The Cave

Modern-Day Noah's Ark

2011-06-24T08:41:00.000-04:00

Q&A With Ligonier Ministries

2011-05-21T21:49:00.000-04:00

Hey folks, this is a wonderful ministry that has blessed me in a fantastic way.

"Iranium" The Movie

2011-02-08T20:46:00.000-05:00

A must see video on the the Fascist state of Iran and it's real plan for it's nuclear program.

Ball of Confusion

2010-08-18T22:18:00.002-04:00

The Temptations had a hit song in 1970 called “Ball of confusion”, and it dealt with the issues of that day, but no more is this phrase more apropos then when we’re dealing with today’s issue of sexuality.

Read today’s headlines and follow up on reality television stars through the regular gossip magazines and you’ll find these stories of homosexual, bisexual, transgender couples who are all the rave, because people have to know. This push is geared to make us more “tolerant” and accepting to alternative lifestyles. Although, the tolerance is there and more people are comfortable “coming out” without fear, we still have to be forced to accept these lifestyles.

Take pregnant man Thomas Beatie who is on “his” third, count them, yes, third pregnancy. This pregnant man is clearly not a man, but a woman who surgically became a man, while keeping her reproductive organs to be able to conceive and bear children. Congratulations Mr. Beatie for giving us such a convoluted story to confuse us.
http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2010/08/exclusive-pregnant-man-thomas-beatie-gives-birth-third-child

Another example is Sara Gilbert of Roseanne sitcom fame who came out as a lesbian with her partner of eight years who have two children between them. How? Great question. Regardless, Gilbert gave birth to her child and her partner gave birth to her child. Get it? I’m not a doctor or anything, but that means that there is one paternal parent for each child where only one “parent” partook in the creation. Making the other mommy or ………… I can’t figure it out.
http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/07/30/roseanne-star-sara-gilbert-officially-comes-out/

Nothing can be more confusing than following Proposition 8 in California voted down not once, but twice by the people of California, and overturned not once, you’re right, twice by activist judges. Our latest in this case is now when the actual ceremonies can begin. First, you can get married. Then, you can’t get married. Now, you can get married, but just not yet. Oh no, you can’t get married until the appeal is rung in a verdict.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/california-gay-marriage-ruling-due-appeal-expected/story?id=11322255

By now you head should be spinning counter clockwise as the writer’s, but have no fear. We’re not supposed to understand it. Yet, in all these stories we see a sad thing in all this. There is no longer a confusion, but rather a “norm” developing in seeing all these “hybrid families” today.

One thing is for sure. It’s going to keep on happening whether we like it or not, but the best part is, we still don’t have to like it.

Planned Parenthood the real evil corporation

2010-07-21T09:36:00.000-04:00

In Washington the liberals rally their base by demonizing big business, and by doing so, create a class warfare. After all, according to Barak Obama, businesses have stolen money from the rightful owners and have gained their profit by deceit, and ill-gotten gains.

But in reality, there is one corporation whose bedrock is deceit and business is booming, especially now in Pennsylvania where they are tax-funded and overseen by the government themselves. Planned parenthood.

The name gives off a sense of choice and of gathered information and aide, but in reality, the business is in it for blood. It’s regard for patients is non-existent, and it’s goal is maximize their clients by providing abortions with lies.

Planned Parenthood and liberals will tell you that they are pro-choice, but in fact, they are pro-abortion. Here are two videos on the deception in which this evil corporation conducts business on a daily basis.

Choose for you this day

2010-07-20T16:30:00.001-04:00

choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve
Josh 24:15 (NKJV)

The declaration for Joshua was an easy choice. He had seen first hand the miracles of God and he encourages the Israelites to make their choice as well. The Israelites were faltering on who God really was, and were constantly at odds with their Egyptian influence. Elijah had the same comment to make:

21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him."
1 Kings 18:21 (NKJV)

Seems easy to figure out what side to choose. Right?

While most teach that Jesus, during His fast in the wilderness, combated the devil using scripture, and that victory could be achieved in our lives by committing verses to memory and using these scriptures during temptation and sin, I see it another way.(Matt. 4:1-11; Lk. 4:1-12) What was Jesus really doing? Was Jesus repeating verses because that would throw the devil in a tailspin to which he could never recover? Clearly not, for we see the devil using scripture as well to tempt Jesus. The devil knows scripture. After all, did he not ask Eve “did God really say…”

What I believe Jesus was doing was, among many things, was declaring His loyalty to the Father. Planting His flag if you will. No temptation can interfere with your loyalty to something or someone.

So, if deciding for Jesus is something we have done then why do we, as Elijah puts it, falter between two opinions? Either God is all satisfying or He’s not. Either He is to be trusted, or He’s not. Can He be the God who supplies all you needs or can He not?

In no way do I perceive myself as righteous or even Pharisaical. I too “falter”. The question is rhetorical in a sense, but I can’t help to notice my own meandering.

Today I choose this day whom I will serve. The Lord. How about you?

The Perfect Bride

2010-07-16T16:18:00.000-04:00

What do Rebecca, Rachel, and the Samaritan woman have in common?
All three met at the well.

In (Gen. 24:12-20) is a brief summary of Rebecca at the well. A servant of Abraham was sent out to find a wife for Isaac, and God appoints a woman for Isaac at the well.
We notice also that Rebecca gave all ten camels water to drink until they were all full. (How much water can a camel hold?) She was an unselfish servant.

In (Gen. 29:6-12) is another brief summary of Rachel’s meeting at the well. God also appointed for Jacob to meet his bride there. She was a shepherdess.

The picture of these two women is similar, where the women are proven by their actions.

In scripture Jesus refers to His Spirit as “the Living waters”

In (John 4:1-26) The Samaritan woman has an encounter with her Messiah at the well. This time the woman was an unfaithful woman with five ex-husbands, and one the one she was with was not her husband.

These three women came to meet the men of their dreams at a well. The question posed here is Women where are you meeting the “man of your dreams”? Men: where are you meeting the “woman of your dreams”? Are you meeting them at the well (Jesus)? If not, you are missing out on the blessing of having Jesus Christ as your cornerstone and foundation.

Jesus Christ offensive?………. Absolutely

2010-07-10T20:27:00.001-04:00

A North Carolina pastor was removed from the House of Representatives for invoking the name of Jesus at the end of a prayer at the capitol. He had been invited for an entire week to pray and the pastor would not omit the name of the Lord in his prayer. Good for him. We need more of that. Needles to say, he did not remain the entire week.

“I was fired” said Pastor Ron Baity from Berean Baptist Church in Winston-Salem,
http://radio.foxnews.com/2010/07/09/pastor-banished-from-capitol-over-jesus-prayer/#axzz0tC1H0IWD

The reason for his dismissal was simply that some people would be offended. Begging the question; Is Jesus offensive?

The Prince of Peace, the Lamb of God, our Deliverer, our Salvation; those names don’t seem fit for someone so offensive. After all, they are the names of the God-Man who taught us to “love our enemies” and to do “good to those who hate you”. How can such a meek, and humble man filled with compassion be so offensive to some and beautiful to others?

7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone," 8 and "A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
1 Peter 2:7-8 (NKJV)

A cornerstone or a foundation stone is the first stone laid in construction. From the first all other stones will be set according to the cornerstone. Jesus is the cornerstone for those of us who follow, but to those who reject the “foundation” it will only be a stone they stumble on. It’s already been set, therefore, the stone has become an irritation or an offense.

16 Therefore thus says the Lord God: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.
Isaiah 28:16 (NKJV)

Jesus while speaking to Nicodemus tells him; 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."
John 3:19-21 (NKJV)

Jesus Christ is the cornerstone and the light, and those who are disobedient, and evil hate all that He is. What is Jesus? Accountability. Accountability becomes a nuisance to those who practice evil and to those who are perishing. Not my words. The Bibles.

15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life
2 Cor 2:15-16 (NKJV)

If Jesus offends you, take time to ask yourself why. He loves you, and He died for you to prove it.

7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you will hear His voice, 8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
Heb 3:7-8 (NKJV)

G.K. Chesterton debates Clarence Darrow

2010-07-09T13:53:00.000-04:00

The great G.K. Chesterton, Catholic Apologist, philosopher, and king of common sense.

It's been 90 years since this debate (which is an obviuos re-enactment)and we still fight the same idealogy from evolutionists and the dreaded ACLU.

Thank God for the minds of Chesterton, and C.S. Lewis.

The Convction of Conscience

2010-07-06T16:58:00.003-04:00

"Again, conscience is too often like an alarm clock, which awakens and arouses at first, but after a time the man becomes used to it, and it loses its effect. Conscience can be smothered. I think we make a mistake in not preaching more to the conscience."-D.L. Moody

What Moody was referring too, was exactly what C.S. Lewis commented on in “Mere Christianity” Where there are certain “laws” that man is subject to i.e. “gravity’, but there is one “law” that man can disobey…. The law of Right and Wrong.

Moody spoke about the desensitization of the conviction of our conscience in the illustration of the alarm clock. Lewis spoke in the same terms in which we are able to defy this “law of human nature” in which he states “the human idea of decent behavior was obvious to everyone”.

Of course, since we are a sinful and fallen creation, there is much to talk about in dealing with conviction of our conscience and sin.

In other words, it’s time to get a louder alarm clock. Instead of being specific and using one issue and illustration, I decided to leave it up to the Word of God to speak to your heart.

This word “conscience’ simply means; the inner judge of moral issues.

Paul found it very important in living the Christian life.
(Acts 23:1) “then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”

(Acts 24:16) “this being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and man”.

Peter also found it important to mention that he mentions it three times in his first epistle.

Having a “clear and clean conscience” speaks volumes to the inner person. Especially, in Peter’s epistle where suffering unjustly and with a good conscience is not only commendable, but brings your accusers to shame.

It is the choice. To make the right decisions to keep your life and your mind holy before God.
The following are passages that deal with a clear conscience;

A. it is necessary for; Freedom from dead works (Heb. 9:13,14) “to serve the living God”
Access to God (Heb.10:21,22) “draw near with a true heart”
Liberty in witnessing (1Pet.3:15,16) “defamers be ashamed”
Christian love (1Tim.1:5) “pure heart and sincere faith”
Confidence in prayer (!John 3:21,22) “if our hearts have not condemned us”

Conscience also acts as an accuser.
(John 8:9) “ but those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one”
This is referring to the woman caught in adultery.

But, conscience is fallible. Paul says in (Acts 26:9) “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth”
And, (Prov. 16:25)” There is a way that seems right to a man, But it’s end is the way of death.”

"Conscience is "a divinely implanted faculty in man, telling him that he ought to do right." Someone has said that it was born when Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit, when their eyes were opened and they "knew good and evil." It passes judgment, without being invited, upon our thoughts, words, and actions, approving or condemning according as it judges them to be right or wrong. A man cannot violate his conscience without being self-condemned.

But conscience is not a safe guide, because very often it will not tell you a thing is wrong until you have done it. It needs illuminating by God because it partakes of our fallen nature. Many a person does things that are wrong without being condemned by conscience. Paul said: "I verily thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth." Conscience itself needs to be educated." D.L. Moody

Cultivating the love of God and meditating on His word delivers us from an error of our conscience that we have justified within our hearts. The Bible clearly states; “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?” But God in His infinite mercy and grace and holiness says in the next verse; “I, the Lord search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doing.”

As the psalmist says in 139:23,24
“Search me O God, and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wickedness in me, and lead me into the way everlasting”.

We have dealt with the conscience of the believer. It is absolutely necessary to have a clean and clear conscience before man and God. Without it our Christian life would be nothing more than a status symbol or an association we subscribe too. The dying world also has a conscience given by God.

(Rom. 2:14,15) “for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the written law in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves thoughts accusing or else excusing them”.

Meaning that our conscience are subject to others also. (1Cor. 10:28,29)

But it also means, that they can excuse themselves by using their own justifiable reasoning.
(Titus 1:15) says “ To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.”

3EZWBBA7WRH2

The disintegration of our Inalienable rights

2010-07-01T16:31:00.002-04:00

Inalienable:
impossible to take away: not able to be transferred or taken away, e.g. because of being protected by law

Elena Kagan’s comment about the Declaration of Independence is not new and we should not be surprised. There has always been an attempt to try to circumvent our Human rights by progressive fascists. Get rid of God and there will no longer be inalienable rights.

If God gave us the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit happiness, who then can take it away? But if there is no God, then anyone can take it away. Much like how liberals have declared owning a home was a human right, and more recently, healthcare. If the government can declare a human right and ignorant people agree, well then, the government calls the shots.

If you notice Elena Kagan continues to regurgitate the phrase, “ I would act on the basis of law” . There once was a country who acted on the “basis of law” , and morally they were wrong. But the laws of their country protected them. Until Nuremberg 1945 where they were charged with;

Count 1. Conspiracy
Count 2. Crimes against peace
Count 3. War crimes
Count 4. Crimes against Humanity
Nazi Germany.
http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/nuremberg/nuremberg.htm

Adolf Hitler used the constitution of Germany to ultimately change it. Heaven help us if fall into the same trap.

Remember, they’re already attacking Jews and Christians.

Rev 12:13-17 (NKJV)
13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Rev 12:13-17 (NKJV)

The refute of John Martignoni “Questions Protestants can’t answer”

2010-06-29T21:22:00.002-04:00

A recent post was put up by celledoor.blogspot.com with a video by a Catholic “apologist” by the name of John Martignoni. In the video Martignoni presented his case with the preface of “Questions protestants can’t answer”.

“These are questions that I believe protestants can’t give a logically consistent, scripturally consistent, and theologically consistent answer to.” says Martignoni.

The question?

Is a dead body, really a body?

His scripture reference is James 2:26 “ For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

Martignoni’s argument is against the evangelical belief of salvation by faith alone. Mr. Martignoni’s concludes that the theology of salvation by faith alone is dead faith. Basically referring to evangelical Christians as having dead faith.

Let’s look at this theology of salvation by faith alone with the attempt at being scripturally consistent to indulge Mr. Martignoni.

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Eph 2:8-9 (NKJV)

Clearly it states that by grace through faith, and not of ourselves. Meaning, there is absolutely nothing that we can do to achieve salvation but by God’s grace. Not enough?

who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
2 Tim 1:9 (NKJV) Again, not according to our works. More?

5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit
Titus 3:5 (NKJV) Not by works. Still not enough?

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Romans 3:20 (NKJV) Deeds of the law no flesh will be justified. Meaning made righteous. Another one?

28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.
Romans 3:28 (NKJV) We conclude? Who is we? The Apostle Paul. He has taken us through philosophical and theological reasoning only to conclude logically, that a man is justified by faith apart from deeds.

Salvation by grace through faith and not by works, lest any man should boast. Martignoni claims salvation must come with works calling the Bible contradictory and by extension qualifying all religions by they’re virtuous merit. Nullifying the cross and it’s redemptive meaning.

If Mr. Martignoni read his Bible in context, he would have notice in James 2:14-26 that was meant by works was putting faith into practice. Abraham believed God told him to take Isaac up on the alter, Rahab believed in the God of the Israelites so much she risked her life to hide the spies. A chair is designed to take up a persons weight while sitting, but if never sat on and tested, what good is the chair? We put our faith into practice by living a life of integrity.

Mr. Martignoni, there is a work we do when we are saved. It is repentance, confession of sin, a contrite heart, profession of faith and obedience to the call of God’s conviction of sin. Our work is acknowledging our fallen nature and choosing to obey Christ.

The Greek word for faith is pistis:
1. conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervor born of faith and joined with it
A. relating to God
1. the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ
B. relating to Christ
1. a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God
C. the religious beliefs of Christians
D. belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same
2. fidelity, faithfulness
the character of one who can be relied on
http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=4102

A Righteous Prayer (The Lord's Prayer conclusion)

2010-06-28T09:50:00.000-04:00

For the last couple of weeks, we’ve studied the “Lord’s Prayer” as our model or outline for our daily prayer. We broke it down verse by verse and examined it thoroughly, and yes it’s true; it’s not about you. SURPRISE!

We must remember that we must approach the Lord in prayer with:

1. Reverence and humility. (Honor the King of kings)
2. We must submit fully to His design and plans. (Give up all right to you)
3. Recognize that you are insufficient without God. (Trust in God for your daily needs.)
4. A broken heart. (Give up all resentment)
5. Hide under the shelter of the Most High. (Let Him lead you through the battle.)
6. Accept and understand that you are victorious by faith in Christ. ( Trust and believe.)

Remember that this is not only a prayer designated for the morning or before you go to bed; it is all day, everyday. The Apostle Paul said, “pray without ceasing”. It is an ongoing relationship between you and your Heavenly Father, treat as such and enjoy each others company.

Evil, The Study of the Lord's Prayer (continuation)

2010-06-25T08:34:00.000-04:00

“But deliver us from the evil one”

Jesus before being arrested prayed to the Father for His disciples saying “I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one.” (John 17:15)

Also we read in (1 John 5: 18) “ We know whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.”

The problems of the world are still very real and we cannot be a light in the world, unless we live in the world.

We have been claimed by God and have been bought by the blood of Christ . (Rom. 8:37) says; “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Satan has no hold on us who have been born-again and “Nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 38,39)

Times can be and will be very tough and we still are attacked by the “prince of this world”; but we can be certain that we are not alone. But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one” (2Thess. 3:3)

Sixth lesson in prayer: Trust and believe!

Pray the Lord's Way pt. 5

2010-06-23T08:52:00.000-04:00

“And lead us not into temptation” (Matt. 6:13a)

The letter to the Galatians in the fifth chapter and the sixteenth verse, expounds on this a little better. (Gal.5:16) “ I say then walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh”

While Jesus was praying in the garden before His betrayal; He awoke Peter and said “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

“Watch and pray” . To be vigilant is as important as prayer. By being vigilant through prayer; one is able to see the “snares” or “traps” the enemy has placed there, and one will not set the traps up themselves.

We like to believe that the sin has “overcome” us, but we go “fishing” for it all the time. Don’t deceive yourselves about deceiving God. You cannot trick Him into believing that it wasn’t your own doing. (James 1:14)"But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed"

Also, do not put yourselves in the position to be tempted. “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”. You’ve already lost the battle way before joining the fight.

A good thing to know; is the word temptation in Greek, is the same exact word used for testing.

Temptation comes from the devil, but he uses for temptation, God uses as a test.

Who will you remain faithful too? Jesus or sin? Remember this word next time you are tempted.

Fifth lesson in prayer; Seeking refuge in God’s strength.

The Lord's Prayer pt. 4

2010-06-22T10:10:00.001-04:00

If you have been following our study, you realize that prayer is not only a form of communication to God; but a lifestyle. Our God has called us to a holy calling, and wants to equip us to be effective for His kingdom. It is important to live a sanctified life pleasing to God.

Follow along as we continue on our study on the Lord’s prayer in (Matt. 6: 5-13)

Vs. 12 “ And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

Debts? When we read this verse, our mind kind of does a “double-take”. What debt do I owe God?

In (Gal.3:10) it says; “ Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the Book of the Law, to do them”

Also (Jms. 2:10) states “ For whoever shall keep the whole Law, and yet stumble at one point, he is guilty of all.”

Our debt is that we owe God our very souls, but those who are in Christ Jesus have their debt paid. (Gal. 3:13) “ Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us (for it is written “ Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)

Knowing that Christ forgave us and has taken upon Himself to take away the price we owed; we must forgive others when they trespass against us.

(Matt. 18:21,22) Peter asked Jesus “ How often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times? Jesus said to him “ I do not say to you seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”

For further study; go on to read (Matt. 6:14,15), and ask God to reveal to you something you may have not forgiven somebody for, and ask if there is anything in your life to confess and be forgiven.

4th lesson in prayer.
God’s grace and forgiveness!

THE LORD'S PRAYER PT. 3 STUDY ON MATT. 6:5-13

2010-06-21T10:24:00.000-04:00

The last week we looked at prayer from a fairly different point-of-view; the Lord’s!
The first two lessons were:

1. Humility and reverence; “Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your Name”
2. Submission; “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done”

This week, we look at the Lord’s provision.

Vs. 11 “ Give us this day, our daily bread”

If you remember the Lord provided Israel with manna from Heaven and said; “They shall gather a certain quota everyday” ( Ex. 16:4) “He that gathered little had no lack” ( Ex. 16:18) Just enough for the day.

“Give us this day, our daily bread” What is our daily bread? (Job 23:12) “I have not departed from the commandments of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth, more than my necessary food” (Job 22:22) “ Receive, please instruction from His mouth, and lay up His words in your heart.

The answer; God’s Word! It is important to have quiet prayer and devotional time with the Lord everyday. A relationship with a person without dialogue is no relationship at all. Our time with the Lord should be an open-ended conversation with His word to guide our lives. God does speak to us through His word.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Heb 4:12-13 (NKJV)

Hey! Here’s a devotional! Try to meditate on these everyday.

Our third lesson in prayer;

Our insufficiency without Christ and God’s written word.

The Lord's Prayer II

2010-06-18T08:20:00.000-04:00

Matt. 6:10 “ Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.”

“Your kingdom come”
(Rom. 14:17) “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”

By stating that God’s kingdom come, you are declaring His priorities over yours. By not looking or living in the external and temporal state that we are in, rather giving way for His Holy Spirit to refresh our lives and give us the discernment needed. (Rom. 8:6) says, “ For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace”

“Your will be done”
The Greek word for “will” is translated; plan, desire, design. When Jesus uttered those very words in the garden moments before His betrayal, He was saying in essence; Father, may your designed, ordained plan be accomplished.
God has a plan and a design for your life, and as long as you are unfaithful to Him, the longer and more difficult for you it becomes. (Rom. 8:29) “ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.”

“On Earth as it is in Heaven”
(Ps. 103: 20) “Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word.”
The angels were honored by the psalmist as those who do exactly what God says. God rules from Heaven. (Ps 115: 3) “ But our God is in Heaven: He does whatever He pleases”.

1. Be heavenly minded and sensitive to the Spirit’s leading.
2. Make way for the Lord’s plan,
3. And let Him do whatever He pleases.

Second lesson in prayer; SUBMISSION!

Praying Jesus' Way

2010-06-17T08:15:00.002-04:00

Prayer, so few of us do it and yet, so few of us live in it. The problem we face in prayer is that our prayers, for the most part, are selfish. As Christians we hear so many different formulas on how to pray. Here is one example;

A. doration
C. onfession
T. hanksgiving
S. upplication

Not fully understanding with what attitude and perception we need to pray, causes frustration and anxiety with little results. In the next week we will study the only real formula as taught by our Lord. (Matt. 6:5-13) *read from vs.5-9

Vs. 9 “Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name.”

“Our Father in Heaven”
Jesus teaches that we have an almighty God who is also our Father. This portrays complete intimacy with YAHWEH God. (Gal. 4:6) says, “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out ABBA, Father.”
Also in (Eph.2:19, concerning Christ as our cornerstone), Paul states “Now therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” (household literally means ‘members of the family’)

“Hallowed be your Name”
The word “hallowed” means; sanctified, set apart, dedicate, consecrate, and make holy. (Mal. 1:11) “ For from the rising of the son, even to it’s going down, My Name shall be great among the Gentiles………..For my Name shall be great among the nations”
Through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ we have an intimate relationship with the Father in Heaven. Yet we are to be reminded of who He is! “Blessed be the Lord, the greater of Heaven and Earth” Holy, holy, holy, sanctified, Almighty God! (Heb. 11:6) Refers to coming to the Lord in prayer; “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, FOR HE WHO COMES TO GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS”

Our first lesson is to learn to be reverent and humble before our Lord in Prayer. Knowing fully who He is. (Prov. 1:7) “ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”

Mystics in our Miami churches

2010-06-03T18:48:00.001-04:00

Mysticism;
belief in intuitive spiritual revelation: the belief that personal communication or union with the divine is achieved through intuition, faith, ecstasy, or sudden insight rather than through rational thought

Walk into today’s “mega-churches” and you find this type of worship there. Generally, this kind of worship was reserved for the fringe charismatic church with their holy fire revivals and healing ministries. But, what seems exaggerated has infiltrated most churches causing a devastating result in one’s Christian walk.

Many authors have tackled subjects of this nature but, no one does it better than John MacArthur in his book Charismatic Chaos. In it he deals with the movement itself and on television networks such as TBN.

Popular churches such as El Rey Jesus, and Jesucristo Todo Poderoso(JTP) have amassed an enormous congregation with the mystical worship services and teachings. Similar non-denominational churches (or ministries/ministerios) have sprouted in every plaza or shopping center in rural areas such as Little Haiti, Miami Gardens, and S.W. Miami. Elders, Bishops and Apostles and Prophets are the new babaloos. Now everyone can become prophets and apostles.

These churches rely on personal experience to validate their relationship with the Almighty by speaking in tongues, having others prophesy their future, and feeling the movement of the spirit. Sensual in nature this type of worship is fleshy and not in accordance with Biblical worship which deals on a completely rational level.

Confusion and pain spring from this theology. Questions as “What school should I go to?”, “Lord, which way shall I turn?” “God told me in a dream….” or the favorite, “God gave me a revelation”.

The church has traded their Bibles for faith-healers, shamans, and snake oil charmers. Name it and claim groups with the likeness of the popular book The Secret ; telling us that “the universe is our ATM.”, and that we need turn on our power of positive energy. The selling of anointed oil, miracle handkerchiefs, and coins will heal your drug addicted child, and cure your sickness’. You’ll be able to accrue wealth by sowing “good seed” (meaning giving them money).

Debating this theology is not the purpose, and neither is questioning one’s salvation. The real question is: Does truth validate the experience or does experience validate truth? Also, “It happened to me” doesn’t count.

Apostle Pelosi says the ‘Word made flesh’ guides her policies

2010-06-01T16:13:00.000-04:00

In tune with her typical and most zaniest of behaviors, Nancy Pelosi speaker of the House says that she must pursue policies in “keeping the values” of Jesus Christ “the Word made Flesh”. http://cnsnews.com/news/article/66208

Public policies like tax-payer funded abortions, backroom bribes, communist and socialist agenda’s, like redistribution of wealth (or economic justice), one- world government, a stifled and prejudice media, social security, affordable housing and welfare. You know, things that Jesus would do.

As outlandish as this sounds, Christian Socialist do exist and in the U.K. they are better known as the Labour party. Their belief is of redistribution of wealth, anarchy and, believe that the “state” is the extension of Christ here on Earth. The “state” is all we need and nothing can be achieved but through the “state”.

Jonah Goldberg in his book Liberal Fascism calls it a “God-State” or the “Great-society”. All things are the “state”. Meaning, the state knows better than the individual about governing their life, and as Hillary Clinton stated in the United Methodist General Conference on April 24, 1996; “As adults we have to start thinking and believing that there isn’t really any such thing as someone else’s child”. It takes a village right?
ethically based
One need not be surprised at Speaker Pelosi’s comments. According to statistics the democrats are losing what is referred to as the “God-vote” which are those who regularly attend religious services. Liberal politicians will pull out all the stops to cater to those who only need is to hear them sound Christian.
www.thefoxnation.com/culture/2010/5/17/democrats-losing-god-vote

Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, they’ll sound religious and even Christian but, what they really want is to rid the country from everything that makes it what it is. A founding of Judeo-Christian values and law. This is of course, God’s country. A beacon of freedom. By their fruits, you shall know them.

Charlie Crist to veto abortion bill

2010-05-20T19:44:00.000-04:00

Governor Crist has mentioned to a Tampa Bay newspaper that he is “leaning strongly towards vetoing” House Bill 1143 which requires women to have a ultrasound done before an abortion, calling it “mean-spirited”. The bill not only requires the ultrasound but also goes on to exempt taxpayer-funded abortion.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/37337.html

Charlie Crist is confusing himself by pandering to his “moderate” alter-ego. It is unfortunate for Crist who has been touting his conservative credentials against Marco Rubio for the Republican primary, and now as an Independent, Crist has wash away the veneer of conservatism, and has replaced it with flip-flopping meandering.

It is also unfortunate that we must believe that an ultrasound before an abortion is mean-spirited, when Planned Parenthood continues to lie to patients about the state of the unborn fetus. Coercing them to believe the child is not a child, even at an early stage.
http://www.thefoxnation.com/planned-parenthood/2010/04/12/watch-planned-parenthood-pressures-young-woman-get-abortion

A recent Gallup poll shows a consistent, and a steady majority consider themselves pro-life. A trend that is now referred to as a “new normal”. . http://www.gallup.com/poll/128036/New-Normal-Abortion-Americans-Pro-Life.aspx

Human life starts at conception, and if patients and relatives were more informed and allowed to see what developmental stage the child is in, it will guide them into the most informed decision they will ever make. Ultimately, the accountability and choice belongs the patient and the consequences that follow it. Organizations like Planned Parenthood have gone to great lengths to obscure the truth from patients and now there is an opportunity to expose their lies and radically change the perception of terminated pregnancies.

Please contact Governor Crist in support of this bill. Let the truth be the light that guides are path. Let it not be suppressed.

Terri Schiavo and the right to life

2010-04-09T22:11:00.002-04:00

On March 31, 2005, Terri Schiavo lost her right to live. Despite her family’s attempts to take over her guardianship, a Florida court ordered her feeding tube be removed, allowing her to die of starvation and dehydration after 13 agonizing, heart-wrenching days. The impossible occurred: a government bureaucracy, much like the “death panels” of WWII Germany, made the decision of what life was deemed “worthy“. Terri Schiavo, her family, and ultimately, all life affirming Americans, lost that fight. Now, after the recent passage of the health care legislation, the hungry beast of euthanasia and abortion pounces greedily at our door.

As early as 1999, Dr. Jack Kevorkian was found guilty of second-degree murder for assisting individuals in their suicides. Yet only 9 years later, in 2008, the State of Oregon denied a woman cancer treatment, citing “the Oregon Health Plan wouldn't cover the treatment, but that it would cover palliative, or comfort, care, including, if she chose, doctor-assisted suicide.” Our we now to assume that we are justified in denying someone there right to live? I ask: Where will we be in ten years?

http://purelypolitical.newsvine.com/_news/2008/08/01/1712080-oregon-woman-denied-cancer-treatment-by-government-offered-suicide-instead

Our nation was founded on the belief that “Every man has been endowed by his Creator with certain inalienable rights. That among these rights are LIFE, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. The same gift endowed to us by God Almighty is being cheapened by a court system that drives us perilously close to the edge of the hellish pit that swallowed so many lives deemed “unworthy” in Germany during WWII. There is a danger that comes from “Universal” health care. When we give our government the power to decide what life is worth saving and what life is not, we cannot distance ourselves from the blame when human life is devalued and rationing is what is considered for the state budget. Terri Schiavo’s life was a gift from God, and it was of immense value to her loved ones. We cannot allow the cold hand of Government, under the benevolent guise of “Universal Health Care”, to wrap it’s cold hands around the citizens, any citizen, of our country.

Are Conservatives racist?

2010-04-06T10:44:00.004-04:00

It is hard to escape the contentions between the right, the left and playing the race card. Certainly, this is not new. We’ve been hearing this rhetoric since the town hall meetings last summer, and it has been renewed by the alleged attack on the congress by the Tea Party organization. Members of congress complained of racist, homophobic statements and of spitting as they walked in to cast their for the Health care bill.

It seems as though if you are opposed to any piece of legislation coming from this White House then you are deemed a racist. Republicans are the obvious outspoken ones and according to Frank Rich of the New York Times, “The rage is not about health care”. According to Rich, .“The conjunction of a black president and a female speaker of the House — topped off by a wise Latina on the Supreme Court and a powerful gay Congressional committee chairman — would sow fears of disenfranchisement among a dwindling and threatened minority in the country no matter what policies were in play.” What dwindling, disenfranchised minority? White Christians.

Available to everyone at; www.collincountygop.com/.../party-platforms-civil-rights-issues/ is a downloadable PDF. File called “Republicans and Democrats In their own words A Political party platform” Here you will see the position in which these two fundamentally different philosophical parties view civil rights, and their voting record speaks for itself. Examples include:

Democrat:
1852
The Democratic Party will resist all
attempts at renewing – in Congress or
out of it – the agitation of the slavery
question [i.e., will oppose all efforts to abolish slavery].

Republican:
1856
As our Republican fathers, when they
had abolished slavery in all our national
territory, ordained that no person shall
be deprived of life, liberty, or property

Democrat:
1850: “the act for reclaiming fugitives
from service or labor.” . . . [We support]
non-interference by Congress
with slavery in state and territory, or in
the District of Columbia [i.e., we oppose
all congressional attempts to abolish
slavery in any area of the nation].

And, let us not forget the 57 day filibuster by the democrats in 1964 by Senator Robert C. Byrd in complete opposition the Civil Rights Act.

Conservatives believe in the Declaration of Independence. In it, it states;

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

To deny any human being the unalienable rights given by our creator God is to disregard the value of human life. And that, is not the Christian conservative consensus.

A STUDY ON PHILLIPIANS 1 verse by verse

2010-03-30T11:06:00.001-04:00

Vs. 3 “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you”
Paul was a positive person, full of love (godly love). He is so full of joy (while in prison), that he remembers the Philippians church while bound in chains to a roman soldier. Why? How?

Clearly, this is by choice. Another opportunity to show the world and it’s ruler, that Paul would never be in a position to question God. A man who met the risen Savior on the road to Damascus and who was lifted up to the third heavens, could not and would not doubt God and the Lord Jesus Christ with such a “light affliction, which is but for a moment” (2Cor. 4:17).

The KEY is CHOICE! To have GOOD MEMORIES, or POSITIVE MEMORIES, and thank God upon every one of them. To look back favorably, despite awkward and painful situations. Paul saw past the present hurt to a place where we could only imagine in our prayers. He saw the fruit of his labor in the Philippian church.

Vs. 4 “always in every prayer of mine making requests for you all with joy”
Another point is; as we remember or focus on the GOOD and POSITIVE of any person, place, or thing we love to pray for that or them in EVERY prayer. It is the desire of one’s heart to keep those of which they love close to their hearts and want to see them happy and satisfied with their necessities and their safety.

Name the first thing you pray for. Is it;
1. Family, (mother, father sister, cousin)
2. Boyfriend or girlfriend
3. Friends or peers

Are they not the things we love? Every memory should be POSITIVE and GOOD towards everything and everyone. A yearning for their growth and advancement. To have them learn not only the deeper things of God but, also the simplest.

TRY IT OUT THIS WEEK AND SEE HOW GOD CAN FILTER THOSE THOUGHTS INTO THOUGHTS OF HIS GLORY AND MAKE YOU A JOYOUS CHRISTIAN!!!! CHOOSE TODAY!