DRAW NIGH

This article is not written by me (why is it every time I say that, I keep hearing applause??!) but by guest writer, John Lord.

My name is John Lord. I've been a Christ-follower for 20-years; abiding in Jesus, my Lord and Savior. I died to myself October 10, 1998, and the Lord raised me anew, to serve Him; in whatever capacity exalts His name and gives Him glory. I currently live in Chesterton, Indiana with my new bride, Zoila (married Sept. 1, 2019) and her son, Anthony (age 16). We attend Emmanuel Baptist Church of South Haven (ebcsh.org). 
When not penning bible studies or sermons we're most often listening to sermons or doing bible studies. My wife and I have devotions every morning and pray every night; giving thanks to God for His provision and pleading for the salvation of our friends and family members. I aspire to be an author of some-sort someday, Lord willing, but in the meantime I work as a Benefits Analyst to support my family. 

JAMES 4:8-10
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

My goal today is to explain what it means to draw near to God. The study of the bible, and delving deeper into His word can be equated to drawing near to Him. (Sanctify them by your truth, your word is truth; JOHN 17:17). The more time you spend in the word the more aware you are of your sin, and how far short you fall of His standards, and the more you appreciate your helpless state and your need for a savior. Fear God, hate your sin. 

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GENESIS – An Expositional Overview of the Beginning of God’s Revelation: Chapter TWENTY FIVE

Contributing commentaries by Sonny Islas and James Fire

Studies by Ray Steadman: GENESIS 25: The Abundant Entrance GEN 25:1-8

Chuck Smith's Bible Commentary on: Genesis 25

GENESIS 25 – by James Fire - to watch the Facebook video of this teaching as recorded at ETERNAL LIVING WORD Church, go here.

Introduction: We are here at Ch. 25, the middle point to the book of GENESIS which consists of 50 chapters. We’ve covered a lot of ground, and the view of Holy and Inspired Scripture has shown us the creation of GOD’s handiwork, with the climax being man himself – then his fall into sin – and GOD’s promise of redemption through “the seed of the woman”, one of the many titles of the Messiah. We’ve seen the iniquity of the human race climaxing in the days of Noah, resulting in the Flood Judgment and a new beginning when the ark landed and GOD’s promise with the rainbow that the Earth will never again be destroyed by water (next time it’s by fire). We’ve witnessed the rise of the Tower of Babel, crowned with the pride of man, as he was then humbled by GOD, scattered over the face of the Earth by means of a multitude of tongues. Then the focus becomes all the narrower as Scripture reveals this one man: Abraham.

The life of Abraham hits it’s highest heights when by faith he believed GOD, and this faith was demonstrated by his willing sacrifice of Isaac, his beloved son. Recently we’ve seen him bury his wife, and through his servant Eleazer he finds a wife for his son Isaac.

Which brings us to our present chapter:

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GENESIS – An Expositional Overview of the Beginning of God’s Revelation: Chapter TWENTY FOUR

GENESIS – An Expositional Overview of the Beginning of God’s Revelation: Chapter TWENTY FOUR

Contributing commentaries by Sonny Islas and James Fire

Studies by Ray Steadman: GENESIS 24: Here Comes The Bride 

GENESIS 24 – by Sonny Islas - watch the Facebook video on this teaching at ETERNAL LIVING WORD Church, here!

Introduction:

We are now in Genesis 24 the story of Isaac and Rebeka and their providential marriage. This was truly “A Match Made Through Prayer” (and careful selection!). So, the Savior’s story line continues. Abraham’s promised son Isaac is all grown up now and is ready for marriage. God provides him a beautiful young lady named Rebeka – Isaac’s first cousin (not considered incest at this time; the law of GOD prohibiting siblings or close relations intermarrying didn’t come until the Law of Moses; Deut 27:22). Eventually Rebeka gets pregnant and has twins: Esau and Jacob (whose name is changed to Israel; Gen 32:28; 35:10) the ancestor of Jesus Christ. Though we can learn some blessed principles in scripture – the big picture is always JESUS. The whole bible is really Jesus’ story. I hope everyone came prepared for a lengthy lesson!

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A LFTT Interview: Pt - 2: James Fire of TTUF being Interviewed by Cindy Hartline of LFTT Radio

This interview is conducted by Cindy Hartline of Love For The Truth Radio with myself, James Fire. We pick up where we left off previously in Part 1, and continue the discussion about the coming One World Religion and then wrap up on the vital subject of salvation.

Seg 3 The False Unity that paves the way for a Religious One World Mindset 

CH— It’s obvious that a Global religion will form to unify this One World Order mindset. Many will have to put their doctrines aside to establish a common religion. In your observation, what will this Religion look like? (New Age aka “New Spirituality” 

JF - Brian McLaren Emergent Church author and leader stated, “We don’t need a new Spirit, but a new spirituality”)

The Open Conspiracy: Blue Prints for a World Revolution by H.G. Wells, published 1928. A former Fabian Socialist, Wells writes:

"The...Open Conspiracy must weaken, efface, incorporate and supersede existing governments... The Open Conspiracy is the natural inheritor of socialist and communist enthusiasms; it may be in control of Moscow before it is in control of New York... The character of the Open Conspiracy will now be plainly displayed... It will be a world religion."

This is exactly what we see in the book of Revelation where the Beast, in this case, the political amalgam of a global super-state, being reined in and controlled by the Mother of Harlots, the false religious system that will lead the world in worship of the Beast. That is the end result, but how are we getting there? What sort of things need to happen and are happening to bring us to this global goal of spiritual unification?

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A LFTT Interview: Pt - 1: James Fire of TTUF being Interviewed by Cindy Hartline of LFTT Radio

This interview is conducted by Cindy Hartline of Love For The Truth Radio with myself, James Fire.

CH: We are going to discuss bible prophecy with our guest James Joseph Fire.  Prophetic signs, events and cultural changes that suggest the coming of a New World Order along with the eminent return of our Lord and why it is imperative that we be “ready” to meet him face to face!

Seg 1.  Introduction to our Current Culture in light of Biblical prophecy

CH — James lets first share with our audience the meaning of biblical prophecy… (as not a foretelling of future events).

JF - There is a common belief generally speaking that prophecy is the prediction of future events, and this is certainly true: “prophecy” here in the Greek the word is propheteia which means prediction as well as prophecy. The LORD reveals this through His prophet Isaiah:

ISAIAH 46:9-10
⁹ Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, ¹⁰ Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

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Four Astounding Words

by A.M. Kisly

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."  Philippians 1:21

The last four words in this verse just quoted are, to me, four of the most astounding words in scripture.  "To DIE is GAIN!"  These words can be understood only by a singular group of people - born again, spiritually minded Christians. Unsaved people cannot understand them, nor can carnally minded, worldly Christians understand and appreciate them.

When a loved one dies we refer to that death as a "loss." We say, "We lost our mother," or "We lost our father," or "We lost our child."  But to the Apostle Paul, that spiritual giant who was God's minister to the Church, death was not a loss.  It was definitely payday for him!  Therefore he declared, "To die is Gain."

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