http://thejesusnamechurch.zoomshare.com/4.shtml The Jesus Name Church: Blog Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:33:55 -0500 http://thejesusnamechurch.zoomshare.com/4.shtml/ce2ec5baa5c7d77e85a5540c5fa736dc_48b09e4d.writeback Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:33:33 -0500 Does it really matter what you believe concerning the Bible, who Jesus is, who the Father is, or the Holy Ghost (Spirit)? Can a person be sincere in their beliefs yet be deceived and lost? Yes, and God has given some guidelines to examining ourselves. Proverbs 14:12 "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." There is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4). He is the creator of heaven and earth, and of all living beings. He has revealed Himself to humanity as the Father (Creator), in the son (Savior), and as the Holy Ghost (indwelling Spirit). God is a Spirit (John 4:24). He is the Eternal One, the Creator of all things, and the Father of all humanity by creation. He is the First and the Last, and beside Him there is no God (Isaiah 44:6). There was no God formed before Him; neither shall be there any after Him (Isaiah 43:10). Jesus is the Son of God according to the flesh (Romans 1:3) and the very God Himself according to the Spirit (Matthew 1:23). Jesus is the Christ (Matthew 16:16); the creator of all things (Colossians 1:16-17); God with us (Matthew 1:23); God made flesh (John 1:1-14); God manifested in the flesh (I Timothy 3:16);He which was, which is, and which is to come, the Almighty (Revelation 1:8);the mighty God, everlasting Father, and Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus Himself testified of His identity as God when He said, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John 14:7-11) and "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30). It took shedding of blood for the remission of the sins of the world (Hebrews 9:22), but God the Father was a Spirit and had no blood to shed. Thus He prepared a body of flesh and blood (Hebrews 10:5)and came to earth as a man in order to save us, for in Isaiah 43:11 He said, "Beside me there is no Saviour." When He came in flesh the angels sang, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11). The Holy Ghost is not a third person in the Godhead, but rather the Spirit of God (the Creator), the Spirit of the resurrected Christ. The Holy Ghost comes to dwell in the hearts and lives of everyone who believes and obeys the gospel, as the comforter, Sustainer, and keeper (John 14:16- 26; Romans 8:9-11). http://thejesusnamechurch.zoomshare.com/4.shtml/a53a8219e98365be854b28a8a17b96e5_4871741f.writeback Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:40:47 -0500 If you are like most Americans you own a Bible. The Bible is one of the most widely owned books. Have you ever opened the cover and read inside? Sadly it is the least read book. There is no other book in existence that compares to the Bible. Many who do read the Bible on occasion still don't really study to see what it has to offer and teach them about God and his plan for them. I encourage you to open and look inside and really see what God is telling YOU! Remember that every word is divinely inspired, and God is ready to speak to you from the pages of the Bible. The Bible is our Textbook for life!!! http://thejesusnamechurch.zoomshare.com/4.shtml/da24ce237ca92b6188ecc2b56c7aa555_482283c3.writeback Wed, 07 May 2008 23:38:27 -0500 Itching ears is a phrase used in the Bible to describe a person who looks for messages that please them and their standard of living, as opposed to searching for the truth that might make them uncomfortable. 2 Timothy 4:3-4: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (KJV) Paul is telling Timothy to always preach the truth but cautioning him that those who hear him will not always receive the truth. We sing and read and preach about grace, but too often, our talk about grace is simply another method of protecting our self- righteousness. The preaching we love to listen to may be truth-filled and Bible-centered, but if it only points out the problems of everyone else in the world, it misses its target. We love to sit in the pew and think the preacher is preaching to someone else. If we are not careful we will get the attitude that everything we do is like Baby Bear's porridge , rocking chair and bed...JUST RIGHT! Our ears are tickled when we ear a sermon that never makes us uneasy. Our hearts are unchanged when we listen to a sermon that never gets us to think, or feel uneasy about our destiny. Matthew 18:11-18 : For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Be careful about listening when a message is being given in your presence that you don't neglect it and become as an heathen. A heathen is an unconverted member of a people or nation that does not acknowledge the God of the Bible. Proverb 3:5-6: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be careful that you are listening to God and not leaning upon what feels right to you because it is the easy way out, or it doesn't make us have to change the way we are liveing. The flesh is always looking for the easy way out. http://thejesusnamechurch.zoomshare.com/4.shtml/76f889e35d2d0e84536f7025b1de4e90_47e5b0b2.writeback Sat, 22 Mar 2008 20:21:54 -0500 Spring usually remind us of new birth. Let this spring bring new life to your soul. Make up you mind now that you are going to serve the Lord Jesus Christ like you have never served him before. Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. 2 Corinthians 5:17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. http://thejesusnamechurch.zoomshare.com/4.shtml/39d85009eb1b627eabc2a50c4d676b82_47574f99.writeback Wed, 05 Dec 2007 19:25:45 -0600 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. http://thejesusnamechurch.zoomshare.com/4.shtml/0a0e310a7d7b408f6678aa86b18d4038_47574c9b.writeback Wed, 05 Dec 2007 19:12:59 -0600 Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: Deuteronomy 14:2 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. Deuteronomy 26:18 And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; Psalm 135:4 For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure. Ecclesiastes 2:8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; http://thejesusnamechurch.zoomshare.com/4.shtml/633cec26a1f9f47dc1dd58ed73ac43db_4692d0b1.writeback Mon, 09 Jul 2007 19:20:01 -0500 Who can find a virtuous (morally excellent) woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil (something valuable or desirable gained through special effort or opportunism or in return for a favor). She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships (a ship used in commerce); she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat (solid food as distinguished from drink) to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands (the effect or consequence of an action or operation) she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth (to prepare oneself for action) her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff (staff for holding the flax, tow, or wool in spinning). She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet (a kind of rich cloth). She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple (an emblem of rank or authority). Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. http://thejesusnamechurch.zoomshare.com/4.shtml/28e7640749efdf3dc51fa91efb335024_467b3c1c.writeback Thu, 21 Jun 2007 22:03:56 -0500 Without the knowledge of the truth, which only comes to a honest heart by divine revelation, many have misunderstood the manifestations of God, and have tried to form three Persons or Deities. Therefore many are confused by a false, powerless, man-made doctrine called the "Trinity". Do not take mere theories and ideas of men, learn the truth about this important subject. "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is ONE LORD. Deut 6:4. John declared, "...I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and ONE sat on the throne." Rev. 4:2. There is ONE GOD and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and IN YOU ALL. Eph. 4:6. The "Trinity" is not in the Scriptures. Honest hearts, receive the truth! There is only ONE Supreme Being: the eternal and infinite Spirit, Creator and Sovereign of the universe, and Saviour of man. http://thejesusnamechurch.zoomshare.com/4.shtml/fb5be632b37b303556074ec18a6e21cc_45c614c2.writeback Sun, 04 Feb 2007 11:15:46 -0600 Luke 13:5 "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise persish." Repentance is a turning away from all sin. Repentance involves turning to God, in believing prayer, for forgiveness and cleansing from all sin. http://thejesusnamechurch.zoomshare.com/4.shtml/2c363e02f346f65e13e345843772258b_4592e0bd.writeback Wed, 27 Dec 2006 15:08:13 -0600 The new year of 2007 is fastly approaching. Most people like to make New Year's Resolutions . But I say be carefully what promises you make, whether they are to yourself or to God. Consider the following scriptures... Numbers 30:2--If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. Deuteronomy 23:21--When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5--When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. New Year's Resolutions are fine to make if you keep in mind the above scriptures. It would be better to make a better committment to the Lord than to any fleshly committment. We need to be better, greater Christians in the coming year (2007).