WHY ARE WE READING NAHUM?

Newsletter 108 October 5, 2008

WHY ARE WE READING NAHUM?

I am certain that the question, thought if not spoken, must be, “Why on earth is he quoting from this obscure prophet in the Old Testament concerning the Ninevites?”

Normally, I probably would not even have been reading here, except that this book is part of the reading for today in the through the Bible in one year plan.

The Ninevites, representing all non-believers throughout the ages, even today, face the anger of a heavenly Father who, because of His love for mankind, gave his only Son to see him suffer rejection, abuse and finally death on the cross of Calvary. They spurned it all. This first portion reveals His anger.

Nahum 1:2-7 (King James Version)

2 God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.

3 LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

4 He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.

5 The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.

6 Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.

This is the just God before whom non-believers will stand when Christ returns to judge the earth. God is not evil, neither is He unjust. Before Nahum came, Jonah had been sent to the ancestors of these same people. They believed for a time.

Christians have an entirely different view of the Lord God than do those who are not believers, and for a very good reason. They love Him as a Father who has provided the best habitation for his creation, who loved them so much that he gave His nearest and dearest Son to save them for eternity.

7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

These words certainly apply to us today. Remember that He is there to help in our “day of trouble.” He knows, and asks us to “trust in Him.” Our Lord Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us, and we can be sure that he will be with us always, even if, in the words of David, “I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.“ We too, need “fear no evil.“ He is there walking with us, as David closed his psalm, We too “will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

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I PLEDGE TO READ MY BIBLE THROUGH IN 2008

OCTOBER

5th. Sunday - Jeremiah 9,10, Philippians 3, Psalm 117
6th. Monday - Jeremiah 11,12,13, Philippians 4, Psalm 118:1-16
7th. Tuesday -Jeremiah 14,15,16, Colossians 1, Proverbs 24:13-22
8th. Wednesday - Jeremiah 17,18,19, Colossians 2, Psalm 118:17-29
9th. Thursday - Jeremiah 20,21,22 Colossians 3, Psalm 119:1-8
10th. Friday - Jeremiah 23,24, Colossians 4, Psalm 119:9-16
11th. Saturday - Jeremiah 25,26, I Thessalonians 1, Proverbs 24:23-34
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CHRIST, THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES WITH BOB

Newsletter #107 September 28, 2008

CHRIST,THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE

In the eyes of the world Christians are a peculiar people. They choose to live differently from the majority of the people among whom they live. They choose to live quiet lives, not being seekers after fame or fortune do. They follow a leader, Christ, who was also rejected by the world, and crucified in order to make salvation from their sins available to all. When he was buried in a borrowed tomb near the northern gate of Jerusalem, he demonstrated his divinity and power when he arose from the dead, then in the following weeks appeared not only to the twelve, but also to more than 500 people at one time. Then after giving final instructions to his followers, he ascended into the clouds leaving them to spread the wonderful account of what had happened and looking up where he had disappeared in anticipation of his promised return. Christians still eagerly anticipate that return, not knowing just when it may be.

Peter describes Christ as being “a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious.”

1 Peter 2:4-13 - KJV

4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made * the head of the corner,

8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake:

This scripture describes the church as being like a building, of which Christ is the Chief Cornerstone, and Christian are the building blocks. Without Christ, what men call a church is not His church, and without the blocks it is not a church, it can't exist al all. Christ promised, "I will build my church." It does exist and it has Him as it's head, and it built on the fact that he is God's Son.

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I PLEDGE TO READ MY BIBLE THROUGH IN 2008
SEPTEMBER
28th. Sunday - Micah 3,4,5, Ephesians 5:1-16, Psalm 114
29th. Monday - Micah 6,7, Ephesians 5:17-33, Proverbs 23:28-35,
30th. Tuesday - Nahum 1,2,3, Ephesians 6, Psalm 115:1-9
OCTOBER
1st. Wednesday - Jeremiah 1,2, Philippians 1:1-14, Psalm 115:10-18
2nd. Thursday - Jeremiah 3,4, Philippians 1:15-30, Psalm 116:1-11
3rd. Friday - Jeremiah 5,6, Philippians 2:1-13, Proverbs 24:1-12
4th. Saturday - Jeremiah 7,8, Philippians 2:14-30, Psalm 116:12-19
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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE GEM
NOT ALL PROFESSING CHRIST ARE SAVED

Matthew 7:21-23

21. Not everyone 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.

22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?

23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

24. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him to a

wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

25. And the rain descended and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

26. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

27. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

KJV

HUMOR
A band performing at an outdoor concert kept playing although the crowd had dwindled down to one man. Finally, the tired musicians told the man that if he left, they could all go home.

"It's up to you," he answered. "I'm just waiting to put away all these folding chairs."
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GOD ♥ YOU

HOW CAN I, EXCEPT SOME MAN SHOULD GUIDE ME?

Newsletter 106

This man, in charge of the national treasury of Ethiopia, not only represents Africa, but also the rest of the non-Jewish world. He did not have the historical background and preparation of a relationship with God on which to build, so his conversion is an ideal guide for the rest of the world. It is measured out step by step. We could liken him to the curious surfer who searching the web stumbles upon a blog and reads it out of curiosity. This is a man who being favorably impressed with scripture the book of the prophet Isaiah, and as his driver drove toward Gaza, he was reading it. This is where God provided what was lacking, someone to explain it to him.

Acts 8:26-39

26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

82 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

God sent Philip to explain the prophecy of the death and resurrection of Christ for our sins. He heard. He understood. And he repented. This was just what he needed.

This man wanted to go on in being obedient to God. So much so, that as soon as they came to an available pool of water, he asked the next vital question.

WHAT DOTH HINDER ME TO BE BAPTIZED?

37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

39And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
He came up out of the water, a newly born Christian. His sins were taken away, and he had received the gift of the Spirit. No wonder, he went on his way rejoicing.

This is how the Bible says that one becomes a Christian, born of water and of the Spirit.

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I PLEDGE TO READ MY BIBLE THROUGH IN 2008

SEPTEMBER

21st. Sunday - Isaiah 51,52.53, Galatians 5, Proverbs 23:10-18
22nd. Monday - Isaiah 54,55,56, Galatians 6, Psalm 109:16-31
23rd. Tuesday - Isaiah 57,58,59, Ephesians 1, Psalm 110
24th. Wednesday - Isaiah 60,61,62, Ephesians 2, Psalm 111
25th. Thursday - Isaiah 63,64, Ephesians 3, Proverbs 23:19-27
26th. Friday - Isaiah 65,66, Ephesians 4:1-16, Psalm 112
27th. Saturday - Micah 1,2, Ephesians 4:17-32, Psalm 113
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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE GEM

THE BEATITUDES

Matthew 5:3-12

3. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their’s is the kingdom of heaven.

4. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9. Blessed are the peacemakers" for they shall be called the children of God.

10. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for their’s is the kingdom of heaven.

11. Blessed are ye, when men shall revileyou, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

KJV

HUMOR

I get plenty of exercise. immediately after waking I always say sternly to myself, 'Ready now. Up. Down. Up. Down.' And after three strenuous minutes I tell myself, 'Okay, boy. Now we'll try the other eyelid.'
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WHY THESE LORD?

September 14, 2008
WHY THESE LORD ?

Last week in the letter to which these documents are attached, I used three scriptures which make up the content of two tract submissions that are now available in seventy different languages through our �salvation tracts� blog.. No one has asked, but many have probably wondered, �why, these?�

For ALL HAVE SINNED, and come short of the glory of God.

This text found in Romans 3:23 represents all of us. We are not saved because we are sinless. We weren�t before we knew Christ, and we of ourselves won�t be. That one three letter word, (All) refers to us, and also to the rest of mankind throughout the world. Without the blood of Christ and the grace of God, that is how all mankind would remain, forever lost, for all have sinned, and the wages of sin is death.

Peter, who at Pentecost was preaching a message of hope, used the normal, traditional, approach for a Jewish audience, their history with God. He led them through all of this to Christ. These were a people God had prepared for His Son. When Peter came to the fact that these prepared people had crucified the Messiah, they must have cried out that all important question:

WHAT SHALL WE DO?

Acts 2�37-42

�Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.�

When we realize what we have done, we come to that all important question. What an we do about it? What about Christ. Another scriptures tells us that there is no other way to God than that which He has given, Christ. �I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes unto the Father but by me.� These two scriptures alone show us the way to salvation. Christ is the way. This is how God sent Peter to open the very doors of Heaven for the Jews. Next week we will turn our attention to the rest of the world, an unprepared people, who have no history with God.

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HUMOR

I get plenty of exercise. immediately after waking I always say sternly to myself, 'Ready now. Up. Down. Up. Down.' And after three strenuous minutes I tell myself, 'Okay, boy. Now we'll try the other eyelid.'
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I PLEDGE TO READ MY BIBLE THROUGH IN 2008
SEPTEMBER

14th. Sunday - Isaiah 34,35,36, 2 Corinthians 13, Psalm 107:10-22
15th. Monday - Isaiah 37,38, Galatians , Psalm 107:23-32 Psalm 106:16-31
16th. Tuesday - Isaiah 39,40 Galatians 2, Psalm 107:33-42
17th. Wednesday - Isaiah 41,42, Galatians 3:1-14, Proverbs 23:1-9
18th. Thursday - Isaiah 43,44, Galatians 3:15-29, Psalm 108:1-5
19th. Friday - Isaiah 45,46,47, Galatians 4:1-16, Psalm 108:6-13
20th. Saturday - Isaiah 48,49,50, Psalm 109:1-15
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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE GEM

HOW TO LIVE IN THE LORD

Philippians 4:4-9

4. Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

5. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8. Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoeveer things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoeverthings are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

9. Those things which ye have learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

KJV
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RECEIVE WITH THANKS

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES WITH BOB

Newsletter 104 September 7, 2008

RECEIVE WITH THANKS

Bob

A portion of this Scripture calls to mind something that once happened to us. We were in Ghana, West Africa stopping over for a week with my parents-in-law who were missionaries there at the time. Knowing that we would be there, a local trader who knew them, had arranged that he would entertain us all to a meal with him and get to know us. Edgar, feeling that we should be cautioned ahead of time, told us that we should not ask what was being served as a meat dish. We should simply eat it. Perhaps it was as well he cautioned us as the main meat dish was shredded from the bone and mixed with other ingredients. It was impossible to know what we were being served, so we followed Edgar’s lead. Some years later in our own home, we served domestic rabbit to our son-in-law and did much the same thing. Phyllis made a delicious curry dish with rabbit and rice. Chris loved it and did not ask what It was. Only later, we confessed what we had served. Verse four reads, “every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving by the word of God and prayer.”

Paul in his letter to much younger Timothy, also gave him this good advice. 1 Timothy 4:1-8

1. Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2. Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

3. Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

4. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving, by the word of God and prayer.

5. For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

6. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

7. But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

8. For bodily exercise profits little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Even then, as Paul was writing this his first letter, that has been preserved for us, to Timothy, he used the words, “ in the latter times.” The latter times or the end times, is a reference to what we would call the entire age of the church, from the resurrection of Christ and his ascension back to Heaven until he comes again in the same manner.

During this period, we are to expect that many people will speak “lies in hypocrisy, having their consciences seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving”…. “But refuse profane and old wife’s fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.”

There are, of course, many other references to what Paul calls, “seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” in the latter days, or times, but here Paul is expressly cautioning Timothy to adhere to the straight and narrow of the gospel; to expect lying evangelists, ministering for their own motives rather than to serve the Lord, seeking to debate what he calls “old wife‘s fables.” He could have said, “Don’t argue your own theories, just stay with the Word.” I remember a professor from my own days in Homiletics class saying, “Never say, ‘I believe. No one cares what you believe’” He instructed, “Be positive, be yourself , and, stay with the Word of God..“ That is sound advice.

I PLEDGE TO READ MY BIBLE THROUGH IN 2008

SEPTEMBER

7th. Sunday - Isaiah 15,16,17, 2 Corinthians 7, Psalm 106:1-15
8th. Monday - Isaiah 18,19,20, 2 Corinthians 8, Psalm 106:16-31
9th. Tuesday - Isaiah 21,22,23, 2 Corinthians 9, Proverbs 22:1-16
10th. Wednesday - Isaiah 24,25,26, 2Corinthians 10, Psalm 106:32-39
11th. Thursday - Isaiah 27, 28, 2Corinthians 11:1-15, Psalm 106:40-48
12th. Friday - Isaiah 29-30, 2 Corinthians 11:16-33, Psalm 107:1-9
13th. Saturday - Isaiah 31,32,33, 2Corinthians 12, Proverbs 22:17-29
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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE GEM
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

Galatians 5:22-26

22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24.And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

26. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another

KJV

_________________

HUMOR

On a rural road a state trooper pulled this farmer over and said: "Sir, do you realize your wife fell out of the car several miles back?"

To which the farmer replied: "Thank God, I thought I had gone deaf!"
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HOW WE OUGHT TO BE LIVING IN THE FAITH

 
Newsletter  103                                                August 31, 2008  

Philippians 4:4-13

4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; (Don’t worry about anything.) but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

King James Version

The apostle Paul wrote these touching words to the church at Philippi. We know a number of things about this church which might not even have come by had God not sent new instructions to him in a dream. Paul had been planning an evangelization trip to northern Galatia, but it seemed that nothing was working out, then he had a vivid dream while he was still at Troas, In this dream, he saw a man from Philippi who beckoned to him to come there. He wasted no time in making preparations and boarded a ship sailing that way.

All who trace their origins to Europe should be thankful that he did, for this was the very first church to be planted in Europe. The first converts were Lydia and her staff followed a few days later by the Jailer and his household. From this small beginning grew a church which flourished; a church which apparently remembered Paul for the rest of his life, sending time and again to his aid when they had the opportunity. Note his words, “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.” In another Place Paul speaks of sending greetings to the church which met in Lydia’s home. These people cared, and shared that others also might be blessed as well.

Paul blesses them for their “moderation.” They were not carried away to extremes; not fanatical at one moment, and neglectful at the next. In other words, they were not led by their emotions, but by the Spirit of God, who works from the heart to change the whole being. This whole portion of his letter is a praise and thanks giving for the genuine way in which they are showing the faith that dwells within them. This is what the Lord wants us all to be like.

These were not like the Corinthians who battled with many problems, and this letter is not at all like the letters that Paul wrote to them. We need both kinds of letters, one to encourage us how we should live, and the other to warn us how not to live.
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I PLEDGE TO READ MY BIBLE THROUGH IN 2008
  AUGUST
31st. Sunday - 2Chronicles 35,36, 2Timothy 4, Psalm 104:26-35

  SEPTEMBER

1st. Monday - Isaiah 1,2, 2Corinthians 1, Proverbs 21:13-23
2nd. Tuesday - Isaiah 3,4, 2Corinthians 2, Psalm 105:1-11
3rd. Wednesday - Isaiah 5,6,7, 2Corinthians 3, Psalm 103:13-22
4th. Thursday - Isaiah 8,9, 2Corinthians 4, Psalm 105:23-38
5th. Friday - Isaiah 10,11 2Corinthians 5, Proverbs 21:24-31
6th. Saturday - Isaiah 12,13,14, 2Corinthians 6, Psalm 105:37-45
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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE GEM

LORD OVER ALL NATIONS

Romans 10:8-13

8. But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

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

10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

12. 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.

13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
KJV
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JOKE

My wife and I went to a "Dude Ranch" while in Texas. The cowboy preparing the horses asked if she wanted a Western or English saddle, and she asked what the difference was.
 
He told her one had a horn and one didn't, she replied, "The one without the horn is fine. I don't expect we'll run into too much traffic."
 

GOD ♥ YOU  
 
 
 

 
 

WHOM SAY YE THAT I AM?

 
Newsletter  101

Matthew 16:13-19

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
(KJV)

Jesus was well aware that people had many different opinions as to who he was. Ask that question of the man on the street today, and you would also get a variety of answers. In fact you could ask that question of the men in the pulpits of America and you would still get a number of different answers. They would range from those who would say, “He never existed. It is all a fairy tale.”. To, “ He was a great teacher,” “He was the founder of a religion.” And a few, would perhaps answer, “He is the Son of God.” Yes, Jesus was aware of what they were saying then, as he is today. What he wanted was that his disciples would put into words, what they believed about him.

Peter spoke for them all when he said, “Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God.” Peter did not hesitate to speak on behalf of them all. He was a natural leader, even then. Unfortunately at that stage he was still very unstable in his own faith. Still, he knew what he believed and did not hesitate to put it into words. This was the same Peter who not many days afterwards would waver in faith to such an extent that on the night of Jesus’ betrayal he would deny, not once but three times in quick sequence, that he did not even knew Him. Realizing what he had done, he repented with bitter tears. If only men would follow that example, rather than covering up, or denying their weakness. This confession, one that Christians are all called upon to make not once but frequently, came of God the father and not of Peter himself. Faith comes of hearing the Word, and not of ourselves. God still speaks to us and brings a change of heart though his Word, the Bible. Many clergy, have many degrees after their names, but their knowledge has come from books of men, and not of the one Book of God. They know what men had concluded about the Bible, but not the Author back of the “scribe” He used to record the inspired, “God breathed” Word. Jesus said this came of God, the Father.

I would be error not to mention the wonderful line, “Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” He clearly points out that Peter is as a small pebble indeed, “petros,” and not the solid (rock-mass,) or “petra,” on which the church is firmly founded. The in destructible church, is founded on the fact of the divinity of Christ, the Son of God. Any group which denies the divinity of Christ, is not the indestructible church and body of Christ. This statement of the faith of Christians and a part of their conversion and witness, will prevail until he comes again to call them home.

AN URGENT PRAYER CALL FORWARDED TO YOU!

PRAY EVERY EVENING AT 8:OO P.M. CENTRAL STANDARD TIMEPRAISE GOD FOR OUR FREEDOM OF WORSHIP.PETITION FOR OUR TROOPSPETITION ON BEHALF OF THE UNSAVED.PRAY FOR OUR NATIONS LEADERSHIP PRESENT AND FUTURE.IN THE NAME OF OUR SAVIOR JESUS.

I PLEDGE TO READ MY BIBLE THROUGH IN 2008
  AUGUST
17th. Sunday - 2 Chronicles 5,6,1Corinthians 12:14-31, Psalm 98  
18th. Monday - 2 Chronicles 7,8,1Corinthians 13, Psalm 99
19th. Tuesday - 2 Chronicles 9,10,11,1Corinthians 14:1-19, Psalm 100
20th. Wednesday - 2 Chronicles 12,13,14, 1Corinthians 14:20-40, Proverbs 20:11-20
21st. Thursday - 2 Chronicles 15,16,17, 1Corinthians 15:1-29, Psalm 101
22nd. Friday - 2 Chronicles 18,19,1Corinthians 15:30-58, Psalm 102:1-11
23rd. Saturday - 2 Chronicles 20, 1Corinthians 16, Psalm 102:12-19
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We now have 450 blogs representing 50 languages.
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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE GEM

PETER OPENS THE DOORS TO SALVATION AND HEAVEN

Acts 2:37-42
37. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
KJV

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WELCOME TO NEW READERS:
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George Briedenhann - South Africa Douglas Adu-Boahen - London

DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY?

If you are yelling at the person driving 15 mph in a 55 mph zone, directly in the middle of the road, remember, many folks learned to drive on a model of vehicle known as John Deere, and this is the proper speed and lane position for the vehicle.
 
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