Author: Jim

Frog Prince

THE FROG THAT TURNED INTO A PRINCE:

               

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Once upon a time, long ago and far away, a fair maiden kissed a frog, and the frog turned into a prince. We all know that’s a fairy tale don’t we? But, have you heard this one?

                Millions of years ago there was a frog. That frog, when given enough time, turned into a prince all by himself. Even though we know that it’s a fairy tale, they are still treating it as a fact in the science textbooks.

                If a frog turns into a prince rapidly, that’s a fairly tale. But if the frog turns into a prince slowly, that’s science. It still sound like a fairy tale to me.

                Even if the earth were billions of years old (and it’s not), it wouldn’t help. According to the Second Law of thermodynamics:  “Everything tends toward disorder.” Thing don’t get better left on their own, they get worse.

                Just because the majority of scientists still sincerely hold to their beliefs in evolution, doesn’t make it a fact. It was men of science that drained  blood out of George Washington three times trying to cure his illness. He didn’t make it. The medical field thought that was a cure back then. George Washington’s doctors were sincere, they were intelligent, and they were highly trained and motivated, but what they believed was wrong.

                Scientists used to believe that the earth was flat, but that didn’t flatten it out. They  used to believe big objects fell faster than small objects, but they were wrong.    Fossil bones and rock layers  do not talk or have dates stamped on them. Radiometric dating is used to determine their ages. But, lava rock formed in 1801 in Hawaii was determined by radiometric dating to be 3.5 billions years old. Many more such examples could be given to show how unreliable this form of dating method is.

                Scientists who believe in evolution do so by choice, and not because it is supported by the facts. In fact, just the opposite is true. Evolution is a belief system about origins, and is not, and should not be considered science. The evolutionists say, “In the beginning dirt.”  But the Bible says, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

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Global Warming – Climate Change

Should these be of concern for believers? Will we (mankind) destroy the earth? I grew up in an era of being taught that we would blow up the earth with our nuclear bombs. Now the fear being taught is that Global Warming/Climate Change will bring about our destruction. Should we as believers in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ be concerned? As a believer, I also believe that the Bible, the Holy Scripture, is the word of God. So, what does the Word of God have to say about the destruction of the earth and when will it happen?

According to Scripture the Heavens and Earth are to be destroyed and replaced:
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
2 Peter 3:10-13 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Revelation 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Should this cause the believer to fear? It is going to happen! But when? And How? The Lord Jesus taught of a period of time (still to come) called the Tribulation (Great). Read Matthew 24. This period of time will last 7 years (see study on Tribulation).
The Scripture teaches of another period of time that follows the Tribulation; the Millilumen (1000 years).
Revelation 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Revelation 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Revelation 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

The Tribulation (7 years), and the Millilumen (1000 years) are events still to come. They cannot start until after the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) occurs. And the Rapture hasn’t happened as yet.
Yes, according to Scripture the Heaven and Earth will be destroyed BUT not by the hand of mankind and Global Warming/Climate Change; But by God. And this event WILL NOT happened for at least 1007 years from now.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Isaiah 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

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Holy

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What does it mean to be Holy?
Adjective – dedicated or consecrated to God or a religious purpose; sacred.

Many of the times the Apostle Paul uses the word Holy he is referring to the Holy Ghost/Spirit, the third part of the GodHead. And a study of these references would prove to be very profitable.
Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Romans 9:1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Romans 15:16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1 Corinthians 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
2 Corinthians 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

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Grace


noun – simple elegance or refinement of movement.
verb – do honor or credit to (someone or something) by one’s presence.

The free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings (in Christian belief).
God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.

The GRACE of God is best defined by the Apostle Paul in this verse:
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Paul used the word GRACE many, many times in his writings, as evidenced in his epistle to the believers in Rome:
Romans 1:5, 1:7, 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Romans 4:4,16, 5:2,15,17,20–21, 6:1,14–15, 11:5–6, 12:3,6, 15:15, 16:20,
Romans 16:24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
To the Church in Corinth, Paul wrote:
1 Corinthians 1:3–4, 3:10, 10:30, 15:10, 16:23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
2 Corinthians 1:2,12, 4:15, 6:1 , 8:1,6–7,9, 8:19, 9:8,14, 12:9
2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
Writing to the Galatian Church, Paul wrote:
Galatians 1:3,6,15, 2:9,21, 5:4, 6:18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Writing to the Church at Ephesus, Paul wrote:
Ephesians 1:2,6–7, 2:5,7–8, 3:2,7–8, 4:7,29, 6:24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Writing to the Church at Philippi, Paul wrote:
Philippians 1:2,7, 4:23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
And to the Colossians, Paul reminded them of God’s Grace:
Colossians 1:2,6, 3:16, 4:6,18 … Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
To Thessalonica, Paul wrote of God’s Grace:
1 Thessalonians 1:1, 5:28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
2 Thessalonians 1:2,12,16, 3:18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
And even in his personal letters he writes of God’s Grace:
1 Timothy 1:2,14, 6:21, 2 Timothy 1:2,9, 2:1, 4:22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
Titus 1:4, 2:11, 3:7,15,
Philemon 1:3,25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
In the Gospels it speaks of the source of grace:
Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
In Acts, only by the grace of God, through the Lord Jesus Christ:
Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Acts 11:23, 13:43, 14:3,26, 15:11,40, 18:27, 20:24, 20:32
Apostle Paul reminds Jewish Believers:
Hebrews 2:9, 4:16, 10:29, 12:15, 12:28, 13:9
Hebrews 13:25 Grace be with you all. Amen.
Epistles to Jewish Believers are reminded of God’s Grace:
James 1:11, 4:6, 1 Peter 1:2,10,13, 3:7, 4:10, 5:5,10,12, 2 Peter 1:2, 3:18,
2 John 1:3, Jude 1:4
Revelation 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
And the final word in Scripture:
Revelation 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen

G R A C E

God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense

Without God’s GRACE all would be LOST:

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

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Hope

English
Noun – a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.
Verb – want something to happen or be the case.
Greek
Noun – elpís (from elpō, “to anticipate, welcome”) – properly, expectation of what is sure (certain); hope.
Verb – elpizo to trust

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The Apostle Paul wrote to believers much about our Hope. He used the word 39 times in his epistles:
To the believers in Rome he referred to our HOPE 13 times:
Romans 4:18 5:2 5:4-5 8:20 8:24-25 12:12 15:4 15:13
To the weak believers in the Corinthian Church Paul wrote to them about the believer’s HOPE (8 times):
1 Corinthians 9:10 13:13 15:19 2 Corinthians 1:7 3:12 10:15
And to the church in Galatian (who were wanting to bring the Law into Grace, Paul again used HOPE:
Galatians 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
To the faithful in Ephesus he reminded them of what hope is.
Ephesians 1:18 2:12 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
To Philippi Believers he spoke of His Hope.
Philippians 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, …
Hope of Heaven, of the Gospel, in Glory was his message to the Colossians:
Colossians 1:5 1:23 1:27
Having only spent a brief time with the believer’s in Thessalonica he taught them a lot and reestablished their belief with the Hope in our Lord Jesus:
1 Thessalonians 1:3 2:19 4:13 5:8 2 Thessalonians 2:16
As Paul prepared to depart this life he wrote to his “Preacher Boys” of hope:
1 Timothy 1:1 Titus 1:2 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, 3:7
To believing Hebrews (Jews) he wanted to establish their hope:
Hebrews 3:6 6:11 6:18-19 7:19
Peter writing to believing Jews scattered abroad (1:1) spoke of this hope:
1 Peter 1:3 1:13 1:21 3:15
And the Apostle John reminds us, every man can have this hope:
1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

HOPE IS NOT A WISH FOR: IT’S AN I KNOW SO!

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Mercy and Grace

Mercy (compassion or forgiveness) can be shown toward an individual and the individual can still be punished or harmed.
Grace (free and unmerited favor) on the other hand is complete forgiveness.

Mercy is in OT 208 and in NT 53 – compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.
Grace is in OT 37 and in NT 122 – the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.

As the Scripture is searched and compared it can be concluded that there is a difference between Mercy and Grace.


The Grace God gives to Believers is because He has Mercy (Romans 9:15 …, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.), and it is given as a free gift (Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.)

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Mercy

Noun – compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.

MERCY is found 208 times in the Old Testament and 22 times it refers to the Mercy Seat. Many references to God’s mercy is shown to individuals.

The Apostle Paul had much to say about the Mercy of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. He quoted the Old Testament several times.
Romans 9:15-16,18 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
Romans 9:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Romans 11:30-32 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Romans 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 15:9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
Paul reminds Gentile believers that God’s mercy is extended to them,
2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
Galatians 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Philippians 2:27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

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Faith – Grace

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noun
complete trust or confidence in someone or something.

strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.

But a better definition is found in
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

And a complete reading of Chapter 11 demonstrates how God was pleased to accept mankind prior to the Cross; they showed their faith by their works.

A review of the word faith in the gospels proves interesting. In the Gospels several of the references are words of Christ and it speaks of “little faith”.
Matthew 6:30, 8:26, 14:31, 16:8, 17:17,20, 23:23, Mark 4:40, 9:19,
Luke 8:25, 9:41, 12:28,42, 16:10,11,12

But He did find those with Faith.
Matthew 8:10, 9:2,22,29, 15:28, Mark 2:5, 5:34, 10:52, Luke 5:20, 7:9,50, Luke 8:48, 17:19, 18:8,42, 22:32, John 20:27

And He taught about being faithful.
Matthew 24:25, 25:21,23, Mark 11:22 Luke 16:6, 19:17,

In the book of Acts “Faith” was used in reference to believing in the name of Jesus (as Messiah).
Acts 3:16, 6:5,7,8, 11:24, 13:8, 14:9,22,27, 15:9, 16:5,15, 20:21, 24:24, 26:18

The apostle Paul in his epistles gives the best understanding of Faith.
In Hebrews, as stated above, chapter 11 FAITH is best defined. Paul speaks of Faith 187 times in his epistles. Many times he used it in his greetings and oft times in his salutations.
Romans (34) 1 Corinthians (12) 2 Corinthians (6) Galatians (20) Ephesians (10) Philippians (4) Colossians (9) 1 Thessalonians (9) 2 Thessalonians (5) 1 Timothy (23) 2 Timothy (11) Titus (8) Philemon (2) Hebrews (34)

Before continuing the study of Faith, what does Grace have to do with it? Paul best answers that question.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Then without GRACE there is no salvation. However God extends His Grace:
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

James, Peter, John and Jude write to Jewish believers also speak of Faith giving many practical applications of Faith:
James (12) 1:3,6, 2:1,5,14,17,18,20,22,24,26,5:15
1 Peter (7) 1:5,7,9,21, 4:19,5:9,12
2 Peter (2) 1:1,5
1 John (2) 1:9, 5:4
3 John (1) 1:5
Jude (2) 1:3,20
Revelation (11) 1:5, 2:10,13,19, 3:14, 13:10, 14:12, 17:14, 19:11, 21:5, 22:6

These all need further study. Perhaps in another posting.
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Doctrine

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The word DOCTRINE is found:
49 times in the New Testament – 18 times in the Gospels and Acts
and 31 times in Paul’s Epistles

“A belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a church, political party, or other group”.

False Doctrine
Matthew 15:9, Mark 7:7 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Matthew 16:12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Astonished at His doctrine
Matthew 7:28, Mark 1:22, Luke 4:32 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
Matthew 22:33, Mark 11:18 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
His was a new doctrine
Mark 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
John 7:16 Jesus answered them, …, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
He taught in a new way
Mark 12:38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
John 18:19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
Mark 4:2 And he taught them many things by parables, and … in his doctrine,
His Doctrine:
Matthew 4:17 Jesus began to preach, …, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching … the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease …
Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted … for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

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Satan – A Real Being 2 Part 4

Revelation 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Revelation 2:13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
Revelation 2:24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
Revelation 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
                And at the end of the book he reports the final judgement of Satan.
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Revelation 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Revelation 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Revelation 20:10  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

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What about Satan and the Origin of Evil? | Answers in Genesis