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Theology / Prophecy - Current Events / ORDERING A PIZZA IN 2010
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on: December 18, 2004, 08:19:57 AM
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Pretty close B.L. but here's how it will really be...
Hungry man; Hello, I want a pizza with bla,bla,bla on it, hold the bla,bla,bla, and two Pepsis please.
Mr.Pizza guy; Ok it'll be there soon...bye.
Notice any details missing?
No address given, no talk about cost or payment method.
Can you say microchip?
Could come true |
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63
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Theology / Bible Study / We Must!
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on: December 18, 2004, 08:08:27 AM
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GRACE WALK - Weekly Devotional
We Must!
"What must a person do to be a good Christian? " Randomly ask a hundred Christians this question and their answers will bear much similarity. There are foundational tenets that most believers would contend must mark the lifestyle of Christians in order to be able to legitimately call ourselves good Christians. None would argue that we must do these things to be saved, but that we must do them if we are to be the right kind of follower of Jesus Christ.
Prayer — Few believers would argue that at the very least, we must be faithful in prayer. How often must one pray? The Bible says that we are to "pray without ceasing." Would less than an hour a day qualify as constant prayer? Consider the needs of your family and friends. What about the needs of the world? The needs are great. How much time do you spend praying every day? Don’t you think that we must pray if God is going to move in our circumstances?
Bible Study — Who wouldn’t acknowledge that the Bible is God’s revelation for us? God speaks through His written Word. Is it unreasonable that He should expect that we must spend time every day in the Word? A daily devotional time in God’s Word would seem to be a must for sincere Christians. Do you agree? Are you spending time reading the Bible every day of your life? How much time do you give to the Word of God? Do you hurriedly read a short passage just so you can know you have done your duty or do you sincerely commit yourself to the discipline of ongoing Bible study?
Church Participation — While many have forsaken the church, most Christians would agree that to be a good Christian, one must attend church faithfully. It is commonly recognized that we must come together with God’s people if we are to call ourselves good Christians. Attending church isn’t an option, it’s a must.
We must pray. We must read the Bible. We must attend church. How has what I’ve written struck you thus far? Do you feel edified? Encouraged? Uplifted and motivated to do better? I doubt it. You probably feel beaten down, judged, condemned. That’s how I meant for you to feel. I have intentionally used the word must fifteen times in order to show the effect of living by the law. The Law demands that we must perform certain requirements to be acceptable to God. Whenever we evaluate ourselves by the law, we will always feel condemned. The role of the law is to minister death and condemnation. (See 2 Corinthians 3;6b-9) The law judges us for failing in our duties. Grace, on the other hand, gives birth to a desire to behave in a way that honors Christ.
There is certainly nothing wrong with prayer, Bible study or church participation. In fact, these things are the normal way of life for the believer who is trusting Christ. They are each a gift from God to us — a gift from Him to us. However, the enemy has turned things around and caused many Christians to think that these actions are our gift to Him. Consequently we have taken what God intended to be a real pleasure and, by our legalistic perspective, have turned it into a religious performance.
Once these grace gifts have been baptized into the stagnant waters of dead religion, they lose all life. They no longer have legitimate meaning, neither to the believer nor God. They have become dead works. Bible study no longer is a joy; it’s a job. Prayer no longer is a dialogue with our Heavenly Father; it has become a devotional. Church attendance becomes nothing more than a weary responsibility when God intended for it to be a time when He and His bride make love to each other through the medium of worship.
Do you believe that you must pray? That you must study your Bible? That you must attend church? That is the perspective of a bonafide legalist — one who tries to gain God’s blessings or advance spiritually by what He does. Must has nothing to do with it. The gospel offers the good news that Christians don’t have to do anything to be acceptable to God. Nothing. Christ has already done everything to cause God to accept us completely.
We don’t have to commit ourselves to the disciplines of religion. Jesus didn’t come to help us be religious. Far from it — He came to deliver us from religion. He came to bring us into a relationship with God through Himself. Those who were most offended by Jesus were the religionists of His day. He didn’t live up to what they thought He ought to be. He just wasn’t a good churchman, by their standards. To them, Jesus had no convictions. He appeared to compromise the purity and integrity of their values by doing things like healing people on the Sabbath, by eating with the crooks (Publicans) and party-animals (sinners) of His day. Jesus was a friend of the hookers and homeless. He didn’t separate Himself far enough from the riffraff, as every good churchman knew one should do. Consequently, He lost His testimony with the Pharisees, an incidental matter which didn’t seem to bother Him at all. Jesus cared more about relationships than reputation. He still does.
Are you living under the burden of must? There’s good news — you don’t have to anymore. Jesus has set us free from the curse of the law. Part of that curse is that you can never satisfy the law’s demands, regardless of how much you do and how well you do it. When is enough, enough? Even if we begin to live up to the list of duties which we see ourselves failing now, the law will simply present a new list to us. You can never become a good Christian by what you do.
The truth is that we are already good Christians, and it’s not because of what we do or don’t do. It’s because of Jesus who lives inside us. He is our goodness. Do you want to be a good Christian? Then, for goodness sake, stop trying to be so religious. It nauseates God, and probably doesn’t make the people around you feel too good either. Don’t worry about being religious. Just be yourself. Let Jesus be Jesus in you and through you.
We must? No, we’ve been set free from the misery of "musts." Christ is our very Life. When one comes to know and believe that fact, the only question left to answer is: What do you want to do? Don’t be afraid to let go of "must" and move into "trust." Let Jesus live through you. He won’t be passive or lazy. He will activate you to do what He wants to do through you. It won’t be laws, but love that motivates you. Forget rules; it’s all about relationship. Nothing else can ever motivate us to consistency, but love never fails.
Love,Steve McVey is the President of Grace Walk Ministries, a discipleship ministry located in Atlanta, GA. If you have been sent this devotional by a friend and want to know more about Grace Walk Ministries, visit our web site at www.gracewalk.org. This devotional may be duplicated if printed with no changes in its entirety and with the following acknowledgment: “Copyright, 2004,used by permission. Steve McVey, Grace Walk Ministries, www.gracewalk.org ”  2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
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65
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Theology / Bible Study / THE NOBLE BEREANS
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on: December 17, 2004, 07:39:20 PM
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We should all be Bereans, spiritually big enough to listen with open minds to the teachings of men, and then big
enough too to subject their teachings to the Word of God,
the Bible, to see for ourselves whether these things are so.
Our Lord said: "Search the Scriptures... for... they... testify
of Me" (John 5:39). As we do this we will find eternal
life -- and more -- in Christ.
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66
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Theology / Bible Study / Re:God's Grace - Our Works
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on: December 17, 2004, 07:35:48 PM
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How about I just agree to agree Tom?  Well said and proved Brother. I've debated many times in posting a comparative with the O.T. Law and sacrifices in relation to the N.T. Gospel, to show that there is no disagreement. Jesus fulfilled it all! Thanks Brother! Oklahoma Howdy to Allinall, Thanks brother. I give thanks that Jesus did pay it all. I submit with all thanksgiving, praise, and worship to: The perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ,
The perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ,
The forgiveness of my sins through HIS precious blood,
My acceptance and salvation only through HIM.Thanks be unto God for HIS unspeakable GIFT!!, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour forever. It is with great joy that I serve a risen and living Saviour. Love In Christ, Tom |
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67
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Theology / Bible Study / Ephesians 4:23
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on: December 17, 2004, 07:26:49 PM
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"even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." This is the most beautiful and precious portion of this Scripture for all Christians. We should be reminded of this night and day. We did not deserve or earn the Grace of God, nor could we ever repay the GIFT of Jesus Christ who died on the cross in our stead.
AMEN!!!!
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68
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Theology / Debate / CHRISTIAN JOKES/ NOT FOR PHARISEES
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on: December 17, 2004, 07:23:07 PM
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A man dies and goes to heaven. Of course, St. Peter meets him at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter says, "Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in."
"Okay," the man says, "I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart."
"That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth three points!"
"Three points?" he says. "Well, I attended church all my life and supported its ministry with my tithe and service."
"Terrific!" says St. Peter. "That's certainly worth a point."
"One point?!!" "I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans."
"Fantastic, that's good for two more points," he says.
"Two points!?!!" Exasperated, the man cries. "At this rate
the only way I'll get into heaven is by the grace of God."
"Bingo, 100 points! Come on in!"
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69
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Prayer / General Discussion / Instruction For The Sick:
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on: December 17, 2004, 05:45:35 AM
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Instruction For The Sick: ("Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities." I Timothy 5:23)
In this verse we find a remarkable instruction given by Paul, the Apostle, to Timothy. The dispensational light which is given by this passage on sickness is often overlooked! Timothy, according to this scripture, was plagued by stomach problems and "often infirmities". These could have been easily relieved under the program of the kingdom (i.e., that of the twelve apostles) and in the early transitional ministry of Paul. But in Paul's latter ministry, after having received the full knowledge of the mystery, he no longer had such powers, (Philippians 2:24, II Timothy 4:20).
Paul's instruction to Timothy was not:
That he had sinned and needed to confess his sin to be healed.
That Satan had inflicted this upon him and that he must "deny it".
That his faith was weak or lacking and that if he would only believe God's promises and pray the "prayer of faith" that he would receive deliverance from his sickness.
That he should call for the elders of the church (he was one!) and have the anointing with oil.
That his healing was in the atonement and that he was to "claim it'.
That he should use special handkerchiefs or aprons.
That he should get into a "healing line".
That he should simply "pray about it".
NO! Paul gives Timothy only one piece of instruction: Paul prescribed the common medicine of that day - wine (it must be remembered that Luke, the beloved physician, was a companion of Paul). Paul prescribed medicine. Did you see that?
"...use a little wine..."
Paul's instruction was for medical attention to be given to the weakness and frailty of his corruptible body. Paul gave no further hope than that which could be received through medical resources. Does that seem strange or "unspiritual' to you? What happened to the ministry of Paul? A new order (or dispensational change) had completed it's transition and was now in full operation. No longer was the attention of the believer placed upon the "physical" aspect, with it's many miraculous signs, wonders and hearings, but now was focused upon that which was real and lasting - the eternal, the unseen (II Corinthians 4:18).
"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God," (Colossians 3:2-3).
We can learn much from Paul, our pattern (I Timothy 1:16), and apostle (Romans 11:13). We learn from him that deliverance is not the answer to our physical infirmities.
"And He said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities..." (II Corinthians 12:9-10).
"...For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content ... I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me," (Philippians 4:11,13). - by Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr. 
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Theology / Completed and Favorite Threads / Am I Going to Heaven ?
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on: December 17, 2004, 05:16:14 AM
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How wonderful to worship the One who loved us, even when we were lost in sin, and took our place on the cross of shame. It is God’s great desire through His grace “that all men be saved, and come into the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). It is good to acknowledge that “there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man, Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:5). When we trust the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour, God saves and justifies us and makes us “new creations” in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). Further, the Holy Spirit baptizes us into the one body, (the Church, which is Christ’s body), seals us unto the day of redemption (Eph. 1:13-14), and the Spirit of God comes to dwell in the child of God (1 Cor. 6:19).
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Theology / Debate / God Can't
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on: December 17, 2004, 05:11:20 AM
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If even ONE sin had been left unpaid, Jesus would still be dead. Think of it!
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Prayer / General Discussion / Thought For Today
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on: December 17, 2004, 04:47:04 AM
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"Religion" is man's best effort to reach up to God, but Christ is God's only method to reach down to man in forgiveness and offer him true life." 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
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Theology / Debate / God Can't
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on: December 17, 2004, 04:43:18 AM
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God Can'tBy Ed Jeude (St. Louis, MO) There are many things the Bible says that God CANNOT do. Here are just a few:
God can’t LIE (Titus 1:2).
God can’t CHANGE (Malachi 3:6).
God can’t be DARKNESS (1 1:5).
God can’t DENY Himself (2 Tim 2:13).
Even as electric power distribution lines cannot be “shorted” without being ruined, God’s LOVE cannot be a basis for disregarding His JUSTICE which demands “... the soul that sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4). As descendants of Adam, “...ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
When Eve and Adam sinned, God already knew how He would handle it, but none of the princes of this world system knew, “… for HAD they known it, they would NOT have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2: .
Let’s look at the plan that God already had in mind “before the foundation of the world” (1 Peter 1:20): “in the beginning already existed the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God … and the word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:1,14). The word, Jesus Christ, (already qualified as God) stepped through the barrier of sin and qualified as a man in order to become the “ONE mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
Jesus’ sinless life qualified Him to be “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). The world (system) nailed Him to a cross because “light is come into the world, but men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). While on the cross, “The Lord (God the Father) laid on HIM (Jesus) the INIQUITY of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).
God cannot LOOK ON INIQUITY (sin) (Habakkuk 1:13), so God turned His face away. The sin bearer DIED for us and the awful price was paid. If even ONE sin had been left unpaid, Jesus would still be dead. Think of it!
God cannot GO BACK on His word but God CAN “declare at this time His righteousness: that He might be just and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus” (Romans 3:26). What a wonderful solution to the problem—complete identification with Christ Jesus, all sins laid to His account and already marked PAID.
GOD CAN’T force this solution on you without violating your free will. “He that believes on Him is NOT CONDEMNED but he that believes not is CONDEMNED ALREADY” (John 3:18). Remember, GOD CANNOT LIE.
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