Author: Jim

How did the Magi know?

The Magi were wise men, probably Jews
The Magi were like the Prophet Daniel
The Magi were most likely believers in Yahweh and the Coming Messiah
The Magi believed God spoke in Dreams
They came from a country in the East
There might have been more than 3 Wise Men
Herod feared and respected the Magi
The Magi were not at the Birth of Jesus,
they came to the house (up to 2 years later)
The gifts gave Joseph and Mary money to flee to Egypt
In the 3rd Century, is When the Magi Were Considered Kings
Only the Gospel of Matthew Mentions the Magi
Some of the Scripture the MAGI could have based their trip on:
Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Jeremiah 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Psalm 72:10-11 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
Numbers 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

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Today Paradise

The Garden of Eden.
In various religious traditions, the Edenic or heavenly abode of righteous souls after death.
According to some forms of Christian belief, an intermediate resting place for righteous souls awaiting the Resurrection.

The First mention is to the Malefactor (A wrongdoer or evildoer) on the cross next to Christ. He acknowledged that Christ was God.  Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
      Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Second time was by the Apostle Paul, describing an experience (probably his).
       2 Corinthians 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

And then by the Risen Christ to the assembly at Ephesus:
       Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Paradise awaits all who believe in the DEATH, BURIAL and RESURECTION of the Lord, and confess that HE is GOD.

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New Testament Summary

Gospels – The lord Jesus offers Kingdom of God to the Jews as promised to Abram. The end of the Old Testament.

Acts transition from Jews to Gentiles.
Apostles continue the Kingdom message then Saul gets saved and is renamed Paul, goes to Jews first then to Gentiles.

Romans to Philemon Apostle Paul’s messages to believers on Godly living

Hebrews to 3 John written to Jews and will probably be prominent during the Tribulation.

Revelation a recap from Rapture (chapter 4) through Tribulation, 2nd coming, Millennium, Final wars, and Great White Throne final judgement and then Eternity.

2 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Remember to read and STUDY the Word:
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

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Not Ashamed

God’s People, the Jews were told:
Psalm 119:6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
Isaiah 5:7 For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
And Joel wrote about a coming time:
Joel 2:26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
Paul told Believer’s:
Romans 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Philippians 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Romans 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Peter and John to Believing Jews:
1 Peter 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
Paul reminds Believer’s:
2 Corinthians 6:16-18 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

As a Believer YOU are the Temple of the Living God.

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Chosen by God

Acts 1:2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

Romans 16:13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

1 Corinthians 1:27-28 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

2 Corinthians 8:19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

2 Timothy 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

YES, you have been Chosen by God! Are you serving?

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A Promise

Luke 23:32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
Malefactor: One who has committed a crime; a criminal. A wrongdoer or evildoer. An evil doer; one who commits a crime; one subject to public prosecution and punishment; a criminal.
Luke 23:39-43 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
One malefactor rebuked Christ. The other acknowledged that Christ was God. One went to Paradise, the other went to Hell
(See Luke 16:22-23 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.)

A Promise of Paradise to all that believe that Christ died, was buried and rose again and profess that HE is GOD (Romans 10:9-13).

Have you claimed the Promise of Paradise?

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The Bible – Fact or Faction

QUESTIONS
How many books in BIBLE? 66 (OT – 39 NT – 27)
What divides OT from NT?
Birth/Death/Resurrection/Ascension of Christ? Giving of the HS?
Who wrote most of NT? Luke
Who wrote most NT Books? Paul (14)
How many Books were authored by JOHN? (5) Gospel, I II III John Revelation.
How many Books were authored by Peter? (2) I & II Peter
How many books were authored by Luke? (2) Gospel & Acts
How many Books were authored by Timothy and Titus? (0)
How can we trust the BIBLE to be the Word of God?
What do you believe about Jesus? Is He the Son of GOD? God in Flesh?
The Old Testament as we have it today, written on Scrolls, was CANONIZED at the time Jesus started his life on earth. He quoted it, He authenticated it.
JOHN 5:46-47,7:21-23.
WE CAN TRUST THE OLD TESTAMENT…..Because we can trust the Lord Jesus.
BUT what about the New Testament…..
It was written after Jesus returned to Heaven.
MATTHEW was written about 37 AD by Matthew, one of the original Apostles (Matthew 10:3). He was an eye witness to all the events he recorded. The book was widely circulated in his time and could have been refuted by others who also saw the events. We can trust Matthew.
JOHN Another original Apostle (Matthew 10:2) written about 85 AD.
The beloved disciple (John 13:23), perhaps the youngest of them all.
Later a Pillar in the Church (Galatians 2:9), an EYEWITNESS to it all.
I JOHN (same) authored by John 90 AD
II JOHN (same) authored by John 90 AD
III JOHN (same) authored by John 90 AD
REVELATION (same) authored by John 96 AD We can trust John.
JAMES was written about 60 AD by James, not an Apostle (Matthew 10:3), but a half brother of the Lord Jesus. (Matthew 13:55, Galatians 1:9). (Mark 6:3) Surely, we can trust James.
JUDE was written about 66 AD, and again not an Apostle but a brother of James (ie. a half brother of the Lord Jesus (Mark 6:3). Surely, we trust Jude
I PETER was written about 60 AD, an original Apostle (Matthew 10:2) one of the very inter circle (Mark 9:1-8) always seeking to be the best he could be for the Lord, which caused him some problems. As one studies the life of Peter in the Gospels and Acts, can we not trust this eye witness to report true words?
II PETER (same) written about 66 AD Surely, we trust Peter
ROMANS THRU PHILEMON Authored by Paul from 54 to 65 AD as he traveled on his Missionary Journeys. Apostle to the Gentiles (Galatians 1:10-24) his epistles were certified by Peter (II Peter 3:15). Paul gives us Church Doctrine! We can trust Paul’s writings.
MARK was not an Apostle (Acts 12:12). His book was penned about 57 AD. Why Should we trust him? He was a missionary with Paul and Barnabus
(Acts 13:13/15:38). Commended by Paul (2 Timothy 4:11) and a Friend of Peter
(I Peter 5:13). We can trust Mark.
LUKE was not an Apostle He was a physician (Colossians 4:14), a missionary (Acts 16:10) a friend of Paul’s who traveled with him. We can trust the Doctor.
(2 Timothy 4:11, Philomen 24)
ACTS (same) written by Luke about 65 AD .
HEBREWS …… PAUL to Jewish Believers, probably his first epistle.
This book stands alone on its own authority.

SUMMARY…We can Trust the Old Testament because the Lord Jesus (God in Flesh) verified its accuracy. We can trust the New Testament because its authors were either Eye Witness’ to the events or were alive when the other books were written and could have negated them as false.

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The Gift of Life

When God created the cow. He said to the cow, “Today I have created you!
As a cow, you must go to the field with the farmer all day long. You will
work all day under the sun! I will give you a life span of 50 years.”
The cow objected, “What? This kind of tough life you want me to live for
50 years? Let me have 20 years, and the 30 years I’ll give back to you.”
So God agreed.

When God created the dog. God said to the dog, “What you are supposed to
do is to sit all day by the door of your house. Any people that come in,
you will have to bark at them! I’ll give a life span of 20 years.”
The dog objected, “What? All day long to sit by the door? No way! I give
you back my other 10 years of life!” So God agreed.

When God created the monkey. He said to the monkey, “Monkeys have to
entertain people. You’ve got to make them laugh and do monkey tricks. I’ll
give you 20 years life span.”
The monkey objected. “What? Make them laugh? Do monkey faces and tricks?
Ten years will do, and the other 10 years I’ll give you back.” So God agreed.

And then God created man and said to him, “Your job is to sleep, eat, and play.
You will enjoy very much in your life. All you need to do is to enjoy and do
nothing. This kind of life, I’ll give you a 20 year life span.”
The man objected. “What? Such a good life! Eat, play, sleep, do nothing? Enjoy
the best and you expect me to live only for 20 years? Why don’t we make a deal?

Since the cow gave you back 30 years, and the dog gave you back 10 years and the monkey gave you back 10 years, I will take them from you! That makes my life span70 years, right?” So God agreed.

AND THAT’S WHY….
In our first 20 years, we eat, sleep, play, enjoy the best and do nothing much.
For the next 30 years, we work all day long, suffer and get to support the family.
For the next 10 years, we entertain our grandchildren by making monkey faces and monkey tricks. And for the last 10 years, we stay at home, sit by the front door and bark at people!

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Fight Fight Fight

We all remember when Donald Trump was shot in the ear during an assassination attempt at a campaign rally on July 13, 2024. He stood up and shouted “Fight, Fight, Fight”. Trump was speaking of a political battle (which he won).
And the apostle Paul tells us of the spiritual battle all believers face. He explains how we are to prepare:
Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
The Paul reminds believers to fight:
1 Corinthians 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
He reminds Timothy (Believers) how to fight:
1 Timothy 6:11-12 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
When he realizes he will not be here for the rapture, he instructs Timothy what awaits him and all believers:
2 Timothy 4:6-8 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Believers are to fight, fight, fight the spiritual battle until we are called home.

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Age of the Church

The Church has always been under attack …
perhaps today more in the USA than ever.
It is being rejected by young people as not meeting their needs.
It is accused as not being relevant to today’s way of life.
Much is being done to update the Church.
Women are being ordained (more than ever before).
Women are becoming Pastor (a Man’s Job? 1 Timothy 3)
Homosexuals, Lesbians are being brought into the Church
(without repentance), Ordained and allowed to Preach.
Churches are worshiping Satan, Demons all across the land
Churches with NO GOD, just country clubs.
The Roman Catholic Church has for centuries declared itself to be the only true church …
The only way to salvation. That it is infallible.
Is the Church a thing of the past? Is the Church all washed up?
Should a new and different way to reach people be approached?
The Bible has much to say in this regard.
Just what does the Bible say?
First, what is the church?
“Church” is the translation of the Greek term ekklesia, and is used in the New Testament to identify the community of believers in Jesus Christ.
It literally means “assembly,” “congregation,” or “meeting.”
It is NOT the building: It IS the Believers!

The word CHURCH appears 76 times in the new testament.

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