Religious Opinion Can Be Wrong

 

Matthew 16:1-4.

Doesn't it seem that everywhere Jesus goes, members of the Sanhedrin, Pharisees and Sadducees, seem to find him. These groups of religious fanatics constantly badger him. As is the case in our scripture above.

Jesus had just prior to this fed 4,000 people with seven loaves and a few small fish. His miracle took place out of necessity. The crowd had been following him for three days (16:32, and he had been healing their infirmities (15:30-31). So, Jesus asked His disciples, ". . .I don't want to send them away hungry," (15:32).

Well, the disciples panicked, "No way can we feed all these people. We can't do that! Where would we get enough bread to feed this many people."

Jesus simply asked them to take inventory of the food supply that they had. I think He often asks you and me, "How much power is in your tank. Are you below empty. Remember, I can fill your tank with all the power you need."

Right after this event, they continue to travel along the Sea of Galilee. It is at some point in their travel that the members of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to Jesus to test him (16:1). They were brazen enough to ask Jesus to show them a sign from heaven. Jesus had been healing the blind, the lame and other maladies that people can acquire in the previous chapter. These religious leaders had to know about all these signs. Then, it begs the question, Where did they think all these signs came from?

In chapter 12 of Matthew's gospel, the religious leaders accuse Jesus of doing signs by Beelzebub. So, it may be safe to assume, that these leaders facing Jesus today to test him, were saying that His signs came from hell. "We want you to show us a sign from heaven," they tell Jesus.

As was His usual repertoire, Jesus turns their question on them. He gives them signs that they know. If the sky is red at sunset, then there will be good weather tomorrow. It the sky is red at sunrise, then there could be storms (vv 2-3).

Jesus tells these pompous leaders, "You know how to predict the weather, but you have no idea the times that you are seeing before your eyes. I'm about to do something that will change mankind forever. You can know about it because you are learned in the ways of God, but you don't know how to discern the facts of God's plans" (v 3b paraphrased).

Next, Jesus tells them the only sign they will get from Him is the sign of Jonah. That was a sign from heaven that they would understand. Jonah spent three days and nights in the belly of a fish. These leaders would know this account from their Torah. However, they would be unable to grasp the significance of the words as they related to Jesus. Jesus would spend three days and three nights in the belly of the earth. He, too, would come out alive. Not only would he be alive, but He would provide life to every man on earth who would come to Him in faith believing that He was the Lord of all.

Matthew 16:13-20.

Finally, Jesus and his followers come to Caesarea Philippi at the northeast end of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus asks a question of his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" (v 13b).

His followers began to answer, "Some say John the Baptist; and others Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets" (v 14).

Then, Jesus does with them as He does with you and me. He gets really personal and asks, "But who do yourselves say that I am?" (v. 15).

We, who have been baptized, know the answer to this question. We were asked to repeat these words before the minister baptized us. Peter answers and says, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (v. 16).

Jesus then tells Peter, the rest of His followers and us that Peter's answer is spirit breathed. This confession cannot come from man, it can only come from the Holy Spirit.

Jesus uses Peter's confession to make a huge declaration. He tells Peter, "That you are Peter (little rock), and upon this rock (huge, mountainous size rock) I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it" (v. 18. Words in parenthesis are the authors).

As the influence of the church declines more and more every day, it appears that Satan is winning. The gates of Hell are wreaking havoc on our churches. However, God is always in control. Paul says, "For when I am weak, I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10b).

Satan wants you to believe the church is shrinking and growing weaker. However, you need to begin to confess, "My church is mighty for battle. It will overcome the enemy. My church will have powerful influence in my community." Then, began acting as though the words are true. Faith comes from hearing the word. Repeat this confession to yourself every day.

No, the religious leaders of Jesus' day couldn't relinquish Him of His power. Neither can the ones today destroy your church. Keep the faith because revival is coming. I believe this! Will you agree with me in prayer?

For fountain pens and ballpoints visit: My Fountain Pens.

 Blessings,

Howard

PS: Our first novel, The Red-Haired Master Shepherd, has been published. The novel is fiction about a little known Biblical character who meets Jesus. It makes a good reading for any study group. Check it out here. Or you can email us for your copy.

For free studies on many books of the Bible, Visit our website, M & H Publishing Company by clicking here then select "Contact."

Who You Are Isn't Based on Performance with God. Who You Are Should Have A Direct Bearing on How You Perform.

Work Together With Him: Servants of the Most High

 

In writing to the church at Corinth, Paul asks them to conform to the standards that Jesus. set, And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain—for He says,

“At the acceptable time I listened to you,
And on the day of salvation I helped you.”

Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation”—giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, (2 Corinthians 6:1-4).

As An Ambassador

In verse 20 of chapter 5, Paul tells the church that they are ambassadors for Christ. Today's ambassadors represent their countries in a manner that brings confidence, assurance and good will to that country. The modern ambassadors conduct themselves astutely. They never want to present a bad image because who they are reflects on the country they serve.

If then you are an ambassador for Christ, you should do everything in your power to represent God's Kingdom in a manner that would cause others to want to belong to your country. You want everyone to see that you serve the Kingdom well. Those around should know what Kingdom you represent.

Working Together

Because you are an Ambassador as Paul, you work together with Jesus. You work in a manner that proves the grace given you isn't in vain. It is grace that saves you, but then God's grace then, gives you the power and desire to do the work of the Holy Spirit. By allowing the Holy Spirit to work through your giftedness and personality while you rest assures that you aren't using your grace in vain.

Paul and his ministry team suffered many hardships. It is possible that you will as well. Those of us in America may not suffer any of the hardships that Paul went through (vv 4-5). However, even if you do suffer persecution, if you remain pure, the knowledge of God will create in you patience, kindness, genuine love through the Holy Spirit. All this is brought about by the word of truth. through the power of God.

Then Paul encourages you to use the weapons of righteousness. Notice that the weapon of righteousness fits you if you are right handed or left handed. It doesn't require you to special order the weapon of righteousness. It fits right out of the box. Paul also writes in 2 Corinthians 5:21, He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Therefore, your weapons of righteousness is given to you by God through Jesus. He took all of our sin and made us as righteous as God.

Do Not Be Yoked to Unbelievers

Paul finishes his advice to the church at Corinth and to you and me by teaching that we are not to become partners with unbelievers. If you are a believer about to get married to an unbeliever, stop! Tell your significant other that you will not marry him/her until a confession in Christ is made.

Getting ready to form a business partnership with another? Before you sign the papers, make sure the other is a believer; otherwise, your business may look like a worldly business. So keep yourself from being bound in any fashion to an unbeliever.

Paul is not saying "don't associate with an unbeliever." How else could your ever preach the word to them. Paul writes in Colossians 2:20, If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as.

If you have died with Christ, you are not subject to the decrees of the world that causes you to submit yourself to the elemental teachings of the world. In other words never allow anyone to "should" on you. You've been changed from these man-made laws.

Paul quotes Isaiah as emphasis to avoid the things of the world. Isaiah says, Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate, says the Lord.

For fountain pens and ballpoints visit: My Fountain Pens

 Blessings,

Howard

PS: Our first novel, The Red-Haired Master Shepherd, has been published. The novel is fiction about a little known Biblical character who meets Jesus. It makes a good reading for any study group. Check it out here. Or you can email us for your copy.

For free studies on many books of the Bible, Visit our website, M & H Publishing Company by clicking here then select "Contact."

Who You Are Isn't Based on Performance with God. Who You Are Should Have A Direct Bearing on How You Perform.

2nd Post: Are We Close to End Times--Check This Out

 From our last post about the question, "Are we close to end times?", we identified the church era as the beginning of end times. Next, the end times will have a seven year time of tribulation. That period hasn't begun. However, we are beginning to see signs of this time being near.

In this post we will examine further signs of the nearness of this second end times process. So let's begin.

   2. The Tribulation Period into Christ's 1000 year reign.

There are some signs that are beginning to show how near the end times of the tribulation period is.

• Earthquakes
• Famines
• Love Grows Cold

For fountain pens and ballpoints visit: My Fountain Pens

 Blessings,

Howard

PS: Our first novel, The Red-Haired Master Shepherd, has been published. The novel is fiction about a little known Biblical character who meets Jesus. Check it out here. Or you can email us for your copy.

For free studies on many books of the Bible, Visit our website, M & H Publishing Company by clicking here then select "Contact."

Who You Are Isn't Based on Performance with God. Who You Are Should Have A Direct Bearing on How You Perform.

My Fountain Pens

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When the End Comes--Circumstances or Inheritance

 Are We Close to the End?

    Not every one believes we are living in the end times. However, I do! I think science is beginning to become a true indicator of this. Our world farmers have nearly reached their peak performance. This summer there was a shortage of grain to feed the 7.9 billion people in the world.

    Because of the growing world population, our land and seas cannot produce enough to sustain life. Therefore, I believe that soon (can't possibly predict the number of years remaining) THE TRUMPET will sound, and the voice of the Archangel will be heard. Are you ready?

When the End Comes

    So what if this is the end? Are you ready? Are you in or out? Of the 7.9 billion people in the world, only seven percent of them are truly believers. Even if the believers do number 12% as some optimists claim, that still leaves billions who will be left after the rapture.

    The number of believers is so slight, most of those left won't notice that we are gone! How can you be sure you will be taken in the rapture? KEEP READING.

Circumstances of Inheritance?

    One sure answer to my question from the last paragraph: LIVE IN YOUR INHERITANCE RATHER THAN YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.

    To know what I mean, look with me at Joshua 6:1-3. "Now Jericho was tightly shut because of the sons of Israel; no one went out and no one came in. The Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and the valiant warriors.'"

Joshua's Circumstance

    Joshua stood in site of the strongest, fortified city in the land of Canna. The walls of Jericho were the tallest of any city. He had never fought a battle where he had to scale or break down walls. He had no knowledge of or prior experience of how to get through the walls into the city.

    Further, he had no equipment, battering rams, rock slingers or dirt movers. If he surveyed his circumstances, they told Joshua that he couldn't possibly conquer Jericho.

    However, Joshua wasn't living by circumstances. He was living in his inheritance. His inheritance was the Land of Canna. God promised Joshua that he would take the land. The land was his! He didn't look at the circumstances before him, but he lived in his inheritance, "I have given Jericho into your hand (v 2b above).

His Inheritance

    Although the circumstances set before him looked bleak, Joshua didn't notice them. He lived in his inheritance. He walked in Canaan Restₗ. His inheritance wasn't the task at hand. His inheritance was the promises of God, "I have given Jericho into your hand."

    He walked in his inheritance, did exactly as the Lord directed him and walked in the power of the Spirit of the Lord as He gave direction.

Your Inheritance

    Are you walking in your circumstances? God has promised you all the blessings of Abraham (Galatians 3:29), "If you be Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promises. What promises? The very promises he gave to Abraham!

    The covenant with Abraham is the very inheritance that Joshua and the rest of the Old Testament saints walked in. They walked in the promises that God gave Abraham. God's covenant with Abraham covers you. It is your heritance. No mater what circumstances your see before you, forget them and walk in your inheritance.

    Right now tell your circumstances, "Finances, sickness, poverty, lack of food or a place to live, in the name of Jesus, I no longer live in my circumstances. I have an inheritance that is sure. I'm walking in God's inheritance right to the end!" Soon, just as Joshua found, circumstances are no match for your inheritance. The walls of circumstances will come tumble down as you walk around them.

    WALK IN YOUR INHERITANCE!

1. Click here to grab your study on Rest!

Free Bible Studies

Here at B. C. Ministries, Inc. We have many Bible studies that talk about the above events. To get your free online study, email us. Just click here now.

For fountain pens and ballpoints visit: My Fountain Pens

 Blessings,

Howard

PS: Our first novel, The Red-Haired Master Shepherd, has been published. The novel is fiction about a little known Biblical character who meets Jesus. Check it out here. Also, we have a new novel, Why? that answers some of the hard questions people have about the Bible. Email us for information or to get your copy. There is a small charge for both books.

For free, online studies on many books of the Bible, Visit our website, M & H Publishing Company by clicking here then select "Contact."

Who You Are Isn't Based on Performance with God. Who You Are Should Have A Direct Bearing on How You Perform.

 The Living Dead

How long have you been a believer? Has it been ten years? Twenty? Five? When you weren't a believer, did you think about walking around as "dead?"

Paul writes in Ephesians 2:1, And you were dead in your trespasses and sins. When you were not a believer, did you ever consider this? I know that I didn't. I think there are people doing everyday things who are dead! 

Not Expired

No, unless you believe in ghosts or zombies, these non-believers are still breathing in and breathing out. They still do things that live people do. So "dead" in Paul's context must not mean expired or extinguished. It means that they are separated from God. The problem with their separation is that it will lead to a second death, Revelation 20:14.

Remember the Garden

When Adam and Eve were created, they were placed in a beautiful, botanical garden. They were perfect! Their environment was perfect, and they would live here in perfection--raise perfect kids--forever. With one exception! They were given a choice, eat the fruit or remain perfect forever. You know what they did; they ate the fruit.

As soon as they ate the forbidden fruit, they knew they weren't the same. They realized they were separated from God. What did they do? 1. they covered their nakedness; 2. they hid from God. The two perfect people realized immediately that they were dead; yet, they still breathed in and breathed out. They hadn't physically expired.

State of the World

That's the state you were in before you decided to become a believer. Since Adam and Eve, each person who has come into the world is separated from God. Today it is estimated that only 12% of the world's population claim to be believers, there are billions of people walking about dead--separated from God.

Can I tell you that is a bunch of dead people! Have you thought about your responsibility for them. Jesus commanded that you go into all the world and tell others about him (Matthew 28:18). No, you don't need to become a missionary to another country. Just minister to those you meet everyday in your world.

When you became a believer, you became reconciled to God (1 Corinthians 5:17-19). Reconcile is a great word that means "changed mutually" or changed like Jesus. That's what happened to you and me when we accepted the Lord as Savior. He changed a worthless, dead entity to something special. However, he didn't stop there. Christ gave you the ministry of reconciliation, i.e. to give those around you a chance to become like Jesus--alive, no longer separated from God.

His Workmanship

Paul also says in Ephesians 2:10 that after you became alive in Jesus, you became God's workmanship.

A neat word that could be translated, masterpiece. You became His one-of-a-kind, no one else like you, special because of His love, no longer separated or dead. No one else in the world has your fingerprints or DNA. You are absolutely special to Him.

Is it time for you to tell others around you just how special you are. Can you share your story with someone else. You can offer them the gift of reconciliation without them even knowing it. You simply tell someone your story. Where you were, separated, to where you are now, a masterpiece. You have a reserved seat with Jesus in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). 

Free Bible Studies

Here at B. C. Ministries, Inc. We have many Bible studies that talk about the above events. To get your free online study, email us. Just click here now.

For fountain pens and ballpoints visit: My Fountain Pens

 Blessings,

Howard

PS: Our first novel, The Red-Haired Master Shepherd, has been published. The novel is fiction about a little known Biblical character who meets Jesus. Check it out here. Also, we have a new novel, Why? that answers some of the hard questions people have about the Bible. Email us for information or to get your copy. There is a small charge for both books.

For free, online studies on many books of the Bible, Visit our website, M & H Publishing Company by clicking here then select "Contact."

Who You Are Isn't Based on Performance with God. Who You Are Should Have A Direct Bearing on How You Perform.

Christ's Return Is Imminent--Know This

 Zachariah 14:3 describes the imminent return of Christ. The prophet begins describing the fall of the Gentile nations who have come to make war against the remnant of God's people, the Jews. A small group of Jews have been saved from destruction during the Tribulation Period. They have been protected from war, famine, pestilence and sicknesses. The Novae of the sun hasn't touched these Jews because the protection from God to bring a small group of His people to salvation has arrived.

Hosea 5:15

 In this verse, God, through the prophet Hosea, gives us a clear picture of the salvation of the Jews who are left. Hosea tells you as he speaks for Jesus, "I will go away and return to My place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me."

Finally, the small group of Jews who are backed up against a mountain where there is no escape, acknowledge that their only means of salvation comes from the Lord. As did their forefathers who were led to the promised land by God's glory, the small group of Jews have been brought through an impossible period of time without any way of escape. They have been miraculously saved from destruction by an unseen hand. It takes a huge army of men coming against them before they realize that they are without help except in the Name of the Lord.

When they confess their total dependency on Christ, He appears as described in Zachariah 14 to save them. The mountain splits, they escape through the valley created by the division of the mountain. Then Christ comes and fights for them. You know this event as the Battle of Armageddon. It's actually a campaign that begin in Bozrah and ends at Megiddo. Paul tells us in 2 Thessalonians that Christ wins with the "Brightness of his coming and the sword of his mouth."

The Millennial Reign of Christ.

When this battle is over, Jesus will reign supreme for 1000 years. He will be the God of the newly saved believer Jews and those to come to him during this time. Even Egypt and Ethiopia will come to him for salvation.

As the battle ends, the new Temple comes down from Heaven according to Ezekiel. The Temple will sit on either side of the split in the mountain that allowed the remnant to escape. From under the throne, a river of living water will flow east to the Jordan and west to the Mediterranean Sea. The Jordan empties into the Dead Sea, which will come alive with induction of the living water. Fishermen will cast their nets from Engedi to Eneglaim, (Ezekiel 47:3-10).

Free Bible Studies

Here at B. C. Ministries, Inc. We have many Bible studies that talk about the above events. To get your free online study, email us from the address listed above.

For fountain pens and ballpoints visit: My Fountain Pens

 Blessings,

Howard

PS: Our first novel, The Red-Haired Master Shepherd, has been published. The novel is fiction about a little known Biblical character who meets Jesus. Check it out here. Also, we have a new novel, Why? that answers some of the hard questions people have about the Bible. Email us for information or to get your copy. There is a small charge for both books.

For free, online studies on many books of the Bible, Visit our website, M & H Publishing Company by clicking here then select "Contact."

Who You Are Isn't Based on Performance with God. Who You Are Should Have A Direct Bearing on How You Perform.