Angels are Gifts From God. Not to be worshiped, not to be focused on. They are messengers from God, to his people. They provide protection, and comfort in the times of our lives that we need them. You never know..when you deny a stranger, it might be a angel of God in the form of a man. Dealing with Controversy James 2:2-2:4 Dealing with Controversy. As we enter into this end time era, I feel that we all need to know how to deal with controversy. Jesus dealt with it; from the time He started His Ministry until the Day He was crucified. Have you ever dealt with areas of life that caused a division among you and your friends, your spouse or your entire family? It’s difficult to be different, isn’t it? Lets deal with specifics of controversy. Controversy is a disagreement, or debate. Here is one that James dealt with ; James 2:2-4 For if there come into your synagogue ( church, place of worship) a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, and there come in also a poor man in vile ( loathsome, nasty, obnoxious, odious, base, degraded, foul, etc) clothing; and ye have regard (look upon, gaze at, have preference to, etc) to him that weareth the fine clothing, and say, Sit thou here in a good place; and ye say to the poor man, Stand thou there, or sit under my footstool; Do ye not make distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? These three verses are pretty self-explanatory aren’t they? Controversy starts with a difference of opinion, or a difference in policy. So you ask, “Where s the controversy here?” Its everywhere a poor man cant come into a church, to seek after God, dressed the way he is, maybe all he has are a pare of blue jeans and a clean shirt, some churches would stop Him at the door and refuse him entrance, Yes, its true, I’ve seen it. Have we gotten to the point that salvation is only for the best dressed or only for those that can afford it? Isn’t salvation a free gift from God? Have we become a Nation of judges, having evil thoughts? Maybe so, or maybe, we have lost sight of who we are in Christ. The end days are a negative time that needs to be addressed and opened up. If we are to endure and be faithful witnesses for Christ, we must bring out the worst of mankind to help others make a complex decision on their place in eternity. Dealing with controversy here is learning to deal with, church doctrine and making it line up with the word of God, instead of contradicting it. Hebrews 13:2-3 Forget not to show love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; them that are illtreated, as being yourselves also in the body. We have a responsibility to others that are in bondage as once we were, to help set them free, and those that are illtreated (abused, neglected), to suffer with them, showing compassion. Lets stop and think for a moment, has there ever been a time in your life that you’ve met someone, talked to him or her for a moment and turned around and they were gone from sight? Or you needed help along side the road, and all of a sudden someone was there? Have you ever passed by someone on the road and looked in your rear view mirror and couldn’t see them? Have you ever turned away someone away from the church because of the way they were dressed? Someone that may have been turned away from the church doors, could have been an angel. Now we all know the difference between vile raiment and just plain vulgar clothing, the latter must be stopped at the door and addressed. But to turn away some one because of a dress code or other doctrine, that, might I say, is contrary to sound doctrine, is very dangerous. Because of James 2:2-4 and Hebrews 13:2-3. Matthew 19:23-25And Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. (The Sadducee's and Pharisees, were fixed on or had an fixation on clothing and fine apparel, which became part of their downfall) And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye (a passage way, very narrow, that camels had to be unloaded to pass thru, on the trade route), than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved? Controversy, because something hadn’t been taught before makes it difficult for people to comprehend and understand. Sometimes people have been taught wrong for so long that they begin to take it as being right. Controversy on the salvation of the rich over the poor. Jesus was asking in His teachings, “Who among you have made the Rich better than the Poor as far as salvation, as far as sin, as far as condemnation, as far as the Law and as far as Gods love for each?” Matthew 19:30 But many shall be last that are first; and first that are last. Your status or station on earth will not be the status that you will receive in Heaven. {M.H.} There will be reversals; those rich on earth, but poor hereafter; those high in station, degraded hereafter; and the lowly on earth, exalted hereafter. The right man to follow any cause, be it what it will, is he who loves it well enough to fling to it everything he has in the world, and then think that not enough, and so fling himself after it. This last item often weighs down the scales in heaven, and the man gets what he gave himself for. This is where many controversies lie. Being exalted of ourselves here, self-righteousness, does nothing to change the destiny that is ours in the afterlife. Jesus once said of John the Baptist, Matthew 11:11 “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not arisen a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” This in itself, is a controversial, statement, because of mans pride wanting to be the best of everything. If the smallest in Heaven is to be greater than the greatest man born of woman, then where are we as man, not born the greatest of woman, going to stand? Humbleness is a virtue that we all need to work on. Our station in Heaven is only secure if we are obedient to the will of God. This does not take away from our rewards, for the labor that we have done in the name of the Gospel. It is only teaching that rich or poor there is no difference in the eyes of God. Want more proof, lets read a little more in Matthew. Matthew 20:9-12 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a shilling. And when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received every man a shilling. And when they received it, they murmured against the householder, saying, These last have spent but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat. Who has made us higher than God, who has made us judges of what is right and wrong? Who among us can tell God who deserves what type of reward? Mat 20:15-16 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Or is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last. When we start thinking that we are better than others, then we inter into sin. Controversy is not just the sins of the flesh but also sins of the mind. Matthew 5:27-28 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. John 6:53-60 Jesus therefore said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have not life in yourselves. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life: and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he that eateth me, he also shall live because of me. This is the bread which came down out of heaven: not as the fathers ate, and died; he that eateth this bread shall live for ever. These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Many therefore of his disciples, when they heard this, said, this is a hard saying; who can hear it? Speaking things contrary to popular beliefs brings forth controversy and debate. Speaking of controversy, Jesus opened the eyes of the religious community, by telling them; it’s not only the sins of the flesh that you have to worry about but also the sins of the mind. What is controversy? Jesus is. Jesus was and is, the most controversial man in history. What other man do you know in history, ever took 12 unimpressive men and turned the world upside down. Jesus took controversy and changed this world forever. Believing in Jesus and the Gospel has always been controversial; it is not for us as believers to deal with controversy but just the opposite. It’s the world of unbelief that has to deal with Jesus. Religion and worldly laws must come to grips with the teachings of Jesus. God gave man, law and man failed to abide by them. All controversy stems from the righteous teachings of Jesus. Why? Because the teachings of Jesus allow for the inclusion of all man kind and not just a chosen few. Wars, rumors of wars, hate, strife, abortion, homosexuality, infighting among the church, pride, arrogants, etc, all come from resistance of the Gospel. 1Titus 1:8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully, Those who are unbelievers are lost due to their knowledge of carnal sin and must repent to have everlasting life. For where there is no law there is no knowledge of sin. Paul stated that he only knew sin by the knowledge of the law. The teachings, of Jesus, were and still are, so much more advanced than any other, and controversy is always around. He opens all the locked closets, turns on all the lights to brighten the dark places, reveals all the dirty laundry, tells all the hidden secrets and tells all the truths of your life, making them known to all the world, He lays all sins bare before the world, He makes the crooked straight, and the mountains flat, the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak. He humbles the mighty, and exalts the weak. He has made the impossible, possible, the wrongs, right and the united, divided. He came not to bring peace but a sword, not to bring adhesion but division, among nations, leaders and families. All the controversial issues of life, abortion, same sex marriages, homosexuality, politics, nation, church leadership, women’s rights, baptism of babies, ECT, all answered in the word. So then if all answers are given in the Scripture, why are we having such a hard time in coming together as one body, “Pride”. Answers are only as good as the ability of a person to accept them; otherwise they become only words on a page. You all know this next set of verses, lets get to the point. Mark 4:12-20, emphasis on Mark 4:19-20 and the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And those are they that were sown upon the good ground; such as hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold. We deal with controversy by dealing with Christ and the Word of God. Once we believe in Him that sent His Son to die for us, we no longer live or have to deal with controversy. As believers in Christ we have been made over comers by the word of God and by our testimony. All controversy stems from the Gospel, because it is contrary to the laws of man and mans idea of what life should be. Sin and unrighteousness are contradictions of the Gospel and result in controversy. Many don’t and will never believe in Jesus or God. Their lives are spent in trying to discredit the Gospel to justify their lifestyle. Dealing with controversy is as easy as praying. Cast all your cares on the Lord, for He cares for you. Ars   Dealing with Disappointment Philippians 4:11-4:21 Dealing with Disappointment. How did the people in the Bible and How do we deal with Disappointment? Philippians 4:11, Not that I speek in respect of want, for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am , therewith to be content. David and Saul and many others of the Old Testament when faced with disappointment, rent their clothes and put on sack cloth an dashes, in repentance to God for not only their sins but for the sins of the people of Israel. They cried and wept bitterly, prayed and made sacrifices. What is disappointment, Strong's Dictionary of Bible words, says it, to frustrate, to disesteem, to cease, neutralize. So what is it in our life? Sometimes its when we think that something is going to happen and it doesn't when you don't get the promotion that you've been waiting for, or the loan from the bank falls thru or when you always wanted to do something and the opportunity comes and everything looks great and you anticipation is at an all time high and suddenly something happens. Your back where you started from. Disappointment leads to depression and depression leads to lack of confidence and lack of confidence leads to low self esteem. How did Paul deal with this spirit, and yes ,its a spirit. If one action leads to another which brings torment, then its a spirit. Paul, after all that He had to go thru, finally realized that the only way to defeat this spirit, was to be content with whatsoever state that He was in. Ive been disappointed many times in my life, promotions that should have come to me was given to others that had less experience, bank loans, that should have went good, were denied, prayers that I knew that would be answered, weren't. But we can always go to scripture and find the answers. Philippians 4:6, Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. This doesn't mean that He will grant your request, but He will know your intent. Remember that sometimes the best answer from God on your prayers are NO. Verse 4 tells us to rejoice, in everything, rejoice. This is a good way to get rid of that disappointing spirit. Your not the first person that has had prayers not answered or been disappointed about how life has treated you. We've all been thru it, and we have all survived. Disappointment is one of the biggest causes of suicide in the world, because it leads to other things. We have to get a handle upon it and rebuke it, before it starts to grow. At times it will also cause you to stop going to church. When disappointment sets in, we start feeling sorry for ourselves and then we want the world to have a pity party for us. I refuse to have these spirits in my life and home. I tell others that have this spirit that visit me, I can help you but I'm not going to join in the pity party that this spirit wants. We then proceed to cast it out and then work on the rest. Did Jesus ever feel disappointment? Yes, but he knew how to deal with it. When the deciles couldn't cast out a demon from a child, Jesus rebuked them, How much longer must I suffer you. Bring the child to me. He rebuked the spirit and finished the work. And that is what we are supposed to do. Jesus has given us all an example of all situations and the means to deal with them. Lets look at Paul again as an example. Phil.cpt 4:12, I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound, every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Powerful statement, wasn't it? But we have to, as Christians, be able and willing to, share in the need of another that has a spirit of disappointment, to help bear one another's burdens. To be willing to say, Ive been there and know what your going thru, lets sit down and talk about it. Can you do that? I believe that you can. Lets get rid of disappointment as quickly as we can before it gets rid of us. ars. Dealing With Life John 11:9-11:10 Dealing with Life. A Bibles point of view. Part three How do we deal with the living, others and our selfs. Knowing how to deal with life is just as important as knowing how to deal with death. The life we lead on this earth, determines, how and where we spend eternity in the next life. Jesus said, that a man who believes on him ,even thou he be dead the same shall live again. He told us that he came to give life and to give it more abundantly. What is life? Life is a series of trial and error. A way of relating to our present exsistance, spirit,heart, mind, and soul, of being. Life is a period of time that has been given to us by God to reconcile ourselves to Him thru Jesus. There is none of us that ever asked to be born . We made no decisions about our parents, color, race, sex, geographical location, whether to be rich or poor. This is who we are. We may not have the education of others, or we may not even be whole, we may be handicapped, lame, halt, blind or deaf. But the exsistance that we have ,is what we have to work with. You nor I can change our features or physical status, but we can learn to adapt thru the grace of God. Most people that I have met, make their life decisions on experience or change in the economy, geographical location, government or religious regulations. But if we make our decisions based upon the Bible then we will endure this life much better. Dealing with life is being able to deal with decisions. Lets look at what Jesus says. John 11:9-10, .. Are there not 12 hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. Jesus was talking about decisions of life and how a man has two ways of dealing with them. We can make our life decisions based upon the light of day, where by we can see clearly to make our decisions by the word of God, or we can make them by the darkness of this worlds systems. Our lives are full of decisions, who we marry, jobs, education, clothes, food ,transportation, where we live and who we associate with. But if you notice , there is a lot of complaining in this life, you've heard it, time and time again. If a man comes to you complaining that he has no shoes, remind him of the man who has no feet. That is dealing with life. If a man comes complaining that the bread that he has is two days old, remind him of the children that have no bread at all. Church, there is coming a time where all your decisions on life will be made for you, government officials will enact laws governing everything about your life, right down to your religion. Its even possible for them to outlaw all religions to stop trouble between false religions and Christianity. Didn't Jesus say that, it was better to enter into life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into hell fire? Matthew 18:8-9. The apostle Paul stated that, He learned that whatever state that he was in, to therewith to be content. We have to learn to deal with whatever state that were in. To be content, if we cant be content with what we have, how church, can God bless us with something better? If God cant trust you with 1 dollar, how can he trust you with 2? Are you looking for a perfect life here on earth, well your not going to get it, so we all have to deal with the reality that Jesus came to give life but he didn't say here. He said that, My kingdom is not on this earth, if it were, wouldn't my disciples fight? This life is a dressing room, a staging ground, a stage, a training camp for something higher or lower depending on the decisions you make. We were born into this life for one reason only, it was for Gods good pleasure, and nothing else, can the clay tell the potter what it wants to be? No. So this is how we deal with life. We do the best we can with what God has given us and maby he will bless us with better, when we show him that we can take care of it. Remember these few things, some of the ways God answers prayer are these, 1.Yes. 2. No. 3. Maby ars. Dealing with Memories Romans 8:13-8:15 Dealing with Memory This message is part of the Dealing With Series. How do we as Christians deal with memories of the past, (good or bad)? What is a memory? The faculty of the mind by which it retains the knowledge of past events, or ideas, which are past. A distinction is made between memory and recollection. Memory retains past ideas without any, or with little effort; recollection implies an effort to recall ideas that are past. Is it an affliction at times? Yes. So then, what is an affliction? 1. A condition of pain, suffering, or distress, burden. 2. A cause of pain, suffering, or distress. Inflected forms: af·flict·ed, af·flict·ing, af·flicts To inflict grievous physical or mental suffering on, Middle English afflighten, from afflight, disturbed, frightened, from Latin afflictum, to cast down, to strike afflict, agonize, rack, torment, torture These verbs mean to bring great harm or suffering to someone: tortured by painful memories. Heb 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 1Co 4:17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. 1Ti 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 2Pe 1:15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. John 11:35 Jesus wept. To the unsaved, memories are primarily, recollections of past sins that were pleasurable and badges of conquests, the jobs that you beat others out of, the sexual encounter that went your way, the money you acquired by the loss of others, etc. But to the saved they are pricks to the soul and spirit. Many are hurtful and bring harm to the spirit of the individual. Heb 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; the word afflictions here represents, not physical only, but of mental anguish. The past of a Christian always bring to each a separate set of problems. Other Christians bring many of those problems on, Yes, I said other Christians, bringing up your past. Many of your friends that are still in the world will always bring up you’re past trying to get you to revert to the way you once were. They don’t understand what you have and wish only to have you back the way they remember you. Many times I’ve noticed, that people that are miserable with their life, wish to have everyone else just as miserable as they are, so they bring up your past to remind you of your faults. When this happens, the old memories start flowing, as a river, not to refreshen you but to drown you in you’re past faults. The types of memories depend upon the individual. Satan knows your past and will use the most painful to cause you loss of sleep, loss of concentration and confusion in your daily walk with God. Do you have, Bad dreams, nightmares, dreams that once brought you pleasure that you thought were gone, are you happily married and still have recollections of lost loves of your youth? Do you sometimes have doubts about the choices that you made in the past? If you said yes to any of these, these are the things that the Bible says are fights of afflictions. After ye were illuminated, most of your memories never affected you until after you were saved, true of false? There are good memories and bad. The good memories are those of departed loved ones, happy times as a child, accomplishments you’ve attained, etc. These are no burden to you and Satan will not bother with them. The ones he uses are those that we have discussed before. Do all men have memories? Yes, even Jesus had memories of past events, not as the Son of God only, but also as the Son of Man. John 11:35 Jesus wept. The shortest verse in scripture but one that reveals a lot. Why did Jesus cry? His friend Lazarus had died, when Jesus was confronted with the reality of the passing, sometimes memories are invoked by the, confrontation of reality in this life. The memories Jesus had, of his friend, came flooding back to him and he wept. These were good memories. Now how can I say this about Jesus and memory? Remember that Jesus had prior knowledge of the death of Lazarus and the scripture doesn’t state that Jesus cried after telling the disciples that Lazarus had died. The actual burden never came upon Jesus until after the memories came to Him, until after He came, face to face, with the reality of death itself of a loved one. Think of this for a moment and you will understand. What makes us cry when a loved one passes away? Not only the actual death itself but the memories of them and the knowledge that there will be no more contact with them. An end to future good times and bad, an end to plans, hopes and dreams of better times ahead, a parting of spirits never to reunite in this life. Of all the funerals that I have attended, the main subject upon everyone’s mind was, memories. But what about the bad memories that cause torment? These are not of God. God does not bring torment to His children, so we have to look at the source of this burden. Satan and his demons (aka) evil spirits are the source. How then do we deal with this? Different means are and can be used in relieving torment. Recognition, Revitalization and Rebuking. 1. Recognition. Recognizing a good memory from a bad one. Knowing weather a memory is from God or Satan, otherwise as the scripture states, discerning of spirits [1Co 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits;], those that are of God and those that are of Satan. This is one of the spiritual gifts. Once we recognize that the spirit we are dealing with is from Satan then we know how to contend with it. 2.Revitalization. Renewing your faith in God. Faith plays an important part in dealing with the past and its memories. Knowing that God no longer remembers your past nor does He remember your sins of the past. Many may disagree at this next point but I want to bring it forward for discussion. If a memory of a past sin haunts you and brings you torment, many people try to ask God to help you with it. But, remember, that when God forgave you of your sins, He forgave you of all not just some. So when you bring up a past sin to God, He has no memory of it. The Father has no idea what you are speaking of. Psa 103:12, As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Reference; Psa_50:1, Psa_113:3; Isa_45:6 Isa_43:25; Jer_31:34, Jer_50:20; Mic_7:18; Heb_10:2; 1Jo_1:7 3. Rebuking. Tit 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. What is to rebuke? In Scripture, chastisement; punishment; affliction for the purpose of restraint and correction. Ezek 5. To check or restrain. We must restrain or check these spirits that bring upon us bad memories. How you may ask? First by recognizing the spirit and calling it out by name. Each spirit of Satan has a name, such as, spirit of; evil, Legion (many), heartache, sickness (various), unclean thoughts, depression, anxiety, nightmares, lust, greed, hate, bondage, confrontation, ECT. In the following verse, the Lord calls the spirit out by name. The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan. Zec 3. Isa 17. Act 19:15-16 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; Rom 8:26 Likewise the spirit also helpeth our infirmities: So you can see thru these examples, that we must take control of these spirits, rebuking them and restraining them from using our memories from harming us. Our memories are just fragments of our past, some of them are of failures in life and others are accomplishments, we have to discern which and control them. God has given us power over all the enemy, and we must learn to use it effectively. Remember you can’t change the past, and even if you could ask yourself, “ would I want to? “ Sometimes the things you want are not necessarily the things that you need. Ars. Dealing with Terror Isaiah 8:12-8:13 How do we as Christians deal with terror? Terror has been an effective tool of Satan from the beginning and He will continue to use it until Christ does away with it. Terror is a spirit and if left unchecked will destroy a mans faith in Gods promises. From Vietnam, Racial discord and the Cold War, we have been dealing with terror on our own terms. Viet Nam was a terror in a distant land; we knew where the front line was and whom the enemy was. By, The Grace of God, we overcame racial Discord and predigest. . The Cold war, we knew who our enemies were and it was dealt with by prayer and persistence. Our greatest threat today is September 11th.Fighting a cowardly enemy who knows neither decency nor boundaries to murder. An army with no face nor uniform, no rules of conduct or set country. The enemy here is religion, false religion. It has come in as a thief, to steal souls and lives of the innocent. The basis for their terror is found in the Koran;” The Guilty may be killed”, and who are the guilty according to Mohamed? Any one who is not Muslim. Christians around the world are being martyred every single day, beheadings are on the increase, bombings, imprisonment, rape and abductions are common practices for the anti-Christian nations. We should and must be able to defend our religion with meekness, in the fear of God. There is no room for any other fears where this great fear is; it disturbs not. The Fear of the Lord should be our only concern, for Christ said,” Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” The conscience (principles or the sense of right and wrong) is good, when it does its office well. But when the conscious deters from its intended purpose it brings forth death (spiritual and physical) and sin and all manner of abominations. Lacking truth and wisdom in God. In the case of our Lord’s suffering, he that knew no sin, suffered instead of those who knew no righteousness. The spirit of terror has no righteousness within itself; it has no shame and no love for mankind. Terror wishes to destroy the spirit of the people and bring them into bondage. If terror is allowed to accomplish its mission we as Christians are in bondage to it and not to the freedom that we have in God. Who is stronger, man or God? If you suffer the anxiety of terror you must renew you strength in God by renewing your Fear of God and your Joy in Him. Rom 13:3 for rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 2Co 5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. 1Pe 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; Lets look a little closer at, 1st Peter 3; 14; For righteousness, "not the suffering, but the cause for which one suffers, makes the martyr" [AUGUSTINE]. Augustine was indicating that the suffering of Jesus was not for the suffering itself, which was in the flesh, but the suffering was for the cause of righteousness and our salvation. Without a cause, suffering is pointless. Many today are suffering for the cause of Christianity this makes them martyrs for God and the Gospel. Happy, Not even can suffering take away your blessedness, but rather promotes it. Terror cannot take away your blessedness or salvation unless you allow it to. Our suffering, again, must have a purpose or we suffer for nothing. Our safety is based on the Power of God and His Grace and not on the things that man can do. 2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Heb 11:34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. We are made strong thru our weakness and terror is overcome by our strength in our faith. If man kills the body there is no more that he can do. This body must return back to the dust of the earth but the soul will live forever. 2Co 13:4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. Jesus dealt with terror or should I say the spirit of terror, in the garden of Gethsemane and on the cross. Mat 26:38-39 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Overcoming terror for Jesus was accomplished by Joy, “for the Joy set before Him, endured the Cross, Despising the shame.” Joy overcomes terror and grief. The Joy of the Lord is my strength, my stay and my salvation; with the Joy of God we are over-comers of this world and its terror. Does not the scripture say that we are more than conquers? Jesus dealt with and overcame every spirit that we deal with today, we can do no less than our savior did, and we also must overcome. Look at Revelations, Jesus spoke of “He that Overcometh.” And the overcoming of terror is thru and by the Word of God, knowing that if we are martyred for the cause of the Gospel, we are assured of Life everlasting in the arms of the Almighty. And--Greek, "but." Do not impair (damage or weaken) your blessing (1Pe 3:9) by fearing man’s terror in your times of adversity. Literally, "Be not terrified with their terror," that is, with that which they try to strike into you, and which strikes them when in adversity. This verse and 1Pe 3:15 is quoted from Isa 8:12-13. God alone is to be feared; he that fears God has none else to fear. God alone is to be feared, knowledge begins with the fear of God. Not a physical fear but a reverent fear, there is a difference. Neither be troubled--the threat of the law, Lev 26:36; Deut 28:65-66; in contrast to which the Gospel gives the believer a heart assured of God’s favor, and therefore unruffled, amidst all adversities. Not only be not afraid, but also be not even agitated. When you hear or see signs of terror, take it with stride, understand the cause and be not afraid. Terror always has a cause and understanding it and facing it will relieve the fear of it. I pray that this message will strengthen your resolve to endure and to strengthen your faith. We are never alone; Jesus promised that He would always be with you even until the end of the world. Ars. Dealing with the Past 1 Corinthians 13:10-13:12 There are many things that we as Christians have to deal with, when we give our life to Christ. One of these things is our past life, before we were changed into a new creature. As we grow in Jesus we start to expand our testimony to those that we use to know, hoping to get them to join in the family of God. But as we prepare our testimony and present our case to them, they always bring up our past and Satan tries to defeat us with it. So how do we deal with our past? Lets get some scripture and start to learn about, Dealing with the Past. Romans 8:6-7. We’ve all at one time or another ,been hurt, by those that bring up our past as if we were still living it. The scripture tells us that we all at one time were unruly. Most people that are miserable with their lives, want to make others, just as miserable as they are. This seems to be a way of forgetting their failures in life and passing the hurt to someone else. Consequently, they bring up your past, to help themselves to feel better about their failures in life. They don’t count the consequences of the hurt that they will cause you, and believe me ,it does hurt, especially when you’ve fought for a long time to forgive yourself for your mistakes. yes ,you do have to forgive yourself also. When Jesus forgives, He and God no longer remember what you’ve done, but you also have to forgive and forget,for, yourself. Romans 8:33, Who shall lay anything to the charge of Gods elect ? It is God that justifieth. Who are these people that condemn you,for your past, we are and all have been unruly. Christ made the sacrifice for us, He paid the debt, He did not owe, so it is to Him weather to forgive and judge, and not others. Just remember, when Satan reminds you of your past, remind him of his future. Rebuke these spirits that torment you, and yes these are spirits that bring up your past, because torment is not of God. There is a lot about mans ignorance that shows thru when they remember your past, but we must be willing to deal with it, to be a good witness for Jesus. Showing them that, the sins of the past are forgiven and the sins of the future are hidden under the blood, for a Christian will not sin willfully. For we as, reborn creatures ,can no longer live in sin, for we are of the seed of God. John 8:6-7, 1Corinthians 13:10-12, and many others tell us us people that will bring up the past to hurt or justify their anger at situations that they cant control. 1st Corin., 13:10 speaks of ,”But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. “ Dreams, visions, etc, will come and go, but to end, the way to deal with the past is to, rebuke the spirit of torment, calling it by name. Remember to bind on earth, is to bind in Heaven. Call these spirits by name ,rebuking them in the name of Jesus, believing that they will no longer bother you and ,forgive yourself as Christ has forgiven you. Paul said, “let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of dead works, unto repentance.” Read the scriptures and understand, what God has forgiven, He no longer remembers. We serve God not man. ars. Dealing with Heart Disease. There are two different types of Heart Disease, the disease of the flesh and the disease of the spirit. For a moment I would like to talk to you about the Heart Disease of the flesh. In 1999 I had a massive heart attack, in fact I had three. On the first one I was pronounced dead by a Doctor from a prestigious Hospital. God in His mercy raised me up to continue my ministry, but He also allowed my body to maintain the Disease. I understand what many go thru when their hearts fail them. I know the pain and sometimes the despair that follows the attack. Fear wasn't with me but was rebuked. I was ready to leave this world and be with my Saviour. Living with this disease is sometimes difficult because the symptoms don't show outwardly. Have you ever heard people say, ” I don't see a thing wrong with you.?” I have. Heart disease is a silent killer that gives little or no warning just as Cancer. There sometimes is no outward sign that a person has the disease. I have experienced, nights without sleep, pains that come and go and depression that I have to rebuke. Yes, ministers also are attacked by Satan. I know how it affects family and friends. Many friends walk away from you, because they don't want to deal with it. The best friend I have is my wife Juanita. She is always there with words of encouragement and comfort. This reminds me of the times Jesus sent out the disciples by twos, one would be able to lean on the other and help each other. Thats how I feel about my wife, she is my best friend. To be able to live with this debilitating Disease, I turned to the Bible for my answers, the first question I had for God was, 1. Why Me? The answer I received was, 1Pe 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. But the most surprising of His answers was, ”Why Not You, My Son also had to suffer.” I accepted these answers and went on. 2. How will I continue on with my ministry? 1Co 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 2Co 8:7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. The key word here was grace. His Grace would be sufficient for me to continue in His path. Unlike the Scientologist, I accepted the help of my doctors, took my medication, blessed each pill by the grace of God and trusted in Him. I don't think about dieing, for its up to the Lord. I learned one thing real fast, I have no control over my time to die, so why worry about it. The Joy of the Lord is my strength. The best example that God showed me was the life of Job. Job 1:6-12 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. So I put myself in Jobs shoes. Satan have you considered my servant Anthony? So put yourself in Jobs shoes. Satan have you considered my servant ..................? To live with Heart disease, 1. Live. Don't let the disease rule you. 2. Grace. Let Gods grace fill you with understanding of why you. For God Grace is sufficient. 3. Faith. Let your faith in God deliver you thru all the pain and suffering that you go thru. 4. Believe. Believe that God has a reason that you are allowed to be inflicted. 5. Show. Show the world what your God can do. 6. Witness. Be a witness to His majesty and Power. 7. Rebuke. Rebuke the spirit of infirmity. 8. Stand. Stand, and when you've done all, stand on Gods word. 9. Don't Fear. Don't fear or fret about the body but consider the soul and the one who has power over body and soul. 10. Read. Read Gods word daily, it comforts the Body, Mind and Soul. Remember this one thing, Prayer isn't automatic. Many Christians believe that God will answer all prayers because of the statement by Christ. Mat 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. This statement has a condition that goes along with it, ”If it be Gods Will !” Mat 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Praying in the will of God is important,” not as I will, but as thou wilt.” Luke 21:25-26 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Now to the Spirit. Rev 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. Mans heart is a complex thing not just in the flesh but especially in the spirit. Man has come from the creation of God in His image to a creature that is being killed in spirit by the cancer that has taken over this world. I just want to share with you a letter that I received today from a good friend of mine. “Dear Brother Smith, It has been a long time you never heard from me, an incident occurred that completely took me off my feet. My wife was shot by armed robbers on September 10th, over $30,000 collected from her as she was working on her new clinic site, 8 bullets has so far been removed from her head, the rib's were broken by bullets and the right leg. She will be injected for 28days and no one is permitted to see her during these period. Brother it's a tormenting period for me, help me in prayers please. Bishop Dr. Joseph Rankin” This world is dieing. Many are calling for peace, but peace is unattainable in this life. Prostitution, Homo-sexuality, Rape, Murder, Theft, Unrighteousness, war, rumors of war, Earthquakes, Floods, Fires, And man still fails to repent or to see the signs of the times. There are many that say that they belong to God, but which god do they belong to. John 8:44-47, Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. The cancer of mans spirit is growing each and every day. Many worldwide are calling for an alliance of Christian, Judaism and Islam, to bring about world peace and prosperity. They want to join all three under one universal name. But there can only be two that can align themselves together, Judaism and Christianity, for the Jews and Christians are brothers. All other, so called religions that denigh the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are not of God but of that spiritual cancer. You cannot make an alliance with the Devil. His promises to you are worthless and misleading. Death and destruction are in the paths of man, for he knows not the God of our fathers. Rejection has become the norm around the world. Many are ignoring the signs of the times, many are being cautious stating that the things that have are are going to happen are fulfillment of prophecy. The cancer in man has blinded him from the truth. He no longer sees the suffering of others, he no longer sees the signs of the times, the signs in the heavens, the signs in the earth and the signs on the earth. Hell enlarges its boarders daily and is never full. Man is on a course that puts him in the number that will have not only one death but will die a second time. Heb 3:10-12, Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 1Jo 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. Apostasy; An abandonment of what one has professed; a total desertion, or departure from one's faith or religion. Rev 18:7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. 2Pe 2:14-22; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. Apostasy; An abandonment of God for the lust of the flesh, power, corruption, instability, hypocrites all. Lost and dieing without hope of a resurrection in Glory. Falling as a tree in the woods with no sound to be heard, falling with cancer without any truth within them. False teachers, false preachers, false prophets, without understanding, without knowledge, without wisdom. As a tree falls, so shall it be raised. My words are nothing compared to the words of God. ars Dealing with Divorce. Many divorces happen because of an unequal alliance. A joining of two, separately dividing, different people. Many times its a matter of rich and poor, Immaturity, educated and uneducated, Christian and non-Christian. But most of the time, its a joining of two different people, out of the will of God. Marriages made by lust, convenience, and popularity. In most of the instances I've seen and councled, its a matter of, abuse and adultery, and or, childish lust that gives way to an act that is not justified. The joining of two different people, is what God warns of being unequally yoked together. There is no reason nor cause for abuse in any form, mental or physical, for this is a violation of the Laws of God and man. This is a violation of the Gospel, and will be dealt with by God. Eph 5:28-29; So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: The sins of Adultery. Pro 5:18-20; Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished(delighted to ecstasy.) with a strange woman,(A woman, not your wife.) and embrace the bosom of a stranger? These sins of man are equal to the same sins created by the woman, having a relationship with a man, not her husband. JFB. States of this; unequally yoked — “yoked with one alien in spirit.” The image is from the symbolical precept of the law (Lev_19:19), “Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind”; or the precept (Deu_22:10), “Thou shalt not plough with an ox and an ass together.” Compare Deu_7:3, forbidding marriages with the heathen; also 1Co_7:39. The believer and unbeliever are utterly heterogeneous. Too close intercourse with unbelievers in other relations also is included (2Co_6:16; 1Co_8:10; 1Co_10:14). A marriage of people that haven't grown up and still think as a child. Many times its the parents that cause a division between the wife and husband and often it's just childishness that is the cause. 1Co 7:15 - if ... depart — that is, wishes for separation. Translate, “separateth himself”: offended with her Christianity, and refusing to live with her unless she renounce it. brother or a sister is not under bondage — is not bound to renounce the faith for the sake of retaining her unbelieving husband [Hammond]. Deu_13:6; Mat_10:35-37; Luk_14:26. The believer does not lie under the same obligation in the case of a union with an unbeliever, as in the case of one with a believer. In the former case he is not bound not to separate, if the unbeliever separate or “depart,” in the latter nothing but “fornication” justifies separation [Photius in Aecumenius]. but God hath called us to peace — Our Christian calling is one that tends to “peace” (Rom_12:18), not quarreling; therefore the believer should not ordinarily depart from the unbelieving consort (1Co_7:12-14), on the one hand; and on the other, in the exceptional case of the unbeliever desiring to depart, the believer is not bound to force the other party to stay in a state of continual discord (Mat_5:32). Better still it would be not to enter into such unequal alliances at all (1Co_7:40; 2Co_6:14).(Clark.) bill of divorce — literally, “a writing of cuttings off.” The plural implies the completeness of the severance. The use of this metaphor here, as in the former discourse (Jer_3:1), implies a close connection between the discourses. The epithets are characteristic; Israel “apostate” (as the Hebrew for “backsliding” is better rendered); Judah, not as yet utterly apostate, but treacherous or faithless. jfb Jer 3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also. 1Co 7:9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. 1Co 7:28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you. Mat 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. The sins of some churches. 1Ti 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 1Co 7:15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.1Co 7:15 - But if the unbelieving depart - If they choose to leave you. Let him depart - You cannot prevent it, and you are to submit to it patiently, and bear it as a Christian. brns. Divorce does not mean the end of ones ability to love or remarry, if they chose to do so. We cannot condemn the divorce for abiding to the word of God and Jesus, concerning divorce. If the circumstances arise, then we must not condemn ourselves, for if the individual does all to reconcile to the other and is refused, then the person is not bound any more but has retain peace between them and God. In these cases, do not try to bear the burden of blame or fault with yourself, this is self condemnation. Those that are not saved, the laws of God are not in force with them, for the carnal mind is not subject to the law of God. Proof? Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Jfb. In such a state of mind there neither is nor can be the least subjection to the law of God. The reason here is explained, that, a person, an unbeliever is not, or will not, be bound to the laws of God and will do as he or she desires to do. There by, being not subject to the Laws of God. This is where many say that a person being married in or as sinners, after divorce, cannot remarry. This is untrue, for being out in sin, and then being saved, God no longer remembers the sins of their past. In so that a person can remarry and still be in the will of God, without a judgment being leveled against that person. This is not to say that they are not bound by the plan of salvation, for all will give an answer for their actions. Fornication; 1. The incontinence or lewdness of unmarried persons, male or female; also, the criminal conversation of a married man with an unmarried woman. 2. Adultery. Mat 5. 3. Incest. 1 Cor 5. 4. Idolatry; a forsaking of the true God, and worshipping of idols. 5.conjugal infidelity 2 Chr 21. Rev 19. ars. Gen_2:23, Gen_2:24, Gen_24:67; Pro_5:18, Pro_5:19; Ecc_9:9; Mal_2:14-16; Luk_14:26; Eph_5:25, Eph_5:28, Eph_5:29, Eph_5:33; 1Pe_3:7 Dealing with Sex. pt.1. This message is not to show what sexual sins are but rather what the Bible teaches about it. The thing about this subject is that many, so called religious ministers and organizations, are teaching the wrong message. These next 5 are the basic sins of sex. Fornication 1. The incontinence or lewdness of unmarried persons, male or female; also, the criminal conversation of a married man with an unmarried woman, having sex between the same gender. 2. Adultery. Mat 5. 3. Incest. 1 Cor 5. 4. Idolatry; a forsaking of the true God, and worshipping of idols. 5. Animal Husbandry. Lev 18:23 Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion. Lev 20:16 And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. The Bible is full of beautiful passages concerning, love and sex between a man and a woman, and curses on those that disregard Gods intent for sexual relations. The first verse we will look at is; 1Pe 3:7. “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” The husband to stay within the good graces of God must; 1. Be in Knowledge of a relationship with a woman. “dwell with them according to knowledge.” Where does this knowledge come from? The Bible and the parents instruction. If a child is raised according to the Law of Grace, and shows their Children a loving relationship between the two, then their children shall grow up in the same manner, fearing God. 2. Respect. “giving honour unto the wife” as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life. The woman is the weaker of the two. 3. Why these commandments to the husband? “that your prayers be not hindered.” A husband out of the will of God, concerning his wife, will have his prayers hindered as a transgression on his part. These commandments are for the believer and not unto an unbeliever. Why? For the unbeliever has a carnal mind and a carnal mind is not subject to the Law of God and neither can be. 1Co 7:2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. The Bible doesn't say, Life Partner nor Mate. 2 Chr 21. Rev 19. 1Co 7:2 - to avoid: 1Co_7:9, 1Co_6:18; Pro_5:18, Pro_5:19; 1Ti_4:3 In this message we are going to look at the Book of Proverbs. Pro 5:2-5; That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge. (“Discretion”; Prudence, or knowledge and prudence; that discernment which enables a person to judge critically of what is correct and proper, united with caution, knowing who is his and who is not, making a sound judgment.) For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: (We see here a woman, with alternative thoughts, will try to be seductive to a man. This type of woman is pleasant to the eyes and lusting to the senses. Her mouth brings forth many a seductive sound and words that will try to lead a man, unlearned in the word of Knowledge, away from his wife. But her end is bitter as wormwood(Poison.), sharp as a twoedged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell. (She has a life style that will lead more than one man astray, and her destiny if bitter judgment.) Pro 5:6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them. Brns.;The words describe with a terrible vividness the state of heart and soul which prostitution brings upon its victims; the reckless blindness that will not think, tottering on the abyss, yet loud in its defiant mirth, ignoring the dreadful future. Prostitution is not a victim less act, but an act of destruction of body, mind and family. A prostitute is not only a woman selling her body on the street but also a woman that desires to disrupt another womans life, stealing affections from the other womans husband, without any regard of any consequences. The best advice that I see here in Proverbs is this next verse; Pro 5:15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well. 1.“Drink waters out of thine own cistern” From your own wife. 2.“running waters out of thine own well.” Happiness, Fulfillment and Satisfaction, from your own wifes body. Pro 5:17-23; Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee. 1.Your own Wife. The repetitiveness of this Idea is to instill in a man that strange flesh, strange women, not your own wife, is a transgression of the Laws of God, concerning man. When a idea is repeated more than once it is stating a great importance upon that subject. End part 1. ars Dealing with Sex. pt.2.. Dealing With Sex. pt. 2. Pro 5:17-22; Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee. Here we see the blessedness of marriage; “Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. (Fountain; your rain of life.) Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished(delighted to ecstasy.) always with her love. (“Hind”; gentleness, Pro.5:19, feminine modesty, Son.2:7; Son.3:5) (“roe”, Slender, graceful, shy, and timid; the image of feminine loveliness (Son.4:5; Son.2:9; Son.2:17; Son.8:14). The eye is large, soft, liquid, languishing, and of deepest black; image of swift footedness (2Sa.1:19; 2Sa.2:18; 1Ch.12:8). Pro 5:19 - jfb; loving ... roe — other figures for a wife from the well-known beauty of these animals. breasts — (Compare Son_1:13; Eze_23:3, Eze_23:8). ravished — literally, “intoxicated,” that is, fully satisfied. A man, who being in the will of God, shall be please with his wife, and have no other to desire after. Sex is an important part of a marriage, but the spiritual side is also important to maintain. The Lord stated that, That which is flesh is flesh and that which is spirit is spirit. To have a successful relationship between husband and wife, it must contain both physical submission and spiritual guidance thru knowledge. Sex was established by God to populate the earth and to make a pleasant relationship between husband and wife, anything out side of this type of union is vulgar and sinful. Man has taken a beautiful thing as love between a man and a woman and made it something that is hidden. He has taken sex and made it into something that is repulsive to many. The relationship between a man and a woman, is an teaching relationship that shows us the relationship that God desires from us, it shows Gods desire to have that same relationship between Him and The Children of Israel. God is showing us thru His word, 2 separate things, a relationship between husband and wife and a relationship between Christ and the Church. to her: Rev_3:4, Rev_3:5, Rev_3:18; Psa_45:13, Psa_45:14; Isa_61:10; Eze_16:10; Mat_22:12; Rom_3:22; Rom_13:14; Eph_5:26, Eph_5:27. Rev 19:7-9; Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? (Will you become a whore to another?) For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.(God knows all that each man does in this life.) His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.(Mans sins shall destroy him because it is the man that comitts such things that are contrary to sound judgment.) Lets read some beautiful passages of Love in, The Song of Solomon; Son 1:10-17; Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold. We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver. While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof. A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts. My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi. Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes. Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green. The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir.end pt. 2. ars. Son 1:8 - O thou: Son_1:15, Son_2:10, Son_4:1, Son_4:7, Son_4:10, Son_5:9, Son_6:1, Son_6:4-10, Son_7:1-13; Psa_16:3, Psa_45:11, Psa_45:13; Eph_5:27; Rev_19:7, Rev_19:8 Dealing with Sex. pt.3. Dealing with Sex. 3. In this conclusion message, we see that a sexual relationship between a married couple is ordained by God. This relationship may have problems later on in life. These problems do not occur because of a love relationship is lost but rather a loss of ability of the body. We must look at 1Co 7:5; “Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.” The key words in 1Co 7:5, “with consent”. Maintaining a sexual relationship is important in a relationship, but there comes times when a man and a woman become unable to preform these actions because of health or just age. We see this in the relationship between Abraham and Sarah. Gen 17:17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? Gen 18:12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? Brns. Gen 18:12 - Sarah laughed within herself - It was not a laughter of faith, like Abraham's, Gen_17:17, but a laughter of doubting and distrust. The great objection which Sarah could not get over was her age. I am waxed old, and past child - bearing in a course of nature, especially having been hitherto barren, and which magnifies the difficulty, My lord is old also. Observe here, That Sarah calls Abraham her lord, and the Holy Ghost takes notice of it to her honour, and recommends it to the imitation of all Christian wives, 1Pe_3:6. Sarah obeyed Abraham calling him lord, in token of respect and subjection. The statement in 1Co 7:5, is not a commandment but a suggestion from God thru the Apostle Paul. We say this because of what is stated afterwards; 1Co 7:6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. “by permission” brns. This word means “indulgence,” or “permission,” and stands opposed to that which is expressly enjoined; compare 1Co_7:25. “I am ‘allowed’ to say this; I have no express command on the subject; I give it as my opinion; I do not speak it directly under the influence of divine inspiration;” see 1Co_7:10, 1Co_7:25, 1Co_7:40. Paul here does not claim to be under inspiration in these directions which he specifics. But this is no argument against his inspiration in general, but rather the contrary. 1Co 7:6 - by: 1Co_7:12, 1Co_7:25; 2Co_8:8, 2Co_11:17 1Co 7:8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. The Apostle Paul was not married, but his advice for the married and unmarried are words from the Father, by permission, and not of commandment. 1Co 7:9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. “if they cannot contain” is speaking of a sexual relationship before marriage. “for it is better to marry than to burn.” Speaking of the desire of the flesh and also of the penalty of sex before marriage, fornication. 1Co 7:29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; 1Co 7:29, is speaking of the end days, where it will be all a man and a woman can do, to remained saved, to remain solely concentrated on God. Sex at this point and time for Christians will be a low priority, but rather their priority will be on worship. Mal 2:15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. Mal 2:16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously. Mal 2:17 Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment? Dealing with sex is a matter of wisdom and knowledge, in Gods word. We cannot continue to have random sex between, the unmarried and the fornication of same sex couples. We cannot accept these types of lifestyles, we cannot say that these things will be ok, or that they were born this way, for these are the lies of Satan. These things or should I say relationships, bring about, pain, heart ache, disease, trouble and damnation, for after sin is conceived it brings forth death. This world is coming to and end. God will accept you as you are, but He refuses to allow you to continue in the ways of sin. We deal with sex as a part of our very exsistance, ordained by God as a union between, a married, man and a woman. We can take the dirtiness of sex out, with instruction and education, we can remove the sexual sins by raising our children in the knowledge of Lord. In my opinion, we have almost lost an entire generation to lack of teaching, knowledge and instruction. We are losing many thru the, shows, books and commercials that bombard our nation and our children that state that all sex is ok. Accepting these lies will lead to damnation. Ars. If thou shalt confess. Romans 10:9-10. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. KNOWL'EDGE, n. nol'lej. 1. A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact; the perception of the connection and agreement, or disagreement and repugnancy of our ideas. We can have no knowledge of that which does not exist. God has a perfect knowledge of all his works. Human knowledge is very limited, and is mostly gained by observation and experience. 2. Learning; illumination of mind. Ignorance is the curse of God, knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven. Rom 10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. Knowledge of one faults and need of salvation is essential to confession to God. Knowledge of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for you is paramount in becoming a Christian. Many have a zeal for serving God but as the passage states, without Knowledge. Rom 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted(Surrendered; resigned; yielded; referred.) themselves unto the righteousness of God. In Rom 10:3, we see that, submission to the righteousness of God is the beginning of establishment of a covenant agreement between those that are lost and God. They say that confession is good for the soul, and they are correct. Then whom shall we confess our sins to, man or God? Fausset states that; Confession is desirable (1) In case of wrong done to a neighbor, Mat.18:15;(This is true, if we wrong a neighbor, we are to apologize and ask forgiveness for the transgression.) (2) To a Christian adviser, ordained or unordained, anyone who can apply God's written word suitably to one's need, and "pray for" and with one, James 5:16; Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. We are to pray for one another, weather it be between only 2 people or an entire congregation, for the prayers of many shall avail over any obstacle. (3) Open confession of any wrong done to the church, which has caused scandal to religion, in token of penitence. Not auricular: Mat. 3:6; Act. 19:18, "many confessed and shewed (openly, not in the ear of a priest under the seal of secrecy) their deeds." 2Co 6:3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed;. We are no longer bound by confession or giving offerings to the priest hood for our sins, which we as gentiles, were never added unto the law and by that, we were not subject to any law. Only the Jews were under the Law! As without law - Not practicing the special rites and ceremonies enjoined in the law of Moses. Not insisting on them, or urging them, but showing that the obligation to those rites had been done away; and that they were not binding, though when among the Jews I might still continue to observe them; see the notes at Acts 15; and the argument of Paul in Gal_2:11-18. I neglected the ceremonial precepts of the Mosaic law, when I was with those who had not heard of the law of Moses, or those who did not observe them, because I knew that the binding obligation of these ceremonial precepts had ceased. I did not, therefore, press them upon the Gentiles, nor did I superstitiously and publicly practice them. In all this, Paul has reference only to those things which he regarded as in themselves indifferent, and not a matter of conscience; and his purpose was not; needlessly to excite the prejudice or the opposition of the world. Nothing is ever gained by provoking opposition for the mere sake of opposition. Nothing tends more to hinder the gospel than that. In all things of conscience and truth a man should be firm, and should lose his life rather than abandon either; in all things of indifference, of mere custom, of prejudice, he should yield, and accommodate himself to the modes of thinking among people, and adapt himself to their views, feelings, and habits of life, that he may win them to Christ. BRNS. James 2:10 states about the Law; “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” 1Co 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. This is the gentile race of people, we had a law within ourselves. In Acts 8:37, we see the simplicity to this whole question; “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” By this confession, by knowledge of Jesus Christ, this man was Saved. We confess to God that, Jesus Christ is the Son of God. We repent of our sins and are Baptized. After that, being saved, if we sin, we confess our sins not to man but to God. We are in no need of anyone else to interseed for us, for we have a High Priest forever, that interseeds for us, Jesus Christ, our mediator. Our confession of being lost goes to God, our confessions of sin and transgressions goes to God thru Jesus Christ and we do not confess our sins to any priest for we are free from the Law. So again; “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”ars. tsk. That if: Rom_14:11; Mat_10:32, Mat_10:33; Luk_12:8; When Religions Collide. The Truth of the Gospel offends many religions in this world today, of compromise. Every one is trying to compromise on religion, salvation and life itself. Compromise was never in the intent of Gods plan of salvation. Compromise was never in the intent of Gods Word. Compromise brings about weakness, when it comes to the word of God, this will not be allowed. We do as our Lord commands, we do not compromise, but we are to reason together, one with another. Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. This reasoning is not compromising, but rather a closer look at problems and misunderstandings that sometimes comes between man and God. Many religions are very pleasant, friendly and agreeable, until confronted with the truth. Then they become offended and nasty. Not wanting to compromise on their religion, but all others. Jesus went thru this when He started His ministry. Mat 12:38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. Master, “Master,” when the translation of 'ādhōn, “ruler,” “lord” (Sir), often translated “lord,”“Rabboni,” Isa 41:21 Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. The word, “Hypocrites” is listed 20 times in the Bible. God knew that religion would be a great obstacle in conversion of the Lost. Religion is becoming a great disappointment in this, the end days of mankind. Job 15:34-35; For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery. They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit. Mat 15:7-9 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. BRNS;And he called the multitude - In opposition to the doctrines of the Pharisees, the Saviour took occasion to show them that the great source of pollution was the heart. They supposed that external things chiefly defiled a man. On this all their doctrines about purification were founded. This opinion of the Jews it was of great importance to correct. The Saviour took occasion, therefore, to direct the people to the true source of defilement - their own hearts. He particularly directed them to it as of importance - “Hear and understand.” In his answer he implied that his disciples were not bound to obey their traditions - they were invented by human beings. He said, also, that those traditions could not be binding, as they violated the commandments of God. . He proceeded to specify a case in which their tradition made void one of the plain laws of God; and if that was their character, then they could not blame him for not regarding them. Religions Collide when doctrines of man, additions to the scripture or deductions from the Gospel, become open to discussion. We all can recognize blatant disregard for the Gospel, but the ones that are causing the most controversy and trouble, are those that try to introduce doctrine and passages, not of God, slowly and unobtrusively. Mat 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. A man is defiled, when what he says is contrary to sound doctrine. Christians are not in the business to downgrade anyone, but on the contrary, Christians have 2 duties to God and their faith. 1. Defend the Gospel. And 2. Compel those that are lost to come to Jesus before its too late. Here is where religious beliefs Collide. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is pure and needs no other words to support it. Those that try to add to and take away from this Gospel, become the enemies of Christ and the enemies of His followers. These man made doctrines bring forth; evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness and blasphemies Mat 15:12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, (Offended by the Truth.)after they heard this saying? Mat 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant(doctrine, ministers, teachers, prophets), which my heavenly Father hath not planted(Sent.), shall be rooted up.(This speaking of the Pharisees and their doctrine.) Mat 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind.(Teachers of false doctrine and those that follow them.) And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.(Hell) Two different religious beliefs collided here, between the Truth of the Gospel and the laws of man Changed doctrine. The Mosaic Law was given to man by God, but man Changed the words, making the Law tainted. In other words, God gave us the key to unlock our soul from Sin and Satan, and those that reject Gods word as it is written, gives man a key but they also changed the lock so that the key doesn't fit. Mat 7:22-23; Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Wesley; Mat 7:22 - We have prophesied - We have declared the mysteries of thy kingdom, wrote books; preached excellent sermons: In thy name done many wonderful works - So that even the working of miracles is no proof that a man has saving faith. Brns; I never knew you - That is, I never approved of your conduct; never loved you; never regarded you as my friends. See Psa_1:6; 2Ti_2:19; 1Co_8:3. This proves that, with all their pretensions, they had never been true followers of Christ. Jesus will not then say to false prophets and false professors of religion that he had once known them and then rejected them; that they had been once Christians and then had fallen away; that they had been pardoned and then had apostatized but that he had never known them - they had never been true Christians. Whatever might have been their pretended joys, their raptures, their hopes, their self-confidence, their visions, their zeal, they had never been regarded by the Saviour as his true friends. The collision of the True Gospel and The False Doctrines of Man. Act 19:26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: Act 19:40 For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse. The collision of Religions will progressively get worse in this end times, all trying to confuse and entice with great swelling words of false hope and freedom. But all other religions offer false doctrines and keys to eternal damnation. Ars. Satan's Grip. Why Children Go Bad. To understand our children's fall from grace we must look at whom they serve. Many parents ask and even blame themselves,”What did I do wrong?” Parents do have a certain amount of responsibility to guide their children into the righteousness which is God, they must teach and explain, what salvation is, further more this must begin at a young age. But after you've done these things, forget about blaming yourself on the state of your children. We cannot make the decisions for them and we cant hold their hand forever. A child goes bad many times, by choice, per- pressure and a falling society. There comes a time in each child's life that they must choose their walk in life. Then you say, “Who's to Blame?” Its not really blame that we must look for but Circumstances that have surrounded them. Its easy to see the, cause and or circumstances, for our children to fall away from the teachings of their parents. Lets look at a few things before we get into the scripture. 1. The government, because of one woman, took God out of the class room. 2. The media has brought in sex and violence into the children's everyday life. 3. The Church has failed them because of so much Hypocrisy within its walls. 4. The entire education system has let the children down by not discouraging binge drinking, pre-marital sex and violence on campus. The emphasis is more on sports and less on education. Then who is this man our children follow? Let take a close look. Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Satan was a teacher in Heaven, an Archangel, a Spirit of Beauty and Light. But Jesus stated that Satan's fall was because of Pride. 2nd Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (Sometimes beauty kills.) Luke 22:31-32 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you ( Satan's desire is to cause the fall of anyone that will believe his lies. For He cannot return to the Kingdom of Heaven and will prevent as many as He can from doing so.) , that he may sift you as wheat (To tear into peaces.): But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (Prayer is the best defense against the wiles of the Devil.) When a name is repeated in the Bible it is a sign that the event will take place twice, it also signifies, love and also a warning, just as we did when our children were out side playing and were about to get themselves into trouble. The first is to get their attention and the second is a warning. Satan is trying to destroy all who will not listen to the warning. Lets look at 2nd Corinthians 2:11; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. Many times our children fall because they do not know how cunning Satan is, nor what devices he uses to intimidate and confuse. Satan's grip on not only our children but mankind today has grown because of lack of social integrity. Society in large has become uncaring and disinterested in God. Wars and rumors of wars. Society has taught of children that gain is more important than the soul. The social decline and Lack of reverence to God has caused this world to come into turmoil. When I was a child, my parents taught me about, right and wrong, Jesus and God, responsibility and patriotism. Thou it took me many years after leaving home to realize for myself that I was missing something in my life. I had it all but still felt empty. When the Holy Spirit reminded me of who Jesus was and I was converted, I found that that empty place in my Heart was gone. If you've taught your children about the Bible, the word will never leave them, its still there in their mind. Many times children fall because what they see their parents do, just because a parent does something wrong doesn't mean that the parent cant explain what he did wrong, why he did it and the consequences of their actions to their child to help prevent another wrong. If the parents live in sin, the child will believe this action is normal, so we must be careful how we live and what kind of example we give. Children go bad, basically, because of lack of leadership. 1. From the parents. 2. From the Schools and 3. From their minister. The Minister is the last line of defense for a child. A good minister, after trying all prayers, will do as Paul had to do to save those that were hard hearted. Lets read 1st Corinthians 5:5; “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” A minister that is well informed in the scriptures has the power to turn an individual over to Satan to teach the other side of life. And if this method doesn't work, He has no other recourse but to turn them over to God, to preform His will. 1Titus 1:20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. Society has taught teenagers that it is natural to have intercourse before marriage, it has taught them that getting pregnant and aborting the pregnancy is natural, it has taught them, having a baby hinders their fun in life (I.E. You can have the pleasure of sex but you don't have to accept the responsibility for it.) Ars. Killing God ! COLUMBUS, Ohio - A church that burned to the ground earlier month was deliberately set on fire, officials announced Wednesday. The fire took place on Feb. 10 at the Full Gospel Sons of God Church, located at 1200 Vera Place. BAGHDAD, Iraq - Assailants wearing uniforms detonated two bombs inside one of Iraq’s most revered Shiite shrines Wednesday, blowing the top off its landmark golden dome and spawning mass protests and reprisal attacks against dozens of Sunni mosques as leaders pleaded for calm. Alabama Burning; 6 Baptist Churches Burn to ground in the South. India News, 2006; India and Pakistan urged to build Nuclear weapons by U.S. Government. West Virginia; 2006; Another Baptist Church is burnt to the Ground, no arrest have been made. India 2006, Murder for Church Building was a frame. Apparently, members of the local Hindu nationalist political party advised the parents to dash their dead child's body against some rocks, breaking its bones. They then took the body to a doctor for a postmortem examination. Only after threats from the radical Hindus did the physician reluctantly file a false report, citing murder as the cause. Then the radicals advised the parents to file murder charges against Pastor Kasota and 10 other Believers Church members, including four other pastors, saying the murder was part of a plot to grab land for a church building. We have seen churches burned sense the early times of mans existence. Time after time, the ungodly take it upon themselves to try to change the course of mankind's involvement with God. Church buildings are not necessary to become involved with God and neither does it take one to become saved. Man today takes himself a little to seriously. The Buildings are considered an intricate part of their worship, prestige and notoriety. When you get people to donate $500.00 to buy a brick to place in a sidewalk, what you have is a $500.00 brick. God is not noted because of buildings nor any other structure that man can build but of His Awesome Power over creation. Before we go any further we must go to the scripture for Gods view on Buildings. 2Ch 6:18 But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built! God cannot be contained in any House, Temple nor Universe. God is not in the Building of Rock and Stone but He dwells within the Individual. There have been many that have tried to kill God by burning down the Temple or Church. Not realizing that God is from everlasting to everlasting. Hitler tried, Cos cove tried and now the Spirit of Anti-Christ is trying. Removing the building is not going to kill God but in fact will make peoples resolve to worship God the more greater. You can kill a body but you cannot kill a spirit. God is Spirit. Acts 7:49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Dwelleth: To kill you must find the victim. In Acts 7:49, we see that God has no one dwelling place. Wherever you find a believer, you will find God, wherever you are, The Mountains, The Valleys, The Rivers and Streams and the Oceans, you will find God. 1Co 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. For man to kill God he must also kill the people that believe in Him, not in the flesh but rather in the spirit. Here we see prophecy of the end times; Amos 9:10-12; All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us. In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this. And finally, Lets see what Jesus said about the most beautiful temple ever built by man for God, Solomon's Temple; Mat 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. Clark states of the destruction of the Temple; The temple was destroyed because of, 1st. Justly; because of the sins of the Jews. 2ndly. Mercifully; to take away from them the occasion of continuing in Judaism: and 3rdly. Mysteriously; to show that the ancient sacrifices were abolished, and that the whole Jewish economy was brought to an end, and the Christian dispensation introduced. If you remember your Bible Study, you should notice that Jesus was not upset with the knowledge that Solomon's temple would be destroyed. Even Jesus being the Son of God, was not upset about the destruction of a building, for He stated that, we were the stones, we were the Building, we were the Temple of the Most High God. A building is just a building, if Gods Spirit does not inhabit the building it is empty. Acts 15:16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: To kill God, man has tried everything that is imaginable, fire, stones, war, rumors of War, genocide and selective breading. Their efforts have come to nothing. You can kill an animal but you still cannot kill its spirit. You say,”Does even an animal have a spirit.?” Yes. The Bible clearly states that this is true. To kill God you must kill the memory of Him, the Sanctity of Him, The very Idea of Him. Many have tried and still fail. In James 4:2, we see how limited man is, how week and unlearned. How week is man that he should try to fight against God? “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.” Acts 5:39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. If mankind cannot even change the mind of God, change the prophecy's of God, nor change the will of God, he cannot kill God, but only quench the spirit of God in an uncontrolled setting. 1Th 5:19 Quench not the Spirit. In closing I wanted to add what Clark states of 1 Th.5:19; “The Holy Spirit is represented as a fire, because it is his province to enlighten and quicken the soul; and to purge, purify, and refine it. This Spirit is represented as being quenched when any act is done, word spoken, or temper indulged, contrary to its dictates. It is the Spirit of love, and therefore anger, malice, revenge, or any unkind or unholy temper, will quench it so that it will withdraw its influences; and then the heart is left in a state of hardness and darkness. It has been observed that fire may be quenched as well by heaping earth on it as by throwing water on it; and so the love of the world will as effectually grieve and quench the Spirit as any ordinary act of transgression. Every genuine Christian is made a partaker of the Spirit of God; and he who has not the spirit of Christ is none of his. It cannot be the miraculous gifts of the Spirit which the apostle means, for these were given to few, and not always; for even apostles could not work miracles when they pleased; but the direction in the text is general, and refers to a gift of which they were generally partakers.” ars. These References are extremely Important. 1Ki_9:7, 1Ki_9:8; Jer_26:18; Eze_7:20-22; Dan_9:26, Dan_9:27; Mic_3:12; Luk_19:44; 2Pe_3:11 Act_17:24, Act_17:25; 1Ki_8:27; 2Ch_2:5, 2Ch_2:6, 2Ch_6:18. as: Isa_66:1, Isa_66:2 The Prodical Son. Many look at the story of the Prodical Son as a contrast between two Brothers, one conservative and the other a non conformist, a rebel. But in essence it is way more than that. We can see many a lesson from this account. The first is between the Father and two different sons, the second is a conflict between God and two different religions, or should I say, interpretations. The View of the Gentiles (i.e. Christians.) and the other the Jewish House of Israel. (i.e. Gods Chosen People.) Now the third thing that we see here is the difference between the people of Israel, (The Poor and unlearned.) and the other the Pharisees.(The ruling class.) Luke 15:12 And the younger of them ( Barnes states;- By this younger son we are to understand the publicans and sinners to be represented. By the older, the Pharisees and scribes.) said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. (This was the separation of Lands between the twelve tribes of Israel. Historical Fact) Barnes was stating that the publicans and sinners, were rebellious because of the treatment that this class of people had gone thru. They were disillusioned with the religious right and wanted the freedom to seek God and their identity in other ways. This is historical fact, not only from the record books of the Isralies but from The Books of Moses. They found out later that the road to religious freedom required to be bought by a great price, that they were unable or unwilling to pay. Rejecting the Teaching that they had received from the Mosaic Law, these people became a target for Satan and the demons of Lust, Theft, Idolatry, Hunger, Depression and want, of things of the Body and those things of the Spirit. We still see this today in Israel, a separation of peoples, Brothers, divided only by religious differences but joined as one for preservation of a Nation. Now in contrast we see the Pharisees and scribes as a constant unmovable force that stayed with the Mosaic Law. Jesus was trying to teach that, If the people of Israel and the ruling Class of the Pharisees and the Temple Priest, could have come together and live as God had intended them to live, that there would have been no division between the two. The Eldest son, (The Religious Order.) Wanted everything for themselves. They said that they were loyal to the Law and The Prophets and Jesus was saying, “Why are you angry when your brothers come back to their senses and accept the rule and will of God?” Luke 15:17-27; And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare (Love. Remember Jesus stated that He was the Bread of Life.), and I perish with hunger! This is in reference to Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Righteousness at this time was missing from not only the House of Israel, (The people.) but also from The Temple, Priest, Pharisees, and Scribes. Need proof ? OK, lets look at Matthew 5:20; “For I (Jesus) say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees ( They practiced the Law in principle but not truly in Spirit. This is not to mean that there were none that were righteous but only a very few.) , ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.(Here, they had a form of religion, knowing the form and fashion of it, but none of the truth nor power of it.) Somewhere between the Prophets of Daniel, Isiaha and Ezekiel and Malachi the Righteousness of the Nation, as a whole, fell. I will arise and go to my father,( i.e. Return to the Law.), and will say, (Repent.) unto him,