Stone Press

Asia is always loaded with festivities, many of the most awesome of which go on in the South East. Not amazingly Thailand is the home of Thai Lanterns and are nowadays hitting a far fuller audience as they gain popularity at UK events.Yee Peng festival which follows the Buddhist Calendar and translates to month 12 is one of these festivals. The Western Calendar usually sees this striking in November. Loy Krathong is what you will hear it referred to if you hap to be in new part of Thailand.The Thai people watch this religious festival and the traditions it involves. Freeing the ‘Khom Loy’ or ‘Thai Lanterns’ is my most favored function of the event. It is truly marvelous to respect the sky alight with these shining orbs. Thai people believe that the exiting lantern is accompanied by any sufferings. A happy and fulfilled life is said to be described by the lanterns fire guiding in the dark. This fun event baits in even westerners although im not sure if they take it as seriously or just enjoy sharing in the celebrations.The Thai Lanterns are biodegradable and are fabricated from Rice Paper and Bamboo for structure. Flight time is about 12 min and the Lanterns are known to reach upward of 1000 ft!There has been a rise in the popularity (excuse the pun)

Well it sure seems interesting that there have been so many recent Earthquakes in the Nation State of Iran. It appears Iran and its President have been in the news for all the wrong reasons, such as promising to; Blow Israel off the Map and sponsoring international terrorist organizations such as but not limited too; Hamas and Hezbollah.

Iran has also been in the news for buying Chinese ICBM missiles which are 35-feet long and capable of carrying nuclear warheads over 1200 miles meaning most countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. But that is not all, as the most serious reason they have been in the news lately is because they are developing nuclear weapons, as they wish to build an Atomic Bomb or two or actually a whole arsenal of them. They said at first this was only for nuclear power generation but now admit that they want a deterrent since so many other nations have nuclear weapons all around them like; Israel, Russia, France, Pakistan, India, China, etc.

There is a big difference of course and that is those nations do not sponsor international terrorist organizations or promise to blow whole nations off the map you see? Now we find they have had three Earthquakes there in the past 45 days or so? Why, is God angry at their abuse of power and threats against mankind? Some believe it is, but really what do you think about all this? Consider this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Overcome evil with good. A nice idea isn’t it? But what does it mean exactly? How do we apply this neat idea to our Christian walk?

The phrase comes from the 12th chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans. It is found in verse 21, “Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.” It can be said that the book of Romans is written in three parts. In the first Paul presents the gospel, this lasts through Chapter 8, from there through Chapter 11 he outlines God’s plan for the Jews and the Gentiles. In the last third of the epistle he lays out practical lessons for the members of the church in Rome. I t is one of these lesson’s we wish to explore now.

It is interesting that in Chapter 12 Paul was speaking of evil in the context of those who were being persecuted for their faith. Paul himself was persecuted and eventually sent to death by the Romans on account of his faith in Christ.

In a broader sense this verse does not just apply to those who would persecute us for our faith. It applies to any person or group that does not treat us well for whatever reason. May times over the years I have counseled very angry Christians who had been wronged by someone in some way. Their comments are always something along the lines of “Well I’ll show them! If they’re going to do that to be me they’ll be sorry I’ll…” This reaction is perfectly human. But it is not God’s way. The whole theme of Chapter 12 is that we should not return the evil done to us with evil. This would be vengeful. Vengeance is the province of God alone. What God expects of us is to return increasing amounts of goodness and charity toward those who wrong us until it reaches a point they can no longer mistreat us. In fact in the NEW LIVING TRANSLATION this same verse reads ” Don’t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.” God expects this of us not because it is easy, but because he knows it takes great effort on our part.

In his famous commentaries Mathew Henry has this to say “The line of our duty is clearly marked out, and if our enemies are not melted by persevering kindness, we are not to seek vengeance; they will be consumed by the fiery wrath of that God to whom vengeance belongeth.” I am particularly struck by Henry’s use of the term “persevering kindness. “We are not to react with kindness that can survive only kindness in return, but kindness that can repel the worst evil. What a spiritual weapon to have!”

When I’ve worked with people in this sort of situation what I’ve always told them is “its not about them, its about you, and the kind of person you want to be.”

The sooner you make “Overcome evil with good” a daily part of your Christian walk, the sooner you will be closer to God. Remember always vengeance belongs to God. Our weapon is the overflowing goodness that comes from our relationship with Christ. Build your sense of kindness at every opportunity, and wage war with it whenever evil strives to make you its own.

Robert A. Crutchfield is president of Kingdom Relationship Ministries. He is also Governor-General, and formerly Chaplain-General of the Virtual Order of St. Isidore of Seville. he is a minister, public speaker, and success/relationships coach. He is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors, and The True Grace Ministries Gospel Minister’s Association among many other groups. Visit him at http://www.kingdomrelationships.org

The Book and Movie entitled, The Di Vinci Code, is a fictional account of the life of Jesus. It is not based on Scripture, nor is it based on any Historical fact concerning Jesus.
The basses of this book, initially, was to gain monetary recompense for the author and nothing else. I cannot understand, How anyone that has any knowledge of the Bible Could,

1. Read any book that denies the Truth of the Scripture. And
2. Revert to paganism, because they believe that this or any other Gospel that is presented to them was true.
James 1:5 is just one proof that God did not withhold and knowledge about Christ nor Mary Magdalene. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. Jesus stated that His kingdom was not of this earth.
Remember that Scientist and Archaeologist are in the work of guessing. Their theories are just that theories, not based on fact but on biased opinion.

I have read and watched interviews and articles that they have written, that state, their views on, especially the Bible, is tainted and extremely predigest against the word of God. These people see only in black and white, and have no vision into, the spiritual and in God doing the impossible.
If Scientist and Archaeologist, denie that God exist, and denie that the Bible is true, then how can anyone believe their accounts?
In history, many men have tried to get rich off the suffering of Jesus, from the soldiers that guarded him on the Cross, to this present attempt by the author of this book.
Where the problem lies, is that people from the United States to India, are taking this account as fact and not what it actually is, Fiction.
I wish to share a letter from a good friend of mine in India, concerning this book.

Quote; “Hello in Christ, greetings from India,
The Christian faith in India is already weak & oscillating, it’s always questioned, but somehow we stand according to the Grace granted to us. In this situation everyday in TV the stuff about Di Vinci code is telecasted, the Catholic priests are called to answer but they are without the power of the holy spirit. They are not bold enough, many Hindu people have faith in all & every God, they have faith & respect on all gods, including Christ, but this code put off all faith, so I believe God must interrupt in this matter to open their eyes, we need to pray unitedly,
in Christ, Paul & flora Jesudoss.”Unquote.

My Brother Paul Jesudoss, is the Pastor of the Church of Jesus, in South India. So as you can see here, this fictional book has lead many to cast off their faith in Jesus.
This is totally unacceptable and needs to be addressed by all Ministers of God. Those Ministers that have no response to this delima are in need of Guidance of, the Holy Spirit, to defend the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is our duty and is our responsibility.
1Ti 4:1-2; “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith(Departing from the Faith, is the Faith that we have in God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit and The Holy Bible, that they all exist and are truthful.), giving heed to seducing spirits(These seducing spirits are those that denie that Jesus, is both Lord and Christ.), and doctrines of devils;( Doctrine; Teaching, Knowledge and Instruction.)(In this sense, false, misleading, confusing and Lies.) Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;”

What we must remember, the Di Vinci Code Book, is not fact but only fiction. When people take the book as fact and try to believe in it then, their belief in the, so called facts, stated by the book, becomes a cult.
2Co 11:12-15; But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion (Incidental need; casual exigency; opportunity accompanied with need or demand. Opportunity; convenience; favorable time, season or circumstances.); that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
Satins devils have taken, occasion and opportunity, showing themselves as angles of knowledge, of this author and book, to take advantage of both, to undermine the truth of the bible. The author was unaware of the results that this fictional book would cause. He was used and deceived by devils.

You may ask,”Can devils appear before men, in the flesh and as an angle?” The answer is yes. Angles and devils can and do appear to men. The proof is first in; 2Co 11:12-15

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.(Again this is speaking of Devils.)
And no marvel (Don’t be surprised.); for Satan himself is transformed(Physical appearance changed to represent something or someone else.) into an angel of light.
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers(Devils) also be transformed as the ministers(Preachers) of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Also in; Heb 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

These are just a few verses proving that Angels and Devils can appear to men, in the flesh. Other instances of this is found from the Old Testament to the New.
So how then do we defend the Gospel against these false doctrines? One thing we don’t do is gather research, time lines, historical records, but rather we use the scripture against it. Phi 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.
Paul stated that “I am set for the defense of the gospel.” He knew that there would be those not of God, that would bring in false doctrine and false Gospels. He didn’t go after records nor others testimony, but rather was set(Standing Fast) to use the Gospel of Jesus Christ to defend against these false doctrines.

Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
The Di Vinci Code, being a fantasy book, has become a doctrine to those that believe it, a gospel to those that don’t understand the difference between the truth of the Bible and the rhetoric of mans written books. These people then that spread this and other books as truth, being contrary to the Bible, become accursed by their own testimony.
Luke 19:22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
2Th 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

And to those that try to serve many gods, remember that God is a jealous God and will have no other gods before Him. You cannot serve two masters, you cannot serve two gods, for by trying to worship multiple gods, you alienate the True God from amongst you and you become bastards and not sons.
Ars.

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

Islamic apologists keep telling us that the religion of Islam is a kind, tolerante and peaceful religion. Every time a woman is stoned or someone is beheaded or a homicide bomber blows up a bus or restaurant filled with innocent people, we are told that it is the work of Islamic fanatics and that true followers of Islam do not agree with these things.

Now we find out that in Afganistan, a country that is 99% Muslim, a man is being tried under Sharia (Islamic law) for apostasy, and if convicted, will face the death penalty.

What did this man do that was so horrible, so against the Islamic faith? He converted to Christianity, that’s the terrible thing that he did. This is apparently one of the worst things a Muslim can do. He chose to give up the Islamic faith and therefore is so evil that he deserves to be put to death. He can be spared, however, if he agrees to become a Muslim again.

The Hadith (which is said to be the body of quotes attributed to Muhammad), Sahih Bukhari Vol. 9, book 84, number 57, has been interpreted as saying “Kill whoever changes his religion”, so the Sharia court judge is proposing to do just that.

The Torah in Deuteronomy 13:6-10 has been interpreted as saying about apostastics “But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.” yet I don’t believe that any Israeli judge would ever even consider attempting to hand down any type of criminal sentence for apostasy.

If the Islamic religion is so kind, tolerant and peaceful, why are it’s laws interpreted in such a barbaric and intolerant way by so many followers. I realize that not all Muslim countries follow Sharia law and that of those that do, not all are so fanatical. However, many Muslim countries do still practice amputation of one/both hand(s) for theft, stoning for adultery, and execution for apostasy. Other countries, including Iraq, that did not, in the past, follow Sharia law are now talking about setting up Sharia courts.

I also realize that not all Muslims interpret Islamic law the same way. Islamic law like any other body of laws is subject to interpretation and therefore can be interpreted liberally, moderately or fundamentally. The problem is that while some Muslims interpret Islamic law liberally or moderately, it seems that a large majority of the Muslims in the Arabic world interpret the law fundamentally (at least as it pertains to women and non believers).

Afganistan’s constitution guarentees freedom of religion, however, in an interview, Afganistan’s Foreign Minister stated that the government had “nothing to do” with the court case. He further stated that he hoped there would be a “satisfactory result” to the case. To me, this seems that he was saying that the Sharia court is not bound by Afgani law and can do as it pleases, thereby making the Afgani constitution worthless. It further leads to the belief that Afganistan is a democracy on paper only and is actually ruled by Islamic fundamentalists. These fundamentalists may not be as bad as the Taliban but, so far, they do not seem to be much better.

There are many religious groups that believe that apostasy is wrong and that their religion is the only true religion. However, I know of no country, in this day and age, other than certain Muslim countries, that would sentence a person to death for changing his or her religious beliefs. Such things did happen in the past, look at the Spanish inquisition, but are now considered repugnant.

David G. Hallstrom, Sr. is a retired private investigator and currently publishes several internet directories including http://www.resourcesforattorneys.com a legal and lifestyle resources directory for attorneys, lawyers and the internet public. For more lifestyle information see lifestyle.resourcesforattorneys.com, the Lifestyle directory from Resources For Attorneys.

If you would like to comment on this article’s subject please go to http://forums.resourcesforattorneys.com You do not have to register in order to post comments.

Faith Fellowship Church…PO Box 1586…Broken Arrow, OK 74013…Pastor Terry Dashner

“Appointed Time: Passover”

This is a continuation of the study on “Appointed Time(s).” This series concludes after studying the seven festivals of the Messiah. Why do I detail these seven feasts? I do so because they illustrate the life and reign of Jesus better than the spoken word of the Prophets of old or the written word of the Apostles of the New Testament, in my opinion. You will have opportunity to judge this for yourself after concluding this series. I pray that the Father God Almighty will open your eyes to see Jesus more clearly today than yesterday. This I ask in Jesus’ name!

Introduction:
And ye shall observe this thing [Passover] for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. …And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt… (Exodus 12:24,26-27).

God declared Passover to be a permanent celebration for all eternity. Historically, Passover celebrates God’s deliverance of the children of Israel from bondage in Egypt, where they were slaves to the Egyptians. The spiritual application that God wants us to understand is this: Egypt is a type of the world and the world’s system. Its ruler, Pharaoh, was a type of Satan. The bondage people are in when they live according to the ways of the world’s system is sin. Historically, the children of Israel were delivered from the bondage in Egypt by putting the blood of a lamb upon the doorposts of their houses. Spiritually, this is a picture of Messiah and how those who believe in Him are delivered from the bondages of sin and the rule of Satan in their lives. Yeshua (Jesus) is the Lamb of God (John 1:29). He is also our Passover (I Corinthians 5:7). Those who follow Yeshua are the house of God (Hebrews 3:6). The doorposts are our hearts. It is only through trusting by faith in the shed blood of Yeshua, our Passover, that we are free from the bondage of sin (Galatians 4:3-5,9).

During Passover, the head of each household was to take a lamb of the first year on the 10th day of the first month known as Nisan and set it aside until the 14th day. In the evening of the 14th day, at exactly 3:00 PM, the lamb was to be killed. The blood of the lamb was to be sprinkled on the lintel and two side posts of the household door. The lamb was to be roasted with fire, with bitter herbs, and with unleavened bread, and the entire household was to feast upon the body of the lamb. The people were instructed by God to eat the lamb with haste and to be dressed and ready to leave Egypt at the midnight hour. This would be the 15th day of Nisan. At midnight on that fateful evening in Egypt, death passed through the land. Every house that did not have the token of the blood on the doorposts and lintel suffered the judgment of God. The Hebrew word for Passover is Pesach, which means “to pass or hover over.” This word speaks to us about two things. First, it shows the passing over in judgment from death and sin to life in Yeshua. Second, it tells us about allowing, by faith, the blood of Yeshua to hover over our lives and give us divine protection from the evil one.

Significant Points About Passover…
1.Passover was the beginning of months. Just as receiving Jesus into our lives is the beginning of a New Covenant, Nisan was to be the first month of the religious calendar. Repenting of our sins and believing in the shed blood of Jesus is our first step in our relationship with God.
2.The lamb was hidden for four days. Messianic fulfillmentGod commanded Israel to take a lamb on the 10th day of Nisan and set it aside until the 14th day. These four days were fulfilled by Jesus during the Passover week. Remember, Jesus is the Lamb of God. He entered Jerusalem and went to the temple, which is the house of God, and went on public display there for four days from Nisan 10 to Nisan 14. Regarding the Second Coming of the Lord (Eschatology), these four days that the Lamb was hidden is prophetic of the people’s expectations that the Messiah would come 4,000 years from the creation of Adam as part of the 7,000-year plan of God to redeem both man and the earth back to how things were in the Garden of Eden (Mishnah, San Hedrin 97-98). These four days are prophetic of the Messiah being hid from the world and not coming to earth for four days or 4,000 years from the creation of Adam. A day is understood to be prophetic of a 1,000 years, based upon Psalm 90:4 (II Peter 3:8) to each day in creation. God ordained each day in creation to be prophetic of a thousand years of time and the entire redemption to take 7,000 years to complete from the fall of man in the Garden Eden (Genesis 1:1, 5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31; 2:1-3).
3.The lamb was to be without blemish (Exodus 12:5). Jesus was without spot or blemish (I Peter 1:18-20). During the crucifixion week, Jesus was examined by many in fulfilling this Scripture, including the chief priests, Pilate, Annas the High Priest, Caiaphas, Judas, the Centurion, and the repentant thief.
4.The lamb was of the first year (Exodus 11:4-7; 12:5). The firstborn of both man and beast was to be set aside and given to God. The theme of the firstborn runs throughout the Bible. Cain was set aside for Abel. Ishmael for Isaac. Esau for Jacob, and Egypt for Israel. You see, the firstborn after the flesh is set aside to bring forth the firstborn after the spirit. In this process, God distinguishes between the first or natural birth and the second or spiritual birth. The first birth constitutes us as sinners and the second birth makes us believers and children of God. Jesus was the firstborn of Mary (natural) and the firstborn of God (spiritual).
5.It is a male. It was through one man’s sin…Romans 5:12. Adam the first male sinned; therefore, a firstborn male must make atonement for man’s sin.
6.It is a lamb for a house. God’s intention was that all (households) men should be saved. The lamb was a lamb for a house. By believing the Lamb of God, we become members of the household of faith. Prophetically, this is progressive. For example, Jesus was first a Lamb for a house, then a Lamb for a nation (Israel), and then a Lamb for the world.
7.A Passover lamb was to be killed between the evenings. The Biblical day goes from evening to evening, from sundown to sundown, which is roughly 6:00 PM to 6:00PM. The day is divided into two 12-hour periods. Each 12-hour period is further divided into two smaller portions6:00 AM to noon is the morning part of the day. From noon to 6:00 PM is the evening part of the day. The phrase, “between the evening” refers to the period of the day that goes from noon to 6:00 PM, which is exactly 3:00PM. This would be the ninth hour of the day.
8.The whole assembly shall Kill it. Every person who has lived on this planet, except Jesus Christ, has sinned. We are all guilty of our sin before God. It was you and I, the world, that murdered Jesus. He died for the guilty onesyou and I.
9.The blood must by applied to the door. We who believe are the house of God. The only way into the house of God is through the door. Jesus said that He is the door. His blood was applied on our behalf to enter the house of God.
10.The body of the lamb must be eaten. It must be eaten the same nightJesus was crucified, suffered, and died the same night. It must be eaten with unleavened bread. Leaven speaks of sin. Unleavened bread is without sin. As believers, we are instructed to live holy lives before God. It must be eaten with bitter herbs. This speaks to the grevious burdens carried by our sin. It also speaks to our lives after accepting JesusThose who will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution.
11.The lamb must be eaten in haste. (Self explanatory).
12. It’s the Lord’s Passover. God provide everything in our redemption, even the faith to believe.
13.It is a memorial. God remembers us throughout the generations. We must pass along His word to every generation.
14.It is to be observed at the going down of the sun.
15.It is the place where God would put His name.

Faith Fellowship Church…PO Box 1586…Broken Arrow, OK 74013…Pastor Terry Dashner

16.Not a bone of the lamb was to be broken.
17.There was to be an explanation of the service. Jesus explained each part of the Passover as He did the service at His last meal.
18.The Egyptians were spoiled at the Exodus. Satan was spoiled by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
19.The males must be circumcised to eat the Passover. Inward circumcision of the heart happens when we receive Jesus.
20.The Passover feast was to be a holy convocation, and no work was to be done. Matthew 11:28
21.The Passover must be killed outside the gate of the city.
22.There is healing power in the lamb (Exodus 15:26). Jesus carried our sicknesses and diseases in His own body upon the tree.
23.The Exodus was on eagle’s wings (Exodus 19:4). Has God promised to carry us on eagles wings?
24. They sang a song of rejoicing to the Lord. When we are delivered from bondage, we are made new and now have reason to “make melody in our hearts.”
25. Israel is the firstborn of God.

Keep the faith. Stay the course. Jesus is passing your way today.

Pastor t.

About the Author

Pastors a small church in Oklahoma. 918-451-0270

Col. 2:6-10 “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:”

“As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord”

In order to know and understand completeness the first requirement is to receive Jesus. This is done by first a revealing of Jesus to us. In the book of Isaiah. 40:3-5

“The voice in the wilderness; prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our Lord, Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough place smooth; the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

This scripture by the prophet Isaiah was fulfilled when Jesus came to John the Baptist. John was the “voice in the wilderness.” This is an example of the revealing of Jesus - To continue in the first chapter of the Gospel of John in verse twelve it says ‘But as many as received Him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. The foundation that must be laid deals with our relationship to Jesus. Do you reject? Do you accept? It is God’s desire that you accept Him. You must individually receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord then you can begin to know His perfect plan for our life.

“..so walk in Him.”

Once you receive Jesus into your life it is important that you “walk” with Him. How can two walk together unless they agree with one another? A walk implies movement in a particular direction most likely with a particular purpose in mind. The path that Jesus laid when he went to the cross, died, resurrected and ascended into heaven lead to the Father in Heaven. If you keep your eyes on Jesus. Which can be accomplished though several means. These include Bible Reading, Fellowship, Praying, and Worship. You need to walk with Jesus. The scripture points out that Jesus is the Word. A walk requires many steps to reach your destination. So is the Christian walk made up of many steps. Every moment requires an action that will lead toward heaven.

“..rooted..”

“He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth fruit in its season, whose leaves also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:3) A healthy tree must have a stable root system. Not only does the root provide nourishment it gives stability. It is the Spirit of God that gives your resurrected soul the feeding required for completeness. Prayer is needed to insure that you are being filled. Prayer is an act of communication. This is talking directly to God. Prayer binds the relationship between the believer and the Lord Jesus. Along with a healthy relationship comes stability. A once devastated life can be made complete by being rooted in Jesus Christ.

“..Built up in Him and established in faith, as you have been taught.”

Earlier in this discussion I shared with you the foundation in a Christian’s life. This required simple faith to receive Jesus as your Savior. Once the foundation is laid it is time to build. Building a complete life requires four basis things.

1. Prayer,
2. Reading the Bible,
3. Fellowship with other believers and finally
4. proclaim the Gospel.

Look at each of these principles as four rooms that you need to build in order to know the completeness that God wants for us.

“Abounding in it with thanksgiving.”

You must appreciate what God did by sending His son to die for your sins. He paid the penalty that you deserved to pay. Unfortunately those that reject the Gospel message will have to, on their own, pay the price. The sad part is people who don’t believe in Jesus don’t have enough in their “Spiritual Bank Account” to pay for their sins. The tragedy is this: they could have some else pay. Someone who has enough resources to pay. It comes through one person and that is Jesus Christ who is God in the flesh. If you had to pay for your sins the most you could do id spend an eternity in hell. But, give thanks to God that Jesus is the Savior of the world! Thank Jesus that he bore your sin and paid the ransom due on your life. He redeemed you. For this very reason you should be thankful.

“..beware..”

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the traditions of men, according to the basic principles of men, and not according to Christ. The road to completeness has its challenges; daily the world hits your senses with ideas that are contrary to God’s will. That is why Paul the apostle writes, “beware”. This means you need to watch that the enemy does not trick you. All the prior steps protect the elect. It makes them away of the bumps and potholes in the road. Knowledge of the Word is your best defense against the attacks of the enemy

“Fore in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are made complete in Him who is the head of all principality and power. Jesus is the name above all names.”

It is only through the power of the resurrection that you can truly experience completeness.

About the Author

This article is an excerpt for the book titled “Building a House of Worship”. For more information on how you can get your copy of this book go to…

http://www.mediatunes.com/bhow/bhow.php

Unless one is living on another planet, one would have most likely sensed that our world is changing rapidly.

If you have been following my articles, you will know that I, at times, receive messages of a spiritual nature. Much of my dreams and visions had foretold personal and some global level occurrences.

The following is part of a messaged dream that I had in September 2005:

“In the dream, a huge leopard appeared and moved towards me. He was a very awe-inspiring beast with an almost human aura about him that exuded a raw powerful presence. He appeared to have a slightly coloured glow and his bright eyes shined through blue pupils. He started talking to me. He said ” Meditating and trying to get enlightened is not enough. We must upgrade our bodies. There are 2 periods in this planet’s history that require us to upgrade our bodies… now and the Year 1750. ” At that moment, I was thinking to myself… “Am I not doing enough?”. He seemed to convey the following message to me.. “Yes, you are not doing enough and THIS IS THE HINT”. He did not say it in a putting-you-down manner but rather in a calm, saintly way. “

Dreams are often symbolic representation of certain issues and occurrences. The leopard (in the dream) is representative of a spiritual aspect.

Much of what was being conveyed in the dream pertains to my own personal self-growth. But there is also an universal message being conveyed here…

I believe that the Year 1750 mentioned in the dream may not be of the past, but may be referring to a future timeline. It may be referring to the year 1750 of a NEW future era. When this new era will begin is however unknown to me. But this dream does appears to coincide with certain prophecies.

If you have been following ancient prophecies, you will know that many ancient cultures foretold of a new golden era. The Mayan stated that the end of our era is in the year 2012. Tibetans have a prophecies called the Kalachakra prophecy which also states that we are approaching a new era.

Dear Reader, I will like to ask of you to momentarily suspend any skepticism…to embrace my article with an open mind.

Could there be a validity to the dream message? Could it be that we are really about to enter a new era that will transform us mentally, emotionally and physically as well? What does your instinct tell you?

For your necessary discernment.

The author is a guy living in the Far East. He runs a self-growth
resource site at

www.dreamdatum.com.

I have been walking as a Child of Christ for many, many years. He has given me strength when I’ve felt like all is lost. He has always been there for me. No matter what is going on in my life good or bad, the Lord is always there.

As I contemplate the future and what might be in store for us as Christians on earth in The End Times, I am overwhelmed be a feeling of love for God’s only Son our Lord. He died for us and as long as we put faith in Him, we shall have eternal life.

John 3:16 (King James Version) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Can it be that easy?

See I believe that it is… that we as human beings and simple creatures that walk this earth have a real problem with simplicity and devotion without question.

I think it takes tremendous courage and strength to look at things with an open mind and heart and to hold fast to our beliefs, but not hold them so hard that it closes our relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

I think one of the most challenging areas as we study the Bible is the study of the Last Days and Bible Prophecy. The complexities of the Word make it so the Scripture can be interpreted a lot of different ways.

There are gaps… The whole clear picture is not given. We can not get our head around everything. We are not wired in a way that we can. You can’t be absolutely sure that what you believe is Truth… None of us have the whole story.

Why did the Lord have the scriptures written in such a way? Why can’t we just open up the Book and read about what exactly is going to happen to us as Christians and to those around us?

I think we only have to look at human nature to know why? I believe many of us could be given a Miracle right in front of us and we would still doubt… maybe even doubt more then if we heard about it through others.

So whether it was written perfectly with every detail does not insure that we would accept and understand it. And we still have the sinful nature to battle with.

We do need to study the Bible. We need to study the End Times in order to prepare our souls for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. We need to be in the Word because the Word is our connection to Christ.

God has a very specific purpose… He sent his only Son to the world to die for us… And all God asks is we give ourselves to Him and Love His Son for the sacrifice he has made and to follow His Sons teachings…

The Bible holds the answers to all of life’s problems and provides a glimpse of what’s to come. I do not believe it was the Lords purpose for us to figure out what the Last Days will be like and how it will all end perfectly.

I think he wants us to understand what we can, but most importantly believe in His Son. Because if we believe in His Son, we will have eternal life. And… I think it’s that simple.

Don’t get angry, don’t argue and don’t fret over the details. Simply love the Son of God and do the best you can to understand the Word of God. The End Times is coming; there is no stopping it. There are signs all around us that verify that it is near. Learn everything you can about the End Times. Let God lead you down the path to understanding…

But trust God’s plan is simple. The End is near and what you need to do is clear…

God Bless,

M. Levenhagen
Copyright 2006

“Brother Matt” is the proud owner and administrator of “The End Times Forum” found at http://www.ThEndTimes.com/forum/index.php . The End Times Forum is a community for those interested in learning more about the Last Days, Biblical Prophecy, and Things related to Christianity. We all come from different backgrounds and denominations, but we all have one thing in common… Christ’s Love for Us.

So then, at its center, existence is an equation that only involves the individual and God. Every other aspect stems from this. From these conditions of existence comes the purpose of existence: the acting out of the will of God. It has been demonstrated thus far that, in this “equation” of existence, there exists no variables. In short, nothing can be done to extinguish your existence, and nothing can be done to change the fact that your existence is before God (played out in before God). These things are constant.

Now, then, our commitment to God (and to the following of the will of God) at its purest state must have the same conditions as those of our existence. Therefore, our commitment to God is between self and God. Again, this is an equation with no variables. It, at its purest, only involves the world around us to the degree that the will of God involves the world around us.

Romans 5:8-”But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:10-”For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

John 8:28-”So Jesus said, ‘When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am {He,} and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.’”

How is it that a man could not only live in a world full of enemies, but also be abused, scorned, and ultimately murdered by them–and still show nothing but love for them? Even while they were murdering Him, Jesus prayed that they would be forgiven. Here is the ultimate example of pure commitment to the will of the Father. If there exists no variables in ones commitment to God–if there only exists the individual and God in the equation–then nothing can affect that commitment in the least. The will of God was that His “enemies” be reconciled to Him “through the death of His Son.” His will was love for humanity. There was no other variable in the equation. There was just the Son and the Father. No other thing had any weight.

It should also be stated that, if there exists any variables in our commitment to God, there exists those same variables in our commitment to love, and visa versa. In other words, if our commitment to God waivers according to how fairly we feel we are being treated, so our commitment to love will also waiver.

So then, it becomes our plight to eliminate all of the variables in our commitment to God and the following of His will. The main problem with this is that, at some level or in some area(s), we see God as a function of man (as opposed to man as a function of God). For instance, have you ever thought about what God did before He created man? If you asked the question, “What does God do,” you would rarely hear an answer that did not involve God’s interactions with man. If you asked, “What does man do,” you would rarely hear an answer that involved God. This represents the idea of God as a function of man. Basically, we are self-oriented and that is a bad thing. We need to overcome this mentality in order to develop a pure commitment to God.

Richie Fortenberry is the founder of RF Media Design, a website design company. http://www.rfmediadesign.com