Christianity

A Christian is simply one who follows the teaching of Yeshua (Jesus). You become a Christian recognizing your personal sins against God and accepting that Yeshua died on the cross for the remission (covering) of all sins and rose to life again on the third day. There is more to the story, but that’s the Gospel [1 Corinthians 15:1-11] and the good news to all of humanity. The Bible is important to further learn both our history and relationship with God. The Bible should be a Christian’s foundation for all beliefs.

The belief of a Christian is centered on Christ and He is the only way to the Father and eternal life (John 14:6). The Bible said that many would be offended because of Christ. He’s the Creator of this universe, He has the right to make the rules, fortunately our Creator is benevolent. The desire of a Christian is the return to the relationship with God before the fall of man, made possible by the Gospel, to reside in God’s presence. God loves all His creation and wants none of them to perish, that’s why God has a plan of redemption put into place from before the foundation of the world. But alas, He gave us all free will so it is your choice.

I recently came across this video that I highly recommend watching. It’s really an answer to the kind of questions like “why are we here,” “why didn’t God just create a perfect world” and “why does God allow evil.” Watching it summed up my beliefs from my understanding of scripture about the reasoning is behind why God planned things out the way He did and I just think it’s a great summation.

How is a Christian supposed to live?

We have rules that govern our lives, but they aren’t oppressing. They’re there to guide us away from actions that are contrary to the foundation of love and keep us close to our God, who IS love (1 John 4:4-10). They’re a reference and guidelines for our everyday life. The 10 Commandments is that guideline. Yeshua made it clear that all the laws of the prophets hang on two commandments, love God, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-40). However, keeping your life in line with the 10 Commandments will naturally bring you to a place of synchronicity with God’s heart because all those commandments hang on the concept of love. If you break the commandments, you show a lack of God’s love in you.

God said nothing He wrote can be changed and He means every word. In our quest to become more in line with God, these are a great resource. I’ve explained each commandment as best I can to show the idea that love is the foundation of all of them. If you truly claim to live by loving standards, then these should be no problem. We find everything we need for our spiritual lives in the Bible. It is our spiritual food (Luke 4:4) that teaches us God’s ways of true love and true compassion. Our faith in God comes from knowing what the Bible says, so it is an important part of being a believer to read the Bible.

Remember in all things that God loves you. He has your best interest at heart with the following.

Shadows of Love

It is my belief that just as the sacrifices throughout Israel’s history were a shadow of the sacrifice to come once and for all, so too was the Law a shadow in the physical/temporal realm - a shadow of the spiritual.

A lot of things changed when Yeshua died on the cross for the sins of the world and conquered death. One of those things was our connection to the Law. It’s not that the Law was eliminated, but as I would like to point out, the Spirit of the Law works in tandem with the Spirit of God and when the Spirit of God truly dwells within us, our actions [fruits] show forth in kind.

This speaks to the nature of the Law being given to Israel, yet by following the spirit of the Law without knowing of the Law, there were those outside of Israel that fulfilled the Law in spirit. And in Christ’s sacrifice was the true fulfillment of what was foreshadowed and by His teaching and actions a greater understanding of the purpose of the Law.

There were actually many more laws and ordinances given to Israel than just these ten and very strict guidelines were given for following them. While some promote a following of the letter of the Law, keeping the Sabbath, I believe scripture is clear that we are under grace through faith and not under the Law. This is not to say that the Law is not important or that it doesn’t mean anything, quite the contrary. By the Law we recognize sin, are convicted and see our need for salvation. Through God’s Word we’re pointed to the Messiah upon whom we put our faith by God’s Word, the seed of Abraham. And so we are heirs according to the promise. The promise to Abraham came before the Law.

I believe as a Christian it is important to understand the letter vs. the spirit of the Law, but I do not believe we are under the Law even though by the Spirit we are obedient to the spirit of it. These laws are shadows of Love. They map actions and behaviors that are contrary to God, who is Love, to point out those sins and correct those who know the Law toward a life of Love, in alignment with God's character. Approaching with the spirit of Love, these Laws are naturally fulfilled.

On that note, let’s see how the laws hang on the idea of love for God and neighbor from the 10 Commandments given to Moses.

Our God is a jealous God. Why? Because He is the ONLY God. All others are deceptions and misleading by the forces of darkness. If we have other gods before the only real and true God, we won’t be listening to Him for guidance and we will be placing ourselves under the ownership of one who has our eternal destruction in mind. God is Love and He created us to have communion with Him, not someone or something claiming to be or replace Him. Furthermore, eternal life only exists in Him so without Him there is but eternal destruction and He doesn’t want that for us. 2 Peter 3:9

Imagine you created a brilliant piece of artwork or a brilliant application. Would you not be jealous for your creation? Would you not be jealous if someone pointed to that work you put your time and energy into and claimed you didn’t really create it or they took the credit for it?

He knew us before we existed and created us because He loves us. He gave us free will though, so each person has their own choice to make that nobody can make for them. They can choose reality or vain imaginations. The real God is not going to save those who don’t recognize Him though... at their own request.

The ancients and even some today worshipped the sun, cats, and a wide variety of physical things of stone and wood. The ridiculousness of this is apparent when you understand that all the elements will be melted with a fervent heat and a new heaven and new earth will be created. 2 Peter 3:10-13 What good will come of worshipping a destructible thing as a god? Your eternal soul, God’s gift of existence to you, will exist long after those physical things are gone. The stars don’t answer back, they aren’t sentient beings. We are eternal beings, we have an eternal God who created us, and was therefore there long before us, eternally. The I AM is a statement of existence. God is outside of time, one of many dimensions of our universe, and therefore always was and always will be. He is the ultimate statement of I AM. He has given us existence and the free will to choose where to spend it, with Him or without Him. If God is Love, then I don’t want to be where He is not forever. See if you would like to be forever separated from the fruits of the Spirit. Galatians 5:19-26

Regarding the apparent generational judgement described in the middle of the passage, we can see in Deuteronomy 24:16, 2 Kings 14:6, Ezekiel 18:20 and Jeremiah 31:30 that everyone pays for their own sins. So how does this fit taking the whole council of God? I think the last part of the passage says it all, He shows mercy to those that love Him and keep His commandments, regardless of their fathers actions. This would require a humbling of the heart that would lead to forgiveness. (Leviticus 26:40-42 | Exodus 34:6-7) But for those who the fathers’ pollute the minds with hatred for God and their heart remains hard, they will grow up in it and be enemies of God.

What does it mean to take the Lord’s name in vain? Most assume it’s swearing. Examining the original Hebrew translation reveals a more accurate definition. The term “vain” is defined in the concordance as H7723. It means desolating, evil (as destructive); literally (ruin) or morally; figuratively idolatry, uselessness; false, lying, vain, vanity. This should be a good indication that it isn’t specifically swearing, but further claiming or saying things in God’s name that are contrary (lies) to His Word. This would be those who create false doctrine and claim it is God who made it. Saying they serve a God of love and issuing hate and spite. Using His name falsely for something God never intended. It has the flavor of saying something is from God when it is not. It desolates His name because consequences are always negative when we stray from God’s ways of love. I believe it is also tied to the fact that one who claims to be a Christian is taking the title of a follower of Christ. To take that title and yet live and represent those things counter to His Word is taking His name in vain. We are to be His representatives on Earth, filled with His Spirit and showing that fruit. We need to take Him seriously and some people think they’re serving God when they are serving mans’ interpretation of God or the enemy’s lies about God. Read His Word, all of it, to see what He is truly like. Love is selfless. Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. That is a good guage to examine yourself and your actions against. Who do you live for?

There are many who I feel are legalistic to this to the point of saying if the Sabbath isn’t recognized on a Saturday, then it isn’t recognized. I believe it is the principle and the recognition of why the Sabbath is observed that is important. It should be pointed out that our calendar in the West isn’t even in line with God’s calendar, nor is the Jewish nature of it recognized by many.

Even more important is to note what this rest was about, the foreshadow and fulfillment in Yeshua the Christ. One good example of foreshadowing is offered by Arnold Fruchtenbaum regarding the Passover lamb. The foreshadow directed to the people of Israel as with all the other prophecies of Christ’s coming, and the completion in Christ bringing us to rest in Him. First, let’s examine to whom the commandment for the Sabbath rest tied to Saturday was directed.

Now it may be said that being grafted onto the root and brought into the inheritance of Abraham, Galatians 3, that the legalistic following of this commandment would apply then to all Christians. However, we must also recognize that Moses came after Abraham and the promise to his seed by faith. Galatians 3:21-29 | Romans 4:1-4; 13-18 Furthermore, the freedom that came to all through Yeshua’s sacrifice for our sins.

In the study of Bible prophecy, the examination of the days, months, times, years, Sabbath, new moon and other holy days is central as many point out patterns that foreshadowed prophetic fulfillment that either was fulfilled or is yet to come to pass. However our rest is now in Christ.

This passage makes the point that the purpose of the Sabbath rest for Israel was a foreshadowing meant to be a perpetual reminder leading to the fulfillment in Christ. It is incumbent upon us who call ourselves by His title to remain in that rest, believing His Word and following His example. The life of a believer is a life of rest in Him, even if we struggle at times.

As Tony Garland pointed out in his response to this question of keeping Sabbath, “When we examine the requirements which the Jerusalem elders imposed upon Gentile believers over the issue of whether Gentile believers should be circumcised (another requirement of the law), notice that neither circumcision nor Sabbath-keeping are mentioned (Acts 15:22-29; 21:25). If there were ever a time and place to clarify that Sabbath keeping was the expected norm for believers - especially Gentile believers - this would have been the place to do so. Yet no mention is made of the Sabbath. This is highly significant! In fact, we find just the opposite, that we are free to observe or not observe various days (Colossians 2:16-17).”

My relationship with God is daily but life is daily too and we, like any intimate relationship, need that mutual focus time. We physically work to survive in this world, but spiritually our work means nothing for our salvation because that work was done once and for all. I believe the spirit behind this commandment is so for one day out of seven, He could communicate better with us as we are less distracted by the things of this world, dedicating time to grow in our relationship. As Christians, that time of rest should be spent close to God. This isn’t to say the rest of the week shouldn’t be, but I think it is good that the Sabbath, whatever day of the week may work best for you, be a time of reflection and recognition of God’s mighty design, great wisdom, and endless love for us. In my upbringing this has been Sunday, a mutual day when other believers join together to worship God with one voice and study His Word.

Clearly, the more time we choose to spend with Him as our guide, confidant, and ally, the closer we are to Him and we are observing the Sabbath daily as we rest from the world and praise Him and meditate on Him with His Word. The flesh does everything it can to keep us from that time. Just slow down and take some time with Him. Ask Him to give you greater desire. He knows your heart better than you do. 1 Chronicles 28:9

Disrespectful children seem to be a growing trend today. Of course this has always been the case, but it’s hard not to notice the trend. Interestingly, this is also another sign of the times. 2 Timothy 3:1-4

I believe it is because the love of many has grown cold. If love is completely selfless, as giving up your life for a friend (John 15:13), then growing cold would be more selfish. The more self-centered society gets, the colder our love gets. This is one of the many signs of the end in Matthew 24. Most parents love with an unconditional and selfless love. They are the ones we can trust to be looking out for our best interest. We should respect them as elders and teachers. They will teach because they love. There is trust in that relationship that is not found many other places in this world.

This should be a no-brainer. A lot of people translate this as kill, including many Bibles, but the original Hebrew is translated especially as murder H7523. There is a difference between murdering and killing. There is no justified murder. I believe the difference can be boiled down to intent. Murder is the killing of someone for selfish reasons. Anything else is either an accident, self-defense or capital punishment meant for the protection of future community members at risk because of unrepentant self-centered people.

Only a person who is thinking selfishly and without love would abandon their spouse in favor of temporary physical relationships with others. It is the fulfilling of lustful desires of the flesh. The Bible says the Spirit God gave us is at constant enmity with the flesh. Galatians 5:17 | Romans 8:5-8 Again, the commandments revolve around the idea of preserving true love. True love has nothing to do with sex. I believe Romans 13:14 speaks to dwelling on Christ to prevent desire of the lusts of the flesh. I’m not sure there’s a better lusts-of-the-flesh killer than dwelling on the Word of God. The question is, is that where your heart is really at?

Yeshua even made a point regarding this to make it clear that none are blameless in this. The standards are so high that we all fall short, but in Christ though we struggle against the flesh we are covered by His loving sacrifice for us.

Needless to say, stealing is a selfish act that takes from others for personal gain. This is contrary to love and selflessness. It is the same foundation for many of the things we are not to do, selfish focus and pride of self. If we only ever think of ourselves we won’t understand from any other perspective and we’ll live in our own little world, willing to take advantage of others to get what we want. The kicker is that all the physical stuff we could want doesn’t mean a thing in the end. One day it will all be gone, pointless and worthless. What does matter is relationship, and God’s laws, love God with all your heart and love your neighbors as yourself promote these relationships and communication with God and with each other.

What does it mean to “bear false witness?” It means to lie. Lies are manipulation tools used by selfish individuals to redirect blame to others, heap praise onto themselves or just out of spite. In this case it is more directed at something detrimental to your neighbor such as accusing them of something you know is not true. This can be to get back at them, therefore putting yourself above them in other’s eyes and your own or perhaps as a tool to gain from their loss. Galatians 5:19-21

Coveting is defined in Hebrew as delighting in, lusting after. In context to this commandment, we are not to lust after those things which aren’t our own. Why? Because if we live in the mentality of coveting our neighbor’s things, it can lead to breaking the other commandments such as not to steal, murder, or commit adultery among them. It is best to not covet anything of this world because our treasure is built up in heaven, not here on earth. Matthew 6:9-21 Again, this is all based on selfish pride. This is what God detests the most and the cause of Lucifer’s fall.

That’s really not so bad, right? When one holds to these commandments, they live happier lives with less heartache and drama. These are shadows of Love and that is the spirit of the Law. We can’t fulfill the Law perfectly, but we can love God and each other and we’ll naturally fall into line with them. And when we follow the above 10 Commandments, it shows a heart of selfless love. We will not put our own self interest above the free will of anyone around us. When we take away someone’s free will, it shows a character flaw of selfishness and pride. When following the spirit of the law to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves, we obey these laws by nature. For the Christian, it should not be about the Law, but a heart of love for God and for each other, the law becomes fulfilled.

This is why I call the 10 commandments the shadows of love. We may not notice at first the spirit of the law, but when we see that shadow it casts in the 10 commandments, convicting us, we begin to look deeper and see the purpose behind the Law, what it leads to. The fulfillment of which hang all the laws and the prophets, love. These are the things of the spirit.

When we rely on God, we aren’t so engrossed in the things of this world, the physical things, and it becomes easier and easier to stay in line with God’s commandments for us as we conform ourselves to the image of Christ. It isn’t a task, but a privilege to follow what is right and express God’s love in all things to all people. Here is what Yeshua said relating our relationship to Him as the vine and us as the branches.

That shows just how selfless true Love is. Christ was the ultimate fulfillment of that love when He gave His life to save all of ours. We all sin, Romans 3:23, but through acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice and establishment of the law, there is no condemnation as we try to live our lives in accordance to God’s Word. His grace and sacrifice is sufficient to cover our weakness, but that doesn’t mean we can go against God time and again. We live our lives according to His Word. If we love Him, we will obey Him. Our weaknesses keep our pride in check and God can really use the humble. 2 Corinthians 12:9 We are saved by faith in God’s grace Romans 4:13-25, not by legalistic holding of the law Colossians 2:16-17. A true Christian wants to be like Christ 1 Peter 2:18-25 and in so desiring, has a love for the law and for following it not to be blameless, but because of our love for God’s Word and desire to live in His ways. Thank God for Christ, His Son, who came to willingly die for the remission of our sins so that we could forever be with Him!

Here is an article by Ray Gano that speaks to today’s Christians and those who are not. We are not Christians because we say we are.

It is interesting, I was reading the following…

Romans 12:1,2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

There are several things that stick out in my mind when I read these verses.

Which is your reasonable service
Be not conformed to this world

The sad thing is, both of these items I see very little of in our churches today. We know that God came to earth in the flesh and lived a perfect life. This is so far outside our scope and ability, it is hard to understand. But more than that, God in the flesh as His only begotten son gave His life so that we might live.

That is a pretty tall order. So much so that we as mere humans do not have the ability to earn this gift, deserve this gift or ever pay this back. We are blood bought souls which the price was paid on the cross. It was a very dear price also, the life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So what is our reasonable service? Giving our all in the service of the Lord; everything we have, every breath we take, every action, every thought; everything that is what our reasonable service is. Look at what Christ gave us. But look at today’s world and worse, look at today’s Christian.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you...

Read the quick definitions of each of these quickly.

Fornicators - The Greek word is pornos {por’-nos}, from which we get “pornography”
Idolaters - The worship of idols, images, or any thing made by hands, or which is not God
Adulterers - It means to have unlawful intercourse with another’s wife or husband.
Effeminate - To make womanish; to unman; to weaken, a sissy boy.
Abusers of themselves with mankind – Sodomites one who lies with his or her own gender; an abomination unto God.
Thieves
1. One who secretly, unlawfully and feloniously takes the goods or personal property of another. The thief takes the property of another privately; the robber by open force.
2. One who seduces by false doctrine. John 10.
3. One who makes it his business to cheat and defraud; as a den of thieves. Matthew 21.
Covetous - Inordinately desirous; excessively eager to obtain and possess; directed to money or goods, avaricious.
Drunkards - One given to ebriety or an excessive used of strong liquor; a person who habitually or frequently is drunk.
Revilers - To feast with loose and clamorous merriment; to carouse; to act the bacchanalian. (feasts of Bacchus hedonism – if it feels good, do it)
Extortioners - The act of extorting; the act or practice of wresting any thing from a person by force, duress, menaces, authority, or by any undue exercise of power; illegal exaction; illegal compulsion to pay money, or to do some other act. Extortion is an offense punishable at common law.Did you catch that last part? “And such were some of you…” Some have woken up to the fact that they were living in sin and have corrected it. They realize the duty “Which is your reasonable service.”

Paul tells us in Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world…” And yet there are the many trappings that we refuse to let go of. But more than that, we are now allowing the world into our church by just slapping the word Christian on it.

Look at the definition from 1 Corinthians 6:9-11a again. Those sins are the norm in today’s churches, not the exception. Not only have we conformed to this world, we wallow in the muck and mire that the trappings of the world offers. AND YOU KNOW WHAT? WE LOVE IT TOO!!! It feels so good to wallow in the flesh.

If you are one of these partakers, it feels good now. But do you live for the Lord as is your reasonable service or do you live for Satan and wallow in the trappings of this world slapping the word “Christian” on it? Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?

Folks if you are one of these partakers of the flesh, here is what you should expect and in fact Jesus himself warned us…

Matthew 7:21-23
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Many people confuse these verses with cults like the Mormons, JWs, Moonies, ect. The problem is that these cults and false religions DO NOT call Jesus Christ Lord when the rubber meets the road.

ONLY CHRISTIANS CALL HIM LORD! So who is Christ talking to in these verses? Us… Christians. Folks, to be a Christian is a life changing event. You just don’t say some cute little prayer or check off some box and you get to heaven. Your life reflects your decision. Your reasonable service will show through. You can’t help but for it to show. If you are one of God’s children, He will have it no other way. But if you are one who has the Lord in your heart and still living in the world. Several things may happen, your life will be miserable because you are not serving him as is your reasonable service, OR… God is going to take you home. You may even face both.

If you are a Christian and you are still here breathing, then you have a duty to the Lord. That is to live a proper life with out being involved in those things mentioned in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11a as well as in other passages in scripture. You know in your heart what is and is not acceptable to the Lord, Jeremiah 31:33 states that God’s law is written on the hearts of men. So to put it bluntly, there are no excuses for “not knowing.”

Being saved by Grace is not a license to sin either. But when we look at the church today, that is just what they are doing.

Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world…

We as the church have become so conformed; there is no separation between the two. What secret sin are you living in where you have just slapped the word “CHRISTIAN” on it to justify your flesh to yourself? Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Which Kingdom will you inherit? There are only two, God’s or Satan’s? But more so… Who Do You Serve? Jesus stated the following…

John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

If you do not have Christ in your life, you will spend eternity in hell. This is a fact. It does not matter if you believe this or not, it is the truth spoken by Jesus himself. If your name is not written in the Lambs Book of Life you will go to hell for what you have not done and that is accepting Christ as your personal savior. To be placed in the Lamb’s Book of Life, you need to turn your life completely over to Him. Having “head” knowledge or “just believing in Christ” is not the same as having “heart” knowledge with Christ living in your heart. Even the “devils” believe in God.

James 2:19
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

We work hard at Prophezine to show that Bible Prophecy is coming to pass. Because of this fact, we know that the Bible is true. Since the Bible is the truth and is the inerrant word of God, there is a heaven and there is a hell. If you claim the title of “Christian” then take account of yourself this day. Many claim the title, but we read in God’s Word that the title does not get you into heaven.

Matthew 7:21-23
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Who you serve will determine where you will spend eternity. If you are not serving Christ and a true child of God, then you are serving Satan and a child of the enemy. If you are not 110% sure, then take account of yourself, your very life depends upon it.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Need for Salvation

Regarding faith, there is another aspect that must work simultaneously, that is works. If we believe, then we must also act in obedience to God’s Word. We’re not saved by our works, that is through the shed blood of Christ alone. However upon believing in our salvation by grace through the blood of Christ, His love flowing through us should translate to action.

The example given above has to do with clothing and feeding those in need. When you give something to someone with no expectation of anything in return, it is selfless.

Yeshua laid His life down for us, showing the greatest love there is - completely selfless. So expressing love to others in our actions, our “works” is an expression of our faith. Giving selflessly whether it is food, clothing, a helping hand, a listening ear, or whatever comes across our path in life; our actions express our faith in giving selflessly. Faith translates to action and if it does not, that faith is dead. I am still growing in this area myself having just recently woken up while living in this world of selfishness. Be observant in life, looking to help others. It doesn’t have to be with money, I myself have little of that, but share the Gospel. It is the most important and valuable thing a Christian has to offer because for those with ears to hear, it is the message of eternal life in the presence of God! Share the hope that is in you!

Prayer for Guidance - Healing - Revival

Daniel knew according to God’s Word that the time was coming for Israel’s promised redemption from Babylon. In approaching God in prayer, the first thing he did was to recognize the sins of Israel against God’s commandments and to repent. Notice that he included himself in the repentance for his people, recognizing that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s ways.

The book of Nehemiah begins with this petition to God for the prospering of Israel according to God’s Word. The prophet Nehemiah knew God’s promise and so approached Him in repentance, recognizing the sins committed against God by Israel, including himself. His prayer was answered according to God’s timing as it was the preparing of the way God made for Nehemiah following this prayer that began the prophecy given to Daniel before regarding the 70 weeks that began with the order to restore and rebuild the streets and walls in troubled times. Daniel 9:25

Are we gods?

In the New Age movement, and in some Christian circles, there’s the idea that we are little gods. This humanistic approach to understanding God is usually built on other belief systems than the Bible alone, which I feel addresses the question that it brings up and it goes back to deception, what we are warned of.

It was that desire to be like gods is the temptation that led to the disobedience and brought with it the curse and subsequent knowing of good and evil. Notice that doubt was introduced to what God said in order to tempt Eve. Lucifer and his followers work the same in trying to destroy faith in the Bible today. Without this knowledge there could not be sin since there was no law to transgress save one, eating of the tree. Once they did that, they gained knowledge of evil. The choice to have that knowledge opened Pandora’s box of choices and the introduction of our capability for evil as well as good.

So we are children of the most High and know good from evil, we are in this way gods subservient to the one God by acting like He does according to His Word. The following of God’s ways of selfless love are “good” while doing things contrary to this are “evil.” The key is having the spirit of God in us and acting as such.

The word “god” is is also figuratively a magistrate; Strong’s H430. So we are not gods in the all-knowing sense of course, but we are His representatives on earth acting on His behalf to share His selfless love with others as a witness to His love. We are not infallible as God is and history is evidence of man choosing evil over good continually. Death is a part of the curse of being tainted by evil after gaining the knowledge of good and evil. However it is just a blink in eternity. In eternity, we will have immortal bodies as the angels are now. It was the fall in Genesis 6:1-9 that Jude 1:6 talks about when the angels left their first estate to pollute the genetic lineage of mankind in an attempt to prevent the advent of Christ and our salvation.

The wicked always have power over the poor because they lust for control and power while the poor in spirit are taken advantage of, something I think we’re seeing that now in the world. The concept that we are gods in the sense of human might and intelligence doesn’t fit with history. Examining history shows that those men who claimed to be gods were tyrannical dictators who had no compassion for those “below” them and amassed wealth and power by which to exert control which usually brought death to the general population.

There are many New Age beliefs that center on us as our own gods, our own “Christ consciousness,” but like I said earlier when we have that attitude it tends to lean towards a selfish nature that dictates rather than an open position of love and mutual respect. This is not true in all cases, I’m sure, but you can always judge a tree by its fruits. When division, mistrust and strife are the result, the tree’s not producing the fruit of love. The heart of a man of pride is something to be cautious of, especially when a position of power that can puff up pride. What’s that saying, “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely?” We will see this happen when the antichrist declares himself God at the abomination of desolation.

The Bible says that those who are humble and loving will be rulers with Christ according to God’s ways of love. In this way we are co-rulers under His authority and so the relationship of God and man will be one of communion and not a dictatorship like all the little self-proclaimed god-men of today. It’s all about the spirit behind it. Those who are humble and give all trust and authority to God over their own desires are the children of God who will rule and reign with Him, looking out for those under their watch, not looking out for themselves. I just want to align myself more with God’s ways.

I think many Christians try to provoke each other more than to love sometimes. Pride is an issue for all of us at times in life, and pride comes before a fall. Some Christians like to compare and point fingers rather than admit they’re in the same boat. So while we may be children of God and do God’s will with the authority of Christ, we are still fallen and battling our selfish nature, made more difficult by the enemy trying to flatter us and puff us up so he can take advantage of that pride to do his will. This is why we must be aware and guard our minds with God’s Word. With great power comes great responsibility and we are told to act in accordance with God’s will, revealed in His Word not our own plans and desires to build ourselves treasures on earth.

The greatest treasure we can have in eternity is the communion with God that begins right now in prayer through to His coming and eternity while bringing the Truth to the lost so that they too will be in communion with us in heaven and not separated from God. Our treasure is not always seen here and now but comes by doing God’s will now for future benefits to all that love God. We are chosen for our love of God to be kings and priests to our God where we will rule and reign with Him, and under Him, for eternity. Until then, our job is to warn and build up those who have ears to hear with the Gospel of salvation through Yeshua the Christ. The time to put on the immortal is fast approaching and time is running out.

The importance of remaining obedient in order to “know” God

To me the fear of God is the fear of an eternity completely separated from Him. God is love. The second death is eternal life, but separated from God in all ways, which I count as no life at all. No more love, hope, peace, goodness or any of the things that bring us true joy. That frightens me to my core. It causes me to test my heart and check my ways against God’s. But the more I build my relationship with Him, the less there is fear as my desire is for His ways that naturally lead me to Him.

The straight and narrow path is the one you walk when you have a goal in mind, a destination. When you desire what is at the other destination, you don’t deviate but for obstacles that block your path. These stumbling blocks of self and worldly pleasures are meant to lure you from your path leading to the one source of salvation and the goal of the bride of Christ and our blessed hope, to meet Yeshua in the clouds at His coming. He is our focus and our goal, taking us from this world to His Father’s house with many mansions, New Jerusalem for the marriage of the Lamb. When your desire becomes Him and you understand His heart for you, the fear is more for those who reject God because they do not believe. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, the Bible.

This last one lays out the applicability of Christ’s death for the sins of those that obey Him. Christ showed that greatest love for a friend by giving up His life for His friends. He then says we are His friends IF WE DO WHATSOEVER GOD HAS COMMANDED US. That is a conditional statement. We are only His friends if we are obedient to His Word, the Bible. It shows our desire for relationship through trying to understand God according to His Word. Relationship is key and is communication, or prayer. Through this relationship, Yeshua sends the Holy Spirit to guide us and comfort us. How do we develop that relationship?

How do we “know” God? God created laws which, if followed, represent His Spirit of love, peace, joy, patience, longsuffering, goodness, gentleness, faith, meekness, and temperance. In order to truly know God, we must emulate His ways. Then we will see from His perspective and know Him deeper. Therefore, knowing God means obedience to His ways. We are called to do His Word and be like Him. The best way to do that is to read His Word, which is for us to understand the things of God.

If we know we are given understanding through the Bible and that it is our guide, we should desire to know what it is we might do that would be an offense to God. God winked at the ignorance in times past, but through Christ, we’re called to repentance. Repentance requires acknowledging sin and turning from it to God. That means we must understand what God considers sin. Personally, I want to understand how to live my life as well, and the mysteries of God. I’m going to be a king and priest ruling and reigning with Christ.

We’re also not to be ignorant about spiritual gifts. This means we must understand them and the only place that gives that information is the Bible.

This passage reveals much about speaking in tongues and prophesying as well as women in the church and letting ignorant people be.

So I encourage those who haven’t accepted Christ as their personal Savior to get alone and talk to Him. You don’t have to know what to say. Just ask Him to reveal Himself to you and enter your heart. Ask forgiveness for those sins you’ve committed against God and others. Accept Yeshua as your Lord with the intention to obey His Word even at the cost of the desires of the flesh.

Ask for a hunger for His Word, the Bible. If you truly want to get to know Him more, He will answer you. And if you truly want to understand Him more, take the time to read His Word that He has preserved over thousands of years for your eyes. He may not speak to you with a booming voice and lightning and thunder, but you will know when He does. Get quiet and listen to that still, small voice. You will know those thoughts by their alignment in scripture.

He has promised to answer John 16:23-28 if your heart is humble and right before Him, acknowledging Yeshua as God in the flesh who came to save you from eternal separation from God. Place God before all else, even family and friends. Matthew 10:32-38 Not to the point of not speaking to them, but make your allegiance to God before all. Our true brothers and sisters are those who do God’s will. Matthew 12:46-50 They will be the only ones accepting Christ, and therefore the only ones who will live in eternity with you. That is why it’s so imperative to reach out to those you love with the gospel.

The world looks on Christians as Bible thumpers. In reality, we just recognize the Truth and the danger in rejecting that Truth written in the Bible, the Gospel. That God came in the flesh and lived a perfect life to be nailed to a tree and accursed, taking all the sins of history to Himself. He rose again from the grave defeating death and gives the promise of eternal life through the sealing of the Holy Spirit. All we need to do is ask and receive and obey God’s Word.

Remember this too, that Christ didn’t come into the world to accuse us, but to cover our sins and eliminate them from our record! It is Satan that accuses us before God as with Job. It is God who sent His only Son into the world to die John 3:16 and remove our sins as far from memory as the east is from the west. Psalms 103:12 His presence also brings conflict in our lives because we live in a world of darkness. So bringing Christ into your life will bring with it some conflict with others Matthew 10:34-37 because they don’t like to hear the truth or don’t believe that it is the truth. God will take us in always, forgiving and loving us when we put our faith in Him and follow His ways written in the Bible for us.

Take Christ up on His offer, it’s free and a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe! What more is there really? Sure we need to recognize our sins, but God doesn’t care how bad they were, as long as we desire to follow Him and His way.

Lord, I may not know what to say, but you know my heart better than I do. I want to know you more and understand your ways. I ask for a greater hunger for your Word, the Bible, and that you reveal your heart to me. I accept your free gift of forgiveness for the sins I committed against you. I repent and turn from those things that separate You and I. I need You in my life and I open the door for You to enter my heart. I want to be that new creation in You even though I may not know how, I believe you will teach me and I am willing to learn from Your Word. I thank you that you would die for my sins so that I can experience eternity in your Love. Amen

The Menorah: Seven Churches in the Old Testament

In regards to the seven candlesticks, these are the menorah that was part of the inner court of the Hebrew temple.

I believe this speaks to the seven churches from the seven letters in Revelation 2-3. Chuck Missler did a great study [66/40 Audio] on the seven letters to the seven churches and I recommend greatly that you read them.

We see above an Old Testament reference to the seven churches and the two witnesses yet future in Bible prophecy.

Regarding the menorah, an interesting connection I feel is the connection with the lamp and the oil. The lamp and wick itself does not burn except it is fuelled by the oil and having the fuel produces the flame that gives light.

As Christians we are anointed with the Holy Spirit and it is the Holy Spirit that teaches and guides us through the Word of God. It was the Holy Ghost that authored the Bible through the 40 authors that wrote the 66 books. 2 Peter 1:16-21 God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Psalm 119:104,105 By knowing and obeying His Word, we communicate in prayer and have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside us all. This is the Spirit in us bringing the Word of God to remembrance so that we can be a light to the world. John 14:23-30

At Pentecost the Holy Spirit manifest as tongues of fire, which is exactly what each candle of the menorah representing the seven churches has when lit, tongues of fire. I believe the menorah is the representation of the bride of Christ. The connecting scripture to all of this is Matthew 25:1-13 regarding the kingdom of heaven, the 10 virgins and the escape of the bride to the marriage of the Lamb. For more...Perhaps the realization of the menorah and the church being taken is how the Gentiles provoke Israel to jealousy and the blinders are removed at the fullness of the Gentiles. Romans 11

Is Baptism Necessary?

Acts 2:37,38
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

So in these passages we see people asking what they have to do to accept the message Peter was preaching. Which was Jesus, read the entire second chapter. They were told to repent and be baptized, why, for the forgiveness of their sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Second scripture

Romans 6
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

So, we were buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. I agree that baptism is act of obedience but I also think the scripture teaches that it is a little more than simply identifying yourself publicly as a Christian. The entire book of Act gives example after example of people accepting Christ and being baptized.

I’ve had many discussions about the with a very wise man that happens to be my grandfather. I was asking these same type of question before I accepted the Lord many many years ago. One thing that he said that I have never forgotten stuck with me. He said, Let’s say you’re right and baptism isn’t essential to salvation. Nether one of us has any worries. Whether baptized or not we’re both going to heaven. But what if it does, are you willing to take that chance. I would suggest to read the book of Acts and Romans.

Baptism Study

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We need to repent for our sins against God’s ways. Examples of what we should and shouldn’t be like (how we sin, or transgress against God’s ways):

Christian Persecution Worldwide

This section is dedicated to tracking the increased persecution of Christians worldwide. Yeshua said we would be hated of all nations for His namesake. It is especially evident in Muslim nations and third-world nations of just how true this is today. Sometimes those of us blessed with a secure life in the United States, for now, don’t realize how blessed they are and it can lull them into a false sense of security. God is about to shake things up, so expect that this persecution that is part of the end times worldwide (even in America) will be coming soon.

To me, this means the Truth must be rooted firmly and solely in the Word because it’s easy to get caught up in the traditions of men. This is how Judaism and the Roman Catholic Church are. Modern Judaism is built on many sayings of Rabbis not found in the Old Testament. Roman Catholicism too is built on many traditions, most of which are not found in the Holy Bible. So where did they come from? In many cases, Babylonian tradition. Guard your mind with the Truth of God’s Word alone! Let the traditions of men that work for naught be cast aside for the solid foundation of the Holy Bible. Test all things to scripture.

When I say... “I am a Christian”
I’m not shouting “I’m clean livin’.”
I’m whispering “I was lost,
Now I’m found and forgiven.”

When I say... “I am a Christian”
I don’t speak of this with pride.
I’m confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... “I am a Christian”
I’m not trying to be strong.
I’m professing that I’m weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say... “I am a Christian”
I’m not bragging of success.
I’m admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... “I am a Christian”
I’m not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... “I am a Christian”
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... “I am a Christian”
I’m not holier than thou,
I’m just a simple sinner
Who received God’s good grace, somehow!

Christianity Issues

Christian Products

THE BELL
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God’s child (John 1:12)
I am Christ’s friend (John 15:15)
I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt.5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation (Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil.3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31-34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor.5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom.8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor. 1:21-22)
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28)
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God’s temple (1 Cor. 3:16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2:10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God’s co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God’s workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected (Phil. 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col. 1:14). I have been adopted as God’s child (Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know
who you are!?

“The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make His face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn His face toward you
and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26