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About tithing.

Apr 072013

About tithing

A commandment of men found in many modern Churches.

Jesus did NOT tithe nor did he teach his disciples to do so. (He did pay taxes, which the Apostle Paul said was right in order to support the Government-Romans 13).

The early Churches did not tithe for over 700 years! You can read this in the article below. It crept in like the embracing of Jewish Law did in the early Galatian Church. The result was a fall from grace but not the salvation of those believers but they put themselves under the bondage of the Law. Those who tithe today have done the same as the tithe was part of the Law given to the Nation of Israel ONLY. In the Book of Malachi it is the “Whole” Nation alone that has robbed God, not paying their tithes under the Law given to them through Moses.

I believe that anyone who teaches that the tithe applies to the Church is a false teacher or deceived believer, being in error and should heed the warning of our Lord Jesus and the “Woe” he has for them! If some are true believers, they should repent, let go of the false teaching of the tithe. Only then will they be brought back to the freedom of grace in Christ and no longer under the heavy burden of bondage under the Law through legalism.

Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Malachi 3:9 KJV.

For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. James 2:10 NLT.

Jesus taught the Law perfectly but to the Jews only!

To the Church he brought freedom from the Law through grace.

I am convinced that Satan is using the Tares and some true believers to mislead his sheep through legalism and law, the do’s and the don’ts. It’s called “Performance” Christianity, which leads to “Self-righteousness” practiced by the evil Pharisees who confronted Jesus.

When first saved I and my wife attended a Church of this type. It was controlled by the commandments of men and embraced the tithe. They twisted God’s word by saying Jesus drank grape juice and not literal wine. They forbid the drinking of wine or any alcoholic beverage despite God’s word saying it was drunkenness that was the sin. Everything it seemed was wrong, TV, Movies, parties, eating. They twisted God’s word by teaching a “Works” salvation, they opposed the doctrine of God’s choice through election and predestination. This put believers under guilt as they taught that if we failed to witness, people would go to Hell because of our failure! They actually believe that THEY saved souls, what a surprise they are in for when they tell the Lord; “Lord, Lord, didn’t WE do all these things in your name! Remember, the Tares are from Satan and unsaved but they don’t think that! I praise the Lord that he took us out of that False Church, I learned so much from those many years we had gone there and the Lord’s special Saints he sent to correct and teach me his ways and not the commandments of men!

What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law–justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. Matthew 23:23 NLT.

There is a warning by the Lord Jesus to those who mislead new Christians, he called them “Little One’s” who believe in me. Paul the Apostle called them “Babes” in Christ. Jesus used the word “Woe” to describe the fate of those who mislead them, causing them to stumble.

Those who teach tithing today know that they have to twist scripture in order to justify the tithe, the word is not found in the New Testament in regards to the giving of the Church. The Apostle Paul did say that the giving of the believer is according to how much the Lord has blessed them but refrains from using the word “Tithe” as that would make the giving a compulsive act. That would be contrary to being a “Joyful” giver. Paul does use “Sowing and reaping” as a motivation to give. Those who sow little, reap little, those who sow much, reap much. This is the truth of God’s word which refutes the tithe that has come to the Church through the commandments of men.

The giving by the early Church was a loving joyful giving from the heart, not by a command, not under compulsion as Paul taught.

The article below is another great one that refutes those who rely on the tithe for support instead of faith in God who promises to supply ALL our need through Christ.

Along with the article below is one of my favorites called; “The tithe is illegal” you can Google it or check the link on this site called; The best I have read about tithing.

April 2013

God bless, Ken

Back to Back Issues Page

Early Church History Newsletter: Should Christians Tithe
September 05, 2009

Should Christians Tithe?
Tithes, and Giving for Christians

Though allowing html or images in this newsletter will allow my hosting company, sitesell.com, to know that you read this newsletter, I can assure you that they are the most anti-spam organization on earth, causing me quite a bit of hassle as a result.

This newsletter will not be a source of spam from myself or sitesell. You’ll enjoy the newsletter a lot better in html.

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It was a warm day, and the breeze coming off the Sea of Galilee was doing nothing to make it better.

The crowds, standing at first, began to sit down as the unusual but charismatic backwoods preacher, Jesus, called for them to let God and everyone else matter before themselves. Some murmured, some nodded, but all agreed that no one could challenge a soul like this Galilean.

He was preaching from a boat, forced onto it as the crowds pressed in, leaving him nowhere on the shore to stand. He was an excellent speaker. They were enthralled.

Then he paused and raised his hands.

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“Listen, all of you here,” he thundered so all the crowd could hear him. “We are going to pause here!”

The crowd silenced, awaiting his announcement. “Simon the zealot will now come to the boat to sing you a song. While he is doing so, the rest of my apostles will be coming to you with baskets. If you would like to see this powerful Word continue to be preached, I ask you to help support this ministry. Ask God what he would have you to give. Remember, I myself have said, ‘Give, and it will be given unto you.'”

It’s a little out of place when we put that plea for help in Jesus’ mouth, isn’t it?

Giving the New Testament Way

Giving is not inappropriate, of course. Paul took collections for poor brothers in Jerusalem (2 Cor. 8:1-9:12). Others took collections for Paul (Php. 4:10-19), though it seems clear that he didn’t ask for money for himself (Acts 20:34; 1 Cor. 9:14-17).

How collections were made to support and Paul and other teachers we don’t know. We do know that when Paul asked for a one-time gift from Corinth to the poor in Jerusalem, he suggested they set money aside each week (1 Cor. 16:2). We also know that the Corinthians were told they would not have to give if they themselves were in need. Instead:

A Double Tithe?

Leviticus 27:30-32 mentions a tithe that seems different from Deuteronomy 12 and 14. I have heard it said several times that the Jews were required to give a double or triple tithe. [The triple would include the every three year tithe in Deut. 14, but that is clearly the same as the Deut. 12 tithe the other two years].

That might be true. I do not know. There’s nothing later that suggests a double tithe. The Leviticus and Deuteronomy tithes could easily have been the same. There’s nothing in Leviticus that makes it impossible that those tithes, holy to the Lord, were to be eaten in Jerusalem by the offerers. Even sacrifices, except the whole burnt offerings, were eaten, though it was the priest who ate them. Only the inedible parts were burned.

Either way, what we do know is that the Israelites were not very consistent in following either of those two tithe descriptions carefully .

Now, at this time, your abundance is a supply for their need, so that their abundance may also be a supply for your need, so that there may be an equality. (2 Cor. 8:14)

Shortly thereafter Paul adds, “Let every man give as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7).

Think about this a moment: not grudgingly or of necessity; give this time so you can take the next time.

Doesn’t sound much like tithing, does it?

Giving the Old Testament Way

For those of you that do not know, to tithe means to give one-tenth of something. In Abraham’s case he gave one-tenth of his spoils of war to a Canaanite high priest named Melchizedek, a priest of El Elyon that Abraham identified as being the same as Yahweh, Abraham’s God (Gen. 14:17-20). In the case of the Israelites, they were to give one-tenth of their year’s increase of grain, lambs, cattle, etc. (Deut. 12:17).

You’ve probably never been told what I’m about to tell you. No matter how many times you’ve read the Bible, you’ve probably never noticed this. So, pay attention. Here goes:

The Israelites didn’t give away their tithe. They ate it.

Look it up. It’s in Deut. 12:17 and 14:23.

Just Bring the Animals!

The tithing page I mention later points out that no tithe commands mention money. Money was clearly in use throughout Genesis, but it is not mentioned in reference to the tithe. In fact, the tithe of Leviticus 27 could be redeemed with money if you added 20% to it (v. 31).

Also the Deuteronomy tithe could be sold if you lived too far from Jerusalem. You could then carry your money to Jerusalem and buy food (and wine and strong drink), as long as you shared your feast with the poor.

It is true that every third year the Israelites were required to give their tithe away. Even then, however, it supported not only the Levites–who didn’t have their own land to farm–but also foreigners, widows, and orphans (Deut. 14:28,29).

Is Tithing a New Testament Principle?

First of all, have you ever seen a church collect the tithe once a year so that it could hold a giant, week-long feast for all its members which included “wine, strong drink, or whatever your soul wants”?

Probably not, huh?

There is simply no mention of tithing in the New Testament except in the Gospels where it’s spoken of in reference to Jews. It is astounding to me that anyone would suggest that tithing is a New Testament principle.

Tithing in Early Christianity

Do you want to be completely overwhelmed with information about tithing? Try Should the Church Teach Tithing?

I also found an article in Christianity Today that I’m not going to link to. It was so dishonest that it made me mad. It said that Irenaeus said that Christians should surpass tithing with their giving. You can see in my quotes in the text that is exactly what he did not say!

Later, he refers to tithing as a minimum level of giving in the early Church.

For some bizarre reason, he also says that the Council of Trent added penalties for not tithing a century after the Council of Macon [mentioned in last section of this newsletter], when in fact the Council of Trent didn’t meet for almost a millennium afterward.

Don’t trust what you hear just because a “historian” says it. Some of them are not honest.

Tithing is not just absent from the New Testament. It’s absent from church history for almost 700 years afterward!

Between the New Testament and A.D. 185, a span of about 100 years, tithing is simply not mentioned in any Christian writing. Then, finally, Irenaeus of Lyons addresses it in his great work Against Heresies:

Instead of the law enjoining the giving of tithes, he told us to share all our possessions with the poor. (IV:13:3)

He mentions it again five chapters later:

And for this reason they [the Jews] did consecrate the tithes of their goods to him, but those who have received liberty set aside all their possessions for the Lord’s purposes, bestowing joyfully and freely not the less valuable portions of their property, since they have the hope of better things.

Clement of Alexandria mentions it in his Miscellanies something less than a decade later:

The tithes of the fruits and of the flocks taught both piety towards the Deity and not to covetously grasp everything. Instead, one should share gifts of kindness with one’s neighbors. For it was from these, I reckon, and from the firstfruits that the priests were maintained.

Notice how he comments on the past and speaks very unsurely about the purpose of the tithe. This is because Christians didn’t tithe in his day. It was simply an artifact of history, something the Jews did. Clement was a prodigious writer. Depending on the version of The Ante-Nicene Fathers you have, his writings take up at least 400 pages of small print, yet he mentions tithing but this one time!

Remember, too, that Clement was the teacher of new Christians in Alexandria, one of the largest churches in the empire. Can you imagine a new persons class in a modern church that didn’t include tithing?

Giving in Early Christianity

But don’t let yourself off the hook! Did you notice what Irenaeus contrasted tithing with?

We’re to share all our possessions with the poor [most likely a reference to the Christian poor; see what follows]. We set aside all our possessions for the Lord’s purposes, and we joyfully and freely bestow even the more valuable portions of our property.

Neat, huh?

It really is neat if the church has become family. It’s supposed to be God’s household. We are supposed to be family, and families share. That’s just what they do!

How much more so the family of God?

You shall share everything with your neighbor. You shall not call anything your own. For if you are partakers together of things which are incorruptible, how much more things which are corruptible?

That statement is found in a tract called The Way of Light and of Darkness, which is included in both The Didache (c. A.D. 100) and The Letter of Barnabas (A.D. 120 – 130). It’s a command, and we have at least two witnesses that Christians obeyed that command for 200 years after Christ:

We who valued above all things the acquisition of wealth and possessions now bring what we have into a common stock and share with everyone in need. (Justin, First Apology 14, A.D. 155)

The family possessions, which generally destroy brotherhood among you [Romans], create fraternal bonds among us. One in heart and soul, we do not hesitate to share our earthly goods with one another. All things are common among us but our wives. (Tertullian, Apology 39, A.D. 200)

Oddly enough, despite what you just read, both of them describe this sharing as being purely voluntary:

They who are well-to-do and willing give what each thinks fit. What is collected is deposited with the president [apparently a term for whoever is leading a Christian meeting], who helps the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in need. [He also helps] those who are imprisoned and the strangers sojourning among us. In a word, he takes care of all who are in need. (ibid. 67)

Tertullian says something very similar, saying that the collection was taken on a monthly day (whereas Justin’s church collected weekly).

The statement that they shared everything and the statement that they took a collection from the wealthy and willing don’t seem to go together. They seem different. Yet this is exactly the apostolic way. Acts 2:44 and 4:32 say that the church in Jerusalem had everything in common, yet Ananias did not sell his possessions until some time afterward. Even then Peter said it was optional.

This is the pattern we have for New Testament giving.

The Tithe and the New Testament: A Review

Here’s what we’ve seen:

Tithing is not mentioned in the New Testament, and it is not a concept taught by the Church.
Instead, Christians shared all their possessions with one another, the purpose being that there would be an equality. Those with much help those with little.
This sharing was always optional, though it was commanded in a tract and was considered the proper Christian thing to do.

I must add that the Scriptures say that those who do not work ought not to eat. From experience I can tell you that it is absolutely essential to apply that in a church that shares the way we are talking about. You will have lazy bums and mooches, seemingly good people, who need to learn that working is not optional and that it cannot be avoided just because you don’t enjoy it.

So How Did the Church Start Tithing?

Tithing has always provided a convenient percentage. 10% was not only the amount required for a tithe in the Law, but the kings of Israel imposed 10% as a tax on the Israelites to support the army and other government services.

The Catholic Encyclopedia says the earliest mention of tithing was in a letter by some bishops assembled at Tours in 567. The Council of Macon then included tithing in their canons [rules] in 585. It was not enforced, however, until much later. Charlemagne was the first to mandate it by secular law. One source I read gave 777 as the date for that, though others gave no date.

A history book I read a couple decades ago said that Pepin the Short, who preceded Charlemagne, mandate tithing to support the monks in France. I haven’t found any sources to verify that.

Either way, they are obviously all agreed that tithing for the Church belongs to a date centuries after the apostles.

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Do you have a freed will or are you still bound?

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Mar 082013

Do you have a freed will or are you still bound?

What does God’s word say about this, you will be surprised as his word is contrary to what many believe. There are those in today’s religious circles that profess that those in the world today have a so called “Free Will” to make whatever choices they want. In the Bible, God’s word we see that this is only true in one respect; they can do whatever they want, especially in regards to sin. They cannot in their fallen nature given through Adam come to God; neither do they have the desire to do so! Why is that you may ask? It is because they do not have a “Freed” will, their wills are bound and enslaved to Satan, doing his will only as God’s word declares.

We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one. 1-John 5:19 NLT.

How great was the fall of Adam? His sin brought a total darkness of the heart, a spiritual death passed on to all mankind, even to this day.

The total control of the whole earth, over all humans and creatures was given to Satan who Jesus called; “The Prince of this world” Remember that during his tempting of Jesus, he offered the Lord the “Kingdoms of the world” which were his to give.

“I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. Luke 4:6 NLT.

Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. 2-Timothy 2:26 NLT.

The one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 1-John 3:8 NASB.

Jesus today is plundering Satan’s Kingdom, taking out a people for himself, setting the prisoners free!

And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 NLT. (Note that he saves HIS people-the Elect, chosen by God the Father. “I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. John 17:6 NLT.)

So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. John 8:36 NLT.

Only those born of God have a true free will, they have been loosed by Jesus from the Kingdom of Satan, given the gift of the Holy Spirit; their bodies are now the Temple of the Holy Spirit.

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, Colossians 1:13 NASB. Who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:14 NLT.

They are the only ones with a free will to serve God or not. Those remaining in Satan’s Kingdom do not have this choice on their own; they can only do Satan’s will as captives, prisoners! The “Good News” is that Jesus sets the prisoners free and when he does they are free indeed, loosed from a “Bound” will, to a true free will. As Christians we can make a free will choice to walk in the Spirit or go back to bondage.This has nothing to do with Satan and his Kingdom but obedience to God’s word. If you embrace the Law through legalism you will “fall from grace”, it will steal your joy, you will lose the liberty of walking in the Spirit but you cannot lose your salvation as some teach falsely! This comes from following the Law and the commandments of men through legalism; this is what had happened in the Galatians Church. Listen to what the Apostle Paul said to them; Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross. Galatians 3:1 NLT.

They went from the liberty that they had in Christ to a bondage being under the Law and the commandments of men.

Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’ Mark 7:7 NLT.

This same legalism has crept into some Churches today, their rules and regulations they have substituted for the liberty our Lord has given to everyone who believes in him. The Law came through Moses but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ! One doctrine that is taught in many Churches today is tithing. I and many other Christians reject this doctrine as it is not taught in the New Testament. Paul the Apostle never used the word “Tithe”; he did however refer to believers giving according to how much the Lord had prospered them. Through faith, if we sow much we reap much, sow little, reap little. The joyful giver gives from the heart and what the Holy Spirit prompts him/her of what to give, it has nothing to do with the tithe. There is an article that will prove that the tithe has no place in the New Testament, it is called “The Tithe Is Illegal “. If anyone with an open mind reads this article they will understand it is a part of legalism and why the Apostle Paul would not say the word “Tithe”, he would not twist the scriptures! You can read it from a link on my site called; The best I have ever read about tithing. Those who collect a tenth or tithe have a secure income, no faith needed but the Apostle Paul walked by faith. God granted that the believers send him support; he also worked with his hands so he would not be an extra burden to them. He never told them to pay him a tithe but appealed to them to give what they had purposed in their hearts to give, I’m sure this was the work of the Holy Spirit through joyful Christians!

Author Ken

March 2013

Need oil?

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Mar 072013

Need oil?

Who doesn’t, fuels our homes, cars, boats and more!

The Bible speaks of oil for lamps but in this parable it is special oil. Oil used in lamps give the wicks the ability to burn which gives off light. In the scripture of the 10 virgins, five had oil, five did not. This was a parable given by Jesus concerning those who belonged to him and those who did not.

“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Matthew 25:10 NIV.

Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ Matthew 25:11 NLT.

“But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ Matthew 25:12 NASB.

There are some very special truths found in this parable from our Lord Jesus. Note verse 10, they went to BUY oil, salvation is a free gift. Remember Simon the magician offered to pay for the Holy Spirit (Oil) and the power and was severely rebuked by Peter.

But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! Acts 8:20 NASB.

“For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.” Acts 8:23 NASB.

This man Simon was an unsaved man like the five Virgins without the oil they sought to purchase. Their cry Lord, Lord, is the same as the “Works for salvation” people who told the Lord about all the things THEY did in His name. His reply to them is similar as said to the five Virgins; “Truly, I don’t know you” Thus Jesus separates the Tares from the true wheat, the believers, God’s Elect.

The oil represents the Holy Spirit and those without the Holy Spirit do not belong to him! King Saul was anointed with oil because it was God who made him the ruler of Israel. The Lord gave the people the King of their choice a man after their own hearts, not his! Saul was a wicked man extremely jealous of his servant David. For 10 years David suffered, ducking spears throw by King Saul and living in caves. Although David had an opportunity to kill Saul he would not because he knew Saul was God’s *anointed. He had oil (the sign from God that his Holy Spirit was with him) poured on his head by God’s Prophet Samuel and the power of the Holy Spirit, changed him into a “New” man. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit would come upon and depart God’s Elect when they sinned. This is what David feared when he sinned saying; “Take not thy Holy Spirit from me”. When Jesus died on the cross, he obtained our perfect salvation, as he had promised. He sent the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost to be with every believer and He NEVER departs even when we sin. He did depart from King Saul because of his evil; Saul was put to death but went to be with the Prophet Samuel in Paradise as Samuel had previously told him. Despite David’s sin, the Holy Spirit never left him but God punished him greatly, taking his son born out of wedlock with Bathsheba and his much loved son Absalom who turned against him causing David to flee. The death of Absalom was a bitter pill to David. He was put to death by one of David’s Army commanders Joab. Psalm 119, a psalm of David shows how great was his punishment by the Lord and his godly repentance that led to a restoration of his fellowship and walk with God. David said; “When I went astray you punished me but now I keep your word”.

Sin always separates the believer in their walk with God. David in Psalm 23 was comforted seeing the Rod of correction in his walk with the Lord, knowing that whom the Lord loves he corrects, anyone who claims to be a believer and suffers no correction when they willfully sin does NOT belong to God!

The 10 virgins are a picture of the saved and lost, there are many religious people in today’s world that may be devout in the practice of their faith but their hearts are far from God. They do not have oil, the Holy Spirit who is given to every true believer in Christ the moment that they believe!

A Christian’s willful sinning causes God to suffer as it grieves his Holy Spirit. Remember in the Book of Acts the two believers who lost their lives because of having lied to the Holy Spirit, therefore lying to God, the third person of the Trinity!

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Acts 5:3 NIV.

The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!” Acts 5:4 NLT.

The Holy Spirit cannot depart from anyone who is in the Body of Christ, the Church; Jesus had declared that He would be with us forever!

The Christian is a purchased possession of God and not their own, they are taught of God through his Holy Spirit. We read of Christians being weak, sick and falling asleep (Dying as did Ananias and his wife). I have heard those in some Churches say that God does not cause believers to be sick but the Apostle Paul refutes that falsehood in his writings to the Corinthians. He states that any believer that partakes in communion while willful sinning, is in an “Unfit manner”, not rightly judging the deeds/sins of the body. This brings God’s chastisement which can be grievous and can result in death (For the believer it’s an early trip home, falling asleep as the term Jesus used for those who belonged to him). To avoid punishment, examine yourself, confess your sins, you have the promise of forgiveness from God who will not only cleanse you but forget the sins you have confessed, so don’t bring them up again as he won’t remember! But if you wish to partake of communion knowing you will continue in your willful sin (A revolving door, I have been there!), you would be better off not to! God is not mocked, whatever you sow you will reap, sow good, reap good, sow evil, and reap evil! Remember from the Book of Hebrews; “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?”

In order to avoid the chastisement from God avoid willful sinning which grieves his Holy Spirit, instead, walk after the Spirit by obedience and devotion to Christ, deny the lusts of the flesh. We all stumble in many ways but God gives “Grace upon Grace” in our struggle with sin, (Romans 7 is Paul’s struggle against the flesh and its lusts) the warfare between the Holy Spirit and our corruptible flesh. God does pity us; he knows our frame that we are but dust. Set your minds on things above, draw near to God and he will draw near to you, he rewards those who do.

Even in our unfaithfulness he remains faithful to us, he cannot deny himself. A day in his fellowship is better than a thousand as David said and when you meditate on him the fires will burn, you will experience the infilling of the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns will do the same.

*Some falsely teach two things regarding King Saul; one is that Saul was a godless man. The other is that the Prophet Samuel who was called up from Paradise was a demon, both teaching are false. Saul was God’s choice, anointed with oil; the Holy Spirit gave him faith in God. I believe the Holy Spirit only comes upon God’s Elect which Jesus confirmed by saying; He was saying to her, “Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” Mark 7:28 NASB

Proof from God’s word that Saul was saved, he was given a new heart and prophesies.

“Then the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you mightily, and you shall prophesy with them and be changed into another man. 1-Samuel 10:6 NASB.

The bread mentioned is Jesus himself for God’s people through the Holy Spirit. Dogs were a common term the Jews used for unbelievers, the Gentiles. When the Nation rejected Jesus, God began saving Gentiles from all Nations and tongues. When their number is complete according to the will of God, He will return to save all Israel.

“AND IN HIS NAME THE GENTILES WILL HOPE.” Matthew 12:21 NASB.

The word of God states that it was Samuel who God allowed to tell Saul that he and his sons would be with Samuel in Paradise (A special place of rest and peace for all God’s Elect. They could not go to Heaven at that time but had to wait until Jesus died on the cross and fully paid the ransom for their salvation). God’s word tells us it is Samuel who the false teachers twist in saying it was a demon; I suggest that they read the warnings in the last chapter of the Book of Revelation.

“What does he look like?” he asked. “An old man wearing a robe is coming up,” she said. Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. 1-Samuel 28:14 NIV.

What’s more, the LORD will hand you and the army of Israel over to the Philistines tomorrow, and you and your sons will be here with me. The LORD will bring down the entire army of Israel in defeat.” 1-Samuel 28:19 NLT.

One son of Saul was Jonathan who David said that his love for him was better than the love of a woman. I believe this was through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jonathan was with his father Saul and his brothers in Paradise. Another confirmation that Saul was a saved man as Jonathan was there with him, one who loved David. Some Churches find it hard to believe that one is saved by faith alone, works will follow after but never before!

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; Ephesians 2:8 NASB.

Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:9 NLT.

The saved believer however may still willfully sin but they can never lose their salvation, King David and King Saul as an example. David was spared death by God, and Saul the believer was not. The death of a believer is never separation from God, the fate of the non-believer is always separated from God weather alive or dead!

Author Ken

March 2013

Dedicated to the memory of Angelina Maria Caterina who went to be with the Lord April 15, 2012

And the rocks did fall, a true story!

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Feb 122013

And the rocks did fall, a true story!

I recall one Thursday night at Church many years ago, after I had given my testimony about seeing God’s hand in my life. The Pastor said he liked that term I used. Recently I was reflecting on the many times in my Christian life I have seen God act. One experience I remember when my faith was weak and my fear was strong. When your life is in danger you never forget those times. It was in the 1980’s that my brother in the Lord sold me a Moped which I loved, took my young son for many rides on it.

One day I went for a ride on my Moped alone, thank God! I rode to a less traveled road miles from my home, it was an area that you would hardly ever see a car. As I began my ride home on that deserted road I was approaching one of the few Bus Stops, to my surprise there were about five teenagers there waiting for the Bus. When I was about to ride by them, they saw me and they all picked up large rocks! Seeing this and knowing what was about to happen caused great fear to arise in my heart ( The Moped had a problem, after running for a while, the engine would quit, maybe due to overheating? I was thinking of that as I approached these kids with the rocks in their hands!). You and I know that only one good size rock can cause much injury to the brain or even death. This is what I faced all alone on that deserted road. I don’t remember calling on God for help, all I remember is thinking is that I would duck my head and hope they missed it with the rocks. To my total amazement as I rode by they all dropped the rocks from their hands, I happened to look in my rear view mirror and saw the most wonderful sight, a Police car! Where we lived at that time was a low crime area, we hardly saw a Police car at any time, in fact, most people didn’t even lock their doors! It was God’s doing that at the exact moment of my need he sent his Ministers the Police to deliver me. When the teenagers saw the Police car, the rocks fell from their hands! Let me ask you this question, what are the odds that at this time of my special need a Police car would appear on this lonely road? It had nothing to do with the odds; it was an act of God and his love for me! His word tells me that he is faithful to me even when I am unfaithful, for he cannot deny himself as HE is the faithful and the Amen!

If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. 2-Timothy 2:13 NASB.

Therefore, angels are only servants–spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation. Hebrews 1:14 NLT.

This was not my first encounter with the possibility of death; I was given the “Last Rights” by a Priest as a 16 year old boy raised in the Catholic religion, almost run over on my bicycle, (I believe an Angel turned the steering wheel of my bike and the car missed me by inches).Survived a head on crash with a truck that totaled my car, fell off my boatlift, hitting my concrete dock and falling into freezing water, I had thought at that time I broke my back! Fell off a ladder and was totally paralyzed but recovered fully. I will leave these testimonies for future time, they all give honor and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ and his “Hand” of protection and deliverance in my life. I am truly a blessed man, an object of his love with a blessed family, to God be the glory!

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us Romans 8:31 NLT.

I dedicate this testimony to all the Police forces and their families. The Police are God’s ministers who put their lives on the line every day for us, our beloved brother-in-law is one of them!

The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. Romans 13:4 NLT.

Author Ken

Feb. 2013

Why Barabbas?

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Feb 112013

Pilate must have thought the crowd was crazy, why would they reject an innocent man and choose a murderer to go free? Pilate believed that Jesus was the King of the Jews, he desired to free Jesus because of the dream his wife had about him. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.” Matthew 27:19 NASB. Pilate was aware of the custom of the Jews to release a prisoner each year at the time of the Passover and thought for sure they would choose Jesus over Barabbas. But you have a custom of asking me to release one prisoner each year at Passover. Would you like me to release this ‘King of the Jews’?” John 18:39 NLT. Pilate in his zeal to get Jesus released had him flogged, beaten to a pulp as one would say in order to win the people’s mercy for him saying; “Behold the man” Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the Man!” John 19:5 NLT. To his total surprise, the Chief Priests chose Barabbas and rejected Jesus, shouting; “Crucify Him”. It was God’s will that Barabbas go free and Jesus be crucified! Pilate was much afraid, he knew Jesus was innocent and believed he was the King of the Jews. He ordered a sign to be put on the cross; “Jesus the Nazarene, “The King of the Jews”. Neither Pilate, the Chief Priests nor the crowd sentenced Jesus to be put to death, God willed it. Jesus, the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world Revelation 13:8 NASB.

The Apostle Peter explained this to his people in his preaching recorded in the Book of Acts, the Jews who heard were “Pierced to the heart” by the Holy Spirit and repented as Peter had told them to do. This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. Acts 2:23 NIV.

As Peter had told them it was God’s pre-determined will that Jesus go to the cross for the sins of the Nation. Caiaphas who was the High Priest that year had prophesied that Jesus would die for the Nation; this is another confirmation that it was God’s will, not man’s that Jesus was put to death! This was the Prophesy of Caiaphas; Nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.” John 11:50 NASB.

God’s word says that without the shedding of blood there would be no remission of sins. It was the will of God the Father to send his Son, God the Word to die for our sins, the just for the unjust! Our fallen nature with all its sin was represented by Barabbas the murderer and prisoner. Jesus died and we were set free, loosed from our sins and God’s Judgment.

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard Romans 3:23 NLT.

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool. Isaiah 1:18 NASB.

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NLT.

Author Ken

Feb. 2013

More of the deep things of God.

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Feb 022013

More of the deep things of God.

Please note: I do not recommend new believers in Jesus Christ read this blog. The Apostle Paul wrote that these are “Babes” in the faith and should be fed the “Milk” of the word as they do not have the “Spiritual” teeth needed to chew on the “Strong Meat” of the word yet. In fact, according to Paul, it could hurt them in their lack of understanding. God willing, they will grow through obedience and the trials all Christians face unto a mature man, led by the Holy Spirit doing God’s perfect will.

When Jesus was crucified between two thieves, both reviled him but something happened to one of these men. Here is where we see the deep things of God related to his sovereignty, foreknowledge and predestination of the elect, those he himself had chosen before the creation of the earth.

One thief was chosen by God and one was not, this is confirmed in the Book of Ephesians and the Book of Romans, both written by the Apostle Paul.

God is no respecter of persons, from the fall of Adam and Eve all have sinned and have short of the glory of God. This fallen nature has been passed to the entire human race but God in his compassion and mercy willed that not all the human race created in his image and likeness be doomed to separation from him for all eternity. In his foreknowledge he chose a people for himself. We are told in God’s word that in his choice, not many rich or wise were chosen. He chose the poor and abased to confound the wise, he chose a harlot and a beggar over a King. In his great mercy he does save some rich but not many!

One thief on the cross had a darkened spirit, not able or desiring to know who Jesus is; he is the picture of the non-elect of the world. His words to Jesus were from his Father Satan. The non-elect are held captive by him to do his will. Jesus told the evil Pharisees that their Father was Satan. Something different happened to the other thief, the words he spoke were of faith.

Jesus knew that this man was one of his Father’s elect and was given to him as he said at the Last Supper; “Thine they were Father and you have given them to me”. The Holy Spirit regenerated this man in his last hours of life on that cross. He was given the “Gift” of faith and called upon Jesus his Savior (He was saved without works). Nobody earns salvation through works, it is a free gift but works follow true faith!

The two thieves’ are a “Type” of those who hear the Gospel of Good News, one will reject God’s word, and the other receives it with joy. One has ears to hear, the other does not.

The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin but with the elect he does a further work, granting them a “Godly” repentance leading to salvation. He also gives the “Gift” of faith so that the elect ones can believe in Jesus and be saved. The non-elect are convicted of sin, judgment and the righteousness of God but they cannot believe. They will always reject God’s word as they are incapable to receive (Only the “Good Ground” prepared by God can receive the seed, the word of God, take root and grow) it because of their dead (Darkened) spirit before God.

You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. Hebrews 5:12 NLT.

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Romans 8:29 NLT

Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful 1-Corinthians 1:27 NLT

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? Jeremiah 17:9 NLT

Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:9 NLT

Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” Luke 8:8 NLT. God grant that those who read my blog as Jesus said; have “Ears to hear”, for faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

Author Ken

January 2013

Are you legally clean?

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Jan 152013

Are you legally clean?

The Bible tells us that all governments are established by God for our good!

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. Romans 13:1 NLT. (Please read Romans 13: verses 1 to 7)

God is the only truly righteous Judge, because of man’s fallen sin nature from Adam not all judges rule justly. Those (Not knowing Christ) who do not will be judged themselves at the Great White Throne Judgment Seat of God.

God is the judge of the whole earth; many will stand before him during the “Great White Throne Judgment Seat” and be judged by their deeds during their life which are recorded in Books. They will have no Attorney to protest what is written in the books as God cannot lie! They all will be found guilty as their names are not found in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Their sentence is eternal punishment and separation from God.

Those in Christ are legally clean in God’s sight, the just died for the unjust.

God gave the Law to men to reveal his Holiness, righteousness and justice, if anyone could keep the whole Law perfectly they would be acceptable and righteous before him. We know from God’s word that no man can keep the Law, it was not God’s intention that anyone would be justified through the Law. It was given to show us how sinful we are, it is a “Schoolmaster” as the Apostle Paul wrote that would lead us to Christ. He was sinless, kept the Law perfectly, and even magnified it as foretold by the Old Testament. (Jesus told those of the Law that eyes would need to be plucked out, hands cuts off in order to keep the Law. Even thoughts only would condemn a person without the act itself!). When he died on the cross he gave his righteousness to every believer so that the Father looked upon them as if they never sinned! (All their sins were blotted out and God cannot ever remember them). Therefore they all have no legal charges against them, they are legally clean! The only judgment they will have is of their works (Never sin as some have suggested falsely) done for Christ, receiving rewards or not. Believers will judge the unsaved and even the fallen Angels because we have the righteousness of Jesus Christ, with whom we will live and reign forever!

Call upon Jesus to save you and write your name in his Book of Life and be legally clean.

Author Ken

January 15, 2013

A sure hope for a hopeless body!

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Jan 152013

When the Lord saved our souls he left the body unchanged and still able to sin and follow its lusts. ( Romans 7: 17-25). Our Lord Jesus, the second Adam had to come in the flesh (Without the sin nature) in order to identify with us when he offered himself as a ransom for our sins. When we are saved the Holy Spirit begins his warfare against the flesh with its pride and ego, then we are humbled by the Lord’s correction and are able to experience his presence through prayer, as God resists the proud but gives Grace to the humble.

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 1-Peter 5:6 NASB.

In the Book of Romans believers are told that “Willful” sinning can bring weakness, sickness and the body may be put to sleep, death. (The soul goes to be at home with the Lord, it was saved for all Eternity by the ransom paid by Jesus on the cross! The only thing that may be lost is any Rewards given at the Lord’s Judgment of our works done in the flesh for Him.)

So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Romans 8:6 NLT.

For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. Romans 8:7

For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. Romans 8:13 NLT.

Remember that in our struggle against sin that comes through the flesh is that the key is not yielding or embracing the sin willfully. Paul was not judged or chastened because he hated the sin which caused him great frustration when he committed it. The Lord has promised that after we have suffered awhile (Humbled through various trails, some fiery) He will strengthen and establish us. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you 1-Peter 5:10 NASB The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you Romans 16:10 NLT. The battle is the Lord’s through His Holy Spirit who is our comforter, greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world-Satan.

Don’t give up in your battle with sin! Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins. Ecclesiastes 7:20 NASB.

In our struggle against sin, the Lord pities us knowing our frame, that we are dust. His promise to David was He would never stop loving him but when he embraced sin, he would be punished. It is the same for us believers today! David wrote Psalm 119 in which he describes God’s punishment for his sin of adultery, murder and disobedience to the Lord. His son born out of wedlock was taken by the Lord, (To Heaven) many in his Kingdom turned against him. Swimming in your bed shows a man with no rest, no peace. In Psalm 119 David said when he confessed his sin God forgave him. Then David said; “When I went astray you punished me but now I keep your word”. What grace the Lord showed to him even calling him; “A man after my own heart”, the Lord thinks the same about us, He sees His Son in us and loves us because we love Jesus!

Consider this, when the Lord rose from the dead, he displayed his new body to the Apostles, he ate a fish and honeycomb before them. He wanted them and us to understand that we will not be spirits floating around Heaven playing Harps! The body Jesus displayed will be ours also, exactly the same, we will be able to eat or not with our senses of taste, smell expanded beyond what we can imagine. You will be able to be somewhere by just willing it, as Jesus demonstrated personally! Sounds weird? The word of God declares it; Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is 1-John 3:2 NLT. Having the same incorruptible body!

When we believers reign with Christ on earth in his 1000 year reign, Jesus said that he, with believers will enjoy the marriage supper of the Lamb and drink the new wine with him. This is literal, we will be able to enjoy the crops of the earth, the fruit of the vine, never ever subject to death or sin.

This is our sure hope for our saved souls and weak bodies. That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1-Corinthians 2:9 NLT.

My purpose in writing this blog is to exhort believers in their struggle against the sin that so easily besets us. (Unbelief)

Author Ken

January 15, 2013

What is the sin unto death?

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Jan 152013

What is the sin unto death?

Did you know that there is a sin that leads to death and we should not pray for that person? It is not the “Unpardonable sin against the Holy Spirit” which only an unbeliever can commit!

If you see a Christian brother or sister sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it. 1-John 5:16 NLT.

I believe this is a sexual sin, Paul the Apostle rebuked the Corinthian Church for looking the other way while one among them was having sexual relations with his stepmother, it was so appalling to him as he said; “Even the Gentiles don’t commit this sin”.

Paul gave this man into Satan’s hand to kill his body in order to save his soul. I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you–something that even pagans don’t do. I am told that a man in your church is living in sin with his stepmother.1-Corinthians 5: 1 NLT.

I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 1-Corinthians 5:5 NASB.

Some attend Church while committing sexual sins, and they have no guilt or conviction of their sin, this begs the question, are they really saved? The believer has the Holy Spirit who works with our conscience that will accuse or excuse us regarding sin. Paul wrote that his conscience was clear with his walk with God. Salvation is through a person, Jesus Christ alone! Being religious, going to Church, confession, taking Communion will not save you but if you are “In Christ” through faith then those things are not in vain!

True repentance of sin is turning away from it, not a revolving door of confession and communion deceiving yourself while willfully sinning. I can say this as I have been there and gave up realizing I loved my sin more than the things of God. I thank the Lord Jesus that he sought me and brought me to the “Godly Repentance” that leads to salvation. Worldly repentance is in vain, it does not lead to true repentance of sins and being broken, becoming as a little child. All of this is through the Holy Spirit’s work of regeneration.

The Bible says those who practice sexual sins and the other sins that God hates will not enter Heaven, scripture says that they are prisoners of Satan and do his will. And they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. 2-Timothy 2: 26 NLT.

For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God Ephesians 5: 5 NET.

By the way. that man in the Corinthian church repented and Paul told them to go get him, bring him back into their fellowship.

The Good News is Jesus can set the prisoner free and Satan can’t stop him.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11: 28 NLT.

If the Son sets you free, you are truly free. John 8: 36 NLT. Teachers/Preachers of God’s word have a responsibility to reprove and rebuke when it comes to the Church, the Body of Christ. As a Christian I am troubled at the things being accepted in today’s modern Churches. We are the light of the world and should always avoid the sins that God hates especially of immoral sexual nature, our bodies being God’s Temple.

In the Book of Revelation the Lord Jesus judges the Churches, he cast Jezebel upon a bed of affliction because of her sexual sins with the believers, and he is still active in the Churches today, for he is the Good Sheppard!

Author Ken

January 2013

A special prayer for the children and their parents.

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Dec 172012

A special prayer for the children and their parents.

Words cannot express the hurt felt with the loss of a son or daughter, it is like a knife in the heart.

Many ask God why and can’t understand how he could allow these horrible acts which we see take place day after day. Lord do you care they ask, seeking to understand. With the fall of Adam, evil entered our world, we see its results through the much pain and suffering today. The enemy of our souls is Satan and his demons (Fallen Angels) tempt, possess a person/persons and do much harm. It may be that those who do such heinous acts as murder children are possessed by demons? Jesus met a man possessed by many demons, who was in a Cemetery. They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.^[^a^] ²When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. ³This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. ⁴For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. ⁵Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. Jesus cast out the many demons and set the man free (The people saw him clothed and in his right mind) and he wanted to stay with the Lord. Mark 5: 1 to 5

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. ¹⁹Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” ²⁰So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis^[^b^] how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. Mark 5: 18 to 20

So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. John 8:36 NLT.

When an evil King heard that a Messiah who was the King of Kings and Lord of Lords was born, he sent his Soldiers to kill every male child two years old and younger. What God’s Prophet had foretold came to pass. “A cry was heard in Ramah–weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.” Matthew 2: 18 NLT.

*I believe all the little children who die go to Heaven, my prayer for their parents is that they will realized this and be comforted in their sorrow. We too have a little boy in Heaven, so we do understand when people hurt and have sorrow. When Jesus died on the cross Mary’s soul was pierced by a sword through the prophesy she was told by Simeon.Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. Luke 2:34 NLT.

As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.” Luke 2: 35 NLT.

We could explain evil as doing harm to another person but why? I have been hearing many explanations, few from God’s word where it is correctly identified as sin.

From the fall of Adam and Eve we have seen the effects of sin with all its evil.

Through a darkened mind from a “Dead to God” spirit because of sin, Cain murdered Able. Satan tempts people with evil thoughts, even being able to possess some with his demons. Remember, even Peter yielded to Satan’s tempting by saying to Jesus, don’t go to Jerusalem where they are going to kill you! Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Matthew 16:23

The Lord did not rebuke Peter but Satan himself! We are told in Peter’s Epistles that as believers our enemy is Satan and we are to be on our guard. When tempted we should ALWAYS first submit to God (Acknowledge that he is the only one who can deliver us and without the Lord Jesus we are helpless) then resist the temptation of Satan to say or do something and He Will Flee and that is God’s doing!

As a teacher of God’s word I am convinced that sin is mankind’s problem as God has said. We are born with a fallen “Sin Nature” which is prone to go astray from God as his word declares. These wicked people are born sinners; even from birth they have lied and gone their own way. Psalm 58: 3 NLT.

But man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward. Job 5:7

When sin entered the world Satan became its Prince and Ruler.

Scripture declares that those without Christ are under Satan’s control, being held captive to do his will. We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one. 1-John 5:19 NLT.

Those who are “In Christ” Have the Holy Spirit who is greater than Satan, he cannot possess them and must ask permission from God to test them! God only allows Satan’s testing us in order to bring good out of evil for his glory and our growth through our trials. The Lion that came at Samson was a symbol of Satan’s attacks in our trials but as with Samson, he is twarted and God brings sweetness like honey from the trial and we grow stronger.

So he said: “Out of the one who eats came something to eat; out of the strong came something sweet.” Judges 14:14 NLT.

But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 1-John 4:4 NLT.

The “Good News” is that Jesus has overcome Satan by his death on the Cross. The Lord is plundering Satan’s Kingdom, setting the prisoner free. John 3:16 declares his love for us and his creation. He is coming back to bind Satan (Who weakens the Nations) and set up his perfect 1000 year Reign on the earth. The Lord’s Rule will be in stark contrast to the “One world Government of Man” and its efforts to achieve a perfect world, free from War and crime with peace. This is the coming One World Government run by Satan through the Beast (Anti-Christ) and his false Prophet.

People need the Lord especially in this veil of tears world we live in today, God help those who are in much sorrow and grief today, he is close to the brokenhearted, he cares.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NLT.

*The word of God mentions about the little ones who knew no sin entering into the Promised Land

which to me confirms my belief in the “Age of accountability”, that is when a child understands their responsibility to God. In the Hebrew faith I believe it is 12 years old. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that after his birth, the next event is the boy Jesus found in the Temple at 12 years old!

When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual Luke 2:42 NLT.

This convinces me about the age of accountability being at 12 years of age. Jesus, in order to be our representative on the Cross had to be exactly like us before God our Father. As a boy of 12 years old he came to the understanding that he was responsible to God to do the right thing, obey his parents (Which is the will of God) especially when he saw how worried they were about him when he was missing from their caravan. He then understood that they didn’t know he would be at his Father’s House, the Temple. From that moment on he became subject unto them until he began his Ministry as the man of sorrows who understands our grief, setting his face like flint on his way to the Cross. What love is this unspeakable gift of God’s only begotten Son, Jesus.

Author Ken

December 2012

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