THE WORLD AND THE CHURCH: WHERE ARE THEY HEADED? - PART TWO

November 1, 2020

~by T. A. McMahon

In Part 1 we looked at what the Scriptures tell us will take place in the end times just prior to and including the return of Jesus Christ. 

Our focus was primarily on the world—that is, those who have rejected biblical Christianity, Jesus Christ, and the way of salvation that He has provided for all those who are willing to accept it. We noted that those who rejected Christ’s way for mankind to be reconciled to its Creator turned to mysticism in the form of pantheism. They replaced the true and living God, our Creator, with themselves (Romans 1). 

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EXODUS – GOD’s MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE of ISRAEL FROM EGYPT – Chapter NINE

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Complete Study of Exodus by pastor Chuck Smith 

EXODUS 9 – by Sonny Islas, Facebook video.

INTRODUCTION: We are now going to cover the 5th, 6th and 7th plagues found in Exodus 9. Due to Pharaoh’s brazen pride, the LORD continues to turn up the heat in order to humble Pharaoh and to make His person and power known to the world.

God is here showing his fierce anger against idol worship which is really demon worship (Duet. 32:17 speaking of idol worship says, “They sacrificed to demons, not to God,”). God is also relentlessly proving that He alone is worthy to be exalted.

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THE WORLD AND THE CHURCH: WHERE ARE THEY HEADED? - PART ONE

The following is from The BEREAN CALL, unedited, unabridged. You can read this article from TBC by following this link. This is such an important message I felt compelled to share this with all of you. Please feel free to share with others! Part Two will be published soon!

THE WORLD AND THE CHURCH: WHERE ARE THEY HEADED? - PART ONE
October 1, 2020

~ by T. A. McMahon 

The title raises an important question that underscores the importance of knowing biblical eschatology. First of all, what is biblical eschatology, and second, why is it necessary to have a correct understanding of it?
Biblical eschatology is what the Bible says about the End Times—all that it declares will take place. How do we get a correct understanding of it? Very simply, we need to read what the Bible has to say about it. We can also read some books written about biblical eschatology, but they must be held up to the light of Scripture.

The Bible is a history book of the world—from the beginning of the world’s creation to its ending, when it will be replaced by new heavens and a new earth. Why will it be replaced? Because after its creation, something went terribly wrong.

God, our Creator, has communicated to mankind selected details regarding His creation, which He declared to be “very good.” After Adam and Eve were created, He gave them a commandment, which they disobeyed. The consequences of their disobedience brought sin into the world, corrupting all of creation.

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EXODUS – GOD’s MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE of ISRAEL FROM EGYPT – Chapter EIGHT

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Complete Study of Exodus by pastor Chuck Smith 

EXODUS 8: FROGS, LICE AND FLIES – by Sonny Islas, Facebook video.

INTRODUCTION: I never thought I would title a message “Frogs, lice, and flies” but here it is. We will continue to see what our great God can do. His clear message to Pharaoh, the Egyptians, the Israelites, and us here tonight is “I AM God and there is none like Me!”
Though Yahweh being the LORD of Host - with trillions of mighty angels ready for war at the snap of a finger, here He decides to use frogs, lice, and flies to get the job done.
God is using the very things that these Egyptians worship to humiliate, frustrate, and overthrow them! God is teaching them and all of us here today that the worship of idols, things, stuff, creatures etc. will only harm us in the end. God will turn those things on us for the worse and not for the better.

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EXODUS – GOD’s MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE of ISRAEL FROM EGYPT – Chapter SEVEN

GOD BEGINS HIS JUDGMENT ON EGYPT 

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire
Complete Study of Exodus by pastor Chuck Smith 

EXODUS 7 – by James Fire, Facebook video.

INTRODUCTION: GOD is the ultimate orchestrator, organizer, and powerhouse. Consider the stars in our universe: our own sun, which is 109 times the diameter of the Earth (the sun can contain about 1.3 million Earths!!); Rigel is about 50 times larger than our sun; Antares is about 50 times the size of Rigel (250 times the size of our own sun). What about VY Canis Majoris, the largest star on record – how big is this star? About 1,500 times the size of our own sun! 

All of these stars along with all the rest in our universe (that amounts approximately to 1 septillion or a 1 with 24 zeros after it by the way) are moving anywhere from almost 500,000 mph to approaching 2 million mph!

Imagine the kind of precision and power, and organizational skills, as well as impeccable timing and coordination to keep this universe operating the way it does.
When it comes to timing, GOD’s timing is perfect, absolutely flawless – far, far better than a Swiss watch! Far better even than an atomic clock that keeps time so accurately that is goes off by only 1 second every 100 million years! GOD’s timing is even better than that!

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ALTAR OF THE ALMIGHTY – Part Two of Two

Meeting in the Sanctuary of PSALM 22 and ISAIAH 53

~ by James Fire

Abraham, the one that Scripture refers to as “the friend of GOD” was called upon to offer up his son, Isaac. Undoubtedly, this would be an extreme test for any loving father, but more so for Abraham, because it was first of all, his only son (at least the only one that GOD recognized, discounting Ishmael as a son of promise, but a work of the flesh (self-will) see GAL 4:28-31), and the only means by which the LORD would fulfill His promises to Abraham, as there were no other sons.

It was in Abraham’s obedience by faith, that he came to realize that the LORD would simply have to raise Isaac from the dead once he killed him. Yet, he never had the chance – GOD stopped him and pronounced Abraham’s faith as true and genuine.
Previously, he was asked by Isaac about the sacrifice that he intended to offer up to the LORD and Abraham’s response is telling:

GENESIS 22:8
And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

Not, “GOD will provide for Himself” but rather “GOD will provide Himself” – and we know Who the LAMB of GOD is, don’t we?

This is why I believe that Abraham saw in a vision what would transpire on Calvary, some thousands of years later – the death, burial, and resurrection of the LORD Jesus Christ:

GENESIS 22:14
And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen. 

What was it that would be seen? That which I believe God revealed to Abraham on that mount where he offered up Isaac - that there would come a day when another Father would offer up His Son as a sacrifice on the Altar of the Almighty (JOHN 3:16; 8:56)! Let us know look into this chapter from the book of ISAIAH.

We have to backtrack a bit into chapter 52 to get the full scope of this Messianic prophecy:

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EXODUS – GOD’s MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE of ISRAEL FROM EGYPT – Chapter SIX

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Complete Study of Exodus by pastor Chuck Smith 

EXODUS 6 – by Sonny Islas, Facebook video. 

INTRODUCTION: EXODUS 6 - GOD PROMISES FREEDOM
In Exodus 5 during Moses’ first encounter with Pharaoh, Moses tells Pharaoh “Thus says the LORD God of Israel: let My people go (Pharaoh became comfortable with the idea of Israel being his property), that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.”

God wanted to get alone with His people in order to introduce Himself to them and for them to enjoy His company, but ultimately for them to joyfully worship Him who is worthy (of all worship and honor and glory).

Pharaoh refuses and decides to double down on the Israelites’ slave labor and workload – “make bricks without straw!” (I know masonry work firsthand – not easy work to begin with). Pharaoh was far more concerned with his power and economy than the worship of the LORD. Pharaoh pridefully asks, “Who is the LORD?” To which I say, “He will introduce Himself soon, with plagues to prove His power over you, Pharaoh and your false gods!”
Moses becomes extremely discouraged by Pharaoh’s refusal and cold-bloodedness towards Israel and returns back to God and basically blames God for Pharaoh’s cruelty towards Israel.
Let’s pick up where we left off last week:

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EXODUS – GOD’s MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE of ISRAEL FROM EGYPT – Chapter FIVE

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire 

Complete Study of Exodus by pastor Chuck Smith 

EXODUS 5 – by Albert Lopez, no Facebook video available.

INTRODUCTION: So Aaron and Moses are reunited as Pastor James went over with us. Even the people were in. they listened to them and bowed down in worship to the Lord. So now it’s time for the showdown between a little god Pharaoh and the one and only God Yahweh. 

God will be using his chosen servant Moses and Aaron, who are going to the Pharaoh to relate … not a suggestion or a request, even if it may have sounded like a request to Pharaoh. It was an order from the Most High in response to hearing the cry of His people. This would be the beginning of many more confrontations as Moses and Aaron would learn.

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In Case of National Emergency, Read This - by pastor Shane Idleman

 

~ by pastor Shane Idleman - May 4, 2020  

Special Note: My book, IF MY PEOPLE, is available as a free download at Smashwords here.

It’s no surprise that we are witnessing the rapid deterioration of a nation right before our eyes. As a result, many are struggling with fear and anxiety and uncertainty, yet, God offers hope . . . tremendous hope. Therefore, I’m re-releasing this article in anticipation of massive civil unrest to help steer us in the right direction.

I recently had the privilege of speaking to our church audience from 2 Chronicles 7:14. Both messages can be heard here and here. The sacred text says, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Note that it does not say, “If Hollywood or Washington or the media turns to God,” but “if My people” turn.

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ALTAR OF THE ALMIGHTY – Part One of Two

Meeting in the Sanctuary of PSALM 22 and ISAIAH 53

~ by James Fire

HEBREW 7:11-28
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. 20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) 22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. 23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. 28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

We devote this article to the utmost of sacred sacrifices, the supreme and paramount of omnipotent sacrifice that secured the propitiation for sin for the sake of the entirety of humanity.

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SHOW CASE SALVATION – Examination of JAMES 2 and 1 JOHN 2 PART Two: 1st JOHN Chapter 2

~ By James Fire

Webster’s dictionary definition of a “show case” is as follows:
“1: a glazed case, box, or cabinet for displaying and protecting wares in a store or articles in a museum 2: a setting, occasion, or medium for exhibiting something or someone especially in an attractive or favorable aspect”

Think of your typical Harvest festival, where farmers gather from miles around and display the best of their crops; pumpkins, squash, apples and pears – what have you. They put them on display for the admiration of those gathered as well as for a demonstration of their skills as husbandmen.

The LORD likewise intends for the fruit of the Holy Spirit to be displayed in our lives in ‘Show Case’ fashion, to demonstrate the work of salvation – for the admiration of those who have no such fruit and create in them a hunger for such (MATT 5:6).
The LORD intends such growth in us to display the handiwork of His holiness; to reveal we who are saints, who have the favor of the LORD, and in whom He has instilled such spiritual traits of the truly saved. He displays us intentionally before the world so that they can see what He has to offer, and to see His virtues and thus the LORD is glorified (or hated – by the world).

Any fruit grown will reveal what sort of tree it’s grown from; we know an apple tree by the apples it bears; likewise a pear tree or orange tree. How can we tell a tree of righteousness (ISAIAH 61:3) apart from a tree that is not of the same kind? 

By the fruit of righteousness it bears (PHIL 1:11; HEB 12:11; JAMES 3:18).
No fruiting tree bears immediately of course; and until that time, the casual observer typically can’t tell these trees apart or even from those that don’t bear fruit at all. However, the time does eventually come when fruit is born. The tree is then known by its fruit.
Spiritually speaking, what happens to those trees that don’t bear good fruit? Scripture speaks plainly of this; John the Baptist said:

MATTHEW 3:10
10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.

And the LORD Jesus confirmed this:

MATTHEW 7:18-20
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

There is the fruit of repentance (LUKE 3:8); the fruit that evidences salvation (MATT 13:23); fruit that justifies giving the Kingdom of GOD to those who shall inherit it (MATT 21:43). This fruit brings the characteristic of holiness into one’s life with everlasting life, as a promise to such that bear it (ROM 6:22). The very fruit of the Spirit of GOD is something we will be looking into later (GAL 5:22-23; EPH 5:9). 

Fruit is something to be expected in the life of a true believer (PHIL 4:17); fruit that is readily observable: COL 1:6,10). This spiritual fruit is ‘fertilized’ as it were, through the very wisdom of GOD that sows this seed through the Word (JAMES 3:17). All of this good fruit is in contrast with those who are certainly not partakers of the salvation of GOD through the LORD Jesus Christ:

JUDE 1:11-13
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

So with this introduction, let’s begin:

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The JOY of the LORD is OUR STRENGTH

~ by James Fire

We finished only a few weeks ago the ON THE BRINK Prophecy Conference and it was a blessing wasn’t it (We'll have a series of articles accompanying the videos of this coming soon!)?

Always, whenever we look at the signs of the times, how they are beginning to come to pass we look up, for our redemption draws near, and we’ll be seeing JESUS soon! And that is the ultimate reason for our joy!

There are those who avoid prophecy conferences – because it’s all “doom and gloom” they say. Not for the Christian, really: because these signs reveal He is coming back, any day now, and the anticipation is thrilling!

For those who are lost; or playing some cheap plastic Jesus game, sure: these things are full of doom and gloom, because what’s about to happen, and what will be happening in the not too distant future is going to be terrifying.
Even for us Christians – we don’t know the time of the rapture, and so we could, potentially speaking, experience a great deal of these times of trial and tribulation (not the Great Tribulation) but times of trouble and persecution. The LORD told us that any who intend to live godly, to expect such things, right?

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EXODUS – GOD’s MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE of ISRAEL FROM EGYPT – Chapter FOUR

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire
Exodus 1-5 by pastor Chuck Smith

EXODUS 4 – by James Fire, for the Facebook video, go here.

INTRODUCTION: Chapter Four could really be considered Chapter Three – Part Two; because it picks right up from where Chapter Three ends; this is a reminder to us that just because we finish one chapter and begin another, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the start of a new subject, as you would expect in a text book or even a novel. The Chapters as well as the verses were added to our Bibles in the 15th and 16th centuries, so that we may conveniently locate any particular text.

So, by way of a quick review, let’s remember what Chapter three was all about:
The chapter opens with Moses in “the backside of the desert” – not exactly a complimentary location – and for forty years – with sheep (not his own, but his fathers-in-law’s). This was a prince of Egypt that was accustomed to literally, the royal treatment. Now instead of Egyptian servants catering to his every need, he tends to the needs of these sheep – wild and wooly company, indeed!
As pastor Sonny indicated, GOD took forty years to get Egypt out of this man. GOD replaces that in Moses that is unusable with meekness and faith, conditioning the man to become pliable putty and usable in His Almighty hand.
Incidentally – that is a good prayer to pray regularly: “LORD, keep me usable”.

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Things As They Are: SEPT 2020 newsletter by Greg Reid - Perilous Times

Dear Friends,

I trust and pray you are staying strong and knowing that Jesus is with you through all things. This truly is a time of everything being shaken. But we have an unshakable Kingdom!

One of the difficult parts of this time is that it is almost impossible to talk about anything that is happening without it being politicized, and you risk misunderstanding if you take a stand on an issue. But it is so clear to me that we are witnessing one of the greatest wars in the heavenlies we have seen in my lifetime. And why should we be surprised? 

If we know we are in the final hours, it makes sense that Satan would unleash every power in hell against believers. It is so much bigger than politics. The answer is Jesus. The answer is transformed lives in Jesus. 

But we have entered a unique time (for us) where the hostility to Jesus, and believers, is so visceral in the media and out in the streets that it is shocking. I’ve been in street evangelism for most of my life. And you expect some negative reactions. I was with brother (David) Wilkerson in San Francisco, and we hit every subculture in the city in a week. Some welcomed us. Some were mocking. Some were indifferent. And only in one place did I experience raw hate, and that was in the gay district. I got punched hard in the mouth. By God’s grace, I did not react but was able to give a Holy Spirit, loving response. 

Mostly, people considered street evangelists like the cartoon guy with the sandwich board that says, “The End Is Near,” and they are ignored. That has changed. Now believers are being targeted like never in our history as a nation.

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Prove All Things!

by A.M. Kisly

We would like to take the opportunity to announce that we have created a new page that will provide resources specific to the New Apostolic Reformation.  This page is listed under the Apologetics tab.

"The New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR, is an unbiblical religious movement that emphasizes experience over Scripture, mysticism over doctrine, and modern-day “apostles” over the plain text of the Bible. Of particular distinction in the New Apostolic Reformation are the role and power of spiritual leaders and miracle-workers, the reception of “new” revelations from God, an over-emphasis on spiritual warfare, and a pursuit of cultural and political control in society. The seeking of signs and wonders in the NAR is always accompanied by blatantly false doctrine." - from gotquestions.org 

I just wanted to quickly address a growing concern among our followers. I have been observing more and more posts regarding spiritual warfare and language that strongly resembles the false teachings by NAR/Dominionist proponents, and their Word - Faith counterparts in our social media groups.  

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EXODUS – GOD’s MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE of ISRAEL FROM EGYPT – Chapter THREE

Exodus 1-5 by pastor Chuck Smith 

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

EXODUS 3 – by Sonny Islas, for the Facebook video, go here. 

INTRODUCTION:
I would like to begin by sharing two brief thoughts: 

1. Regarding the great wildfires in California (and the West Coast in general)  - On Sunday, I said that “I don’t doubt that God’s hand is in the record-breaking wildfires in California.” The reason why I said this was because as you, the Church in California is being harassed – gathering to worship the LORD in a church house is banned. And one of the first things that came to mind was how God sent Moses to tell Pharaoh to “let His people go” and “sacrifice/worship in the wilderness.” 

Pharaoh refuses (like Governor Gavin Newsom) and God sends judgment. In my humble opinion, a similar scenario is most likely happening in California. I believe that Old Testament scenarios serve as examples for us today in regard to how God deals with people and situations like these. 

I can’t say for sure that California’s wildfires are God’s judgment, but it sure does looks like it. Either way, let’s be praying for our fellow Americans in California – for their safety but even more for true repentance and saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Now, I’m sure that God is pleased with most churches being closed in California due to false doctrine etc. But there are many good fellowships that should be open in order to freely worship God together in person (HEB 10:25).

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OUR THREE ENEMIES: PERSECUTION By Satan, the Flesh and the World

~ By pastors James Fire, Albert Lopez and Sonny Islas

The disciple of Christ upon entering into the kingdom of GOD as a citizen, via the born again experience through faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, becomes an instant target for the great enemy of GOD, the church and humanity in general. He employs every means at his disposal to ruin the Christian, whether directly, or by his influences over the world and the lures and enticements our sinful flesh is attracted to.

Just as we have these three enemies to face on a daily basis (Satan, the flesh and the world), we have three Allies as well: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Let’s examine each of these three enemies and learn of them – because to know your enemy in any warfare is always wise. Included in the study of these three enemies, there is an accompanying Facebook video at the end of this article.

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The TTUF STUDY on The REVELATION of JESUS CHRIST – Chapter FOURTEEN

~ by James Fire

Introduction: Before we get into this chapter, let’s take a closer look at what we saw previously in Chapter Thirteen, using the book of DANIEL as our lens:

DANIEL 9:25-27 states the following:
25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

What we learn here is that the Beast is the one who “confirms the covenant” – and since this deals with the temple, sacrifices and oblations, this can be none other than the Mosaic covenant. This is for “one week (shavuim)” or seven years. It’s three and a half years in, that he stops the whole thing and commits “the abomination of desolation” (MATT 24:15; DAN 12:11).
So, what does “confirm” mean here? The Hebrew word used is gabar and it’s defined as follows: “to prevail, have strength, be strong, be powerful, be mighty, be great; to confirm, give strength to confirm (a covenant); to show oneself mighty; to act proudly (toward God)”

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SHOW CASE SALVATION – Examination of JAMES 2 and 1 JOHN 2

~ By James Fire

PART One: James Chapter 2

It’s the desire of everyone that’s received salvation through Christ to express their gratitude and worship of the LORD for what He has done, for what He is doing, and for what He has promised to do for us, in us, and through us.

In dying on the cross for our sins, in His burial in the tomb, in resurrecting to new life, the LORD provides forgiveness for us by His sacrificial death, the ability for us to die to self as He also died and was buried in the tomb (a spiritual dynamic that is exemplified in baptism) and gives to us His Spirit by resurrection, as the Spirit of the LORD no longer dwells in temples made of stone (HEB 9:11-15), but in the hearts of His saints, the children of GOD.
The truth that GOD Himself dwells in us with the life that is Christ means that we’re able to produce fruit for His glory, the fruit of the Holy Spirit (GAL 5:22) and as His children, we begin to grow in our spirituality and become more and more like the LORD Jesus.

Both James, the elder of Jerusalem as well as John the apostle elaborate on what this means in their epistles, in their two respective chapters (Chapter 2 for them both), and what they have to say is rather hard-hitting, challenging, and direct. 

Everyone who expresses genuine faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross for our salvation is justified – the penalty of sin is eviscerated from our very being. We will not suffer the condemnation and judgment for our sin, because Christ was condemned in the flesh (ROM 8:3) on our behalf, and the judgment for our sin fell upon Him (ISAIAH 53:4-6)*. We are considered just in the eyes of GOD Almighty, because of Christ's atonement for sin and granting the Spirit of GOD to us!

* Look for an upcoming TTUF article entitled, ALTAR of the ALMIGHTY, that will plunge the depths of ISAIAH 53 and PSALM 22!

Nothing we do can be added to this work of justification; this is wholly the ministry of Christ Jesus, our Blessed Redeemer. To even attempt to do so is blasphemy because it would attempt to equate our “filthy rags” (ISAIAH 64:6) to the holy character of Christ (1 PET 1:19; HEB 4:15).

Just as justification takes away the penalty of sin from us, sanctification takes away the power of sin over us, not immediately, but over the course of time as we mature spiritually, until we are completely sanctified (and glorified) at the appearance of Christ Jesus our LORD, when we see Him face to Face (1 JOHN 3:2). Just as justification happens in the lives of the saints, by the grace of GOD, so too does sanctification, which leads to the production of good fruit and, or good works:

JOHN 15:5
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

EPHESIANS 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Such sanctification is the birthright and the (super)natural outflow of every saint of GOD; all believers are considered saints, and the word for ‘saint’ comes from the same Greek word used for ‘sanctify’ (hagios). Just as we are counted holy in our position in Christ, holiness is something that's created in us as we yield to Christ and practice holiness (HEB 12:14; 1 TIM 4:8; 2 COR 7:1).

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Beware: The Enemies of the Cross!

by A.M. Kisly

What incredible times we live in! We are surrounded by a world who calls evil good, and good evil. Humanity has always been dexterous at confusing evil with good. If evil were not made to appear good, there would be no such thing as temptation.

Modern social righteousness often differs from the righteousness of the Bible. Many of you have probably had someone say to you that a wrong deed is right if the majority of people declare it not to be wrong. By this principle, we are seeing our standards shifting away from God's standards to Satan's standards according to popular vote.

Yet the Bible clearly says: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil." God has not changed. His standards have not been lowered. He still calls immorality a sin, and the Bible says that God is going to judge it.

Many are experiencing division in their own families over these diabolical changes. We are even seeing division within the Church. Fellow believers are compromising the biblical message of the Bible, with the world's standards as a so-called means of sharing God's love with the lost. These standards have taken precedence over sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. It has indeed become man's ways over God's only way, and true means of salvation.

Rather than standing firm in the Biblical counsel of God, brothers and sisters in Christ are bowing the knee to organizations whose goal is to tear down God's institutions in society and replace them with chaos.

Many are questioning why so many Christians are falling prey to the unbiblical call to liberal social justice, and supporting organizations whose goal is to tear down God's institutions in society.

This morning I happened upon a blog written by a lady who lives in Zagreb, Croatia. Her name is Rosalind Jukic, and I think you will be blessed by what she has to say.
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EXODUS – GOD’s MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE of ISRAEL FROM EGYPT – Chapter TWO

Exodus #01 Ch. 2 Typology In Exodus-Chuck Missler, Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

EXODUS 2– by Albert Lopez, for the Facebook video, go here.

INTRODUCTION: A story of a nameless baby for 10 verses, before he is revealed. This baby is protected in dangerous, uncertain times; we read about how important this child would be in the future. And we know that he would eventually flee from Egypt.
Jesus would also be protected and would flee to Egypt as a baby. Yet when Jesus was older, he became exposed and not protected, but vulnerable – to the point of being crucified!

God exposed Jesus to such a degree, that on the cross He cried out:

Matthew 27:47
About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” that is, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”

Moses, which would be the name of this child, would be born of slave parents and the adopted child of Princes. (Royal lineage). This points to how we before Christ are sons and daughters born into slavery (of the world and of sin) but when we come to Christ we are brought out of slavery and into our King Jesus’s Holy and Royal lineage!

We read in 1 Peter.2:9-10.
“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”

So, with all that said, let’s get into Chapter Two of Exodus!
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The NAME That Is ABOVE ALL Names!

by A.M. Kisly
Long before the Conservative Resurgence, Dr. R.G. Lee was the Southern Baptist champion of biblical infallibility and inerrancy. In his sermon, “The Word of God – Not Broken and Not Bound,” first published in 1930, Dr. Lee proclaimed, “All who wrote [the Bible] are immortalized by their writing of this great Book, supernatural in origin, divine in authorship, human in penmanship, infallible in authority, infinite in scope, universal in interest, personal in application, regenerative in power, [and] inspired in totality.”

I ran across a sermon by R. G. Lee entitled “The Name Above Every Name”, and I feel that it is definitely worth posting here. 

Jesus has the name above all names because Jesus Christ is Lord of all! This name, given to Him by the Father, affirms His divinity and supreme authority. It is to Him that we surrender, and it is Him that we must come to know.
“Wherefore God hath also highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.” Phil. 2:9-10

“Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.” Eph. 1:20-21

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LORDSHIP Salvation: What Is True Faith?

 By A.M. Kisly

The reality of the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is Lord!  This statement is the truth of WHO JESUS IS.  He is Lord!  And that means that Jesus is God. He has “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). He is Lord of the Sabbath (Luke 6:5). He is “our only Sovereign and Lord” (Jude 1:4). He is, in fact, the Lord of lords (Revelation 17:14).

It is my prayer that this article will provoke serious soul searching in all matters concerning salvation and right living in Him.

Who do you say that I am?

In Matthew 16:15-16, Jesus asked His disciples a very important question, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."

Clearly, Jesus thought it fundamentally important what others believed about Him. He wasn’t interested in neutrality, for instance; He teaches us that we must be all in, or all out.  No one can sit on the fence when it comes to God (Luke 11:23).  There is no such thing as faith that sort of believes. When Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” (John 14:6) He wasn’t making meaningless, abstract statements. His divinity was central to His messages; Jesus regarded the two as inseparable.

Why is this important? It is important because what we believe about God will in fact determine our eternal destination.  

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EXODUS – GOD’s MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE of ISRAEL FROM EGYPT – INTRO and Chapter ONE

Exodus #01 Ch. 1-2 Typology In Exodus-Chuck Missler, part 1 

Exodus #01 Ch. 1-2 Typology In Exodus-Chuck Missler, part 2

These with Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire
EXODUS 1 – by James Fire, for the Facebook video, go here.

INTRODUCTION: This book covers the time period between the death of Joseph, through the time of deliverance of Israel from Egypt to the establishment of the Tabernacle and the worship of YHWH. The primary focus of this book is redemption by deliverance from bondage as well as righteousness by GOD-ordained redemption.
The book of GENESIS is about a family: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph – the patriarchs of Israel. 

Here the book EXODUS is about the nation of Israel, and a singular man of GOD, Moses, the Deliverer, the Law Giver, the one who spoke with GOD face to Face, the meekest man in all the earth (though Jesus Christ is the meekest in all heaven and earth!).

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“SYSTEMIC RACISM” THE BIG LIE - By Dr. David R. Reagan

The following is republished from LAMB & LION ministries, unedited and unabridged:

~ By Dr. David Reagan

(to read this article in full, go here)

I was watching a local Dallas, Texas, television station interviewing protesters in a crowd that had descended on Dallas City Hall after the killing of George Floyd. Individuals in the crowd were asked, "Why are you protesting?" Some said, "I'm protesting against police violence." But most gave an answer that really surprised me. Over and over I heard these words: "I'm protesting against systemic racism." Young protesters in the streets using an academic phrase?

Providing a Definition

Now, that is not a phrase that would naturally roll off the tongues of street protesters, nearly all of whom were in their teens and twenties. It had to be supplied by the protest organizers. I kept hoping that the TV interviewer would ask one of the people what they meant by the phrase because I was certain none of them had the slightest idea what it meant — either because of naivete or a lack of historical knowledge and perspective.

The word, systemic, is defined as something that is ingrained throughout a whole system — something that is intentional, methodical or implemented according to a plan. Thus, "systemic racism" in reference to a nation would mean that everything in the society is designed to discriminate against one or more races. The former policy of Apartheid in South Africa would be a classic example.

Now, with that definition in mind, just try to wrap your brain around the insanity of someone in Dallas, Texas, protesting against "systemic racism." The top governmental official in Dallas is the City Manager, who is a black man. Additionally, the Mayor is a black man, the Police Chief is a black woman, the District Attorney is a "progressive" black man, and the Sheriff is a black woman. The previous Sheriff, who resigned to run for Governor, was an Hispanic lesbian. I ask you, where is the "systemic racism"?

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

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James FireChuck Missler Bible Commentary – GENESIS Chapters 46-50 

GENESIS 50 – by Sonny Islas; for the Facebook video of this teaching, go here.

Introduction: At this point, Israel has passed away and will be taken to Canaan (aka the land of Israel) in a very impressive and kingly possession. The chapter also ends with the death of Joseph. In this chapter we find that Joseph learned all the lessons he was to learn from all his trials.
It’s important for us too, to learn from the trials that God allows us to go through and at times even send our way. Trials are for us to be built up. Trials reveal what we’re made of and they cause us to look to God which then makes us all the better for it.

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ACTS 7: STEPHEN’s DEFENSE and HIS MESSIANIC MESSAGE

ACTS 7: STEPHEN’s DEFENSE and HIS MESSIANIC MESSAGE
ACTS 7:1-60
 
Introduction: Summary of Chapter 6: Stephen is one of seven men chosen by the church who will minister to the needs of the body of Christ, some of which feel that they were neglected – these being the Hellenized Jews. And who were they? From GOTQUESTIONS.com we have the following explanation:

“The believing Jews are here divided into two groups. There were those who had remained in Judea, near Jerusalem, who used the Hebrew language, and who were appropriately called “Hebrews.” The other group consisted of those who were scattered among the Gentiles, who spoke the Greek language, and who used the Greek translation of the Old Testament, called the Septuagint. These were called “Hellenists,” from a word meaning “Greek” or “Greek-speaking.” To “Hellenize” is to adopt Greek culture and ideas.
“Dissensions arose between the Hellenistic Jews and the Hebraic Jews. The Hebraic Jews prided themselves on the fact that they had always lived in the land of the patriarchs, used the language that their fathers spoke, and were near the temple, regularly worshiping there. The Hellenistic Jews from other parts of the world were jealous of the first group and made to feel like outsiders. Sadly, the strife between the two groups was not automatically eliminated by their conversion to Christianity, as the complaints concerning food distribution to widows of the two groups show. However, in a wonderful example of godly wisdom and Christian unity, the early church worked through the dispute, and the office of deacon was formed (Acts 6:2–6).”

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The Christian Pilgrim Or The True Christian's Life a Journey Toward Heaven - Part II of II ~ By Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

The Christian Pilgrim Or The True Christian's Life a Journey Toward Heaven
~ By Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)
Dated September, 1733
"And confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things, declare plainly that they seek a country." -- Hebrews 11:13, 14

A Forward: TTUF Note: So that the reader is aware of the fact that Jonathan Edwards was a Calvinist after the Puritan sort, I point that out here; further, that TTUF does not agree with much of the Calvinist theology (and we have ample articles that treat this doctrine on our site under the Apologetics tab). Where there are false statements, false doctrines, false practices employed in the church, either present or past, we will point them out on Scriptural grounds.

That being said, we are all about the truth (AND grace! JOHN 1:17) in this ministry, and what I’ve read in this sermon by Jonathan Edwards has so moved me, that I’ve felt compelled to publish this work in two parts (Part I will include Sections One and Two; Part II will include Sections Three and Four).

In this current age of the church, particularly in America and generally in the West, I find this fixation on material prosperity and blessings abhorrent – not in and of themselves, but with the church’s fixation upon them, the preoccupation with them and the seeming covetous attitude with which the church desires to procure them as an ends in themselves, while leaving in the dust the true riches that come from Christ Himself, and the highest and greatest of all riches, Christ Himself!

Our aim is not to be the ‘here and now’ as our objective, but to employ all powers, materials, motivations, knowledge and time as the means of aiming to our objective – eternity; and receiving from Christ those rewards for faithful service in this life, our pilgrimage that we may then glorify GOD the Son with as the author and finisher of our faith. Without further ado then, here is the second half of the sermon by Jonathan Edwards:

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

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Chuck Missler Bible Commentary – GENESIS Chapters 46-50 

GENESIS 49 – by James Fire; for the Facebook video of this teaching, go here.
Introduction: PSALM 127:3-4 says,
3 Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

In this chapter Jacob prophesies over his sons, revealing both character and, or destiny. Parents desire that their children will accept all the lessons, counsel, wisdom and biblical understanding (PROV 1:8-9), and get a better head start in the Kingdom than their parents did. In that sense, our children are arrows that we fire from the bows of our parental care and launch them out to go further and farther than their parents ever could.

We have the twelve patriarchs of Israel, from Reuben, Jacob’s first born, to Benjamin, the youngest: these become the tribes of Israel that are in bondage in Egypt, in the next book, Exodus. The destiny of these twelve tribes that become the nation of Israel when they are delivered from bondage by the LORD GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is to eventually become the nation of prominence over all the world, and Jerusalem, the global capital, from which the Messiah of Israel shall reign as King of kings and LORD of Lords! 

We’ll examine these pronouncements made by Jacob over his sons throughout this chapter: 

GENESIS 49:1-2
And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. 2 Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.

This man had believed he lost a son in Joseph and feared that he might lose Benjamin his other son from his beloved wife Rachel; in fact, because of the drought, he was uncertain of the future of all of his sons.
Now he is preparing to depart this world; he’s ended his pilgrimage and preparing to go to his eternal home. He has the comfort of all of his sons with him. It’s been a life lasting one hundred and forty six years, by today’s standards an incredibly long life. But what’s more important than how long you live is how you live. My mother is almost ninety-three years old, and I’m soon going to be 58: if we both passed away today, we would be equally blessed in knowing that we’ve bowed before the LORD and surrendered to Him as our Savior.

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The Christian Pilgrim Or The True Christian's Life a Journey Toward Heaven - Part I of II ~ By Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

~ By Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

Dated September, 1733
"And confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things, declare plainly that they seek a country." -- Hebrews 11:13, 14

A Forward: TTUF Note: So that the reader is aware of the fact that Jonathan Edwards was a Calvinist after the Puritan sort, I point that out here; further, that TTUF does not agree with much of the Calvinist theology (and we have ample articles that treat this doctrine on our site under the Apologetics tab). Where there are false statements, false doctrines, false practices employed in the church, either present or past, we will point them out on Scriptural grounds.

That being said, we are all about the truth (AND grace! JOHN 1:17) in this ministry, and what I’ve read in this sermon by Jonathan Edwards has so moved me, that I’ve felt compelled to publish this work in two parts (Part I will include Sections One and Two; Part II will include Sections Three and Four).
In this current age of the church, particularly in America and generally in the West, I find this fixation on material prosperity and blessings abhorrent – not in and of themselves, but with the church’s fixation upon them, the preoccupation with them and the seeming covetous attitude with which the church desires to procure them as an ends in themselves, while leaving in the dust the true riches that come from Christ Himself, and the highest and greatest of all riches, Christ Himself!

Our aim is not to be the ‘here and now’ as our objective, but to employ all powers, materials, motivations, knowledge and time as the means of aiming at our objective – eternity; and receiving from Christ those rewards for faithful service in this life, our pilgrimage that we may then glorify GOD the Son with as the author and finisher of our faith (HEB 4:12). Without further ado then, here is the sermon by Jonathan Edwards:
________________________________________

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

GENESIS 48 – JACOB’S JOURNEY CLOSE TO ENDING

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Chuck Missler Bible Commentary – GENESIS Chapters 46-50

GENESIS 48 – by Albert Lopez; 

Introduction: We are almost at the end of Joseph’s story and the conclusion of Genesis. Two more chapters and we come to the end of the first book of the bible; and one thing that you will notice that never changes: there is always a constant whether we read about Man’s fall in Genesis 3 or God destroying Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19, there is no lack of God’s faithfulness and Sovereignty! 

While Joseph sat in prison, unfairly, for honoring God it is possible, he might have at one point, in a moment of despair or lack of trust said, "Where are you God?"

Or as the disciples told Jesus, "This boat is going to sink and you're sleeping?? Don’t you care if we perish?" 

He shows throughout Genesis that He is the God who cares and lights the path before His people. Even if His people need to go through a famine and imprisonment, we can see the hand of God working on behalf of those who love Him (2 Chronicles 16:9; Romans 8:28). 

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BACK TO BASICS – CHRISTIANITY 101 BTB

~ by James Fire

Introduction:

Because of the fact that churches for the most part have wandered from discipleship and a firm foundation in the Word of GOD, and because the church here in America is thus ill-equipped to endure the times of persecution and hardship that are now at the door, such a ‘crash-course’ of the basics of Christianity is needful and provided here.

These will be concise, but complete treatments of the fundamentals that will aid those of the Christian faith in enduring such hardships and persecution that the LORD promised to all who will “live godly in Christ Jesus” (2 TIMOTHY 3:12).

There are seven sections (as seen in the picture above) for this course. Readers are encouraged to print these sections out as they are made available, along with information provided at Internet links in the event that the Web goes down, or even Christian sites are banned.

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DAYS OF ELIJAH – An Exposition

DAYS OF ELIJAH – An Exposition

~ by James Fire

When we bring “a sacrifice of praise to the LORD” as it says in JEREMIAH 17:26 and JER 33:11, we worship the LORD with our hearts as we love on Him, our voices as we sing to Him, our bodies as we raise our hands to Him, (maybe even dance!) and with our minds as we meditate on Him.

That’s why there are certain worship songs that really move my heart, because they so glorify GOD and magnify His majestic magnificence and exalt His excellency and draw me into His presence and I am eagerly offering Him the praise and worship for all He has done for us, all that He is doing for us and all that He has promised to do for us, and beyond that, to praise and worship Him for Who He is! He is worthy of all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. And songs with a lot of biblical meaning to them are the best!

I especially love worship songs that address GOD in the first person, so that as we sing, we are not saying “He” and “the LORD” but rather “You” and You, LORD” because when we worship it is a kind of prayer that we address to GOD directly.

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Rebellion Against God - A Lesson For Rebels

by A.M. Kisly

I can’t tell you how many times I have seen the anguish of godly parents over the state of their rebellious children. The depth of the love of parents for their children cannot be measured, and the grief of a parent over a rebellious child is almost inconsolable. Is it possible for a child to be raised in a godly home only to turn to wickedness, opposing God in every aspect of life?

Yes, it is absolutely possible….

In 2 Chronicles chapter 33, we read of one of the kings of Judah. King Manasseh was king of the southern kingdom of Judah and the details of his life are recorded in 2 Kings 21:1–18 and 2 Chronicles 33:1–20, and also mentioned in Jeremiah 15:4.

Manasseh was the longest reigning king of Judah. Scripture tells us that he began his reign at the age of twelve; and reigned for a total of fifty-five years. He stands out among all the other kings of Judah as the most wicked of them all. Manasseh "did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the despicable practices of the nations whom the LORD drove out before the people of Israel" (2 Kings 21:2).

His record of wickedness was a staggering one.
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GENESIS – An Expositional Overview of the Beginning of God’s Revelation: Chapter FORTYSEVEN

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Chuck Missler Bible Commentary – GENESIS Chapters 46-50

GENESIS 47 – by James Fire; for the Facebook video of this teaching, go here.

Introduction: Jacob has known a lot of struggles and hardships; all sorts of uncertainties, impulsive decisions that went bad; and trials, anxieties and stresses. He had a brother that wanted to kill him and an Uncle that would’ve been happy to help. All kinds of family strife from wrong choices in the mix, and the grief of burying his wife – only then to lose his most precious son Joseph.

Then to top it all off, a severe famine that covered the continent, and the potential loss of – who knows how many of his sons who could be lost because of this crises, and Benjamin no less!

Now in old age, the LORD in His mercies, looks with kindness on his circumstances; he discovers not only that Joseph is alive, but that he also has two more grandsons. He is removed from a dry, weary land of desperate famine and brought to Egypt where he is given Pharaoh’s assurance that he and all his kin will have “the fat of the land” to dwell in.

Though his life at times weighed heavily, to the point where he didn’t live as long as his father Isaac (180 years) or his grandfather Abraham (175 years), he is still a man of faith and the LORD always honors those who will place their faith in Him.

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Our Christian Witness - Keeping Our Attitudes Right

posted by A.M. Kisly

We advance the cause of the gospel in the world when we keep an attitude of thankful submission to God in the midst hard times.

In the second chapter of Paul’s letter to the Philippians. In the middle of this chapter, in verses 14-16, we read this word of instruction to Paul’s brothers and sisters in Philppi;

"Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain ."  Philippians 2:14-16

Over the past years, I have developed an interesting ‘morning’ routine. The first thing I do when I get up, of course, is to make coffee. (No surprise there.) While that coffee is brewing, I make my husband’s lunch to take to work, make him breakfast to go, and then take care of our barn animals. All of this takes place before 7:30 in the morning and by this time I can’t wait to sit down with a cup of coffee. I usually turn on the television to watch the news, and to see what the big news of the day might be when the feeling of Deja vu comes over me, for months and months the news cycle has not change much. After about ten minutes of listening to the news anchors tell me how unprecedentedly ‘horrible’ everything is right now, I hang in there for the weather report, then shut off the television, open my Bible, and gain a higher perspective from God’s unchanging word.

If the only view of things we had today were the things told to us by the news shows, we’d have to conclude that these are the most dire days in human history. And of course, there’s no question that ‘hard times’ have arrived and perhaps worse times seem to be just around the corner. But how truly hopeless we’d be if we didn’t have God’s sure word on the times in which we’re living!

And here’s what I’ve been concluding lately. The more I have compared the current threat of ‘hard times’ with the unchanging promises of God’s word, the more I realize that we’re living in a time of great opportunity for the gospel. Many of the things that people have been trusting in, and many of the comforts that they have been building their lives upon, will very likely be shaken from them soon. And perhaps, in the months to come, many people in our culture will become more receptive to the message of the gospel than they’ve ever been in their entire lives. Perhaps this will be the final call of salvation to our nation.

We have a great opportunity, as God’s people, to stand out in these ‘hard times’; and to bear a message of bright hope in an increasingly darkening and fear-filled world. And it’s the thought of this ‘opportunity’ that has drawn me to a passage from Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

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