The Christian Spot: September 2009

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Tell Me Why You Truly Believe in God

Is God the person that you pray to and every once in awhile, he sends someone down to earth, to answer your prayers, like a good parent. God is always taking care of you, whether you're driving down the freeway at 75 miles an hour, or walking through a park.

Do you really know why, you believe in God? I bet you, that you're starting to think about the question now. As children, we are taught to believe, that God is the ultimate protector of the world and is always looking out for us. This seems to bring us comfort, as we go through our daily lives.

Do you think that Hindu's, Muslim's or Christians, have similar beliefs in their god or gods? I have seen Hindus and Muslims that live pretty good life's. Why wouldn't these people be punished by the other gods or God? If I was the god of Jehovah and got mad at everyone who made false idols or worshiped other gods, why wouldn't I go out of my way to make their lives miserable?

It just doesn't make any sense, if you really spend the time, to think about it. If God is that powerful, why wouldn't he wiped out the opposition? Why wouldn't he be story their possessions?

Doesn't it say something like this in the Bible? God will make people's lives miserable if they don't follow him, yet I know plenty of people that are miserable and follow him. Are you really going to spend your life believing in your personal God, and never questioning his existence or even the origins of your religion.

Ask yourself one question, is God real and if so, how do you know that your right? Have you ever thought that someone else could be right and you could be wrong?

What Did God Really Say

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site: Greg Vanden Berge is a published author and a inspiration to millions of people. He has been involved in religious research for almost 30 years, and his influence in the Christian community is growing. The Holy Bible, is the core to Christian beliefs and most Christians don't even question it. Was the Bible actually written by men?

His newest book," Did God Actually Say That?" Was written specifically for Christians who are interested in gaining additional knowledge about the Bible. This book provides Christians with advanced biblical knowledge, answer some tough questions and should be read by every faithful follower of Christ.

Find out a little bit more about Your Religious Freedom

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Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Tithing Education - Giving From Guilt

If you're part of any organized religion and donate money on a regular basis, do you know where your money is going? Have you ever asked what they are spending the money on? Are you one of those people who feels that your pastor and church leaders know best and never even ask them, because you might feel inferior to them? Have you asked in the past and were told not to worry about it but still would like to know.

Before you give your hard earned money away, whether you're doing it out of guilt or pleasure, make sure you're supporting the right organization. You should never feel the need to donate money if you don't have it to give.

I went to a church that had funds for everything, building funds, starvation funds, church funds and even funds to fund of funds if they ran out of money. Okay I just threw that last part in their but all kidding aside, there's plenty of stuff to be done in our country, to help the starving, the poor and the needy. Why do we need to go to other countries?

I want to make a suggestion to people who can't afford to give their money away but feel guilty if they don't. In the Bible it tells you to give away 10% of your earnings to the church. The part that it doesn't tell you is what to do if you can't afford to give 10% to the church. I personally have known quite a few people who give money out of guilt and fear but will tell you that this is a requirement of their religion and its okay. God will take care of us and he always does.

I don't really believe God, the all powerful all-knowing and loving creator, wants us to suffer, if we just don't make enough money to survive. If you're planning on sending your child to a Christian private school and could only afford to send them to that school, using the money that you were going to tithe to the church, what will you do? Tithe the money to the church so that they can use it to feed hungry people in other countries or build a new church somewhere or help with your child's education.

Some of these decisions are made difficult by religious doctrine and these are the parts of organized religion that I have problems with. When do we use common sense, combined with a little education to seek the truth. Does your religion ask you to seek the truth but not to gather your information beyond their religious boundaries?

Only give what you can afford to give and feel good about it. If you don't feel good about giving your money away, don't do it. Take care of yourself, so that you can take care of others, if you choose to. Living a life of fear and guilt doesn't make sense.

Question Your Religion

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development.

Greg is currently working on a religious help library filled with great subjects on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Rethinking Today's Religions - Misleading Our Children

When I was a young man, my parents told me about Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Every Christmas, there would be presents underneath the tree from Santa Claus and on Easter I would get a basket full of candy and eggs. However, when I was 11 years old, my parents broke the devastating news to me, there was no Santa Claus or Easter Bunny.

As you can imagine, I cried for hours over the frustration and disappointment. For one, I thought that I wasn't going to get any more Christmas gifts, but my parents provided me with the needed psychological relief and told me that they were going to provide Christmas gifts for me, until I died. Even though I was upset, I was relieved and confused.

If my parents lied about this, could they have possibly lied about something else, anything else. Have you ever thought about this and is there a situation in your life today that could be an old habit that never got corrected. Some theme that your parents told you when you were a child that was a lie and they never told you the truth. Maybe they never told you the truth because they don't even know themselves that it's a lie.

Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny were obviously disappointments to me and most people that I've talked to about their experiences, with their parents and even their children. Why do we do this as parents to our children, even though we didn't like it when it was done to us. Hard to explain why we can't break certain habits and certain traditions.

I love Christmas and the joy of giving. Even though I am no longer a Christian, I enjoy going over to my relatives homes and spending Christmas or Christmas Eve with them. Now for the bad news, if you were raised to believe in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism or any other large religious organization. Let me ask you this, do you think that it could be like Santa Claus, do you think the religion you believe in so strongly could be a story that has gotten out of control over the centuries.

I've spent a life time rethinking today's religions and can't find very many facts to prove any one religion is superior over another. Do your own research and find your own answers. Enlightenment could be as simple as gathering the right information.

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg is currently working on a self help library filled with great subjects on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

How Long Does God Really Want Me to Try?

The Holy Spirit has been working through me for many years and I really want to know how long, God really want me to try? How long does he want me to try to get Christians to think and understand Christianity? I'm doing the best that I can and as long as God is working through me, I will try to do better.

God put me here for a reason and my reason is to teach other Christians about Christianity. As long as the Holy Spirit will keep me alive, I will continue to do the best that I can and teach other Christians, how to study the Bible and where their religion actually came from.

If you're reading this article, your probably interested in Christianity and the Bible, if you do read the Bible, do you actually understand what it's saying. If you study the Bible, are you exposing yourself to others who also study the Bible, or are you only studying the Bible with people you know and are familiar with.

How long are you going to try, before you actually quit? Have you quit before and started again and maybe you've done this a few times, but you haven't quite yet. I know where you're coming from, I've been there myself and continue to motor ahead.

I would like to give you a word of advice, don't ever quit and don't ever give up. Keep searching and you will find the answers, keep knocking and doors will be opened. I have been knocking and will continue to keep knocking.

I wish you nothing but the best of luck on your journey towards the ultimate answers that we're all hoping to find.

Do Christians Believe Everything

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg is currently working on a Christian self help library filled with great subjects on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Tell Me Why You Truly Believe in God

It just doesn't make any sense, if you really spend the time, to think about it. If God is that powerful, why wouldn't he wiped out the opposition? Why wouldn't he be story their possessions?

Ask yourself one question, is God real and if so, how do you know that your right? Have you ever thought that someone else could be right and you could be wrong?

What Did God Really Say

Find out a little bit more about Your Religious Freedom

Thanks for reading the article

Monday, September 28, 2009

Tithing Education - Giving From Guilt

Question Your Religion

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Rethinking Today's Religions - Misleading Our Children

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

The Sabbath - A Discussion of Christians and Law

One place to visit when searching for Christian interactions with the law is Hebrews, Hebrews 8:6-7 . "But now [Jesus] has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second."

So the law is part of a bigger concept called the covenant. The covenant involves promises from God, and reciprocal action from men, as well as the will of God for man (law). The author of Hebrews here shows that the old covenant must give way to the new, for the new is better. He even says in verse 13: "In that He says, 'A new covenant,' He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away."

From here he goes into a discussion of the sanctuary and the sacrifices. Earlier he had talked of the priesthood. In place of all of these Old Covenant ways, he demands that Christ is better. Christ has fulfilled all.

Now when speaking of "fulfillment", there is something that Jesus said that lights the way here:

Matthew 5:17-18. "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all be fulfilled."

a. Note the time frame for fulfillment . We have until the new heaven and new earth before everything written in the Old Covenant is fulfilled.

b. Note that Jesus includes the writings of the Prophets in this broad sweep.

c. It remains for us to examine the various portions of the writings given before Christ to determine what has been fulfilled and what has yet to be fulfilled. None of it is to be written off as meaningless or even forgotten. Some of it is fulfilled in the Man Christ Jesus. Some of it is being fulfilled in Spirit-filled believers today. Some of it will be fulfilled in our future.

The book of Hebrews lets us know that animal sacrifices, the Aaronic priesthood to make those sacrifices, the sanctuary with its furniture, and all such connected items are gone, fulfilled in what Jesus did. That is not to say that natural Israel will not try to resurrect them in order to reclaim their Jewishness in the last days, but from God's perspective they are not any longer of service, because every piece of that program is fulfilled in the death and High-priestly ministry of Jesus Christ.

The prophets' vision of a world-wide reign of a son of David is yet in our future. It is not being fulfilled now! It will all come to pass, but those who try to "spiritualize" the Hebrew prophetic texts with their fanciful and oh! so bad interpretations are doing no one a service. What is written is written. It shall come to pass. It is a constant thrill to dig into these prophecies and see what lies ahead for the House of Israel, which House is also the property of called Gentiles.

Priesthood past, Kingdom prophecies future. Is there anything "present"? Oh yes! God said He would write His law on the hearts of His people. His law still exists! Not only Jesus mentions this principle of fulfillment, but Brother Paul also. Is it conceivable that a desire to set aside the seventh day of every week, as all the saints of Scripture did, could also come from the Spirit of God and counteract the edicts of the Roman institution?

http://chosunhouse.com is a website I put together a few months back to get the word out to believers that they need to pray for North Korea. I have created over 200 blogs and the site features a live news feed , lists of resources, picture essays, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosen together! Contact me any time at diakonos5@yahoo.com

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. I love to write Scriptural works. Who are you? Would love to fellowship with believers who respond.

Your Covenant with Death

As we walk in the beautiful raze of the sun, we dont take much time considering our death nor or eternal home. The Bible tells us that we have an appointment and a covenant, with death and an agreement with Hell.

Isa 28:15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: Do men actually believe these doctrines will save them in the time of Christs reappearance? Do they believe, Wood, Hay and Stubble, will keep them from the fire of eternal damnation?

Isa 28:15, are the thoughts and words of those that have, and will reject God and His son Jesus. From the Mosaic Law to the Law of Grace and Mercy.

As was in the Days of the Mosaic Law, today there are multitudes that reject the word of God. The Bible is one of the most read books in the history of the world. Many read it to find salvation and guidance and others read it to find fault.

Many scholars of the past and the present, have tried to avoid this subject, many saying that hell is just an imaginary place created by the church and death is just the end of life, no reward nor punishment. Isa 28:15, Covenant; A mutual consent or agreement of two or more persons, to do or to forbear some act or thing; a contract; stipulation. Agreement; Union of minds in regard to a transfer of interest; bargain; compact; contract; stipulation.

The covenant with death came with the fall of Adam. We are all born into the curse that Adam and Eve placed us with. We are all of the Family of Man, from the beginning to the end. Now being born so, we also hold the same responsibility of abiding to the covenant that Adam brought upon all. So we are appointed to die.

Rom 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adams transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. Act 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
The agreement that many sign with hell, is the spiritual and not the physical body, that enters into a contract with hell to abide by no rules nor limitations on our actions as a physical being. Satisfying the flesh while letting Satan have the soul.

Deu 32:22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. The word,Hell is mentioned 55 times in the KJV.

All with the idea that it is a place of utter torment and a result of Gods anger with mankind. Psa 21:8 Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee. Many say, they dont need God, we are beautiful, we are intelligent, we are in control of our own destiny, we are gods of ourselves. We have attained the summit of intellect, wisdom, knowledge and understanding of our world, and the universe is ours to plunder and shape.

Psa 21:9 Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.

In Mat 23:13, we see an example of the things going on in the time of Jesus, but we also see things that are going on in our world today. There are many teachers, teaching for doctrines of man, things that are contrary to the Scriptures, false religions, false doctrines, books written by man, for man, by the will of man and not of God.
Bibles that are written by man that alter Gods word, false prophets are made to be something when they are not, for example, the Books of, Nostradamus, Scientology, Joseph Smith, the Church of Satan bible, Marshal Applewhite, Jim Jones, the new world religion, and many many others.

Man has created himself gods of stone, wood, gold and paper. Its not just these men but also those that believe in them. Mankind has, sense the time of Adam, sought to make gods many that would supply the lust of the flesh and make salvation easier to obtain, these times were the days of darkness.

Mat 23:13; But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Just as with the followers of Nostradamus, his writings are so vague that anyone could intreprete any of his words, to mean anything they wanted. Its not the words but mans use of those words, that create a real and present danger. These writings are the writings of confusion and deception. If they would take the book as a fantasy, things would be different. But the use of these words create a stumbling block to them who teach, and a wall of ignorance to all who listen and believe. Just as Jesus stated; ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Isa 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. Ignorance and Indifference make men susceptible to all manner of false doctrine, accepting these things, results in a pact with death and an appointment with hell.
False preacher,Prophets and Ministers of Lies; Mat 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Mat 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

Ars
Isa 28:9 - shall he teach: Isa_30:10-12; Psa_50:17; Pro_1:29; Jer_5:31, Jer_6:10; Joh_3:19, Joh_12:38, Joh_12:47, Joh_12:48 doctrine: Heb. The hearing, Isa_53:1 *marg.

Weaned: Psa_131:2; Mat_11:25, Mat_21:15, Mat_21:16; Mar_10:15; 1Pe_2:2, Deu 32:22 - For a fire: Deu_29:20; Num_16:35; Psa_21:9, Psa_83:14, Psa_97:3; Isa_66:15, Isa_66:16; Jer_4:4, Jer_15:14; Jer_17:4; Lam_2:3, Lam_4:11; Eze_36:5; Nah_1:6; Mal_4:1, Mal_4:2; Mar_9:43-48; 2Th_1:8; Heb_12:29

shall burn: or, hath burned lowest: Psa_86:13; Isa_30:33; Zep_3:8; Mat_10:28, Mat_18:9, Mat_23:33 shall consume: or, hath consumed, Isa_24:6, Isa_24:19, Isa_24:20 foundations: Job_9:5, Job_9:6; Psa_46:2, Psa_144:5; Isa_54:10; Mic_1:4; Nah_1:5; Hab_3:10

Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries A.R.Smith Ministries http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/

The Abomination Of Desolation Described

Matthew 24:15, from the mouthy of Jesus: "Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand)..." One thing Jesus does not do anywhere in this Olivet discourse is tell us what the sign means!

Instead, he refers us to the Prophet Daniel. And there we must go, if we are to understand. Daniel spoke no less than four times about the "abomination of desolation". He approaches the subject several ways, and leads us to some clear conclusions. He also points us to a man in history who actually desecrated the temple in an abominable way. Yet evidence within Daniel and the clear sense of what Jesus is saying tell us that that ancient king has not fulfilled the prophecy of Daniel or Jesus. Not yet.

Jesus says that when we see this abomination, this thing God hates, it will be standing in the holy place. Standing because it is placed there? As in the previews we get in history from Antiochus Epiphanes two centuries before Christ? Or General Titus forty years after Christ? Or standing of his own accord, and sitting too, as Paul reveals in his second letter to Thessalonica, chapter two?Standing in a place that is holy. No need to conjecture as to what was the "holy place" to the Jews. Daniel speaks of a Temple. Jesus was standing near the Temple when He spoke these words. Paul says this man will actually be in the Temple of God!

Yes, we know that our bodies and the church of Christ are both referred to as temples in the Bible. But there is no need for such an interpretation when the text cries out to be literally understood. We are talking about a man here, in one historical -yet still prophetic - incident, who sits in a physical space, inside the yet to come Temple of the Jewish people. So the verse says that when we see what Daniel said it's time to run. And it closes with an all-important admonition to all Bible-readers. The Spirit of God knew that the words being spoken in that day would be more important to readers than to hearers in the long run, and so made sure that they (readers) got the message: understand! Read it over and over, do your homework, figure out what this means! What is inside will eventually jump out at you. Yes, the Lord knew that the words being spoken that day would be committed to pen, to typewriter, to computer, and that literally billions of people would one day have access to them. It has now reached you. May you have the grace to seek the Lord with all of your strength until you have unlocked fully your future.

Many seem not able to believe that God can do the things He seems to be saying. Like, how could there be yet another Temple? Perhaps many asked that when Solomon's Temple was floored. But a new building came. Actually the plans for such an edifice in our day are already on the table. A quick "Google" search for the phrase "Temple Faithful" will yield more than enough evidence that real live Jewish people are planning a come back of sacrificial worship just as soon as it is politically possible. Never mind that it will not be "efficacious" or necessary, it is coming.

http://chosunhouse.com is a website I put together a few months back to get the word out to believers that they need to pray for North Korea. Just about every day I'm writing a blog featuring some news, a book, or a story of North Korea. There's a live news feed on the site, lists of resources, picture essays, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together!

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Who are you? Would love to fellowship with believers who respond on my site.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Is The Pre-Tribulation Rapture In I Thessalonians 5:9?

Surely God will not let His children suffer like the world that is going to be judged, right? I mean after all, look at Paul's words:

I Thessalonians 5:9, "For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Question: Since the tribulation is the wrath of God upon unbelievers, how can the church be present?

Let me ask you in return a more difficult question from the pre-tribulation perspective: If people can indeed be saved during the Tribulation, as most who teach this theory believe, [since they see saints all over the Book of Revelation], why are the saints not raptured out of the world immediately upon their salvation, since the same wrath will be falling all around? Are these new believers a separate category of saints? To put a possible end to the dilemma of both questions, let us call upon brothers Bethel and Schwertley:

From Bethel, " What is the wrath to which we are not appointed? And, can saints go through the Great Tribulation without suffering the

wrath of God, as did the Old Testament saints in Egypt when God sent His plagues because of Pharaoh? ..."

The first question, regarding the nature of the wrath, needs a careful answer. For the wrath of God is indeed poured out during the three and one half years called the "Tribulation." During these times, believers will be separated from unbelievers, as they were in Egypt. Nevertheless there will be other forms of death for believers, and as Bethel says, "Tribulation and persecution is not the wrath of God...persecution and martyrdom is the New Testament norm."

He adds that, ultimately, " The wrath of God that Christians will be kept from is the wrath of the last day and, of course, the wrath of the Lake of Fire." It is clear at the end of the Book that believers are indeed caught up before Jesus pours out His vengeance on all His enemies (19:11-21). There is definitely no one called saint on the planet at that moment.

Bethel says that often in Scripture God takes His people through tribulation rather than delivering them from it.He cites Noah, the three Hebrew boys, and Daniel as examples of this. He mentions that all the Apostles were martyred except John... "God sometimes lets His saints suffer and die for His glory. Beloved, let no man deceive you. The saints will go through the tribulation depicted in the Revelation. The antichrist will be given power 'to make war with the saints, and to overcome them' (Rev. 13:7). The prophet Daniel wrote concerning the antichrist, 'He will speak against the Most High and oppress His saints...The saints will be handed over to him for [three and a half years]...He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people' (Dan. 7:25, 8:24). Christians who are compromisers before the Great Tribulation are not going to be overcomers through it."

Yes, God's people are kept from the wrath before the ultimate wrath during this Tribulation time: Hear Schwertley: "Revelation 16:1-2 says that God's wrath (the first bowl) is only to be poured out on the worshipers of the beast, who have his mark. Once again believers are excluded. In 16:9 and 11 those who receive God's plagues are identified as blasphemers who refuse to repent. A careful reading of Revelation demonstrates that although God's people experience persecution, death, and harm at the hands of wicked men they are carefully and lovingly excluded from every act of God's wrath..."

Another example then of pre-tribulation arguments that go up in smoke under close examination. God's people will not be judged with His wrath, but they will not be spared from the ravages of the antichrist. They suffer in our present day, and they will suffer then. It is knowing this that makes the "blessed hope" even more blessed.

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Who are you? Would love to fellowship with believers who respond on my site.

When the Time is Right

Someone's been taking care of Kim Jong-il's people in North Korea. Someone has surrounded the nation with intercessions to God. Someone has found the exits for many thousands of her citizens. That same Someone has been at the other end of the journey as refugees run to China-based Christians. Someone has been sending in food and clothes and Bibles and tracts.

That Someone is of course Jesus. Mr. Kim needs to know that the Jesus he squelches and Whose Word he consigns to the flames or the garbage is the very One who is caring for North Koreans day and night. That's Who Jesus is. That's the kind of thing He does.

Do we think for one moment that our God is emaciated and weak like the starving Koreans that Kim enslaves? That He is unable to rise up and with the breath of His mouth incinerate Pyongyang in a moment? He has done too many mighty works for us to think that.

There is a show of strength that is even greater than the meting out of deserved judgment. It is the restraint of a loving God Who will do nothing before the exact time has arrived. It is a God Who waits for people to repent, as He waited for the evil Canaanites, then the Egyptians, the Babylonians, the Romans.

All great powers have been given their chance to change, but eventually judgment came. And in the midst of all their prospering, God was prospering too. Inside Egypt, inside Babylon, inside Rome and subsequent Romanism, God grew His people. Then He manifested to the world what He was doing, and received the glory for what He had done.

Someone needs to tell the Kim government that their power is granted them only for a time. God is even now growing a people inside those prison walls. Inside every concentration camp, every jail, every holding center for repatriated citizens, are some of the People of God. Their moment of manifestation will come. The government will fall. God's people will rise. History is clear. God's Word is always more powerful than the chains of men.

On an even grander scale, the Bible says that the entire planet is awaiting the manifestation of the Sons of God. We are a people in exile. We are the scum now, though a few of our people seem to shine and be acceptable. By and large our message, our Christ, is rejected, hated, beaten, imprisoned.

But the One Who behind the scenes has been our Healer, our Provider, our Comforter, will one day make not only His people appear, but Himself. He will return, judgment will fall, and we will be caught up to Him to reign over the planet.

A fairy-tale ending? Of course. Where did the fairy tales ever get such ideas in the first place? From the hope that springs eternal in the promises of God. We really do win, Mr. Kim. Evil really shall be rewarded. God's people really will shine forever.

Be patient, people of God. Force is not an option for us. Neither is defeat. Give it to God. He will bring the outward victory in His time. He will give you the inner victory this very day.

Look for Bob Faulkner's home page on http://sermonaudio.com - There you will find a combination of love for the Scriptures and a desire for North Korean believers to have their needs met. There are nearly 300 blogs, over 200 Bible teaching MP3's, lists of resources, NK picture albums, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together! Contact me any time at diakonos5@yahoo.com

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Would love to fellowship with believers who respond.

My Love - A Poem About One's First Love

There are three main reasons why someone comes to Christ and receives Him as Lord and Savior of their lives and drives men and women to their knees before Him.

One reason is through a realization of the holiness of God and the unholiness, wretchedness of man and the complete realization that God is everything and you are nothing. Second reason is brought about with a very real and overwhelming fear of God's wrath and the final expression of His wrath being hell. Plus, the reality of what we really deserve from God is to spend the rest of eternity separated from Him in hell. Third reason comes about by falling head over heels in love with the loving Savior, Jesus Christ.

To fully realize how much Jesus Christ loves you and how much you mean to Him. My reason for first accepting Jesus Christ into my heart and life was reason number three. No one introduced me to Him, He just revealed Himself to me in a personnel, intimate way that I will never forget. At the start of my freshmen year in high school, all of my childhood friends moved away and I was left alone. In addition, I did not feel a lot of love at home from my parents and my one younger brother. I entered high school alone, feeling unwanted, unloved and consequently became depressed.

Looking back at my freshmen year, I would say the hardest part of being and feeling alone was not actually being alone or feeling disconnected from people but instead feeling that I wasn't valuable enough, for anyone to want to get to know me.

I always knew about God but I did not know Him; there is a tremendous difference between the two. Growing up, my parents would often take my brother and me to church. And during elementary school I would go to Bible class which was held once a week in a trailer and lasted about an hour. Church and Bible class is where I learned about God and some of the stories in the Bible. However, as far as I can remember, no one really taught me how to know God personally and intimately. Having no one to talk to during my freshmen year, I decided to take on the endeavor of getting knowing God by talking to Him.

My getting to know God started in conversations with Him, actually, I'm the one that did all of the talking so I guess it wasn't much of a two way conversation. Many times these conversations took place in an oak tree. However, whenever I talked to God I would request one desire, which was for God to take my life literally. Looking back, I realize that I wasn't getting to know God and certainly had no real clue to who He was. For God is the God of life and not death. And when one realizes God's love for them and embraces that love then one cannot help but to live life to the fullest. Jesus said, "..I have come that they may have life and life to the full." (John 10:10).

God is a rewarder of those who seek Him, no matter how one starts the seeking process. A couple of months into my freshmen year of high school, God sent me a friend and someone that He can talk through. His name was Ken Caster and he was a junior at my school. I met Ken while I was sitting alone at the lunch table in the cafeteria. As I was eating Ken approached me and sat down. He then did something that no one else had ever done, he asked me my name.

Ken did not immediately start preaching to me about Jesus. Really he didn't talk at me, spilling out theological and evangelical useful information. Instead, he simply started asking questions about me, he started to get to know me. I did not know it the time but it was at that moment I was talking face to face with God; for by just seeking to get to know me, Ken was displaying the character and heart of Jesus. For in every believer God lives and when we walk in obedience in accordance with God's holiness and His love then Jesus, who is also God (John 1:1-3,14), is manifested through the life of the Christian.

After several weeks from the first meeting with Ken I started going to Campus Life, there I met more of Ken's friends who quickly became my friends. Campus Life was a ministry which met once every other week. During the meetings there would be an icebreaker, then an open discussion about contemporary issues and how they relate to the Christian life. At the end of every discussion, a leader or someone would wrap up the discussion and the meeting would close with a social time. Someone working with Campus Crusade for Christ were in charge of these meetings. I am sure that during these meetings, Ken or someone told me about Jesus but I don't remeber anyone telling me the Gospel or salvation.

Towards the end of March of my freshmen year, Ken invited me to see a Christian comedian named, Ken Davis in concert. It sounded fun so I agreed. In April Ken and some of his friends picked me up and took me to the concert. During the show I could not remember the last time, if any, I laughed and not only laughed but laughed so hard, that at times it was hard for me to breath. Towards the end, when the laughing stopped, Ken Davis proceeded to tell us about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This was the first time when I heard about the Man, the God and the Savior that I would fall in love with.

At the end of his message Ken Davis asked everyone to bow their heads and not to think about anything. He asked, while heads bowed, to let the Holy Spirit move and allow God to talk to our hearts.

This night was the first night when God spoke and I listened. While my head was bowed God did speak to me, not with words but with His love and I began to feel and sense Jesus Christ's presence, His loving presence, all around me and inside of me, and for the first time in my life I did not feel alone. Then Ken Davis asked if anyone wanted to accept Jesus into their heart and if so to come up front.

Without thinking, I slowly stood up with my head still bowed and I slowly made my way up to the stage. As I was making my way up I began to lift my head and shame started sliding off me like butter and acceptance started to clothe me.

While I was walking down the aisle and up towards the stage, I did not look to the right or to the left but looked straight ahead then up towards the heavens, it was like I was looking straight into the loving eyes of the Savior.

For it was that night I saw the face of my love but it wasn't my fleshly eyes that beheld Him but my spiritual eyes that beheld Jesus Christ, my love. It was that night I knew I would never again be alone. After much rejoicing with Ken Caster and his friends I went home and headed up stairs to my bedroom.

In my bedroom alone but yet not alone I made a vow I said, "Jesus, I want to live for you no matter what. If it is cool or uncool, if it is the right thing to do or the wrong thing to do, I will live for you. Since then I started conversing with God and now I try to do the majority of the listening. When God speaks to me, many time I hear his words and feel His arms around me and His love warming my heart and spirit on cold, dark nights.

It was on one of those nights that I wrote my first poem called "My Love." Other poems would follow mainly about Jesus, which comes from my new heart that I received the night when I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart and life, at a Christian comedian concert in April of my freshmen year of high school.

My Love

I remember when I first fell in love,
your gentles like a dove,
your voice calling me
to be your love.

I remember when I first held your hand,
as I promised to cherish you
in this foreign land.

When times come when I feel lost and scared,
I hear your voice saying,
"You have nothing to fear,
remember you are mine,
All of this because I care."

For I know, I am the apple of your eye,
before you I was nothing but now I am something,
by the result of your love that will never die.

There was a time, long ago
when you proved your love for me,
and showed me once and for all,
You will never let me go.

For my sins you died upon a tree,
with powerful action,
on the cross,
you displayed your love for me.

When I heard you had died, I started to cry,
but tears of sadness turned to tears of joy,
when you arose and appeared by my side.

Soon you told me you had to leave,
to prepare a place for me,
where we will be together for eternity.

My love, there are still times when I feel discouraged,
when I grow suddenly afraid and loose all courage,
tough still I am quick to rejoice,
for you have promised me,
you will come back for me,
and with your sweet voice,
call me by name to join you in eternity.

Jeff Dalton
317-902-2266
http://www.gracereminders.com
Reminding people of God's grace with one word at a time

Anna Nicole Smith Reveals The Secret From Heaven

Anna Nicole Smith: My Dear Dannielynn, I 10ve you so much, I miss you so much, my heart is breaking, I cry for you. But alas now I am free from the liars and backstabbers. Be Happy I Am. I Am with Daniel now in Heaven.

Beware of the mockers and scoffers who will hound you all around all the days of your life like Lisa Marie Presley. (Psalm 1). Her father was the King of Rock and Roll. Larry Birkhead is asking the court to order a DNA test on me now. This is to determine if I am your mother. Jesus was in a house talking to some people when his mother and brothers showed up at the door asking to see him. People today are still arguing over who was the father of Jesus Christ? Jesus said, Who is my mother and who are my brothers? Jesus pointed at his Jewish disciples and said, Behold you are my mother and my brothers. For whoever shall do the will of my Father who is in Heaven, follow the 10 commandments, 10ve, these people are my brothers and sisters and mother. (Matt. 12:46-50).

A house, the Earth divided against itself cannot stand. The religious leaders of Christianity, Islam and Judaism call all non group members non believers in God. Jesus called the religious leaders of his day following the Old Testament, (except for the 10 commandments, the Word of God, 10ve), like the Christian, Muslim and Jewish religious leaders of today venomous snakes spewing their poisonous lies and blind guides leading you all into the fire. (Matt. 23). Yet the fact is that Jews, Christians and Muslims all believe in the very same God of Mount Sinai who carved the 10 commandments in stone and gave them to Moses 3,200 years ago. A rose by any other name is still a rose. Vicky Lynn Hogan is still Anna Nicole Smith your 10ving mother. God of Mount Sinai is named Allah and God the Father and Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit and Yehovah and Elohim and I Am Who I Am and I Shall Be As I Shall Be but He is still God of Mount Sinai. Jews, Christians and Muslims are all believers in the very same God of Mount Sinai who appeared as a burning bush to Moses.

The century has turned and life must cease on Earth unless there is peace. Your religious leaders divide you by focusing on the 1% of religious beliefs you disagree upon instead of uniting you all by focusing on the 99% of religious beliefs you hold in common. 2 billion Christians and 1 billion Muslims all believe that the Jewish born Rabbi Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary and was the Messiah who is to come again. (Koran Chapter 3:40-43, The Temple of Love page 2). Heaven is like the YMCA filled with laughing happy children of every religion race creed and color all playing beautifully together. God is like gravity, it doesnt matter if you believe in it or what name you call it, gravity and God will still pull you in the right direction.

Anna Nicole Smith: Beware Dannielynn of the mockers and scoffers of Earth (Psalm 1). They will surely say that your mother was a harlot. Remember what Jesus said, Truthfully I say unto you that the tax collectors and the harlots will go into the Kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him but the tax collectors and the harlots did believe him. (Matt. 21:31-32). You must 10ve God and you must 10ve yourself and your neighbor in the little village called earth. (Mark 12:29-31).

Bury me, please. Jesus said, Woe unto you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge and you entered not in yourselves, and those that were entering in you blocked. (Luke 11:52). The people gathered to stone to death a woman who had committed adultery. Jesus said, Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone. (John 8:7). No on cast any stones and they all slinked away. For 4 years J. Howard Marshall begged me to marry him. Had I been a gold digger I would have married him on the spot for I was poor, but I did not. Finally after 4 years I married J. Howard Marshall because I fell in love with him. I fell in love with the timeless Holy Spirit inside of him. The Pharisees asked Jesus when the Kingdom of God would come. Jesus said, The Kingdom of God will not be able to be observed and people shall not say Look here, look there because the Kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:20-21).

Jesus said that in Heaven people do not marry and they do not die because they are angels, the children of God. (Luke 21:36). Jesus said God is a spirit. (John 4:24). Who is your father my darling Dannielynn? Jesus said, Is it not written in your law I said you are Gods? (John 10:34). Jesus was referring to Psalm 82. Who is your father Dannielynn? God said, I say you are Gods, children of God, all of you. (Psalm 82:6). You have your answer now Dannielynn. Your father is God. The father of every child on Earth today is God. You are all God, you are all part of God, and you are all children of God. The Holy white light Spirit of God lives in every child on Earth today.

Anna Nicole Smith: Dannielynn the fox in The Little Prince said, Words are a source of misunderstanding. The one word that is the biggest source of misunderstanding which is leading the Jewish and Christian and Muslim children against each other now into the real live Hell of Nuclear World War 3 is the Hebrew word Goyim in Psalm 2 of the Old Testament followed by Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The original Hebrew word Goyim in Psalm 2 means the non Jews. King David, the King of the Jews channeled Psalm 2 from God 3,000 years ago. God told King David, You are my son, (I Am your father). I have begotten you this day. Ask of me and I will make the Goyim your inheritance and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall smash the Goyim with a rod of iron and you will shatter the Goyim like a potters vessel.

Every Bible Scholar on Earth today knows that Christianity was born with Jesus Christ 1,000 years after the death of King David. When King James asked that the Old Testament be translated into English for Christianity, the Bible Writer had a problem. How could he translate the word Goyim properly? How could the Christian Bible say that God promised King David that he would smash every Goy, every non Jew, every Christian? To get around this, the Christian Bible writers changed the word of God, the word Goyim to the word Heathen. (Psalm 2:8 KJV). Heathen means non Christian. The N.R.S.V. Bible writers changed the word Heathen to the word nations, the non Christians. In around 650 AD the Muslims adopted the Old Testament for Islam and changed the word Goyim to infidel meaning non Muslim. Is Tom Cruise going to change the word Goyim to non Thetan? God through every prophet called your Holy Bibles except for His word 10ve shelters of lies and falsehoods which would cause you all to fall backwards and be broken and ensnared and taken. (Isaiah 28:9-15, The Temple of Love page 3.)

Dannielynn the spirit of God lives in every person on Earth. Everyone sits back and does nothing waiting for the Messiah to arrive to save them and conquer the world for them as the Bible Writers of Psalm 2 say. This is why God through every prophet especially Jesus Christ called your Holy Bibles forgeries except for the 10 commandments. God said, "They (the Bible Writers) say, 'Says the Lord', when the Lord has not sent them, and yet they wait for the fulfillment of THEIR word!" (Ezekiel 13:6). In the meantime God is inside of every person on Earth today screaming 10ve! 10ve yourself and 10ve your brothers and sisters. Stop murdering each other and stop telling lies about each other. You all have the same father.

Karen Fish is a writer currently living in Los Angeles California. The Temple of Love http://www.thetempleoflove.com/

Danger! Air Bags Aloft!

"Speak when you're spoken to" was the maxim with which most of us grew up. I'm trying to live by it now . Don't say anything unless there is something to say. Wait for the message. Here's what comes today, in the form of a question:

Where is the greatest danger for the Christian believer today? If you could choose to live in a place where you, the church, the world perceive the greatest threat to your personal safety, your character, your soul, your eternal relationship with Christ, where would you go?

I do not suggest that it is given to us to decide such matters. The Lord of the harvest must send this one here and that one there. So it's good that we not necessarily respond to our decision as though our thinking process is what makes the church go 'round.

But where would you go? I have portrayed North Korea as one of the most horrible places a Christian, or anyone could live. No liberty. No church, at least above ground. Tortured and tormented for naming publicly the name of Christ. Abject poverty. No modern conveniences except near Pyongyang. Big Brother alive and well and watching every move, and reporting it too. Oh my! Dangerous!

But out of North Korea come saints who walk with God. Not because American missionaries come in and out of that nation;they're not allowed. They don't thrive on American dollars and conveniences. Our gifts are mis-directed and hoarded by the inner circle. How do they possibly thrive without American riches and ingenuity? What drives a refugee who has finally escaped the nightmare, to turn around and walk right back in with Bibles, tracts and personal testimonies, to share Christ with neighbors and family? Yes, it happens in this dangerous land.

Danger you say? I agree. Yet when these souls pass on to the next life, it is all soon forgotten. These suffering saints are received in Christ's embrace and eternity begins in His arms. Makes North Korea look a little safer after all.

Consider fellow-nation USA. Safety everywhere you say? Oh, I agree there also. No guns. Well, actually lots of guns, but most people can move freely to places where guns aren't an issue. No persecution. No problem with church attendance. Why, a church on every corner. Plenty to eat and drink and enjoy. A comfort zone if ever there was one!

The dictator of North Korea has deceived his people into thinking that he is a god. Fear of failing this god has created this nation. But Americans are convinced of lies just as serious. Even Christians. They are convinced, for example, that a bag of air carried from one end of a field to another by a highly paid athlete, or a rawhide sphere slammed by a stick over a wall is gravely important and worth whiling hours and hours away as their safe little nations sinks deeper into its sins and faces the wrath of God.

Where are the heroic saints emerging emerging from this land? Believers who still go to church better not be asked to stay over an hour per meeting. The prayer meeting has all but died, and its format has been dead for a long time. Music is worldly, messages are miniscule, and evangelism has stopped in so many of these period pieces. Soon the world will speak of post-Christian America as we speak of Europe today.

Did we say this is a safe place? Not for the soul. Temptation is all around.

The answer for most of us is not to move to North Korea. But to repent. And to be such odd ducks for Jesus here, for holiness produces such, that the persecution will follow us too. Where is the cross in this nation? Surely Jesus has one for you, and it's not that sore toe or rheumatism. The world can boast of all those things.

It's the sold-out devotion to a living God that brings the wrath of the Enemy. Without it, our facing of eternity may be more hazardous than we had bargained for.

"Must Jesus bear the cross alone, and all the world go free?

"No, there's a cross for everyone, and there's a cross for me."

http://chosunhouse.com is a website I put together a few months back to get the word out to believers that they need to pray for North Korea. I have created over 200 blogs and the site features a live news feed, lists of resources, picture essays, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosen together! Contact me any time at diakonos5@yahoo.com

Tithe Versus Free-will Giving

Ten has always been the symbol of fullness, and when giving a tenth of your income, it symbolizes the total; it represents everything that you've earned. All things belong to God & has to be seen as such (cf. Ps.50:10; Hag.2:8; Deut.8:18; 1Cor.4:7; Jas.1:17).

However, it is important to distinguish between the tithe & free-will giving to the church.

The tithe was implemented in O.T. times when Israel was a theocracy and not a democracy, i.e., when it was a God-ruled nation. The tithe was meant to provide for the rulers of Israel ... the Levites' tax (Lev.27:21, 28, 30, 32; cf. Lev.7:34, 36; Num.18:26). They were required to give another ten percent every year that was to go for the funding of the national holidays & national feasts, etc. (Deut.12:17; Deut.14:22-26). This was to take care of national unity & national religion. And yet another ten percent was required every third year that was to go to the poor as welfare (cf. Deut.26:12; Deut.14:27-29).

That means that 231/3% were annual funding for the government. The tithe was related to that & was never related to free will giving or spontaneous giving. It was required taxation, and in Mal.3:10 where He says, "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, ..." it means that we should pay our taxes. I.e., the tithe in the Old Testament was not free will giving to God out of love, but it was a compulsory paying of taxes.

In O.T. times there was free will giving too (Prov.3:9), to give & honour the Lord with however much they wanted, and for that there was a principle (Prov.11:24). That principle was reiterated by Jesus in Luke 6:38 & similar ones are found throughout Scripture (see Acts 4:35; cf. Acts 6:5; 2Cor.8:2, 5; 2Cor.9:6-8; 1John 3:17; Jas 2:17,20,26). God wants us to do good to others, whoever they are, and so we have to be ready & eager to share wherever the government doesn't provide (cf. Heb.13:16; Acts 20:35).

So what is the proportion of giving? How much are we to give? What does Paul say in 1Cor.16:2? You are to give just exactly what you in your heart determine. Let every one of us purpose in his heart what he will give, but be sure that it's not grudgingly or of necessity, because the Lord loves a cheerful giver (cf. 2Cor.9:7).

The period for giving is the first day of the week, because that is what they did back then (cf. 1Cor.16:1-4). And this was done so that when a need came along, they didn't have to traumatise it & get everybody all worked up so that they gave emotionally. Likewise, we need to learn to deal systematically, week by week, with stewardship, so that when needs come there'll be money available. This forms a great part of our faithfulness ... giving to God out of love and not out of some emotional stimulation.

Deon (Ditto / D)

Romance Re-visited

Some time ago I posted here an article about the romanticizing of pain. It's a theme that wends its way back every now and then, and is pricking me this morning.

A nasty struggle goes on in this old brain as I contemplate spending a summer in Korea this year. There's a voice of some sort, I won't call it the Lord, as so many rush to do. Perhaps conscience. Perhaps common sense. But maybe the Lord is speaking too...

"So," the voice says, and I loosely translate the impressions I receive, "you really think you have something to offer these Koreans!"

"Yes, sir, I have felt their pain so strongly, that I must do something."

"Felt their pain, you say? Felt their pain? You?! Exactly what pain have you felt?"

"You know, the pain of their suffering and their rejection. I feel it in my gut!"

"Oh you do, do you? I'm wondering just which part of their suffering you feel. Is it the hunger? Do you fast often, or have you been unable to afford food, or have you been on a low-vitamin diet so long that you are developing a sickness of some sort? That kind of pain?"

"Well, uh, actually I eat quite well. I do skip a meal now and then to keep my weight in line. I've even been known to fast and pray, but not too often, really..."

"Then perhaps you have lost your job? The economy even here is sinking, and you've joined the thousands who are now unemployed? That would surely help you feel the pain!"

"Hmmm, no, my job still seems to be intact. The education sector has not been affected as yet. Not so much as missed a paycheck, and there's even a bonus now and then. No, it's not that."

"You've been in jail, then? A political prisoner, arrested because of your involvement with Jesus, locked up away from your family, with a few beatings thrown in?"

"No, the only times I went to jail I was just visiting. Never been seriously persecuted for my faith."

"Then what kind of pain can you possibly be speaking of? You're not talking about the bravado the disciples displayed when they vowed they would die for Jesus? You're not talking about the tears you shed when you saw that NK video? Call it any number of things, but don't call it pain! How dare you compare your sniveling to the North Koreans' prison sentences and say that you now know their pain!"

"Uh, well, I , I guess I..."

And this smothering exchange of comments keeps reminding me of how fully and totally inadequate is any external preparation for such a visit as this. Through the months I have asked God for His preparation, though, and some things that have surfaced are promising. Since my decision to go, I have had to face nights - long nights - of personal fears and doubts. I have had major and minor procedures done on my body, where - in my imagining way - I despaired of life. I have been a victim of ineffective drugs. Attacks have assailed me at my work place. And more...

When we lay our comfortable little lives at the foot of the cross and say, "Show me the rest of the story,let me feel, not just romantic "pain," but the pain You felt on the cross, and what You want me to feel on my own cross, and the real pain of your people, so I can relate..., " things begin to happen. Life unravels, a bit at a time, and our sham hypocrisies are exposed. Even we realize who we are after a while, and cry out with Isaiah our unworthiness, "I am a man of unclean lips..." Only then are we fit for this service.

It may start with tears, but it ends with the real thing. And on the way, there will be constant re-calculating of the cost, many chances to say, "Hey, I just can't afford this. I never knew..."

The apostles, filled later with the Holy Ghost, decided the cost wasn't that high after all, and are in bliss with Jesus as I write. May we be able to see what they saw, and decide what they decided.

Hey, romance is OK at the beginning of a relationship. That's the natural order. We "fall" in love. But eventually there is the rising back up again, to commitment, marriage, hardship. Are we ready to be wedded to His cross? Is He worth it? Is His suffering Body worth it? Is the lost world worth it?

Look for Bob Faulkner's home page on http://sermonaudio.com. There you will find a combination of love for the Scriptures and a desire for North Korean believers to have their needs met. There are nearly 300 blogs , over 200 Bible teaching MP3's, lists of resources, NK picture albums, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together! Contact me any time at diakonos3@gmail.com.
And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Would love to fellowship with believers who respond .

How to Write 5 Articles Per Day

So here is the beginners guide to writing an article. This guide will help you to create as many articles as you wish each day.

The very first sentence of your article should introduce the reader to a problem. The problem should have some bearing on the niche or topic that you are in. So describe the problem. What is the problem through the eyes of the reader?

Then the second sentence in your article should explain why solving this problem is important. Here you might say something such as "It is important that you solve X problem otherwise matters may deteriorate and lead to such and such problem".

The next sentence, sentence number three of the introduction should say something about how you are going to solve this problem through the information in your article. So this sentence is like a summary and it rounds up the points you will discuss in the main body of the article.

Now the important elements of this article writing is that it gives you the ability to quickly write and complete an article without having to mess around with being creative and drafting. Using this system will help you to create articles extremely quickly. I can write 20 articles each and every day using a system like this.

So to reiterate, the title of the article gives the reader the essence of the problem. The first sentence will state what you intend to do in the article with regard to the problem. For instance, "I intend to teach you the four simple and quick steps you can take to eliminate bad fats from your meals starting now". Then the next sentence is going to say, "It is vitally important that you eliminate bad fats from your meals because otherwise you will continue to pile on the pounds...".

Then the third sentence is going to say, "The best way to eliminate this problem is by" and then you are going to give a summary of the ways to solve the problem before you go into the main body which will give the best methods in the form of a list or bullet points.

Do you want to learn more about how I do it? I have just completed my brand new guide to article writing to build your list:

Download it free here: Secrets of Article Writing

Want to learn how to increase your online income by effortlessly creating high priced products that your customers need and desire? Find out more here: Create High Ticket Products Fast

Janet Cole is a powerful coach and online mentor. She has over 585 articles in print and has created over 11 different products.

Cherubic Hymn Movie Video

I love the chants from the Byzantine Chant and other Religions

Peaceful Warrior God

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg is currently working on a christian Ideas library filled with great movies on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world.

Jesus - God With Us

Emmanuel Is My Favorite Name For Jesus. None of the other names, as beautiful and as accurate as they are, come close to saying as much about Him as Emmanuel (God With Us). Of course, most people describe God With Us as representing His birth and earthly life as Jesus of Nazareth. This is correct, but such a limited definition it seems almost insulting. You see, He was God With Us at creation, when, through Him all things were made. He was God With Us since creation in his visits to various leaders between creation and His birth. He is God With Us since Pentecost when He poured out His Spirit on all flesh and still does so to all He calls. He is God With Us even to those who don't follow Him because in Him we live and move and have our being and all things are held together by His Word.

Essence Of Christianity: God With Us is the essence of Christianity, where He literally takes up residence within us, giving us His Spiritual guidance and power. We have a present reality called eternal life. We have the mind of Christ. We are seated with Him in Heaven. He intercedes for us. His Spirit prays for us. Because His anointing is in us, we need no one but His Spirit to teach us. All of this is the opposite of religion.

Opposing Religion: With religion, God is distant and we must sacrifice our behavior, time and money to earn our way to Him. With Christianity, we were distant and God loved us so much He sacrificed Himself to be with us. With some religions, God is under us, in that, if we do or say certain things, He must respond by blessing us in one way or another. With Christianity, God is with us, wanting us to have every good thing, answering our every prayer by granting what we ask unless He has something better in mind for us. There is no religion where you're able to participate in the Divine nature, but that is the nature of Christianity.

Spiritual Community: God with us means that our Deliverer, Redeemer, Good Shepherd is within all of us at the same time. His power makes us so close as to be one body, no matter how far apart we are. As His people, His love shines through us to reach the world and draw them. His power protects us from harm, even from death. His Spirit works through us and empowers prayer and other miraculous works that heal people, overthrow evil, feed the hungry and proclaim His everlasting love. With all that within us, how pitifully we live, barely allowing ourselves a glimpse of the true riches He's poured on us. Jesus, please forgive me for knowing this and yet not knowing, not bearing fruit in keeping with the vast promise of You who live within me. Help me to overthrow my sin nature and live in the true power and glory of You, so I can finally know what your name means...God With Us.

Glen Williams is an Ordained Minister, Founder and CEO of E-Home Fellowship (EHF), Inc. and Webmaster for http://www.web-church.com. He has been active in ministry since 1989. You can comment on his articles at Web-Church Christian Forums.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Is The Pre-Tribulation Rapture In Revelation 3:10?

Questions, questions...If there were not some difficult questions that the Scriptures themselves raise regarding the so-called "pre-tribulation rapture" , fewer people would give this theory the nod. I prayerfully submit the following explanation of a passage in Revelation that seems to point toward pre-tribulationism.

Revelation 3:10, "Because you have kept my command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth." Question: Isn't it God's will to remove His Church to Heaven from this final trial?

Here the "hour of trial" is called by the pre-trib people, the Great Tribulation, and the Philadelphia Church becomes the "end-time church" in the church-age theory, and the faithful are thus promised they will not have to go through this Tribulation because, it is further assumed, they will be "caught up" before that time comes.

Problems with that view:

1. Can we prove that the "hour of trial" is the full three and one half years? Could it not just as easily be the terrible day of His coming ? Then indeed the saved will be caught up to be with Jesus.

2. To make Philadelphia the end-time church is to make Laodicea the church of the Tribulation, a group of "losers" who suddenly turn into martyrs for the cause of Christ.

3. Is it not possible that this message is indeed given to a church known in the days of John, and that the promise was kept? Did not Philadelphia

escape the last times altogether?

4. Are there not churches in every generation who can claim this promise of escaping the judgment of God if they are faithful?

5. Is it not possible at the very least, that God is able to keep His People from harm in the midst of judgment? Was either Noah or Lot removed from the earth? Do not the 144,000 escape Satan's plan? When the bowl judgments fall, is it not stated explicitly who is being targeted? Other

than persecutions allowed , are God's people ever harmed when God is pouring wrath on His enemies?

As Schwertley points out, it is not proper to make the promise given to an individual church in Asia some generalized promise for all churches of all time. As he says, " The church of Smyrna is told that they 'will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful unto death.' (Rev.2:10) They are not promised protection from the coming time of tribulation." To make the behavior of a particular church in Asia Minor universal in its application "is to render the commendation to the Philadelphians meaningless."

Also, Jesus indicates strongly here that the time is about to happen. This is not talking about an end-time scenario, but the persecution of their own time, the difficult political situations of their own day. And the Philadelphian church was not "beamed out of the Roman Empire" but kept from the evil of the days, as Noah and Lot in their generations. Was it not Jesus who said to the Father, "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one." That's how it works: in the world, but kept from evil. That is what Philadelphia is no doubt being promised.

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Who are you? Would love to fellowship with believers who respond on my site.

Odd Video, You Try and Figure It out

if you don't matter to God, you don't matter to anyone else, that statement doesn't make a lot of sense. If I reversed the phrase, if you don't matter to anyone else you matter to God. Something to think about.

Seek the wisdom and the truth shall set you free.

Hope in Religion

The Judgment of God

It is not a popular subject today. The pendulum of preaching has swung far away from hell-fire brimstone to a sentimental reading of Scripture that is just as diabolical as the enemy's first questionings of the truth of God. We have changed, church. The Scriptures have not. Here is what they say about the coming judgments.

Yes, I say the word should be plural. The best historical traditions of church teaching has seen in the Scriptures two very separate events, both called judgment. And in both cases it seems that the purpose of the gathering is to make public the obvious outcome of man's shortcomings, not to have a Perry Mason-like courtroom scene where the outcome is not certain until after the last commercial.

There are many differences between God's judgment meetings and our own. We have laws in abundance in America, for example. But a man can break those laws and still come out innocent. Innocent persons have been found to be guilty. Injustice and perversions of the legal system abound. That's why a trial here can take so long. Not so in the Heavenly Court. In that place God is judge and jury and author of the law. He knows exactly what is right and exactly what is wrong and who did what when, and with what motive. No need to drag this scene out. Unless a sin has been covered by the blood of Jesus Christ, mankind is guilty, and our God will make that eternally and painfully clear. Publicly.

But there is this thing of the "judgment seat of Christ," that both Paul and John talk about. It seems to have a different flavor, though it is a judgment. Let's go to the Book of Revelation, chapter 20.

John speaks clearly of a 1,000 year period of time, at the beginning and end of which will be a judgment that follows a resurrection. Jesus referred to this series of events as the "resurrection of life and the resurrection of damnation."

At the first resurrection, or the one we refer to now as the rapture, when the dead in Christ are raised, there is a group of people brought forth that live and reign with Christ for the millennium. But not before they must be judged. Yes, the first things John sees in this picture are judgment thrones. Not one negative word is said in this passage. It seems that this is a judgment in favor of the saints. Jesus' parable of the talents, and others, tells us that varying rewards will be given out. It would seem to me that this is the time for that.

Though salvation is secure to those first resurrected, the judgment of little or no reward for service is a serious matter. Saints today should be running a race so as to do well at the finish line, a type of judgment, where crowns of victory are given out. Or withheld. A time of weeping and shame, but not eternal loss.

Far more horrible shall be the judgment of damnation. Men shall be resurrected at this time, also, according to Jesus and John (still in Revelation 20). Here "the rest of the dead", those not included in the first resurrection, shall be given bodies fit for destruction, eternally able to bear shame. Unspecified books will be opened. Will these be the 66 of the Bible, as a testimony against the works of men? Will they be minute details of every sinful action, inaction, and thought of every man, woman, and child who has ever lived? The Scripture does say that all of these people will be judged by their works, according to everything written in the books.

Yes, believers 1000 years earlier will be able to say that Christ bore their judgment on the cross. And that argument will be accepted. But unbelievers, those who never accepted the work that Christ did, will have to offer their own works. An offering that has never been accepted in Heaven.

The only puzzle I find in this passage is the mention of the Book of Life. If what I have concluded above is true, then there will be no one whose name appears in the Book of Life that is represented at that second judgment. Our works cannot justify us before a holy God.

But John says "anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." The way that's worded seems to open the door to some on that day actually being in that special Book, but by what provision I know not.

I certainly want my name to be in the Book now. The question I pose may be interesting enough academically, but as a matter of life and death, I don't want to take any chances regarding that second judgment. I trust my readers and listeners have come to that same conclusion.

Judgment. A very difficult matter to discuss. But a message that must be preached by the church to a world that becomes increasingly ignorant of the things of God. For whether man knows about it or not, God has appointed a day for that judgment, and a Man to supervise the proceedings. Judgment Day is coming. May the Day, and especially the Man, Christ Jesus, be preached.

As always, join me in prayer for the nation of North Korea, a land headed for judgment unless the Word of God is allowed in.

Dangerous Reactions to God's Truth

Christians who preach and adhere to the biblical doctrine of Christ are facing ever increasing danger for refusal to compromise their belief in God's word in exchange for a favorable reputation of being well liked. Nevertheless, those who believe and accept all of God's word are assured of the truth that the apostle Paul put forth when he said, "For do I now persuade men or God, or do I see to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ" (KJV, Galatians 1:10).

The Old and New Testaments of the Bible clearly illustrate the danger of sharing the full gospel of Jesus which proclaims both the mercy and severity of the Lord and his commandment to all men to repent (Matthew 4:17). Realizing the safety risks involved with an unwavering stance on the truths of the Bible doesn't deter the dedicated believer from proclaiming the gospel, but it should deter them from underestimating the ferocity that can be stirred in those with the spirit of rebellion.

The fourth chapter of the book of Luke recounts a time when Jesus went into the synagogue on the sabbath. The scripture says he was given the book of Esaias to read aloud which he did. The passage he read spoke of himself and is recorded in verse eighteen. He read, "The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord."

Such words were soothing to the ears of those who listened attentively. Verse twenty-two says that the audience, "...Wondered at the gracious words that proceeded out of his (Jesus) mouth." However, when the very same Jesus began to remind them of truth they didn't want to hear, they became so enraged that they sought to murder the Savior that day. Luke 4:25-29 records that Jesus said, "But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land. But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet, and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath. And rose up and thrust him out of the city and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong."

The same truth would have been well received by many Gentiles, however, they've been angered by other truths that caused no anger in Israel. Serious Bible students would do well to understand that when it comes to preaching the gospel in all the world, it's not a matter of the specific truth that angers a select group of people, but rather the fact that truth, in and of itself, often incites fury.

Thought-provoking Christian articles at: Heavenly Manna.

Certainly Not!

"This man dealt treacherously with our people, and oppressed our forefathers, making them expose their babies, so that they might not live..."

The tyrant spoken of here in Acts 7 by the soon to be martyred Stephen, is Pharaoh, but he lives on in the persons of tyrants today. One that I know of kills all that oppose him, including their children. If he could he would wage war with the world and bring all under his dominion. In fact there is a man coming who will attempt to do just that.

In the parable of the vinedresser, Luke 20, Jesus says that the Judge of all will one day consume those who have dared to oppose His work. His audience, smug Jews who felt God could never oppose them, gasp, "Certainly not!"

Today equally smug Christians of the West hear of the tribulation that is coming to the entire planet, and fantasize, some through a carefully worked-out theology, that it can "never happen here." That the "poor believers over there" could become the one they see in the mirror every day is incredibly unbelievable to them. "Certainly not!" they would cry.

But it will come on all flesh, including believers'. The persecution, the suffering, homelessness, joblessness, pain, torture and death. It will come. Will this Western church survive it?

I hear of churches having "teaching" sessions built around a book written by some rock-and-rollers. I think, what if the church of my childhood would have had a small group meeting based on the life of Frank Sinatra? He claimed to have some religion after all. And Elvis! Why, he had whole albums of Christian music. Why was he not held up to us as a model? Will this sort of methodology change our world and prepare it for the test?

I see a parade in a town near here this summer. Three Christian floats. The first one, a band is playing rock music. No words. No message. Only rock. The hint: Come to our church, it's cool! Another one , more rock music. People singing words this time. But as is the norm with this kind of music, one couldn't make out what was being said. A third display was some simple children's tunes. All 3 had a chance to share the love of Jesus. They could have even had a short testimony of the saving power of the Lord. The people lining the street only saw the music wars, and the churches promoting themselves.

That sort of religion won't make it when antichrist rises. In the first round of terror, those groups will shut down and never be heard of again.

What about your church? What about you? What about me? Do we have the sort of community and personal walk with God that will walk us through the fire that is coming, unscathed?

They say that North Korean believers pray for us. It does seem that we are in the greater danger, doesn't it?

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Who are you? Would love to fellowship with believers who respond on my site.

Why Read The Bible?

How easy is it for you to let dust collect on your Bible?

There was a time when I was first searching out the truth about Jesus Christ that I was embarrassed to let friends see the bible I had purchased sitting in my living room.

Then there was a season during which I was so proud to have my study bible laying open with a bookmark, highlighter and note paper nearby.

Then my bible started to just feel like an extension of my own body... always there, always ready.

Then the bible collection began... I wanted different versions, different purposes, different looks and different styles. A bible for my bedroom, a bible for the car and a bible just in case someone needs one.

And sadly... there has been a season in my life where my bible collected dust. How can that be?

Why read the Bible?

A. It shows you the right path.

B. It alerts you when you are getting off the right path.

C. It teaches you how to get back on the right path.

D. It empowers you to stay on the right path.

Isn't that what life is all about? Finding and staying on the right path? And isn't life always trying to get us off of the right path? The Bible is our Path Guide. We dare not let it collect dust - or worse yet, be left behind completely.

Joel Osteen and his father before him begin every service at Lakewood Church by leading the entire congregation in a simple prayer of confession and it starts like this:

"This is my Bible:

I am what it says I am;

I have what it says I have;

I can do what it says I can do."

When you open your Bible to spend some quiet time with your God - Do you believe that you are what the Bible says you are? Do you believe that you have what it says you have? Do you really believe that you can do what it says you can do?

How will you approach your Bible today?

About the Authors: Kelly McCausey and Sandra Jensen lead the Me Skills Discipleship Community, a private membership website for Christians who wish to enjoy a deeper relationship with Christ. Subscribe for free daily email devotionals at http://www.meskills.com

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Monday, September 7, 2009

Is The Pre-Tribulation Rapture In I Thessalonians 5:9?

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Anna Nicole Smith Reveals The Secret From Heaven

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Cherubic Hymn Movie Video

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Sunday, September 6, 2009

Is The Pre-Tribulation Rapture In Revelation 3:10?

Odd Video, You Try and Figure It out

The Judgment of God

Dangerous Reactions to God's Truth

Certainly Not!

Why Read The Bible?

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