GROWING DEEPER where Jesus Christ is LORD and God

2012-02-12T08:03:00.000-08:00

All Praise to Thee, Eternal God

2012-02-09T20:38:00.000-08:00

All Praise to Thee, Eternal God

1. All praise to Thee, eternal God,
Who, clothed in garb of flesh and blood,
Dost take a manger for Thy throne,
While worlds on worlds are Thine alone.
Hallelujah!

2. Once did the skies before Thee bow;
A virgin's arms contain Thee now,
While angels, who in Thee rejoice,
Now listen for Thine infant voice.
Hallelujah!

3. A little Child, Thou art our Guest
That weary ones in Thee may rest;
Forlorn and lowly is Thy birth
That we may rise to heaven from earth.
Hallelujah!

4. Thou comest in the darksome night
To make us children of the light,
To make us in the realms divine,
Like Thine own angels, round Thee shine.
Hallelujah!

5. All this for us Thy love hath done;
By This to Thee our love is won;
For this our joyful songs we raise
And shout our thanks in ceaseless praise.
Hallelujah!

"All Praise to Thee, Eternal God"
by Dr. Martin Luther, 1483-1546
Text From:
THE HANDBOOK TO THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
(St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1942), p. 65
_
Notes:
Hymn #80 from The Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: John 1:14
Author: Martin Luther, 1524, cento
Translated by: unknown, 1858
Titled: Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ
Based on Latin sequence, 11th century
German, st. 1, 1370
Tune: Gelobet seist du, Jesu
Ancient melody, c. 1400

______________

This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg
by Cindy A. Beesley and is in the public domain. You may
freely distribute, copy or print this text.

The Lost Doctrine - Paul Washer

2012-02-09T17:38:00.000-08:00

Calling evil good... Isaiah 5:20

2012-02-09T16:28:00.000-08:00

by Vera Six

Many years ago in the last century, the people were divorced guilty or innocent. Then a new law was introduced, and they were not asked about guilt anymore, because people found it improper to investigate in people's private lives. It became enough to say that one had lived separately for a certain period of time, and no matter if the spouse agreed or not, the marriage was divorced. That is how it still is, at least here in Germany. Now things changed for the one who was innocent and faithful, yet he was divorced, no matter what. People started to say it was always both parrtner's fault if a marriage was broken. In general, the partner who was an adulterer, for example, can live on as if nothing had happened, and society accept him as before, married or divorced, guilty or innocent. The other partner however, the one who was betrayed or treated badly, feels the hurt that goes along with a divorce, but he does not get the support of the society that even claim he or she gave 50 per cent of the reason for the divorce. Hurt and angry, the person is often seen uncomfortable by the others, because he or she often asks them directly or indirectly to take a stand, which they do not like. They feel bothered. It is much easier not to take a stand and celebrate or fellowship with the betrayer (who avoids going into detail about his broken marriage for a reason, of course) than to listen to problems. He is not hurt and usually open for the joy of life. So the hurt is left to the betrayed alone, and very often the betrayer even profits from the whole situation, either financially or else.

A similar tendency has been going on with criminals. While a murderer was regarded an evil person many years ago, he has now all the focus and is excused, because he had the bad childhood or a hard life. Stealing at the supermarket is regarded harmless. But those who complain, they have become the troublemakers. At least in the eyes of the masses who just want to consume and celebrate.

This way of thinking has also reached our churches. Many false teachers could creep in. They are usually kind, quiet, charming and smiling at us, so everybody likes them. If a Christian gets behind the fact that he or she is a false teacher, a so-called wolf in sheep clothing, he might try to warn the flock and shout "wolf"! But this is very uncomfortable for the rest of the flock and disturbing them, and they do not really want to listen. The wolves keep smiling, while the one who warns is regarded a troublemaker and probably even dismissed from church - for the sake of peace, while truth is no longer asked for. It seems nobody is really interested in a sound Biblical doctrine at our churches anymore. So it is no wonder that they are falling more and more away from it, just as was prophesied in the Scriptures. People with discernment are no longer needed at the churches which have long stopped caring about sound doctrine. Church growth is what counts today, and nothing else. Sad but true.

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20 KJV)

Does The Truth Matter Anymore? Part 1

2012-02-08T18:31:00.000-08:00

Paul Washer on False Prophets

2012-02-08T17:09:00.000-08:00

Which Scriptures are for us? 2 Timothy 3:16-17

2012-02-08T09:59:00.000-08:00

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV)

Growing in Christ

2012-02-04T09:31:00.000-08:00

Growing in Christ is something that can only be done over the time. It is not right at the beginning on our way with Jesus that we have grown. We were planted, and then (hopefully) born again, then our Spiritual life into eternity began, and we can grow. First we need to be fed with milk and honey, then there might be events in our life that challenge our faith. It turns out how much it is worth in these cases. Many run away in such situations, and doubts come up. Why me? Why me? Poor me... Poor me…. (But why not me? Should it rather happen to others? Is that what a Christian could desire?)

It happens that things do not go as planned by us. This might have diverse reasons. First there is the devil who tries us, or God is using us for His plans to give glory to Him if we still confess His name loudly and proudly. The main reason in my life that I can see is the power there is in faith while we are weak. I was in situations where I thought everything is at an end, and I almost lost my faith in God, but there was no other way than give up and let Him do it all. Then things changed to the better. We can often not rely on our judgment on situations, but if we trust God to make the best of us and our lives just as HE plans it to be, we learn more and more that this God can be trusted, and that He and only He is worthy of our praises. It is our trust in which we are growing in Him until the end. Amen.

For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. (2 Corinthians 13:4 KJV)

The battle belongs to the LORD

2012-01-30T18:47:00.000-08:00

The battle belongs to the LORD, and we have to surrender, so He can make use of us in this battle. We are soldiers in the army of the LORD, and it is HIS battle, something which we should never forget. We get our orders from Him, according to His will, not ours. We are not to disregard His ideas about how to behave, for example, because we think we have to fight. We accept things if they do not turn out as we thought they would, and let go and let Him do the rest, no matter if we understand what is going on or not. HE is setting our aims, and driving and guiding us to reach them if we let Him. We should always listen to His will... His will is ALWAYS in harmony with His Word, the Bible. I hope I made some sense...

2012-01-29T23:42:00.000-08:00

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4 KJV)

Rick Warren's Heresy

2012-01-28T19:57:00.000-08:00

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Timothy 4:3-4 KJV)

Rick Warren's book "The Purpose Driven Life" is deceiving many people, leading many onto an unbiblical path. Since he has been one of the leading evangelicals of our times and since the issues are of high importance for the believer's understanding of the Gospel, it is not just a minor matter and needs to be addressed. The promising of church growth to those who follow his ideas has led many to leave the right way. Would God really care about church growth in which Warren seems to see the "purpose" in believers? Or would He rather care about the sound doctrine that is preached at the churches? How much do people count in Heaven who have never repented of their sins, or never given a confession of who their Savior is?

"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." (2 Timothy 4:2 KJV)

Those words were written by the Apostle Paul to tell Timothy how to teach the church. The right doctrine was important then and is today. Not to Rick Warren, however. He does not care about doctrine.

“God won’t ask about your religious background or doctrinal views. The only thing that will matter is, did you accept what Jesus did for you and did you learn to love and trust him?” (Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life, pg. 34).

If it was true that God did not care, evangelizing people would be nonsense, and Jesus's death would have been in vain, too. Again and again we are warned to stick with the right doctrine in the New Testament. Jesus Himself warned us:

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Matthew 7:15 KJV)

Jesus is not the only way to the Father for Rick Warren while John 14:6 and John 3:16-18 clearly say that there is just one way. But Warren preaches that there are a lot of Christian believers among the Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus etc. The need to believe in Jesus Christ and a confession is unimportant for Warren.

It is not so much what he says; it is more what he leaves out. He seems to ignore sin and that we are sinners called to repentance, that we are washed in the blood of the Lamb, and that the wrath of God will hit those who have not become clean of sin through Jesus blood.

Warren said in 2007 that the Bible “talks more about unity of the church than it does about either heaven or hell”, which is not true. The Bible says a lot about Heaven and hell, and also warns of false prophets and teachers in the church and what to do with them, which is avoid them.

Rick Warren preaches a gospel of works, not of grace. He preaches it is not enough to believe but takes "love". He says life on earth is a test, so God can check out how responsible we are, and Warren also claims we need to make the most of our gifts, like money, intelligence, etc. But the Bible says we are saved through faith alone in grace alone. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkg2-ycSpEk)

Rick Warren has no problem to quote people from the New Age scene and partners with the Emergent Church movement that practices New Age and Eastern mysticism. Warren is a friend of meditations like the “contemplative prayer”, the “breath prayer,” and yoga.

Rick Warren distanced himself from the same-sex issue (with regard to marriage). He is "politically correct" - but not Biblically. He is a hypocrite who wants to please man. In 2004 he said that gay marriages would not be negotiable, but later he pointed out that he has never been an anti-gay activist. He advised his church (many thousands of members) to vote for proposition 8, however. There is a transcription of Warren's stand on gay marriage in a video: http://thenewamerican.com/culture/family/982.

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." (Romans 16:17-18 KJV)

John MacArthur on Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven Life"

2012-01-28T08:54:00.000-08:00

The Real Roots Of The Emergent Church Documentary by Elliott Nesch - Please listen carefully...

2012-01-28T08:44:00.000-08:00

Once saved, always saved?

2012-01-25T21:11:00.000-08:00

I do know that I am saved, and that nothing can ever separate me from the love of God. But there were people who lost their trust in God again, like Demas who loved the world more than God. Judas Ischariot - but he was an exception, since he was prophecied to be the "son of perdition" and a part of God's plan to rescue mankind. The letters to the seven churches in Minor Asia in Revelation 2-3 speak volumes about it, too. Jesus also said that many were called but few chosen, and that not everyone who calls Him Lord will enter Heaven, and He warned of the broad way, too.

I believe people can backslide... It all depends on the soil on which the seed has fallen... and if they had a real break through and were born of God and became a new creation or not.

Compare with the article...
Digging Deeper into Matthew 13:19-23 - *The Parable of the Sower*
http://www.growing-deeper.net/2012/01/digging-deeper-into-matthew-1319-23.html

Can a Handy Dictionary Define Spiritual Terms?

2012-01-25T18:55:00.001-08:00

There are people who ask their handy dictionaries about Biblical definitions. I have my doubts that a handy dictionary might define Biblical terms better than the Bible. We need to make up our minds which of the two is suitable for setting up Christian standards. I wonder if people also pray before asking their handy dictionary for a Biblical definition, too.A handy dictionary (nor any other) is usually not suitable to help us discern Spiritual things. It takes a Spiritual source like God's Word.

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (1 Corinthians 2:12-13 KJV)

Psalm 36:9 - In Thy Light We See Light...

2012-01-25T18:52:00.000-08:00

I took this picture on my way to visit my son this week... Someone asked me if our town was this beautiful to take pictures of it... "YES, definitely. God's world IS beautiful, no matter where you are, and even on rainy winter days... But you need eyes to see..." There is hope wherever you are.

"For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light." (Psalms 36:9 KJV)

Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

2012-01-20T12:32:00.000-08:00

All the false Christian doctrine comes from the view that Christians need a special something to understand God's Word. Anyone can claim "The Lord has revealed to me...", and this is a dangerous thing... and it can only lead to falling away from the right doctrine. If it is not in accordance with the Bible, Christians do well to reject it *vehemently*. It is the old trick of satan, and has been since the Creation of the world:

"Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman,

Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die" (Genesis 3:1-4 KJV)

I have nothing against asking God for His Wisdom and also pray before my Bible reading, but if the Bible is not fundamental to our faith, infallible and authoritative, our faith is vain, and as good or bad as any other religion, something man-made. Christianity is MUCH MORE than that, and what many people experience as the "Holy Spirit" is nothing more but New Age stuff. They try anything to get a deeper understanding, and fall away from God more and more... Giving God a real chance is when we start listening carefully to His Words as in the Scriptures and live accordingly and submit to His will. Of course God does not only speak through the Bible... but never against it. The Gospel was written so kids can understand it. We do not need people who come along, asking, "Yea, hath God said, ..."

Emergent Church or The New Apostolic Reformation.a New Reformation?

2012-01-19T22:05:00.000-08:00

Emergent Church or The New Apostolic Reformation.a New Reformation?

Which Bible Version?

2012-01-19T10:16:00.000-08:00

God can definitely reach out and speak through any Bible version... Though I usually quote from the KJV, because I think it is the most powerful version, I became a believer while I was reading a simplified version of the Bible in my mother language German. I guess I needed that one at that time.

God can add what is lacking... or make us blind for those things which we do not need so much. If we read the Bible in context, some things catch our attention while others do not. And sometimes I just have the longing to clear something up, and then I search in other versions, or try to find out what the original says. I often pray that God opens my eyes and that He may speak His words into my heart. What I do not understand is when believers ask Jesus to come to them... because He is there around us anytime anyway. I do not need a ceremony to call Him to turn up. I wonder what He thinks when He sees the people telling Him to do this and to do that, as if they raise Him from the dead again... and all while He is standing right next to them already... oh well, they are trying to get closer, that is true, so this is not really too bad. But many do not have the connection to Him to know how close He actually is already, and forget who He is: God, and God is Divine and Holy. This is how I should treat Him - with all respect that we owe God.

Paul Washer Sermon Jam Power & Worship

2012-01-18T09:43:00.001-08:00

Hebrews 6: Let Us Go On Unto Perfection

2012-01-18T09:27:00.000-08:00

"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." Hebrews 6:1-6 KJV

And this is what we should do after leaving the principles of Christ as mature Christians...

"And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Hebrews 6:11-12 KJV

"Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." Hebrews 6:17-20 KJV

How great is that? We are heirs... if we keep the faith.

Proverbs 26:4-5 Answer not a fool according to his folly

2012-01-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

Some people say, the Bible is full of contradictions. I have found a nice example for that. Let us have a look at Proverbs 26:4-5 (KJV):

"Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
"Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit."

It looks like a contradiction... But have a closer look, please... What shall we do? Answer a fool according to his folly - or not?

Hint: God loves you! :-)

Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus || Spoken Word

2012-01-13T21:02:00.000-08:00

Laying Down Our Life for a Brother or Sister

2012-01-12T22:19:00.000-08:00

"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father." (John 10:14-18 KJV)

Yes, Jesus laid down his life for me. He did not only lay his life down for me but for the whole mankind, for anyone. I was walking through the streets, passing a lot of strangers… Was I really prepared to die for them? Sure, as long as it was just by saying… But what if it became real? I thought of the number of people whom I love dearly, and I thought all right, if necessary, I would die for them. But I felt ashamed when I noticed that I would not be prepared for someone passing by if I had had to make a choice that very moment. How much had the apostle Peter fallen when he heard that Jesus was to die! How easy is it for our lips to say we would be prepared to lay down our life for a brother… But Jesus knew that not even Peter, the rock onto whom He wanted to build His church, was prepared to die for Him, but He did not leave him alone and foretold him what would happen, which really came to pass later...

"Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice." (John 13:37-38 KJV)

What a fall of this great man! And how deep would my own fall be? Or did I really think I could do better than the Apostle? How arrogant! As if dying was so easy… But Jesus spoke plain text about it and gave us a commandment…

"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:12-13 KJV)

So this is the greatest love a human being can have, which is to die for his friends. Love in perfection according to Jesus standards for us. We can now see how great God's love was for us when He died on the cross to pay for our sins, and when I say our sins, I mean any big or small sin that has ever been or will ever be committed, and he paid the price for each of them. He did not just die for me but for us all, for his friends and for his enemies. He did not die one death but billions of them… one death for any of us.

"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." (1 John 3:16 KJV)

Yes, we ought to… May He save us all from it if possible, however. May the Lord strengthen us all for that if it is needed. May He humble us enough to save us from lip confessions.

When I think about that now: would it not be a wonderful way to leave this earth by dying for one of our Beloved? I mean, we do not have to die for the whole world… not even for our own sins…

But wait… if we lay down our life for our Brother, it does not really matter, because now that Jesus paid for our tickets into Heaven, we do not even have to die at all… We will just walk over there, and leave a useless body behind us… to get a better one, an incorruptible one. All we have to do is to love and to follow Jesus… until the end, even into death.

"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:51-58 KJV)

♥ King of kings ♥ (Messianic Praise - Karen Davis)

2012-01-06T21:39:00.000-08:00

Election, Foreknowledge and Free Will

2012-01-05T08:48:00.000-08:00

Election, Foreknowledge and Free Will

by Vera Six on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 10:27pm

I do believe large parts of Dr. Martin Luther's teaching is correct, but even he stumbled and fell heavily in the end when he condemned the Jews and others, something that had an evil effect that had its climax in the Holocaust. Luther knew the Bible very well, but set himself higher than the Apostle Paul, something that is never rather intelligent. Paul spoke clearly about the Jews and their election in Romans 11 where Paul even warned the "Heathen Christians" of arrogance. How people can reject and ignore that the twelve tribes of Israel are a part of God's plan of salvation is not really understandable. Those who ignore this fact (cf. Revelation 7:1-8) have to twist large parts of the Scriptures to convince themselves of this lie, while the Bible is rather easy to understand for those who accept what the first Christians wrote down under the authorship of God.

But I did come to the same results as Luther when he claimed that the Bible alone is the base of the Christian faith and not tradition (sola scriptura), that Christ alone (not the church) has the authority over believers (solus Christus), that salvation of man is by the grace of God alone, not by good works (sola gratia) and that the justification of man is through faith alone, not through good works (sola fide).

I do believe large parts of Calvinism are correct, but I think Calvin never dared looking beyond the rim of the pudding bowl, just like Columbus when he wanted to find a faster way to India and did not know that the earth was a bit bigger than he had thought… He was right, and wrong at the same time. Calvin, like Columbus, probably just did not dare going beyond the limits of what was thought to be reality, and if he had, he might not have ended up a tyrant and persecuted people who believed differently. God said, "Thou shall not kill", so Calvin was very much in controversy with God's Word and His will on this. Calvin puffed himself up and rejected God's Word, that is why I have to reject Calvin, for there is a free will for anyone to trust God or not, and this freedom must be granted to anyone, no matter if I like his views or not. We may never kill others for their different views, or persecute them! Calvin had ignored God's plan of salvation and the free will of man, and that was where he stumbled, and which was the reason for all the evil that followed.

~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~

I do believe in the election of the Saints… but also in the free will of man, which seems to be contradictory. The Christian Church is often compared to the Bride of Christ, and Revelation describes the Wedding of the Lamb "And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb." (Revelation 19:9 KJV). It is a custom that the bridegroom elects his bride, but she has the free will to reject his proposal. If she rejects, this usually ends in separation. This image describes my view on election and free will rather well.

Have a look into Paradise with me, too… God, Adam, Eve, the serpent, the fall, the banning… There were some things that Adam and Eve could not decide on by their free will. There were borders and fences that God had arranged – for their protection. There was a law, too, and they could rebel against it, but they could not abolish it. They had a free will to rebel against God or not. We all know they chose to be rebels and that this had consequences that are still reaching into this third millenium.

God chose the prophets and also Israel and the descendants of Jacob as the nation of His special focus and care:

"For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, ..." (Isaiah 45:4 KJV)

"But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Isaiah 41:8-10 KJV)

He could have chosen any other people, but did not. Election does not depend on own works. It is done by God alone… God can elect people arbitrarily, and He does elect arbitrarily. He elected and called the prophets, and the Israelites.

God chose Israel, and Israel chose to rebel against God, again and again and again. Israel is rejecting God today, but more and more Jews have come to Christ meanwhile and have accepted Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah. God chose all the people of Israel, but not all accept Him, neither Jesus nor the Father. So there is space for free will even for the elect.

The only one who chooses us is God, but we have a free will and can rebel against Him.

When Jesus died and was resurrected, He opened the gate for all mankind and put them all on the list of the Elect:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (John 3:16-17)

We are all elected, but there is a choice to believe in Him or not, to put our trust back into God and surrender our will to His. If we do not, we will be condemned, as the next verses say:

"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:17-18 KJV)

We often like to forget one thing… God is not limited with regard to anything, not even to time. He is beyond that. Time is a feature of His creation, but He is not a part of that, since He was not created but "is" (He said He was "I am").

"And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." (Exodus 3:13-14 KJV)

God is Almighty… He can see His Creation with its past, present and future one at the same "glance". This is known as "foreknowledge". He knows the ending even before the world was created. Of course He has His own plans with this world, and of course we cannot decide about what this ending will be. But we can decide about who our Master is: is it God, or is it the devil. We cannot serve two Masters. We do have a free will, but we cannot go beyond the borders God has given us, or change God's plans. The Apostle Peter's letter makes it clear, too:

"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied." (1 Peter 1:2 KJV)

Jesus was clear on the issue that there is an election of the Saints, too:

"And except that the Lord … but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath ..." (Mark 13:20 KJV)

So we cannot reject the idea that there are the elect.

~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~

Conclusion

Election and free will of man is not a contradiction but go hand in hand. It is not either or, it is actually both. Also, God can and does elect some for special tasks (like Israel or the prophets – just think of Jeremiah or Jonah), but Jesus opened the doors of Heaven for us all! We are all elected, but our free will can hinder us to accept God's proposal. God could force us, but He usually does not.

I am neither a Lutheran nor a Calvinist – I am a Christian! Many Christians were deceived and led a wrong demonic path and thought they knew better than what is in God's Word. God's Word is holy. God is the author of the Bible, and He is able to create a book like that which contains the truth about His will and His plans. If we cannot believe this, what would our faith be worth? Should we listen to voices that speak to us, and then accept any of them as God's without testing the spirits? How can we test them if not by checking them against God's Word?

A doctrine that cannot be found in the context of God's Word has to be rejected, and we also have to reject teachers that have scratched parts of it and made up their own Gospel.

God Bless You!

Vera

Foto by Vera Six

Digging Deeper into Matthew 13:19-23 - The Parable of the Sower

2012-01-02T19:06:00.000-08:00

Matthew 13:18-23 KJV Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. (19) When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. (20) But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; (21) Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. (22) He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. (23) But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

~°*°~°*°~°*°~°*°~°*°~

It is interesting... I can see there are three groups of believers who hear the word, but it does not bring any fruit...

"When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side." (Matthew 13:19 KJV)

A person of the "first group* hears the word of the coming kingdom of God, but he does not understand it, because he did not take it seriously enough. The seed, which is the word, is planted in his heart, but he received the word on "way side" where many other things were going on, so he probably could not concentrate on going into it any deeper to understand it. This person did not take enough time for his Bible studies.

So all of us believers, not just a few who like it, should take Bible studies very seriously, because if there is no fruit in our lives, it might happen to us as is written in Matthew 3:10 (KJV):

"And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."

~°*°~°*°~°*°~°*°~°*°~

But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. (Matthew 13:20-21 KJV)

A person of the *second group* hears the word of the coming kingdom of God, but it cannot get any roots in his heart, because the person has no roots in himself, no hold, lacking discipline and self control. He reminds me of all the people who are very euphorical in the beginning when they convert, but are drawn back into their old life very soon, because they find out that being a Christian always means being mocked, discriminated against, persecuted or even be killed. Who would like that?

They are your best friend until there is trouble ahead… Boy, can they run!

But Jesus warned us to overcome and hold on till the end, and also said the following:

"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also." (John 15:18-20 KJV)

Jesus cannot make any use of cowards…

"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8 KJV)

So let us bear what is to come, knowing God knows about it and will bless us for keeping the faith and confessing it.

~°*°~°*°~°*°~°*°~°*°~

"He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful." (Matthew 13:22 KJV)

A person of the *third group* hears the word of the coming kingdom of God, but the circumstances are not good enough so the seed could grow and bring fruit. It is the world that is too loud around him, and there is all the trouble that is tearing his faith down like it is so often done by satan who tries to discourage us all the time.

I have often wondered why it seems that Christians are usually even more troubled by circumstances than the rest of the world, and if they should not be free from trouble if they belong to God. The opposite seems to be the case. Satan wants to prevent us from bearing fruit, so he tries to deceive us by all means and offers us an easier and wealthier life, as he tempted Jesus in the desert:

"Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (Matthew 4:8-10 KJV)

Let us make up our minds! Because…

"No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Luke 16:13 KJV)

~°*°~°*°~°*°~°*°~°*°~

"But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." (Matthew 13:23 KJV)

If you want to be in this *fourth* group of believers who bring a lot of fruit, please make sure that you take the word of God seriously and that you understand it. Take enough time for that.

Also, hold on to the word even if you are mocked, discriminated against, persecuted or threatened. The world will hate us, and if the world loves you, you should seriously ask yourself what is wrong with you. Do not fear persecution. God knows about it and is on your side.

Do not be discouraged if satan is tempting you. It is a part of our faith. It is not because God does not love you – do not ever think that. I have found out that the best way to overcome this is by prayer. Ask God to comfort you, and to strengthen you and your faith and to get you out of the trouble, or, even better, ask others to pray this for you.

One more thing…

Help others to take their faith seriously. Take enough time to teach them if you are a teacher. Listen to their problems that faith brings along.

If you see other believers who are fearful, try to help them overcome their fear, even of persecution or death. Be a good example to them. Do not lie to them and tell them being a Christian is Heaven on earth already. It is Heaven on earth for sure, but there is still the earth under our feet, and its ruler is still satan until he is bound.

Think of what Christians are to do, namely carry the burden for one another, so try to help others who are facing trouble and hardship in their lives, and do not let them carry their burdens alone.

God Bless You all!

2012

2011-12-31T23:53:00.000-08:00

2011-12-30T21:50:00.001-08:00

The Devil at Work in the Churches

2011-12-29T11:46:00.000-08:00

When Iconverted in Germanyat eleven years ago, I renounced any bounds to satan, and it shudders me tothink I would have to do anything with him again. Then the church leadersstarted to introduce breath meditations in the Bible study groups last year,like breathing Jesus in and Christ out, for example. The leaders said theywanted the church to feel and experience Jesus more. When I asked the pastorfor a Biblical back up in a meeting, he said it is in the Psalms "Letevery thing that hath breath praise the LORD." (Psalms 150:6 KJV) Since Ihad experiences with the occult before I converted, I know where these thingswill lead people, and it is definitely not to God. I warned, but only fewwanted to listen.

It took meanother year until I finally left my church for this reason and the impact ofthe Emerging Churchmovement (MacLaren, Bell,Warren etc.) on the leadership. During one service a Muslim had announced fromthe pulpit that Muslim and Christian believers had to form an alliance... andthe congregation did not even wake up then! They ignored it... Oh, I would likeit when the Muslims came to Christ, but that was not even planned... It wasabout accepting them as Muslims, because they believed in God, too. Besides,there is no Gospel left that could be taught to them in the churches. Manypastors have been released in the past years, because they still stuck withorthodox teaching. Others had to adopt the new kind of postmodern churchlife... Do not ever refer to John 14:6, or all hell will break lose. I haveread that they instructing folks to deal rudely with those. I found out thatthis tendency is going on worldwide at many of the Christian churches, and thefish stinks from the head.

Now I amlooking for another church where God's Word is still preached, but this is verydifficult to find here. Most are marching right away into hell... What is worseis that people who still want to keep their faith are put into corners by theirbrothers and sisters, and are discriminated. They usually have the feeling thatthey are wrong in a way, and I think it is our job to encourage them and letthem know there are still Christians who hold on to God's Word.

Oh well, Ithink that is just what God's plan is... the falling away must come first...

There are TWO Commandments...

2011-12-25T16:51:00.000-08:00

Jesus gave us two commandments: "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 22:36-40 KJV)

It is important to keep BOTH commandments... Just loving God will guide people into a form of legalism, and there is generally no love of God if the neighbor is hated... the other version is rather common... people love the neighbor but not God... or they think they love the neighbor... and often just mean themselves by that. Whoever loves God will also love his neighbor, and loving the neighbor is a result of loving God. One cannt go without the other one. Jesus showed the way, especially to the legalists, but Hewas also obedient to the Father.

I thought I was a good human... but then I found out the truth about myself, and that I was actually condemned by God... I did not see why... at all... But by and by God taught me about my shortcomings compared to His glory... and I was shocked to find out what I was lacking... My only chance of improvement was to ask Him for it...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2011-12-21T07:45:00.000-08:00

Just imagine... Our great God whom we cannot really know but assume by the expense of the universe which He created, this great and wunderful God humiliated Himself to a degree to be born into this world in person, and just for one reason: To die for our sins! Now we can call on Him who paid for our guilt already... Anyone who calls upon His name will be saved, for God wants to save us from eternal death! We who are His children may live forever, and it will be wonderful with God in our middle!

♥~°~♥~°~♥~°~♥~°~♥~°~♥~°~♥~°~♥~°~♥~°~♥~°~♥

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matthew 1:20-23 KJV)

♥~°~♥~°~♥~°~♥~°~♥~°~♥~°~♥~°~♥~°~♥~°~♥~°~♥

GOD WITH US AT CHRISTMAS!

The Apostle Paul and the Corinthians

2011-12-18T13:57:00.000-08:00

Paul to the Corinthians...
"And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?" (1 Corinthians 4:6-7 KJV)
The Apostle Paul was teaching the Corinthians not to overdo the tonges subject and focus on more important matters like love (in the sense of care) and prophecy... Times have not changed much, and today there are as many deceivers as then, if not more. These are times where more and more false preachers, teachers, prophets and healers turn up... We need to be careful whom to trust, and better stay with the "Old Time Religion" than run into the mouth of the devil who is running around trying to devor whomever he can get out there...

The Vine and the Branches - Paul Washer

2011-12-18T13:38:00.000-08:00

2011-12-18T11:51:00.001-08:00

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

John 14:6

2011-12-03T16:58:00.001-08:00

1 John 4:10

2011-12-02T18:48:00.001-08:00

Was Judas Ischariot forgiven?

2011-11-25T15:20:00.001-08:00

JudasIschariot repented, but there is no word in Scripture that suggests God forgavehim, and the facts prove that He did not. Right after his repentance, Judaskilled himself, which is not an action done by someone whose sins were justforgiven.

Then Judas, which had betrayed him, ****when he saw that he was condemned****, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. (Matthew 27:3-5 KJV)

Judas wascondemned, then repented, not of his evil deed but because he was condemned. Hewanted to give the money back for that reason, but this was impossible for him.So he cast it on the ground. He found himself condemned and hanged himself forit.

God did notforgive Judas, or Judas would not have committed suicide. Suicide is translatedas "Self Murder" in German, for example, and God's Word definitelysays:

"But thefearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and ***murderers***, andwhoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their partin the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."(Revelation 21:8 KJV)

How couldJudas ever have repented of his murdering himself?

God says,"Thou shall not kill."

Jesusprayed to the Father, "While I was with them in the world, I kept them inthy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, butthe ***son of perdition***; that the scripture might be fulfilled." (John17:12 KJV)

However, wecannot condemn people who committed suicide, because we do not know theirmotivation, and we cannot know what God will do when the books are opened....In Judas' case, however, it is very clear that he was condemned, and since heknew about it, saw no other way how to live on. It will not help him, however,because the dead will be raised for Final Judgment, too. Nobody can escapethings coming by committing suicide, because life will go on after death. Thequestion is just where to spend eternity - in Heaven or the lake of fire. Takea decision NOW.

God BlessYou!

Submit Yourselves therefore to G_d. Resist the devil, ...

2011-11-03T12:09:00.000-07:00

Speaking of contextual misunderstanding, I would like to say something... There is this verse "Resist the devil, and he will flee"… Does this mean we have to tolerate those who come with a false Christian teacher among ourselves? At a closer look we can find that the verse actually says the following:

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7 KJV)

It obviously refers to the preceding context, in which we can find:

"From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with G_d? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of G_d. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, G_d resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." (James 4:1-6)

It is speaking of the *lust* that the believers have, and it does not speak of the wolves that are coming to devour the flock. If it did, there would be so much contradiction in Scripture with so many other verses that say we are to *reject* false Christian teachers, not to "resist" them. Wolves are those who twist the truth about what God says and *teach* it, they are the false teachers who come with a false doctrine. (Brian McLaren, Rob Bell, Rick Warren – just to name a few of them…)

The phrase "Resist the devil and he will flee" is so often what is left in the memory of believers only, and the devil is doing his best to create misunderstanding about this. It is not speaking of how to deal with false Christian teachers and false prophets, but about how to deal with one's own lust when it might cause the believer to sin.

Submit yourself therefore to G_d!

Love You all! G_d Bless You!

Psalm 29:11

2011-11-03T11:39:00.000-07:00

Do you suffer from Pity Parties? A CALL for all Bible Believers

2011-08-29T09:29:00.001-07:00

When I find myself being guest at my own pity party I think of Jesus, and how much He suffered for my sake, start praying and ask Him for His comfort, and my heart is okay again soon afterwards. All the lost people, those who have not met Jesus yet, will end up in hell, so what is my own pity party worth? I am with God, not lacking anything. I have His grace, so what?

I learned to focus on things around me and get over my pityful self before I even was a Christian, because I could not stand my own life any longer. I stopped thinking of the past, all the hurt and pain, and concentrated on the good things around me... That helped me much, and my life became better and better. When I finally met Jesus, I even was of the opinion that my life was all right. It was from my view without knowing God personally.

I surrendered because of His call later at a time when I thought I did not need God at all and could make it without Him. I thought I was good enough. I just had the longing to be in God's presence more and more, after He had told me that the Bible was the truth.

That is why I will always defend God's Word as His Word. Many churches here in Europe, in America and Australia and elsewhere in the world have fallen away from the truth already. I am trying my best to restore and strengthen this trust in Him and His Word and ask all the Bible believers to do the same. It will get tougher for us more and more in a world that is losing its love more and more, so please do your best, pray for me in this matter as I will for you, and ask God to Bless us while we go.

Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his,
and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
For his anger endureth but a moment;
in his favour is life:
weeping may endure for a night,
but joy cometh in the morning.
(Psalms 30:4-5 KJV)

(Please share if you feel led)

Washington should heed the warning and stop ignoring God's Word! The earthquake that shook the White House was not an accident at all!

2011-08-25T11:09:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder of what happened in New Zealand earlier this year...

THE WRATH OF GOD FOR HIS CHURCH THAT CANNOT ENDURE HIS WORD ANYMORE

by Vera Six on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 12:03am

It is very interesting that God warned His Church only last year, when he visited Christchurch on New Zealand with an earthquake magnitude 7.1 and smaller aftershocks. Praise the LORD, nobody was killed then.

This earthquake yesterday, however, hit an "Emerging Church", the ChristChurch Cathedral at Christchurch on New Zealand with a magnitude of 6.3! It is the nest of rats that gave birth to the emerging heresy in the way of this false teaching. It is the origin of this heretic spiritual rapid growth. A new Gospel without God was created there, spreading like cancer, now appreciated by almost everyone, particularly in high Baptist ranks. It is the wrath of GOD which those fans in Christchurch are experiencing now, and Jesus warned He would take away the Ephesian church’s candle stick personally under certain circumstances……

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:4-7 KJV)

There is only one thing you all can do:

Come back to your first love!

Repent and stop worshipping other gods or … yourselves.

What else must happen until you understand it and put all your trust in God again?

This time there were dozens of dead, many missed under the rubble… and (at least) one ruined cathedral without candle stick.

The Reason for the World by Matthew West (with lyrics)

2011-08-25T10:04:00.000-07:00

Unfailing Love - Chris Tomlin

2011-08-25T09:57:00.000-07:00

Heart of Worship

2011-08-25T06:46:00.000-07:00

My Song for You...

2011-08-03T11:30:00.000-07:00

I AM THE WAY,THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE
(It is a link to an mp3 on my old site http://www.acc-growing-deeper.de)

Thoughts based on John 14:1-6

by Vera Six - for her fellow Christians and those who like to listen

Listen to this song right from my Savior.
Listen to his words he wants you to know.
Listen to this song right from my Savior
Listen to his words, and that's how they go:

"Don't let your heart be troubled.
Believe in God, and also in me.
Don't let your heart be troubled.
Believe in God, and also in me.

In my Father's house are many mansions
I am going to prepare a place for you.
In my Father's house are many mansions
I am going to prepare a place for you."

Listen to this song right from my Savior.
Listen to his words he wants you to know.
Listen to this song right from my Savior.
Listen to his words, and that's how they go:

"Don't let your heart be troubled.
Believe in God, and also in me.
Don't let your heart be troubled.
Believe in God, and also in me.

I will come again and take you with me
that where I am you may also be.
I will come again and take you with me
that where I am you may also be."

Listen to this song right from my Savior.
Listen to his words he wants you to know.
Listen to this song right from my Savior.
Listen to his words, and that's how they go:

"Don't let your heart be troubled.
Believe in God, and also in me.
Don't let your heart be troubled.
Believe in God, and also in me.

Where I go you know, so don't be troubled.
You know the way and once will be with me.
Where I go you know, so don't be troubled.
You know the way and once will be with me."

Listen to this song right from my Savior.
Listen to his words he wants you to know.
Listen to this song right from my Savior.
Listen to his words, and that's how they go:

"Don't let your heart be troubled.
Believe in God, and also in me.
Don't let your heart be troubled.
Believe in God, and also in me.

"Know I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father, except through me.
Know I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father, except through me."

© 2007 Vera Six - all rights reserved

This is the original Scripture of John 14:1-6 (KJV)

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

The Gospel of John

2011-07-30T18:10:00.000-07:00

I Can Only Imagine (with lyrics) - MercyMe

2011-07-24T18:42:00.000-07:00

Cliff Richard: Let Me Be the One - with lyrics

2011-07-22T13:27:00.000-07:00

Here I am to Worship

2011-07-21T07:39:00.000-07:00

The Battle Belongs to the LORD

2011-07-21T07:32:00.000-07:00

Where do YOU want to Spend your Eternity???

2011-07-16T07:23:00.000-07:00

When I fell down a long and steep stone staircase three weeks ago, I thanked the LORD afterwards, but also my guardian angels that they protected me. On the way downstairs I was aware of how close death was to me. It can happen any time... any second... There would not have been any time for repentance or prayer... so tell the people it is better to know where they will spend their eternity and to make up their minds on time whether they want to go to hell or to Heaven and ask God to be the leader of their life.

"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:7 KJV)

Carrie Underwood - How Great Thou Art

2011-07-16T07:15:00.000-07:00

Here is love, vast as the ocean - Robin Mark

2011-07-15T13:09:00.000-07:00

FFH - In Christ Alone

2011-07-13T16:44:00.000-07:00

My Hope Is Found-Owl City

What Are You Living For? - Francis Chan

2011-07-02T04:16:00.000-07:00

Beulah Land (Joseph & Grace Larson) Jimmy Swaggart

2011-07-01T05:58:00.001-07:00

2011-06-27T13:05:00.000-07:00

Love Ya!

2011-06-19T03:53:00.000-07:00

The LORD's Prayer

2011-06-19T03:16:00.000-07:00

I stand with Israel, praying for the Peace of Jerusalem

2011-06-19T03:10:00.000-07:00

Sing me Your Song again, Daddy!

2011-06-19T03:05:00.000-07:00

The Lord's Prayer

2011-06-19T02:58:00.000-07:00

Scripture is God's Word Speaking

2011-06-11T12:40:00.000-07:00

I did not even have a Bible. I met a stranger in an internet forum just by chance, and I was not even interested in Christian matters. He turned out to be a believer, and the Bible was God's Word for him, So I bought a Bible to prove him the idiot I regarded him to be...

I started in Genesis to find faults.... but then it happened... God spoke to me! After a few chapters He said, "Vera, what you are reading there is all true. Those words are all for you from me, because I love you. Trust me"... It took more months until I actually converted, but this was one impressive thing that has never left me. Scripture is God's Word speaking to me. Even if I wanted to, I could never regard it as anything else but God's Word. It is for orientation, for contacting God, for encouragement, for warning, an example and much more. I am so happy there is his Word, and I can highly recommend anyone, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, atheists, agnostics, etc to read it. Maybe the LORD has mercy on all and touches and attracts them all closer and closer to Him like a magnet, just as He drew me closer and closer. The Bible is God's Word that is alive with His Spirit. Amen.

Yeshua the Messiah is the ONLY way to Heaven. There is no other way.

Reject False Christian Teachers

2011-06-10T16:30:00.000-07:00

Anyone, you, too, is entitled to believe any nonsense around. But please allow the Christians to believe God and His Word as they have done in the past 2000 years when they first believed Jesus, then the Apostles, then those who wrote it all down.

There will definitely be ONE GOD in the end, this is true. This same God said:

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." Matthew 7:13-15 KJV

There is also just one way to Heaven:

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:16

Of course we Christians are to listen to God? But please know He would NEVER suggest things that are unbiblical. So if you hear voices or have visions and dreams and do not find things backed up in the Bible, I would not be too sure that they come from God, and if you cannot find other people who claim to have visions and the like from God backed up Scripturally, you are to reject them. I am not generally rejecting visions – just those that suggest forgetting what the Bible says, because they claim to have a kind of "superior" knowledge that others do not have.

Coming together in Jesus' name would be great – as long as God's Word is still valid, and as long as you do not mean Jesus Smith or Miller but Jesus, Son of God – as written in the Bible. He claimed:

"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." Luke 21:33

You can find them in the Bible.

God Bless!

Who is Jesus Christ?

2011-06-04T06:15:00.000-07:00

Jesus is LOVE, the Saviour of this world, the lamb of God. God loved this world so much that he gave away his only Son so we may all live in Heaven with him one day.

Everyone who believes in Jesus and that he died for his sins in his place and rose three days after can have eternal life at no further cost. Jesus was crucified for the sins of mankind, was fully man and fully God, and he was the greatest healer on earth. All we humans have to do is believe in him.

Personally, Jesus is my best friend. I talk with him, and I live with him. His love is beyond our understanding. I asked Him many years ago to come into my life, he came and lives with me now. He is a part of my life. I contact him in prayer, and I could not live without him.

Does that help? I hope so.

by vera six

What is sin?

2011-05-31T19:53:00.000-07:00

When the first humans were in Paradise, God told them (Adam and Eve) they could eat from any tree but one, and if they did they would die.

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV)

The serpent came and told Eve they would not die if they ate from this tree. Eve decided to believe the serpent's lie rather than God. She did not trust God, and did not do His will but thought she could be like God:

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (Genesis 3:4-5 KJV)

Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and she also seduced her husband Adam to do the same. When God found out, they felt ashamed and noticed they were naked, something they were not even aware of before this. God kicked them out of Paradise, and from this time on this world has been a fallen world, a world where sin has distorted almost everything.

Humans kept on sinning, so God gave them the law in the written form to Moses, which we still know as the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20:1-17) to make sure what He meant.

The humans still kept on sinning, which is falling away from God and His will, being in rebellion to what He says (His Word). This is called sin.

The law that God gave to the children of Israel after leaving slavery in Egypt to go to the Promised Land is a holy matter, and as such it is eternal. Sin is not the breaking of the law itself, but it is the motivation behind this action, namely to believe we can decide about what is good or evil without asking God about it. This is important: God is holy, and this means in His light any kind of sin is destroyed! Since no human is sinless, we would be destroyed in His light and glory.

We would all be very lost forever, because no human is perfect and can keep the law, and the penalty for sin is death as God proclaimed in Paradise. We would all be lost if there was not God's unconditional love for us humans. He wants to live with us again, just as it was like in Paradise when Adam and Eve could talk with Him there face to face. In His endless love God had a plan…

Jesus.

He sent Jesus, His Son, who was blameless, to earth as a human to pay the debt for our sins in our place on the tree. If we believe in this, God will forgive us our shortcoming, our sin, our distrust in Him, our listening to the devil - and we will have eternal life with Him as it was planned in the beginning when God made us after His own image asnd a free will, even if this meant we could turn against Him and listen to the devil and trust him more than God. But there is no love without freedom, is there?

This last part, from when Jesus came into this world, can be found in the New Testament, which is fundamental to the Christian faith. The Jewish faith was before this, and is also fundamental to the Christian faith, because the Old Testament prophesied the Messiah already (It is in Isaiah 53, for example, and Daniel, and other prophetic in the Old Testament). Jesus fulfilled the law, but did not abolish it. The law is still valid. People who have become Christians, however, (real Christians, not just Christians by name, as there are millions), want to please God, because they love God, they know they owe their life to God's grace only, and so this is the motivation why they do not want to sin anymore and why they trust God enough to ask for His will.

It is not the law that forms the Christian faith, but it is the faith in God, the trust in Him, and the relationship we have with him. It is a living connection to the living God who wants to be close to us, not far away. Whomever He wants to He will attract closer and closer with His love. We Christians are redeemed – because of God's love and grace.

Emergent Signs to Leave your church

2011-05-28T13:57:00.000-07:00

The Delusion Is Here

2011-05-28T13:02:00.000-07:00

Exodus: The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me. (Leviticus 25:23 KJV)

2011-05-26T05:23:00.000-07:00

Jesus will Come Back!

2011-05-22T08:15:00.000-07:00

by vera six

We are not perfect yet. But when the LORD comes back to this earth, He will finish what He started...

He actually has already, because He does not depend on time, but we are still in this time that has one direction only: JESUS CHRIST.

He is the first and the last, the beginning and the end, the Alpha and Omega.

Amen.

I'm Just A Man: Written By Steven Strahm, Performed By Steven Strahm And Mike Bouillon.

2011-05-22T06:57:00.000-07:00

I love it! It is really worthwhile to search for Steven Strahm and Mike Bouillon on YouTube, too! They are really doing an awesome job for Christ! Praise God!

BIG SMILE

I Will Praise You! Written and Performed by Steven Strahm

2011-05-22T06:32:00.000-07:00

A Word about Abortion...

2011-05-21T20:16:00.000-07:00

It is terrible to read how people justify killing their own children... It is also terrible how Christians can support this. Many "Christians" today make a big mistake... They have reduced their faith to a pseudo love-your-neighbor gospel that does not ask for God anymore. They replaced it by "common sense". If "common sense" was our standard, it would not differ from the standards of the atheists. They have "common sense", too. Our standard should be God's will:

"Don't kill."

Amen.

10.5 movie trailer (2004)

2011-05-21T12:45:00.000-07:00

This is being shown on TV right now ... (I am no fan of catastrophes, so I am not watching it) I wonder why people have to produce such movies. Is reality not shocking enough? Should we use our precious good times to watch such things that will come in bad times soon enough? Should we not better fall on our knees and pray for prevention, shelter and salvation?

Break Through

2011-05-21T07:34:00.000-07:00

This is excellent! I love it! May the LORD break through everywhere, just as the sunrays break through the clouds, the LORD's love should break through into people's hearts! Amen!

Your Great Name - Natalie Grant (with lyrics)

2011-05-21T05:36:00.000-07:00

2011-05-20T17:43:00.000-07:00

2011-05-20T17:10:00.000-07:00

The Holy Bible in Arabic - God's Holy Word

2011-05-09T06:16:00.001-07:00

http://st-takla.org/Holy-Bible_.html

Dangers Facing the Young and Reformed - Paul Washer

2011-04-30T09:07:00.000-07:00

Joseph Prince - How Believers Fall From Grace - 17 April 2011

2011-04-30T04:32:00.000-07:00

2011-04-23T05:24:00.000-07:00

2011-04-22T18:24:00.000-07:00

2011-04-22T18:21:00.000-07:00

2011-04-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

Neegi Poy Ente Bharangal......... Malayalam Christian song

2011-04-13T08:23:00.001-07:00

A Beautiful Malayalam Christian Song .... Ellam Ellam

2011-04-13T06:40:00.000-07:00

Biblical Assurance (Part 3) - Paul Washer

2011-04-12T13:09:00.000-07:00

2011-04-07T16:54:00.000-07:00

2011-04-05T19:48:00.000-07:00

2011-04-05T19:44:00.000-07:00

2011-04-05T19:41:00.000-07:00

Our Bodies were Perfect in Paradise...

2011-03-31T14:20:00.000-07:00

GOD did NOT give us the flesh in which we are. He gave us a perfect body. It was ruined when sin entered it after Adam and Eve had fallen away from God. It is the new connection to God after reconciliation with Him that can overcome the flesh, and nothing else. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." (Rom 8:1-2) - We do not walk in the flesh BECAUSE we are in Christ.

The first man was made of flesh, and it was perfect before the serpent came and seduced Eve and then Adam (there was no sin in them!): "And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof" (Gen 2:21)

Adam was made of flesh - in the image of GOD. Eve was made of flesh. They did not even know that they were naked - before the first SIN, WHICH IS REBELLION AGAINST GOD. That is the sin, not the flesh itself. You cannot really mean to say that what God created in His image was corrupt, don't you? He even called His creation "VERY GOOD", not before creating humans. That is what God said. His creation, including the humans, was VERY GOOD!
"(26) And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
(27) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
(28) And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
(29) And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
(30) And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
(31) And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day." (Gen 1:26-31 - KJV)

God's Word: Literal or Spiritual?

2011-03-31T14:16:00.000-07:00

Some people think taking God’s Word literally means it is not taken Spiritually. However, spiritual" is not the opposite of "literal". The opposite of "literal" is "illiteral". Words are always Spiritual, because they have no physical substance. Thus the Words in the Bible are Spiritual, but they are literal as well. God's Word as presented literally in the Bible is explained by His Spirit, provided He is guiding us. NEVER will His Word and His will be in contrary to one another.

It is a very special day today, because it is my Sweetheart Chloe's Birthday!

2011-03-15T17:10:00.000-07:00

DEAR CHLOE,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

AND MANY, MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY!

MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU IN ABUNDANCE

AND SEND YOU LOTS OF HIS GOOD THINGS!

This is the day which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 (KJV)

I know you like ABBA! I stumbled over this song... and thought you might like it!

Much love in Christ on this day!

Vera

Jesus Reveals Himself to Nathanael

2011-03-06T05:16:00.000-08:00

I think it is very impressive how Jesus called Nathanael (cf. John 1:45-49) when Philip found him and told him that they had found the prophesied Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. But they were not expecting the Son of God from Nazareth, so he was probably a little bored first and asked, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?"

But Philip insisted and told him to come and see himself! And that was the crux... When Jesus saw Nathanael from the distance when he was still on his way to him, he said he saw an Israelite without guile in Nathanael. Jesus did not want to know how much money he might have, or how he was dressed, if he came on a camel or a donkey. All that mattered was that Nathanael belonged to the Israelites, to God's chosen people, and that there was no guile in him. Nathanael wondered how Jesus could know this, and so he asked him about the time when Jesus first saw him, and Jesus replied that he had seen him under the fig tree before Philip called him. Nathanael was impressed - and recognized Jesus as his teacher, as the Son of God and as the King of Israel - and all this after his doubts and his rejection in the beginning. Nathanael did not expect Jesus to be the Son of God. The people in those times knew what magicians were. Nathanael might as well just have said that Jesus was one of those, but no - He recognized Jesus for what He was! This must have been a supernatural event - I have no other explanation.

Jesus reveals Himself to us, and then we are believers. We cannot help it.

The Katinas-lyrics video-Thank you

2011-03-05T06:09:00.000-08:00

For my Brothers and Sisters in Pakistan: Assassination of Beloved Church Leader Mr. Shahbaz Bhati

2011-03-02T16:41:00.000-08:00

My dear Pakistani Brothers and Sisters,

I have heard about the assassination of your beloved Church leader Mr. Shahbaz Bhati. I am so sorry for you. It must be a big loss for all of you! Never forget the LORD is with you, and we were foretold all this already. You are not alone there, and it all just proves that the LORD Jesus Christ is in control.

Maran-atha! LORD, come!
Comfort Your People in Pakistan now, please!
Strengthen them now, so they will never lose their faith in You my LORD. Death, pain or suffering cannot separate us from You. It will even draw us closer to You, LORD. It is ALL about YOU! Thank You for Your Words and Your Presence. Father, You know what it means to lose a beloved person who is brutally killed, so you will understand us. His words were, "Forgive them, for they know not what they were doing." Amen.

Blessed are they who have been persecuted for righteousness sake! For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
(Mat 5:10 MKJV)

The grace of the LORD may be with you all.

Sad and sorry for You,
Yours in Christ,
Vera

You can find Information about the event there, please:
http://pakistanchristian.tv/news/2011-03-02_Assassination_of_Mr_Shahbaz_Bhatti__a_Press_statement_by_the_Church_leaders.cfm

PAUL WASHER EMERGENT CHURCH TRIAL SERMON JAM

2011-03-01T20:26:00.000-08:00

GROWING DEEPER where Jesus Christ is LORD and God

All Praise to Thee, Eternal God

The Lost Doctrine - Paul Washer

Calling evil good... Isaiah 5:20

by Vera Six

Does The Truth Matter Anymore? Part 1

Paul Washer on False Prophets

Which Scriptures are for us? 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Growing in Christ

The battle belongs to the LORD

Rick Warren's Heresy

John MacArthur on Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven Life"

The Real Roots Of The Emergent Church Documentary by Elliott Nesch - Please listen carefully...

Once saved, always saved?

Can a Handy Dictionary Define Spiritual Terms?

Psalm 36:9 - In Thy Light We See Light...

Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

Emergent Church or The New Apostolic Reformation.a New Reformation?

Which Bible Version?

Paul Washer Sermon Jam Power & Worship

Hebrews 6: Let Us Go On Unto Perfection

Proverbs 26:4-5 Answer not a fool according to his folly

Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus || Spoken Word

Laying Down Our Life for a Brother or Sister

♥ King of kings ♥ (Messianic Praise - Karen Davis)

Election, Foreknowledge and Free Will

Election, Foreknowledge and Free Will

Digging Deeper into Matthew 13:19-23 - *The Parable of the Sower*

2012

The Devil at Work in the Churches

There are TWO Commandments...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Apostle Paul and the Corinthians

The Vine and the Branches - Paul Washer

John 14:6

1 John 4:10

Was Judas Ischariot forgiven?

Submit Yourselves therefore to G_d. Resist the devil, ...

Psalm 29:11

Do you suffer from Pity Parties? A CALL for all Bible Believers

Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his,and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.For his anger endureth but a moment;in his favour is life:weeping may endure for a night,but joy cometh in the morning.(Psalms 30:4-5 KJV)(Please share if you feel led)

Washington should heed the warning and stop ignoring God's Word! The earthquake that shook the White House was not an accident at all!

The Reason for the World by Matthew West (with lyrics)

Unfailing Love - Chris Tomlin

Heart of Worship

My Song for You...

The Gospel of John

I Can Only Imagine (with lyrics) - MercyMe

Cliff Richard: Let Me Be the One - with lyrics

Here I am to Worship

The Battle Belongs to the LORD

Where do YOU want to Spend your Eternity???

Carrie Underwood - How Great Thou Art

Here is love, vast as the ocean - Robin Mark

FFH - In Christ Alone

What Are You Living For? - Francis Chan

Beulah Land (Joseph & Grace Larson) Jimmy Swaggart

Love Ya!

The LORD's Prayer

I stand with Israel, praying for the Peace of Jerusalem

Sing me Your Song again, Daddy!

The Lord's Prayer

Scripture is God's Word Speaking

Reject False Christian Teachers

Who is Jesus Christ?

What is sin?

Emergent Signs to Leave your church

The Delusion Is Here

Exodus: The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me. (Leviticus 25:23 KJV)

Jesus will Come Back!

I'm Just A Man: Written By Steven Strahm, Performed By Steven Strahm And Mike Bouillon.

I Will Praise You! Written and Performed by Steven Strahm

A Word about Abortion...

10.5 movie trailer (2004)

Break Through

Your Great Name - Natalie Grant (with lyrics)

The Holy Bible in Arabic - God's Holy Word

Dangers Facing the Young and Reformed - Paul Washer

Joseph Prince - How Believers Fall From Grace - 17 April 2011

Neegi Poy Ente Bharangal......... Malayalam Christian song

Digging Deeper into Matthew 13:19-23 - The Parable of the Sower

Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his,
and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
For his anger endureth but a moment;
in his favour is life:
weeping may endure for a night,
but joy cometh in the morning.
(Psalms 30:4-5 KJV)

(Please share if you feel led)