Tag: His Holy Spirit
Why God Said Remember!
1 Kings: 18: 21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word.
The one thing as a minister I can tell you is when God says something He means exactly what He says No fooling around, and if He is telling us to Remember something you better never forget it.
My last sermon was on the Ten Commandments and we seemed to have a problem in our world with Gods 4th commandment, the one dealing with Worship and what day to worship on. God says on the 7th day but man says no on the 1st day, my question to you is who do you believe and who do you obey.
As I study Gods word I find one problem with mankind stands out more than any other and that is the problem with obedience. All through the Bible you will find God pleading with Man to simply do what He says to do, no turning aside to the left or right, just simple obedience to His word, how hard can that be.
It all started with the Creation of our first parents, let’s go to the book of Genesis and do some research. Genesis: 2: 15: Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
There it is God created this beautiful world then He took the dust of the earth and created Man. But the very last thing He did was to create a help mate for man called Woman.
21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.23 And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
She was not to rule over the Man nor was she to be stepped on by man. Woman was taking out of the side of man, she was to stand with him by his side to be a companion, friend, helper, but the most importance roll she was to do was to be a life giver a Mother. In her the seed of man would reproduce itself, it is one of Gods many mysteries of life.
Genesis: 2: 8: The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. 9 And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
God is love He created this beautiful world and all the things that are in it for Mans enjoyment. He gave it all to Adam and said enjoy this beautiful world that I created just for you. God also planted a paradise garden and said to both Adam and Eve, “Remember” the one condition
Genesis 2: 15: Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
Man was giving his first test to see if he would or would not obey his creator God. It was nothing big or something hard, but simple very simple “don’t eat from this one tree”. The fruit on it was just like all the others. The difference was that God said not to eat the fruit on this one tree.
Eve was warned not to go off far from her husband, but being busy she found herself closed to the forbidding tree
Genesis 3: 2: And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’”4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Do you see a problem, God said if you eat of this one tree you will surely die but Satan the snake said you will not surely die? It was a sad day for all mankind because both Adam and Eve ate the fruit fully knowing what God said would happen to them.
Romans 6:16: Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Does God mean what He says, you better believe it and right to the tee, God does not change midway or change to the left or right. When God said something He means it just like He said it.
Deuteronomy 5:32: Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.
OK so I hope you can see in this that when God said something he does not take it back or change it
Matthew 5: 17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
Luke 21:33: Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
Jesus it telling us as plane as He can that He did not come to change any of the laws or commandments of His Father God
However, there were some sacrifice laws of animal that were a shadow of what He Jesus came to do. The animal sacrifice all pointed to Him Jesus dyeing on the cross taking our Sins away. These Laws were all nailed to the Cross with Jesus that is why we don’t have to sacrifice animal anymore because type and met antitype. The Blood of Christ paid it all on the cross, the Creator God dying for His creation.
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OK, now let’s get into what God said to Remember and 95% of Religious Leaders saying No it is OK to forget what God said to Remember.
According to the Bible Gods gave man Ten Commandments, and Gods gave them to His special holy people Israel. But God had a lot of other people who were not of the line of Abraham that also worshiped Him and more then likely lived by the same Ten Commandments Law.
Let’s take a look at the one Commandment that 95% of the Religious Leaders have a problem with.
Exodus: 20: 8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
Believe it or not, but this one Commandment says a lot about God and who He is, let’s look at some of it.
1. First thing God wants us to respect His wishes so He tells us to remember to keep this day holy and worship Him. Just think if everyone did just that there would not be so many different religions in our world today because everyone would know who the Lord God was and they would all come together to worship Him on the same day.
2. God tells us that we all need one day to rest and what better day could there be then the day God said to keep holy and worship Him
3. This Commandment also said Who created this world and where man came from. Here again if everyone remembered and kept this day holy there would never had been an atheist or agnostic. Why because right here we are told that in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them. No need to drought how man got here and if we came from monkeys.
4. Most importance is the last part Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. The Sabbath was just a day like any other until God blessed it making it a holy day a day to rest and remembering who God was and what He did. A day to worship God the Father a day of being with family and friends a day of getting away from all the things that keep us busy and occupy our time.
5. God rested on the 7th day after He finished the creation of this world, should we not follow His example. Did you Know that when Jesus finished the plan of mankind salvation on the 6 day Good Friday, He too rested the 7th day Sabbath before rising on the 1st day of the week Sunday? All through the life of Jesus He kept the Commandments of His Father.
Now let’s open Gods Holy Word the Bible and read some scriptures in the New Testament about the Character of God
Rev 11 19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant[h] was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.
The Ten Commandment that were written on stone was kept in ark, there was an earthly temple made by man and there was a heavenly temple in heaven made by God. The Earthly temple was only a copy of the one seen in heaven by Moses
We know from history that Israel failed to keep God Commandments, they pushed them aside and in their place was man made commandments. We see this all through the life of Jesus the Pharisee accusing Jesus of braking Gods Sabbath Commandment, but Jesus was not braking His Father Commandments He was braking the man made one that the Religious Leaders switch in its place
Rev 12; 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”
17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Satan, the Devil, the Snake, the Serpent whatever you want to call him was cast out of heaven and what did he do, he went right to work on the Church putting pagan beliefs in place of truth. The Church of Roam that once was Gods church became indoctrinated with pagan beliefs and lies
Rev 16 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
False Prophets who were demons processed now at the leadership of the Church of Roam. Look at the book of Daniel he was giving a vision of what would happen in the future almost 600 years before Church
Daniel 7:25: He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time.
Right here Daniel is saying that this false Church power would persecute Gods true holy believers. The Roaming Church would kill them and speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High.
Now very important that you don’t miss this, what else will the Church of Roam try to do (And shall intend to change times and law) now do you see where Sunday came in, Sunday was a pagan day of worship but the Church of Roam cast down the Law of God His Sabbath that is why God said to Remember it.
Look at another scripture in the book of Revelation
Rev 14; 6. Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—7. saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”
When you read this scripture it is almost word for word of Exodus 20: 8 – 10 (Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.)
The Sabbath with the Ten Commandments that God the Son (Jesus) gave to Moses 3,000 years ago is very much still to be obeyed
12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
How did this all happen; well look at what was happing to the Church while most of Jesus disciples were still alive evil men were coming into the Church as leaders and teaching false doctoring.
Jude 1: 4 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.
Satan could not defeat the true Church by precaution so he joined the church and brought in his false teaching and pagan beliefs. And all who were true to the faith preach by Jesus disciples had to separate from the Church of Roam as the Bible said: Revelation 12:6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
Once again the Church of Roam with its daughters (other so called Christian denomination) will rise again and precaution will once again start in our day.
But we are not to despair we are to keep preaching the truth no matter what others say or how hard it gets. 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
Look at the Gospel of John, evil with in the Church will become so corrupt that they will persecute God true Christian and not only persecute but Kill them believing they are doing Gods will John 16:2: They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.
When Jesus returns His army of Angels will fight for all His True Saints who by faith have waited for Him and kept the faith once delivered to the holy disciples. Look at what is said in Rev 19: 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Believe it or not but in Rev 9 it tells us the true condition of how the world will be, why because they did not remember to do what God told them to do. They pushed aside the true teaching of the Bible and excepted in its place the false teaching of Satan: Revelation 9: 20 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. 21 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.
Once again look at Rev 10: 5 in the very heart of this scripture it is almost word for word from the 4th Commandments (who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it)
Rev 10: 5 The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer,
Rev 10: 7 but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.
In the book of Genesis, the earth became so corrupt and Evil that God (Jesus) had to destroyed it with a flood, only 8 people survived. Now listen; Jesus told us that as the days of Noah were so shall it be as we near the time of the End or last days. Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Luke 17:26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:
Jeremiah 9: 13 And the LORD said, “Because they have forsaken My law which I set before them, and have not obeyed My voice, nor walked according to it, 14 but they have walked according to the dictates of their own hearts
Look at what is happening all around you the signs are all being fulfilled we are in that time when Jesus will soon return. Not only are the people of the world corrupt but the Churches and Religious Leaders are also corrupt. It is not about the truth it is about making money. The bigger the congregation the more Tithe they will give and the more Religious Leaders will have in their pockets.
Rev 15 15 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete.
My friend Rev 15: 15 is about the seven last plagues, all who refused to obey God and Keep His Commandments, whose names are not written in the lamb book of life will have part in the last plagues. Pray and ask God to lead you by His Holy Spirit in to truth, open your mind and heart and study His word. Forget everything you were taught and let the Holy Spirit guide you through the Bible into truth. As you read don’t refuse the truth, just study and read the way the Bible tells you to do: Isaiah: 28: 10: For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little.
God is looking for a people who will do His will, keep His Law, obey His Commandments. He is looking for a people who will do as He asked them to do. His way not their way, that is why when He says to Remember something don’t let any man tell you it is ok to forget it. Jesus said if you love me you will show it by keeping My Commandments.
Isaiah: 29: 13 Therefore the Lord said: “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,
The Bible from Genesis to Revelation is all one book to understand Gods truth you need to study not only the New Testament but also the Old Testament.
I pray that you will open you heart and mind to God and learn obeisance. His will is the best enjoyment a Christian can have.
I am Elder Tim McNab for Restoring Gods Truth Ministries may the Holy Spirit be with you and lead you into all Truth is my prayer.
Unconditional Love
About 41 years ago I fell in love with a beautiful Island woman; but it was not just her looks that I loved it was also her mannerism. She was very well spoken of and treated her family, her friend & herself with a deep respect for everyone. At that time I was working in the oilfield off shore of Venice Louisiana, I was just 17 teen at the time but was soon to be 18. I would leave for 6 or more months at a time and she was always there waiting for me to return. One day I asked her to marry me and she said not until I ask her Father first. What I said ask your Father first but why I am not marrying him I want to marry you, not until I ask her Father.
Asking someone Father for the right to marry their daughter, no way am I going to do that, or at least I said that to myself. You see asking someone Father for the right to marry their daughter was a way of respect and that was one of the things about her that made her stand out from all the other woman that I dated. Now 41 years later she is still my beautiful Island woman, we have both made a lot of changes because time is no body’s friend. But is it not what is on the outside that matters it is what is on the inside because unconditional Love overlooks the faults in each of our characters and says I love you, I love you, I love you.
But what about God’s unconditional love for man, come take a trip with me in the Bible and let’s see what it says about God love for mankind.
Let us Pray!
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Let’s look at John: 3:16-17
16. 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.
17. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
The scriptures have a beautiful way to describe how God feels about His creation. Can you imagine the creator God stooping down from His eternal glory and becoming His creation in order to save them from a bad mistake they made.
Well that is exactly what happened!
Gen. 1:27. God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
All heaven took a deep and joyful interest in the creation of the world and of man. Human beings were a new and distinct order. They were made “in the image of God,” and it was the Creator’s design that they should populate the earth. They were to live in close communion with heaven, receiving power from the Source of all power. Upheld by God, they were to live sinless lives.
The holy pair were not only children under the fatherly care of God, but students receiving instruction from the all-wise Creator. They were visited by angels, and were granted communion with their Maker, with no obscuring veil between. . . . The mysteries of the visible universe–“the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge”–afforded them an exhaustless source of instruction and delight. The laws and operations of nature, which have engaged men’s study for six thousand years, were opened to their minds by the infinite Framer and Upholder of all. They held converse with leaf and flower and tree, gathering from each the secrets of its life. With every living creature, from the mighty leviathan that playeth among the waters, to the insect mote that floats in the sunbeam, Adam was familiar. He had given to each its name, and he was acquainted with the nature and habits of all. God’s glory in the heavens, the innumerable worlds in their orderly revolutions, “the balancings of the clouds,” the mysteries of light and sound, of day and night,–all were open to the study of our first parents.
God created man a superior being; he alone is formed in the image of God, and is capable of partaking of the divine nature, of cooperating with his Creator and executing His plans.
. 1 John 3:1. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not; because it knew him not
As John thought of the love of Christ, he was led to exclaim, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.”
People think that it is a privilege to see a royal personage, and thousands go great distances to see one. How much greater privilege it is to be sons and daughters of the Most High. What greater privilege could be conferred on us than to be given entrance into the royal family in Heaven?
In order to become the sons and daughters of God, we must separate from the world. 2 Corinthians 6: 17: Come out from among them, and be ye separate,” the Lord says, “and I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters.” . . .
There is a heaven before us, a crown of life to win. But to the over comer only is the reward given. He who gains heaven must be clothed with the robe of righteousness. “Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” In the character of Christ there was no discord of any kind. And this must be our experience. Our lives must be controlled by the principles that controlled His life.
Through the perfection of the sacrifice given for the guilty race, those who believe in Christ, coming unto Him, may be saved from eternal ruin. . .
Let no one be so deluded by the enemy as to think that it is a condescension for any man, however talented or learned or honored, to accept Christ. Every human being should look to heaven with reverence and gratitude, and exclaim with amazement, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” That when Christ appears we shall be Like Him
1 John 3:2. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
We are not to settle down, expecting that a change of character will come to us by some miraculous work, when Jesus shall appear in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Listen my young friends, we are judgment-bound right now, and probation is granted to us here in this life, in order that we may form characters for the future, immortal life.
Let none imagine that selfishness, self-esteem, and self-indulgence are compatible with the Spirit of Christ. Upon every truly converted man or woman there rests a responsibility that we cannot rightly estimate. The maxims and ways of the world are not to be adopted by the sons and daughters of the heavenly King.
In separating from the world, we shall encounter difficulties on every hand. But here is what the servant comfort for us: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
We should show by our words and works that we recognize the great responsibility laid upon us. Our light should shine so clearly that others can see that we glorify the Father in our daily lives; that we are connected with heaven and are joint heirs with Jesus Christ.
To have fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ is to be ennobled and elevated, and made a partaker of joys unspeakable and full of glory. Food, clothing, station, and wealth may have their value; but to have a connection with God . . . is of priceless value. . . . And although it “doth not yet appear what we shall be,” “when Christ, who is our life, shall appear,” “we shall be like him.”
1 John 3:3. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure
Christ would elevate and refine man’s mind, purifying it from all dross, that man may appreciate the love that is without a parallel.
Through repentance, faith, and good works he may perfect a righteous character, and claim, through the merits of Christ, the privileges of the sons of God. The principles of divine truth, received and cherished in the heart, will carry us to a height of moral excellence that we had not deemed it possible for us to reach. . . . “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
Holiness of heart and purity of life were the great subjects of the teachings of Christ. In His sermon on the mount, after specifying what must be done in order to be blessed, and what must not be done, He says, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Perfection, holiness,–nothing short of this would give them success in carrying out the principles He had given them. Without this holiness, the human heart is selfish, sinful, and vicious. Holiness will lead its possessor to be fruitful, and abound in all good works. He will never become weary in well-doing; neither look for promotion in this world; but he will look forward to be promoted by the Majesty of heaven when He shall exalt His sanctified and holy ones to His throne. . . . Holiness of heart will produce right actions.
As God is pure in His sphere, so man is to be pure in his. And he will be pure if Christ is formed within, the hope of glory; for he will imitate Christ’s life and reflect His character.
The princely dignity of the Christian character will shine forth as the sun, and the beams of light from the face of Christ will be reflected upon those who have purified themselves even as He is pure.
1 John 4:10. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
In redemption God has revealed His love in sacrifice, a sacrifice so broad and deep and high that it is immeasurable. John: 3: 16: God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son.
When Adam’s sin plunged the race into hopeless misery, God might have cut Himself loose from fallen beings. He might have treated them as sinners deserved to be treated. He might have commanded the angels of heaven to pour out upon our world the vials of His wrath. He might have removed this dark blot from His universe.
But He did not do this. Instead of banishing them from His presence, He came still nearer to the fallen race. He gave His Son to become bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh. John: 1: 14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Christ by His human relationship to men drew them close to God. He clothed His divine nature with the garb of humanity, and demonstrated before the heavenly universe, before the un-fallen worlds, how much God loves the children of men.
The gift of God to man is beyond all computation. Nothing was withheld. God would not permit it to be said that He could have done more or revealed to humanity a greater measure of love. In the gift of Christ He gave all heaven.
The Highest, who was with the Father before the world was, submitted to humiliation, that He might uplift humanity. Prophecy withdraws the veil, that we may behold the throne of heaven, that we may see upon that throne, high and lifted up, One who in human form, came to our world to suffer, to be lacerated with stripes, and bruised for our iniquities.
Thus God showed His love for man. With Christ the Father gave all of heaven, that the moral image of God might be restored in man. . . . His grace in all its vastness is provided for all.
John 1:12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
Divine son ship is not something that we gain of ourselves. Only to those who receive Christ as their Saviour is given the power to become sons and daughters of God. The sinner cannot, by any power of his own, rid himself of sin. For the accomplishment of this result, he must look to a higher Power. John exclaimed, John: 1: 29: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” Christ alone has power to cleanse the heart. He who is seeking for forgiveness and acceptance can say only,–
“Nothing in my hand I bring; Simply to Thy cross I cling.” But the promise of sonship is made to all who “believe on his name.” Everyone who comes to Jesus in faith will receive pardon.
The religion of Christ transforms the heart. It makes the worldly-minded man heavenly-minded. Under its influence the selfish man becomes unselfish, because this is the character of Christ. The dishonest, scheming man becomes upright, so that it is second nature to him to do to others as he would have others do to him. The profligate is changed from impurity to purity. He forms correct habits; for the gospel of Christ has become to him a savor of life unto life.
God was to be manifest in Christ, “reconciling the world unto himself.” Man had become so degraded by sin that it was impossible for him, in himself, to come into harmony with Him whose nature is purity and goodness. But Christ, after having redeemed man from the condemnation of the law, could impart divine power, to unite with human effort. Thus by repentance toward God and faith in Christ, the fallen children of Adam might once more become “sons of God.” When a soul receives Christ, he receives power to live the life of Christ.
Eph. 5:27: That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish..
The church, enfeebled and defective though it be, is the only object on earth on which Christ bestows His supreme regard. He is constantly watching it with solicitude, and is strengthening it by His Holy Spirit. Will we, as members of His church, allow Him to impress our minds and to work through us to His glory?
Christ loves His church. He will give all needed help to those who call upon Him for strength for the development of Christlike character. But His love is not weakness. He will not serve with their sins or give them prosperity while they continue to follow a wrong course of action. Only by faithful repentance will their sins be forgiven; for God will not cover evil with the robe of His righteousness. He will honor faithful service. He will abundantly bless those who reveal to their fellowmen His justice, mercy, and love. Let those who are engaged in His service walk before Him in true humility, following faithfully in His footsteps, cherishing the holy principles which will live through the eternal ages. Let them in word and action show that they obey the laws which are obeyed in heaven.
The church is the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the church will eventually be made manifest, even to “the principalities and powers in heavenly places,” the final and full display of the love of God…. The church is God’s fortress, His city of refuge, which He holds in a revolted world…. It is the theater of His grace, in which He delights to reveal His power to transform hearts.
God’s love for His church is infinite. His care over His heritage is unceasing.
2 Cor. 6:17, 18. I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
The Creator of the universe addresses you as an affectionate Father…. Your heavenly Father proposes to make you a member of the royal family, that through His exceeding great and precious promises you may be a partaker of the divine nature…. The more you partake of the character of the pure, sinless angels, and of Christ your Redeemer, the more vividly will you bear the impress of the divine, and the more faint will be the resemblance to the world.
“I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters….” What a promise is here made upon condition of obedience!…. He promises to be a Father unto you. Oh, what a relationship is this! higher and holier than any earthly tie. If you make the sacrifice, if you have to forsake father, mother, sisters, brothers, wife, and children for Christ’s sake, you will not be friendless. God adopts you into His family; you become members of the royal household, sons and daughters of the King who rules in the heaven of heavens.
If you call God your Father, you acknowledge yourselves His children, to be guided by His wisdom, and to be obedient in all things, knowing that His love is changeless. You will accept His plan for your life. As children of God, you will hold His honor, His character, His family, His work, as the objects of your highest interest. It will be your joy to recognize and honor your relation to your Father, and to every member of His family.
God is our Father, a tender parent, solicitous for His spiritual children. He is pledged to be the protector, counselor, guide, and friend, of all who are obedient to Him.
Rom. 8:17: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
All who enter into a covenant with Jesus Christ become by adoption the children of God. They are cleansed by the regenerating power of the Word, and angels are commissioned to minister unto them. They are baptized in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. They pledge themselves to become active members of His church in the earth. They are to be dead to all the allurements of worldly desires; but in conversation and godliness, they are, through sanctification of the Spirit to exert a living influence for God.
“Heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ,”–what an exalted, dignified position! Separate and distinct from the world, secure from the wily snares of Satan! By their baptismal vows, God’s professed followers have pledged themselves to stand in opposition to evil. The enemy of souls will work with all craft to corrupt their minds. He will seek to introduce his methods into their service for the Master. But there is safety for them if they will heed the injunction: “… be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” .
To what greater honor could we aspire than to be called the children of God? What greater rank could we hold, what greater inheritance could we find, than that which comes to those who are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ?
God so loved the world, what a blessing to this sin lost world that its creator would step in and pay the penalty for the law that mankind broke. Then to give the very best that heaven could give, the gift of His Son; the Father gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John: 3: 16:
My friend, God love you, no matter where you are in life, no matter what you done in life there is hope in the Fathers Son Jesus Christ. Pray He will always hear a prayer coming from a repented heart reaching out to Him for forgiveness. Always remember God loves you with unconditional love.
Elder Tim McNab
Restoring Gods Truth Ministry
Who’s on first
Mark 10: 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Who’s on first in your life?
There was an old man who one day had a dream!
In his dream the Holy Spirit told him to prepare himself for tomorrow the Lord would come and visit him in his house.
The old man got up very early and cleaned his house and made sure everything was dusted and put into its right place. He re-arranged his furnisher so that his special guess would have the best place to sit in his home. The last thing he did was to make some very special cookies just for his guess.
As the day slowly passed the old man notices that his special guess was late.
Soon the door bell rang and the old man jumped up and said at last. But wend he opened the door there was a little boy there. The young boy said hi Mr. I am collecting money to help feed the poor can you please help.
The old man looked at the boy and said sure, please come in and wait right here. The old man went to his room and got some money and gave it to the boy and said I hope this will help son. The boy could not help but notice the cookies on the plate, he said sir would you mind if I have a cookie. The old man said I made them for a very special guess who will be coming to see me today, I am sure he would not notices if a few cookie was missing. The young boy thanked the old man and went his way.
An hour went by and the door bell rang again. The old man rush to open it and see his special guess, but there was only a poor man in old rags standing there who said sir could you spare some food. The old man invited him in and gave him a nice meal and a cookie for dessert; he even found some clothes to keep him warm. And so this baggier went away full and with moor then he asked for.
The old man notices that the day was far spent and his special guess had not come. Just then there was a gentle knock at the door. That must be him the old man said as he rusted to open the door, only to find a little old lady standing their. Sir she said, could you please spare an old lady a place to sit and rest awhile.
So he invited her in, and she found a nice place to rest her tired old legs. The old man got her a cool glass of water as she ate the last of the cookies he made for his special guess. She thanks him for being so kind as she got up to leave.
The old man looked outside as the Sun was now setting the days was over and his special guess had not come. Did he misunderstand something or maybe he done something wrong, he just did not know why.
The old man cleaned up his kitchen and slowly made his way up to his bedroom. Disappointed that his special guess had not come, as he knelt by his bedside he prayed
O Lord, why “why did you not come today.
I waited for you all day long, I prepared my home as you asked me to do, but you did not come, did I do something wrong, O Lord I just don’t understand!
Then he heard a still small voice saying.
My dear friend!
Three times today my shadow passed over your threshold, and three times to day I did visited with you.
I was the young boy collecting money for the poor.
I was the bagger you let in your door.
I was the old lady who sat a rest in your chair.
Each time I knock you let me in and each time you treated me like your special friend. Do we do the same or do we sometime forget to treat others like we would treat Jesus.
Matt 25: 35-40
35: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
40: And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Let us pray!
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Who is Jesus: Why would God the Father send His Son to a place like this, a place full of hate, war, and bloodshed?
The Bible tells us that God so loved this world (John: 3:16). The story of redemption is a mystery not only to mankind but unto the Heavenly host and the Billions and Billions of other worlds that God and His Son created. {John: 3:17} For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Jesus the Father only Son came to show us what the Father is like and to show us that He God loves and wants us to all be a part of His Kingdom forever. But in order for us to have eternal life we must believe by faith in what God the Son did in our behalf, and we must do the things God the Son told us to do. John:14:15: If ye love me, keep my commandments. This will show the world who you really love and who is first in your life.
We are not only to love God but also the people all around us, why because God kingdom is a kingdom of love for one another.
Luke 10:
25: And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
No matter where you go in life you will always have a challenge before you. There are always people who believe in God but want to do it there way. This Lawyer believed but not in Jesus, he believed in God but not in Gods Son.
Many believe today in the Son but not in what the Son said to do. I am not a bad person so Jesus will just have to take me as I am. I don’t feel I am doing anything wrong, I go to Church sometimes, and I do pay tithes now and then, I even give a donations to the poor once a year. So you see I am not a bad person at all, I am really good on the inside.
What does Gods word say about this?
Prov:16:25:
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
OK So here we are back to our Lawyer, what did Jesus say unto him
Luke:10
26: He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27: And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
28: And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
Our Lawyer did well for himself did he not, but because he was a Lawyer he did not stop there. He though he could our smart Jesus because he felt pride in his heart.
29: But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
Friends do this and live, never question the Lord. Take him at his word, for in his word is life and that life is the life of all mankind.
30: And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
The best way to get peoples attention is with a story: You will find all through the Bible stories that Jesus told, always to illustrate a lesson or to bring home a meaning.
31: And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
Now Jesus was not using the characters in this story just to be mean, Jesus knew there hearts and told the fact as there were. God does not like pride, “Why” because pride started in the heart of Lucifer and was passed on to all mankind at the fall in the Garden.
32: And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
Who was the Levites; they were a people specially chosen by God to bare the Ark of God when Israel was on there way to the promise land. God did set them aside, surely if a Levite saw a man fallen in need of help he would stop and give a hand, but he did not.
33: But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
Who was the Samaritan, they were the outcast, because they were not full blooded Israelite. So these people were looked upon as the low class. Not having part of the promise that God gave to Abraham but yet Jesus said that this “Samaritan had compassion”
34: And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
The Samaritan did not only take care of this mans physical needs just then. He went even further in making sure the needs would be meet after he left. He made arrangements that if the bill would be more then the money left behind, he would pay the balance when he returned.
35: And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
Now let’s look at what reaction the Lawyer had to the question Jesus had for him.
36: Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
The Lawyer had no choice but to answer the question correctly for now he seen clearly his responsibility, not just to his own family, or people living in the same subdivision that he live in, but his responsibility to all mankind.
37: And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Listen to what Jesus said in the book of
1John 4:20:
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
Have you talked to Jesus lately, did he talk back to you, maybe you were too busy to hear
As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up to Him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life”. Mark 10:17
This young man had fabulous wealth. He was the Bill Gates of 2000 years ago. A young, physically fit, aristocrat. Imagine this wealthy man Kneeling at the feet of Jesus, the penniless prophet from Galilee.
This physically fit young aristocrat had just happened to be watching earlier when Jesus tenderly took the children on his lap and lovingly received and blessed them. He watched as Jesus took these little children and blessed them and he thought, if Jesus can do that for them, He can do that for me. He could bless me. In the meantime, Jesus had moved on. Finally he decided: I’m going to chase after Him. I’ll see if HE will bless me. This mans heart was deeply touched. He felt a love for Jesus and desired to be one of His disciples. He was sincere and earnest. If Jesus could bless the little children He could bless him.
He was a ruler-( Luke 18:18) He was an official of the honored council of the Jews – he was in a high position for his young age. This important ruler kneels before the lowly Jesus, who never held any office or position.
It is a rare event when a young man has the best things this earthly life can offer early in his life. He had youth with its accompanying health. He had position or authority. He was a ruler. He had great wealth.
However he lacked eternal life which is a greater asset than all others combined. If you don’t have eternal life, it doesn’t matter what car you drive, it doesn’t matter where you live. Eternal life is the greatest thing that you can possess.
Jesus looked deeply into the face of this young man, and He recognized that this man was sincere. He read his character. Jesus saw that the man had qualifications which, if united with Jesus, Himself, would result in tremendous success for God.
He could be a fantastic disciple. Look at the qualifications he brought. He also saw that his supreme love of self must be totally eradicated. There was the problem. It must be surrendered.
So Jesus gave the man a test. Notice
(Mark 10:18 NIV) “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good–except God alone.
Then Jesus proceeded to list six of the commandments that prohibit wrong actions against our neighbors. Obviously Jesus believed in all Ten Commandments. He only listed six of them. These six were chosen for a divine test.
He proceeds to list all those that have to do with wrong actions against people. These were the six that the rich young ruler was lacking in. Jesus knew that, and so He listed all of them: 19:”You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'”
20: “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jewish boys, at the age of thirteen and onward were considered men, and so they were responsible, they were taught to love the law of God.. He said, “I’ve kept them all. I haven’t lacked on one.
The rich young man was saying: In all my short life not once have I ever hurt anyone. But Jesus was talking more than avoiding evil. Jesus is asking if the man is willing to do some positive good to others.
There are millions of good people in this world. They have never hurt anyone. Have you seen this type of people? They sometimes sit in the pews of every Church; They avoid breaking the law and live a decent life. But they are lost. That’s the rich young ruler’s case.
Respectability involves a prohibition against doing wrong but not includes doing something positive or right. Christianity not only avoids evil but it performs a positive good. The rich young ruler had never stolen anything, but he had never been sacrificially generous. He had never killed anyone, but he hadn’t gone out saving any lives, either. He had avoided doing the wrong, but he really wasn’t involved in doing anything good, except accumulation wealth.
Now, he claimed to have kept all six of these commandments. Did he? No, he did not. It wasn’t true that he kept all six. Actually you can’t keep the second six commandments unless you have kept the first 4 commandments.
You have to keep them all. The world and its riches had become his idol. He loved wealth. God was not first in his heart. Therefore you can’t put people ahead unless God is first. You cannot unselfishly love people unless you have experienced the depth of the love of God.
Jesus listed the commandments that deal with our relationship to our fellow human beings. This was the rich mans downfall. He loved money more God, more than all else.
I think it’s true sometimes that America is headed toward a cashless society. You’ve heard this. We’re going to do away with all cash, just going to have debit cards, and have a national identity. If it is true that America is heading towards a cashless system, some of us are ahead of the times.
Some of us are already in a cashless society: we don’t have any money. But not this rich man; he had all kinds of money. Was money his problem? No, money was not his problem. I’ll tell you what his problem was in a minute.
Look at verse 21:- Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.
” Give all your money to the poor, the ones that are standing beside the road. Do you ever see them holding up signs that says, “I am homeless. I’m starved to death. I will work for food and money. What is he basically saying to you? “I want your money.” Do you give to those people? Well, this man was told, “you sell everything you’ve got. Go out and find the poor people and you give all of your money to these poor people. Then you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.”
No-one can serve God and Money at the same time. It doesn’t work. You have to choose, and so Jesus imposed this test to detect covetousness. The man was a covetous person.
Many of the examinations of life come to test our allegiance to God. Like Zacchaeus, the central issue here is not money. The central test was not selling everything.
Salvation does not come through having an empty bank account. Every time your check bounces, you say, “That proves that I’m saved.” Not at all!! If that’s the case a lot of people are saved because they’re out there bouncing checks.
The issue here is not getting rid of all your assets and selling everything and giving it away. The true Christian places his trust completely in Jesus. That’s the issue. He places his trust completely in Jesus and not in his wealth or his money.
God the Father and God the Son showed what true love was at the Cross in Calvary. Not just to this world but to all of Creation. He showed us how to live in peace by putting God First and loving our neighbor
God is love and God expect from all of His created being love in return, but the love God wants is a love that is unconditional a total surrender of oneself into the hands of his creator God. In the book of (Genesis: 3:) is the story of how man fell away from his creator God.
God gave to man the same as He gives to all being whether spirit or flesh; the freedom of choice. For Adam and Eve it was a test of obedience, you see if you truly love someone you will do what they ask with out questions. The serpent made Eve believe that God was holding something back from them and so her love for God became distrust.
When she went to her husband Adam right away he knew it was the evil one that they have been told about. But here Adam sin was not only is eating of the forbidding tree, he sinned because he did not total trust God. He knew that God said “for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Gen 2:17)
Adam could not see how God could fix this problem; he could not see being separated from his wife Eve. Adam loved God but here he loved his Wife Eve more then he loved his creator God, Adam broke the first commandment.
We must learn to love God first above everything else in life. We must love God more then our Earthly Mothers and Fathers, more then our Brothers and Sisters, more then our Wife and Children, we must learn to love God more then our own life. God must be number one in your life; it is a total surrender into the hands of God by faith.
Look at {Exodus: 20: 3} Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Do you understand what God is saying, we are to put nothing before our love to God. God must be first in our life, look at (Rev: 12: 11) and they loved not their lives unto the death.
When you learn to love God first in your life you will begin to understand how true Christian in the passed would rather die then to dishonor the God they love.
Understand God must be first in your life, God must be first, God must be first, God must be first. Holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty is what the angle is crying (Rv:4:8:)
Everything in this world must come second. Do you know how and why Jesus could do miracle, yes He was also God but He did not use His Godly power, He used His love to and through His Father to do all miracles.
John:14:12: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Look at the prayer Jesus said in John 11:
41: And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
42: And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
43: And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44: And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
Jesus had already prayed to His father to preformed this miracle, why look at the scriptures. So that the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
Jesus wanted us to know with out a drought that the Father God has sent His Son to show us the love that the Father, Son, and Spirit God has for all His creation.
Can you understand what is going on, God the almighty Father Loves us with a Godly love that is passed mankind’s understanding. God loves us so much that His did not even spare His Son His only Son but gave Him as a ransom for the payment of the law that man broke in the garden(Ezek:18:4:) the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Can you understand that the death that Jesus went through on the Cross was Godly love was being ripped away from Gods Son Jesus who new no sin so that He could pay the price of sin for all who by faith would believe in Him.
Our understanding is so limited of the cost that the Father& Son paid in order to save man
All God wanted from man was his love in return for all the good things and blessing that God gave to us, but what did man do. We spit on His blessing as if they were nothing, to our creator we became angry because we wanted everything our way.
Mt:7:12: Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Jesus never gave up; by His life and His death He made a way for Mankind to be reconnected to our heavenly Father, why because of Love. We can’t change ourselves we are born of sin, but by giving our life to God the Father He will do the changing in our life through His Holy Spirit that He gives to all who believe in Him.
John: 14:
13: And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14: If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15: If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Everything is possible to someone who believe and has made God first in there lives.
Mt:21:22: And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Mk:9:23: Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Put your life and faith in the hands of a God that Loves you and died to show you what true love is about.
May God be with you and continue to send blessing upon you.
Elder Tim McNab
Restoring Gods Truth Ministries
D5 Creation
