The Word of God is like a map

The Word of God is like a map to help you find your way through life!

You should no more try to find your own way through life than you should try to take a long trip without a map.

While traveling along a road, you can only see what's around you moment by moment. But if you'll look at the MAP and have faith in it, you can also see where the road CAME from, regardless of where you started out yourself. And even if you've never been to your final destination or traveled that road before, you can know where the road is GOING, where it's supposed to end. But if you don't take time to study the map you could waste an awful lot of time or maybe even ruin your chances of getting to your destination at all!

Just as you must look at the map, believe it's true and follow it to get where you're going, if you will take God's Word, believe that it is for you, read it and follow it, you'll come out at HEAVEN!--Absolutely! Without fail!

Just follow the Map Book and you'll know where you're going. God can see it all! And He not only knows where you are right now, and where you came from, your past, but He knows where you're going!--Do YOU?--You CAN!
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All Glory to Jesus.

Tithing - How do we Interpret it in the New Covenant?

Tithing - How do we Interpret it in the New Covenant?

What does the Bible say about Tithing?

Many Christians struggle with the issue of tithing.

 In some churches tithing is over-emphasized.

At the same time, many Christians refuse to submit to the biblical exhortations about making offerings to the Lord.

Tithing/giving is intended to be a joy and a blessing. Sadly, that is sometimes not the case in the church today.Tithing is an Old Testament concept.

 The tithe was a requirement of the law in which all Israelites were to give 10 percent of everything they earned and grew to the Tabernacle/Temple.

(Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5).

In fact, the Old Testament Law required multiple tithes which would have pushed the total to around 23.3 percent, not the 10 percent which is generally considered the tithe amount today.

Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites in the sacrificial system.  

 The New Testament nowhere commands, or even recommends, that Christians submit to a legalistic tithe system.

Paul states that believers should set aside a portion of their income in order to support the church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).The New Testament nowhere designates a percentage of income a person should set aside, but only says it is to be “in keeping with income”.  (1 Corinthians 16:2).

 Some in the Christian church have taken the 10 percent figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a “recommended minimum” for Christians in their giving.

The New Testament talks about the importance and benefits of giving.

We are to give as we are able. Sometimes that means giving more than 10 percent; sometimes that may mean giving less. It all depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the church.

Every Christian should diligently pray and seek God’s wisdom in the matter of participating in tithing and/or how much to give (James 1:5).

Above all, all tithes and offerings should be given with pure motives and an attitude of worship to God and service to the body of Christ.

“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”. (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Spiritual death - How to get saved

Mohan was manuring the flowerpots at home and realized that one of the rose plants was dried up…. He carefully plucked all the dead leaves and watered it continuously for two days – Saturday and Sunday.  Monday morning, today ,while he was coming to office he just checked the rose plant once. It was obvious that the plant regained its strength from the week-end watering and new leaves have blossomed. And the person was pretty sure that roses will come up soon.

During meditation also found that at times in our own lives, we lose the manure of spirituality in our lives.  But God in all his grace and love nurtures us with his manure – God’s word and HIS voice and the more strength we receive from him, the more our life blossoms and in return gives yield to beautiful / colorful flowers .

Lord, we are dying spiritually in our busy daily lives. Please help us understand that YOU are the strength giver and the way you love us is always UNCONDITIONAL.

How to Know that You Are Dying Spiritually

-> THE STORY OF THE CROSS NO LONGER MOVES YOU

-> YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE

Rev:2:4

-> YOU ARE FOOLING YOURSELF

I Cor:3:18

-> THE CHURCH SERVICES BORE YOU

Rom:10:17

-> BY FAILING TO DO WHAT YOU KNOW YOU SHOULD DO

Jam:1:22

-> YOU HAVE NO INTEREST IN SAVING SOULS

Prov:11:30

-> FREQUENT ABSENCES AT THE WORSHIP SERVICES

Heb:10:25

->WORLDLY THINGS ATTRACT YOU MORE THAN SPIRITUAL THINGS

Rom:8:5-7

-> NO PARTICIPATION IN THE WORK OF THE CHURCH

Rom:10:1-3

Whole world to obey

Eventually He's going to force the whole world to obey, whether they like it or not!

Christ's coming is literally going to be an invasion from Outer Space!--And when He finally takes over, He's going to take over by force, "with power and great glory!" (Mat.24:30) Out of Heaven will come the great hosts of Heaven with Jesus in the lead on a white horse to destroy the Antichrist and his kingdom in the great Battle of Armageddon! (Rev.19)--And we will take over the World, by God's power, and make this World live the way it should have lived! (Rev.20:4)

His Word says, "We shall then rule and reign with Him over the nations with a rod of iron!" (Rev.2:26,27) It will be a mandatory rule of loving force to compel the nations to submit to the laws of God and to recognise His authority. It's going to be an enforced rule, a strong, iron dictatorship over the unsaved, otherwise they would never obey.

Everyone will be compelled and forced to obey whether they like it or not!--A completely total totalitarian dictatorship of the righteous with Jesus Christ as dictator! Only then shall all wicked and vengeful men of war be stopped at last.--And only then shall the men of peace and the God of peace and the Prince of Peace rule and reign and bring "peace on Earth"! (Lk.2:14)

Duty of every Christian

What's the duty of every Christian?--To witness, to be a testimony, to preach the Gospel of Jesus' love!

If the whole purpose of our existence is just to get saved, then why doesn't the Lord just take us home to Heaven the minute we get saved?--because once we're saved, we have a job to do! We have a responsibility! There are a lot of other people who need to know Jesus, and He has given us a commission: "And He said unto them, Go ye into all the World, and preach the Gospel to every creature!" (Mk.16:15)

Jesus alone saves, but He doesn't want to save you alone. He wants to save the whole World, but in order to do that He needs us to tell others about His Love, to give His Love and message of Salvation, the Gospel, the Good News, to the whole World. (See Rom.10:13-15.)

Jesus said, "Even as My Father hath sent Me, so send I you." (Jn.20:21) He says this still to His followers of today, calling them to give their lives daily in loving concern and care for others, to share His heart and Love with those who are seeking for "the Way, the Truth, and the Life." (Jn.14:6)

Will you answer His call? Will you love and do what you can to win souls? Will you spread the Word, spread the Message, spread His Love?--God will bless you as you obey His Call!

The Three Trees tale

The Three Trees

Once there were three trees on a hill in a woods.

They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said

"Someday I hope to be a treasure chest.

I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems.

I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."

Then the second tree said,

"Someday I will be a mighty ship.

I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world.

Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."

Finally the third tree said.

"I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest.

People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching.

I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me.."

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees.

When one came to the first tree he said,

 "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter." and he began cutting it down.

The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree a woodsman said,

"This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard."

The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true.

 One of the woodsman said,

"I don't need anything special from my tree so I'll take this one" and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals.

He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for.

The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end.

 The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark.

The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.

Then one day, a man and women came to the barn.

She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree.

 The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do.

The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep.

While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe.

 The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said "peace" and the storm stopped.

At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the king of kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree.

 It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it.

When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill.

 When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you.

 If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts.

Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined.

Christian Fasting - What Does the Bible Say?

Scripture does not command Christians to fast. God does not require or demand it of Christians.

 At the same time, the Bible presents fasting as something that is good, profitable, and beneficial.

The book of Acts records believers fasting before they made important decisions (Acts 13:2; 14:23).

 Fasting and prayer are often linked together (Luke 2:37; 5:33).

 Too often, the focus of fasting is on the lack of food.

Instead, the purpose of fasting should be to take your eyes off the things of this world to focus completely on God.

Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God, and to ourselves, that we are serious about our relationship with Him.

Fasting helps us gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God.

Although fasting in Scripture is almost always a fasting from food, there are other ways to fast.

 Anything given up temporarily in order to focus all our attention on God can be considered a fast (1 Corinthians 7:1-5).

Fasting should be limited to a set time, especially when fasting from food.

Extended periods of time without eating can be harmful to the body.

Fasting is not intended to punish the flesh, but to redirect attention to God.

 Fasting should not be considered a “dieting method” either.

The purpose of a biblical fast is not to lose weight, but rather to gain deeper fellowship with God.

Anyone can fast, but some may not be able to fast from food (diabetics, for example). Everyone can temporarily give up something in order to draw closer to God.

By taking our eyes off the things of this world, we can more successfully turn our attention to Christ.

Fasting is not a way to get God to do what we want. Fasting changes us, not God.

 Fasting is not a way to appear more spiritual than others.

 Fasting is to be done in a spirit of humility and a joyful attitude.

 Matthew 6:16-18 declares,

 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting.

I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

 

Story - God is good all the times

A king who did not believe in the goodness of God, had a slave who, in all circumstances, said: My king, do not be discouraged, because everything God does is perfect, no mistakes!

One day they went hunting and along the way a wild animal attacked the king. His slave managed to kill the animal, but could not prevent his majesty losing a finger.

Furious and without showing his gratitude for being saved, the nobleman said "Is God good? If He was good, I would not have been attacked and lost my finger."

The slave replied: "My king, despite all these things, I can only tell you that God is good, and he knows "why" of all these things. What God does is perfect. He is never wrong!"

Outraged by the response, the king ordered the arrest of his slave.

Later, he left for another hunt and was captured by savages who made human sacrifices.

In the altar, ready to sacrifice the nobleman, the savages found that the victim had not one of his fingers, so he was released. According to them, it was not so complete to be offered to the gods.

Upon his return to the palace, he authorized the release of his slave that he received very affectionately.

"My dear, God was really good to me! I was almost killed by the wild men, but for lack of a single finger, I was let go! But I have a question: if God is so good, why did he allow me to put you in jail?"

"My King, if I had gone with you in this hunt, I would have been sacrificed for you, because I have no missing finger, therefore, remember everything God does is perfect. He is never wrong."

Often we complain about life, and negative things that happen to us, forgetting that nothing is random and that everything has a purpose.

Every morning, offer your day to God, don't be in a rush.

Ask God to inspire your thoughts, guide your actions, and ease your feelings. And do not be afraid. God is never wrong!

The path of God and his word are perfect, without any impurities.

The Meaning Of The Blood Of Christ

The Meaning Of The Blood Of Christ

 The phrase “blood of Christ” is used several times in the New Testament and is the expression of the sacrificial death and full atoning work of Jesus on our behalf.

 References to the Savior blood include the reality that He literally bled on the cross, but more significantly that He bled and died for sinners.

The blood of Christ has the power to atone for an infinite number of sins committed by an infinite number of people throughout the ages, and all whose faith rests in that blood will be saved.

The reality of the blood of Christ as the means of atonement for sin has its origin in the Mosaic Law.

Once a year, the priest was to make an offering of the blood of animals on the altar of the temple for the sins of the people.

 “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness”.

(Hebrews 9:22).

 But this was a blood offering that was limited in its effectiveness, which is why it had to be offered again and again.

This was a foreshadowing of the “once for all” sacrifice which Jesus offered on the cross (Hebrews 7:27).

Once that sacrifice was made, there was no longer a need for the blood of bulls and goats.

 

The blood of Christ is the basis of the New Covenant.

On the night before He went to the cross, Jesus offered the cup of wine to His disciples and said,

"This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:20).

The pouring of the wine in the cup symbolized the blood of Christ which would be poured out for all who would ever believe in Him.

When He shed His blood on the cross, He did away with the Old Covenant requirement for the continual sacrifices of animals.

Their blood was not sufficient to cover the sins of the people, except on a temporary basis, because sin against a holy and infinite God requires a holy and infinite sacrifice.

 “But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins”.

 (Hebrews 10:3).

 While the blood of bulls and goats were a “reminder” of sin, “the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:19) paid in full the debt of sin we owe to God, and we need no further sacrifices for sin.

Jesus said, “It is finished”

as He was dying, and He meant just that - the entire work of redemption was completed forever, “having obtained eternal redemption” for us.

(Hebrews 9:12)

Not only does the blood of Christ redeem believers from sin and eternal punishment, but

“His blood will make our consciences pure from useless acts so we may serve the living God”.

 (Hebrews 9:14 NCV).

This means that not only are we now free from having to offer sacrifices which are “useless” to obtain salvation, but we are free from having to rely on worthless and unproductive works of the flesh to please God.

Because the blood of Christ has redeemed us, we are now new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), and by His blood we are freed from sin to serve the living God, to glorify Him, and to enjoy Him forever.

Are You Waiting to be Called?

Back when the telegraph was the fastest method of long-distance communication, a young man applied for a job as a Morse Code operator.

 

Answering an ad in the newspaper, he went to the office address that was listed.

When he arrived, he entered a large, busy office filled with noise and clatter, including the sound of the telegraph in the background. 

A sign on the receptionist's counter instructed job applicants to fill out a form and wait until they were summoned to enter the inner office.
The young man filled out his form and sat down with the seven other applicants in the waiting area. After a few minutes, the young man stood up, crossed the room to the door of the inner office, and walked right in.

Naturally the other applicants perked up, wondering what was going on.

They muttered among themselves that they hadn't heard any summons yet.

They assumed that the young man who went into the office made a mistake and would be disqualified.

Within a few minutes, however, the employer escorted the young man out of the office and said to the other applicants,

"Gentlemen, thank you very much for coming, but the job has just been filled."

The other applicants began grumbling to each other, and one spoke up saying,

"Wait a minute, I don't understand. He was the last to come in, and we never even got a chance to be interviewed. Yet he got the job. That's not fair!"

The employer said,

"I'm sorry, but the last several minutes while you've been sitting here, the telegraph has been ticking out the following message
in Morse Code:

'If you understand this message, then come right in. The job is yours.' None of you heard it or understood it. This young man did. The job is his."

We are so busy living in a world that is full of noise and clatter, like that office.

People are distracted and unable to hear the still, small voice of God as He speaks in creation, in the Scriptures, and in the life and work of Jesus Christ.

 So, are you listening, or are you waiting to be called?

Is Michael the only archangel?

Is Michael the only archangel?

The word "archangel" occurs in only two verses of the Bible.

First Thessalonians 4:16 exclaims,
"For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first."

Jude verse 9 declares,
"But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said,
'The Lord rebuke you!'"

The word "archangel" comes from a Greek word meaning "chief angel."

It refers to an angel who seems to be the leader of other angels.

Jude verse 9 uses the definite article "the archangel Michael," which could possibly indicate that Michael is the only archangel. However, Daniel 10:13 describes Michael as "one of the chief princes."

This possibly indicates that there is more than one archangel, because it places Michael on the same level as the other "chief princes."

So, while it is possible that there are multiple archangels, it is best not to presume upon the Word of God by declaring other angels as archangels. Daniel 10:21 describes Michael the archangel as "your prince," and Daniel 12:1 identifies Michael as "the great prince who protects."

Even if there are multiple archangels, it seems that Michael is the chief among them.

Is there an angel named Raphael in the Bible?"

No, the Bible nowhere mentions an angel named Raphael.

Only two angels are named in Scripture - Gabriel (Luke 1:26) and Michael (Daniel 12:1), the latter designated as an "archangel" in Jude 9. The angel Raphael does appear in the apocryphal book of Tobit (or Tobias), which is considered inspired by the Catholic Church. In that account, Raphael disguises himself as a human, keeps the younger Tobias safe on a journey, chases away a demon, and heals the elder Tobias of his blindness. Because of these actions, Raphael is considered by Catholics as the patron of the blind, of travellers, and of physicians.

In the book of Tobias, Raphael identifies himself as one of seven archangels "who stand before the Lord" (Tobit 12:15).

Raphael also offers prayers on Tobias' behalf, and Tobias, in turn, thanks the angel because he is "filled with all good things through him" (Tobit 12:3).

John sheds some light on the religious notions in the time of Christ.

"A great multitude of sick people" are sitting beside a pool in Jerusalem, waiting for "the moving of the water." They believed that an angel would descend from heaven and stir the water, making the pool a place of healing for them. Jesus approaches a man who had been infirm for 38 years and asks him if he wants to be healed.

The man's sad, superstitious reply is that he cannot be healed, because he cannot get into the pool quickly enough.

Jesus then bypasses all superstition and shows His power to immediately heal the man (John 5:3-9).

Although the Book of Tobias was not included in the Hebrew Scriptures, the Septuagint did include it; therefore, the story of Raphael would have been familiar to almost everyone in Jesus' day.

It is quite possible that the "angel of the pool" the sick man was waiting for was, in his mind, Raphael.

It is interesting that Raphael never shows up in John 5.

It is Jesus, not an angel, who "heals all your diseases" (Psalm 103:3).

Dressing Modestly - Godly Women

Dressing Modestly - Women Carry Almost All the Attention..

 

"What does it mean to dress modestly?"

 

In describing the mode of dress appropriate for women in church, the apostle Paul exhorts them to dress “modestly” with “decency and propriety” then goes on to contrast immodest dress with the good deeds which are appropriate for those who profess to be true worshipers of God.

 (1 Timothy 2:9-10)

Modesty in the way we dress is not just for church; it is to be the standard for all Christians at all times. 

 

The key to understanding what constitutes modesty in dress is to examine the attitudes and intents of the heart.

Those whose hearts are inclined toward God will make every effort to dress modestly, decently, and appropriately. Those whose hearts are included toward self will dress in a manner designed to draw attention to themselves with little or no regard for the consequences to themselves or others.

A godly woman endeavors to do everything with a “God-ward” perspective.

 She knows that God wants His people to be concerned for His glory and the spiritual state of their brothers and sisters in Christ.

If a woman professes to be a Christian and yet she dresses in a way that will unduly draw attention to her body, she is a poor witness of the One who bought her soul by dying for her on the cross.

She is forgetting that her body has been redeemed by Christ and is now the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

She is telling the world that she sees her own worth as purely physical and that her attractiveness to others depends on how much of her body she reveals to them. Further, by dressing in an immodest fashion, displaying her body for men to lust after, she causes her brothers in Christ to sin, something condemned by God (Matthew 5:27-29).

Proverbs 7:10 mentions a woman

 “dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.”

 Here we see the description of one whose heart condition is displayed by her manner of dress. 

 

The Scripture says that a woman is to dress modestly, but what exactly does that mean in modern society?

 Does a woman have to be covered from head to toe?

There are cults and religions in the world that demand this of women. But is that the biblical meaning of modesty?

 Again, we have to go back to the matter of the attitudes of the heart.

If a woman’s heart is inclined toward godliness, she will wear clothing that is neither provocative nor revealing in public, clothing that does not reflect negatively upon her personal testimony as a child of God.

Even when everyone else in her circle is dressing immodestly, she resists the temptation to go along with the crowd.

 She knows these types of clothes are designed to draw attention to her body and cause men to lust, but she is wise enough to know that type of attention only cheapens her. The idea of causing men to sin against God because of her dress is abhorrent to her because she seeks to love and honor God and wants others to do the same.

Modesty in dress reveals a modesty and godliness of the heart, attitudes that should be the desire of all women who live to please and honor God.

Remembering Staines - Another Thomas!

The Australian medical missionary Mr. Graham Staines (1941-1999) and his two sons were burnt alive in the tribal State of Orissa, in 1999.

 Though the killing of the Staines has left a stain on Indian soil, they are grains of wheat which are fallen on the ground to give plentiful harvest. Apostle Thomas was martyred in Chennai.

The Church in India is strongest in this city!

Thomas Brooks (1608-1680) penned,

 "Divine presence made the martyrs as willing to die as to dine!"

God in answer to the prayer of the Church sent an angel into the prison chamber to release Peter.

What our prayers can do for the persecuted at critical hours and perilous situations cannot be underestimated. When challenged before martyrdom, Bishop Polycarp (70-160) replied,

"Eighty-six years I've served Christ and He never did me any injury. How then can I blaspheme my King and Saviour?"

Henry Vos shamed his persecutors with the words,

"If I had twin heads, they should all be off for Christ!"

Tahir Iqbal, a Muslim convert, before he died in a Pakistani prison in 1993, declared,

"I'll kiss the rope, but I'll never deny my faith!"

 Every Christian must read Foxe's Book of Martyrs.

The martyrs shook the powers of darkness with the irresistible power of weakness. How much the persecuted need our prayers!

It's repeatedly observed in mission fields that the malignant opponents get powerfully converted and become mighty exponents of the Bible.

This is what our prayers for the persecutors do.

Stephen's prayer deeply impacted the young man Saul.

 When this persecutor of Christians became a preacher of the gospel, people said in amazement,

 "Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this Name in Jerusalem?" (Acts 9:21; 22:19,20).

The last prayer of William Tyndale (1494-1536), the Reformer and Bible Translator, before he was strangled and burnt, was,

"Lord, open the eyes of the King of England!"

The Lord answered his prayer, and the King authorized a Bible translation.

Who has not heard of the King James Version?

Any attack on the Church must primarily be discerned as the direct activity of wicked spirits. Spiritual powers cannot be combated by numerical or physical strength. Fasting prayers in secret are more effective than protest fasts in public.

 Restudying of the Book of Acts will keep us in the right perspective.

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