" WORD of TRUTH Lighthouse "

Thursday, November 12, 2015

" Our Morality Problem "

1st. Corinthians 6:9-11 " Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of GOD ? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (perverts and homosexuals), nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of GOD. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the LORD JESUS, and by the SPIRIT of our GOD. "

The Naturalistic Worldview: Because man is simply an evolved animal, he does not answer to a higher power. No transcendent moral standards exist. Right and wrong are not absolute but are relative to society, culture, environment, and the "common good." Pragmatism is the philosophy of life. Hedonism is the norm. Therefore, abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality, fornication, pornography, adultery, or other forms of moral wickedness are considered by society to be "value judgments."

The Religious Worldview: Man does answer to a higher power, but the higher power has left mankind with no absolute moral guidelines, and the "higher power" is often simply the spirit of man within himself. Therefore, morality is based on shared ethical principles. Anything is right as long as no one else is wounded in the process.

The Biblical Worldview: Man answers to a higher power WHO has manifested HIMSELF to the world through HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, the LIVING WORD. Man also has the WRITTEN WORD, given through inspiration of GOD the SPIRIT, by which he is to govern his life. The Bible is man's guidebook of absolute truth in all matters of life - including ethics and morality. To deviate from it is to sin and break fellowship with the CREATOR.

The Answer: JESUS CHRIST shed HIS blood so we can live a life in perfect harmony with HIS will - a life characterized by goodness, truth, and righteousness. We discover how to live this life through the WORD of GOD (2nd.Timothy 3:16). We can have power over sin only through new life and subsequent yieldedness to the HOLY SPIRIT. To deviate from this standard results in corruption of the flesh and loss of fellowship with GOD. MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Used with permission. www.feasite.org

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

" The Ecological Problem "

Revelation 21:1-7 " And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from GOD out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, BEHOLD ! The tabernacle of GOD is with men, and HE will dwell with them, and they shall be HIS people, and GOD HIMSELF shall be with them, and be their GOD.

And GOD shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And HE that sat upon the throne said, BEHOLD, I make all things new. And HE said unto me, Write: for these WORD's are true and faithful. And HE said unto me, It is done. I AM the ALPHA and the OMEGA, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his GOD, and he shall be MY son.

The Naturalistic Worldview: Man is part of a web of life that began billions of years ago. He came from the earth (his Mother) and harms his own body when he pollutes the earth. He can save his planet through a drastic implementation of ecological awareness, education, and environmental programs designed to improve sustainability. No hierarchical distinction exists between man, animal, and plant since all came from the same Mother. The human species is equal with all other life forms.

The Religious Worldview: It is almost identical to the naturalistic worldview except it promotes the belief that the divine is present in nature, and as a result, man hurts GOD (or whatever deity is thought to engage nature) when he hurts the environment.

The Biblical Worldview: GOD independently created plants, animals, and man as separate "kinds." Mankind is superior to plant and animal life because "GOD created man in HIS OWN image" (Genesis 1:26-27) and has given him the ability to discern between right and wrong, the ability to have a relationship with GOD, and the ability to live forever. GOD commanded man to have dominion over plant and animal life. Yet man also possesses a responsibility to be a good steward of that which GOD has entrusted to him. Plants and animals are to be used for food and clothing (Genesis 1:27-30; 2:9, 16; 9:1-6). Man is distinct from plant and animal life and is required to act accordingly.

The Answer: JESUS CHRIST will create new heavens and a new earth one day after destroying this earth in judgement (2nd.Peter 3:10-14). Man must be a good steward of earthly resources, but he is not able to save the planet through his own efforts. MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Used with permission. www.feasite.org

Monday, November 9, 2015

" Our Peace Problem "

Isaiah 9:6-7 " For unto us a Child is born, unto us a SON is given: and the government shall be upon HIS shoulder: and HIS name shall be called WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, The MIGHTY GOD, The EVERLASTING FATHER, The PRINCE of PEACE. Of the increase of HIS government and peace there shall be no end, upon HIS kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

The Naturalistic Worldview: Because man is naturally good, he can generate world peace through international dialogue, global disarmament, and the equal distribution of wealth. World peace can be obtained through human effort.

The Religious Worldview: Mankind can create peace on earth through the establishment of GOD's kingdom. This "kingdom" will result from international political dialogue, disarmament, the unity of all religions, and meeting the physical needs of the poor and oppressed. JESUS CHRIST is an exemplary figure for mankind to follow. Mankind's efforts - not GOD HIMSELF - will eventually implement this world peace.

The Biblical Worldview: No worldwide peace will exist until JESUS comes to inaugurate HIS 1,000 - year reign upon the earth. Today's text prophesies of this glorious time when the "PRINCE of PEACE" (v.6) will rule and reign. Concerning this peace, "there shall be no end" (v.7). Of course, as much as possible, believers are to live peaceably among all men, but mankind will never implement worldwide peace. Only GOD will do so when HE returns to the earth in power and great glory with HIS saints to fulfill HIS covenant with Israel - "The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this" (v.7).

The Answer: JESUS CHRIST is the righteous JUDGE WHO one day will personally implement worldwide peace. HE will physically rule the world in perfect righteousness and justice. Yet even today, HE can bring peace to the heart of every man, woman, and child who believes in HIM (Romans 5:1). HE offers a peace that passes all understanding to those who trust in HIM and place their confidence in HIS absolute promises. MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Used with permission. www.feasite.org

Saturday, November 7, 2015

" Our Sin Problem "

Romans 3:23 " For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD; "

The Naturalistic Worldview: Because man is simply an organism in the long line of evolution (he is an advanced animal form), man does not answer to any Power higher than himself. As a result, good and evil are relative to the social situation in which he finds himself.

The Religious Worldview: Man is inherently good and must emulate the exemplary life of JESUS CHRIST (a good man - but not GOD) and follow HIS works and teachings in order to overcome "evil," defined as anything that can be harmful to another person.

The Biblical Worldview: Man is inherently sinful - he is a sinner by birth (his nature) and deed (his actions, Romans 5:6-12, 18-21). In order to possess a relationship with GOD, man must deal with this sin problem on GOD's terms, for HE is Holy and Righteous and cannot fellowship with darkness. He must trust JESUS CHRIST's substitutionary death and resurrection in order to become a new creation and be reconciled to GOD. Only then can man overcome evil through the indwelling strength of the HOLY SPIRIT.

The Answer: The LORD JESUS CHRIST is the only way through which man can overcome this sin problem that separates him from GOD (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). JESUS declared HIMSELF to be the only means by which man can enjoy a relationship with GOD - a relationship that entails eternal life with the LORD and Salvation from an eternity in the Lake of Fire. Indeed, we all are born sinners, "but GOD commendeth (demonstrated) HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us" (Romans 5:8). MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Used with permission. www.feasite.org

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

" My ROCK and My FORTRESS "

Psalm 71:1-8 " In THEE, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. Deliver me in THY righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline THINE ear unto me, and save me. Be THOU my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: THOU hast given commandment to save me; for THOU art my ROCK and my FORTRESS. Deliver me, O my GOD, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. For THOU art my hope, O LORD GOD: THOU art my trust from my youth. By THEE have I been holden up from the womb: THOU art HE that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of THEE. I am as a wonder unto many; but THOU art my strong refuge. Let my mouth be filled with THY praise and with THY honor all the day. "

" In THEE, O LORD, do I put my trust " (v.1); herein lies the foundation for every aspect - past, present, and future - of our relationship with GOD. Saving faith establishes a bond with the ALMIGHTY that is inseparable and eternal. Once we have placed our trust in JESUS CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR, HE becomes much more to us than only the Sin-Bearer WHO has redeemed us from the penalty of sin. HE is now the ONE in WHOM we can have absolute confidence with respect to all things that pertain to this life as well as to the future certainty of life everlasting with HIM. The psalmist had this wholehearted assurance in the LORD, even from his youth (v.5)

His "hope" (or confident expectation, v.5) regarding the good things promised in GOD's WORD provided the writer with absolute confidence that what GOD had spoken HE would also perform. Notice that it was the "commandment" (v.3), the WORD of GOD, that provided the understanding to which he anchored his faith. He, therefore, had the confidence that what he requested in prayer according to the WORD would, indeed, come to pass. When the enemy of the soul and the trials and dangers of life came upon him, he could pray with unwavering faith, "Deliver me...and save me. Be THOU my strong habitation" (v.2-3). Praise was continually upon his lips for GOD's proven faithfulness (vv.6-8). Think of the many marvelous accounts of how David was delivered and blessed time and again as he walked in obedience to the WORD and lived with the eye of faith set upon his GOD. Thus, he could say firsthand, "THOU art my ROCK and my FORTRESS" (v.3) ! Does our walk with GOD echo this testimony ? " DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Used With Permission. www.feasite.org

Saturday, October 31, 2015

" You Can Be Saved ! "

Luke 19:1-11 " And JESUS entered and passed through Jericho. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans (tax collectors), and he was rich. And he sought to see JESUS WHO HE was; and could not for the press (crowd), because he was little of stature (short). And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see HIM: for HE was to pass that way. And when JESUS came to the place, HE looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, ' Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.' And he made haste, and came down, and received HIM joyfully.

And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That HE was gone to be a guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the LORD; Behold, LORD, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And JESUS said unto him, ' This day is Salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the SON of MAN is come to seek and to save that which was lost.' And as they heard these things, HE called and spake a parable, because HE was nigh (close) to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of GOD should immediately appear.

JESUS, having entered Jericho, was passing through it. Many people had gathered to be with HIM, but one man in the crowd particularly wanted to see WHO JESUS was. Yet because he was "little of stature" (v.3), he could not see through or above the crowd. So, he climbed into a sycamore tree in order to see JESUS. JESUS spoke to him and called him by his name: "Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house" (v.5). Now, this man was someone whom people hated. He was a despised tax collector hired by the Roman government to collect taxes from his fellow Jews. Even worse, he was "the chief among" the tax collectors; and, as a result, "he was rich" (v.2). He was basically rejected by his own people; his only "friends" would have been others in the same profession. Nobody had anything to do with him. So, when JESUS invited HIMSELF to the house of this man, Zacchaeus "made haste, and came down, and received HIM joyfully" (v.6). The people, however, "murmured, saying, That HE was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner" (v.7).

JESUS came to seek and save the lost (v.10). The crowd should have said, "LORD, come also to my house," for they, too, were sinners - but they did not think they were. As a result, they lost out on the blessing of Salvation and fellowship with the LORD. Zacchaeus, however, repented of his sins, made restitution, and received Salvation (v.9). No one is "too sinful" for the LORD JESUS CHRIST to save. Others may reject you, but not GOD. Trust JESUS CHRIST today and experience HIS Salvation and forgiveness. PNF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Used with permission. www.feasite.org

Thursday, October 29, 2015

" WHO is Over All, GOD... "

Romans 9:5 " Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh CHRIST came, WHO is over all, GOD blessed for ever. AMEN. "

Is JESUS CHRIST truly GOD in human flesh ? Does it actually matter whether we believe that HE is or is not ? The simple and biblical answer to both questions is "YES." In fact, if JESUS CHRIST is not GOD incarnate, then the punishment for our sins was paid by a completely inadequate individual. This would mean that we still owe the penalty for our sins and that we are condemned for eternity, and, thus, no one is redeemed nor ever can be. If CHRIST is not GOD in human flesh, then we are still dead in trespasses and sins. If HE was/is not GOD, then much of what HE said about HIMSELF was a lie. But the truth is, HE is GOD, very GOD. Everything that it means to be GOD, everything that makes the FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT "GOD," is found in the person of the LORD JESUS CHRIST - in equal and eternal amount and extent. (Colossians 2:9).

This truth should bring us, as believers, unspeakable joy and hope. It is a truth that resonates from within the heart and mind and shapes the external expressions of our conduct, our manner of life. Like the Trinity, this is a truth that we cannot possibly grasp. We have become accustomed to hearing the words, "JESUS is GOD," to the point that the depth of this truth really does not sink into our minds as it should. The fact that JESUS claimed to be GOD was stunning to first century Jewish minds. Yet HIS claim was proven through the testimonies of the Scriptures and of GOD the FATHER, as well as by the many miracles that only GOD HIMSELF could do, including HIS bodily resurrection. This truth is no less spectacular today as well. That JESUS CHRIST is GOD remains an essential biblical truth that must be proclaimed to all who will listen.GDF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Used with permission. www.feasite.org