Learning-The-Truth

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

2007-07-01T11:39:00.000-07:00

Praise the Lord, I finished my training here at Fort Gordon. Last week was my last field training and Lord willing, this Tuesday at noon, I will be graduating from Fort Gordon and going home back to California.
I am thankful for the time that I was here and the brothers and sisters that I met at SouthGate Baptist Church. It was a blessing to be a part of SouthGate Baptist Church.
So far, I do not know anything about going to Iraq since I have not been contacted for that. Some of my fellow soldiers are going to Iraq in November. Thanks to those of you that were praying for me and Lord willing, next post will be from California.

THE END IS VERY NEAR!!!!!

2007-06-22T10:05:00.000-07:00

NO! NO! NO! This post is not going to talk at all about the end of the world or anything like that. I just would like to share with people that my training here at Fort Gordon, GA is FINALLY DONE!, YES!!! IT IS DONE!!!!
Today was my last day of class here at Fort Gordon. Next week, Lord willing, I will be going to my final field training and then graduating from Fort Gordon on July 3rd.
I am so much looking forward to go back to California and be involve in the events back at my church home, school, and with my family (parents and sister).
Lord willing, I might be going back to teaching at our school (more information on that probably later).
Praise the Lord, I was able to do well during all this training and now continue on the rest of the road that He, God, may have for me back in California. Thanks to all of you that were praying for me during all this time that I was in training.

FAILING TO LAY UP TREASURE IN HEAVEN

2007-06-02T14:14:00.000-07:00

In I Corinthians 3:11-15 we read about a serious subject for believers to consider.
When a Christian sins and gives that sin a place of shelter, fellowship with God is broken, salvation's joy is lost, chastisement is given an open invitation and loss of reward is inevitable.
Out of fellowship means out of service, and out of service means that one is failing to lay up treasure in heaven. At that point, one is building with "wood, hay and stubble" which cannot endure the test of the Rewarding Day.
The Holy Spirit assures us that a foundation has already been laid, none other that the Rock, Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:18). The laying of this foundation, by the hand of divine wisdom (1:18-31), need never be repeated. It is laid as deep as the grave (15:3-5) and is as stable as the Eternal Throne (Hebrews 1:8).
We are saved, safe, secure, resting on our Rock, Jesus Christ. This security, however, in no way gives us license to live as we please (Colossians 1:9-10). The Lord will one day judge the believer's works (II Corinthians 5:10) and will determine the rewards we will receive at His hand.
What happens if we sin, embrace it and live, for a time, in carnality? God's answer is the Judgment Seat of Christ. The day of reckoning is coming for all believers--a day of reward or loss of reward.
And so, a warning comes to all-- "take heed" (v. 10) and always meditate on "Be ye also patient: stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh"(I Peter 5:8). We must build with the proper material, that which is lasting and of great value ("gold, silver, precious stones," v. 12). Faithful service motivated by the desire to glorify God will abide and be rewarded (4:2, 5), but works performed in the flesh will cause the suffering of loss. Out of fellowship means out of service, and out of service means loss of reward (I John 2:28).

PLEASE PRAY ABOUT THIS EVENT!!!!

2007-04-28T08:34:00.000-07:00

Recently, I have been informed of an event that is taking place back in my home church, Bethel Baptist Church, in El Sobrante, California.
There is an article on the news paper that was launched on 04/26/2007. The article was entitle "Church urges parents not to spare the rod" you can read this article by clicking here
Please pray for this event since at this moment is a big issue in California.

SEVEN REASONS WHY FIRST JOHN WAS WRITTEN

2007-03-31T10:59:00.000-07:00

I would like to share the following outline on why first John was written from the book "Traveling through the First Epistle of John" by J. William Kanoy. Hope this be a blessing to you as you study this book.

PROVIDE --- Fellowship 1:1-3
PRACTICE -- Fullness of joy 1:4
PROHIBIT --- Sin in the life of the believer 2:1
PROMOTE --- Love among the brethren 2:5-10
PROCLAIM --- Forgiveness of sins 2:12-14
PROTECT --- Believers from seducers 2:26
PRODUCE --- Needed assurance 5:13

W.H.G Thomas says, "The Christian life may be summed up in seven words. It commences with Sonship, it is marked by Discipleship, it goes to Stewardship, it expresses itself in Worship, it responds to Lordship, it is realized in Fellowship, and it culminates in Heirship."

BE STILLL

2007-03-17T08:55:00.000-07:00

THIS WAS WRITTEN BY PASTOR BRANDENBURG ON HIS BLOG "WHAT IS TRUTH"

I DO BELIEVE THAT WE TRULY NEED TO MEDITATE ON THIS DAY BY DAY...

I have an image in my head of my oldest daughter, explaining to me why she couldn't get a project done that I had for her. This was several years ago when she explained: "I can't sit steeeel." At the time, I was very amused that she did have an answer, one that was a bold admission. Most people don't want anyone one of their character flaws. She boldly admitted it, and I got a chuckle out of it. I still look at her at times and think: "I can't sit steeel."It is difficult for almost anyone to sit still any more.

Our culture is not a sit still culture. We are the fast food nation. You know that. We can't take time to sit steeeel for supper. Everything has drive-up. No service stations anymore. We might have to sit and wait for something. I could take this all back by saying that we can sit steeeel to watch television, well, as long as the people on television aren't sitting steeeel. Television watching is a form of role play. People can "sit" and watch and live vicariously through the characters. And normally they don't want something slow moving. Imagine Barney sitting like a talking head. I'm sure he would grow old just sitting still like that. Viewership would plummet. Kids will tell you how bored they are if they don't have something to do. "Something" usually isn't work. They mean something to do that will amuse them, entertain them. We've created a new word to brag about how busy we are: multi-tasking.

Is it a grasshopper? A large cicada that landed on the side of someone's head? That's what I've thought when I see the genetically attached phone projecting from someone's ear. We have to keep in contact always, even if it's texting, the surface of earth becoming a land of electronic noises, beepings and orchestrations announcing the mere phone call. We need to talk, watch, and listen. Media fixation. Channel and webpage surfing revealing designs that bombard the senses, leaving us unable to concentrate like we once could.Yes, I do think it's all a conspiracy against God. Living by faith in God requires His command in Psalm 46:10.
Be still, and know that I am God.

God requires stillness. We must stop and pause to listen, to consider, to cogitate, and to meditate, to chew the cud. It's hard to rest in this fast moving current, but God commanded it. We really do need to stop, not to smell the roses. I tried to talk to a woman at her door about eternal life, about the state of her soul, about whether she was ready to meet God. She couldn't. Why? She had beans on the stove. If beans were enough to distract her from the eternal and spiritual, Satan is not going to have to pull out any of his big cannons. To her, God wasn't worth beans. That's the truth of it for many people, perhaps even something less significant than beans. Beans may look substantive comparatively.

God doesn't want us going through life in automatic pilot or in some interminable ritual of indifference toward Him. He wants us to be still. Don't hop into the car. Don't touch that remote control. Keep your fingers off any of the on buttons. Spend time thinking about God---His greatness, His love, His power, His justice, His mercy, His goodness, His holiness---recounting His attributes. He is more than worth being noticed. It behooves us to turn everything off---the radio, television, computer, stereo---get alone, and give Him our time; wait on Him.Finlandia is an amazing piece of music. My son and daughter's orchestra played this in an afternoon concert on Sunday. The end is spine tingling. I actually think that the music by Sibelius better fits Psalm 46:10 than the typical hymn rendition of Be Still My Soul. Look at the whole verse:

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

God commands us to "be still," but whether we decide to obey that or not, everyone will be still at some point. The second half of the verse takes away the quiet, pastoral presentation we often sense from that snippet of Finlandia that serves as the melody to the hymn. The beginning of Finlandia might better represent the verse. The idea is: "You better be still or else, because I will be exalted among the heathen." The heathen don't tend toward exalting God, so what do you think is going to happen to them for this to occur? Every knee will bow whether they like it, whether they choose to or not.

If any of us would stop to consider the great mercy, grace, love, and goodness of God, we would better understand the joy and peace of stillness. We can cut through the noise, the busy mess, and find the beauty in what God has done. Let's do more than smell the coffee. Let's take a deep breath, unwind, let the tension seep from our knotted muscles, and let God take over our thoughts.

Sit steeeeel. Be still.

OUTLINES FOR JOHN'S BOOKS

2007-02-23T05:17:00.000-08:00

Following are some outlines that I read in the book "Traveling through the First Epistle of John" by J. William Kanoy, that I believe it will be a blessing to understand the books as a whole.

OUTLINE #1
Our Salvation---Gospel of John-Past
Our Sanctification---Epistle of John-Present
Our Glorification---Revelation of John-Future

OUTLINE #2
John's Gospel---Christ is Prophet
John's Epistle---Christ is Priest
John's Revelation---Christ is King

OUTLINE #3
Gospel of John---written that men may be converted
Epistle of John---written that men may be confirmed
Revelation of John---written that men may be comforted

PRAY FOR OUR SOLDIERS!!!!

2007-02-10T13:53:00.000-08:00

I watched the flag pass by one day; it fluttered in the breeze. A young Marine saluted it, and then he stood at ease..
I looked at him in uniform So young, so tall, so proud, With hair cut square and eyes alert He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him Had fallen through the years. How many died on foreign soil. How many mothers' tears? How many pilots' planes shot down? How many died at sea How many foxholes were soldiers' graves? No, freedom isn't free.
I heard the sound of Taps one night, When everything was still, I listened to the bugler play And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times That Taps had meant "Amen," When a flag! had draped a coffin. Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children, Of the mothers and the wives, Of fathers, sons and husbands With interrupted lives. I thought about a graveyard At the bottom of the sea Of unmarked graves in Arlington . No, freedom isn't free.

Enjoy Your Freedom & God Bless Our Troops!!

Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Prayer is the very best one.

A MAN AFTER MINE OWN HEART--HUMILITY

2007-02-09T06:23:00.000-08:00

Kind David is described in Scripture as a "man after God's own heart" because he purposed to be faithful to God and he confessed his sin to God when he failed his Lord.
Now, we are going to see another characteristic of a person "after God's own heart"--humility. In II Samuel 7:18-22, we see how Kind David, unlike Saul, continually lived with a reverence and respect to the Lord, and such a fear of God led King David to possess a proper perspective of himself before an Almighty God.

"Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? And this
was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy
servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man,
O Lord GOD? And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD,
knowest thy servant. For thy word's sake, and according to thine own
heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know
them. Wherefore thou are great, O LORD God: for there is none like
thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard
with our ears."

This text gives us a clear picture of David's genuinely humble heart. To humble ourselves is tho have the right perspective of an Almighty God, who is Holy, Righteous, Merciful, Gracious, Just, Creator of heaven and earth, etc. What is your perspective of God? Does it motivate you to truly worship and serve Him?

James 4:6, 10 "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."
I Peter 5:6 "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God; that he may exalt you in due time."

When you humble yourselve before God, you are also showing a submission to God's timing and will for your life. We can see this in the life of King David in I Samuel 24:1-13. King David, possessed the opportunity to exalt himself above Saul, yet he continued to view life from God's perspective and, therefore, submitted himself to God's timing. He refused to murder the king whom God had appointed to rule His people. Are you willing to submit to God's will for your life?

The opposite side of this coin is PRIDE, which leads to destruction. Proverbs 19:3 "The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the Lord."
Proverbs 27:1-2 "Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips."

On which side of the coin are you in?

A MAN AFTER MINE OWN HEART--CONFESSION

2007-02-05T10:19:00.000-08:00

When we read in the Word of God about King David, we find that he was a human with a sin nature, the flesh. David failed God at times and actually demonstrated a lack of faithfulness to the Lord. Like David, we, too, still possess a sin nature, the flesh. And, like David, we will fail God at times. So, what should be our response in this situation? If we want to be a person "after God's own heart," we will need to confess our sins and seek restoration to a proper fellowship with Almighty God, our Heavenly Father--just like David did.
In Psalm 51, we have David's prayer of confession to God following his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. His heartfelt sorrow for sin is evident in these verses. If we are to think as God thinks and view life from His perspective as we should, then we will call sin what it is and deal with it as it arises in our hearts.
David was a man after God's own heart not because he was sinless but because he dealt with his sin. It truly bothered him to sin against God and to fail his LORD so miserably. When confronted by Nathan, the prophet of God, David could have denied his sin, rationalized his sin or confessed his sin. He chose the latter. Saul, on the other hand, attempted to rationalize his sin when confronted by Samuel (I Samuel 15:20-21). Which path are you following David's or Saul's when it comes to sin? Do you even blush at sin? Ezra 9:6 "And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens."
David's confession allowed him to be used by God once again (v. 13). Yes! we will sin and fail our Lord at times, but immediate recognition and confession is vital if we are to be restored to proper fellowship and be considered a person "after God's own heart." Remember these verses:
I 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."
Proverbs 28:13 "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso convesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."

A MAN AFTER MINE OWN HEART--LOYALTY & OBEDIENCE

2007-02-01T08:05:00.000-08:00

God chose David to be the next king of Israel because David was a man "after God's own heart" (I Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). Saul, on the other hand, had been rejected from being king because "thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee." (I Samuel 13:14).
His heart was not in tune with God's heart because he did not view life from God's perspective. So what does it take to be a person after God's own heart, like David? Did David sin less than Saul? Was David inherently a better person than Saul? NO! David was a sinful human being like any one of us. Yet David had the following traits that we ought to follow if we also want to be a man "after God's own heart."
To be a person "after God's own hear" is to be a faithful child of God--to be totally committed and dedicated to complete loyalty and obedience to the Lord.

II Samuel 22:22-25 "For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them. I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity. Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteouness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight."

Psalm 119:33-36 "Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto they testimonies, and not to covetousness."

As you can see, King David, was a man that "kept the ways of the LORD" "he did not depart from them" "keep it to the end" and "observe it with my whole heart." These characteristics showed his loyalty and obedience to the Lord. Do you have these characteristics in your life? Are you seeking for these characteristics in your own life? Are you seeking for a "well done" from our Lord Jesus Christ?

To be faithful means to understand that obedience is more important than "results" and that diligence is required in the Christian life. We must continually "walk" and "grow" as new creatures in Christ.

Colossians 1:9-10 "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God."

II Peter 3:18 "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."

Romans 8:1, 4 "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16 "This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh."

We can conclude that sporadic, infrequent, or random faith in the Lord and His Word, has no place in the life of a faithful child of God that is seeking "after God's own heart."

A MAN AFTER MINE OWN HEART--INTRODUCTION

2007-01-31T07:48:00.000-08:00

Throughout history, we hear testimonies of men about the work or accomplishments that some people have done that have gained them a famous status in the world; even to the point that we have holidays in remembrance of them and books written about them. But, which testimony is more precious/valuable? Is it the testimony of men or the testimony that Almighty God has about that person? Which testimony are you seeking for throughout your life?
In these two verses, we have the testimony of Almighty God about one man, David. I Samuel 13:14 "But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee." Acts 13:22 "And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will."
In the following days to come, Lord willing, we will be looking at some traits worthy to follow that were in a man after God's own heart, King David.

SOLDIER RECEIVES A RUDE E-MAIL FROM AN USA COMPANY

2007-01-23T10:41:00.000-08:00

WTMJ Radio -- An Internet company based in West Allis is confirming that it sent an inflammatory e-mail to a US soldier. The email has been making its rounds on the blogs. It was first reported on the website snopes.com. Sergeant Jason Hess, who's currently stationed in Iraq, had e-mailed discount-mats.com. The company lists its contact information as an address in West Allis. The following is a copy of the e-mail exchange:

From: SGT Jason HessSent: Tue Jan 16 3:25
Do you ship to APO addresses? I'm in the 1st Cavalry Division stationed in Iraq and we are trying to order some mats but we are looking for who ships to APO first.

From: contact@discount-mats.comSent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 9:44 PM
Subject: Re: Feedback: from discount-mats.com

SGT Hess,We do not ship to APO addresses, and even if we did, we would NEVER ship to Iraq. If you were sensible, you and your troops would pull out of Iraq.

Bargain SuppliersDiscount-Mats.com

Whatever your view is on this war - these troops are just following orders. Most are passionate about what they are doing. You can disagree with the war without disrespecting our troops.

LOOKING UP OR DOWN

2007-01-17T07:24:00.000-08:00

In Matthew 6:19-20 we read: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal."
Having the right perspective of life can make all the difference in this world. What is your perspective? Is it eternal or is it temporal?
Also, we read in Colossians 3:1-2 "If ye then be risen with Christ; seek those things which are above, whre Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affectin on things above, not on things on the earth."
I believe that in this verse we are given the source for the right view of life, which is in Christ. Without Christ, it is impossible to have the right perspective/view of life that will please the Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth. Therefore, those that are in Christ ought to follow to action verbs: SEEK and SET.
Remember this: "What we do in this life echoes in eternity."

TRAITS OF A CHRISTIAN

2007-01-17T07:06:00.000-08:00

In Psalm 1:1-3, there are several traits that describes a person that has put his trust in Almighty God, who wants to be His servant.
First, it describes a person's behavior/attitude towards the pleasures of this world (v. 1)
Second, it describes a person who enjoys the blessing of God; instead of thinking and acting like those who rarely consider spiritual matters (v. 2)
Third, it describes the result in that person's life, which is a fruitful life and a well-nourished soul (v. 3)
What a blessing is to know that "...the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous..." Therefore, we should just let Him LEAD THE WAY.

WHAT DO YOU FEAR?

2006-12-29T20:12:00.000-08:00

In our increasingly dangerous world, think of what we have to fear: ominous terrorist threats, frightening crime rates, increasing natural disasters (by the way I just came back to California for the holidays from Fort Gordon, Georgia and I was welcome by three quakes in two weeks), sobering energy crises, ..., God. YES! God. Ironic, isn't it, that in a world full of fearful things, the single source of our refuge and safety is also the ONE we are instructed to fear but many people instead of fearing the CREATOR have a lot more fear of HIS CREATION.
To fear God is to sense His awesomeness. When we acknowledge that greatness and trust in Him, we no longer want to walk in darkness but desire to walk in the light since He is Light.
Psalm 112:1 "Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments."
Proverbs 10:27 "The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened."
Proverbs 14:26-27 "In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death."
It is true, you know it and I know it! What is that you may ask? Well, that is that we fear more man than Almighty God who created man. Many people go day by day thinking more on what man is going to say or do rather than thinking (if thinking at all) on what Almighty God has to say or will do in our lifes.
Matthew 10:28 "And fear not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and bldy in hell."
Proverbs 29:25 "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe."
As we start this new year, let's have this resolution: "...Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man" Ecclesiastes 12:13
Psalm 128:1 "Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways."

WAITING FOR GOD

2006-12-21T09:37:00.000-08:00

Author Henri Nouwen has observed that the first pages of Luke's gospel are filled with people who were waiting: Zacharias and Elisabeth, Mary and Joseph, Simeon and Anna were all waiting for the fulfillment of a promise from God. But instead of passively waiting, they were actively looking to the Lord each day, what Nouwen calls being "present to the moment."
Simeon, for example, was controlled not by hopelessness but by the Spirit who prompted him to go into the temple. His words of praise when he saw the child Jesus, the promised Messiah, resound as an example of patient hope in God: "For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of they people Israel." Luke 2:30-32
Many of us find ourselves waiting on God for an answer to a prayer or the fulfillment of a promise "But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John." Luke 1:13
His word comes to us, just as it did to those who were swept up in the events that marked the first Christmas: "And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God." Luke 1:30
"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." Luke 2:10
As we listen to God in His Word and obey Him, we'll discover His goodness and power as we wait. Remember this: "Time spent waiting on God is never wasted."

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT

2006-12-05T08:04:00.000-08:00

During my devotions I came across these verses:
Romans 11:19-20
"Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear."

Ephesians 2:1-6
"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. BUT GOD, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

I Peter 2:7-10
"Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but NOW HAVE OBTAINED MERCY."

I am very thankful that He saved me and called me out from darkness into his marvellous light because of His great mercy. How about you? Let me bring this to mind: "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

AWAY ALL THIS TIME!!!

2006-11-15T13:06:00.000-08:00

HELLO EVERYONE, I WAS AWAY ALL THIS TIME IN THE ARMY BASIC TRAINING. DURING THIS TIME I DID NOT HAVE ANY ACCESS TO A COMPUTER UNTIL NOW. LORD WILLING, SOON I WILL START WRITING AGAIN. THANKS

YOUR WALK TALKS!!

2006-09-06T20:08:00.000-07:00

In James 3:18 we read "But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Then, let us take this short one answer quiz:
1. Who do we trust day by day?
2. Do we acknowledge God's will in our everyday decisions?
3. Do we wait patiently in God?
4. Do you trust your own decisions? or Do you trust your decisions as you are seeking God's will?

Consider the following verses as you already know the answers to that short quiz.

Psalm 37:3, 4, 7
"Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass."

Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

THINK OF THESE THINGS

2006-09-02T20:28:00.000-07:00

It has been quite some time since the last time I wrote, so here is this short topic.
Since Philippians 4:8 says: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Then, I thought about us thinking/meditating on these verses:

Lamentations 3:21-26 "This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD."

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."

Ephesians 1:2-3 "Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ."

Deuteronomy 7:9 "Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations."

So, I will encourage you to THINK ON THESE THINGS BECAUSE THEY ARE TRUE, HONEST, JUST, PURE, LOVELY, AND OF GOOD REPORT WITH A LOT OF VIRTUE AND PRAISE!!!

I KNOW THAT THOU FEAREST GOD (PART III)

2006-08-19T14:35:00.000-07:00

2. THE STEPS THAT LED TO THAT CONCLUSION
(Genesis 22:3-10)
A. The Obedience – vv. 3-4
All the details that we see in v. 3 speaks of the writer’s deliberate effort (by inspiration of God) to place the reader in Abraham’s sandals and anticipate the outcome.
Abraham was OBEDIENT to the everlasting God in every detail, to perform the burnt offering of his son Isaac as he was commanded by God, including the location. The offering that Abraham was going to present before God was the burnt offering. This burnt offering was done on an altar.

Before Isaac was born, Abraham already knew about the altar of burnt offering (Genesis 12:7-8; 13:4,18). An altar is a place of sacrifice. Sacrifice is integral and essentially synonymous with the God-pleasing, God-honoring life. Abraham’s love, reverence, and respect for God were evident in his attitude of faith, obedience, and wholehearted commitment to God even to the point of sacrificing his only son.
B. The Faith vv. 5-6
Abraham’s faith is manifested in his statement that "I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you" The verbs in v. 5 are all in first person, plural imperfects.
Abraham’s faith was based on the Lord’s promise "in Isaac shall thy seed be called" (Genesis 21:12); a faith that rests on God Himself. Let's read a commentary on this passage from Romans 4:19-25 "And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."

As it was mentioned before; this is a very significant event since is a figure of the redemptive plan of God. We read in Hebrews 11:17-19 "By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son. Of whom it was said, that in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure."
"Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son" Look at John 19:17 "And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha."
I believed more and more as I study the Word of God that it is His Words, that is inspired by God, by seeing here even to the smallest detail about the sacrifice of Isaac fulfilling to the point the things that our Lord Jesus Christ was going to suffer to redeem us from our sins.
C. The Submission vv. 7-8
The Lord revealed His PLAN, Abraham revealed his FAITH, and now Isaac revealed his SUBMISSION. Isaac knew what a burnt offering was since he asked "where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" As we saw before, Abraham had already done sacrifices on the altar of burnt offering before Isaac was born(Genesis 12:7-8; 13:4,18).
I believe that this testifies of what God said concerning Abraham as a father in Genesis 18:19 "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him."

Abraham answered his son's question with the redemptive theme of the Bible, "God will provide himself a lamb..." v. 8 This is a simple Hebrew sentence which includes the subject (God), the verb (will provide), the direct object (a lamb), and an indirect object (himself).
The verb "will provide" could be translated "will see" as we read in v. 14. The English word provide means literally "fore see."

"for a burnt offering" This burnt offering was very symbolic of the future substitutionary death and sacrificial shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:1-18). Salvation was not in the burnt offering, but salvation was in FAITH in God’s will and way, in His plan for a future Messiah represented by this burnt offering. Abraham knew the Gospel message of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ — Galatians 3:8-9 "And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham"

John the Baptist gave the final revelation concerning the lamb provided by God as he pointed to Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" John 1:29
For Isaac, his father’s answer was sufficient; without questioning he continue with his father to the place appointed by God for the burnt offering, demonstrating his complete submission to his father. Isaac understood and had knowledge of the God of his father. Isaac followed the example given by his father with regard to complete submission as he was witnessing the WORKS of his father and NOT JUST BY HIS FAITH WITHOUT WORKS. This is a wonderful formula for a family: ABRAHAM(FATHER) SUBMISSION TO GOD + ISAAC (CHILD)SUBMISSION TO HIS FATHER = God is PLEASE, GLORIFY, and PRAISE when we submit, surrender completely to Him and testify that through our WORKS. I am reminded of I Corinthians 11:3 and Ephesians 6:1-3.
D. The Belief vv. 9-10
In response to God’s commands of take, go, and offer (v. 2), Abraham had taken Isaac (v. 3), had gone (v. 3) and now he is going to offer his son (v. 9) showing COMPLETE OBEDIENCE and FAITH is God’s promise with regard to Isaac as the promised seed.
"And Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order" v.9 The altar was a type of cross where Christ was to be the burnt offering several years later in the same appointed place chosen by God, on Mt. Moriah. The altar illustrates the fact that one can approach God only through sacrifice. Christ is the type of both priest and sacrifice.
John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
Hebrews 10:3-10 "But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore
when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offering and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then
said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not,
neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we
are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

The submission of Isaac as his father was going to sacrifice him illustrates the same submission of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.
Philippians 2:7-8 "But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
I Peter 2:22-23 "Who did not sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously."

In Abraham’s part there was no STOP in offering Isaac(v. 10) and OBEYING what God has commanded. God knew that Isaac was Abraham’s greatest love as we see in v.1 "thy son," "thine only son...," "whom thou lovest," In OBEDIENCE there is NO TURNING BACK or CHANGE OF MIND. All the specific details that we see in vv. 9-10 show Abraham’s devotion to God and of Isaac’s complete surrender to the sovereignty of God.

I KNOW THAT THOU FEAREST GOD(PART II)

2006-08-18T12:40:00.000-07:00

1. THE SETTING FOR THAT CONCLUSION(Genesis 22:1-2)
A. The Background Leading to this Setting -- "And it came to pass after these things" Genesis 22:1a – joins the beginning of this chapter with the events that happened in the previous chapter (the birth of Isaac, Hagar and her son, and the covenant with Abimelech). Abraham made a covenant with Abimelech and called that place where they both swear Beersheba. From this place Abraham called on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God. Abraham sojourned in the Philistines’ land many days. Sometimes after seeing God's faithfulness and mercy; there comes a test, a proving to know what is in our heart.
B. The Backbone of this Setting -- Genesis 22:1b, 2
The word "tempt" is the Hebrew word "nasah" which means to test, try or prove. God never tempts a man to do evil (James 1:13). God was testing, proving Abraham’s FAITH with regard to Isaac as the promised seed(Genesis 17:19). This reminds me of Deuteronomy 8:2 "And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments or no."

The detailed description of Abraham’s relationship to Isaac, "thy son," "thine only son...," "whom thou lovest," draws out the supreme significance of this whole event. This is a picture of the very intimate fellowship between God the Son and God the Father: "only begotten Son" (John 3:16); "Thou art my son" (Hebrews 1:5-6); "Thou art my beloved Son" (Luke 3:21-22).

With three simple imperatives (commands), take, get thee(go), and offer; the Lord makes His will known unto Abraham. This testing, proving of Abraham’s FAITH, is to be an example to us and also a TEST for a believer to see that FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD (Rom. 4:1-5; James 2:14-26; I Peter 1:7). Our WORKS are our only visible testimony to man of our FAITH in a Merciful, Righteous, Longsuffering, and Almighty God. God-initiated faith will result in a supernatural change that will be noticeable in one's activity. Romans 6:22 talks about FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD this way "But now being made free from sin, and become SERVANTS TO GOD, ye have your FRUIT UNTO HOLINESS, and the end everlasting life." What a blessing to know that our FRUIT/WORKS IN CHIRST is unto holiness because it represents a Holy God.
C. The Brief but Significant Response While in this Setting -- Genesis 22:1c "Behold, here I am"
When God spoke to Abraham, he responded with total submission by stating literally "behold me." Abraham understood Who was talking "the LORD God Most High, maker of heaven and earth; the everlasting God" and that demanded reverence, respect, and submission on his part when God spoke. I wonder if today we, Christians, have the same view of God as Abraham had. The same God that Abraham worshipped is the same God that we, Christians, are worshipping now. God never changes (James 1:17).

Since Abraham was very familiar to the voice of God because of his intimate fellowship or walk with Him; his response was immediate. When we walk closely with God we can discerned His voice and respond as Abraham did "Behold, here I am." How can this be done? By reading, meditating, and living by every word that comes out from the mouth of God, the Bible. James 1:19 says "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be SWIFT TO HEAR, slow to speak, slow to wrath." Is that us? I think that many "Christians" now a days are very swift to speak, quick to wrath, and very slow in hearing the Word of God. Hopefully that is not you!

I KNOW THAT THOU FEAREST GOD

2006-07-20T07:26:00.000-07:00

About three years ago, I had the opportunity to teach Bible to our Jr. High and High School students. We studied through the book of James that year. As we studied this epistle, we came to several passages of Scripture that had to do with WORKS.
James 2:17 "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone"
James 2:20 "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"
James 2:24 "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" James 2:26 "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also"

James, when teaching about WORKS, gives two illustrations and one of them was Abraham(James 2:21-26). Lord willing, we are going to look at a very important event in Abraham’s life in his walked with God and how his works showed in whom he had believed (Genesis 22).
In order to know in whom Abraham had believed, we need to ask these questions: Who was God to Abraham? Did Abraham know in whom he has believed? Was Abraham persuaded in the omnipotence and omniscience of the God in whom he had believed? Let’s look at the following background:
1. Abraham had a perspective of God that was comprehensive and practical. To him God was "the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth"(Gen. 14:22)
2. Abraham called God:
a) The Most High God – (Gen. 14:18-20) El Elyon (High)
b) Lord GOD – (Gen. 15:2,8) Adonai(The one Who Owns me) Jehovah(The existing One, I Am)
c) Almighty GOD – (Gen. 17:1) El Shaddai (The Nourisher)
d) Everlasting GOD – (Gen. 21:33) El Olam (Indefinite Period)

The knowledge that Abraham had concerning the omnipotence of this God, as we can see in the way he testifies of Him, was a practical reality in Abraham’s life as the laws of nature were overruled in the provision of the promised son (Gen. 18:13,14; 21:1-7). I believe that because of this intimate knowledge that Abraham had of our Heavenly Father; there is no wonder we read in James "...and he was called the Friend of God."

Now, knowing the God in whom Abraham had believed, we have a better understanding of the basis for his FAITH in this God, whom Abraham fearest, and through his obedience demonstrating his FAITH by WORKS. Now, with all this in mind: Is the God that you are trusting IN the same God that Abraham trusted? What is the basis for your FAITH? Are you trully persuaded so that God can say of you "I know that thou fearest God" because of your obedience without question?

We see that God was pleased when He says about Abraham "I know that thou fearest God". Therefore, coming soon, a study of Genesis 22 seeing Abraham’s WORKS that led to that wonderful testimony.

IS SIMPLE TO BE A SIMPLE MAN!!

2006-07-17T20:33:00.000-07:00

In the book of Proverbs, we have a very well description of several types of men: the foolish man, the wise man, the prudent man, the scornful man, the simple man, etc. Let's look at one of the men in Proverbs, the simple man.
The simple man has the distict characteristic of being easily allured or deceived. The Hebrew word for "simple" has the understanding of: seducible; make roomy; delude; deceive; entice.
Now, having all of these things in mind; is it a sin to be a simple man? NO. But, it is a sin to stay simple (as one servant of God once said). Well, you may say, why? That is a good question that you are asking!!! So, let me answer that question.
1. Because the simple man believes every word: "The simple believeth every word word..." Proverbs 14:15a
2. Because the simple man does evil: "A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished." Proverbs 22:3; 27:12
3. Because the simple man is without understanding: "And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youth, an young man woid of understanding." Proverbs 7:7
Also, one example of many examples that we have in the Word of God conerning the simple man that can help, is in I Kings 13:7-26. I will exhort you to specially pay attention to v. 26 "...It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the LORD..."
What is the simple man lacking? DISCERNMENT!!!! "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." Proverbs 9:10