WE ARE GOING TO HEAVEN

The direction this subject points me towards is exciting! I am rethinking the rapture and eternity in a good way. I was even shown more reasons why the Blessed Hope (The rapture of the Church) is soon to take place. If Jesus Christ does not tarry in His coming it is only because God is not willing that anybody should perish according to 2nd Peter 3:9.

I want to share with you how near we really are to the Lord's return and our future home. If we even understand a little bit about heaven we will never look at life, the rapture or eternity the same. Like end time Bible prophecy it is not a subject that is going to be understood all at once. Just a little understanding will give you peace from God.

Some people will say they found a church home and that is well and good but as far as I can see Heaven is our home. That is where we are going to spend eternity.

As I write about Heaven it is not necessarily going to be in sequential order. I'm going to loosen up my tie. I'm just going to trust God that He will guide my pen and bring to my mind whatever He wants to place on my heart. I have lost count of the number of books and testimonies I have read or heard.

Would you like to go to a place where the glory of God abounds and overflows? If you look at the average person they don't seem to care!

I am pretty sure the Church is just about to be raptured out of this earth into heaven. I don't believe anybody knows the day or the hour hear on earth but we are seeing more and more signs for the Antichrist which tells me that the rapture is close. There are no signs for the rapture.

I believe there have been some recent warnings on planet earth. God is trying to get the attention of the world. He is just about to come.

Looking for the Rapture with anticipation and excitement is very Biblical. It is found in 1 These. 4: 16-18, 1 Cor. 15: 51-57, Titus 2:13, 1st John 3: 2,3, 2 Tim. 4:8, John 4:1-3, Rev. 3:10, Rev. 4:1 and many other places in the Bible. We look for the Rapture not only to be with our Lord Jesus Christ but to escape the seven year Tribulation that is described in Revelation chapters 6-19.

These seven years are the most talked about time period in the Bible. When I read Revelation chapters 6-19 I have to come to the conclusion that there is just no way anybody could prepare for this time period. This is just one reason we are going to want to be part of the Rapture. We are very close to this great event.

When we get raptured we will be transformed into our resurrected spirit bodies in heaven. Upon arrival we will have the most wonderful reunion with other Believers that we could possible imagine. We will then appear before the Bema Seat ( a Greek word) so that Jesus Christ Himself will appraise everything that we truly did for Him.

Remember when we accepted Jesus as our personal Savior He died for our sins. He bore the penalty for our sins on the Cross. God cannot look at sin, so when we go to heaven we will be blameless before Him.

There will be perfect understanding on what we have truly done for Jesus Christ with the right motives when we look into the eyes of holiness and righteousness. The Bible mentions five crowns. Many articles and sermons have been spoken on this so I won't go into this subject. I would be honored just to get one. Just because only five are spoken of does not mean there won't be other rewards.

According to Revelation chapters 4 and 5 we will be laying our crowns before our Savior Jesus Christ. As I said once before, in the presence of Jesus Christ we don't need anything, so of course we will be laying our crowns before His feet.

Did you ever just read Revelation chapters 4 and 5 and fathom this incredible worship? When we are raptured Christians will participate in Revelation chapters 4 and 5.

When an individual graduates from college they go to Commencement and get their diploma (reward). Then they go out into the real world and get a job to get started with their life. We will get our rewards (commencement) then eventually we will get started with our jobs in eternity.

Can you imagine a college student hanging around Graduation ceremonies all of his life? I have never seen that.

Even the unregenerate understand that there is a vast difference between Heaven and Hell. They are the antithesis of each other. One is a place of love.The other is a place of fear.

I just want you to think about the reality of this whole thing. There is a Heaven and a Hell but there is not a medium place for average people. If we just plug that thought into our minds and hopefully our hearts, I will have an answer for you in just a little bit as to why this has to be for all eternity.

The design of Heaven is perfect because we serve a flawless, holy Savior. When we get to Heaven we will instantly know that we could not have possibly merited such a beautiful and glorious place. Eph. 2: 8,9. We will have a new understanding of the grace of God." But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him." 1st Cor 2:9. I understand that when we get there it is going to be a breathtaking experience; however, I would like to get specific on some realities about Heaven that may edify you right now.

If you have many problems and a yoke upon your soul (a load or burden that you are having a hard time carrying) it will immediately be removed when you arrive in Heaven after the Rapture. In Matt. 11:30 Jesus promises to take it on earth but if you are having a hard time allowing God to take this then at the very least you can rest assured that it will be removed the very moment you arrive in Heaven. While we are on this earth Christians need to make this a number one priority in our hearts because Jesus Christ needs to be ruling our lives.

One man said that when we got Saved on earth ( truly accepting Jesus Christ into our hearts as our personal Savior) the Holy Spirit came into our hearts. He is living inside of us right now as we converse. The Holy Spirit is our engagement ring. When we get to Heaven we will be married to Jesus Christ.

The Bible talks about us being the Bride of Christ. In Revelation 21:2 the Word of God says,"And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a Bride adorned for her husband." In Revelation 19: 7-9 the Bible talks about the Marriage supper of the Lamb. We are dressed in white ( purity) and in verse 9 we are considered blessed.

When the Pharisees tried to entrap Jesus with the Marriage scenario in Heaven, our Lord corrected them by saying that one redeemed in Heaven does not marry another redeemed Saint. The answer is obvious. We are the Bride of Christ. Jesus Christ will be our Husband.

By the way if the Bible is talking about the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, this may be inferring that there will be food in Heaven. We will eat for pure enjoyment in Heaven. We have to eat on earth to survive. Besides all too often food, sleep and shopping become disruptions that hinder our fellowship with God. In Heaven there are no interruptions. Everything speaks of God's pure love with purpose.

Everything we do or don't do will be appropriate for the given moment. For example talking is not always appropriate because in Revelation 8:1 the Bible says," And when He had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in Heaven about the space of half an hour."

Any created creature or redeemed Saint in Heaven will be incapable of sin (a transgression against God); however, a mistake is something different. Webster defines a mistake as a misunderstanding of the meaning or implication of something. I think we are going to have to wait and see if we will be capable of a mistake.

Remember we will not be robots in Heaven. On earth we make 10,000 decisions a day. We scratch our heads and ask," What do I do?" In Heaven, since a partial mind of Jesus Christ will be given to us ( if we received a full mind of Christ we would know everything about eternity past, present and future) we won't struggle with decisions. On earth, according to Phil. 2:5 we have to, " Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." According to this verse we have access to the mind of Christ but we can choose not to use it.

Obviously we will not have any senses to register fear with this new mind. The Holy Spirit said in 2 Tim 1:7, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Every once in a while I will hear a Christian say," When I get to Heaven I will know everything and won't have to learn anything." If we knew everything we would be on the same level as God. God is God and we are not. Besides this statement goes directly against Eph. 2:7." That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness towards us through Christ Jesus." According to this verse in Heaven there is a learning process because God is "Showing" us for all eternity. God is described as having exceeding riches. He is kind and everything is through Jesus Christ.

In the Bible it is very obvious that everything revolves around the person of Jesus Christ. The very first sentence in the Book of Revelation says, " The Revelation of Jesus Christ"...so if you were to read Revelation chapters 19 to 22 it is very clear that when Jesus Christ sets up His rule, it will be a Theocracy not a Democracy. I thank the Lord for this because His rule will be perfect.

There will be a hierarchy in Heaven of redeemed Saints and Angels. For example Jesus said the first shall be last and the last will be first. I think it is interesting that the humble will be in positions of authority unlike this earth where all too often the prideful rule. I am not sure if every regenerated person will reign with Jesus Christ in Heaven. 2nd Tim. 2:12. This privilege does not seem to be reserved for everyone.

When you read the whole context of 1st Cor chapter 15 you may come to the same conclusion as me. The Saints in Heaven will shine in varying degrees based on what they did in their earthly life. There obviously will be no jealousy because that would be a sin.

We will all be humbled by the time this whole heavenly reality reaches full circle. The most prevalent message in the Gospels is humility. It is in our Lord's birth, the way that He lived, the way He spoke, the way He served, the way He suffered and the way He died.


I don't know about you but I have found that the greater the mistrust level is in society the greater the sin. Mistrust seems to be a barometer. In 2nd Corinthians 5:7 the Bible says we walk by faith, not by sight. In Heaven we will walk by sight not by faith; however, we will have perfect trust and perfect peace because of this wonderful privilege that God will grant us. On earth we must exercise faith in God to have His peace but not in Heaven. It will automatically be given to us. On earth we may experience something that is way out in left field but we will always know where we stand in Heaven.

Hell is just the opposite. Nobody will have peace, trust or even know where they stand because there will always be fear. Words like despairing, survival, panic, denial, problems, despondency, guilt, or loneliness will come to minds and emotions. There will be no hope. I believe some people that are consigned to this horrible place will never reach the acceptance level of what happened to them.They will stay in denial.

In answer to the thought that I asked you to ponder, why is there not a medium place for average people? The answer is God demands justice for somebody that does not accept His Son Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23. They will have to pay for everyone of their sins because they don't have the Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of God in their hearts.

The word fairness really does not per se come to my mind. This is the justice of God. Justice is the administration of law. People that die without Jesus Christ leave this earth under "Law" (they died in their sins), not under grace.

Good people don't go to Heaven and bad people don't go to Hell. According to the Bible we are all bad. Romans 3:23. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Only those that honestly accept Jesus Christ into their hearts will go to Heaven. Since they died without accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Savior they will have to bear the full weight of their sins. There will be different degrees of punishment. Luke 12:48, Revelation 20:11-15. That is a heavy burden to carry. Besides it is a Christ-less eternity with no love!

You can accept Jesus Christ into your heart now and have eternal life in Heaven if you have not already done so. Since we are so close to the return of Jesus Christ it is not wise to tarry on this decision.


I would like to return to the subject of Heaven for a little bit.

In life we can either cooperate or complete. In Heaven there is cooperation. It would be a trite point if there was not so much competition in life.

Can you imagine the jubilation after the Rapture? Can you imagine Jesus Christ Himself, the greatest teacher in the universe imparting a principle to us? Can you imagine talking to Daniel, Samson, Peter or Sarah? They have been learning in this heavenly order for thousands of years.

By the way since our Lord is a God of order I do believe there will be a law in Heaven but I just don't think we will have a hard time following it. We will have such a strong desire to obey because we were saved by God's grace and love. This zeal in us will be paramount, not just in our thinking but in our responses.

When we think about obeying something down here we usually have to start and stop at a given point but when we get to Heaven we will be in eternity.There will be no time or space to hinder us. We won't necessarily have to start at a given point. We think in terms of time now. Forever is more real than time because in eternity past God created time; therefore, time is inferior to eternity.The Creator is more powerful than the creation. It makes us think. Should we live for time or should we live for eternity? The things that are visible are temporary. The things which are invisible are eternal. Only that which we do for Jesus will last. Jesus was more pleased with Mary in comparison to Martha because what Mary was doing was eternal. What Martha was doing was temporary. Everything else will be thrown out.

There will be no gossip about our sins in Heaven. Gossip is a sin. Proverbs 16:28. There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. The Bible says this in Romans 8:1. Heaven is a place where God gets the glory. Revelation chapters 4 and 5, Revelation chapters 21 and 22. It is His grace we will be praising God for all eternity, not our sins. By the way we will be praising God for His other attributes too.

In 2nd Cor. 5:17 the Bible says,"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." That happened to us when we got saved but we really will be able to see and experience this for ourselves when we get to Heaven.

By the way it won't be the order the Church has right now. Some Christians think that this is it.This is not it. Some conservatives in the Church give all the reasons why people should come over to their side and some Pentecostals give reasons as to why people should come on their side. Eph. 2:14 says," For He is our peace, who hath made both one and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us." I know the original meaning of this verse involved Jews and Gentiles but the sub-text is written.This is good news because we won't have to be concerned about a denomination.

We probably won't even have opinions in Heaven because that would denote division. Our Lord is not going to allow His Kingdom to be divided. We will be uniting in the Person of Jesus Christ. The only passport into Heaven will be Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. It won't be a denomination.


Look at how excited the Samaritan woman got when Jesus talked to her on earth. She was refreshed. John Chapter 4. If this can happen on earth what do you think Heaven will be like? If there is a Christian out there that you just do not like, look at how fast Jesus united Matthew and Peter on earth. They hated each other. Our Lord did that in His earthly body on a corrupt sinful planet.

It is encouraging to know that God never changes. Malachi 3:6. Jesus will be reuniting people that were at an impasse on earth and He will do it I believe on the same line that He did it with Matthew and Peter. I don't think Paul and Mark even spoke after their fight but I can guarantee you this, they are on speaking terms now in the love of God.

Right now we are in embryo ( time and space) but when we get to Heaven we will really start to understand all of the freedoms we have in Jesus Christ. Right now we don't understand the full impact of this principle, just like we don't understand everything God saved us from. We don't even understand many things about ourselves but God sees us perfectly. This is why I am inclined to believe that God will even reward us for what we would have done if we could have done it. He knows our hearts.

Sometimes I hear a Christian say,"I believe God is like that particular regenerated lady or gentleman." Then they might say something like," That is what God is like." God has all of these pure characteristics in every one of His attributes. If all of this excites you and if to a point you are up in Heaven right now, don't be so fast to come down. Understanding this will actually help us while we are still on this earth.

One of the things that we always hear in Christianity is that we have to be discerning about issues. Somebody will say something and we will be scratching our heads, looking into the Word of God and asking, "Is this true?" The Bible says in John 14:6 that Jesus is the Way, Truth and Life. Heaven will be the embodiment of truth. We won't have to look at something and wonder whether it is truth or error.

It is true, on this planet People have alternative agendas. In Heaven everybody will have pure motives. The people on earth are constantly communicating ideas through speech and motions. God's loudest message to us is His love. His love permeates His entire Being. Obviously that same love will be in us. Remember what is inside of us has to come out. We will be experiencing and expressing that love for all eternity.

I am going to combine most of what I believe to be the credible testimonies about their Heaven experiences and explain to you the common denominators. I'm not what I would call a tough jury but for those of you that are I would just like to say they cannot all be lying and most of these people don't even know each other.

A handful of people feel that since the Apostle Paul did not talk about his Heaven experience then they just dismiss somebody else's testimony; however, Enoch had plenty to say about Heaven and even touched on what he saw in Hell and was quoted by Jude in the New Testament. Jude 1:14. All I can do is look for the common denominators of these testimonials.

Let me just repeat some of the amazing things that I have heard. I am not dogmatic but I seem to hear the same things over and over. Did you ever think about the way God will communicate to us in Heaven? In so many of these testimonies it is mind to mind. There is no air in Heaven. This is a component of earth so the people listening to Jesus did not hear Him through an ear drum.

Jesus knows all tongues but there is a heavenly language. The speed is very fast. No hesitation on the part of our Savior; however, if our Lord really wants us to experience the moment He may slow the pace down.

I heard one fine scholar say we will probably be learning pure Hebrew in Heaven which he believes is God's language.

Most said they were able to explore and look around. Enoch took advantage of this privilege.

Everyone said there is an overwhelming togetherness in Heaven. Nobody was off to the side. Everyone is an integral part of everything God is doing.

When we go on to Heaven we will becoming there what we could not become here only never quite made it.This way the grace of God is exalted, not our merits. We will probably be on the genius level and will be using our minds in a way that we could not imagine down here to carry out the work that God has assigned to us. We will truly be glorifying God.

Many people that saw Heaven looked at building projects. A lot of people said there was an anticipation for a large number of people to arrive there at one time. John 14:1-4. One person said that the architecture was intricate.The horticulture was bountiful and beautiful. The colors were vibrant. When they looked at something in Heaven it was pure love, nothing but pure substance. The streets are pure gold.

Jesus Christ testified to several people that He created the music in Heaven. It is beautiful and worshipful. Notes that they never heard on earth.They were perfectly clear. One person made a comparison that there is no way you could keep up with this in your flesh.

God is bottling an aroma ( perfume) in Heaven based on the prayers of the regenerated children of Jesus Christ on earth...Revelation chapters 5 and 8.

One lady said regarding our prayers that she had the honor of going into the Throne Room of Heaven and seeing Jesus Christ sitting at the right hand of the Father. The light was so bright that she had to look down. She saw energy rays go straight to the Throne Room and on one shaft of the light was her male relative's voice praying for her. God chose to answer his prayer. I tended to believe her story because she seemed to be a very credible witness.

It is amazing to me how our Father in Heaven must have a special regard for sincere earnest prayer. At the very least it gives me a whole new prospective on my prayer life. Sometimes it takes a while for things to settle in with me but I don't think I will ever look at prayer the same. I prayed for somebody the other day. Words just did not come out but God chose to answer that prayer because I believe He was looking at my heart. If you don't know the Lord, the Bible says that God will hear your prayer." For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be Saved." Romans 10:13.

I know a lot of this is conjecture but it does get me thinking. If I am going to be concerned with something down here I want it to be of eternal value. Our prospective changes when we understand this. I appreciate the fact that I am writing to a wide audience. Some are strict, loose, highly intelligent and some barely know anything about the subject; however, whatever category you are in I would think that this would make anybody think.

When we get raptured which I believe could be very soon that verse in 1st. Cor. 15:55 will come to life. "Oh death, where is thy sting? Oh Grave where is thy victory." At the very point that we are taken up in the rapture we will be experiencing this reality in that blessed resurrection. Joy will be an overflow of God's love, tears will be a healing process and I believe that we will have a pure holy sense of humor at appropriate times that is straight from God. When we look back on our life I believe that our suffering will have the greatest meaning to us. Our activity, gifts and accomplishments will not have the same deep meaning in comparison to our heartaches that we suffered for Jesus Christ. This is on a deeper level.

On a lighter note I believe that there will be animals in Heaven. In the original model of Creation God created animals. Why would Heaven be any different? I find it interesting that the horses in Revelation chapter 19 know exactly what to do and when to do it.These horses speak of the majesty of Jesus Christ. It tells me that we will be able to communicate with animals on a level that we cannot down here on earth.

I believe this last subject that I would like to briefly talk about merits a brand new paragraph because it is so special. In 1 Peter 2:5, and Rev.1:6 the Bible talks about our kingship and priesthood. Do you remember earlier in the article I told you that there will be a learning process in Heaven? As I read these verses in Peter and Revelation I just get the impression that this will be a training process. It is very difficult for me to believe that we will understand this right away. Most people know God helps and ministers to His children but according to these verses we will be ministering unto the Person of Jesus Christ for all eternity. I believe this will be the greatest privilege in the Universe.

We have not even scratched the surface as to what we are going to be doing and experiencing forever. The issues that we face on earth will probably not even be problems to us in Heaven because we will be living on a higher level.This earth is not it. Jesus Christ is more than likely just about to come. Even a little spiritual insight about our resurrection is comforting, insightful and wonderful but soon we will be experiencing the joys of Heaven with our loving Savior forever.

I AM SO EXCITED!!
See you soon,
Bob D.

Marriage Covenant Study

Marriage Covenant Study

What is a Covenant?

1. The Covenant is a Union confirmed by Blood.

2. A treaty

3. An Alliance or Friendship

4. A Pledge

5. A Contract accompanied by Signs, Sacrifices and a Solemn Oath which seals the relationship.

6. It is a Declaration of Absolute Faithfulness.

You will find a part or all of these in a Marriage Covenant between a man and wife. We will consider a few in our study - A Pledge and Absolute Faithfulness.

To enter into a Covenant, you must have two parties so in the marriage covenant we have the two parties. In this we make promises and vows to one another. If one breaks the covenant, the covenant is nullified. But what is allowable to break a covenant. You must look back to the promises you and your mate made to one another.

We will start in the Book of Matthew and carefully look at the Scriptures and then try to break them down and then we will trace the line or thread throughout the New Testament.

Our method of study will be Who, What, Where, When, Why and How. These questions can be answered by all who are in this study and we need to add our own to them.

Now we know under the Law that only a male could break the marriage covenant, it was unallowable for the female to do so, as she was considered under the man in this time. In today's time, we are still under the same headship, Christ over the man, the man under Christ, and the woman under the man so we must do this study in that vein. Now saying that I must say this, I am not under a man if it goes against my conscience to the written Word of God, in other words I will not risk my walk with God in order to be pleasing to a man.

We need to look at the Sermon on the Mount which is Chapter 5 thru 7 of Matthew, it talks about marriage here, but we must also look at the whole of the three chapters to get the whole of the meaning. First off, if I am a Christian my mate is also my brother or Sister and in context I must also treat them as such in the Body of Christ. So in order to do this right, study these three chapters first and just look closely at how we are to treat one another in the body of believers and you then can look at your marriage a little differently.

Now we will just take the Scriptures out of the body of these works and do a complete study on marriage but always remember to study the verses in their original context first.

Matthew 5:31 & 32 31. It hath been said, whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement. 32. But I say unto you, that whosoever shall put away his wife saving for the cause of fornication,causeth her to commit adultery, and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Let us first consider the meaning of these words in the Greek.

Divorcement -also used in Matt. 19:7 and Mark 10:4, (if you want to include the OT(Old Testament) you may look up Deuteronomy. 24:1, 24:3, Isaiah 50:1 ) Greek word- Apostasion, adj. something separative, going back to the root word- to fall away, (comparative language the same as the church when it falls into apostasy from Christ.)-to remove, act, to revolt, to desist, to desert, depart, draw away, refrain, withdraw self. WOW!

Writing- biblos- a bill, a book, a scroll, a writing.(same word as used for Bible)

Fornication- porneia- harlotry, includes adultery or incest, Figuratively- Idolatry.

root word= to act the whore, indulge unlawful lusts, (of either sex) to practice idolatry, whore, harlot, commit any of these acts. Same definition when used anywhere in the NT(New Testament).

Adultery- adultery or apostate in action. to have a paramour, meaning is the same throughout the NT.

Well, now you can ask yourself the questions. The answers will depend on your individual walk with Christ, But always remember that we must include our mate as a Brother or Sister in the Lord.

Again go back and look at what a covenant is, Realize that when you and your mate got married, you made a covenant together. So far in our study, we have seen that divorce is an option that is only given to men, it may later take a turn and include women, I feel this is a subject of dire importance. Enjoy your study and take it as far as you can. Our Bible studies are always continuing, this is a base, my Biblical context.

Matthew 19:3-12. Read the first two verses, to get Who Jesus was talking to.

Matthew 19:3. The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

4. And he answered and said unto them, Have you not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female.

5. And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and the twain shall be one flesh?

6. Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

7. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

8. He said unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away you wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

9. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, commiteth adultery: and who marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

10. His disciples say unto Him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to be married.

11. But He said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.

12. For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some enuchs, which were made eunuch of men: and there be eunuch, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

Again we have some pretty heavy Scriptures here, and we still see the only one that can give a writ of divorcement, is still the man. Also remember that we are dealing with people who are under the Jewish law here. But we still see that there is only one reason given wherewith we can break the Covenant of Marriage between two people. I think that these Scriptures are self explanatory and need not be explained.

Cleave- proskollao- to glue, to adhere, cleave, join self. root word- pros- in this context a strengthened form of direction.

Asunde- chorizo- to place room between, to part, to go away, depart, put asunder, separate. ( this definition is only used twice in the NT also used in Mark 10:29)

One- mia- one or first,or only

Remember to ask your 6 good friends to help you with this study and see how far you can take it. Always keeping in mind the definition of Covenant. Mark comes next.

Mark 10:1 And He came from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto Him again; and, as he was wont, He taught them again.

2. And the Pharisees came to Him and asked Him, is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting Him.

3. And He answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?

4. And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement and to put her away.

5. Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.

6. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

7. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;

8. And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain but one flesh.

9. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

10. And In the house his disciples asked Him again of the same matter.

11. And He saith unto them, whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another commitheth adultery against her.

12. And if a woman shall put away her husband and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

Well, I do not think we need to look up any of these words for the explanation of them. It is very clear, so now I will give you the setting of this story on Marriage and Divorce.

Well we know from the setting here, that Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem, looking to the Crucifixion. We see the religious Pharisees trying to trap Him, they were trying everything in their power to give them an excuse to kill Jesus. So this was one marriage where they tried to trap Him. They full well knew the law and they were looking for a loophole to call Jesus on and as we study these Scriptures, He gives them none.

If they could get Him to make a statement that was contrary to the law of Moses, they would of won and this is what the language here is, so you are looking at the Divine Law of God for Marriage here, what it was supposed to be from the beginning.

Genesis 2:24&25

24. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

25. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

Still in today's world, people want to jump into any controversy, to find an excuse for what they want to do. There were two schools of thought under the Jewish law on marriage. Rabbi Shamai taught uncleanness meant only that if the mans wife was not a virgin, that he could divorce her. This is a narrow view point, but that was the only grounds for divorce in Deuteronomy. Now Rabbi Hille taught the liberal side of this, if she yelled for any reason and you could hear her voice next door, then you could divorce her, as yelling women under the law are considered unclean. So with any liberal law you make the true law of the covenant you made with that man or woman mean less. You do this by the hardness of your heart, but Jesus said from the beginning it was not so. Divorce was forbidden by Jesus and God and was very hard under the law to obtain. You as the male, had to take the bill to a Rabbi and he had to witness that it was true, she had committed adultery and he was a witness to it and then two other Rabbi had to also sign it saying they also were witnesses. The reason for this was because of the children that would be destroyed by the divorce. The same as today the children are the losers. God help us!

Gods divine idea from the beginning was man by himself is not complete, a woman alone is not complete and so the two together become one flesh. The wife is complimented by the husband, the husband is to compliment the wife and the two now are no longer two but one flesh. This is the Basic Divine Ideal established by God. But man does not want to live up to Gods Divine Ideal, they do not want to bend or give or forgive. Marriage is and has always been a giving situation and God says only from the hardness of your heart will you get a bill of divorcement.

Today we are faced with the hardness of heart. Gods Divine Law was marriage for life, still there are those who have hardened their hearts toward Gods Divine Idea. They both will not give, will not bend, and will not forgive and they then begin to set out to destroy the other mate, because of the hardness of their hearts and on this path they will get as many others as they can to harden their hearts against that mate, by their constant complaining and negative thoughts, they are saying come over to my side and see how terrible my mate is and then tell me I can leave. Dangerous grounds for all concerned here, but the truth of the Bible must be the answer, it is not feelings, this partner is one flesh with you and you cannot divide one flesh, the only grounds you have are adultery and then neither of you can remarry ever. This is a pretty tough subject and one very hard to deal with. We do not want to broaden the issue to make divorce and remarriage legal. God hates divorce, but if you get a hard hearted person, God also hates that. Our desire should be to please God, we should seek to make a good marriage, to learn to love again and to come to oneness and you can only do this thru forgiveness and looking truthfully at the situation. It is never ever all one sided, Jesus sought here to bring back the sacredness of marriage. It is an outward sign of a Spiritual work. Marriage to the right person can be heaven and marriage to the wrong person can be hell on earth. But Decisions and Covenants once made are hard if not impossible to break, I would like to be easier on this but so far I cannot be.

My advice to all is go to God and fast and pray before you ever think marriage and if you are already married go to God and fast and pray that your heart be softened toward your mate, You are one flesh. We will deal with marriage in the church of today next.

Roman 7:1-4

1. Know ye not brethren,(for I speak to them that know the law) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?

2. For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

3. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

4. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Paul is saying that to the Christian that we are free from the law or that the law is dead to us, the same as a wife or husband is free from the bonds or Covenant of Marriage if their spouse be dead, they are then free to marry another. In case of death, neither is bound by the Covenant Law of Marriage, for you pledged till death us do part and now death has parted you.

Open your Bible & Read 1 Corinthians 10. Read and study this whole chapter, it all concerns the marriage .

This chapter is very personal and I will have you to read it and then come to the conclusion that the Lord would have you to come to individually as you know the terms and condition of your marriage and I do not.

I do believe that Paul here in verses 12-17, speaks for the Lord here and so ordains it in all of the churches, if the spouse of one is unbelieving and chooses to leave then the brother or sister is not in bondage in that case and can remarry as followed by the rules in verse 15. In all my advice to any would be always that God hates divorce, but God also wants you to be at peace within yourself, I would never advise someone to stay in any relationship in which they can be harmed physically or emotionally or in any way that would hinder your walk with God, but I would also say that you cannot divorce or remarry unless you do it for grounds of adultery and then only if you harden your heart. If you find yourself with an unbeliever that wants to stay with you, then you are required to stay, but if they leave you, you are no longer under bondage.

When all is said and done you must follow God in your life with the best of your ability and always remember that when you entered into the relationship, you made vows and promises and it is a Covenant Relationship. You owe your mate Absolute Faithfulness and Absolute Love and that love should be unconditional, and if it is not ,then I would ask you why? I leave you all in the hands of God and will say what would Jesus do, if he was in your place? Ask yourself that question and then answer it truthfully and not out of your wants or desires but out of the Word of God. Would Jesus break His covenant with you and can you break the covenant with your mate? May God bless all and keep you in Perfect Peace. My love and best wishes to all and I wish you blessed hope in your everyday walk with Christ. May your mate be your complimentary half and may you both walk in the perfect and fulfilling love of Christ and the same love that He gives to His church, if not I wish you still the Grace and Mercy and Peace of God and may God fulfill the bill of being your Spouse for He will surely keep His Covenant with You.

My Love always

Zelma

Cell phone vs. Bible

Cell phone vs. Bible

Ever wonder

what would
happen if we treated our

Bible like we treat our
cell phone?

What if we
carried it around in our
purses or pockets?

What if we
flipped through it several
times a day?

What if we
turned back to go get it if
we forgot it?

What if we
used it to receive messages
from the text?

What if we
treated it like we couldn't
live without it?

What if we
gave it to Kids as
gifts?

What if we
used it when we
traveled?

What if we
used it in case of
emergency?

This is
something to make you
go...hmm....where is my Bible?

Oh, and
one more thing. Unlike
our cell phone, we don't have to worry
about our Bible being disconnected
because Jesus already paid the bill..

Makes you
stop and think, where are my
priorities? And no dropped calls!

P.S. DO WHAT
YOU THINK GOD WOULD WANT
YOU TO DO WITH THIS EMAIL

Trust in the
Lord and *ASAP (Always
Say A Prayer)

Have a
blessed and wonderful
day


Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you
meet is
fighting some kind of
battle. '


When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking
of
you!

Our Peace is complete

As Christians we either have the peace of God flowing through our souls or we have some sort of anxiety. God's peace comes in different variations just like our anxiety can range from something small to stark raging fear. To give you an example on how God's peace residing in us can be different, imagine a child of God having a full measure of the Holy Spirit's joy. Do you have some kind of picture in your mind? Would you not agree that this individual not only has God's joy but also God's peace?

Now imagine an individual (a child of God) going through something in life and he or she faintly rests upon God and finds him or herself experiencing a small comfort in their soul. Just like there are different degrees of anxiety there are also different degrees of God's peace. For the most part (not in all cases) we as God's children have a conscious choice in the midst of our troubles as to whether we will have earthy anxiety or God's peace.

As children of God we are destined to experience His peace. The question really comes down to "How soon do we want it?" I think another question should come to our minds and our hearts. How consistently do we desire it? The constant comforting peace of God might even be more important than the first (how soon do we want it) because the second question will stand the test of time and eternity. Who would want God's peace once in a while when we could have it all the time?

You will start to hear a holiday saying- peace and goodwill towards all men. I think that is a very admirable saying but what people have to realize is there is peace with God and there is the peace of God. They are two different things. True peace and goodwill toward all men will never happen. It would be nice but Romans 5:1 says "Therefore being justified by faith,we have the peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." This verse was written to the person that accepted Jesus Christ into their heart as their personal Savior; therefore, they obtained "Peace with God."

If an individual has not made this decision they have no peace with God. According to the Bible although God loves unbelievers in Jesus Christ very much they are enemies of God. There are several verses in Scripture for this but just nine verses down in Romans 5:10 the Bible says "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." It is very interesting to me that one of the basic themes of the Bible is that the Righteous will have peace. That will be their end. The unrighteous will have no peace. That will be their end.

There is a misconception among Christians regarding God's peace. I will often hear "If I can just get a little bit more of God's peace." When an individual accepts Jesus Christ into their hearts as their personal Savior He comes in to live inside of that person. This person has the full measure of God's love,joy,and peace and other fruits of the Spirit that I did not even mention inside of them. The real question is "How does a child of God experience the Holy Spirit's peace on a moment by moment basis?" I'm going to answer that question but I want to touch on another issue.

Sometimes at the very least subconsciously a true Believer in Jesus Christ will say "I'm going through such a horrible trial so this is obviously my cross and there is no room for God's peace to be flowing through my heart" or "I just can't see that for me right now." Let me ask what I believe to be an intelligent question. Is there ever a time when a true child of God that sincerely accepted Jesus Christ into their hearts should live without experiencing God's comforting peace? I believe my answer may surprise some people but I would say "No way."

We were called to endure trials,a Damascus road experience which is the highest hardship a Christian could ever endure but we were never called to carry our own burdens at any time. The primary reason why God even allows us to go through these things is so we will learn to let go and let the Holy Spirit work through us.

Paul also said in Philippians 4:11 "Not that I speak in respect of want : for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." When we yield to God in this world it is like He is giving us a new beginning in the midst of all our stress. 11 Cor.4:8-9. When we allow God to do this we will bear fruit in our trails. In Phil. 4:11 Paul was testifying that in this World of confusion he found the secret to obtaining God's peace inside of him. I am going to get more specific on how we can tap into God's peace on a moment to moment basis.

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,to which also ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful." Col 3:15. There is one word for me that just stands out and that would be "let." It is a small word but is very powerful. All we have to do is "Let" the peace of God "rule" in our hearts. God's peace covers our anxiety.

Righteousness produces peace and as a result there is a quietness resting in our souls for all eternity. The signature of our victory through Jesus Christ will be God's peace resting in our souls. Jesus Christ said in Luke 7:50 "Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." Notice faith in God and peace are in the same sentence. When we have faith in God He gives us His perfect peace and sets us free.

God is love so it would be the most natural thing in the universe for Him to give us His peace. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27. Jesus was actually saying "Let not your heart be troubled." He made a distinction between His peace and the World's peace. If I were to rely on the World's peace I might only have it for only a short time but God's peace is different. It comforts and transcends all understanding.

Once again faith in God and His peace are tied together. We have the good news of Jesus Christ and it has been resurrected or divinely completed in us. All we have to do is keep our minds on Him, trust God and His "Perfect" peace will be granted to us. In Isaiah 9:6 Jesus Christ is referred to as the Prince of Peace. In Romans 16:20 Jesus Christ is referred to as " the God of peace."

The peace of God was already ordained for us as Believers in Jesus Christ. Let me go over just one more verse because this is amazing. "The Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace." Psalm 29:11.

If you are an Unbeliever in Jesus Christ you would have to experience this peace that guards our hearts and minds to understand it. If you accept Jesus Christ into your heart you will have peace with God (Romans 5:1) but hopefully you will pursue the peace of God by earnestly reading the Bible and seeing for yourself that we truly serve the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

Love and Peace in Jesus Christ,

Bob D

FOR EVERY MAN

For Every Man



“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” Hebrews 2:9. No one is excluded from receiving the free gift of salvation. God died on that cross so every human being on this planet could obtain salvation and continue on to a new and awesome Heavenly home. Jesus suffered and died for all humanity.



What stops man from wanting such a home? Pride. That’s it, it’s prideful to reject God’s free gift of salvation. Only by believing in the death, burial, and resurrection of His only begotten Son can we obtain that free gift. Many might disagree with me and say it’s a hardened heart, or ignorance, even self-reliance that keeps man from believing the truth. Pride is what got in Lucifer’s way and it’s been the one thing that has been so prevalent in so many lost souls since the beginning of time. “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.” Psalm 10:4. Using God’s name as profanity doesn’t count as keeping God in all our thoughts.



To humble one’s self before God requires an abandonment of pride and there are so many who won’t allow that to ever occur in their meager and short existence. So many people actually believe that this world holds the answer to everything–every question, every thought, every experience and there is nothing at the end of one’s life but a cold dark grave. When some folks hear the question, “Are you a believer?” or “Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ?” their pride is activated and they reject such nonsensical questioning with a prideful “I don’t believe in God” or “I don’t need your God”. This one really saddens me, “I don’t fear your God”. Pride is the culprit and many a lost soul will find this out the hard way. “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18.



We read in the book of Hebrews that Jesus tasted death for every man. That means everybody that ever lived or ever will live has been covered by the blood of Christ. In the past, before Jesus’ First Advent, if folks believed in the coming Messiah and were faithful to God, when they died their souls were sent to Abraham’s bosom. After Jesus died all who profess their faith in Him go directly to Heaven. But the one thing they all have in common is that they all, at some point, dropped that prideful attitude and humbled themselves before God. Alas, Jesus tells us many will never lose that prideful attitude. “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:14. They not only can’t find it but pride keeps them from seeking the truth.



Many will hold to the two big lies of Satan, “Yea, hath God said”, and “Ye shall not surely die” Genesis 3:1, 4. And they will remain in that state of condemnation. They will never give up the pride that holds them captive like zoo animals in cages. Jesus died for the express purpose of saving all the lost from an eternity in Hell. All are given the same opportunity to believe and repent. “Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain,” Psalm 73:6a.



Have you ever wondered how God could possibly love a person whose whole life is or has been devoted to sin? He can, and He does. A person who has never acknowledged God’s grace or His love but who has taken advantage of every good gift which can only come from God is still loved by God. God knows how the evil one works and He knows the influence Satan has on you and me. That’s why He made the following promise “For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5b. God does not love you and me more than He loves the lost. The lost have access to that same promise and can, with a little faith and a changed attitude toward submission, obtain that same promise immediately.



God loved us from before the creation of the earth, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world” Ephesians 1:4. Until we breathe our last breath God will remain true to His word. He will love us and He will continue steadfast in His attempt to convince every unbelieving person on earth of the truth of who He is. And His free gift of salvation is continually offered to everyone.



When the end comes, as we know it will very soon now, all who believe death is the end of all things will be greatly surprised; death is in no way the end. Death is just an excursion into a whole new realm. It’s the end of life on earth yes, but not the end of our existence. It is the end of all earthly problems, worries, materialism, bank accounts, favorite cars, love affairs, and everything else worldly. All earthly treasures which we built up over a lifetime are instantaneously someone else’s at death. As followers of Jesus Christ we know our earthly gains won’t come close to our heavenly rewards. But for the lost, they not only lose everything they had acquired while alive, but they lose their souls to an eternity in Hell. A double whammy you might say. But the latter is so much worse than the first.



Did you know that at the exact moment that death grabs the unbeliever he/she suddenly believes in Jesus? It’s no joke; they are believers at the nanosecond they die. They instantly become keenly aware that Jesus the Christ is God Almighty even though they wouldn’t believe it while they were alive. But it’s too late for the unbeliever. They had their chance to accept the free gift of salvation while they were alive. But all their thoughts went to accumulating a house and garage full of material wealth, never a thought to their eternal destination.



Imagine the hopeless feeling of those who remain in rebellion to God ‘til death as their eyes close for the last time. Everything they did and everything they possessed will come into view and they will scream with all their spirit “Lord, Lord”. “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord... ‘And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:22a, 23. As we can plainly see their screams will be to no avail.



As Solomon aptly penned after a lifetime of acquiring a world of wealth, and trying just about every perversion known to man, he came to the conclusion “Vanity, all is vanity”. Those who die without Christ will come to the same conclusion as Solomon. They’ll utter the following sorrowful words “I chose poorly” because they will quickly realize they can never return from their now eternal hellish home. Even the nicest, kindest person we know is destined for Hell if they haven’t believed in the “One” God sent, Jesus the Christ.



Facing an eternity in Hell is a horrible thought. It’s nothing to make light of. I can’t imagine any of my brethren wishing anyone that type of eternal existence. If they do they don’t understand the full concept of Hell. All of the brethren have a great opportunity to share Jesus with the lost, to explain the difference between an eternity in Heaven and an eternity in Hell. Death isn’t on the minds of most folks; most give no thought whatsoever to where they will remain for eternity. The Great Commission given to all the saints is that we deliver the truth of the Gospel of Christ to the lost. Basically, as we go about informing them of their choices, we enlighten them as to the specific differences between Heaven and Hell. This may motivate them to have a change of mind, and hopefully they will make the smart decision.



As believers we see the end approaching more and more rapidly with every passing day. But the lost don’t see anything different from day to day except maybe their retirement portfolios declining. Is there a believer who hasn’t thought about Hell? Probably not. No matter how much we think about it we never see it as a huge kegger in the park, but that’s how so many of the lost souls of this world see Hell. “Well, I’ll be with friends” goes the old joke. “No, you won’t” should be our response and we should never laugh at that sorry quip. We should be as serious as the grave when we proclaim the truth about Hell. It’s terrible, painful, sorrowful, extremely hot, and completely void of the existence of God. No one will want to stay there after they realize where they are. But they will have no choice, once there Hell will be their domain for eternity.



Atheists and the rest of the unbelievers don’t understand that they are never out of the presence of God while they are alive on this earth. God is everywhere and He sees everything we do. Every believer rejoices in the fact that God is always with us, but unbelievers want nothing to do with God. At their death they will get their wish, but not while they are alive. Whether they like it or not God is ever present in all our lives. But God will not be in Hell; that’s what makes it Hell, it is void of God. All God’s grace, and His mercy, and of course His awesome love is present with us. In Hell there will be none of His attributes present. That, my friends, is the indisputable truth.



Salvation by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ is all we need to avoid that horrible place called Hell or Hades. And it’s available to every atheist, agnostic, secular humanist, and all the other nonbelievers out there. It’s even available to all those who are wrapped up in Christian cults such as the Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and all the rest of the false religions floating around these days.



Islam, the fastest growing religion today, has 1.5 billion followers, and yet they are all perishing if they continue in their unbelief. Jesus wants to be their Savior the same as He wants to be yours and mine. All can come to Jesus for salvation while they are still alive, because He died for everybody. But God will not accept any excuses and there will no doubt be many. Let me put it another way, the fact that you were sold a bill of goods by some false teacher or a lying prophet is no excuse for rejecting the truth of the Gospel. The lie you were fed will most certainly affect your final eternal destination. And once you’re there, you’re there for good. The foolish people who have been captivated and sucked into these false religions and cults have had every opportunity to seek and find the truth. They can reject the falsehoods that they’ve been taught and embrace the truth of the scriptures. But they better do it soon.



Have you been deceived? Will you believe the truth? Only you can answer those questions. Salvation is personal and it’s for everyone, but it only comes from the one true God. Lord Jesus the Christ.



God bless you all,



Ron Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

All scripture is from the KJV

SPIRITUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

SPIRITUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

By Coach Dave Daubenmire
September 24, 2009

Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them. And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so. And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them. And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way. -Judges 2:16-19

Whore--a woman who engages in promiscuous sexual intercourse, usually for money; prostitute; harlot; strumpet.

Adultery--voluntary violation of the marriage bed.

Fidelity to one’s spouse is guaranteed to protect one from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s). It was an idea that originated with the God of the Bible. His demand of faithfulness to keeping the marriage bed pure was the ultimate condom for protection against disease.

The advent of the sexual revolution sixty years ago opened the Pandora’s Box of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. They are the natural consequence of the sexual smorgasbord we call America.
God’s laws are always for protection. Today we are now faced with over fifty STD’s.

Back in the 60’s any woman who “put out” was known as a whore. Word spread very quickly in the locker room regarding those girls who were willing to “do it.” STD transmission was rare, consisting mainly of syphilis or gonorrhea, both of which could be cured with a shot of penicillin. But as fornication increased so did the number of diseases. Today, 1-4 American’s carry an STD.

As terrible as Sexually Transmitted Diseases are they are not the real problem in America. Death is the ultimate destination for every human body and diseases are responsible for the early delivery of millions to the grave. But Jesus told us that physical death was not to be feared. Death was merely the portal through which every soul must travel in order to reach eternity. Just as birth is the doorway to our physical life, death is the foyer of eternal life. We must all make that journey.

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matt. 10:28.

Whore is a harsh word, one that may elicit gasps if used in the presence of Christians. Just as bastard and sodomite are viewed as un-Christian terms, the truth of the matter is that whore, bastard, and sodomite are all descriptions of people listed in the Bible. I have been chastised a number of times for using the same terms the Bible uses when describing those who engage in sinful behavior. How did this happen? Christianity has become infected.

Syphilis is an STD that ultimately destroys the nervous system. It is impossible to pick-up without coming in contact with an infected person. Most STD’s are not readily detected. In fact, studies indicate that 25% of Americans have the Herpes virus, yet are unaware of it! It is hard to cure a disease one doesn’t know he/she has. The infection occurred without notice, and in most cases, embedded itself without symptoms. Ignorance is not bliss…ignorance is a killer (Hosea 4:6). One of the saddest phrases a person will ever utter is “If I had only known…”

Spiritually Transmitted Diseases are running rampant in the Church. While all of our focus is on the STD’s that kill the body, we turn a blind eye to the STD’s that are killing the soul. Spiritually Transmitted Diseases are spreading faster than the Swine Flu. Only an inoculation of Truth can save us from the spiritual adultery that has perpetrated this epidemic.

The Church has gone a whoring…crawling in “bed” with other gods and Spiritually Transmitted Diseases have infected the body. Just as a physical disease attacks the physical body, a spiritual disease attacks the spiritual body. In both cases, if the disease is allowed to progress un-checked, wide dissemination can be expected. Weakness will eventually overwhelm the body.

Spiritually Transmitted Diseases are killing the power of the church-body.

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.” -Jeremiah 23:16-17

The Christian Pimps are responsible for introducing us to the whore’s that have spread the disease. I warned in January of 2004 that Churches Were Spreading Mad-Cow Disease. Little did I know five years ago the extent of the infection. Ever since that first warning the Hired Shepherds have done all that they can to protect their flock from an inoculation of Truth, thereby permitting the diseases to go unchecked. I have tried to stop the spread of the STD’s but many have called me a “trouble-maker”, “divisive”, and “too critical”. I wonder if they accuse their doctor of the same thing when he offers a diagnosis of their physical ailments. “My Doc, you are so judgmental.”

Why is it they are so willing to receive a diagnosis for a physical ailment while at the same time getting angry over the diagnosis of a spiritual one? Just as God uses men to diagnose physical ailments, he likewise uses men to diagnose spiritual ones. The Body of Christ is sick, infected by Spiritually Transmitted Diseases. The antidote is a harsh dose of Biblical Truth.

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” -Galatians 1:6-7

It is through the preaching of “different gospels” that the infection has spread. The Pulpit Pimps have adulterated the Word of God, whoring after teachers to help sooth itching ears. Look at this list of top selling Christian books of 2008. They are all infected with the “Gospel of Self”…the same gospel Satan preached in his sermon on I Will.

The humanistic, self-centered gospel of today is nothing short of spiritual masturbation…a use of the Gospel for nothing more than personal satisfaction.

Look, around at the whores and the infection they have spread. The humanistic gospel, the social gospel, the permissive gospel, the prosperity gospel, the healing gospel, the emergent gospel, The Purpose Driven Gospel, Your Best Life Now gospel, the church growth gospel, the seeker-sensitive gospel, the who-are-you-to-judge gospel, the homosexual gospel…

The Christians need some spiritual penicillin. The only thing that can stop the spread of the Spiritually Transmitted Diseases is a good dose of the cure, which is the preaching of the Cross, the Blood of Jesus, the hatred of sin, the Law of God as a guide to repentance, the Judgment Seat before the Mercy Seat, the Fear of God over the Love of God, death to self, and the Lordship of Jesus.

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

America is soul-sick because she is sin-sick. The prostitution of the One True Gospel has led to a carnal-ized soul. There is no prophylactic for spiritual whoredom. Only death, burial, and resurrection can restore spiritual purity.

Spiritual adultery leads to Spiritually Transmitted Diseases.

© 2009 Dave Daubenmire - All Rights Reserved

Coach Dave Daubenmire, founder and President of Pass The Salt Ministries www.ptsalt.com and Minutemen United www.minutemenunited.org, is host of the high octane Pass The Salt radio show heard in Columbus, Ohio.

In 1999 Coach Daubenmire was sued by the ACLU for praying with his teams while coaching high school in Ohio. He now spends his energy fighting for Christian principles in the public domain.

E-Mail: coach@ptsalt.com

SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD: Part One

SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

God, who exists as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is sovereign and exercises supreme and absolute rule over all creation as a part of and consistent with the essence and attributes of Deity. The biblical teaching is that God is the source of all creation and that all things come from and depend upon God. Sovereignty means that "God is in all and over all".

A Psalm of David. 24:1-9 1.The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein 2. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. 3. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4. He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. 7. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 8. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. 9. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

GOD IS SOVEREIGN OVER EVERYTHING BECAUSE:

GOD CREATED EVERYTHING

God is the Lord of creation, the source of all things, who brought the world into being and who guides His creation toward a meaningful end. God’s creativity is not the result of chance or randomness. It holds promise and purpose which God intends. Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

GOD IS MORALLY RIGHTOUS AND HOLY AND GOOD

God’s sovereignty, His authority over creation, is grounded in God’s essential nature which is moral. God is to be obeyed not simply because He is mighty but because He is righteous Ps. 50:6. God judges His creation on the basis of His profound moral character. He is both the source of all creation and the source of all goodness.

Psa 50:3-7, 14-17 3. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. 4. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. 5. Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. 6. And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah. 7. Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God. ......14. Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: 15. And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

16: But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? 17. Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.

GOD IS HIGH OVER ALL AND UNTOUCHED BY EVIL

God’s sovereignty is transcendent, beyond our complete comprehension. Isa. 6:1. God is separate from His creation and works in ways that human beings do not always understand. "Transcendence" is closely related to God’s holiness, His surpassing moral purity and essential otherness.

Isa 6:1-8 1. In the year that King Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 4. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. 5. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. 6. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 7. And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. 8. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

GO HAS A DEFINITE PLAN FOR THE UNIVERSE CONSISTENT WITH HIS CHARACTER

God’s sovereignty moves toward a particular end, a specific purpose. God’s purpose is to bring His creation - His whole creation - to fulness and completion, to fellowship with Him: "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself". The kingdom of God is the end toward which God moves His creation.

2 Cor 5:17-20 17. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Phil 2:5-13 5. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

SOVEREIGNTY AND FREEDOM TO CHOOSE

Divine sovereignty does not mean that everything which occurs in the world is God’s will. God has created a world in which freedom is a real possibility. His permissive will provides for human freedom and the laws of nature. This freedom means that sovereignty must always be distinguished from "fate" or "destiny," the belief that everything which occurs in the world has been predetermined, scheduled in advance, by God. That view, carried to extremes, makes human beings pawns or puppets of a mechanical universe in which all choices are made in advance and where freedom is not possible.

Deu 30:19-20 19. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: 20. That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

Josh 24:14-16 14. Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. 15. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. 16. And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;

1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

FREEDOM COMES FROM SUBMISSION TO GOD

Yet the gospel suggests that human beings find genuine freedom, not in doing everything they wish, but in submitting themselves to the sovereign will of God, the rule and reign of God in their individual and collective lives. The sovereignty of God involves God’s self-limitation in order that His creation might also choose freedom in Him.

Gal. 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Psalms 51:12-13 12. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

Isaiah 61:1 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

John 8:31-32 31. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

SOVEREIGNTY AND PROVIDENCE

God guides, sustains, loves, and longs to have fellowship with His creation. He reveals himself as a parent in love and in relationship with humanity His children.

Isa 53:4-6 4. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

GOD HAS SHARED OUR WEAKNESSES IN CHRIST

God, in Christ, has chosen to participate in human history to care for human beings in their strengths and their weaknesses.

Rom 8:28-32 28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Phil 2:5-11 5. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

GOD HAS SHARED OUR SUFFERINGS AT THE CROSS OF CHRIST

Those who belong to God will not be immune from suffering; they will not be spared the brokenness which life brings to all persons. The sovereign God of the universe chose to identify with His creation in the cross of Christ. There is no greater example of his care for His creation. John 15:20-24 20. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. 22. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. 23. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. 24. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

2 Tim 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

IN CHRIST, THE PEOPLE OF GOD MAY FIND SPIRITUAL RESOURCES TO OVERCOME PAIN SUFFERING AND PERSECUTION

Mat 11:28-29 29. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Rom. 8:35-39 35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36. As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Chron. 29:10-13 10. Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. 11. Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. 12. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. 13. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

Eph. 1:3-12 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, The forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8. Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10. That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12. That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Agape
Craig and Zelma