Friday, July 17, 2015

" It Really Does Matter... " (Part 4 of 5 )

Philippians 1:3-6   " I thank my GOD upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the Gospel from the first - day until now;  Being confident of this very thing, that HE which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of JESUS CHRIST: "
     It really does matter what you believe about the eternal security of the believer.  Either Salvation is entirely by grace through faith alone, or Salvation is through our own effort, merit, or  "will."  The Scriptures are definitive in declaring that GOD the FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT are strong enough not only to save a sinner but also to keep him or her saved through their power. One's understanding not only of the nature and purpose of Salvation but also of the person of GOD is extremely vital.  The Apostle Paul made it clear that any "gospel"  not consistent with the Gospel he declared - grace alone through faith alone in the person and work of JESUS CHRIST - is under GOD's curse, for it is NOT truly  "good news"  (Gal.1:6-9).  In today's text, the Apostle Paul makes it clear that the GOD WHO called and saved you promises to see your redemption through to the end (v.6).  HE - NOT you - is the AUTHOR and FINISHER of your faith (Heb.12:2).
     It really does matter what you believe about Israel and the church. The promises GOD gave to Israel in the Old Testament are still valid (Rom.11:25-27).  The LORD has not withdrawn HIS promises, nor has HE given them to a new group of people.  Those who embrace a  "Covenant Theology"  as well as many today who categorize themselves as  "Reformed"  believe that GOD will not keep HIS promises to the people of Israel as HE stated in the Old Testament, falsely supposing that the church has replaced Israel or that Israel has  "merged"  into the church.  However, to presume that GOD's promises are void, have been given to another people, or are symbolic rather than literal is to misinterpret and misapply Scripture and, worse, to accuse GOD of failing to fulfill HIS promises. MDC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission.   www.feasite.org

Thursday, July 16, 2015

" It Really Does Matter...... " ( Part 3 of 5 )

Zechariah 14:1-11   " BEHOLD, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished;  and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.  Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations as when HE fought in the day of battle.
And HIS feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.  And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains;  for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal:  yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah King of Judah:  and the LORD my GOD shall come, and all the saints with THEE.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: but it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.  And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem;  half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea:  in summer and in winter shall it be.  And the LORD shall be KING over all the earth:  in that day shall there be ONE LORD, and HIS name ONE.
All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses.  And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.
     It really does matter what you believe about the kingdom of GOD.  We are NOT currently living in the "kingdom"  that is prophesied throughout the Old and New Testaments.  Despite what many Reformed and Covenant theologians believe, JESUS CHRIST will literally rule and reign from the throne of David in Jerusalem upon this earth in the future for a period of 1,000 years.
Today's text is a promise from GOD concerning this truth ! Our responsibility on the earth at this moment is NOT to "bring in the kingdom"  or even to  "do kingdom work." JESUS CHRIST commands the church to  "make disciples" (Matt.28:19-20) and "fight the good fight of faith" (1st.Timothy 6:11-12) as we embrace the truth, live the truth, and propagate the truth each day of our lives.
     It really does matter what you believe about sign gifts and the timing of their cessation.  GOD has already revealed in HIS WORD everything that HE wants us to know in this age.  When the canon of Scripture was completed following GOD's final revelation to John on the Island of Patmos, the HOLY SPIRIT ceased from using the gifts of signs, tongues, and prophecy - revelatory gifts designed to relay GOD's WORD and to authenticate the Gospel to the Jews (1st.Cor.13:8-13).  No other revelation from GOD (which was the very purpose of the sign gifts)  is needed.  Now, the responsibility of GOD's people is simply to get to know HIM better through HIS WORD and to faithfully heed and obey the WORD HE has given to us.  To believe that GOD still speaks today through these means is to deny the sufficiency of Scripture and to open oneself up to all forms of error and deceit of men - something that the god of this world is ready to  "reveal"  to any who will listen. MDC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission.   www.feasite.org


Wednesday, July 15, 2015

" It Really Does Matter......... (Part 2 of 5)

Ephesians 4:11-16   " And HE gave some, Apostles; and some, Prophets; and some, Evangelists; and some, Pastors and Teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of CHRIST: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the SON of GOD, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of CHRIST: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into HIM in all things, which is the Head, even CHRIST: from WHOM the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
     It really does matter what you believe about the purpose and ministry of the church.  An improper view of the purpose and ministry of the church has led to much of the mess in which the church now finds itself today.  Are we supposed to be changing the culture ?  Are we supposed to be bringing in the Kingdom ?  Are we supposed to be  "winning souls"  during every Sunday morning service ?  Are we supposed to be feeding the hungry and clothing the naked ?  The Apostle Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus makes it clear that the local church exists to equip believers to be ministers of JESUS CHRIST for the glory of GOD.  When we understand that the church is CHRIST's body and that the local church exists for the purpose of equipping, admonishing, and edifying the saints as they serve as ambassadors for the LORD JESUS out in the world, then we will focus our energy on being faithful children of GOD who meet together on a regular basis so that we can better comprehend HIS message and will for our lives.
     It really does matter what you believe about the rapture.  Read Titus 2:11-13.  An improper view of the any-moment return of JESUS CHRIST for HIS church has led believers to become fearful of the world around them. Because they have confused the rapture and the second coming of CHRIST (prior to the establishment of HIS Kingdom), they are looking for  "signs"  and fearing the tribulation that will come upon the world.  Their focus has shifted away from certainty and comfort to worry and fear. But GOD wants HIS children to await HIS imminent return and find comfort in the fact that we will NOT have to endure the seven-year tribulation that will absolutely devastate this sin-cursed world. MDC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission.  www.feasite.org

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

" It Really Does Matter " (Intro 1 of 5)

2nd.Corinthians 13:5   " Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith;  prove your own selves.  Know ye not your own selves, how that JESUS CHRIST is in you, except ye be reprobates (one who rejects the faith). "
     Many Christians today are being told that when it comes to Christian doctrine, it really does not matter what one believes about particular areas of doctrine and theology as long as one embraces JESUS as LORD and SAVIOR or as long as one is sincere in his belief or experience.  In this day and age, sincerity and flexibility in biblical interpretation are exalted, while certainty and dogmatism are condemned.
     Although any believer would have to admit that some interpretive issues are relatively minor and Christian love and forbearance are in order, the doctrines that many believers are relegating to the  "minor"  category are, in fact, extremely major.  These are issues that affect the very foundation and fabric of not only Christian living but of the person and plan of GOD for the believer today.  And, it stands to reason that all the various doctrinal views that exist pertaining to a particular issue cannot be correct.  If one view stands as the "truth,"  then competing views must fall into the category of  "error."  GOD has declared HIS truth in HIS WORD, and HE wants us to be certain of it.
     In today's text, the Apostle Paul exhorts the Corinthian believers to "examine"  and  "prove"  their beliefs and behavior.  Obviously, what we believe concerning Salvation and living the Christian life matters to GOD, for we cannot "examine"  or  "prove"  ourselves without first considering our belief and behavior.  The LORD has given us HIS WORD so that we might know the truth, know WHO HE is, know how to live a life that glorifies HIM, and know the difference between truth and error.  It really DOES matter what you believe and how you live - so do not let anyone try to convince you otherwise ! MDC
Introduction Part 1 of 5
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide. 
Used with permission.   www.feasite.org

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

" Why Do the Heathen Rage ? "

Psalm 2:1-12   " Why do the heathen (nations) rage, and the people imagine a vain (foolish) thing ?  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against HIS anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
HE that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh:  the LORD shall have them in derision.  Then shall HE speak unto them in HIS wrath, and vex (trouble) them in HIS sore (great) displeasure.  Yet have I set (founded) MY KING upon MY holy hill of Zion.  I will declare the decree:  the LORD hath said unto ME, THOU art MY SON;  this day have I begotten THEE.

Ask of ME, and I shall give THEE the heathen for THINE inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for THY possession.  THOU shalt break them with a rod of iron; THOU shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. 

Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 

Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.  Kiss the SON (act of homage), lest HE be angry, and ye perish from the way, when HIS wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in HIM.     Psalm 2:1-12
     No one needs to prove to us that the ungodly are raging today and that people all over the world are imagining and falling for vain, unbiblical things on every hand (v.1).  But it is important to have GOD's answer to the question above, Why do the heathen rage ?  The unregenerate world is giving all kinds of answers as they vainly struggle for peace, prosperity, and unity.  Many claim that the raging of the heathen would cease if all the religions of the world could just get together or if racial prejudice could be eradicated or if poverty could be abolished by some program of so-called  "economic justice"  that assures all mankind of financial equality.  These  "answers,"  however, ignore the basic problem of man's inherent sinfulness, and they substitute man's philosophies and agendas for the true answers found in GOD's WORD.
     The heathen are raging today because they have rejected GOD's WORD, the Bible, and GOD's SON, JESUS CHRIST.  Because they will not submit to GOD's rule, they join with other CHRIST-rejecters and take counsel together in an effort to rid themselves of GOD.  It is no wonder, then, that GOD's people are also the object of their rage (vv.1-3).  So loud is the raging of the heathen today that we are apt to forget that GOD will perform HIS WORD and execute HIS divine justice upon all who mock HIM and oppress HIS people (vv.4-9). This psalm closes with the important reminder that the LORD's blessing rests upon all who put their trust in HIM.  Therefore, we must continue to witness to the unsaved, even in the midst of harsh opposition (vv.10-12).  Faithful service for GOD will lead to great rejoicing.  We have glorious news that the world needs to hear. MHR
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide. 
Used with permission. www.feasite.org

Friday, June 26, 2015

" AMERICA " would make Sodom and Gomorrah Blush !

Genesis 2:21-25   " 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. Then the rib which the LORD GOD had taken from man HE made into a woman, and HE brought her to the man.  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.' Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.  And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. "
1st.Corinthian 6:9-11   " Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of GOD ?  Do not be deceived.  Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of GOD.  And such were some of you.  But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the LORD JESUS and by the SPIRIT of our GOD. "
     June 26th.2015 was a very significant day in the history of America, not for good but for evil.  We again have redefined that evil is good.  GOD is not mocked, for what a nation sews, so it shall reap.  We have redefined what life is and the mothers womb has become a war zone for the babies that GOD forms by HIS all wise hand and blesses us with.  Now we have redefined the wonderful gift of marriage that GOD instituted very early in HIS creation.  As soon as woman was created from Adam's rib she was given to him as a helper.  GOD HIMSELF performed the first marriage between one man and one woman.  NOT two men, two women, man and a boy, women and a girl or two men who think they are women and change how GOD made them and vice versa.  
     We as human beings think that we know better than GOD and we will rue the day that we have thumbed our noses, once again, at an ALL HOLY GOD.  It is nothing for us to murder / sacrifice our children at the alter of inconvenience and selfishness;  then point fingers at those who abuse a child that has been blessed to be born at all. Those other fingers are pointing right back at us and our nation is worse than Sodom and Gomorrah ever was.  Their sexual sins did not cause the death of over 64,000,000 children and that is just in America.  China's number of murders of the unborn and forced sterilization of any woman who dares to try and have a second could be as many as a 250,000,000 or more. We have no true numbers for them.
     America, was once a blessed nation and to anyone coming here they still look for the dream of being able to be successful and free.  It is all as rotten meat;  the core of America has become rotten and loaded with sin.  Calling good evil and evil good has become the way of not only our government but also those within the borders of our nation who elect them to their offices.  You are just as guilty as those who have actually, by judicial decree, murdered millions of babies and now have forced states to be part of this evil of redefining marriage. What's next, allow murderers to have the right to kill whomever they want; let children be raped and toys for perverts to do what they want without consequence; let's just open our doors and let thieves come in and take whatever they want without any repercussion !
     Back in the 1960's one woman decided that GOD was not needed in our schools.  How has that worked out for us !  We have no idea if our children will come home alive these days.  Our schools have become as much a war zone as a mothers womb.  Children again have become the casualty of a selfish, ungodly society.  Then in the 70's one woman decided that she should not have to have a child if she didn't want to;  and before you get all high and mighty about women being raped and conceiving a child or their health is at risk;  less than 1/10 of 1% of all abortions reported in the U.S.are related to anything criminal or health related.  We kill our babies out of pure selfishness and conveinience. Can you imagine the pain and horror of a baby about to take their very first breath and a huge pair of scissors is stabbed into the back of their neck as they are coming out the birth canal !  What happened to the Dr.'s oath of,  " First do no harm ? "
     We have decided that we know better than GOD on the issues of life and marriage.  We as a nation should be falling on our faces and as Job said to the LORD,  " Therefore I abhor (despise) myself, and repent in dust and ashes." Job 42:6   But will we, will we even notice the evil that is permeating our nostrils with a stench that has all but suffocated the beauty that once was  America. Was it ever perfect, of course not, but we knew WHO it was that made our country great.  We gave HIM WHO set-up this great nation the rightful place due HIM.  We knew that our children were children from the womb and we knew that a marriage was blessed and sanctioned by GOD between one man and one women;  not whatever mixture or flavor we happen to pander to at the moment.
Isaiah 3:9  " The look on their countenance witnesses against them, and they declare their sin as Sodom;  they do not hide it.  WOE to their soul !"

Jeremiah 23:14   " Also, I have seen a horrible thing in the prophets of Jerusalem:  They commit adultery and walk in lies;  they strengthen the hands of evildoers , so that no one turns back from his wickedness.  All of them are like Sodom to ME, and her inhabitants like Gomorrah."
Jeremiah 50:40   " As GOD overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring cities, says the LORD, so no one shall reside there, nor son of man dwell in it. " (And no one does live on the site )

2nd.Peter 2:4-8   " For if GOD did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;  and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a Preacher of righteousness bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly;  and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly;  and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed with the filthy conduct of the wicked, for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds, "
Jude 5-7   " But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the LORD, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.  And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own habitation, HE has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great Day;  as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire,"
     OK, so we as Truly Born Again Christians, what should we be doing ?  How shall we, like Lot, survive this horror of sin and shame in our nation ?  How will we be called upon, by the LORD, to stand up for righteousness and to refuse to bow to lawlessness and evil decrees.  There is a Pastor in the U.S. that has a phrase that he lives by.  Those who know him well will know who he is;  I will not name him but I will give the phrase,  " Do what is right in the sight of GOD and leave all the consequences to HIM."   Though that is very good and applies I want to leave my Brothers and Sisters in the LORD this verse from Daniel.

Daniel 6:10   " Now when Daniel knew that the writing (making it illegal for 30 days for anyone to pray to or petition any god or person other than King Darius) was signed, he went home.  And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his GOD, as was his custom since early days (from his youth, even way before he had been taken into captivity). "
     We are to be doing the work that the LORD left us here to do til HE comes to take HIS Bride home.  Give out the Gospel, tell people what HE has done for you, be true and faithful to HIM and HIS WORD, pray, pray and pray without ceasing.  And be ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke and exhort with all longsuffering.  Warn those who are without CHRIST that they have one foot already dangling over the pit of hell;  and love O love the brethren because the time is short and we need to encourage and stir up the brethren towards good works as we see the Day approaching.
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie




     

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

" A New Heart "

Ezekiel 36:26   " A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you:  and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. "
     A bad heart needs to be replaced with a new heart.  A bad engine requires a new engine in its place.  But the problem is that both the new heart and the new engine will also, in time, meet their demise.  A new physical heart never changes a person from a sinner to a saint, nor does a new engine make an old car new.  When I put a new engine in my car, it did not make everything else that was bad in it work perfectly.  The car still had signs of its old life.  A new physical heart may make you feel better for a while, but the flesh is still the flesh.  Old sins will still be committed.
     The Bible speaks about obtaining a new heart - not a physical one but a spiritual one.  Everyone is born with a bad spiritual heart.  It is called the "sin nature."  As a result, everyone sins,  " for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD."  (Romans 3:23)  If one does not get a new spiritual heart before death, then he will be eternally separated from GOD in hell,  "for the wages of sin is death."  (Romans 6:23a)  GOD, however, has an abundant supply of new spiritual hearts and wants everyone to have one, for HE is  "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2nd.Peter 3:9b)
     GOD says of a future believing remnant of Israel:  "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you:  and I will take away the stony heart  out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh." (v.26) GOD can take a hard - hearted sinner and turn him into a tender - hearted saint.  How ? "Believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and thou shalt be saved, (Acts 16:31) and "if any man be in CHRIST, he is a new {creation}; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new ! " (2nd.Corinthians 5:17) PNF
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission.   www.feasite.org