Faithful, Hospitable Lydia

Sunday, August 19, 2012

“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul” (Acts 16:14 KJV).

Lydia demonstrates how Christian women can be helpful in the ministry.

In the context of today’s Scripture, Paul, Silas, Timotheus (Timothy), and Luke are accompanying Paul on his second apostolic journey. Luke narrates: “And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont [accustomed] to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither” (verses 12,13). While Paul, Silas, Timotheus, and Luke are in Philippi, some Jewish women have gathered by a riverside on the Sabbath day to have a prayer service.

Paul, seeing opportunity to share the Gospel of the Grace of God, preaches to the group. While we do not know how many women were present, the Bible only mentions Lydia, a Jewess who is rather wealthy (she is “a seller of purple,” and purple cloth was expensive at that time). As Paul preaches the finished crosswork of Jesus Christ as sufficient payment for sins, Lydia listens intently, and then places her faith in that message (Paul’s Gospel).

After she and her household were saved and water baptized, Lydia told Paul, Silas, Timotheus, and Luke: “If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained [urged] us” (verse 15). And so, Lydia lodged them in her house. Later, after being freed from prison, Paul and Silas return to Lydia’s house to see and comfort the Christian brethren there (verse 40).

Scripture never again mentions Lydia. Nevertheless, she was faithful and hospitable in that she took care of God’s apostles by inviting them into her home to lodge. Lydia’s actions will remain recorded forever in God’s Book as a testimony that God can use women for His glory.

Why Animals Fear Man

Saturday, August 18, 2012

“And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered” (Genesis 9:2 KJV).

Today’s Scripture explains why animals flee from and/or attack encroaching humans.

In the beginning humans and animals lived together harmoniously. Actually, God brought to Adam all the fowls of the air and all the beasts of the field so that he could name them (Genesis 2:19,20)—yes, that would include dinosaurs! Humans and animals were originally herbivores, meaning their diets consisted strictly of plants (herbs, nuts/seeds, fruits, vegetables, et cetera), not flesh (Genesis 1:29,30).

But, once Adam sinned, the diet of man and animals changed. Here, in today’s Scripture, Noah and his family have survived the Great Flood, and they are now exiting the ark. God’s instructions are: “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Genesis 9:1). This is basically what God told Adam and Eve some 1,600 years earlier (Genesis 1:28), but now God adds a stipulation: Noah can eat flesh.

The LORD tells Noah in Genesis 9:3: “Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.” Mankind can now eat any creature: he has to first catch or trap it! But, to make it fair, God instilled within animals the mechanism to flee from us humans, and to attack us when we invade their habitats. Here is one example of where science disagrees with the Bible: scientists (wrongly) classify man as a “higher evolved animal,” whereas God’s Word differentiates between humans and animals.

Today, we do not observe Israel’s kosher food laws (Colossians 2:16). We can eat any animal we choose: “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:4,5). You can eat any and every animal, but first you must catch it! 🙂

God Looks and Notices the Tyrants and Crooks

Friday, August 17, 2012

“Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 KJV).

In faith, we join the psalmist and inquire, “The wicked are reigning, so where are You, LORD?”

Psalm 10, which should be read in its entirety, discusses a Jewish believer’s attitude toward the wicked, who seem to go unpunished. God appears to be “standing afar off,” to be “hiding himself in times of trouble,” while the prideful wicked “persecute the poor” (verse 2), “bless [approve] the covetous” (verse 3), ignore God (verse 4), boast of their indestructibility (verses 5,6), curse, deceive, and commit fraud (verse 7), secretly “murder the innocent” (verse 8), and ensnare and oppress the poor (verses 8-10).

The wicked actually say in their heart, “God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it”—they believe they will never be punished (verse 11). Oh, what a faulty assumption!!! The believing Jew responds, “Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble…. Thou hast seen it: for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite [avenge] it with thy hand… Break thou the arm of the wicked and evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none” (verses 12,14,15).

Once God retaliates, the psalmist concludes, “that the man of the earth may no more oppress” (verse 18). Psalm 10 is actually describing the antichrist, who will tyrannically rule Israel and the nations by persecuting and murdering God’s people (the “little flock,” the believing remnant of Israel; Matthew 10:16-39; Matthew 24:9,10; Revelation 13:1-18). To these Jews, it will seem like the antichrist is going unpunished (that God is “hiding”): not so, for God’s wrath will consume the antichrist after the seven years have expired (2 Thessalonians 2:8).

Today, crimes are downplayed and/or denied by authorities that God ordained to execute justice. Does God’s wrath consume them? No… not yet, anyway. In due time, God punishes our persecutors (either at Calvary’s cross if they are believers, or hell and the lake of fire if they are unbelievers). Remember, the adage, “God never sleeps,” is always true!

The Promised Land Seen Only From Afar

Thursday, August 16, 2012

“And the LORD spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying, Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession” (Deuteronomy 32:49 KJV).

Moses did see the Promised Land, but he never did enter it. Why?

The LORD continues telling Moses: “And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people: because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the water of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel. Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel” (verses 50-52).

Numbers 20:1-13 explains why God disallowed Moses and Aaron from entering the Promised Land. They were to be spiritual examples to Israel, but when Israel complained for lack of water, Moses and Aaron grew upset. When God instructed Moses to speak to the rock to provide water for Israel (verse 8), Moses in an unbelieving fit of rage struck the rock twice (verses 10,11).

Verse 12 amplifies: “And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.”

By verse 28, Aaron is dead, and about two years later, we find the context of today’s Scripture, where Moses will now stand on Mount Nebo to see the Promised Land from a high vantage point, but he cannot enter, and will die shortly, just before Joshua leads them in. (Prophetically, Moses and Aaron will be resurrected and they will enter the Promised Land someday!; Revelation 20:6)

Why this “strict” punishment? The rock symbolized Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4), and unbelieving Moses disrespected Jesus Christ by striking Him when God had said to speak to Him.

Be Not Pierced By the Sword of the Spirit #5

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

“And take… the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” (Ephesians 6:17 KJV).

Saints, we are engaged in spiritual warfare, so let us take heed. A giant sword, not a butter knife, is what we need!

In the context of today’s Scripture (verses 10-18), Paul describes the spiritual warfare, the battle between God and Satan. As God’s people—we who have trusted Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour—we are Satan’s enemies and he seeks to deceive us! Thankfully, the Lord has given us “the armour of God” to “stand against the wiles [deceitful schemes] of the devil” (verses 11ff.). Additionally, we have God’s Word, the Holy Bible, which defends us and saves us from Satan’s corrupt doctrine (1 Timothy 4:13,15,16).

However, Satan perverts God’s Word, so that instead of it being a weapon for Christians, it becomes a weapon used against Christians. Corrupt “bibles” troubled the Thessalonian Christians’ minds (2 Thessalonians 2:2), and this perversion of the Holy Scriptures is ongoing. Instead of today’s Christian soldiers wielding “the sword of the Spirit,” many have been duped by false bibles, which are actually butter knifes when it comes to fighting Satan. (Instead, they are only sharp when Satan uses them against God’s people… in God’s name too!)

Almost from the beginning of man, Satan has sought to corrupt our mind (Genesis 3:1-5). The devil sidetracks man using false doctrine, so that he can neither understand nor appreciate God’s will for him. By deceiving man, Satan hinders God’s will for man (and Satan thereby furthers his own purpose and plan of robbing God of His glory!). Throughout Israel’s history, evil men cooperated with God’s adversary (Satan) to accomplish Israel’s spiritual ruin; the same is happening today to us, the Church the Body of Christ, as counterfeit “bibles” poison Christian souls and hinder God’s will (their spiritual maturity).

Comrade, the battle is waging…. Fellow saint, I exhort you to abandon the butter knives, and “take the sword of the Spirit,” the King James Bible, study and believe it rightly divided, and watch it defend you against “the wiles of the devil.” 🙂

Be Not Pierced By the Sword of the Spirit #4

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

“And take… the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” (Ephesians 6:17 KJV).

Again, take heed—it does matter what Bible version you read!

Utilizing Greek philosophy, Satan distracted the Corinthians from the sound doctrine Paul preached to them. Hence, the Apostle cautioned them regarding this worthless human wisdom (pagan philosophy).

As Christians, “we are labourers together with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9a). In Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, God has furnished us with building materials, sound doctrine. When we “study” Pauline doctrine, we understand what God is doing today in the Dispensation of Grace, and by faith, we become “workmen” (2 Timothy 2:15) who cooperate with God and do what He is doing (teaching lost mankind about salvation, educating Christians about God’s will for them, et cetera).

Paul laid the foundation, Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery (1 Corinthians 3:10,11). We can build on that foundation by applying sound Pauline Bible doctrine by faith, symbolized by “gold, silver, precious stones,” or we can use worthless building materials such as philosophy and religious tradition—“wood, hay, stubble” (verses 11,12).

“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (verses 13-15).

After the rapture, at the Judgment Seat of Christ, Jesus Christ will determine the quality of the doctrine we Christians believed and applied to life. That which is worthless—religious tradition, human wisdom, and so on—will burn up. Only sound Pauline Bible doctrine will withstand that fiery test, and only that will remain!

Most, if not all, modern English “bibles” are unsound. Their denominational translators obscure Pauline dispensationalism by omitting, adding, and changing words. Friend, take heed!! Using these perverted books will hinder your spiritual growth and cause you to lose—not salvation—but reward!

Be Not Pierced By the Sword of the Spirit #3

Monday, August 13, 2012

“And take… the sword of the Spirit, which the word of God:” (Ephesians 6:17 KJV).

Take heed—it does matter what Bible version you read!

The Apostle Paul’s least spiritual Christian assembly was at Corinth. These saints were “carnal,” spiritual “babes,” people who had little understanding of God’s Word (1 Corinthians 3:1-3), whose ungodly lifestyles resembled their heathen (pagan/lost/hell-bound) neighbors! Paul had spent 18 months in Corinth teaching them God’s Word (Acts 18:11), but they had since abandoned the Lord’s grace doctrines, preferring to follow the “wisdom” of the pagan Greek philosophers.

Therefore, Paul warned these Corinthians: “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no may lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:9-11).

In our Dispensation of Grace, God is constructing a house for Himself—we, the saints, are that house (Ephesians 2:21,22)! This house is constructed upon a foundation, “the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery” (Romans 16:25); that is, Jesus Christ according to the special ministry He gave only to the Apostle Paul. Paul warns us to be careful how we “build thereupon;” that is, the doctrine we use/learn/believe must be God’s Word rightly divided (Pauline-dispensationally believed).

He continues in 1 Corinthians 3:12,13: “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” This describes “the Judgment Seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10), when we Christians stand before Jesus Christ, and He will examine the doctrine we learned and believed.

Friend, it matters what Bible version you use, for if it is corrupted by man’s philosophy, the doctrine you believe will be unacceptable to God!

Be Not Pierced By the Sword of the Spirit #2

Sunday, August 12, 2012

“And take… the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” (Ephesians 6:17 KJV).

Satan not only attacks God’s Word, but he will attack you, the saint, with it!

The prophet Jeremiah preached before and during the three Babylonian invasions of circa 606–587 B.C., the last of which (587) involved the vandalism and burning of the Temple and the complete destruction of Jerusalem. Judah and Benjamin (the southern kingdom) being overrun by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar was God’s punishment.

Jeremiah chapter 23 reveals one reason why the LORD is so angry at the southern kingdom of Israel. “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD” (verse 1). “For both prophet and priest are profane: yea, in my house [the Temple] have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD” (verse 11). “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain [worthless]: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD… I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied” (verses 16,21). “…[F]or ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God” (verse 36c).

People who claim to be speaking on behalf of God (prophets and priests) are lying to Israel… in God’s name too! False prophets had so deceived Israel that she had now fallen into pagan idolatry, and God’s wrath was imminent. Satan had used the office of the prophet—God’s Word—to spiritually injure Israel, and sadly, it worked!

Today, Satan still corrupts God’s people in God’s name. Paul talked about philosophers who “defile the temple of God… which temple [we] are” (1 Corinthians 3:16a,17b). Beware, just as the devil deceived Israel with false prophets, so he still misleads God’s people with false “bibles,” which claim to be “God’s Word” but are not (2 Thessalonians 2:2). God’s Word is a sword, so be careful Satan does not use it to harm you!

Be Not Pierced By the Sword of the Spirit #1

Saturday, August 11, 2012

“And take… the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” (Ephesians 6:17 KJV).

God gave us “the sword of the Spirit,” His written Word, the Holy Bible, to defend ourselves against Satan’s attacks (false doctrine). Let us be mindful to not allow Satan to stab us with the very weapon God furnished to protect us.

Recently, while browsing an “inspirational” book aisle, one particular book caught my attention. The cover read, “The Spiritual Warfare Bible.” Upon closer examination, I concluded that this volume was indeed the embodiment of spiritual warfare! Its corrupt text (NKJV) was coupled with footnotes adapted from deceptive charismatic “bestsellers,” forging a two-edged sword that would literally stab the heart, mind, and soul of the unsuspecting Bible consumer as well as the sincerely misled, but true, Christian.

The devil has studied mankind for 6,000 years, so he knows our habits and our weaknesses. Satan attacked God’s Word back in Adam and Eve’s day (Genesis 3:1-5; cf. Genesis 2:16,17). If Satan successfully deceived Eve by perverting God’s Word way back then, are we so naïve as to believe that he is not still doing that today? Bible corruption is nothing new, although there has been a drastic increase in Bible perversion in the English-speaking world during the past 130 years.

Our ministry takes an unapologetic stand on the King James Bible. For over 400 years, it has been a beacon in this dark and dying world, leading millions to Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. It demonstrates itself to be majestic, perfect, reliable, and completely authoritative. This is expected of God’s Word.

What have the modern English “bibles” accomplished? They have changed the Bible terminology that Christians have used for centuries, further confusing the already befuddled Christendom. Their translation teams consisted of ecumenical members, who, although from pagan and cultic backgrounds, compromised none of their heretical doctrines while translating. Considering, I wonder what those resultant translations teach?!

Beware, saints and dear friends, “Many… corrupt the word of God” (2 Corinthians 2:17) was a fact nearly 20 centuries ago, and it is truer than ever….

Why the Blood Sacrifices?

Friday, August 10, 2012

“But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat” (Genesis 9:4 KJV).

Do you ever wonder why God demands blood sacrifices for man’s sin?

Firstly, “…And without shedding of blood is no remission [forgiveness]” (Hebrews 9:22b). Blood must be shed if man is to be forgiven of his sins. This is transdispensational: it is true for every dispensation, no matter where you are in the Bible. It was true of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21), it is true today (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14), and it will be true even beyond our dispensation (Hebrews 9:11,12). But, what is so special about blood?

Sin causes death: “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a). As today’s Scripture teaches, blood is the source of life. God told Israel in the Mosaic Law: “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul…  Blood… For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off” (Leviticus 17:11,14). And Deuteronomy 12:23: “…eat not the blood: for the blood is the life; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh.”

The above verses explain why God demands blood for sins. What is the answer to death? Life! What is the answer to sin? Blood! Blood is the solution to sin because life is the answer to death. The sacrificial blood would give new life—it would atone, or “make man at one with God.” The Old Testament animals’ blood sacrifices could not take away sins: they were only temporary (Hebrews 10:2-12). Those blood sacrifices were a “type”/“picture”/preview of the perfect blood of Jesus Christ that provides total and permanent forgiveness, and more importantly: “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23b).