confession of faith in Christ to the satisfaction of the members, you become a member of BCA.

2. Scriptural Baptism - Another way of becoming a member of BCA is by proper baptism.  Not all Baptisms are scriptural or properly received or given.  

• If you were immersed before, even by a "Baptist" minister, but you were NOT yet in a Heavenly recognized relationship with Christ, then you were not Baptized, you just got wet.  You have to sumit yourself to proper scriptural baptism before BCA can consider you as a member.
• 
  
• If you were baptized as a baby (paedobaptism) then that is just ritualism, not scriptural baptism. You have to sumit yourself to proper scriptural baptism before BCA can consider you as a member.
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• If you submitted to an ordinance in your old church, and they call it baptism, but what they actually did was to pour or sprinkle water to you, that is not baptism.  You have to sumit yourself to proper scriptural baptism before BCA can consider you as a member.

3. By means of Letter of Transfer - If you come from a church in our fellowship, which we know, were sent out by a previous existing church, preaching the right doctrine and practice, who rejects the transfer of brethren with alien baptism, then we will simply require a letter from your previous church that you are in good standing.

In proposing this strict understanding of Baptism, we are not saying that we are the only people who are saved by grace nor are we saying that only BCA has the proper authority to Baptize people.  Many of the Lord's churches are in our fellowship and some are unknown to us.  That is why we are careful to examine whatever is presented to us before we make a judgment of rejection or acceptance of someone's authority.  We further recognize that we are liable to commit mistakes regarding these matters for we are but humans.  May the Lord God guide us always by the understanding of the Spirit in reading and following the Holy Scriptures.

An Authorized Bible Study of BCA

We encourage all of our members to start a Bible study any place where the Lord leads them where God opens the door.

Acts 16:6-9  Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,  (7)  After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.  (8)  And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.  (9)  And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

We can see that preachers go by the authority given to them by the church who sent them (in this case Antioch), and as they go where their own hearts decide, the Holy Spirit either opens or closes the door.

What we see as a pattern here is:

Sending Authority to go --> Ordained preacher goes anywhere his heart desires 

---> The Holy Spirit opens the door or closes the door ---> God gives conviction to the hearers or allows persecution  ---> God saves people  ---> Church baptizes people thru the ordained sent preacher  ----> they are formed into a church

Another way that God authorized the start of the work is found here:

Acts 11:19-22  Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.  (20)  And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.  (21)  And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.  (22)  Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

Members of the church in good standing are scattered ---> Preachers are scattered together with these members obeying the Great Comission ---> They travelled and preached the word ---> God opened the door and many believed Christ  ---> They reported the matter to their Mother Church  ---> their mother church sent representatives to them to confirm the believers and the work of God.

A soulwinning effort can be done anywhere anytime by any member of the church with or without previous approval of his church.  It is always a standing order from the Lord himself to all believers with the approval of the Holy Spirit that we should live our faith and talk about our faith. At this stage we are waiting for the Lord's will whether people will believe Christ on that place.  Once that happens, it is reported to the church and the church officially recognizes it.

An official regular bible study is a preaching point of the church.  It is an effort of the church where a preacher is sent by the church, he goes, others invite, others welcome the invited into the place, the others who stayed behind support in prayer and finances.  At this stage, we confirm that the Lord has already opened the door to that place and are just waiting for more to be added.

We then organize the Bible study into a mission which is a church in prospect

NIV 2011 Quiboloy's bible

KJB. Romans 1:4  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

That is what God's word said.

Interpretations of this word "declared" can be seen in other explanations or paraphrases of the Bible

Romans 1:3  This good news is about his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ! As a human, he was from the family of David. But the Holy Spirit proved that Jesus is the powerful Son of God, because he was raised from death.  (CEV)

(CEB) He was publicly identified as God’s Son with power through his resurrection from the dead, which was based on the Spirit of holiness. This Son is Jesus Christ our Lord.

(CJB)  he was powerfully demonstrated to be Son of God spiritually, set apart by his having been resurrected from the dead; he is Yeshua the Messiah, our Lord.

BUT WHAT DOES THE NIV 2011 say?

"and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord."

That could mean, he was not the Son of God before but because he was raised from the dead, then God appointed him to be the Son of God.

It could also mean others can become APPOINTED SON OF GOD by prevailing over the serpent seed, just like the BLASPHEMY of what False prophet Quiboloy teaches.

Must the word "repentance" be mentioned and must the unsaved say the word, "I repent of my sins" to be saved?

God saves whom He wants to save.


In His time
No matter who is delivering the message

But God uses the gospel, the word of God, to convict the soul.

Repentance is the fruit of the work of Holy Spirit conviction
Whether it was emphasized or not, whether it is noticed as repentance or not, the change of mind, is there, and therefore repentance is there and conversion is effected by God as God saves the soul.

Matthew 18:3  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

David's heart smote him, has your heart ever smitten you?

THE HEART OF DAVID

INTRODUCTION:
When we say heart, we do not talk about physical blood pump.  Heart means the center of the soul, that which deals with the thoughts and intents.

We were born with a deceitful heart

Only a regenerated heart can please God

An example of a regenerated heart is DAVID

2 Samuel 24:10  And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.

DAVID’S HEART.

Another passage  about David’s smitten heart is

1 Samuel 24:5  And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.

A pattern emerges.

1. David’s heart was always smiting him.

2. He knew that it was dirty, and he wants a clean heart

Psalms 51:10  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

3. He knew he could not clean his heart, so he appeals to God

Because of this, we see the commendations of God to David

1Ki_3:14, 1Ki_11:33-38, 1Ki_15:5; 2Ch_17:3, 2Ch_28:1; Act_13:22

This is of more value than OLYMPIC crowns, more than all prosperity

Let’s go back to our text:

2 Samuel 24:10  And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people.

But how did God produce that smitten heart inside David?

2 Samuel 24:11-14  - God used a prophet, a preacher, a seer, a messenger to deliver God’s message

1. Regenerated hearts have smitten hearts
2. Regenerated hearts want to be clean
3. God uses men and ministries to smite His people’s hearts

Question:  Who or what does God use to smite your heart today?

If you are one of God’s children, you would have a smitten heart, that wants to be clean, and God will send you his pleasure and displeasure through other people.  God was already talking directly to David and yet God still used a man of God.

I HOPE THAT TODAY, WE GOT A MESSAGE THAT SMOTE OUR HEARTS

IS GOD STILL SPEAKING TO YOUR HEART?

IS HE STILL SMITING YOUR HEART?

WHAT IS HE CONVICTING YOU ABOUT?

V. 24 – one conviction of David that not many will think about is this:

Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing

People may be giving away things for you to take, and it is not sin, BUT DAVID’S HEART is so different …

It is not good to serve God without cost

Not everything offered freely should be taken without cost

Eternal Life before Death

ETERNAL LIFE begins when a person is in Christ and Christ is in him.

Joh_3:36  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Joh_5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Joh_6:47  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

The word "HATH" is equivalent to "has" which means present possession.  If it were a promise, the statements should have been;

Joh_3:36  He that believeth on the Son WILL HAVE everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Joh_5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, WILL HAVE everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Joh_6:47  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me WILL HAVE everlasting life.

Another very important affirmation from our Lord is this :

Joh_11:26  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

If we believe this, if we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, that means death is no more so fearful because the Second Death has no power over us.  It also means that LIFE with Christ continues after death.  Finally, it means Eternal Life is Christ and the Father.

Joh_17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

The knowledge of the Father and the Son means Eternal Life has begun in that person.

When someone criticizes you, how do you take it?

People react angrily when they are criticized.  Rightly or wrongly, people reject people who confront them with their errors.

But David has a different heart.  When a prophet of God or a righteous person confront him of the error of his way, he says:

Psalms 141:5  Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.

As a king, he has the power to have any criticism stopped, even by the death of those who dare insult the king.  The security of the state relies on the confidence of the people that their leader is doing that which is right.

But David's heart is easily smitten.

When people give you a bad assessment, do you consider that it might be from the Lord, that it might be a blessing that you were criticized instead of praised?

Is it right for the church to ask non-members to help and yet not include them in decision making?

The Family is the basic unit of society.
It is also the basic unit of the New Testament church.

The church is like a family in many aspects.  We say that a family has members, and the church has members too.  We say that a family has a human head and so does the church.  We say that a family has to provide for itself, love all who are within primarily, and each member must be ready to sacrifice for it.

In the family's effort to survive, to thrive, and to prosper, it sometimes seeks the help of people outside who are sympathetic to their cause.  There are neighbors who help, relatives, friends, loved ones, acquaintances, co-workers, and sometimes even the passers by who empathize.

All of these help given, whether solicited or unsolicited, does not empower the giver who is outside the family unit to interfere in their decisions.  As long as the unit is functional, as long as it is standing up as a unit, we dare not impose our own better judgments on their inner circle of trust.  If advice is sought from us, then we gladly help further, but not until.

And so the church itself is best left alone by those who might be willing to help some more with their precious invaluable advice unless it is sought out and welcomed by the members of the church themselves.

Studies on the effectual call

How do wolves change rivers?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa5OBhXz-Q
In this video we find that nature does big things with the indirect small human interference.

God in the salvation of His elect introduced a small unnoticed event which leads a sinner to the foot of Christ.

In each step, it is God at work.  God alone is to be given credit in any man's salvation. Yet God is pleased that in each step He uses natural things, small things, weak things, human things, to bring salvation.  And yet, we can never say that man has to cooperate or God can not save.  God does not wait for any decision of a man before he can save that man.  God does not leave anything to chance, he knows what he is doing perfectly.  God is never defeated but is always succesful, He never fails. God will do as He please and none can stay His hand.

And yet, we find that when a man decides to come to Christ, it was from his heart and it was not forced upon his will.  It is not hypnosis, or suspension of volition, or overpowering of the cognitive functions.  It is totally a human personal decision.  

Can disciplined members just transfer membership and then continue worshiping God faithfully in the new church?

ANSWER IS NO.

Transferring does not solve the offense against brothers whom you ought to love if you are a Christian.

Other churches who accept disciplined members who do not forgive, continue the rebellion against their old church, prove themselves unworthy to be called a church of the Lord.

Those who are in continuous hatred and rebellion forfeit their right to worship

Matthew 5:23-24  Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;  (24)  Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

If someone is angry with you, you asked forgiveness, and the other side would not want to give it, then you are already right with God, while still seeking reconciliation.  But now the other party bears the sin.

Matthew 6:15  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Little prayers become big prayers

When a person is starting in his walk with God, usually he utters ignorant prayers, foolish prayers, wrong prayers, little prayers, and like a child, sometimes he asks his father for the right things sometimes.

But a good father is always ready to grant things that his power, sense of right, and quest for developing his child would bring forth.

We have a heavenly Father who is delighted with the prayers of the saints like incense smoke ascending from the priest's cup to His throne.

We can start small.
We can think of small things to ask, even ignorant things that we don't know if it is proper to ask for it or not.  Just ask.  He knows your limitations.

As time goes by, small things become big.  The habit of praying for everything becomes a delight to do and it is always your attitude and your mouth is filled with praise.

Big prayers will surely come but we need to take that small step one at a time.

Struggle?

You will always struggle

But you will prevail

Sinful Nature does not want it

Little sins become big sins

I saw friend post a song. It was a good song. But it was a youtube video with lots of pictures of what is supposed to be "christ"

I told him in private:

"usually, i stay away from promoting films, powerpoint presentations, with pictures, portraying Christ"

He asked: "So what's wrong with it!"

I said: "I think it could lead to a slide into using it more often, until it is often used, and become normally displayed.  I remember, may dvbs class sa dati kong church, at yong mga bata, inuwi yong mga drawings,  illustrations ng mga teacher, tapos nilagay sa ALTAR nila tinirikan ng kandila"

My point in this BLOG is, little non-sins, become little sins, and then little sins become big sins.

Even little things like a look, a comment, become a flirt, and then a flirt becomes a date, and a date becomes a tryst, and a tryst becomes an illicit relationship.

DO YOU HAVE REGULAR CHECK UP?

REGULAR CHECK UP

Doctors advice that even those who think they are healthy must seek regular health check up. Dentists advice the same. Auto mechanics and Tax professionals say the same thing. Electricians must also inspect regularly to prevent fire.

What about your spiritual health?

Who do you go to to have a regular check up?

For sure it is a fool who does the regular physical check up himself because he is not qualified, he is not trained, and he does not have the tools.

The Lord has equipped the church by giving spiritual gifts to some in the church to do these check ups. Go and have your SPIRITUAL CHECK UP soon

FAITH AND SALVATION

Man has no part in bringing forth his salvation.

Everything is from God and for God's glory.

The new birth is from God
faith is from God
repentance is from God
conversion is from God
justification is an act of God atonement is by Christ to satisfy the justice of the Father

FAITH is a gift, it is the grace of faith before regeneration no man can believe, after regeneration he has power to believe,
depravity is defeated once a man is able to believe, when the gospel is preached he believes the gospel, obeys the gospel, and comes to Christ, calls upon the name of the Lord, God justifies, gives him righteousness of Christ, forgives him of all sins past, present and future all of these are received by FAITH, and not by sight we trust, that all of these are acquired by Christ, in spite of our sins, while we were yet sinners

exchange about SOLA FIDE

Romans 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Ano ang relationship ng dalawang verses na ito, EPH 2:8-9 AT ROM 4:16.

I think the two verses have very close affinity. It is of faith, that it might be by grace

by grace are ye saved through faith  ----  The common Jewish understanding is, the promise will come through the law

Their faith was on the law, on following the law, on their own works
But here it is clarified, salvation is not by the works of the law, you can not work enough to get saved

Salvation is given freely by grace, and even that grace does not come to man through any law that should first be followed, but it comes invisibly, by faith alone, without any mixture of works, rituals, ceremonies, obedience to rules.

Just like Abraham. When he believed God, he just knew in his heart, that what God was saying will come true. Because God placed the belief there in Abraham's heart, and righteousness was reckoned by God as part of Abraham's person, based on the merits of the work of Christ who will die in the future.

 WHICH CAME FIRST, JUSTIFICATION OR FAITH?

 Rom_4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Ano daw ang nauna, belief or counting unto righteousness (justification)?

Rom_5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Ano daw ang ibig sabihin nang salitang BY,

Let us give an example: the accused was proven innocent by the testimony of a witness

The olympian justified his travel to Sochi by winning the gold

Was Abraham UNJUST prior to Gen 15v6?

Of course I believe that Abraham started believing God from the very beginning of God's revelation to Abraham in Gen. 12. And that Gen. 15:6 and Rom 4:3 refers to God's act of bringing alien, imputed, righteousness to a man. But still, we must maintain that the scriptures teach a sequence of events.

God reveals himself, God gives the faith to Abraham, then Abraham believes God, then God imputes the righteousness of Christ to Abraham.

 So we are justified by faith, and faith alone, SOLA FIDE SOLA FIDE is correct, because the BIBLE teaches it. SOLA FIDE is wrong when men misinterpret the bible's teaching about FAITH alone.

The difficulty of being saved

1 Peter 4:18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

Not all who we think are good people will be saved
Not all who say they are Christians will be saved
Not all who are worshiping regularly in a group will be saved

Not all who are members of a church will be saved

Not all who are members in a strict and true church will be saved

Therefore judge

Judgment must begin at the house of God

You must get the new birth right and faith on the Lord right or be damned

But no one can get it right by his own will power and effort

Only God can produce that rightness of faith

But the basis of salvation is not man's rightness of faith or his own personal righteousness, but the faith which is of Christ and the righteousness imputed to the sinner which is alien to the sinner

TESTIMONY OF SALVATION

A friend asked:  "How did you come to where you are now instead of remaining in the Roman Catholic Church?"

My answer:
I was a serious Catholic.
I went to confess my sins to a priest and every time I sensed that I have sinned, there was a burden in my heart, and my conscience alerted me that I had a blackened heart, and there is an awareness of danger that if ever I would die, I might be thrown into hell.  So I would hurry to the next chance to confess my sins.

One day, I was so tired, timid, ashamed of going to confession that led me into thinking, "There must be a better way"

I even prayed to an image of Jesus, and I said, "Please help me know how all my sins will be forgiven and be sure that I will go to heaven when I die."

One day, someone approached me, telling me that all my sins can be forgiven, past, present and future, if I would just receive Christ into my heart because although I know Christ, He was outside my life.

That illustration stuck in my mind.

After many years, I was alone in my room, and I took Christ at His word.  I told him "Lord, if I have never truly received you before, now I am making it firm, please come to my heart and be my Savior"  From that moment, I knew that Christ truly came.  I look around and observed the room if there will be some light or sound that will show me that Christ was with me, but nothing of that sort happened.  So I just told myself, even if no physical thing happened, Christ is in the Spirit and I know He is now in my heart.

I have always loved reading books, but this time reading the Bible was different because it talked to me as if I was being personally instructed and I can relate the experiences written there.  Then I was immersed by Pastor Abante Sr. and since then I always visited his library.  I read the books of John Rice, Charles Spurgeon, and the booklets of Leroy Shelton.  Somehow, the books of Spurgeon made sense to me although it was in hard English.  It was on those books that I learned how Christ was sent of the Father according to the scriptures, they showed me how Jesus, as the only begotten Son of God died for me as my substitute to cover all my sins with His blood.

Because all of those teachings were in Scriptures, I readily understood them and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as my substitute.

Another preacher came and told me that I am not saved by the sinner's prayer, but by the sacrifice of Christ alone, and I believed that, because it is in scripture.

Another preacher and another book explained to me some more about how I have no part in my salvation, but God planned it before the foundation of the world.  And so I give glory to God all the more because He chose me to be saved.

SOUL WINNING EXPERIENCE

LAST FRIDAY

I asked a Catholic how he deals with criticism of the Black Nazarene. He said, "it hurts him personally"

Then I showed him a verse from scripture.  Exodus 20:4-5

I asked him if he understood the verse. Then I asked him if he would follow God's instructions to him, God being his creator and he is only a creature.

He reasoned, "But, isn't it also good to follow where you have been brought up, the traditions of your community and family, which does not hurt anyone?"

Then I asked him again if he understood that it was God himself speaking in that passage.  He said "Yes"

So I said, "Now you are telling me or you are thinking, that both can be true, even if they are contrary to each other?  Isn't that not reasonable?  God says don't make, don't bow, don't serve; and traditions and family says, it is ok and good, so let us make, let us bow, let us serve"

Now you have to make to make a choice.  Will you follow the truth?  Will you follow God's command?  Or, will you follow your own understanding, religion, and family tradition?

If you follow your own way, your family, your tradition, then you are free to do it, but you must also know, that God said the opposite of what you want to do.

But more than this issue, Christ died on the cross for sinners, and you are a sinner. John 3:16 tells us - Christ is the only way you can have eternal life, forgiveness of sins, and to enjoy God forever. You must trust Christ alone and turn away from trusting all other names and things in your life.

Do you understand this?