Standing Our Ground
What we are up against: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12
Basically, we can expect to see every worldly institution, every worldly policy, and every worldly mindset embrace the policies that are promoted by the spirit of anti-christ, that are against God’s principles and authority. This should not astound us, in view of the fact that the world reached solidarity on the position to “…give us Barabbas and crucify Christ.”
Christians are ambassadors for Christ to our lost world: “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as thought God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20 An ambassador’s authority and mission is not to change the country to whom he is sent, but to represent the country which sent him to the country to whom he is sent. Unless people accept Christ for themselves, there is no other way to translate them into the Kingdom of God.
In being Christ’s ambassadors, the important matter of being in Christ’s stead, is to be reconciled with God. We are not to seek to be and/or do what is relevant to our world, but rather maintain our identity with the Kingdom of God that is set forth in God’s Word: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2
We are to stand our ground on the sound doctrines of God’s Word in the New Testament Church: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 This seems to be holy ground that many have forsaken, as they break ranks with all scripture for doctrine, chanting, “We’re not under the law.”
To forsake God’s laws under the guise of this being liberty, is to sanction the transgression of God’s law: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 1 John 3:4 God’s law is to be the ground upon which we stand.
SHARING
Affording Opportunity
“For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him.” 1 Samuel 1:27
“To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.” Proverbs 1:2-4
You’ve probably heard the expression, “born with a silver spoon in his mouth.” This speaks of someone born into a family of material means, affording the child great material opportunity.
For a child to be born unto a mother of faith, who will nurture this child in the faith and knowledge of God’s Word–this is the most excellent opportunity!
Even though a child receives their human capacities genetically, what they will become is decided by the wisdom they embrace.
Thus, a godly mother can afford her children the opportunity for spiritual success in this life and for all eternity. Rather than just let genetics decide her child’s mannerisms and conduct, she can raise her child to know what is right and proper, thus enabling them to have the blessing of a responsible and productive life. Rather than just accepting “as is”, her emphasis can be to develop her child’s values and efforts to their fullest potential.
She can correct them from base behavior by imposing expectations on them that will improve their thinking and decision processes, and provoke and inspire them to properly apply themselves to the situations of life. She doesn’t just make what’s right available for their ears, but she ingrains it into their heart and mind through training and example, to make it the norm of their ways. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 Thus, training is what provides opportunity.
There will be no regrets for providing the opportunity for our children to know the Lord and what is expected of them, for which they will surely be judged of God.
“…she shall rejoice in time to come.”
“Her children arise up and call her blessed…”
“…a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised”
“Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31
A Nation In Commotion
2016 is a turbulent year, with many uncertainties staring people in the face. For one thing, our nation is in the process of forsaking God, unto relying on man: “Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:5
Everyone who looks can see the great problems confronting our nation, from international to national, from public to private. Old problems remain, with new ones coming on the horizon.
Rather than our leaders demonstrating the wisdom and ability to solve our nation’s problems, they only seem to be capitalizing on the unsolved problems for their own political gain.
Many are being led to believe that the answers to our national and global problems are to be found in some desired outcome in the upcoming presidential election. People are building their hope up on the false notion that if they can get their candidate elected, that all our problems will be solvable. As one writer put it, “One could wish that there was as much zeal at the prospect of Christ’s second coming, as there is over the election.”
The favorite theme that has caught everyone’s attention, is the candidate’s promise to bring the needed and necessary change, that will be the cure for our nation’s ills.
But what really affects change? All the claims being made that, “If I’m elected president, I’ll bring the needed change, etc.”, is no more than the making of presumptuous statements. No one knows what tomorrow will bring forth, let alone what they are going to do in the next four years; they may not even be alive. Any claim to have the ability to change what is going to happen in the future, is just presumptuous boasting.
Only God can bring the change from bad to good, and that first necessitates people repenting and returning to the Lord:
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Psalm 9:17
SHARINGHow Old Is The Earth?
God made everything in 6 twenty-four hour days, Genesis 1:1-31. He made man last, on the 6th day. He had everything fully prepared and functional for man’s habitation, when He created man. So, we will use man’s age and lifespans to figure how old the creation is.
Genesis 5:3-32 offers us this account, as you do the math. The following figures represent the year one was born and the year they died. Adam: 0-930; Seth: 130-1042; Enos: 235-1140; Cainan: 325-1235; Mahalaleel: 395-1290; Jared: 460-1422; Enoch: 622-987; Methusalah: 687-1656; Lamech: 874-1651; Noah: 1056-2006 (Genesis 9:29.)
Since Noah was born the year 1056, and was 600 at the time of the flood, Genesis 7:6, thus the year 1656 was the date of the flood.
They were in the ark one year, Genesis 8, thus they got out in 1657.
Arphaxad was born 2 years after the flood, in 1659, Genesis 11:10. From Arphaxad to Abram was 290 years, Genesis 11:10-26. So, from Adam to the birth of Abraham, it was 1949 years.
Genesis 12, Abram was 75 when God called him, thus the year 2024. Twenty-five years later, Genesis 21:5, Isaac was born, the year 2049. Genesis 25:26, Isaac was 60 when Jacob and Esau were born, the year 2109. Genesis 47:9, Jacob was 130 when Israel went down into Egypt, the year 2239. Exodus 12:40-41, 430 years later, Israel came forth from Egypt, the year 2669. To Numbers 1:1 was 2 more years, thus to the year 2671. So from Adam to Israel crossing over the River Jordan into the land of Canaan (the book of Joshua) was 2711 years.
In Luke 3:23-38, you have the listing of the genealogy from Christ all the way back to Adam, 75 generations in all.
We know before Abraham, people lived longer, accounting for more years per generation. But if you take from Adam to Abraham, 1949 years, then from Abraham to Christ, Matthew 1:17, 42 generations, allowing 49 years per generation = 2058 years, added to the above 1949 years, which comes to 4007 years, we see it was approximately 4000 years from the creation unto the birth of Christ. From the birth of Christ to now is 2014 years, so the earth is in the neighborhood of being 6000 years old.
In Bible prophecy, there is yet to come the 7 year Tribulation, followed by Christ’s 1000 year reign. Jesus could come any time now, which would immediately start the Tribulation period.
SHARING
Faith’s Foundation
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Romans 10:17
“But without faith it is impossible to please him…” Hebrews 11:6
At this time of the year, we hear many opinions as to what day Christ was crucified on, how long He was in the tomb, etc. Some contend for Biblical facts, others for inclusiveness for the sake of all being one big happy family (as if truth is not really the basis for the Christian faith and fellowship.)
Many express their opinion and reasoning for their opinion in an assertive fashion. Others prefer ambiguity for the sake of rising above contention. Some site the opinions of others whom they consider to be somewhat of an authority. Surely, there must be someone out there who is thinking that if professed Christians have no certain answer for this, do they have any real answers at all? After all, if we have nothing more than a variety of opinions, are we not mired in the forbidden mentality, “…of private interpretation” instead of, “What saith the scriptures?”
Then the thought occurred to me…does anybody really care? Is there anyone to whom this makes a difference? Is there really anyone we can go to for the right answer? To whom shall we go? Who would be the right person to consult regarding this controversy? Who could settle the question once and for all amongst believers–to where we could all know the truth, rejoice in the truth, and bear witness of the truth? Who has the authority to set forth the foundation of our faith?
WHO…WHO…WHO? Dear brethren, LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED! There is such an ONE!!!!!!!!
WHAT IS HIM NAME? WHERE CAN WE FIND HIS ANSWER? DO YOU WANT TO KNOW? DOES HE REALLY KNOW? YES…YES…YES!
Who would know for sure any more than the ONE who was placed in the tomb as to the right answer for how long HE was there: LISTEN TO HIS ANSWER: “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” Matthew 12:40. Isn’t it wonderful?! Jesus has spoken! He knows and it matters to Him, because He is the One who was in the tomb. Yes, believer, now you know the truth, and you know that no lie is of the truth. It doesn’t matter what others say, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Yes, we can by faith walk in the light of His Word. Aren’t you glad?
SHARING
