Jim – Page 58 – Bible Truth 4u

GOD’S PLAN Part 2

Isn’t it great to be alive? And greater still to know God loves you …
Each one of us has problems …. Personal, family, financial, and so on …
But God has settled man’s greatest problem. Consider the text for today:
Acts 13:38-39 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Man’s greatest problem is separation from GOD.

And this separation is caused by sin. Sin has been defined as Transgression of the Law. Doing Evil, Not doing good. Campus Crusades for Christ put it this way, “An active or passive rebellion against GOD”.
It’s interesting, most people will agree with the Bible when it states:
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
BUT then they will deny that God has the right to send them to an everlasting punishment for their sins … because “My sins aren’t that bad”.
Scripture teaches us that God can have no fellowship with sin … No fellowship with us as long as we continue in sin …
What’s the solution? How can we enjoy GODS fellowship?
By accepting GODS forgiveness for man’s greatest problem.
Remember the text … Acts 13:38-39: BE IT KNOWN unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the FORGIVENESS OF SIN: And by him ALL THAT BELIEVE are justified (forgiven) from all things …
“THAT’S TOO SIMPLE, I DON’T BELIEVE IT” Acts 13:40-41 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.
Don’t harden you heart, accept GODS simple plan of forgiveness … accept His solution for your greatest problem.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

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GOD’S PLAN Part 3

For the next few minutes, why not God have control over your thoughts.
Our Scripture is found in Acts 24:14-15 Paul’s testimony before Felix, the Governor:
But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets; And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
GOD HAS BROUGHT MAN HOPE…
What was Paul’s hope toward God? Why the resurrection?
Let’s consider this word HOPE. It’s not a wishy-washy dreamy “I Hope so ….”.
It’s an anticipated “I Know so”. It’s used with expectation, confidence.
Paul didn’t think there might be a resurrection, he KNEW there will be, both of the just and the unjust (all). Consider the following:
Romans 5:2-5 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 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 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
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.
Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Do you have this HOPE?
Do you hope (know) you’ll be in Heaven,
OR do you just hope you’ll get there?
I HOPE that you KNOW …. GODS eternal hope … the Lord Jesus Christ

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GOD’S PLAN Part 4

I trust you will receive a blessing from these next few minutes as you read this. GOD HAS A COMING KINGDOM

ACTS 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
ACTS 28:23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
ACTS 28:31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
Did you know that there is more than one kingdom? Consider the first … The kingdom where God dwells right now … ACTS 1:9 … ACTS 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
The second is introduced by the Lord Jesus: Matthew 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
To Nicodemus He said: John 3:3 … Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
And then let’s consider the coming Kingdom: Revelation 19:11 (gives us a picture of the returning KING .. king of kings, lord of lords, the Lord Jesus) And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Revelation 20 explains how HE will rule this Kingdom on earth for 1000 years.
Jesus left the first kingdom, (2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich).
And came to this earth to present he kingdom to the Jews, and when they rejected Him, now we have a spiritual kingdom to enter into (which we enter by choice) until He returns. And He will be coming again to usher in the 1000-year kingdom where He will rule the earth.

How do we have a part in this coming Kingdom? We must by faith enter the spiritual kingdom …
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 believe in the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ
AND Romans 10:9 confess that Jesus is God. Are you a member of the kingdom of God?

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GOD’S PLAN Part 5

Thank you for continuing as we finish God’s plan.
GOD WILL JUDGE THE WORLD.
Paul concludes his remarks from the top of MARS hill with these words:
ACTS 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
And how did most of his listeners respond? THEY MOCKED!

Peter writes that in the last days scoffers will come, walking after their own lust, mocking God’s word.
2 Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
Many, many today do not believe they will be judged. They live like there will not be an accounting to a high and holy God. Believer and unbeliever alike.

Through the Scriptures we find several future judgements. Time and space does not allow us to distinguish between them. The attempt is to draw your attention to the fact that YOU will be judged … believer or unbeliever.
Judged for every word, thought and deed:
Matthew 12:34 (Jesus said) O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Mark 4:22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.

Peter warns that Judgement will begin at the house of the Lord (1 Peter 4:17) For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
Some Scripture to consider:
HEBREWS 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
1 Corinthians 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
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.

Are you ready to face JUDGEMENT? It’s coming!

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American Holidays Part 2

New Year’s Day was celebrated for the first time in 45 B.C., when the Julian calendar first took effect.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established as a holiday in cities and states throughout the United States beginning in 1971; the holiday was enacted at the federal level by legislation signed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986.

Washington’s Birthday was the first Federal holiday to honor an individual’s birth date. In 1885, Congress designated February 22 as a holiday for all Federal workers. In 1970, To give federal employees a three-day weekend, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved it to the third Monday in February, which can occur from February 15 to the 21st. The day soon became known as President’s Day.

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season.

Juneteenth was first celebrated in Texas in 1866. Freed men, women and children gathered in rural communities and freedom colonies to rejoice with parades, dances, hallelujahs, feasts, music. Jun 17, 2021 it will be the United States’ 11th federal holiday, joining the ranks of President’s Day and Thanksgiving, and the first new one created since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established in 1983.

Independence Day also called Fourth of July or July 4th, in the United States, the annual celebration of nationhood. It commemorates the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.

Labor day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States. President Grover Cleveland signed a bill into law on June 28, 1894.

Columbus Day a federal holiday in the United States, which officially celebrates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492. Was signed as federal holiday by President Johnson on June 28, 1968, to be effective beginning in 1971.

Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on November 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. In 1954, President Eisenhower signed legislation establishing November 11th as Veterans Day.

Thanksgiving Day the earliest celebration was held in 1578. In 1870, Congress passed legislation making Thanksgiving (along with Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Independence Day) a national holiday. However, unlike the other holidays in the bill, the President had the discretion to set the date for Thanksgiving. With few exceptions, each President until Franklin D. Roosevelt followed Lincoln’s lead by declaring the last Thursday of November a National Day of Thanks.

Christmas Day is celebrated every December 25th, and has been a federal holiday since 1885. In the Middle Ages, Christmas celebrations were rowdy and raucous—a lot like today’s Mardi Gras parties. Christ’s birth is traditionally celebrated in the West on December 25th, but many Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7. Neither date is likely correct in light of several clues uncovered by historians and information in the Bible itself.

See Birth of Jesus

See Age of the Lord Jesus

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Henceforth

The Apostle Paul reminds us NOT to serve sin…
Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Also we should NOT live for ourselves…
2 Corinthians 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

That it’s NOT Jesus, but the LORD JESUS…
2 Corinthians 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

Not be troubled in this life…
Galatians 6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

That we should GROW UP….
Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Be separate, live for the Lord…
Ephesians 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

And we have a crown of righteousness awaiting for us…
2 Timothy 4:8 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.

The Lord Jesus is King and will subdue all his enemies…
Hebrews 10:12-13 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

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Jews Set Aside

Can a Jew be saved?

The apostle Paul explains that the Israel Nation has been set aside because of their rejection of the Lord Jesus as their Messiah. He came unto his own, and his own received him not (John 1:11). So the Nation was set aside and the door to salvation was opened to Gentiles.

Isaiah 49:6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

The Apostle Paul comments on this in his letters to Rome and Galatians.

Romans 4:9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

Romans 11:1-2 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying,

Romans 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Galatians 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

But Jews as indiviuals still can be saved. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (Romans 10:12)

All a Jew or Gentile (as an individual) has to do to be saved is found in
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (Death, Burial and resurrection) and explained in Romans 10:9-13. (The Lord Jesus is God).

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Witchcraft (3)

Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

Bewitched – To influence or affect especially injuriously by witchcraft. Paul implies that someone or something has led the Galatians away from a faith born in the Spirit and instead back into a faith “perfected by the flesh”.

Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

In ancient Greek, pharmakeia = the use of drugs, potions, spells, and/or poisoning, witchcraft, magical potions. Pharmakeia (sorcery) is a form of the Greek root from which we get our English words pharmacy, pharmacist, and pharmaceutical. Pharmakeia (sorcery) fundamentally has to do with drugs or medicine.

Yes, there is witchcraft practiced in the word today. But DRUGS are more rampant, destroying far too many young lives.

Most people know that witchcraft and all associated with it are Evil, Satanic and Not of God.

But Drugs, that’s a different matter. Very few realize Satan is behind them.

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Witchcraft (2)

All are Evil, Satanic inspired and promoted.
Astrologers, Charmer, Diviners, Divinations, Dreams, Dreamers, Enchanters, Enchantments, Magicians, Necromancer, Prognosticators, Sorcerers, Sorceries, Seers, Soothsayer, Stargazers, Witches, Wizards, Witchcraft.

Definitions:

ASTRPLOGER one who studies the Stars and how they affect mankind.
CHARMER a dealer in spells, especially one who, by binding certain knots,
was supposed thereby to bind a curse.
DIVINER one who professes to foresee, to foretell, to predict, to prophesy
DIVINATION the predictions of a Diviner
DREAMER one who believes dreams can be interpreted to mean something
ENCHANTER is a sorcerer or magician; one who has spirits or demons at
his command; one who practices enchantment
ENCHANTMENT to practice sorcery or witchcraft on anything; to give
efficacy to anything by songs of sorcery, or fascination.
MAGICIAN One skilled in magic; one that practices the black art;
an enchanter; a necromancer; a sorcerer or sorceress
NECROMANCER one who claims to communicate with the dead
PROGNOSTICATORone who forecasts or predicts (something future)
from present indications or signs
SORCERER A conjurer; an enchanter; a magician.
SORCERIES Magic; enchantment; witchcraft; divination be the assistance
of evil spirits, or the power of commanding evil spirits.
SEER was a professional diviner, an expert in the art of divination
SOOTHSAYER one who foretells the future
STARGAZER one who pretends to tell what will occur by looking upon the stars.
WITCH one who has formed a compact with the Devil or with evil spirits,
by whose aid he or she is able to cause all sorts of injury to living beings
and to things.
WIZARD was used for the person who practiced folk magic.
(Witch or Wizard — Witch means a person who practices
witchcraft, whereas Wizard means someone, usually male,
who uses magic, mystic items, and magical and mystical practices).
WITCHCRAFT the desire to know the future and control events that are not
ours to control.

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Witchcraft

Witches, Wizards, Witchcraft, Sorcerers, Sorceries, Magicians, Enchanters, Enchantments, Diviners, Divinations, Dreams, Dreamers, Seers, Soothsayer, Astrologers, Stargazers, Prognosticators, Charmer, Necromancer:
All are mentioned and dealt with in the Scriptures.

The Pharaoh of Joseph’s time relied on Magicians… Genesis 41:8,24
The Pharaoh of Moses’ time relied on Sorcerers, Magicians, Enchantments…
Exodus 7:11,22 8:7,18,19 9:11
The Law condemned Witches to death…
Exodus 22:18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
The Lord God warned against wizards, familiar spirits…
Leviticus 19:31 20:6 20:27
Balaam tried to use Divinations and Enchantments against Israel….
Numbers 22:7 23:23
Moses warns Israel against (false) Prophets, Dreamers, Diviners, Enchanters, Witches, Wizards, Charmers and Necromancers, as they go into the promise land… Deuteronomy 13:1-5 18:10-11,14
Israel deals with Balaam Joshua 13:22.
Philistines ask diviners for advice 1 Samuel 6:2
Because of Witchcraft Saul rejected as King. 1 Samuel 15:23
Saul expels wizards and those that had familiar spirits. 1 Samuel 28:3
Saul and the woman (witch) that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.
1 Samuel 28:7-25
Jezebel and her witchcrafts 2 Kings 9:22
Israel and Judah do evil turning from the Lord 2 Kings 17:13 21:6 23:24
Manasseh did evil before the Lord 2 Chronicles 33:6 33:18-19
The Psalmist warned against Charmers…
Psalm 58:5 Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.
Isaiah warned Israel about Soothsayers, Familiar Spirits, Wizards, Seers, Diviners, Sorcerers, Enchantments, Astrologers, Stargazers, and Prognosticators… Isaiah 2:6 8:19 19:3 29:10 30:10 44:25 47:12-13
Jeremiah warned Israel about Diviners, Dreamers, Enchanters, Sorcerers…
Jeremiah 14:14 27:9 29:8
Ezekiel warned Israel about Diviners, Divinations….
Ezekiel 12:24 13:6-7 13:23 21:21-23
Daniel, in his service to Babylonian Kings came up against Magicians, Astrologers, Sorcerers, Soothsayers…. Daniel 1:20 2:2 2:10 2:27 4:7 4:9 Daniel 5:7 5:11 5:15
Micah warned of Seers, Diviners, Witchcraft, and Soothsayers… Micah 3:7 5:12
Nahum speaks of Witchcrafts… Nahum 3:4
Zechariah warns of Diviners, False Dreams…. Zechariah 10:2
Malachi mentions Sorcerers… Malachi 3:5

Even the Apostle Peter had to deal with Sorcery… Acts 8:9-11
The Apostle Paul dealt with Barjesus, Sorcerer, false prophet, a Jew…Acts 13:6-8
Again, with a certain damsel with a spirit of divination, soothsaying…Acts 16:16
Jude warns of Dreamers… Jude 1:8
Revelation speaks of Sorcerers and Sorceries….
Revelation 9:21 18:23 21:8 22:15

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