Dave

The Miniature Bible

2009-11-14T08:00:00.003-06:00

What do you think about this article? I found this on a web site.

Dave

The Miniature Bible
More Proof that the King James Bible is Inspired
By David O’Steen
Pastor of Landmark Baptist Church
Locust Grove, Georgia

Bible critics have long attacked the book of Isaiah claiming that it was written by two or even three different Isaiahs.
They claim that it is not possible for Isaiah to give such detailed prophecies especially in the latter part of the book (for example, Cyrus being named 150 years before his birth in 44:28). They also point out the dramatic change in style of the last 27 chapters.
Thus, the critics tell us that another Isaiah came along much later and wrote the last 27 chapters (after some of the prophesied events took place).
This nonsense about a “deuteron-Isaiah” is just another example of the UNBELIEVING approach to the Bible.
Of course, nothing in the word of God gives evidence for this theory.
On the contrary, there is plenty of scriptural evidence that one Isaiah wrote all 66 chapters. Christ Himself quoted from BOTH sections (1-39 and 40-66) of Isaiah and attributed the quotes to one Isaiah (John 12:37-41).
In the NT there are 21 quotes from the book of Isaiah that are attributed to one Isaiah.
Ten of these quotes are from the first section and eleven are from the latter section.
The scriptural explanation for the amazingly detailed prophecies in the book of Isaiah is that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (II Timothy 3:16).
The obvious explanation for the change in style in chapters 40-66 is the fact that there is a change in theme.
The same writer can use different styles when dealing with different themes.
The layout of the book of Isaiah gives the critics reason to attack the Bible.
Yet, the layout of the book of Isaiah also gives the Bible-believer another reason to believe the Bible!
How can the same issue result in such different opinions?
The answer is found in Isaiah 28:9, “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.”
We must approach the word of God with a believing and humble spirit.
About 2,300 years before the King James Bible was first printed, the exact order of its 66 books was revealed in the book of Isaiah.
This went unnoticed until God lead men to insert chapter and verse divisions in the Scripture and the KJB was printed.
The 66 chapters of Isaiah correspond with the 66 books of the KJB.
Some ignorant critic of the KJB might say, “The 1611 King James Version had the apocrypha in it and therefore had more than 66 books.”
The apocrypha was inserted BETWEEN the OT and NT as a historical supplement and the translators did not consider it to be inspired Scripture.
There were translations that preceded the KJB that included the apocrypha as part of Scripture and therefore had more than 66 books.
There were also translations before the KJB that arranged the books of the Bible differently than the KJB.
That the layout of the KJB was revealed in the book of Isaiah is more solid proof that the KJB is INSPIRED Scripture.
It is a supernatural Book.
The “scholars” tell us that a translation cannot be inspired.
They say that inspiration is limited to the original autographs, the word of God is only preserved in the original languages, and that our KJB is just an accurate translation of the preserved word of God.
This “statement of faith” is not based on the Bible but theology books written by fallible men. The final authority of the “scholarship only” crowd is originals that they have never seen, Hebrew and Greek texts that they do not really understand, and the teachings of men.
Nowhere in the Bible are we told that inspiration is limited to the originals or that a translation cannot be inspired.
On the contrary, Paul said that Timothy had “holy scripture” in II Timothy 3:15.
In the very next verse Paul says that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God”!
Timothy did not have originals but a copy and more than likely a Greek translation of OT Scripture.
Inspiration is simply the process by which God’s Spirit gives man His words.
Because the Scripture is the word of God it is ALIVE. Jesus said, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).
The Bible says in Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is quick and powerful”.
We are to be “holding forth the word of LIFE” (Philippians 2:16).
The Bible is the “word of life” because it is alive and gives life to those that believe it (I Peter 1:23).
To say that the KJB is not inspired but only preserved is like saying the KJB is a CORPSE.
A dead body has no spirit (James 2:26) but it can be preserved like a mummy.
To say that the KJB is preserved but not inspired is absurd. Why would God inspire Scripture only to let it become a preserved DEAD body of words?
The fact is, the KJB is both inspired and preserved. The Bible is “the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (I Peter 1:23). Inspiration means the word of God “liveth” and preservation means that it “abideth” and BOTH are true FOREVER.
One preacher criticized the above definition of inspiration in a paper he put out by saying that it “does not square with the dictionary or with most Baptist preachers”.
Well, this definition “squares” with the word of God!
He also tried to invalidate this view by saying that it was only held by a “small group”.
In these days of apostasy, I doubt that the majority is right on inspiration!
This same preacher also said that the KJB was not given by inspiration but by the hard work of the translators!
The KJB is the product of the Holy Spirit, not the ability of men.
He used men to translate it, but it is a Divine Book.
If you doubt that God REGIVES His word after the originals perish please study Jeremiah 36. Jeremiah 36:32 says, “Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words.”
The bottom line is that the KJB (italicized words and all) is Holy Scripture given by inspiration of God.
Now, let’s get back to considering the layout of Isaiah. Consider these amazing facts:
Isaiah has 66 chapters – the KJB has 66 books
Isaiah has just over 30,000 words – the KJB has just over 30,000 verses
Isaiah has two main sections – the KJB has two main sections
Isaiah’s first section has 39 chapters – the KJB’s first section has 39 books (OT)
Isaiah’s second section has 27 chapters – the KJB’s second section has 27 books (NT)
Isaiah’s first section has a general style of condemnation and ends with a curse (39:6-7) – the KJB’s first section has a general style of condemnation and ends with a curse (Malachi 4:6)
Isaiah’s second section has a general style of hope and begins with good news (40:1-5) – the KJB’s second section has a general style of hope and begins with good news (Matthew 1:18-25)
Every chapter in Isaiah corresponds with every book of the KJB, in exact order!
(e.g. Isaiah 1 = Genesis, Isaiah 2 = Exodus, etc…) To prove #8, I will give you 11 examples. One example might be a coincidence, but not 11!
Compare Isaiah 1 with Genesis. Note in Isaiah 1:2a the words “heavens” and “earth” and compare Genesis 1:1. Note in Isaiah 1:2b that God brought up children that rebelled against Him and compare Genesis 3. Note in Isaiah 1:5 that the sin disease starts with the head and compare Romans 5:12 (Adam was the head).
Compare Isaiah 2 with Exodus. Note in Isaiah 2:3 that God gives the law from a mountain and compare Exodus 19-31. Note in Isaiah 2:2-5 that God sets up His kingdom with Israel over the nations and compare Exodus 19:5-6. Note in Isaiah 2:17-18 that God is exalted when He puts down the idols of men and compare with Exodus 9:14-16 (the 10 plagues were judgments on 10 idols in Egypt).
Compare Isaiah 4 with Numbers. Note in Isaiah 4:5-6 the mention of the “cloud and smoke by day”, “flaming fire by night”, and “tabernacle” and compare with Numbers 9:15-16.
Compare Isaiah 5 with Deuteronomy. Note in Isaiah 5:1-7 that in the parable of God’s vineyard, God judges Israel because of its sin and note the “woes” pronounced on Israel (5:8-30) and compare with Deuteronomy 28:15-68.
Compare Isaiah 6 with Joshua. Six is the number of man and Joshua is the 6th book of the Bible. It is the first book that bears a man’s name. Joshua has 6 letters. The book of Joshua begins with the death of God’s man (Moses) and an appearance of Christ (5:13-15) to reassure Joshua about victory for Israel. In Isaiah 6 we see the death of God’s man (King Uzziah) and a vision of Christ to reassure Isaiah about the victory for Israel. In Joshua 1 God commissions Joshua, and in Isaiah 6 God commissions Isaiah.
Compare Isaiah 39 with Malachi. Note that in Isaiah 39:6-7 the prophet announces a curse on Israel and compare with Malachi 3:9, 4:6.
Compare Isaiah 40 with Matthew. Note the prophecy of John the Baptist in Isaiah 40:3-5 and compare with Matthew 3:1-3.
Compare Isaiah 43 with John. Note in Isaiah 43:10-13 that God says “I am” several times and says He is the Saviour and compare with the many times Christ says “I am” in the book of John. John was written to show that Jesus was the Son of God and that He is the Saviour (John 20:30-31).
Compare Isaiah 44 with Acts. Note in Isaiah 44:3 that God says He will pour out His Spirit on the seed of Israel and compare with Acts 2:16-18.
Compare Isaiah 45 with Romans. Note in Isaiah 45:20-25 the words, “just”, “salvation”, “righteousness”, and “justified” and compare this with the fact that these are key words in Romans. Compare Isaiah 45:22 with Romans 3:29-30 and Isaiah 45:24 with Romans 3:21-26.
Compare Isaiah 66 with Revelation. Compare Isaiah 66:15-16 with Revelation 19:11-21 and Isaiah 66:22 with Revelation 21:1.
God chose a book written by a prophet to represent the whole Bible because the job of a prophet was to simply reveal God’s message to men. The Bible is God’s revelation to man. Every single chapter in Isaiah corresponds with every single book in the KJB, IN ORDER. Some connections are harder to find than others, but they are there. The KJB has God’s supernatural fingerprints all over it because it is INSPIRED.

The end.

The 11th Hour: The Date Behind Veterans Day

2009-11-11T10:53:00.002-06:00

While most know that Veterans Day honors those who have served in the military, the meaning behind its exact date (November 11) may not be so familiar. Here's the backstory:

Back in 1918, in the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, a stop to hostilities was declared, ending World War I. An armistice to cease the fighting on the Western Front was signed by the Allied powers and Germany.

President Woodrow Wilson immediately proclaimed the day "Armistice Day," kicking off the annual commemoration on November 11. But over the years, with veterans returning from World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day — a day reserved to honor veterans returning from all wars. But 11/11 still represented the end of the Great War in the public's mind, and the date stuck.

In 1921, unidentified dead from the war were buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., Westminster Abbey in London, and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The tradition to honor those killed in the war but never identified continues every year in the U.S. The ceremony is held at 11 a.m. at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

Congress designated Veterans Day as a legal holiday in 1938, and since then, most Americans have come to know it as a day for store sales and parades. Yahoo! Searches on the holiday have already surged on the Web. People want to know "veterans day history," "veterans day closings," veterans day sales," and "veterans day free meals."

Mark 10:33-34

2009-11-11T08:00:00.000-06:00

The Lord Jesus predicted nine details of His death. Mark 10:33-34
Neither Buddha nor Mohammed could perform this miracle that only God could do.

Mark 10:33-34

33 Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:
34 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

1.we go up to Jerusalem
2.the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes
3.they shall condemn him to death
4.shall deliver him to the Gentiles
5.they shall mock him
6.shall scourge him
7.shall spit upon him
8.shall kill him
9.third day he shall rise again

Honest Award

2009-09-30T10:35:00.001-06:00

I was reward the Honest award from Rebekah.

Thank you Rebekah!

Who Will Go to America?

2009-08-07T12:10:00.000-06:00

Who Will Go to America?

They left their homes in AmericaTo cross the ocean wide and blue.

They carried their cross, not caring the loss

So other souls could hear the truth.

But the light’s grown dim in America

And sin will be our nation’s doom.

We need more preaching in America

For Jesus is coming soon!

Chorus

Who will go to America?

Land of the red, white, and blue.

Who will go to America?

Tell me brother, why not you?

Our Saviour sends His children forth

To go to every land

To the islands of the uttermost

To find forgotten man.

But the most forgotten mission field

Is within our country’s shores

So who will go to America

She needs Jesus Christ the Lord.

Chorus
Who will go to America?
Land of the red, white, and blue.
Who will go to America?
Tell me brother, why not you?

I've Been Tagged!

2009-08-07T12:09:00.000-06:00

I've been tagged by Rebekah to pick the sixth picture out of the sixth folder.

I tag Kris @Kristina's Keepsakes, Katie @In The Hands of God, Jessica @ Jessica's Journal

I love books!

2009-06-18T09:31:00.001-06:00

What books do you like? Books that you tell someone to read.

THE LITTLE RED HEN

2009-06-02T13:18:00.002-06:00

Once upon a time, on a small U.S. farm , there was a little red hen who scratched about the barnyard until she uncovered quite a few grains of wheat.
She called all of her neighbors together and said, "If we plant this wheat, we shall have bread to eat.
Who will help me plant it?"
"Not I," said the cow.
"Not I," said the duck.
"Not I," said the pig.
"Not I," said the goose.
"Then I will do it by myself," said the little red hen.
And so she did;
The wheat grew very tall and ripened into golden grain.
"Who will help me reap my wheat?" asked the little red hen.
"Not I," said the duck.
"Out of my classification," said the pig.
"I'd lose my seniority," said the cow.
"I'd lose my unemployment compensation," said the goose.
"Then I will do it by myself," said the little red hen, and so she did.
At last it came time to bake the bread.
"Who will help me bake the bread?" asked the little red hen.
"That would be overtime for me," said the cow.
"I'd lose my welfare benefits," said the duck.
"I'm a dropout and never learned how," said the pig.
"If I'm to be the only helper, that's discrimination," said the goose.
"Then I will do it by myself," said the little red hen.
She baked five loaves and held them up for all of her neighbors to see.
They wanted some and, in fact, demanded a share.
But the little red hen said, "No, I shall eat all five loaves."
"Excess profits!" cried the cow.
"Capitalist leech!" screamed the duck.
"I demand equal rights!" yelled the goose.
The pig just grunted in disdain.
And they all painted "Unfair!" picket signs and marched around and around the little red hen, shouting obscenities.
Then a government agent came, and said to the little red hen, "You must not be so greedy."
"But I earned the bread," said the little red hen.
"Exactly," said the agent. "That is what makes our free enterprise system so wonderful. Anyone in the barnyard can earn as much as he wants. But under our modern government regulations, the productive workers must divide the fruits of their labor with those who are lazy and idle."
And they all lived happily ever after, including the little red hen, who smiled and clucked, "I am grateful, for now I truly understand."
The liberals smiled for ‘Fairness’ had been established, but her neighbors were very disappointed in her, and wondered why she never baked bread again.

Q&A Part 2

2009-06-02T12:53:00.000-06:00

Q. Do you believe the Bible says Women are to wear dresses or skirts, and not wear anything that pertaineth to a man?...

A. De 22:5 ¶ The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

YES!

Like you said, it is a touchy subject to some people. As far, I know I am the only one in my family that believes that. If I get marry, I will not marry a girl that does not believe that women are to wear dresses or skirts. If I have any daughters, they will wear only dresses or skirts.

Any more Q's?

Q&A Part 1

2009-06-02T09:17:00.004-06:00

I got three questions.

1. I noticed that you did a poll about girl's going to college-what do you believe about that?
The Bible said in Titus 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
I believe that girls should want to be keeper at home, home school their children, take care of the children and help their husbands like the Bible teach. They do not need to go to colleges to learn that. You can stay home and learn from your mothers.

2. What do you believe about courtship and dating and all that?

I believe that courtship is right! Dating is wrong. Dating is not supported at all by God's Word. Show where in the Bible where dating at? Some might ask what is courtship?

Courtship is praying and waiting for the right one ( not dating 10 or 15 before picking which one YOU want ) and going about it in a right and pure way ( not hugging, touching, kissing, etc., etc, )which is the way that Lord is pleased with. Courting is not very popular anymore. It is not even something that is taught in most churches.

3. Do you believe that the KJV Bible is the inspired word of God for the English speaking people?

Psalm 12:6&7 "The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever."

I believe that the King James Bible is the inspired, pure Word of God without error. I believe that the NKJV, NIV, ESV, AMP, NAS, are trash. Why would I say that? You might say that is mean! Well, these New Versions omitted the Blood of the Lord Jesus at least 15 times! The NIV removes 63,625 words! The NKJV omits the word "Lord"66 times. The NKJV omits the word "Hell"22 times. The NKJV omits the word "God"51 times. There is a lot more wrong with the new versions. That is just a little bit.

Hope this keep.

Any more Q's?

Q&A

2009-06-01T21:26:00.001-06:00

I had seen on other blogs where you can ask the owner of the blog Q’s and the will answer them. Well, I am going to do that. Therefore, you can start asking Q’s about what I believe and I will try to answer them.

How To Live The Christian Life - 12 Important Principles To Practice

2008-05-19T08:00:00.001-06:00

by Pastor Art Kohlupdated January 31, 2005

1. Believe the record that through faith in Christ, you have received eternal life.
1 John 5:10-13 “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." Remember that you are now a living testimony of the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ. The life of Christ is in you, the believer. Are you sure you have accepted Jesus as your Saviour?

2. Love God and Others.
Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength according to Mark 12:30, "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment." Love your neighbor as yourself as commanded in Mark 12:31, “And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandments greater than these." Make these the highest goals of your new life in Christ. There is nothing you can possibly do greater than these in your life. Ask the Lord to help you love more and more. 1 Thessalonians 3:12, "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:"

3. Read and study your Bible, memorizing portions that are helpful to you.
Give special attention to the promises of God. Meditate on these and they will be food for your soul. 1 Peter 2:2, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." Remember that the Word of God, the 1611 King James Bible, is the light to your path. Psalms 119:105 "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." It is the weapon of our warfare against temptation, Ephesians 6:17, "And take ... the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

4. Pray daily to God, your heavenly Father, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank Him for all things. Ephesians 5:20, "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Praise God for His blessings. Ask God to give you victory over sin and weakness. 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." Pray for the needs of others when praying for your own needs. Remember that your prayer life will keep you spiritually strong and growing. Don't recite prayers. Pray and talk to God from your heart in your own words with respect.

5. Confess the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour as often as you can.
Water Baptism by immersion is the first step to take in confessing Christ, see Acts 8:36-38. Continue confessing Christ to others. Matthew 10:32, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven." Use every opportunity you have to tell others what the Lord Jesus Christ has done in your life. Try to lead them to accept Christ as their Saviour as you did.

6. Avoid temptations.
The Bible tells us that they will come. But we must be careful not to walk in their path. Psalms 1:1 "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." When temptations arise, remember that God has promised a way of escape for those who faithfully serve and obey Him. 1 Corinthians 10:13, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." Pray that the Lord will help you avoid temptation. Matthew 6:13, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." Jesus quoted Scripture when the devil was tempting Him. (See Matthew 4:1-11.) Learn Scriptures that pertain to your weaknesses and memorize them. Quote them often.

7. Witness to others about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Many today do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. Who will tell them? Romans 10:13-14, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" The believer’s greatest joy is the privilege of telling the good news of the Gospel to every creature. Witnessing for Christ is not only a blessed privilege but a divine command, Matthew 4:19, "And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." The Lord will use you to win souls to Him.

8. Serve the Lord with gladness.
Psalms 100:2, "Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing." God has a regular ministry for every believer. (Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-21.) Assemble regularly in a Bible-believing, separated church. Hebrews 10:25, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Invest your time, talents and money for eternity. Colossians 3:1-3, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God."

9. Stand firmly on the Word of God.
(See Ephesians 6:10-18.) Beware of false teachers and false doctrines. 2 Peter 2:1-3 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not." Test everything by the Word of God, not by experience. Isaiah 8:20, "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Remember that God has promised the victory to those who honor Him and His Holy Word. 1 Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

10. Commune with the Holy Spirit.
II Corinthians 13:14 "... the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen." Get to know the Holy Spirit as personal as you know the Father and the Son. He is a person. John 16:13, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." Talk to Him. Commune with Him. Ask Him to help you with all the things mentioned on this leaflet. Do not try these things in your own flesh, but with the help of the Spirit. Galatians 3:3, "Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" 2 Corinthians 3:18, "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

11. Be a separated Christian.
II Corinthians 6:14-18 says, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” Not only should we be separated from unbelievers, but our Lord prayed for us to be separated from the evil in this world. John 17:15-16 says, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” Be an answer to Jesus’ prayer, stay away from evil. Try to win unbelievers to Christ but be separated from them and their lifestyle. I Timothy 5:22, “...keep thyself pure.”

12. Forgive each other.
All of us have been hurt by somebody in our life. Some to a small degree, some very greatly. We, too, have offended a Holy God and our sins led Christ to die for us ... yet ... the Lord forgave us. We are to follow His example. Ephesians 4:31-32 says, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Take a moment and read the story about forgiveness in Matthew 18:23-35 in your Bible.

Copyright © 2005-00Permission granted to freely copy.Scripture verses are from the King James Holy Bible.

Do Not Make Your Children Brush Their Teeth!

2008-05-15T08:00:00.000-06:00

By Pastor Art Kohl

Why should your children be told by some doctor or dentist that they should brush and floss their teeth daily? These experts are not a part of your family. Who do these professionals think they are, telling your children what to do? Do not make your kids brush, floss, or go for checkups, parents. Let your children decide!
Needless to say, I’m being facetious. What would you think of me if I continued to say things like:
Do not make your children go to bed, let them decide.
Do not make your children eat good food, let them decide.
Do not make your children wash their hair, let them decide.
I wish I had a dollar for every parent I heard say, “I’m not going to make my children go to church, I’m going to let them decide.”
What is more valuable, your child’s teeth or their soul?
Which is eternal?
Why are we so nearsighted with our children’s existence? They will spend eternity somewhere.
Consider some Scriptures of parental instruction from God:
“But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14)
“Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:14)
“And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” (Isaiah 54:13)

Baptized?, But Lost!

2008-05-13T08:00:00.000-06:00

by Pastor Art Kohl

Introduction: There are many who are trusting in their baptism for the salvation of their souls, or at least for part of their salvation. Certainly a concern for one's salvation should be foremost in our lives. Our souls are the only possession that we own which is eternal. EVERYTHING else you own is temporal. The way to Heaven is narrow, it is not broad, notice Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." If you are going to go to Heaven, you must God's way! There are not many roads that get there, but one. Make sure! Don't gamble with your most valuable possession. Don't trust what man says. ALL MEN ARE FALLIBLE! Study your Bible! Jesus said, "Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of ME." John 5:39. Jesus is the ONLY WAY! The Bible says in 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." With these thoughts in mind, let's examine this important subject of Baptism.

1. What Is Baptism? According to the Bible, God's Word, Baptism means "to immerse fully". The New Testament was written originally in Greek. The Greek word for Baptism is baptizo. This mode is seen clearly in the example set for us by Jesus the Savior. Matthew 3:16 describes, "and Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water..." Mark 1:10 also gives this account, "and straightway coming up out of the water ..." Many reading this article were sprinkled with water as an infant. They were told that this is baptism. There is no such mode described in the Bible. The word sprinkled is only found 7 times in the New Testament. IT NEVER HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH BAPTISM. It comes from the Greek word rhantizo. So you may have been "rhantized" but not baptized scripturally. Some had water poured on them as an infant or child. This also is unscriptual as a mode of baptism, for baptism means immerse, not pour. If baptism is so important and necessary for salvation (as some erroneously teach), most reading this then, have never been baptized! You may have been sprinkled or had water poured on you, but you were not biblically baptized! Have you ever been truly baptized? God's way?

2. Biblical Facts About Baptism

A. It was not to be the main emphasis of the church's message. John 4:1-2 tells us that Jesus had many opportunities to baptize but NEVER baptized anyone. The great Apostle Paul, whom God used to write 1/2 of the books of the New Testament, said, "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel ..." I Corinthians 1:17. The thief who died on the cross next to Christ was promised an eternity with Christ in Paradise. He died shortly after Christ promised him this, though he was NEVER baptized, he went to Paradise.

B. There is not a single story in the Bible anywhere that tells of a child or an infant being baptized! Every single historical record of a baptism in the Bible is of adults. Study in your Bible these texts: Acts 2:41, 42: 8:12: 8:27-38: 9:17,18: 10 :44-48: 16:14-15: 16:31-33: 18:8 :22:16. The book of Acts is a history of the 1st Century church. Adults were baptized in each case.

C. Baptism does not save! It is not wrong to split hairs over the mode of baptism, for everything we do must be according to God's Word. Any other doctrine is man made and contaminated. However, baptism does not save anyone. A person can go to Heaven without baptism (like the thief on the cross). Jesus did not need to be saved, but he was baptized to set us an example to follow. Acts 16:31, "BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ and THOU SHALT BE SAVED." Romans 10:13, "Whosoever shall CALL upon the name of the Lord, SHALL BE SAVED." I Corinthians 15:1-4 defines the gospel. Paul says, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel ... BY WHICH ALSO YE ARE SAVED ... how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." Notice in these verses it is personal faith that saves, not baptism. Baptism is a figure or a picture of salvation (I Peter 3:21). A person should be baptized AFTER they are saved. As a person is standing in the water during baptism, they are identifying themselves with Christ's death. As they are immersed under the water, they are identifying themselves with Christ's burial. As they come up out of the water, they are identifying themselves with Christ's resurrection. Baptism, therefore, is an outward profession of an inward belief that is faith in Christ's death, burial and resurrection for our sins as God's only way of salvation from sins.

D. Who can be baptized? Acts 8:26-40 tells the story of an Ethiopian man who was reading the book of Isaiah. He did not understand what he read. An evangelist named Philip explained to him about Jesus. "And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch said, "See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?" And Philip said, "If thou believeth with all thine heart, thou mayest." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Only people who have placed their personal faith in the Lord Jesus have the right by God to be baptized. Notice what happens next: "And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him." He believed, then was baptized! An infant can't do that. A little child of 1 or 2 years can't do that. When a person becomes of age to accept or reject Christ as their Savior, then they can make a decision to believe. Salvation is through Jesus Christ and Him alone, by faith in what He has done, not what we can do. Salvation is not through baptism, church membership, sacraments, morals, good works, penance, etc. If these things could save, then why did Jesus die on the cross? You may be "baptized" but lost! Baptism is a work we can do. However Titus 3:5 says salvation is "not by works of righteousness which WE HAVE DONE but according to HIS MERCY He hath saved us."

Conclusion: Your soul is the most valuable possession you have. It is eternal. Do not gamble with it. Be sure! Don't believe what I say, or anyone else, believe what God says: "For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8,9. Get right with the Lord. Those who wait till the 11th hour to repent, usually die at 10:30. Take God's gift of salvation today by calling on the Lord right now to be your Saviour.

What To Do When Suffering

2008-05-08T08:00:00.001-06:00

by Pastor Art Kohl

April 17, 2005

C.S. Lewis once said, "Pain is God's megaphone to arouse a slumbering world."
Pain comes into our lives in different forms. The pain of a death of a close one. The pain of a divorce or failed relationship. Physical pain from an accident or disease. The pain of rejection. The pain of a business loss or set back. The pain of disappointment by someone we looked up to. These can really hurt!
These pains are very real. Sometimes "Oh, just get over it" doesn't work.
What can we do when suffering?
Here are a few suggestions from a biblical view:

1. Give thanks to God
It sound absurd, but if we begin each trial with a prayer, thanking God for this suffering, we change our focus from negative to positive.
We are assured in Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." If you love God you have His promise that this is going to bring something good into your life.

2. For comfort, read the Psalms of the Old Testament
Through different men, God wrote Psalms and put them in His Bible. These were often born out of suffering. God giveth "songs in the night" (Job 35:10).
You will find that you are not unique. Others have suffered in similar ways and have found help in God.
The Psalms are like medicine for the soul. Take it.

3. For understanding, read 1 Peter of the New Testament
This book especially deals with suffering and understanding.
It is not wrong to ask "why?" Even Jesus asked "why" while suffering on the cross! (See Mark 15:34.)
The key is to ask "why" with a right spirit and then let God answer you. One book that might do that is 1 Peter.
It would be a shame to go through some trial of affliction in life and never learn why.

4. Plan on using it to help others when it comes to pass
Much suffering is preparatory. It is God's way of preparing us to minister to others we will meet down the road who are going to go through similar experiences.
They may need to lean on you someday.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says, "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."

5. Memorize 2 Corinthians 4:17
Perhaps memorization is difficult for you, but try! This verse forces us to look beyond the immediate, into the future. Here it is:
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;"
Though we can't see it, except by faith, much of this life has to do with the next life. "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him:" (2 Timothy 2:12)

6. Pray
Sometimes God just wants to hear from us, His creatures. He wants us to see our frailty and how much we need Him. Ask the Lord to help you through this time and to make you a better Christian. This may require repentance and some deep soul-searching (see Psalm 119:67).

7. Look for the Lord
There are "glimpses of God" that you will never see except in the valley experiences of life. It will be worth it all as He becomes clearer to you than ever before.

Copyright © 2005Permission granted to freely copy.Scripture verses are from the King James Holy Bible.

Overtaken by Blessings (If We’ll Just Count)

2008-05-07T09:39:00.000-06:00

Preached by Pastor Kohl
November 27, 2005

Numbers 28:2, “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God..”
Introduction:
Sometimes we need to stop and take inventory of all that God has done for us. Many people don’t appreciate God because they don’t realize all He’s given them. A songwriter once wrote, “Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done!”

1. Count Your Blessings (Material)
Have you ever gone through your house and thanked God for everything in it? Have you ever thanked God for your washer, refrigerator, hot water tank (ever taken a cold shower?!) telephone, gas, electric, roof, driveway, car?
I estimate that in my 26 years of marriage, my wife has made me 28,470 meals! She has made our bed 9,490 times. She has done 4,056 loads of laundry. This inventory makes me appreciate her more!
It’s the same with God - the more you realize He does for you, the more you will appreciate him.

2. Count Your Breaths (Physical)
The Apostle Paul once said, “He [God] giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;” (Acts 17:25).
The average human breathes 12 times per minute. That’s about 17,280 times per day, or 120,960 times per week. An 80-year-old person has breathed over half a billion times! Each one of those was a gift from God. Imagine if He decided to stop blessing you with air for just a few minutes. You’d die!
Paul went on to say, “For in him we live, and move, and have our being;” (Acts 17:28). It is because of God that you are able to live today. Have you thanked Him for this?

3. Count Your Benefits (Spiritual)
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.” (Psalm 68:19).
A benefit is something that helps or betters a person. For example: a person who belongs to a union will receive benefits that non-members of that union cannot avail themselves of.
By being a member of God’s family, there are certain benefits we have that people who are not God’s children cannot claim. Let’s look at a few of these:

A. We can understand the Scriptures.
It is difficult for unbelievers to understand the Bible. But if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, He will help you understand the wonderful Book He wrote.
Do you read God’s Holy Bible? If not, you are missing out on a benefit from God!

B. We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, God’s Holy Spirit lives inside of you! He wants to help you in every situation you face, if you will let Him.

C. We have access to Heaven by prayer.
Romans 8:32 says, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”
God doesn’t have to answer the prayers of unsaved people. But He has promised to answer the prayers of His children.

D. We have a Heavenly Father who cares about us.
1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
Psalm 35:27 says “Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.” God wants you to prosper!

E. We will live with God forever.
If you are going through a rough time in your life, remember: our future is bright and glorious.

Conclusion:
If you will count your blessings, you’ll see they far outweigh the heartaches and hardships in your life. Everyday can be Thanksgiving for the believer in Jesus!

Copyright © 2005-00Permission granted to freely copy.Scripture verses are from the King James Holy Bible

Chapel Saying of Dr. Bob Jones Sr. Part 1

2008-03-24T13:10:00.002-06:00

Finish the job.

You can do anything you ought to do.

You can borrow rain, but you cannot borrow character.

When in doubt, play safe.

You can't do wrong and get away with it.

Jokes

2008-03-06T13:42:00.002-06:00

This is why I left the radio station!!
Q: Bachelor Number One, how much do you make?
A: $275,000 per year.Q: And what do you do?
A: I'm a lawyer.
Q: Bachelor Number Two, how much do you make?
A: I make $300,000 a year.Q: And what do you do?
A: I'm a doctor.
Q: Bachelor Number Three, how much do you make?
A: I make $17,500 per year.
Q: And what are the call letters?

______________________________________________________________________

On a hot summer day I was sitting near
an open window sewing and keeping an
eye on my three grandsons playing outside. "Let's play cops and robbers," said Mike.
"I'll be a robber!" Terry and Melvin wanted
the same role. So they needed another
person to play. "What about Grandma?" Terry suggested. "Nah," Mike replied, "she can't run fast enough." "What can we do to make her mad?" asked
Melvin. "Old people can run real fast when
they get mad!"

____________________________________________________________________

DOG'S NOTES TO SELF:~ The garbage collector is not stealing our stuff. ~ I do not need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm lying
under the coffee table. ~ I will not roll my toys behind the fridge, behind the sofa or
under the bed. ~ I must shake the rainwater out of my fur before entering the
house. ~ I will not eat the cats' food--before they eat it or after theythrow it up. ~ I will stop trying to find the few remaining pieces of clean
carpet in the house when I am about to get sick. ~ I will not throw up in the car. ~ I will not roll on dead seagulls, fish, crabs, etc. just because Ilike the way they smell. ~ "Kitty box crunchies"--although they are tasty--are not food. ~ I will not eat any more Kleenex or napkins and then redeposit
them in the backyard after processing. ~ The diaper pail is not a cookie jar. ~ I will not chew my human's toothbrush and not tell them. ~ I will not chew crayons or pens, especially not the red ones,
or my people will think I am hemorrhaging. ~ When in the car, I will not insist on having the window rolled
down when it's raining outside. ~ We do not have a doorbell. I will not bark each time I hear
one on TV. ~ I will not steal my mom's underwear and dance all over the
backyard with it. ~ The sofa is not a face towel. Neither are mom & dad's laps. ~ My head does not belong in the refrigerator. ~ I will not bite the officer's hand when he reaches in for
mom's driver's license and car registration. ~ I will not play tug-of-war with dad's underwear when he's
on the toilet. ~ I will not use "roll around in the dirt" as an option just aftergetting a bath. ~ Sticking my nose into someone's crotch is not an
acceptable way of saying hello. ~ I will not come in from outside and immediately drag my butt
across the carpet. ~ The toilet bowl is not a never-ending water supply and just
because the water is blue, it doesn't mean it is cleaner. ~ The cat is not a squeaky toy so when I play with him and he
makes that noise, it's usually not a good thing.

Wal-Mart apologizes to Muslim woman

2008-02-20T13:54:00.000-06:00

Tue Feb 19, 11:46 PM ET

RIVERDALE, Utah - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. apologized to a Muslim woman who said she was mocked because of her face veil.
"Please don't stick me up," a cashier told the shopper on Feb. 2, according to The Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Wal-Mart apologized Monday in a letter signed by Rolando Rodriquez, a vice president and regional general manager. It was released Tuesday by the council's Nevada chapter.
"I can assure you that the associate in question was disciplined in accordance with our employment policies as a result of the situation," Rodriguez said without disclosing details.
Rodriguez said employees at the Riverdale store would undergo "sensitivity training," specifically in the Islamic faith and Muslim culture.
At Wal-Mart headquarters in Bentonville, Ark., spokesman Phillip Keene confirmed the letter and declined further comment.
"We applaud Wal-Mart for taking appropriate action to resolve this incident," said Yasser Moten, executive director of the council's Nevada chapter. The group doesn't have an office in Utah.

Persecuting Christians in America?

2008-02-18T14:47:00.001-06:00

Column: Randy Bright
February 14th, 2008

This week, after our pastor and two others returned from a mission trip to India, my Sunday School classmates talked about how the church was persecuted in other countries. I later spoke to one of those who had made the trip to India. Though they were not aware of it while they were in India, they learned after returning that two Christian pastors had been arrested in India for converting people to Christ and had been burned alive.
Afterwards, I got on the Internet to see if I could find any news of the execution, and while I could find none regarding that particular event, I did find many more reports of how the church, Christians and pastors are frequently targeted for persecution by Muslims, Hindus and others.
That persecution includes beatings, shootings, murder, burning of Christian’s homes and burning of churches. One report from Nigeria said that during a period of several weeks (it was unclear what year this occurred), 1,500 Christians had been killed and 173 church buildings had been destroyed.
A very recent report on the Door of Hope International website stated that in India the year 2007 had been the “most violent ever for Christians since independence.” (India gained its independence from the British in 1947.)
According to the report, records indicate that between 1950 and 1998 there had been 50 attacks on Christians. From 2001 to 2005, there was a total of about 200 attacks, and in 2006 there were 128. In 2007, the number of attacks jumped to more than 1,000.
In 2007, there was an outbreak of violence in the state of Orissa that led to the murder of at least four Christians and the burning of 730 homes and 95 churches. In addition to the four known murders, a number of other Christians were missing and presumed dead.
The attacks were carried out by Hindu extremists, and despite the fact that there are laws to protect Christians, authorities ignored it.
Just as Muslims seek to impose Islamic law over secular law, Hindu extremists seek to do a similar thing with their ideology. According to the same Door of Home International website, in another event in 2002, Hindus killed around 2,000 people, mostly Muslims, as pro-Hindu government officials did nothing to stop them.
Persecution against Christians is going on in many other countries around the world: Somalia, Turkey, Indonesia, China, Egypt, Libya, Cuba, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Eritrea, just to name a few.
The question is, when will this kind of persecution come to America, and are American Christians ready to endure the type of persecution that others around the world have been enduring for many years?
I recall that for at least twenty years before the 9/11 attack, experts had been saying that there was no question if there would be a terrorist attack on U.S. soil, only a question ofwhen. And when it happened, we were surprised!
We need only look at Europe as a model to see that Islam is taking over without ever firing a shot or burning a church. They have been able to do so because the Europeans’ lost their faith and turned their backs on God. Eventually all of Europe will fall under Islamic rule, and it is then that the bloodbath will begin to eliminate anyone who isn’t a Muslim. A similar thing may happen in India and other Asian countries as Hindus impose their rule on the people of those questions.
We know from research that the United States is slowly losing interest in its traditional faith and Judeo-Christian values. With the mantra of tolerance (for any religion but Christianity) that we hear from “enlightened” secular people, perhaps it won’t be too much longer before the homes and churches of Christians in the United States are burned while an unsympathetic government looks on.
Ridiculous? Perhaps. But then 50 years ago we thought that the idea that abortion would be legal was ridiculous. But over 50 million unborn children have been murdered under the protection of the government. We never thought that prayer would be taken out of school, but 40 years later our schools have become a dangerous place for children, both culturally and physically. We never thought euthanasia would come, but in a few states it is either legal or will be soon. We thought terrorism would never come to America, but it did.
So why should we think that the idea that Christians would be persecuted in America is ridiculous? Something to think about while there is still time to do something about it.

©2008 Randy W. Bright
Randy W. Bright, AIA, NCARB, is an architect who specializes in church and church-related projects. You may contact him at 918-664-7957, rwbarch@aol.com or www.churcharchitect.net.

Your Cell Phone or Your Bible?

2008-02-07T14:00:00.000-06:00

I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our mobile phone?
*What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
*What if we flipped through it several times a day?
*What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
*What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
*What if we treated it like we couldn’t live without it?
*What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
*What if we used it when we traveled?
*What if we used it in case of emergency?
This is something to make you go “hmm…where is my Bible?” Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our mobile phone, we don’t have to worry about our Bible being disconnected. Makes you stop and think “where are my priorities? And… no dropped calls!

A Joke

2008-02-07T13:48:00.000-06:00

If you' ve ever worked for a boss that reacts before thinking things throught, you will love this...!
A large company, feeling it was time for a shakeup, hired a new CEO. This new boos was determined to rid the company of all slackers. On a tour of the facilities, the CEO noticed a guy leaning on a wall. The room was full of workers and he wanted to let them know that he meant business. He walked up to the guy leaning against the wall and asked, "How much money do you make a week?'

A liitle suprised, the young fellow looked at him and replied, "I make $300 a week. Why?"

The CEO then handed the guy $1,200 in cash and screamed, "Here's four weeks' pay, now GET OUT and don't come back!"

Feeling pretty good about himself, the CEO looked around the room and asked, "Does any want to tell me what that goof- off did here?"

From across the room came a voice....

" Pizza delivery guy from Domino's"

What Doctors can do --

2008-02-05T13:55:00.000-06:00

What Doctors can do --
Japanese doctor says, "Medicine in my country is so advanced that wecan take a kidney out of one man, put it in another, and have himout looking for work in six weeks.

"A German doctor says, "That is nothing. We can take a lungout of one person, put it in another, and have him outlooking for work in four weeks.

"A British doctor says, "In my country medicine is soadvanced that we can take half a heart out of one person,put it in another, and have both of them out looking forwork in two weeks.

"The American doctor, not to be outdone, interjected, "Youguys are way behind. We are about to take a woman with nobrains, put her in the White House, and then half thecountry will be out looking for work in one week

Think About It

2007-12-05T11:54:00.000-06:00

Excerpt from

You're Born An Original; Don't Die a Copy

Part 1

"Who said it?" is an important question to ask of everything we believe.

Do you make promises or commitments?

Does God seem far away? If so. guess who moved.

Do you have a strong will or a strong won't?

What is it like to be my friend?

What is it like to work with me?

Are you making a living or a life?

If the future generations were dependent on you for spiritual knowledge, how much would thet receive?

Do you risk enought to exercise your faith in God?

Do you say "our Father' on Sunday and then act like an prphan the rest of the week?

Are you willing to preach what you practice?