Sunday 13 December 2009

The Frightening Rise Of Christian Persecution

Christians in Canada are still free to celebrate Christmas within our faith

 

 

While we Christians in Canada are still free to celebrate Christmas within our faith, many are being persecuted for accepting Jesus as their own personal saviour.  It won't be long now that this phenomena will be at our door step….Merry Christmas and enjoy it while you can…that is if you are a Christians.  For the rest, no one will persecute you for believing in the 'spirit of Christmas" without Jesus.  Please read on.

 

 

 

The Frightening Rise Of Christian Persecution: Christians Around The World Are Being Shot, Burned, Hanged, Tortured And Stuffed Into Metal Shipping Containerswww.thisistheendoftheworldasweknowit.com

 

There is a widely quoted statistic that more Christians died for their faith in the 20th century than in the 19 centuries leading up to it. But as bad as the 20th century was, the 21st century is starting to make that look like a Sunday picnic. In every corner of the globe, Christians are being shot, burned, hanged, tortured and even stuffed into metal shipping containers. Christian clergy are being marked for assassination around the world, hundreds of churches are being burned to the ground along with scores of homes and businesses owned by Christians. Dozens of nations across the globe have now passed strict anti-conversion laws in an attempt to stifle the spread of Christianity. In the countries where Christians are not yet facing physical persecution, they still must deal with open discrimination, lawsuits and increasing ridicule. Christianity is now the most hated and most persecuted religion on the plant. The reality is that the words that Jesus spoke in John 15:18 ring truer today than ever: "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first."

 

Keep those words in mind as you read the following shocking reports of Christian persecution from all over the world....

 

China

 

Chinese authorities have conducted a crackdown on "illegal" Christian churches in recent months that church leaders are calling the harshest in years. Christians in China are required to worship in "churches" run by state-controlled organizations, and Christians who attempt to worship on their own are brutally persecuted.

 

Recently, hundreds of government police and hired thugs descended on a megachurch that served approximately 50,000 worshippers, smashing doors and windows, seizing Bibles and sending dozens of worshippers to hospitals with serious injuries. The co-pastors of the church are in prison and police vehicles remain parked on virtually every corner of the neighborhood where the church is located. Scenes such as this are regularly being repeated all over China as the Communist government seeks to eliminate all religion that is not government-sanctioned.

 

Eritrea

 

In a story that recently made headlines all over the world, thirty elderly women in Eritrea were arrested for simply praying together. But the truth is that this is just the latest episode in an ongoing persecution of Christians that is beyond brutal.

 

The Pakistan Christian TV website recently described the horrific persecution of Christians in Eritrea this way....

 

Today some 3,000 Eritrean Christians are imprisoned for their faith. Some are in underground and solitary cells whilst some are in 'secret' prisons for the 'disappeared'. However, most are herded into unventilated shipping containers in the desert where dysentery and infectious diseases go untreated. Torture is routine.

 

The truth is that these unventilated shipping containers are extremely uncomfortable. The temperatures in these metal shipping containers can reach well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and in many instances Christians are not even let out of them to use the bathroom.

 

Assassinations Of Clergy

 

Increasingly, Christian clergy are being targeted for assassination all over the world. The following are just a few of the recent examples....

 

*A Russian priest that had been highly critical of Islam has been assassinated inside his own church.

 

*Leftist guerrillas in Colombia brutally executed a Christian pastor just outside his own home.

 

*Two masked members of the al-Shabaab Muslim militia shot and killed a Christian pastor in Somalia as he drove home from a worship service.

 

India

 

Persecution of Christians in India is getting so bad that India actually made International Christian Concern's Hall of Shame.

 

According to the ICC, 2008 was particularly bad, with "wave after wave of highly coordinated Hindu raids" that resulted in "the worst outbreak of anti-Christian violence in its recent history."

 

The statistics that the ICC quotes regarding the outbreak of persecution in India are sobering....

 

"In all, more than 100 Christians are confirmed dead, 4,000 homes have burned down, and over 50,000 Christians have fled their homes."

 

The following is just one example of what is going on in India. This story was originally posted by The Voice of the Martyrs....

 

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On April 25, Pastor Mohan Babu and two other believers were severely beaten by 35 Hindu extremists for holding a Vacation Bible School (VBS) near Bangalore City, in Karnataka State. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts in India, the three-day VBS was organized by Ragigudda Baptist Church. VOM sources said, "Around 60 children from different backgrounds were attending the VBS. As they were worshiping, about 35 people belonging to a Hindu extremist group forcefully entered the hut chanting slogans and demolished the hut. The extremists mercilessly beat Mohan, Samuel and Krishna, alleging forceful conversion. The perpetrators chased the children without any courtesy and tore the Bibles. Mohan was severely injured on his lips and was profusely bleeding. The believers are living in fear and did not lodge complaint with the police."

 

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Egypt

 

Hundreds of Muslim villagers in southern Egypt recently burned and looted scores of Christian-owned shops. Christians in Egypt live in a constant state of fear and thousands are being forced to relocate. In fact, the forced deportation of Egyptian Christians from their homes by the government in order to "protect" them is rapidly increasing.

 

Saudi Arabia

 

Saudi Arabia, of course, strictly forbids the conversion of any Muslim to Christianity. The penalty for conversion is death. Back in 2008, The daughter of a man who works for Saudi Arabia's religious police became a Christian after she joined an Internet chat group. He responded by cutting out her tongue and burning her to death.

 

The United Kingdom and Europe

 

All across Europe, "anti-proselytizing" laws are being passed. Not only that, but other laws are being adopted that force Christians to deny their beliefs. For example, the U.K. government is being forced by the European Commission to eliminate exemptions that allow churches to refuse to employ homosexual staff.

 

North Korea

 

North Korea is one of the most brutally repressive governments in the history of mankind. Tonight more than 200,000 Christians will try to stay warm in horrific North Korean labor camps.

 

Christians there are considered little more than dogs as the following story from The Voice Of The Martyrs illustrates.....

 

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The young brown-eyed girl looked up at her mother. What would she decide?

 

Earlier that morning, the young girl's mother, their pastor, and twenty-six others in her North Korean village of GokSan were bound and taken before a screaming crowd of Communists.

 

One of the guards ordered Pastor Kim and the other Christians, "Deny Christ, or you will die." The words chilled her. How could they ask her to deny Jesus? She knew in her heart he was real. They all quietly refused.

 

Then the Communist guard shouted directly at the adult Christians, "Deny Christ, or we will hang your children." The young girl looked up at her mother. She gripped her and knowing how much her mom loved her. her mother then leaned down. With confidence and peace she whispered, "Today, my love, I will see you in heaven."

 

All of the children were hanged.

 

The remaining believers were then brought out onto the pavement and forced to lie down in front of a huge steamroller. The Communists gave them one last chance. "Deny this Jesus or you will be crushed." The Christians had already given up their children; there was no turning back.

 

As the driver started the heavy piece of equipment, the singing from the villagers started softly. "More love, O Christ, to thee, more love to thee."

 

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United States

 

Even with everything that has happened, the United States still offers Christians more freedom than virtually anywhere else on earth. But that is quickly changing as well. Christians in the U.S. just do not have the same level of freedom that they used to experience.

 

For example, school teachers in Florida say that they are being forced to hide in closets to pray after a controversial court ruling. All expressions of Christian faith are being ruthlessly pushed out of the public sphere by very powerful interest groups.

 

Calls for government repression of Christianity in the United States have grown louder than ever before. The Huffington Post even published a deeply disturbing article that calls evangelical Christianity the number one source of domestic terrorism in the United States and that calls on the Secret Service and the FBI to investigate and "infiltrate" pro-life and evangelical Christian groups.

 

Not only that, but many of the hottest bestselling books in recent years have publicly mocked Christianity....

 

Just consider the titles of a few recent New York Times bestsellers.....

 

*"God is Not Great: Why Religion Poisons Everything" by journalist Christopher Hitchens.

 

*"The End of Faith" by atheist author Sam Harris.

 

*"The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins.

 

But this anti-Christian sentiment is just not held by a few elitists. The reality is that it has spread to much of the general population.

 

For example, the following are the titles of just a few anti-Christian threads on one of the most popular political discussion forums on the Internet....

 

"Dirty, Filthy, Christians": Treatise On The Most Dangerous Death Cult In Human History

 

How can we destroy Christians?

 

Christians should not participate in politics

 

Why Christians are so ******* lame...

 

Attention Heterosexuals! Repent! Jesus Can Finally Make You Gay!

 

Christian are sub-humans

 

The truth is that hatred for Christians and Christianity is rapidly increasing.

 

Jesus warned us that these days would come.

 

In Matthew 24:9, Jesus told us how the world will treat Christians in the end times....

 

"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me."

 

The times ahead of us are not referred to as "the Tribulation" for nothing. It will be an absolute bloodbath for Christians. The entire world system will be geared towards eliminating all traces of the true Christian faith. Members of the same family will even betray one another to the authorities.

 

The truth is that things are not going to get any easier for Christians from here on out.    Someday soon there will be no place to hide from Christian persecution.

 

When that day arrives, what will you do?

 

Saturday 7 November 2009

Are you supporting a Palestininan State?

Replacement Theology

 

Many Christian denominations are Signatories of An Evangelical Statement on Israel/Palestine. Part of the statement declaration is; "We also resolve to work for a viable permanent, democratic Palestinian State with a flourishing economy that offers economic opportunity to all its people. We believe that the way forward is for the Israelis and Palestinians to negotiate a fair, two-state solution."

 

I am a born again Christian, fundamental and evangelical mainstream Christians, non-denominational, believing that Christ is the head of the church (His Body) with my citizenship in heaven awaiting His return for His bribe (at the rapture) while He judge the nations of this world and purify of His people Israel, then to reign here on earth with Israel for a thousand years. Until then, I am to represent Him as the salt of the earth and a light to this world.

 

 "Replacement Theology" is the greatest error that is taught by many Christian denominations. The greatest effect of this teaching is a total ignorant of God prophetic plan for the Church, Israel as a nation and for all gentile nations.

 

It is God's plan to re-establish the Nation of Israel for the purpose to prove to the gentile nations that He is preparing the return of His Son Jesus Christ who will reign with His chosen people Israel.  It is a witness to the world that it is "Time Out". Satan will do anything to interfere with God's plan. The establishment of a Palestinian State is part of it.

 

I have in the past tried to give awareness of this error so that many may seriously look at it and pass it on the your leadership so that they too could teach the truth to all members of their congregations worldwide. So what will it take to accept this warning seriously?

 

The next important advent is the sudden disappearance of hundred of thousand of people and children. This event is knows as the Rapture. Israel will be attack by an overwhelming war machine compose of Arab nations lead by Russia. The Western world will stand still totally indifferent as it was in all previous conflict in the pass where Israel against all odd survived all her enemies attacks. But this time, this war machine is so great and unexpected that Israel has no chance. God Himself will intervene. All gentile nations will realized that something super natural happen. Many Israelis will finally recognize that it is Jesus, the one that they had crucified who intervene. But this is only the beginning. A man of peace will introduce himself to confirm a 7 years peace plan. The Temple will be rebuilt….and you know the rest.

 

Exert from The Error of Replacement Theology by Clarence H. Wagner, Jr.

 

What Happens When the Church Replaces Israel?

 

1) The Church becomes arrogant and self-centred.

 

2) It boasts against the Jews and Israel.

 

3) It devalues the role of Israel or has no role for Israel at all.

 

4) These attitudes result in anti-Semitism in word and deed.

 

5) Without a place for Israel and the Jewish people today, you cannot explain the Bible prophecies, especially the very specific ones being fulfilled in Israel today.

 

6) Many New Testament passages do not make sense when the Jewish people are replaced by the Church.

 

7) You can lose the significance of the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament, for today. Many Christians boast of being a New Testament (NT) Christian or a NT Church as in the Book of Acts. However, the Bible of the early Church was not the New Testament, which did not get codified until the 4th century, but rather the Hebrew Scriptures.

 

8) You can lose the Hebraic/Judaic contextualization of the New Testament, which teaches us more about Yeshua and how to become better disciples.

 

9) The Church loses out on the opportunity to participate in God's plan and prophecy for the Church, Israel and the world today.

 

What Happens When the Church Relates to Israel?

 

1) The Church takes its proper role in God's redemptive plan for the world, appreciating God's ongoing covenant relationship and love for Israel and the Jewish people.

 

2) We can see the consistency of God's redemptive plan from Genesis to Revelation as an ongoing complementary process, not as disconnected snapshots.

 

3) We show love and honour for God's covenant people, not contempt.

 

4) We value the Old and New Testaments as equally inspired and significant for the Church today.

 

5) Bible prophecy makes sense for today and offers opportunities for involvement in God's plan for Israel.

 

6) We become better disciples of Yeshua as we are able to appreciate the Hebraic/Judaic roots that fill in the definitions, concepts, words and events in the New Testament that are otherwise obscured. Why? Many were not explained by the Jewish writers of the New Testament, because they did not feel the need to fill in all the details that were already explained in the Old Testament.

 

Ref: The Importance of Jerusalem by Derek Prince.

 

Let me briefly sum up my conclusion. In the eternal counsel of God, He has determined to make Jerusalem the decisive issue by which He will deal with the nations. Those nations who align themselves with God's purposes for Jerusalem will receive His blessing. But those who follow a policy in opposition to God's purposes will be severely dealt with. Commit yourself to pray that divine wisdom, discernment and understanding would be the portion of all who hold positions of influence over matters in the Middle East.

 

 

For a more insightful understanding of the above topic I suggest that you read a book entitled " Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done, by Ron Graft and Lambert Dolphin, available FREE in Internet version, http://ldolphin.org/kingdom.

 

Understanding the Times with Jan Markell http://www.olivetreeviews.org/index.shtml

 

Jack Kelly, an educational ministry http://gracethrufaith.com/

 

 

Thursday 5 November 2009

Sharing the Word of God

That is what pleases God

 

Something wonderful is taking place in my little town of Glovertown, NL. A small group of Christians have started to gather each Wednesday evening for bible study.  Not any kind of bible study, but one that the word of God takes precedent. A small group who recognize that Jesus is the head and have power and authority over the participant.  Jesus is center stage. 

 

Last winter I visited a small community for fellowship and praising God by singing hymn song.  It toke place in a small church.  It is a building, in which two different denominations shared.  At one extremity, there is the podium of one denomination and at he other extremity the podium of the other.  In between there are the pews. The pews back support swivel in a manner that it allow to incline in one direction to another without moving the pews.  Some commented how genius that the two different denomination came up to this solution to share the cost of administering the expense of the building.  I commented, "wouldn't it be better if the pews were all positioned in a circle so that Jesus could be in the centre?"

 

It is a blessing to be part of the Body of Christ; it is a greater blessing to be among those who agree and partake in searching a greater understanding and knowledge of God. I have long desire to be united with such a group. Although we are in a different level of understanding, I feel the Spirit of God is among the participants who desire to grow in the knowledge of God.

 

 "Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding".  Proverbs 3:13

 

"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law". Deut 29:29

 

"At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes". Matt 11:25  Boy I'm glad to be a babe.

 

"the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints."  Col 1:26

 

Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. Pro 8:24.  Doesn't this resemble to "The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins?"  It is therefore wise that we nourish our soul by seeking ye first the kingdom of God, by putting Jesus the centre of our life.  Sharing the Word of God is wiser than sharing the cost of a building.

Sunday 1 November 2009

Praying to Dead Saints or love one

Do you know where you stand on the subject of speaking to the dead?

"Some 'Christian' denominations teach that you can pray to your loved ones or to saints who have died and that they will hear you. Hmm do they really? You may argue that you do not pray to them but talk to them only, so what wrong with that?

Someone with deep problem went to consult a pastor for support and guidance. Unsatisfied of the result, he left to visit his father's grave and spoke to him. I few days later his problem was resolve, everything turnout well. On all saint day, in his message, the pasture explained that there was nothing wrong with that.

This, usually happen when someone teaches the tradition of man instead of the doctrine of God. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8

In Deuteronomy, 18:10-11 teaches to stay away from medium and of consulting the dead. "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead".

Now, you may retort by saying that he was not consulting a medium that he was talking to his decease dad. It only shows how much he misses his dad. You would tell me "What right do I have to judge him and why should I not leave him alone?" It is his grief and his problem.

Did you ever experience talking to a friend on a cell phone only to find out that the signal was cut off and you only notice it a few minutes later? All that time you were talking to nobody. This is actually, what happen when you talk to the dead, there is no one listening. That is explained in Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten.

Now what proof do I have that the dead cannot help us or communicate with us? If you are not a Christian, outside from the word of God I have no proof to argue the contrary, but for a Christian to talk to love one decease, I have a few arguments.

What would be the purpose of a resurrection if the dead keep on living on the other side?

So Christian did ask that question in 1 Corinthians 15:12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

There is a resurrection and this is the sequence on how it will happen. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

You may argue that while they await for the resurrection nothing stopping them to help their close one still alive and you may argue that the dead saint intervene on our behalf, after all they are closer to God then us. By saying this, you are showing your doubt on the present of Jesus in your life. He is never too busy, and too tire to listen to you and to help you. Jesus continually invites us to rest in Him. It pleases Him that you trust Him and that you wait for Him.

Being saved by believing in Jesus does give us eternal life, yet the dead who are waiting for the resurrection have no power and no authority to help anyone.

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. As a Christians, we are not called to trust in Him for all our needs. We are invited to be in fellowship with Him and the Father. That is the reason Jesus die for us, to close the gap (sin) that was separating us.

Jesus instructs us to stay away from those who intervene in our behalf and from those who encourage doing so. Leviticus 19:31 'Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. God consider adultery those who talk to the dead. Leviticus 20:6 'And the person who turns to mediums and familiar spirits, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people.

.Jesus do not want you to be deceived by false spirit as in the example of Saul who seek advise for the coming battle against his enemies. 1 Samuel 28:7 Then Saul said to his servants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor."

Now again, you will argue that the person who spoke to his decease father got his prayer answered since his entire problem went away, there's the proof that his dad heard him. This is the greatest deception. He was draw away from God instead of being draw closer to God. Satan is the one that causes the problem. That is Satan device. He wants to make man turn away from God. Isaiah 8:19 And when they say to you, "Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter," should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living?

This man first seek advice from the pastor, and since the answer of the pastor was unsatisfied, he then went to his decease father. Satan accomplishes his goal by taking away the problem that he had caused in the first place. This man is not any closer to God and to salvation.

Jesus describe Satan in this manner; John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. Revelation 12:9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Do not talk to the dead, even the love one that you miss. Tell the Father in heaven that you miss them. Follow the real example of all the saints who are waiting for the resurrection, they trusted in Him and prayed to Him only. By the way, whoever believes in the One that God had sent is also considered saint. God sanctified and make you righteous in His present therefore saint.

You are to make that choice, not God. Leviticus 20:6 'And the person who turns to mediums and familiar spirits, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people.

Listen to God not Satan

Follow this link to know more: Praying to Dead Saints

http://www.wisconsinchristiannews.com/view_details.php?sid=1692

Monday 26 October 2009

Time to make one

Decision

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6–7

The just shall live by faith.

Romans 1:17

There is time in life where we get tired in trying to live by faith. It takes afford to put our best foot forward…to act as we believe. Yet, it torments me of not being able to please God by just trusting Him. Read PS 78. It shows the example of Israel lack of faith toward the One that kept on showing His present by all sorts of miracles and interventions.

I want to please my Lord, My God, and make Him happy by trusting Him

I trust Him and that is my decision. Make it your too.

Friday 18 September 2009

Imminency of Christ return

Imminency of Christ return

 

As we understand the law of physic and we would see a heavy mass hanging by a fine thread over our head, we wound conclude that the mass is ready to fall at any moment. That is imminent (about to happen). When we see a heavy mass hanging by a steel cable, we conclude that it would take some time before it fall. It will take some changes in the mass or in the wear of the cable before we could conclude that it could be imminent.

 

If we know, how to discerned the sign of time we can therefore predict the imminent return of Jesus, not His return but the state of it imminency, or condition nearby pertaining the event of His return. The study of bible prophecy should be considered as a science of discerning the sign of His imminent return and not the time of His return.

 

Many student of bible prophecy including myself concluded that we are living in the imminent return of Our Lord. The establishment of the nation of Israel in 1948 seems to be the final event before His return predicted in Ezekiel (which is the rapture for the church and judgement to all nations).  His return is hanging by a thread

Atheist asks me why God allow suffering

Atheist asks me why God allow suffering?

 

Why ask me…Ask God…oh ya, you don't believe in a living God. So the question you should ask is "Why man allow suffering?" Why blame someone that doesn't exist?

 

God gave the most precious gift…..free choice.  Yet choices (good or bad) have consequences. Are you mature enough to accept the consequences?  Do you want God to take away only the bad one?

 

He gave everyone that unique gift.  Yet, many have taken away that gift from someone. You see it from government to within a marriage relationship.  Are you a control freak?…than you have taken away that gift from someone.

 

He gave Adam free choice.  You may contest that Adam have nothing to do with your choice.  But, what about you?  What about now?  Is it your way or God's way?  You have today the same choice Adam had.

 

But you contest…I'm not a killer, I harm no one.  Why God does not stop those who commit atrocities?  Killing is only one commandment. To whose standard should God use to intervene in the affair of man?  Yours?

 

You contest again by stating that no one is perfect and no one can keep the commandments.  You are right.  That is why, by one man (Adam) all have sin, by one man (Jesus) we can all be saved.  God have sent His Son to pay for the penalty of all sins, so that whoever believed in Him may have eternal life.  (Save by grace not by work). That simple.

 

To believe….that is your choice.  Chose life.

 

 

Atheist swearing and cursing

Atheist swearing and cursing…No way! They only use God's name in vain.

 

Why is some atheists use God's name in vain? How often do I hear them crying out "Jesus" or "for God sake" to emphasized their frustration?

 

Why use a name that does not exist? Why not use Allah or Buddha? Why is "God" and "Jesus" 's name so popular to use?

 

I tell you why? It is not a cultural phenomenon.  It is because it is a spiritual law. Not a law of man but of God Himself.

 

"You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His names in vain"

 

 

Sunday 12 April 2009

Economic Crisis: As Christians what are we do?

Disclosure of the hidden secret of life; essay by André Delage andredelage@eastlink.ca

Rest!  Unthinkable, you retort!  This is for you, who are weary and burdened, especially my American Christian brothers and sisters who are going through the worse recession since the nineteen thirties.  This is for all of you who are searching to reduce stress and anxieties caused by your present economic misfortune. 

Have you lost your job (or about to)?  Your home (or about to).  Have you maxed out on your credit cards with high interest rates?  Have you moved to an unfamiliar location?  Is the family mood deteriorating?  Are there fingers pointing?  Moreover, when you find yourself alone in your room, on your knees, do you cry out to God in despair?  Are you searching for answers, but thus far, find none?  Does guilt invades your mind?  Do you doubt your salvation?  Are you searching desperately in your soul by asking  "What have I done wrong before my God?"  Why can't I receive the blessing that He promises?  Subsequently, you lay down on your bed but you cannot sleep.  Your mind keeps going on and on.  Eventually, you fall asleep only to wake up next morning all stressed, tire, and restless.  If that describes you, please, let me help you, as I wanted help when I was in despair even to the point of hopelessness.  I have been there, and now I am at "rest" and continuously learning to stay that way.

Yes, even as a Christian I had gloomy thoughts.  Presently, I am unemployed.  I invested in establishing a vineyard, which yielded very little.  We are deep in debt, and my wife works from home base for a company that has file bankruptcy protection.  Her job is far from being secure.  We moved to her hometown, far away from our children and grandchildren.  Our vineyard is for sale hoping that it would be enough to pay out our debt.  As you can see, life is not very rosy.

A huge part of my life I lived out in fear and in anxiety.  I kept reading Ps 37 repeatedly; "Rest in The Lord".  I wanted to believe; I believed; yet, I kept on worrying.  I could not find "rest" in my heart, my mind and my soul, and especially my stomach.  In Matt 6, Jesus instructs us not to worry.  Nonetheless, I kept on worrying.  "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?"  (Matt 8:26).  Six times in the New Testament Jesus, mention  "little faith".  That only added guilt.  "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest"(Matt 11:28).  I have listened to countless sermons, bible studies, read countless commentaries, and none have satisfied my need for "rest".  I concluded that I was helpless.  One day, I came across in Ray Stedman's archives the disclosure of the hidden secret of life.  This is what I want to share with you.

Could the following statement from Ray Stedman describe your character and perspective toward life?  Ray Stedman in "The Seventh Sabbath" commented; "Are you adequate?  Do you find yourself able to cope with the situations in life into which you are thrust day after day, moment by moment?  Are you confident?  Are you capable?  Are you panic-proof?  Are you filled with fruitfulness, fragrance, and abundance?  God's rest is designed to produce that. God said it would.  He makes it available for that purpose and it is the only thing that will do it; there is no substitute.

I'm afraid most of us fit the self-description of someone who said he was a mouse studying to be a rat. By our best efforts we can rise to a high level of mediocrity -- inadequate, unable. Why? Simply because we are depending on our effort. We are either extroverts, confident that we can do things and therefore frequently falling flat on our face; or we are introverts, so afraid to try anything that we don't even dare show our face. It is all because we are looking to ourselves as our resource; our background, our training, our gifts, our talents, our education, etc. It either results in feeling that we have what it takes and can be confident, able, and powerful; or, as we look at ourselves we say, we don't have what it takes and therefore we can't take it and we won't even try. So, we become either over-confident and under-equipped, or under-confident and overworked, trying constantly to make up by activity what we lack in results.

If this describes you today, then this is for you.  This is for all of you who are weary and burdened.  This is for all of you who are not at "rest". 

Ray Stedman continues; God knew that this would be our problem. He understands us. Nothing is hidden from him; he knows exactly the way we operate. Therefore he has designed an adequate provision for our weakness, teaching us how to operate on an entirely different basis, to no longer look to oneself but to look to the one who dwells within; to expect him to do something through you, using your mind, your will, your emotions, your feelings, but it is he who does the work.  But unless you begin to count on his working, you will never experience it.

Right here comes the seventh factor, the one serious problem which remains. Christians say again and again, Why is this so difficult to do? Why do I have so much trouble? Why is it that Hebrews 4:11 goes on to say, "Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, that no one fall by the same sort of disobedience." Why must we work at this?"

I am not Jewish, however I lived as a Jew for over ten years, obeying The Sabbath Rest, all the festival holidays.  I did not find "rest".  I lived, as a Christian free from the Law, still did not find "rest".  However, I did find the "Law under Christ" (1 Corinthians 9:21), in which after close examination, I did obtain "rest".  This "rest" was part of Gods plan since the seventh day rest after the creation.  It was prearranged for Adam benefit and for all following generations.

Robert W. Smith from a book titled, "Dying To Live" wrote, "….we must now seek to understand the mainline principle God has given us as the major, positive operating feature of life: how to rest while working.  This one principle is the key to an effective and fulfilled life and is applicable for both preventive and corrective maintenance.  It is another way of describing our walk of faith."

Wow, "to rest while working" and "applicable for both prevention and corrective maintenance".  Can you believe this?  It means that it is not too late.  It is not too late for those who believe that they have reached the end of their rope.  With Jesus, it is never too late. 

Can you associate what the Law under Christ has to do with "Rest"?  What does it have to do with keeping the Sabbath?

Robert W. Smith continued on saying, "I have several lengthy books in my library concerning the sabbath which completely miss the point, and there are sabbatarian sects that do likewise.  Many have argued for lifetimes about which day to keep, thereby obscuring the real issue and missing the point of God's truth.  The sabbath was a key issue with the Jews in our Lord's day, but neither then nor now does there seem to be much light generated as to its real significance. It seems that we tend either to overwork the subject in a legalistic nit-picking way or else to slide right by without trying to discover the real import of the sabbath."

Do you know what kind of "Rest" that God intended you to experience?  Quoting from Ray Stedman, "Humans were made to operate out of rest, not out of tension, not out of anxiety, out of pressure, not in a rat race where we are always hounded and harassed and driven and hassled. These are exactly the opposite of what God intended when he made man. We were to operate in activity which proceeds out of rest."  "It is given to us, among many other places in Scripture, in Hebrews Chapter 4, where the apostle reminds us that sabbath means "rest," and that this is a reference to the secret of life."

Does this means that, there is more than receiving everlasting life for those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God, more than guarantied salvation?  Does it mean that "rest" is available now while we are waiting for Jesus return and, therefore we are able to live in the same condition that Adam benefited from before his disobedience?  

We have been redeemed - free from captivity by payment of Jesus death.  We have a new start at life, to a different life.  Unfortunately, some of us (like myself) are still at the starting line, and others (like myself) are moving through life distracted by the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of the riches that choke the word, and become unfruitful (Matt 13:22). 

Are we not encouraged to run with endurance the race that is set before us (Heb 12:1)?  Jesus did not only restore our fellowship with God the Father but He also restored the "intended rest" Not only do we not work for our salvation but Jesus invites us to "rest" by allowing Him to do all the works in us.  For what purpose?  It is so that we may produce an abundance of good fruits (Matt 13:13, Jn 15:6, 16, Gal 5:22). It's that simple.

Ray Stedman continued on explaining, "What is that rest?  Again Hebrews 4 tells us. In Verse 10 it says, "He who has entered into rest has ceased from his own labors, as God did from his..." (Hebrews 4:10 KJV). That is, on the seventh day of creation, God ceased from all work.  He who enters into rest has stopped his own work and is resting on the work of another.  So if you learn the principle of operating out of dependence upon God at work in you, and if you don't try to do it all yourself -- don't feel as if everything depends upon you, don't stew and fret and aren't anxious and troubled because you have got to get it done -- but instead learn to rest on what God is ready to do in you and through you and around you, and expect him to do it, then you are observing the sabbath as God intended it to be observed.

"Rest is available", but you must learn to rest.  Here is an analogy: You receive a bicycle (new life) as a gift; you have to learn to ride it.  You receive a DVD player as a gift; there also, you have to learn to operate it.  However, how many of you (like me) still do not know how to set the time on the DVD player?  Do you leave it blank or blinking?  At on time, it was so annoying for me, that I put a piece of black electric tape on the display. 

Jesus instructs us to learn from Him…. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  Matthew 11:29

Ray Stedman explains; "Rest is at the heart of everything that God does. All these feasts are a form of the sabbath and consist of one sabbath or of several. All this is to indicate that this is the greatest secret of humanity. The indispensable but largely unlearned secret of our humanity is to learn how to operate out of rest".

He continued on; "Some seem able to learn it, and from time to time we see someone virtually come alive and their Christian life is simply transformed by learning to operate on this principle. They lose their egotism, as extroverts; or they lose their introverted feeling of self-consciousness. They begin to do things and to enjoy them, experiencing the blessing and excitement of Christian living. Others say, "I see all this, and I want to do it too. I know what is said about how to rest, but I try it and it doesn't work. Why? Why do we fail?"  I was of this latter group.  I never could understand as a Christian why I was so miserable and insecure.

When did humanity lose that condition of "rest"?  It was lost when Adam disobeyed.  His mind became distorted when he chose to be self-directed.  He is the originator of the spirit of the age, which I prefer to call the spirit of Adam better known as the spirit of "self-directed".  It was then that Adam entered a state of restlessness.

Ray Stedman in "Was Adam for real" part of "Understanding Man", describe it this way;

That is the curse that fell upon man when he ate of the fruit in the garden of Eden. In a psychedelic way his mind was twisted and he thought of himself as God, and related all things to himself. But when man does this he introduces an eccentric element into life, into creation. The problem with our unbalanced world today is that we have an earth filled with several billion eccentrics! That is why everything is always going off in wrong directions.

The way Adam viewed life after his disobedience would be completely different.  Look at the drastic changes that occured in his personality and perception toward life.

"Cursed is the ground for your sake" (Gen 3:17).  Take note, the ground was created good and perfect, it did not changed immediately, but Adam perspective did.  Now, he has to work for his food.  He looked at the ground with malcontent; he is the one who actually curse the ground.  What about us, do we not hate our jobs?  Do we look at our job with resentment?  No matter how hard we try to be nice at our job "since we are Christian", it is a continuous battle in our mind to put our best foot forward.  It is so awkward to produce good fruits.  Yet, Paul was content in any condition he found himself (Phil 4:11),  Because he learned to "rest".

"In toil you shall eat of it" In Adam's mind, nothing will be easy for him anymore.  Life is now full of obstaclesAdam easily get discourage and frustrate.  Do we not get discouraged easily at what we do?  Are we not complaining about everything and anything?

" Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you" In Adam's mind everything is against him.  When things go wrong, he blames anybody and everything.  Do we not feel the same way, and sometime it seem that everything and everybody is against us.  Especially as Christian it seem that the whole world is against us.  We blame the condition of the world for making our lives miserable.  Are we not supposed to be a light in this world?  (Matt 5:15)

" In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread".  In Adam's mind, all the long days of his remaining life, his main concern will be to provide food for his well-being.  He does not have the freedom to enjoy life anymore as when God did all the work for him.  Is this you today; restless, worrying continuously about what you are going to eat tomorrow?  Are you worrying about paying your bills?  Does it feel that there are insufficient hours in a day to do all the things that needs to be done?  Are you not living in constant disappointment that your needs are not being meet?

I addition, Adam lived in a state of regret.  Remorse was high.  Imagine, he was the top CEO reduces to work for a living.  He was bitter for "missing out" on an opportunity, regret of what it could have been if…." Resentment was high and he passes it on to his family.  This strong sentiment was pass on from generation to generation.  There is a strong desire to return to the original condition of having someone else to provide for our need and to take care of us, as God did toward Adam.  Do you have some regret of missing out in an opportunity in your pass?  Does it not make you feel like a loser?  Now you know where those feeling originated.

Ray Stedman in the Expository Studies in Romans, Chapter "Living Day by Day", describes the spirit of the age, as I prefer to define as "The spirit of Adam";

v     It is for the advancement of self, such as "What do I get out of this?  What's in for me?'

v     The goal of all life is personal happiness.  "The reason I work and live is to have my needs met, my desires fulfilled." ''I'm thinking of leaving this church and going to another one, because this one doesn't meet my needs.

v     The spirit of the age includes also the methods of the world: rivalry and competition, getting ahead of the other guy, grabbing what's mine before someone else gets it, hanging onto everything I've got no matter what it costs in terms of hurt or pain to someone else.

What a miserable restless dysfunctional life.  Are we not (or at one time) all like Adam?  For some of us, are we not looking forward for a vacation or better, for our retirement, so that we could live off our pension cheque, free from working, to be at "rest"?  Still, many never find "rest".  From the poor to the rich, we desire "rest".  We desire someone to take care of us, to make us happy.

Husbands look toward their wife to make them happy; wives look toward their husband to make them happy.  We are never satisfied as if we are "missing out" on something.  That something has been misrepresented by "the empty love tank" in each one of us.  Now you know why sermons about God's love hardly made any impact on most of us.  Love is not enough; we need someone to make us happy.  Love we have, but "rest" we do not.  "Rest" is what we are looking for.  Only God can provide.  We depend on God to make us happy, to give us "rest".  Psychologists call this being dysfunctional, co-dependant.  The unbelievers call that leaning on crutches.

Do you understand why we love it so much when someone those something nice for us and ask nothing in return.  The joy is great, and we are uplifted.  We feel special.  That is what God offer.  He invites us to let Jesus do the work.  That is His joy.  There is nothing wrong with that.  It is much easier to give when Jesus provide the "rest".

Nevertheless, for some of us, are so wrap up with the spirit of Adam, that the first thing that may come into the mind when someone gives something is "what does he/she wants in return".  Some even feel embarrass to say thank you or even appreciate the gift. 

Now, let us look at Adam living condition before his disobedience so that we may have a greater understanding of the "Intended Rest" that God have in mind for us.  God in a perfect ecological environment created Adam so that he could function in a state of "rest".  "Rest" was institute on the seventh day and was outgoing; not as a one day weekly observant but perpetual.

Ray Stedman gives details, "The most outstandingly noteworthy thing that this passage (Genesis 2:1-3 RSV) indicates, which differs completely from the other days of creation is the absence of any reference to an evening or a morning.  The record of all the other days of creation closed with the words, "and there was evening and there was morning, (a first, second, etc.,) day." But there is no reference to evening or morning in this passage. This helps to confirm what we have already seen in these "days" of creation: that these "days" do not primarily emphasize time, but development.  The evening and morning were indicative of a developing process, beginning in a rather incomplete state and moving toward light. But on this seventh day there is no evening and morning. In fact, twice in this brief passage we find the word, "finished," occurring. "Thus the heavens the earth were finished" (Genesis 2:1a RSV) and "God finished his work" (Genesis 2:2b RSV). Obviously there is no need for development, no place for it. The work of God is complete on the seventh day, and therefore no evening or morning is mentioned….

The text says, "So ... God rested from all his work which he had done in creation," (Genesis 2:3 RSV). This is the last account of any creative activity. Man was made and then God rested, and there has been no creation since. Man is the last effort of God in creation, on the physical level. Therefore this sabbath, this rest upon which God entered, is still continuing today.

Let us understand the environmental condition that God places Adam.  The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it (Gen 2:15).  Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.  And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food (:8-9). God prepared the setting, the ecological environment.  Adam did not have to prepare the land, "there was no man to work the ground, (:5)

Now, look at the works that Adam performed in that state of "rest".  Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field (:19).  God brought them to Adam.  Adam did not have to look for them, go on a safari, climb mountains, and chase after them.  No, the Lord brought them to him.  Adam job was to give name with no specific criteria from the Lord, "He brought them to the man to see what he would name them".  I do not call this hard work, especially when there is no mention of a dead line.  God was performing the works, and Adam was resting on God works.  Free from stress and anxiety.  All his need was taking care off.

Would you like to be in that state of "rest"?  Subconsciously, we all aspire to "rest".  Would it not be worthwhile to learn from Jesus?  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  Learn at letting Jesus perform the works for you.

It took 65 years for Enoch to learn to walk (at "rest") with God.  After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years, and begot sons and daughters.  So all the days of Enoch were 365 years (Gen 5:22-23).  I just turn 56, and I'm just started to learn to "rest" in Jesus.  As the saying goes, "Better late and forever".  It is impossible to walk with God without being at "rest".  Some learn quickly to "rest" in God, as was the example of Daniel, and his three friends.  They were teenagers when taken captive and taken away to Babylon to become part of a three years training to learn the language and the literature of the Chaldeans (Dan 1:8-16).  It was not the special dietary food, which made them smarter and brighter to govern successfully.  It was "resting" on God to do the works (Dan 1:17).  Daniel governed in a state of "rest".

"Rest" is available now as it was with Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Daniel, and many more.  "Rest" always was available; furthermore, because we have been separate from the fellowship with God for such a long period, we needed a helper to teach us to attain that "rest".  How do you acquire "rest"?  It is simple.  This might be a surprise, but that too is Jesus' work.  You need to be attentive to the following.

Once you have accepted Jesus as your personal saviour and redeemer, it is His responsibility to bring you to a green pasture (rest).  Jesus is our good Shepherd.  He looks for a good pasture for His sheep.  He found good pasture with plenty of grass (1 Chronicles 4:39).  "The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want (Ps23: 1)".  "I am the good Shepherd.  The good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (Jn 10:11)".  Not only did He lay down His physical life for us, He also gives all His time and attention to teach and provide us "rest".

 

By grace you are saved and have guarantied everlasting life, but you are not at rest.  Jesus will be looking for you.  Actually, He is at work right now in your life to bring you into His "rest".  "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen" (at "rest").  If you are not at rest now, you are not of His pen. " I must bring them also.  They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one Shepherd Jn 10:16)".  His sheep are members of His church.  Some are already of His pen, they are the ones at "rest". He is going after those members (other sheep) who are not at "rest".  The "other sheep" are not "the unsaved" as some has been taught.  All His sheep are inside and outside of His pen.  They are part of the same body (the good ground, and among thorns, the farm property, Matt 13:7,8).  In Luke 15:4-7, shows how much more Jesus rejoice after one of His stray sheep is found and return to rest with the other sheep.

Some Christians are in a peaceful and restful setting and others are not.  That is the reason why some members of your congregation seems to function stress free in their life and others do not.  It is not necessarily sins that keep us from receiving His "rest" daily, but a matter of not learning the principle of coming at "rest" in the Lord.  Sins confessed, are sins forgiven.  That is the first fundamental part of learning to "rest".  "Rest" is, learned.  That is moreover Jesus responsibility to teach you.  Are you a good student?  Do you pay attention to Jesus life lesson?  Are you conscious of Jesus presence and at work in you?  Eventually, He will get your attention.  Invite Jesus to live in your heart daily, and be conscious of His presence.

Ray Stedman explains it very clearly what is Jesus intention.  "It is his job to give the orders, it is his job to make you know what he wants you to do. He may make some dramatic changes, or he may not. He may leave you right where you are, doing what you are doing now, or he may tell you to stop it all, at great cost perhaps, outwardly, and leave it and go some place else to do something else. But one thing is certain, one thing he surely will do, no matter if he sends you some place else or leaves you right where you are -- one thing he will certainly do: He will remove you from the spotlight, out of the center of things, he will enroll you in school. And do you know what the curriculum will be? "Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart," (Matthew 11:29b KJV). He will begin to teach you humility -- how not to be the center of attention, how to be content with letting someone else get all the credit. He will enroll you in the school that cancels out ego satisfaction. That is the principle by which the world lives, in its delusion. It is the thing that is destroying human life; the desire to be a god, your own god; to run your life to suit yourself. This can never be for those who are called to be Jesus Christ's -- "you are not your own, you are bought with a price" (1 Corinthians 6:19b-20a).

The reason why you cannot enter into the joy and glory and excitement of the rest which God has provided in ceasing from your own activities and resting upon his, is because, in some way or another, you are protecting some area of the ego, the self-life, saying, "This is mine; keep your hands off." As long as you do that you cannot have rest".

"Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone; but if it die, it brings forth much fruit." (John 12:24 KJV)

"Rest is the secret of human fruitfulness. As you consent to this, a wonderful thing will begin to happen. You will find rest. Jesus said you would. "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest." (Matthew 11:29 KJV). Rest, with all it implies in terms of fruitfulness and dominion; reigning, ruling, producing that which is worthwhile and satisfying in life. That is the secret of life. This is why Jesus said, "If any man will save his life, he shall lose it. But if he shall lose his life for my sake, he shall find it," (Matthew 16:25, Mark 8:35, Luke 9:24). He will find rest, he will fulfill the sabbath for that is what the sabbath is. It is God's divine provision for us".

Do you understand why some of you are having such a miserable Christian life (just like me)?  Are you not resisting?  Are you not stubborn, and not wanting to learn?  For some, salvation suffices, and keep on complaining about everything and nothing.  The evidence is all here; I thank Jesus for opening my mind.  I was a miserable and bitter Christian bearing no good fruit.  I married three times, making life miserable to my wife.  I thank the Lord for bringing into my life this present wife who had the commitment to make a difference in my life.  She told me straight at my face, that for a Christian, I was a miserable grumpy old man.  (That is a slap on the face)  I let the cares of this world get to me (among thorns). 

 

Remember the story of the Prodigal Son.  Jack Kelley from gracetrufaith.com explain its meaning; Whenever a "prodigal son" takes off on his or her own, God works quietly to undermine the feelings of self-sufficiency, and the attraction of independence, nudging the wayward child back onto the path. This is the way a shepherd keeps the flock, and our Shepherd has pledged never to lose any of us.

 

I conclude with Robert Smith assertion, "Our Lord invites all who are tired of going it alone under a heavy load to join up with him. Do you see now what the sabbath is all about? "So then, there remains a sabbath rest [Greek, sabbatismos, the only occurrence in the New Testament] for the people of God" (Heb. 4:9). We find our rest by faith in our living Lord! He finds his rest in the obedient and loving response of our hearts as we keep on trusting him! Life is intended to be our enjoying him and his enjoying us!"

Recessions come and go.  Jesus "rest" is permanent and sure.  You do not have to wait for His return to benefit from His "intended rest".  The "Law under Christ" as Paul expressed "I am under Christ's law", (1 Corinthians 9:21) gave me not only freedom, but also "rest".

Invite Jesus to live in you.  Increase awareness, of Him working in you.  Learning to "rest" is like learning to ride a bicycle, you fall off, but you get right back on.  Looking for excitement, you take more risk, greater stunts, and then, when you fall, in pain you laugh. 

Do not become discourage.  Look, how long it toke Enoch, it toke him 65 years.  Jesus is committed to see you succeed.  Learning to "rest" is like a visit to the dentist.  He instructs you to relax while he does the work.  Mine you; some of you required a lot of denture work (wicked) while others need just a cleaning.  Nevertheless, Jesus wants you to relax while He does the works.  Jesus wants you to be fruitful.  He wants you to sing and laugh at clouds that are so dark up above, just sing, sing in the rain…. You know the song therefore sing.  ♫What a♪ glorious♪ feeling♪, I'm♪ happy ♪again♪.  Thank you Lord.  Amen.  This is how we make a different in this world.

 Reach for these books, and expository in which I quoted within this essay.  They are available free.  This is where they are available:

Ray Stedman:

The Seventh Day http://www.raystedman.org/genesis/0310.html

God's Calendar http://www.raystedman.org/leviticus/0520.html

Sabbath Rest http://www.raystedman.org/leadership/roper/dcroper/models/0016.html

Understanding man http://www.raystedman.org/genesis/genesis1.html#chapt01

Robert W. Smith:

Entering God's Rest http://www.raystedman.org/leadership/smith/dyingtolive/ch13.html

Jack Kelley:

Union and Fellowship http://gracethrufaith.com/selah/falling-away-a-study-of-hebrews-6/#more-6445 Part of a study on the Book of Hebrews

But the glory of the gospel is that when men are redeemed through faith in Jesus Christ they resume a balanced life, and everything relates once again to God. God now becomes the center of things. Though we may struggle to learn this, eventually all the thrust and purpose of the gospel are here, to put God back into the center of his world and relate everything in our life and in the lives of others to him and not to us. It does not make any difference how things affect us. The important thing is, what do they do to God?

Ray Stedman,

Understanding man

Permissions: It is FREE to be use in any shapes or forms for the purpose to reach all Christians worldwide who are weary and burdened without discrimination.  All right reserve to Jesus our Lord and King.