Bible Study Scripture References for Jan. 9 - Unholy Alliances

BobbiLyn: Wash me in the water of your Word
Cleanse me in the blood of the Lamb
Let no wicked way have dominion over me
And lead me in the way everlasting
BobbiLyn: Take all this darkness from my eyes
And fill my body with your light
Shining brighter till the full light of day
And fill me with your Spirit
BobbiLyn: Fill me with your Spirit
Fill me with your Spirit this day
BobbiLyn: http://www.thelordssong.com/
BobbiLyn: Welcome to http://www.apostasywatch.com/ Friday night live Bible study and fellowship.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 20:35 And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly:
2Ch 20:36 And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongeber.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 20:37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 17:1 ¶ And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 17:2 And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 17:3 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 17:4 But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 17:5 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:1 ¶ Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:2 And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramothgilead.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:3 And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramothgilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:4 ¶ And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:5 Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:6 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might inquire of him?
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:7 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may inquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:8 And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:9 And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne, clothed in their robes, and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:10 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the LORD, With these thou shalt push Syria until they be consumed.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:11 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
BobbiLyn: Ch 18:12 And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:13 And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:14 And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:15 And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:16 Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:18 Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:19 And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:20 Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith?
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:21 And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the LORD said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:22 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:24 And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:25 Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:26 And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:27 And Micaiah said, If thou certainly return in peace, then hath not the LORD spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people.
2Ch 18:28 ¶ So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:29 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:30 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king of Israel.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:31 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:32 For it came to pass, that, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back again from pursuing him.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:33 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 18:34 And the battle increased that day: howbeit the king of Israel stayed himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the even: and about the time of the sun going down he died.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 19:1 ¶ And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 19:2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 19:3 Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 19:4 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.
2Ch 19:5 ¶ And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 19:6 And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.
2Ch 19:7 Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 19:8 Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 19:9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 19:10 And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 20:3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah
BobbiLyn: Ch 20:4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.
2Ch 20:5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court,
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 20:6 And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 20:7 Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?
2Ch 20:8 And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 20:29 And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.
2Ch 20:30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 20:31 ¶ And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he was thirty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 20:32 And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD.
2Ch 20:33 Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.
BobbiLyn: Ch 20:34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.
2Ch 20:35 And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly:
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 20:36 And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongeber.
BobbiLyn: 2Ch 20:37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

Christians Under the Influence of Another Spirit

By Warren Smith

The apostle Paul went to great lengths to warn the Corinthians not to be deceived by a "Jesus" that wasn't Jesus Christ the Son of God, a spirit that wasn't the Holy Spirit and a gospel that was not the true biblical Gospel (2 Corinthians 11:4). Throughout the New Testament, believers are continually warned not to be deceived by spiritual teachings and experiences that are not from God. Jesus Christ specifically warned his disciples that spiritual deception would be a sign of the end (Matthew 24:3-4).

Today it is very sad to see so many believers falling under the influence of the same spirit that influenced me when I was in the "new age." This spirit says that it is a time for "breakthroughs" and for the fulfillment of our "destiny"; that there is something "new" and exciting in the wind. This teaching claims that we are in the midst of a great "transition" that will result in a "paradigm shift," and that through "new revelation" and "personal experience" God is in the process of taking the church to a "new dimension" and to a whole "new level." Many Christian leaders these days are so sure that what they are hearing and experiencing is from God, they are rarely testing the spirits, or even considering the possibility that they are being deceived.

The first century Bereans tested their leaders and tested their teachings as they "searched the scriptures daily" to see "whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11). Apostles, prophets, pastors, and teachers were always subject to God's holy Word. "New revelation" never nullified nor superseded scripture. The Bereans were not impressed by supernatural power and spiritual experiences that had not been tested by the Word of God. They did not depend on signs and wonders and miracles. They depended on the authority and reliability and trustworthiness of Scripture:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)
Paul taught that if he or anyone else preached any other gospel--"new revelation" or otherwise--that person should be completely disregarded (Galatians 1:8). The Bible warns over and over again that we should not allow ourselves to be influenced or intimidated by teachings that originate not from God but from the spirit world and from the hearts of men. "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" (1 Timothy 4:1). "Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Mark 7:7).

What had been called "new age" is now being presented as "new gospel." These "new gospel" teachings are not new and have actually been around for centuries in one form or another. Whether it was ancient gnosticism, the occultic teachings of Helena Blavatsky (1831-1891) and Alice A. Bailey (1880-1949), or the present day "new gospel" channelings, the bottom line has always been the same--everyone is a part of God.

According to the "new gospel," Christ is not a person. It is an office. The "new gospel" teaches that while Jesus of Nazareth occupied the office during His active ministry, He no longer holds that same position. Today the office of "Christ" is occupied by someone else. And this "someone else" is presently in the process of establishing contact with humanity.

This "Christ" intimates that he is already in the world awaiting mankind's call. "Concerned" that humanity is in peril and facing possible extinction, this "Christ" explains that his "new gospel" will unify the world's major religions and bring peace to the world. He has communicated these "new gospel" teachings to his designated teachers, who in turn are now conveying these same teachings to the rest of the world.

This "reinvented" Christ of the "new gospel" teaches that all of humanity is the body of Christ. He, as the "Christ," is the head. This "Christ" states humanity's dilemma is that we have forgotten who we are. We are not "sinners" separate from God. We are all part of the one body of Christ and the one body of God. Salvation does not come by grace from accepting Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Rather it is achieved--when we accept ourselves as Christ and when we accept ourselves as God.

The "new gospel" teaches that when humanity collectively accepts and experiences itself as being a part of Christ and a part of God, we not only save ourselves, we save our world. The "Christ" of the "new gospel" warns that the hour is late. Peace must come. He will help. He has a plan. But everyone must play their part.

With "new revelation," often accompanied by direct personal spiritual experience, people are being taught that because they are a part of God they are actually "at-one" with God and all creation. This "new gospel" teaches when people have what is described as their "God potential" or "Christ within" supernaturally "activated," they actually experience themselves as a part of the "one body" of God which is all mankind. As these same people unite and join together in remembering and experiencing their "oneness" with God and with each other, they feel they are doing the "work" that is necessary to prepare the way for Christ's return.

(from Reinventing Jesus Christ, by Warren Smith)

Always Growing

Thou shalt see greater than these. (John 1:50)

This is spoken to a childlike believer, who was ready to accept Jesus as the Son of God, the King of Israel, upon one convincing piece of argument. Those who are willing to see shall see; it is because we shut our eyes that we become so sadly blind.

We have seen much already. Great things and unsearchable has the Lord showed unto us, for which we praise His name; but there are greater truths in His Word, greater depths of experience, greater heights of fellowship, greater works of usefulness, greater discoveries of power, and love, and wisdom. These we are yet to see if we are willing to believe our Lord.

The faculty of inventing false doctrine is ruinous, but power to see the truth is a blessing. Heaven shall be opened to us, the way thither (on the far side) shall be made clear to us in the Son of Man, and the angelic commerce which goes on between the upper and the lower kingdoms shall be made more manifest to us.

Let us keep our eyes open toward spiritual objects and expect to see more and more. Let us believe that our lives will not drivel (to waste or fritter in a childlike fashion) down into nothing but that we shall be always on the growing hand, seeing greater and still greater things, till we behold the great God Himself and never again lose the sight of Him.

Charles Spurgeon

Sovereign Grace

Think of the battles that grace has had with men, and what glory it has gained! In your case and mine, how stern has been the fight! Surely you recall the days when Jesus met you on the road and called to you in His love, but you spat in His face and passed Him by, making jest of the Crucified.

Do you remember another time when He sent His dark messengers of sickness and sorrow, and you lay upon your bed. Jesus came to you again, and you uttered words to Him that looked like truth, but they were lying, deceptive words. You turned your face to the wall and vowed repentance, but you did not repent, sending Him on His way.

You have never treated a friend as badly as you have treated Him. But grace has overcome you and made you a captive. The man may kick and struggle, but that man in God's time shall be arrested by the strong hand of sovereign grace and be transformed into a new man in Christ Jesus.

Charles Spurgeon
(1834-1892)

Only the Spirit of God Can Save You!

Only the Spirit of God can save you. The spirit of the world will ruin all who yield to it. Keep as clear of the spirit of the world as possible, for its deadly influence will injure you. Be aware that the religious world is more dangerous by far than the sensual world. Men profess religion and yet cunningly undermine it. Religion wears the sheepskin but has all the fierceness of the wolf. Do not meddle with that which is doubtful. If you would find eternal life, go where the Spirit of God works. Search the Scriptures and hear the truth through which the Holy Spirit usually operates. And associate with those in whom the Sprit of God dwells. Hear the preaching and teaching that come from God, for they alone lead you to Him. Take heed of those who profess godliness but are tainted with the spirit of the world. Follow the right Spirit, for in so doing you will find the things of God.

Charles Spurgeon

Bible Study Scripture References for Jan. 4

BobbiLyn: Ro 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
BobbiLyn: ze 36:23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.
BobbiLyn: Eze 36:24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
BobbiLyn: Eze 36:25 ¶ Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
BobbiLyn: Eze 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
BobbiLyn: Eze 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
BobbiLyn: Eze 36:28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
BobbiLyn: Eze 37:12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.
BobbiLyn: Eze 37:13 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,
BobbiLyn: Eze 37:14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.
BobbiLyn: Ro 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
BobbiLyn: Ro 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
BobbiLyn: Ro 3:1 ¶ What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
Ro 3:2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
BobbiLyn: Ro 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
BobbiLyn: Ro 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
BobbiLyn: 9:1 ¶ I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
Ro 9:2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
BobbiLyn: Ro 9:3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
BobbiLyn: Ro 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises
BobbiLyn: Ro 9:5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
Ro 9:6 ¶ Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
BobbiLyn: Ro 9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
BobbiLyn: Ro 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
BobbiLyn: Joh 8:33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
BobbiLyn: Joh 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
BobbiLyn: Joh 8:44 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.
BobbiLyn: o 9:30 ¶ What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
BobbiLyn: Ro 9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
BobbiLyn: Ro 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
Ro 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
BobbiLyn: Ro 10:1 ¶ Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
BobbiLyn: Ro 10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
Ro 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
BobbiLyn: Ro 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
BobbiLyn: Ro 10:5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
Ro 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above
BobbiLyn: Ro 10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
BobbiLyn: Ro 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Ro 10:9 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.
BobbiLyn: Ro 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Ro 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
BobbiLyn: Ro 10:12 ¶ For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Ro 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
BobbiLyn: Ro 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
BobbiLyn: Ro 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Ro 10:18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
BobbiLyn: Ro 10:19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
Ro 10:20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
BobbiLyn: Ro 10:21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
BobbiLyn: Ro 11:1 ¶ I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
BobbiLyn: Ro 11:2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
Ro 11:3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
BobbiLyn: Ro 11:4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
Ro 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
BobbiLyn: Ro 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Ro 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
BobbiLyn: Ro 11:8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear unto this day.
Ro 11:9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
BobbiLyn: Ro 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
BobbiLyn: 11:12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
BobbiLyn: Ro 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
Ro 11:14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
BobbiLyn: Ro 11:15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
Ro 11:16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
BobbiLyn: Ro 11:17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
BobbiLyn: Ro 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Ro 11:19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
BobbiLyn: Ro 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Ro 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
BobbiLyn: Ro 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
BobbiLyn: Ro 11:23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
BobbiLyn: Ro 11:24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
BobbiLyn: Ro 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
BobbiLyn: Ro 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Ro 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
BobbiLyn: Ro 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
Ro 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
BobbiLyn: Eph 2:11 ¶ Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
BobbiLyn: Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
BobbiLyn: Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:14 ¶ For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
BobbiLyn: Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
BobbiLyn: Eph 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
BobbiLyn: Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
BobbiLyn: Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Lumster: www.apostasywatch.com

Love is the Bond

"Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."

Love is the glue (bond) that holds us together. The love of Christ living in our hearts is far superior to any worldly love or ephemoral (temporary) love.

God's Sovereignty

There is no attribute more comforting to His children, than that of God’s sovereignty. Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials–they believe that sovereignty has ordained their afflictions, that sovereignty overrules them, and that sovereignty will sanctify them all. There is nothing for which the children of God ought more earnestly to contend, than the doctrine of their Master over all creation–the kingship of God over all the works of His own hands–the throne of God and His right to sit upon that throne.

On the other hand, there is no doctrine more hated by worldlings, no truth of which they have made such a football–as the great, stupendous, but yet most certain doctrine, of the sovereignty of the infinite Jehovah. Men will allow God to be everywhere, except on His throne. They will allow Him to be in His workshop to fashion worlds and make stars. They will allow Him to be in His almonry to dispense His alms and bestow His bounties. They will allow Him to sustain the earth and bear up the pillars thereof, or light the lamps of heaven, or rule the waves of the ever-moving ocean; but when God ascends His throne–then His creatures gnash their teeth!

We proclaim an enthroned God, and His right to do as He wills with His own, to dispose of His creatures as He thinks well, without consulting them in the matter. Then it is, that we are hissed and execrated; and then it is, that men turn a deaf ear to us–for God on His throne–is not the God they love. But it is God upon the throne that we love to preach. It is God upon His throne, whom we trust!

Charles Spurgeon

"Behold I Make All Things New"

There are children of God who need this text, ‘Behold, I make all things new,’ whose sigh is that they so soon grow dull and weary in the ways of God, and therefore they need daily renewing. After a few months a vigorous young Christian will begin to cool down; and those who have been long in the ways of God find that final perseverance must be a miracle if ever it is to be accomplished, for naturally they tire and faint.

Well, now, dear friends, why do you and I ever get stale and flat? Why, it is because we get away from him who says, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ The straight way to a perpetual newness and freshness of holy youth is to go to Christ again, just as we did at the first. A better thing still is never to leave him, but to stand for ever at the cross-foot delighting yourself in his all-sufficient sacrifice.

They that are full of the joy of the Lord never find life grow weary. Getting near to Christ, you will partake in his joy, and that joy shall be your strength, your freshness, the newness of your life. God grant us to drink of the eternal founts, that we may for ever overflow.”
- Charles Spurgeon, “Sermon for New Year’s Day”

Who Is Israel?

By Steve Lumbley

Who is Israel?

……..For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Rom 9:6
The tiny nation of Israel once again finds itself atop the headlines of the world press and in the midst of a war against an enemy that has vowed to destroy her. Many Christians in this country have the idea that the United States as well as all true Christian churches have a God ordained obligation to back the secular state of Israel in all circumstances. Through my study of scripture I have come to a slightly different conclusion.

I realize that by writing this piece, some will accuse me of anti-Semitism. Others will claim that I am preaching the dreaded doctrine of replacement theology. Neither of these assertions are valid. I invite the reader to set aside the traditions of men and allow the scriptures to speak for themselves.

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. Rom 2:28-29
Paul makes a rather astonishing statement here that has two components. Most Christians understand at least vaguely that when they came to Christ they became Jews in the spiritual sense. What most fail to grasp is the first part of Paul’s statement.

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly…….
What Paul is saying here is very simple and yet most pass right over it. Those who claim to be heirs of Abraham by virtue of their physical traits (bloodline) alone are not really Jews at all. Paul explains in Chapter nine why ethnicity now plays no part in who God considers to be a Jew.

Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. Rom 9:6-8
Paul is saying that only those who accept the promises by faith are the true children of Abraham. Not only does that make Christians into Jews spiritually but it specifically excludes those who claim a relationship with God based solely on fleshly attributes

In Chapter 11, Paul uses the branches of an olive tree to describe the relationship between natural Israel and spiritual Israel.

And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Rom 11:17
The branches that were broken off represent some (but not all) natural Jews. It is obvious that not all natural Jews were broken off because the man writing these verses was himself a Jew. Why were they broken off?

Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: Rom 11:20
Can the broken branches be restored?

And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again Rom 11:23

So we see that those who are Jews by nature but who reject the atonement of Christ are broken off from the Olive tree and stand outside the promises of God. They can be restored to their previous position. Indeed God desires to restore them, but that restoration can only come through their repentance and acceptance of Jesus as Messiah.
The implications of this truth are astounding. How often do we hear God’s promise of blessing to Abraham used to support any and all Jewish causes?

And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Gen 12:3

Taking into account Paul’s teaching in Romans, to which of Abraham’s descendents do these promises apply? Do they apply to Abraham’s ethnic descendents or to his spiritual descendents?

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Gal 3:16
The promises that God gave Abraham were not given to you, or me, or any of his physical descendents. The promises were given to Abraham and Christ alone. We can appropriate those promises only when we allow Christ to abide in us and we in him. In other words we must reckon the old man dead and put on Christ. We must enter into the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord. No person living or dead can rightly claim the promises of Abraham outside of that condition.

So, when God said he would bless those that bless Abraham and curse those who curse him, to whom was God referring. Was this promise to apply only to his physical descendents? Does it apply at all to his physical descendents? Does Genesis 12:3 obligate us to bless unsaved Jews in any way? Naturally we believe the greatest blessing we could give anyone be they Jew, Muslim, Hindu, or agnostic is the blessing of the gospel. It is the gospel in which God promises that all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

Unfortunately, the idea that the Jewish people have some sort of special relationship with God outside of Christ has put down deep roots in the institutional church. While most church leaders deny that they believe in this idea of a dual covenant, in practice, that is exactly what they promote.

If you are still with me this far I trust that you will stay a little further. I do not wish to suggest in any way that God is finished with the Jewish people. Far from it. God specifically promises to restore a remnant of physical Jews in the last days.

Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. Rom 9:27-28
Paul here quotes Isaiah as saying that a remnant of the Jewish people will be saved.

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: Rom 11:25-26
Here we see the timing of that work. It will come when the fullness of the gentiles has come in or when God’s work among those who are not Jews by birth is complete.

Many Christians misinterpret the passage here that states: all Israel shall be saved. Taken in context (coming immediately after Paul’s Olive tree parable), all Israel must be understood to mean both Jewish and gentile believers. To place any other meaning upon this verse would make it incompatible with the surrounding verses or any of the others we have quoted above.

The question that naturally follows all this is what part then does the secular state of Israel play in end time events. Here is what I believe God has shown me.

It is undeniable that God has gathered from all nations the physical descendents of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and set them once again in the land of promise. This is no accident of history. It is indisputable that many of the ancient prophecies are being fulfilled by the ethnic Jews returning to the land. However, since God’s word is true and cannot be a lie, and since God no longer considers ethnicity as a factor in determining who is a Jew, the return of these Jews by birth to their physical promised land cannot be the only true fulfillment of these end time prophecies.

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 1Cor 10:11

The old testament writings all point toward Christ as the coming Messiah. Paul says in 1 Corinthians that the things that happened to the physical Jews were to be examples unto us. We are that generation upon whom the ends of the world (age) has come. When we read what happened to the Jews physically we must understand that these same things happen to us spiritually. God always works in types or patterns down through history.

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Ecc 1:9

Let me give you an example.

God brought the children of Israel out of bondage or slavery in Egypt which is a type of the world. Before you were born again, you were in bondage to the world system. You were a slave to sin and to the god of this world system, Satan. When you were saved God brought you out of that system spiritually.

The children of Israel passed through the Red Sea. This is a type of baptism. After you were saved you were baptized into Christ (or at least you should have been). This baptism is a type of your death with Christ.

When the children of Israel came up out of the sea, the Egyptians followed and were drowned. This signify’s the death of the old man. When you were raised from the baptismal waters, your old man remained in the grave. You were raised in newness of life or in the likeness of Christ.

After the Egyptians were buried in the Red Sea, the children of Israel were led into the wilderness for 40 years to be tested by God. After Jesus was baptized in the Jordan, he was led by the spirit into the wilderness for 40 days to be tested. Every Christian after baptism must go through a time of wilderness testing. I realize that you don’t hear much about this wilderness period in the churches today but it is true and everyone who will follow Christ will be tested in a wilderness. Your only choice is whether or not you will go willingly like Christ did or go kicking and screaming like the children of Israel did.

So you see my point. Everything that happened to Israel in the natural happens to us spiritually. I believe that remains true today.

God has gathered (and is still in the process of gathering) natural Israel from all the nations where they had been exiled. At the same time God is gathering spiritual Israel (his true Israel - the true church) from all the nations (apostate religion) where they have been exiled.

When you see a passage of Old testament scripture like this:

My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them. Ezek 34:6

Or this:

For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. Ezek 34:11-12
You must understand that these passages have a dual fulfillment. Certainly they apply and have applied to physical Israel. But the real fulfillment is found in spiritual Israel.

Go back and read all of Ezekiel 34. God here tells Ezekiel to prophesy against the Shepherds of Israel. Now everyone understands that he is not speaking to actual shepherds but to the spiritual leaders of natural Israel who had led his people astray under the old covenant.

But what many fail to see is the application of these same scriptures to the spiritual leaders of God’s people (his sheep) under the new covenant! Again, I reiterate, this is exactly what Paul meant when he said that these things happened to them as an example to us and they are written to us, the people of the new covenant.

Natural Israel is still a sign to spiritual Israel

Lets look at the parallels today between natural and spiritual Israel.

The nation of Israel currently occupies only a tiny portion of the land that God promised to Abraham.

In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: Gen 15:18

Under the Abrahamic covenant, Israel was to occupy the land from the Nile River in Egypt all the way the Euphrates River in what is now Iraq. This is a much greater tract of land than natural Israel has ever occupied.
Spiritual Israel (the church) occupies only a tiny portion of the land God promised to us. When I speak of the church here I mean both the church as a body of believers and the individual believers which make up that body.

What land am I talking about? I’m talking about our spiritual land. Our spiritual land is the kingdom of God upon the earth. This is our promised land and we must conquer it just like Israel conquered her promised land one city at a time.

Jesus established the kingdom of God upon the earth. The kingdom of God is defined as that place where God’s will rules and reigns. Jesus walked in Gods will perfectly. He told us that we should do the same.

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Mat 5:48
Since Jesus walked perfectly in the kingdom of God, he manifested the power of God everywhere and in every situation. The apostles walked in this power also after the day of Pentecost. But for the last 2,000 years we have seen very little of that power in operation upon the earth. Even today the church as a whole manifests only a small portion of God’s kingdom in the earth.

Many churches and groups claim to have God’s power but most of that is not real power at all. Most Christians today don’t see the power of God in their everyday lives. They don’t see their needs met supernaturally. They don’t multiply loaves and fishes or heal the sick or raise the dead. They may see a little healing once in a while but for the most part they use the same methods that the world uses to get healing or finances or whatever else they need. So, just like physical Israel we occupy only a small portion of what God has promised.

Natural Israel is surrounded by enemies. Israel’s enemies hate her and have vowed to drive her off of the little piece of land that she currently possesses.

Likewise, Christians are surrounded by spiritual enemies who hate them and are determined to drive them from their spiritual land.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Eph 6:12
Every time a Christian determines to walk in the power and promises of God a battle ensues. Principalities and powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world go to battle to make sure that the Christian does not succeed in actually manifesting that promise.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Eph 6:13

When we persevere and see God’s will manifested in our lives we have conquered a spiritual foe. We have taken a little more land and the next time we have a need in that area it is a little bit easier to receive it. God also refers to this as bearing fruit. In other words we are manifesting the character, nature, and authority of Christ in us. We are occupying the land.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:7-8
Israel’s leaders refuse to obey God. They continually try to make peace with her enemies. They have come to believe that if they will only give up a little more land her enemies will stop making war on her. They do this because they want to be friends with the world. If Israel’s leaders would actually obey God, the world would hate her.

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan; Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places: And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it. Num 33:51-53

God told the children of Israel that when they went into the land they were to drive out the inhabitants. They were to force them out and remove all their religious shrines and symbols. God even warned them what would happen if they failed to follow these instructions.

But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell. Num 33:55

These were the instructions God gave to natural Israel the first time they went into the promised land. But these instructions are just as valid for natural Israel today. What we see happening in natural Israel today is simply what God said would happen.

Instead of driving out all the inhabitants of the land (the Muslim Arabs) Israel allowed them to stay. They allowed the molten images and high places to remain and even have allowed many more to be built. The famous Muslim Dome of the Rock mosque sitting on the temple mount (high place) with its glittering golden dome (molten image) is a very visible testament to Israel’s disobedience. And just as God promised, those enemies that have remained in the land have become pricks in the eyes and thorns in the sides of natural Israel.
Likewise, the leaders of the church continually compromise and try to make peace with her enemies. They too seem to think that they can have peace by giving up land a little at a time. Instead of preaching the true gospel, most churches are using man made programs to increase church growth. The idea of growing the church by whatever means possible has replaced true evangelism. These programs eliminate or water down the truth of the gospel in order to make it more palatable to sinners. This is a great way to attract more people and keep them coming.

Church leaders today for the most part refuse to warn people of the wrath that is soon to come upon the earth. They refuse to tell people that in order to follow Christ they must be separate from the world and from worldly ways. If they did preach these things they would become enemies of the world and the world would hate them.

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 4:4
By making friends with the world, church leaders ensure themselves full pews and even more important full bank accounts. Anyone who is invited to be interviewed on Larry King Live can be assured he’ll sell plenty of books. Of course a man who wasn’t friends with the world would never be invited to be interviewed on one of these shows unless he was being set up to look like a fool. That’s no way to sell books. Better to compromise and make friends with the world rather than to bite the hand that feeds you.
Do you see what God is doing? He is still using natural Israel as an example to us. They are a vivid example of what not to do! Both Israel and the church refuse to obey God because they want to be like (and be liked by) the world. The sad thing is that they are both setting themselves up for death.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mat 16:25-26

If Israel would obey God and drive out their enemies they would be hated by the world but they would find protection from their enemies at the hand of God himself. As it is, they continue to seek to save their lives by compromise. In doing this they are losing their lives little by little. The same is true of the church. The parallels couldn’t be clearer.

…………..For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children:

They are not all Israel who are of Israel and they are not all Christians who are of the church. Only those who receive the promise by faith are counted as seed. God is using natural things to illustrate spiritual things.

Knowing this, it should come as no surprise that the apostate leaders of the church are bringing the sheep into unholy alliances with unsaved Jewish groups to promote the policies of secular Israel while at the same time refusing to allow evangelism of ethnic Jews.
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 2Cor 6:14

Groups like Christians United For Israel founded by John Hagee funnel money from unsuspecting Christians into Jewish organizations such as the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. The I.F.C.J was founded and is run by Rabbi Yechiel Z. Eckstein. You may have seen Eckstein on TBN or Daystar or some other Christian television network. The I.F.C.J. spends lots of money in America getting Christians to donate money to be used to resettle Jews from foreign lands back into Israel.

What you probably don’t know about Eckstein and his organization is this. He is not a Messianic Jew. He is rabidly anti Christ. His organization will not work with any Christian group that targets ethnic Jews for evangelism. Here is a quote from the Jewish Times explaining Eckstein’s break with the Southern Baptist convention.

In December, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, the Orthodox founder of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews and a longtime defender of evangelical Christians, broke with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) leadership.

For Eckstein, the final straw was the SBC’s reaffirmation of its decision to send 100,000 missionaries to his hometown of Chicago to seek converts.

Despite a longtime friendship with SBC President Rev. Paige Patterson and a history of dialogue with the SBC and evangelical Christians, Eckstein had had enough.

In a statement he said, “[The SBC’s decision] sent the message that its own narrow interpretation of its religious duty outweighed the good relations with other denominations and other faiths that so many have worked so hard to build up over the past several decades.” The Jewish Times Feb 4, 2000

Eckstein has convinced many Christian leaders that it is more important to yoke themselves and their people together with unbelieving Jewish groups than it is to bring the gospel to the very people who need it most. This list of endorsements from the I.F. C.J website looks like a who’s who of evangelical Christians

Natural Israel will have no peace until she accepts her Messiah, the prince of peace. It is the height of apostasy for the blind shepherds of spiritual Israel (the church) to lead us into alliances with the unsaved shepherds of natural Israel. These alliances take money that should be used for evangelism and for building God’s kingdom and gives it to heathens who hate God and his son.

In summary, the Israel of God is no longer limited to people of a specific bloodline. It is open to all who call upon the name of the Lord.

For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. Rom 10:12

People who claim to be Jews only by blood are not actually Jews at all but are liars.

Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Rev 3:9

Physical Israel is not holy but is in bondage along with her children. These things are an allegory or a sign for the two covenants, one of the flesh which leads to death and the other of the spirit which leads to life.

Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. Gal 4:24-25
All the physical promises given to natural Israel are played out spiritually in spiritual Israel. These promises are fulfilled in Christ. Since every prophecy concerning physical Israel actually points to Christ, the Messiah, these prophecies are fulfilled spiritually in God’s new covenant people, those through which Christ lives today.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Gal 2:10

The idea that ethnic Jews have some kind of special relationship with God outside of Christ prevents the church from fulfilling its mission to take the gospel into all the world which includes unsaved ethnic Jews

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Rom 1:16

The blind shepherds of the apostate church are teaming up with the blind leaders of natural Israel to lead God’s people into unholy alliances with organizations that are hostile to the gospel. Claiming to love the Jewish people, their actions prove otherwise. If they really loved the Jewish people they would tell them that their Messiah was born 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem. If they really loved them they would tell them that their adherence to the Torah is worthless without a sacrifice. True love would disregard the persecution and hostility to tell them that the only sacrifice God will ever accept is the sacrifice of his son on that cross 2,000 years ago.

And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? Luke 6:39
So, the next time you hear some well meaning Christian tell you that unsaved ethnic Jews are the “apple of God’s eye” or that if we don’t bless natural Israel we’ll face the wrath of God, stop and think. Who is Israel and who is really a Jew according to the word of God?

Steve Lumbley 2006 http://www.apostasywatch.com/
This article may be reproduced and distributed free of charge as long as it remains in its original form.

The Abounding Life

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10).

This well-known promise is sometimes interpreted by some (prosperity preachers) to mean that the Christian life would be full of material prosperity and happiness. The words "abundantly," "abounding," and similar terms all come from the Greek word, which does mean "abundant." But it can also apply to sorrow, as well as happiness.

The Christian's life should be abundant in good works, because of God's saving and keeping grace that He has shown so abundantly toward us. Having been "stablished in the faith," we are to be "abounding therein" (Colossians 2:7). We should also "abound in love." "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you" (1 Thessalonians 3:12).

But, Saints, we may also experience much sorrow and difficulty in this life. Paul was a good example. "...in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft" (2 Corinthians 11:23). We may abound in poverty. For the Christians at Philippi, for example, "in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality" (2 Corinthians 8:2) Our sufferings can always be aleviated by God's abounding grace. "For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ" (2 Corinthians 1:5). Our God of all grace "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us" (Ephesians 3:20).

Bible Study Scripture References for Dec. 21, 2008

Patience_Sue: 1 Chronicles 16:12 Remember his marvelous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
Danny-n-Lisa: 1
Danny-n-Lisa: good
Patience_Sue: hello
Patience_Sue: 1 Chronicles 16:12 Remember his marvelous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
Patience_Sue: 1 Chronicles 16:23 Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; show forth from day to day his salvation.
Patience_Sue: 1 Chronicles 16:24 Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvelous works among all nations.
Patience_Sue: 1 Chronicles 16:25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.
Patience_Sue: 1 Chronicles 16:26 For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
Patience_Sue: 1 Chronicles 16:27 Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.
Patience_Sue: 1 Chronicles 16:28 Give unto the LORD, ye kindred of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
Patience_Sue: 1 Chronicles 16:29 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
Patience_Sue: 1 Chronicles 16:30 Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.
Patience_Sue: Leviticus 19:4 Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God.
Patience_Sue: Exodus 20:1 And God spake all these words, saying,
Patience_Sue: Exodus 20:2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Patience_Sue: Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Patience_Sue: Exodus 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
Patience_Sue: Exodus 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
Patience_Sue: Exodus 20:6 And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Patience_Sue: Acts 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
Patience_Sue: Acts 15:19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
Patience_Sue: Acts 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
Patience_Sue: Exodus 32:4 And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
Patience_Sue: Exodus 32:5 And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD.
Patience_Sue: Ezekiel 14:1 Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me.
Patience_Sue: Ezekiel 14:2 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Patience_Sue: Ezekiel 14:3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?
Patience_Sue: Ezekiel 14:4 Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;
Patience_Sue: Ezekiel 14:5 That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.
Patience_Sue: Ezekiel 14:6 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
Patience_Sue: Ezekiel 14:7 For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:
Patience_Sue: Ezekiel 14:8 And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
Patience_Sue: Ezekiel 14:9 And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.
Patience_Sue: Ezekiel 14:10 And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that seeketh unto him;
Patience_Sue: Ezekiel 14:11 That the house of Israel may go no more astray from me, neither be polluted any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be my people, and I may be their God, saith the Lord GOD.
Patience_Sue: Acts 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
Patience_Sue: Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
Patience_Sue: Revelation 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

A CHRISTMAS CONVICTION

A Christmas Conviction
by Christine McCoy December 2008


Tinkling lights and essence of Pine
Popcorn balls and Auld Lang Syne
Nativity scenes and Barbie dolls
Oh Holy Night and Deck the Halls!

Presents to buy and cookies to bake
Cards to mail out and decorations to make.
Cantatas, fruitcakes and kids on Santa's lap
Mingling Holy, hype and Hell as one -we didn't see the trap.

The house was cleaned from bottom to top
No prayers today we could not stop.
Family coming in -put the Bible away
No religious preaching during their stay!

Caroling, caroling through the snow
The truth of the matter we did not know
Over the river and through the dell
we were laughing all the way- to Hell.

Where comes from all the fa la la?
the gluttonous self indulgence and hoop-la?
From the pit of Hell it came with a plan,
to steal the hearts and souls of man!

Here is the quandary-though I know the truth
I feel myself drawn to the delights of my youth.
Succumbing to pressure from family and friends
I find myself tempted to return again.

Somewhat wistful and feeling strangely sad
deprived of ornaments, candy canes and the things I had.
Let me lean on You Jesus and fill me just the same,
Knowing it's not when you were born but why

Bible Study Scripture References for Dec. 14, 2008

Alert: This is a G rated room intended for a General Audience including minors. Offensive language is not permitted.
Alert: A weekly Bible Study for those who are coming out of the apostate institutional church system. This is a G Rated room.
BobbiLyn: Welcome to http://www.apostasywatch.com/ Sunday morning live Bible study and fellowship.
BobbiLyn: Jer 6:10 To whom shall I speak and testify, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of Jehovah is become unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.
BobbiLyn: Jer 6:11 Therefore I am full of the wrath of Jehovah; I am weary with holding in: pour it out upon the children in the street, and upon the assembly of young men together; for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him that is full of days.
BobbiLyn: Jer 6:12 And their houses shall be turned unto others, their fields and their wives together; for I will stretch out my hand upon the inhabitants of the land, saith Jehovah.
Jer 6:13 For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
BobbiLyn: Jer 6:14 They have healed also the hurt of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
BobbiLyn: Jer 6:15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall; at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith Jehovah.
BobbiLyn: Jer 6:16 Thus saith Jehovah, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk therein.
BobbiLyn: Jer 6:17 And I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet; but they said, We will not hearken.
Jer 6:18 ¶ Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among th
BobbiLyn: Jer 6:19 Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it.
BobbiLyn: Jer 6:20 To what purpose cometh there to me frankincense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt-offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices pleasing unto me.
BobbiLyn: Jer 6:21 Therefore thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will lay stumbling-blocks before this people; and the fathers and the sons together shall stumble against them; the neighbor and his friend shall perish.
BobbiLyn: eb 9:23 ¶ It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
BobbiLyn: Heb 9:24 For Christ entered not into a holy place made with hands, like in pattern to the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us:
Heb 9:25 nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place year by year with blood not his own;
BobbiLyn: Heb 9:26 else must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once at the end of the ages hath he been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Heb 9:27 And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment
BobbiLyn: Heb 9:28 so Christ also, having been once offered to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time, apart from sin, to them that wait for him, unto salvation.
actioncross: Mat 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
actioncross: Mat 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
actioncross: Mat 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
actioncross: Mat 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
actioncross: Mat 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
actioncross: Mat 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
actioncross: Jer 10:2 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.
actioncross: Jer 10:3 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.
actioncross: Jer 10:4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
actioncross: Jer 10:5 They [are] upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also [is it] in them to do good.
actioncross: Jer 10:6 Forasmuch as [there is] none like unto thee, O LORD; thou [art] great, and thy name [is] great in might.
actioncross: Jer 10:7 Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise [men] of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, [there is] none like unto thee.
actioncross: Jer 10:8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock [is] a doctrine of vanities.
actioncross: Jer 10:9 Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple [is] their clothing: they [are] all the work of cunning [men].
actioncross: Jer 10:10 But the LORD [is] the true God, he [is] the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
actioncross: Jer 10:11 Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, [even] they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.

Occupied Territory

"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."
(1 Peter 2:9)

In our ongoing struggle for both survival and victory in this world, we do well to recognize that we are in enemy territory. While it is true that our Captain created the world -- indeed, "all things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3) -- sacrificed His life to redeem it, and will reign over it for eternity, it is also true that "the whole world lieth in wickedness" (1 John 5:19), occupied by "the prince of this world" (John 12:31), "the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2).

The fact that we are surrounded by such darkness should come as no surprise, for before we were rescued by His grace, we too were part of the darknesss -- indeed, we had to be called out of it. John the Baptist came "to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:79). Furthermore, as Christ taught, "men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19).

This confrontation overshadows mere human conflict, however, "for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12). But praise God, we have been called "out of darkness into his marvellous light" as described in our text. Although we may be still in the world, our King has "delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son" (Colossians 1:13). "In him was life; and the life was the light of men" (John 1:4).

John D. Morris

Bible Study Scripture References for Dec. 12, 2008

Alert: This is a G rated room intended for a General Audience including minors. Offensive language is not permitted.
Alert: A weekly Bible Study for those who are coming out of the apostate institutional church system. This is a G Rated room.
BobbiLyn: Welcome to http://www.apostasywatch.com/ Friday night live Bible study and fellowship.
BobbiLyn: Joe 1:1 ¶ The word of Jehovah that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.
Joe 1:2 Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or in the days of your fathers?
BobbiLyn: Joe 1:3 Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.
BobbiLyn: Joe 1:4 That which the palmer-worm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the canker-worm eaten; and that which the canker-worm hath left hath the caterpillar eaten.
BobbiLyn: Joe 1:5 Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and wail, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the sweet wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.
BobbiLyn: Joe 1:6 For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number; his teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the jaw-teeth of a lioness.
BobbiLyn: Joe 1:7 He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig-tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast it away; the branches thereof are made white.
Joe 1:8 ¶ Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth.
BobbiLyn: Joe 1:9 The meal-offering and the drink-offering are cut off from the house of Jehovah; the priests, Jehovah's ministers, mourn.
Joe 1:10 The field is laid waste, the land mourneth; for the grain is destroyed, the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth.
BobbiLyn: Joe 1:11 Be confounded, O ye husbandmen, wail, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; for the harvest of the field is perished.
BobbiLyn: Joe 1:12 The vine is withered, and the fig-tree languisheth; the pomegranate-tree, the palm-tree also, and the apple-tree, even all the trees of the field are withered: for joy is withered away from the sons of men.
BobbiLyn: oe 1:13 Gird yourselves with sackcloth, and lament, ye priests; wail, ye ministers of the altar; come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meal-offering and the drink-offering are withholden from the house of your God.
BobbiLyn: Joe 1:14 ¶ Sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the old men and all the inhabitants of the land unto the house of Jehovah your God, and cry unto Jehovah.
Joe 1:15 Alas for the day! for the day of Jehovah is at hand, and as destruction from the Almighty shall it come.
BobbiLyn: Joe 1:16 Is not the food cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the house of our God?
Joe 1:17 The seeds rot under their clods; the garners are laid desolate, the barns are broken down; for the grain is withered.
BobbiLyn: Joe 1:18 How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.
Joe 1:19 O Jehovah, to thee do I cry; for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field.
BobbiLyn: Joe 1:20 Yea, the beasts of the field pant unto thee; for the water brooks are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness.
BobbiLyn: Re 13:11 ¶ And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like unto lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
BobbiLyn: Re 13:12 And he exerciseth all the authority of the first beast in his sight. And he maketh the earth and them dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose death-stroke was healed.
BobbiLyn: 1Co 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is of heaven.
BobbiLyn: 1Co 15:48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
BobbiLyn: 1Co 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
BobbiLyn: Ro 8:6 For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace:
Ro 8:7 because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be:
Ro 8:8 and they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
BobbiLyn: Re 13:13 And he doeth great signs, that he should even make fire to come down out of heaven upon the earth in the sight of men.
BobbiLyn: Re 13:14 And he deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by reason of the signs which it was given him to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast who hath the stroke of the sword and lived.
BobbiLyn: Re 13:4 and they worshipped the dragon, because he gave his authority unto the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? And who is able to war with him?
BobbiLyn: Ro 8:29 ¶ For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:

Everlasting Arms

“God-the eternal God-is himself our support at all times, and especially when we are sinking in deep trouble. There are seasons when the Christian sinks very low in humiliation. Under a deep sense of his great sinfulness, he is humbled before God till he scarcely knows how to pray, because he appears, in his own sight, so worthless. Well, child of God, remember that when thou art at thy worst and lowest, yet “underneath” thee “are everlasting arms.” Sin may drag thee ever so low, but Christ’s great atonement is still under all. You may have descended into the deeps, but you cannot have fallen so low as “the uttermost”; and to the uttermost he saves. Again, the Christian sometimes sinks very deeply in sore trial from without. Every earthly prop is cut away. What then? Still underneath him are “the everlasting arms.” He cannot fall so deep in distress and affliction but what the covenant grace of an ever-faithful God will still encircle him.

The Christian may be sinking under trouble from within through fierce conflict, but even then he cannot be brought so low as to be beyond the reach of the “everlasting arms”-they are underneath him; and, while thus sustained, all Satan’s efforts to harm him avail nothing. This assurance of support is a comfort to any weary but earnest worker in the service of God. It implies a promise of strength for each day, grace for each need, and power for each duty. And, further, when death comes, the promise shall still hold good. When we stand in the midst of Jordan, we shall be able to say with David, “I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.” We shall descend into the grave, but we shall go no lower, for the eternal arms prevent our further fall. All through life, and at its close, we shall be upheld by the “everlasting arms”-arms that neither flag nor lose their strength, for “the everlasting God fainteth not, neither is weary.”

- Charles Spurgeon

Revelation 3:17

Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

During the course of Israel's history, her great sin was trying to get the best from both worlds. They claimed to believe in God but they did not obey Him. They honored Him with their lips but their hearts were far from Him. They left God in the background while they went about their everyday lives, ignoring the warnings from the prophets to repent and turn back to God. This is idolatry.

The church in Laodicea is committing the same sin. It is a very subtle form of idolatry. A member of this church is turned inward. He may claim to be a part of the body of Christ, but his worship is self-centered. This is idolatry!

True worship is a bowing down to God. Laying all "my" wants and desires on the altar daily. These are the burdens that keep us from doing God's perfect will in our lives. If we truly seek to follow Him, we will do as Jesus instructed: Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Taking up that cross is a hard thing; but the reward is great. This is a burden, indeed. But remember also what Jesus said: Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Diana Kukk

Prideful Men will go to Hell by Tim Conway

Prideful Men will go to Hell by Tim Conway

The Song of Creation

"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. . . When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"
(Hib 38L4-7)

It is significant that there was singing at the very time of creation The "morning stars" of this verse are, by Hebrew poetic parallelism, the same as the "sons of God" who were present when God "laid the foundations of the earth." Similarly, "sang together" is parallel with "shouted for joy."

It is thus beautifully appropriate to sing of the glories of God's creation, for angels were doing this even before Adam and Eve were created! The first actual human song mentioned in the Bible, however, was the thanksgiving song of Moses (Exodus 15:1-21), composed and sung by Moses and the children of Israel after their deliverance from Pharaoh and the waters of the sea.

Finally, it is significant that the last song mentioned in the Bible is "the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb" (Revelation 15:3), sung in heaven by "them that had gotten the victory over the beast" (v. 2). This presumably refers back to the original song of Moses, since the deliverance from Pharaoh was, spiritually, a type of their triumph over the beast, the great world ruler in the end times. However, it must now be combined with the song of the Lamb, probably the "new song" of the saints at the Lamb's throne in Revelation 5:8-10, praising the Lord for their redemption through His blood, shed in substitution for their sins.

These should surely be the three major themes of Christian music, for these are the main themes of the Bible's songs. It is fitting that they should refer to the past, present, and future works of Christ -- His mighty work of creation in the beginning, His gracious work of sustenance in the present, and His glorious work of full redemption in the future.

Henry M. Morris

Bible Study Scripture References for Dec. 5, 2008

BobbiLyn: Welcome to http://www.apostasywatch.com/ Friday night live on-line Bible study and fellowship.
BobbiLyn: Ho 5:1 ¶ Hear this, O ye priests, and hearken, O house of Israel, and give ear, O house of the king; for unto you pertaineth the judgment; for ye have been a snare at Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.
BobbiLyn: Ho 5:2 And the revolters are gone deep in making slaughter; but I am a rebuker of them all.
Ho 5:3 I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me; for now, O Ephraim, thou hast played the harlot, Israel is defiled.
BobbiLyn: Ho 5:4 Their doings will not suffer them to turn unto their God; for the spirit of whoredom is within them, and they know not Jehovah.
Ho 5:5 And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore Israel and Ephraim shall stumble in their iniquity; Judah also shall stumble with them.
BobbiLyn: Ho 5:6 They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek Jehovah; but they shall not find him: he hath withdrawn himself from them.
Ho 5:7 They have dealt treacherously against Jehovah; for they have borne strange children: now shall the new moon devour them with their fields.
BobbiLyn: Ho 5:8 ¶ Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah: sound an alarm at Beth-aven; behind thee, O Benjamin.
Ho 5:9 Ephraim shall become a desolation in the day of rebuke: among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall surely be.
BobbiLyn: Ho 5:10 The princes of Judah are like them that remove the landmark: I will pour out my wrath upon them like water.
Ho 5:11 Ephraim is oppressed, he is crushed in judgment; because he was content to walk after man's command.
BobbiLyn: Ho 5:12 Therefore am I unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness.
BobbiLyn: Ho 5:12 Therefore am I unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness.
BobbiLyn: Ho 5:12 Therefore am I unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness.
BobbiLyn: Ga 1:6 ¶ I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel;
Ga 1:7 which is not another gospel only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
BobbiLyn: Ga 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema.
Ga 1:9 As we have said before, so say I now again, if any man preacheth unto you any gospel other than that which ye received, let him be anathema.
SeattlePaulK777: amen
BobbiLyn: 1Co 1:18 For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.
BobbiLyn: 1Co 1:17 ¶ For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made void.
BobbiLyn: Ps 7:11 God is a righteous judge, Yea, a God that hath indignation every day.
BobbiLyn: Ps 5:6 Thou wilt destroy them that speak lies: Jehovah abhorreth the blood-thirsty and deceitful man.
BobbiLyn: Joh 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
BobbiLyn: Lu 9:57 ¶ And as they went on the way, a certain man said unto him, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
Lu 9:58 And Jesus said unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
BobbiLyn: Lu 9:59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Lu 9:60 But he said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God.
BobbiLyn: Lu 9:61 And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord; but first suffer me to bid farewell to them that are at my house.
Lu 9:62 But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
BobbiLyn: Mt 10:34 Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
BobbiLyn: Mt 10:35 For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law:
Mt 10:36 and a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
BobbiLyn: Mt 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Mt 10:38 And he that doth not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me.
BobbiLyn: Mt 13:20 And he that was sown upon the rocky places, this is he that heareth the word, and straightway with joy receiveth it;
BobbiLyn: Mt 13:21 yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while; and when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway he stumbleth.
BobbiLyn: Mt 13:22 And he that was sown among the thorns, this is he that heareth the word; and the care of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
BobbiLyn: Mt 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
BobbiLyn: Joh 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
BobbiLyn: Ga 3:24 So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
BobbiLyn: Ac 2:36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified.
BobbiLyn: Ac 2:37 ¶ Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?
BobbiLyn: Ac 2:38 And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
BobbiLyn: Ac 2:39 For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him.
BobbiLyn: Ac 7:51 ¶ Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do ye.
BobbiLyn: Ac 7:52 Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? and they killed them that showed before of the coming of the Righteous One; of whom ye have now become betrayers and murderers;
BobbiLyn: Ac 7:53 ye who received the law as it was ordained by angels, and kept it not.
BobbiLyn: Ac 7:54 ¶ Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
BobbiLyn: Ac 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
Ac 7:56 and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God.
BobbiLyn: Ac 7:57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord;
Ac 7:58 and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
BobbiLyn: Mt 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
Mt 24:25 Behold, I have told you beforehand.
BobbiLyn: Mt 24:26 If therefore they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the wilderness; go not forth: Behold, he is in the inner chambers; believe it not.
Mt 24:27 For as the lightning cometh forth from the east, and is seen even unto the west; so shall be the coming of the Son of man.

KNOWING AND TRUSTING

In my reading this morning I came across this devotional which is a confirmation of our ladies' bible study last night on Pal Talk. Our dear sister, Helen, (A Seed Sower) was given a word from the Lord and numerous scriptures that gave us comfort in knowing and trusting our Lord. He will never abandon us or leave us. He is our Good Shepherd who leads us and feeds us all our spiritual food and He gives us living waters to drink and He fights our enemies of doubt and fear and gives us comfort when we seek Him. He will finish the work that He began in us. All we need do is trust and obey Him.

"And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee." (Psalm 9:10)

When one really knows the name of the Lord, that one will surely come to trust Him. How could anyone fail to trust God and to believe His Word, when they know Him to be the Almighty Creator (Elohim), the self-existing One (Jehovah), and the gracious Master (Adonai)? When they further learn that He is none other than Jesus Christ ("Anointed Savior"), surely they ought to believe and bow in thankful love, calling Him "Lord" by the Holy Ghost (1Corinthians 12:3).

The word for "trust" means "take refuge in." We can trust our Lord for protection from harm, from want, from all the attacks of the wicked one, and finally, from hell itself. That trust is well placed, because the Lord never forsakes those who truly trust Him. The Word confirms this truth over and over again. "(For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers" (Deuteronomy 4:31). "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread" (Psalm 37:25). These are glorious promises, always fulfilled -- that is, with one exception.

The only man who always fully trusted God, who was altogether righteous and who perfectly manifested the Father's name to His disciples and to the world -- that One was forsaken! "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" He cried, as He died on the cross (Matthew 27:46).

And it was because He was willing to be forsaken and to suffer hell itself in our place -- dying for our sins -- that God can make and keep His promise never to forsake anyone who seeks Him and puts their trust in Him, through Jesus Christ.

Henry M. Morris

COMMITMENT TO GOD

"Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass." (Psalm 37:5)

Frustration must come as the saints of God battle with evil forces. The pain and pressure of tourment is nonetheless real as these evil "devices"...(Is 32:7 "Also the schemes of the schemer are evil; He devises wicked plans to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaks justice." )...take their toll on the people of God.

The Lord will destroy the plans of the wicked... (Psalm 33:10
"The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.")
...but while those plans are active, they can cause much hurt.

Nevertheless, we must maintain trust in the Lord and commit our lives to Him if we are to be victorious. The unusual Hebrew word galal used here is more often translated as "roll on" or "roll with" something. It seems to imply a unity in the commitment, that the committed one is bound up in the actions or activities of the thing or person committed to -- we "roll on" or "roll with" the Lord in our "way."

Paul spends much of his letter to the Philippians describing the link between the Creator-Savior and the mind, heart, and lifestyle of the Christian who has given his life over to God. "Being confident of this very thing," Paul says, "that he which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phillippians 1:6). We are to "work out" [our] own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:12-13).

While admitting that he had not yet "attained," Paul was so focused on the work of the Kingdom that he was "forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14). God's promise to "bring it to pass" is conditioned on our being committed to His sovereign will for our "way".

Henry M. Morris, III, D.Min.