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Isaiah chapter 3 explained - End Times Revelation: Isn't it obvious?

<p><strong>Explanation of the third chapter of Isaiah. The situation of an organized community</strong><strong>.</strong></p>

<p>“ALSO in this following chapter the prophecy is for now and for the coming times of which I have spoken.</p>

<p>[2] The first verse of the prophet has a deep meaning and goes like this: ‘<em>Look, the Lord, Lord Zebaoth will take away out of Jerusalem all kinds of provisions, and also out of the whole of Judah the total provision of bread and the whole provision of water</em>’. (Isaiah 3:1).</p>

<p>[3] Here, by <strong><em>Jerusalem</em></strong> must be understood the present-day Jewry, just as it is now and already has been for a long time. By <strong><em>Judah</em></strong> must be understood the future generations that then, by accepting My teaching, will be counted to the tribe of Judah. <strong>Because of their laziness they will undergo the same fate in a much greater measure as now the Jews in a smaller measure</strong>.</p>

<p>[4] By the <strong><em>taking away of the provision of bread</em></strong> you must understand the taking away of love and mercy, and by the <strong><em>taking away of the provision of water</em></strong>, the taking away of the true wisdom out of God. And the result thereof will be that all of them will come on a wrong track, and their soul will be in darkness, and nobody will be able to give counsel to another. And even if somebody would give counsel to another, then the one who needed counsel and light will still not trust him and say: ‘What are you talking to me about the light while you yourself are in the same darkness as I am.’ The fact that the people will then by their own fault – because of their laziness – become totally</p>

<p>without help, is accurately described by the prophet with the following words:</p>

<p>[5] ‘<em>Thus will be taken away the strong ones and warriors, judges, prophets, fortunetellers and elders </em>(Isaiah 3:2), <em>counselors and wise workers, and eloquent orators, and headmen over 50, and also honest people</em> (3:3).’</p>

<p>[6] I am mentioning here on purpose the headmen and the honest people as last instead of in the beginning of the third verse, and I have My reason for this. Listen now to the explanation.</p>

<p>[7] Who are the strong ones and the warriors? These are such people like once David was, full of faith and trust in Me, and the warriors are those people who consent to be totally inspired by faith and trust in the One, to always conquer all the enemies of what is good and true from God – even if they are so many.</p>

<p>[8] When there will be a complete lack of living water out of the Heavens, and all flesh, together with its soul, are in the thickest of darkness, who will then deal with the people as a true and righteous judge? Who will have the gift of prophecy? And even if someone still possesses it for himself, who will then, without inner understanding believe that it is true? Who will be able to prophesy for the blind and deaf? And who will be chosen by dark mankind as a true elder because of his outstanding wisdom in order to make him their shepherd? Now, understand this well.</p>

<p>[9] <strong>The one from whom – spiritually speaking – has been taken away bread and water, has lost by that everything, because the one who has been punished and chastised by God with spiritual blindness, has been punished and chastised the most severely</strong>. &#160;Because by that he has lost everything, and he is completely in despair and helpless. This is then also the ultimate means by which <strong>the laziness of the people that took a too great dominion, and all their vices can be fought against in the best way</strong>.</p>

<p>[10] The fact that the people will be in the greatest misery by the taking away of the spiritual bread and water, and by that, the things that still will be taken away from them, the prophet explains further in the third verse, where he explicitly says: ‘<em>By that, the people will have to miss the <strong>counselors</strong></em><strong>’</strong> or those who give counsel, ‘<em>and <strong>wise workers</strong></em>’ in all branches of human necessities, thus also intelligent speakers, who otherwise would have accomplished a lot of good with their wisdom.</p>

<p>[11] However, the worst of all that, is the taking away of the, say, <strong><em>50 headmen</em></strong> which is taking place at the same time. Who are the 50 and what has the figure 50 to do with it? This we will perceive right away.</p>

<p>[12] If we imagine a big and completely organized community of people, then since ancient times it has – if it wants to be well taken care of in everything – in total <strong>50 main regions where it has to provide in their necessities of life. Whatever is above that, stands already for pride, and everything that is less stands for weakness, need and poverty</strong>. However, in order to provide efficiently and to take care of each separate branch of these life necessities there must also be a clever captain as foreman and leader in charge, who from A to Z must be well acquainted with everything that is necessary in the whole system. If such a one is not present and someone incompetent stands in his place, then the whole branch of life necessities will soon carry bad or even no more fruits at all for the community.</p>

<p>[13] <strong>How then will a big community be able to stand if by its laziness and negligence finally has lost all of the 50 headmen? </strong>I tell you: <strong>in the same manner as the community of Jews nowadays, where only certain thieves and robbers are still possessing something and who fatten and enrich themselves at the expense of the poor, but where thousands are helplessly pining away in the deepest of poverty</strong>. <strong>Because where is the wise captain who would take care of them and who would give them in one way or another a certain job and bread?</strong> Look, in a lot of areas a head is missing, and so also all the other things are not present. <strong>There are still certain headmen to direct different areas, but this they are not doing for the people but for oneself, and therefore they are only thieves and robbers and no real headmen</strong> like at the time of My judges.</p>

<p>[14] Now you have seen how the outer and inner well being of the people of a big community depends on the head leaders in the different areas of life necessities. But on who then depends in the first place the right organization of the named head leaders in a big community of people, in a country that is governed by a prince or king? Look, it only depends on a wise king.</p>

<p>[15] But then, what does our prophet say? What will the Lord do further on with the lazy, god-forsaken communities?</p>

<p>[16] Listen, his words are as follows: ‘<em>I, says the Lord, will give them young men to be their princes, and silly men will rule over them</em>. (Isaiah 3:4). And <strong>among the people one will suck out the other. Everyone, even his neighbor, and the young one will exalt himself above the elder and a worthless, dishonest man above an honest one</strong>.’ (Isaiah 3:5).</p>

<p>[17] The words of the prophet are here of itself so clear and plain that they do not need another explanation. I can only show you the great and clear visible very bad results, although these also can</p>

<p>easily be discovered by itself. <strong>Once all life-conditions will come into the greatest disorder by such confusion, and when, because of the need, all the people of the community will become very discontented, then also will arise one merciless rebellion after another. The people will awaken and stand up, and are chasing away the princes and selfish headmen, or even strangle them</strong>. And this is what is meant when one says: ‘<strong><em>One nation wars against another’</em></strong>.</p>

<p>[18] <strong>Thanks to his lazy nature, man permits any pressure as long as he, in his blindness, can still fill his stomach, no matter with what kind of meager food, but once also this is ceasing and he is facing only starvation, then he wakes up and turns into a starved enraged hyena. And it must come to that point, so that mankind will wake up</strong>.” (The Great Gospel of John Book 17, chap. 94)</p>

2440   54 years ago
House Church Movement North America

 "A movement of radical evangelism calling for radical discipleship is the only thing that will suffice in the current state of Christendom." - brother Greg

Since the days of the first Apostles Christianity has always spread by radical evangelism. Such evangelism is bold, unapologetic and also carries with it a seriousness of the truth of its message. If we truly have the Gospel message that the world needs to hear we must preach it like it matters. The Good News must to be shared with all because it is the best news in the world.

God is in these end-times calling out to many to be involved in His end-times work of evangelism and sharing the pure Gospel. We must tell ALL MEN no matter what situation in life they are. Everyone needs to hear the Gospel and we must have that mindset everyday.

God will by His Spirit prompt you to speak to the right people at the right times but we must never back down not to share. Trust the Lord afresh. Share a tract with someone or a word for Christ. Friend Where will you spend eternity? Is always a great question to ask someone.

Read again the stirring account of Stephen in the book of Acts:

Acts 8:26-40

New King James Version (NKJV)

Christ Is Preached to an Ethiopian

26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”

30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this:

“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;

And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,

So He opened not His mouth.

33 In His humiliation His justice was taken away,

And who will declare His generation?

For His life is taken from the earth.”[a]

34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”

37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”

And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”[b]

38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so 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.

Footnotes:

Acts 8:33 Isaiah 53:7, 8

Acts 8:37 NU-Text and M-Text omit this verse. It is found in Western texts, including the Latin tradition.

32708   54 years ago
My Life Is Broken: Now What ?

Romans 8:28 .... all things work together for good to them that love God ......

To tell someone God fixes broken lives is all Well and good , but what if it's your life that's broken ? It's a very serious issue that needs not only answer's , but practical answers you can sink your teeth into.

If you are a believer in Christianity , it can make it easier , but not necessarily better. First and foremost , you must , I repeat "must" believe that God is in total control of all happening's on this planet , and that he has a plan for your life. If one cannot get beyond that , all the rest of their life will be lived out in hit and miss , resulting in confusion , no matter how much teaching or counseling they receive.

Realistically speaking , the catalyst of life , revolves around breaking and mending. No difference how low one has sunk in this life , God has a way of incorporating the broken pieces of a life

into his wonderful plan . The negative part of brokenness is that it blinds you for a season. Any answer given during that season cannot be utilized until the grieving is over. As one develops their trust in the fact , that God truly is in control and does have a plan for their life , they will start seeing him at work.

See God in everything and you can make it through anything !

http://purebobby.wordpress.com

God bless you on your journey !

911   54 years ago
A Letter To Mom And Dad From Camp Heaven

A LETTER TO MOM AND DAD FROM CAMP HEAVEN

Dear Mom & Dad,

This is the first chance I had to write to you. I'm sorry if I made you worry. I want you to know that all is well and I arrived safe and sound at Camp Heaven. Everything around me is more beautiful than I could ever have imagined. The trip was short. I got here just after I closed my eyes and fell asleep. It was as if no time had past at all. I miss you so very much. I was told to tell you not to worry because I would be seeing you soon. Please pass this letter on to all my relatives, friends at home, and at school. I arrived standing before a huge gate. A Beautiful Angel was there waiting to greet me; he had very large wide wings protruding from his shoulders and was wearing a whiter than snow robe with a golden sash around his waste. A halo circled above his head; his whole being glowed as bright as the sun. I was able to see his face; it was unlike any face I had ever seen before...perfect, soft, and gentle. He greeted me with a loving smile. I asked him who he was; he answered with a low and echoy voice: "My name is Gabriel. I am an Archangle and Messenger of God." I could hardly believe what I was seeing: an actually real live Angel! He extended his arms to me; I rushed and fell right into them. He embraced and held me tight, then said: "Welcome home Michael." As he held my body close to his, I felt this profound and undescribable love, peace, and joy flow throughout my entire body unlike anything I had ever experienced before. Mom and Dad, don't feel bad but the love I felt was a thousand times stronger than when anyone else had hugged before. Gabriel spoke to me and said: "Come Michael, all your brothers and sisters are eager to see and greet you. Grab on to my cloak. " We traveled through the air and instantly landed on this wonderful outdoor arena that looked like a King's Palace all shiny and bright. A large group of men, women, and children had gathered. There were all these different kinds of animals just milling around and doggies too. I was so thrilled to see doggies. I saw lots of Black Labs, just like our Smoky Bear. Gabriel put his arm around my shoulder and announced: "Children, this is your new brother Michael; welcome him home!" Everyone cheered and applauded louder than a crowd at a sports event; they all came to greet me and gave me lots of hugs and kisses. I felt like a Super Star! Gabriel then said: "OK, enough kissing and hugging, it's time to celebrate!" I started hearing the sound of beautiful music playing but didn't know where it was coming from. I looked up; descending from the sky was an army of Celestial Angels; they were playing the most beautiful and enchanting music I had ever heard. Each of them was playing different instruments: trumpets, harps, bells, and others instruments I had never heard or seen before. The music permeated the entire palace. Then, all of a sudden, I see this gigantic table and chairs appear in the center of the palace that glistened like diamonds. The table was longer than a football field and was filled with a huge asortment of food and treats. I never saw such a display of food on one table before. Gabriel, seated at the head table; stood, lifted his wine glass high and said: "Children, I hereby propose a toast to welcome the arrival of God's new adopted son, our new brother, and new addition to The Family of God!...Michael! The crowd , lifted their glasses and shouted: "Here! Here!" They all sipped the wine; the Angels started playing this tremendous joyous sounding music; everyone started shouting and repeating: "Welcome Home Michael! Welcome Home! Michael!" Gabriel then said: "Hallelujah! It's time for us to eat, drink, and be merry! Let the celebration and feast begin!" Mom and Dad, it's more wonderful here than anybody could ever imagine or explain. Although I miss you and all my friends very much, please know that I am as happy as I ever could possibly have imagined. Everybody is filled with Joy and Laughter and truly show their love for one another. Gabriel tells me this is to be my New Home and Family. I can stay here forever and never have to worry about being sick, growing old, or have bad things happen to us again. Please be well and take care of yourself. It's just like when you sent me away to those other camps for the summer, except this one is the greastest one of them all and will never end. It's truly Heaven and where I was meant to be, where I belong, and where I will live in love forever and ever! I'll write again soon!

With all my Love,

Your son, Michael

Posted by Milton Lopez Delgado

Thursday December 20, 2012

miltonandwanda@verizon.net

(570) 848-1682

 

26809   54 years ago
The Trinity - Comparing God to Jesus Christ

Isaiah 40:18 “And to whom can YOU people liken God, and what likeness can YOU put along side Him?”

“He (Jesus) is the reflection of [his] glory and the EXACT representation of his very being” (Hebrews 1:3 )

1) The heavens are the works of God’s hands (Ps. 102:25) The heavens are the works of Jesus’ hands (Heb. 1:10)

2) God laid the foundations of the earth (Isa. 48:13) Jesus laid the foundations of the earth (Heb. 1:10)

3) God is our judge (Ps. 50:6; Eccl. 12:14; 1 Chron. 16:33) Jesus is our judge (2 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 20:12)

4) God is the temple of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:22) Jesus is the temple of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:22)

5) God is the alpha and omega (Rev. 1:8) Jesus is the alpha? and omega (Rev. 22:13)

6) God is the first and the last (Isa. 44:6; 48:12) Jesus is the first and the last (Rev. 22:13)

7) God is the beginning and the end (Rev. 21:6) Jesus is the beginning and the end (Rev. 22:13)

8) Only God can forgive sins (Luke 5:21) Jesus can forgive sins (Luke 5:20)

9) God is our hope (Ps. 71:5) Jesus is our hope (1 Tim. 1:1)

10) God is eternal (Deut. 33:27) Jesus is eternal (Isa. 9:6; Heb. 1:10-11)

11) God will come with all the holy ones (Zech. 14:5) Jesus will come with all the holy ones (1 Thess. 3:13)

12) Only God is our Savior? (Isa. 43:11) Jesus is our Savior (Tit. 2:13; 2 Pet. 1:1) Jesus is the creator of the universe (Jn. 1:3)

14) To God, every knee will bow and every tongue confess (Isa. 45:22-23) To Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue confess (Phil. 2:10-11)

15) God is the same and his years will have no end (Ps. 102:27) Jesus is the same and his years will have no end (Heb. 1:12)

16) God is immutable (Mal. 3:6) Jesus is immutable (Heb. 13:8)

17) God is over all (Ps.? 97:9) Jesus is over all (Jn. 3:31)

18) The spirit of God dwells in us (Rom. 8:9) The spirit of Jesus dwells in us (Gal. 4:6)

19) God is a stone of offense and a stumbling block (Isa. 8:14) Jesus is a stone of offense and a stumbling block (1 Pet. 2:8)

20) God was valued at 30 pieces of silver (Zech. 11:12-13) Jesus was valued at 30 pieces of silver (Mt. 24:14-16)

1021   54 years ago
The Fear of the Lord

       Wow! The Lord gave me this word today driving in my truck near Raleigh.The Spirit came on so strong and started talking to me in my heart and mind,i could hardly wait to get home to look up some scriptures and share with you all. I know this has to be for some of you as much as it was for me.

        I was driving into Raleigh this afternoon looking for some supplies for a job when a police car quickly pulled out right behind me and started following me real close.I knew i hadn't done anything and i knew my tags and stuff were current but i tell you,i made two or three turns and he was still right there on me. Well i started getting nervous and fearful and wondering if I'd done something wrong or was everything alright with my truck etc.I'm sure this has happened to some of you.Well after several miles he got in other lane and went on. soon as he did the Lord said to me "Jerry,Do you fear Me like that? Why don't my people fear Me? I am watching and following all the time." It hit me and I had to ask the Lord to forgive me from where i have failed Him.

        If i could get that fearful about what a cop thinks or what i might have done wrong why in the world are we not fearful of what God thinks. He is everything.He is everywhere.He is all knowing.There's nothing we do that can hide from Him.

God see's that bad look we give to someone,That ugly comment we say about someone or to them or that attitude we have.He hears when we listen to things we shouldn't.He see's when we watch or look at things we shouldn't.He knows when we are dishonest or sneaky.He knows and see's everything we hear,speak,see.Everything we do. He is like that policeman following us all the time but He loves us and cares about us and it hurts Him when we don't care enough about Him to do right and be fearful of Him and respectful of Him.

        When I was a boy growing up I had a respect and fear for my earthly dad.I knew if i didn't behave or did something wrong that he would tear my butt up when he found out.I always thought twice about doing anything that would disappoint my dad or bring his belt down on my butt.Yea I tried him a few times but never got away with it. That's the respect and fear that I believe God wants us to have for Him but to a greater degree.

         The Bible is full of verse's talking about the fear of the Lord.

      Deuteronomy 28:58 (If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE Lord THY GOD;)

        Proverbs 1:28,29 (28.Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:29.For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord)

      Proverbs 9:10 (The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.)

       Proverbs 14:27 (The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. )

     Proverbs 15:33 (The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility. )

       Psalms 19:9 (The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. )

      Psalms 111:10 (The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. )

     Proverbs 1:7 (The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. )

      Proverbs 10:27 (The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. )

    Proverbs 16:6 (By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.)

     Proverbs 23:17 (Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long. )

     Proverbs 8:13 (The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. )


        I know that's a lot of scriptures but there are many more speaking about the fear of the Lord and as you can see having that fear makes us stronger,smarter,wiser,live longer,makes us a better person plus we are commanded to do it so it is a must in our Christian walk.

      How can we as Christians not care about the places we go,the things we listen to,the things we see,the things we say and do without thinking about the Lord and caring about what he thinks or is He proud of us.

         Ask yourself ,is the things I'm doing,places I'm going,things I'm listening to or watching pleasing to my God? Do I fear the Lord and really care what He thinks of me? If you don't my friend you better ask Him in right now and for forgiveness.

      We all are treading on deadly ground if we don't care and do like we want to and not have a fear for the Lord because you know what my friends? He is watching and He is following us all the time.Nothing we can get away with so there's no use in trying Him.There is always a price to pay for disobedience.

        I challenge you as well as my self to get a new fear for the Lord and lets live a life that is pleasing to Him.What better way to show God we love Him than to do His Word and have a respectful fear for Him that all we want to do is be pleasing to Him.

         I love you my friends and i share this with you in love .I know this is what God would have me to say today.

                                                                                                                                                                                   Jerry

11611   54 years ago
Christian Teen Fantasy Now Available

The Christian teen fantasy entitled Hafren: A Fantasy for the Young at Heart is now available.  The novel got a great review from the Midwest Book Review.  Hafren: A Fantasy for the Young at Heart is available from amazon.com and from the Lighthouse Christian Publishing website fantasy page two.

1124   54 years ago
Believing in the Lord God has nothing to do with the fear of death

...and everything to do with the love of His love. I have taken a glimpse to His wisdom and seen examples of His power. These are the ones who shake and overwhelm the fragile human heart. But I have also picked some holy drops of His love, beyond His greatest gift, sign and wonder.

These drops are more precious to me than my life in eternity, for I would gladly give not only this short life, but also an eternal one for just a moment in which I would be one with such one drop and thus, one with Him.

There is a presentiment of the following incredible happiness, that cannot be express in the poor human way of language. Not even the greatest form of art wouldn't help. Only the tears, the sweet river of tears can give a small sign of it. 

Oh, yes, Mr. Dawkins and others like him should better discover this before claiming that fear of death turns people into believers. Love of the holy love takes all in the true believer's heart. Consequently, fear of death is out of it and stays out for ever.

May our dear Lord and Father use us to bring His light to all the good and lonely hearts of the people who haven't yet recognized Him!

18479   54 years ago
World Peace

To all who "have ears to hear and eyes to see..."- I invite you to join me in this petition.  Simply click on this URL.  Sign the Petition if you would like to join me.  It will take many signatures so maybe you can copy and paste this URL and send it to your contacts on FB, blogs, websites and channels.   

http://www.change.org/petitions/president-obama-and-the-congress-of-the-united-states-stop-engaging-in-war-say-no-to-war  

970   54 years ago
Faith That Saves

<p>&#160; Faith That Saves "Without faith it is impossible to please God" (Heb. 11:6). &#160; What is faith? We often say, "I have faith" or "I&#39;m saved by faith alone," but what do we mean when we say this? Are we living up to what faith really is? Hebrews 11 speaks of many men and women of faith; what was it about their lives that earned them the right to be known as people of great faith? It&#39;s important for us to understand what faith it is because Heb. 11:6 tells us that “without faith it is impossible to please God.” So, if we want to please God, in fact if we want to be saved, then we must have faith that saves because it is through our faith that we are saved. Eph. 2:8 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith." &#160; Heb. 11:1 tells us that "faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Faith is an inner conviction which overflows into the life of Christians and results in a lifestyle of holy living and good works for the Lord. &#160; Faith and holy living It is through our faith that we believe in Jesus and are saved from our sins. Rom. 3:22 tells us that "righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." The word &#39;believe&#39; means to commit to or to put trust in. When we commit our ways to Jesus, and put our trust in Him for the forgiveness of sins, we receive the Holy Spirit who empowers us to resist sin and to live a righteous life. In 1 Pet. 1:16, God commands us to live a righteous life where He says, "Be holy, because I am holy." It&#39;s very important that we follow this command because "without holiness no one will see the Lord" (Heb. 12:14). &#160; Faith and works A Christian&#39;s lifestyle includes both holy living and good works. Good works don&#39;t save us but rather, they are the result of being saved. James 2:18 tells us that someone may say, "You have faith; I have deeds." James&#39; reply to this is, "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do." James is saying that faith is proven by its actions. The fact is, faith without good works (deeds) is a dead faith. James 2:26 says, "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." Good works, such as helping those in need, is a natural result of our salvation and part of a Christian&#39;s lifestyle. James 1:27 says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress [that is, do good works] and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world [that is, keep oneself from sin]." So, a Christian lifestyle includes both good works and holy living. &#160; Living out our faith When we sit on a chair, we have faith that the chair won&#39;t break. If we thought it would break then we wouldn&#39;t sit on it. This is like the story of a man who walked a tightrope over the Niagara falls, pushing a wheelbarrow. When he got to the other side he asked the people if they believed that he could go across again with someone in the barrow. They said “Yes” but when he asked for a volunteer to get in the barrow, no one would do it. The people believed that it could be done but no one had the faith to do it. The fact is, we can&#39;t have absolute faith in material things like chairs and we can&#39;t always fully trust people because people and the things of this world can fail us but thankfully God never does. In Num. 23:19 we are told, "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?" We can trust God fully because He faithfully fulfils every promise He makes. &#160; Jesus is our greatest example of faith and we need to look to Him for strength. Heb. 12:2 says, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Jesus willingly went to the cross with the absolute faith that God would raise Him from the dead. He had perfect trust in God&#39;s promises and so can we. The Old Testament saints were commended for their faith because they believed against all odds. By faith Abraham believed God&#39;s promises and was even willing to sacrifice his son, believing that God would raise him from the dead (Heb. 11:8-19). Hebrews 11 is known as the Heroes Of The Faith chapter. It mentions many men and women who had a living, active faith which was proven by their actions. Even though they faced mockery, rejection, terrible persecution, huge enemy armies etc. they believed God and kept their faith and have gone on to their eternal rewards. They followed James&#39; example where he said, "I will show you my faith by what I do" (James 2:18). &#160; Finally Faith that saves is an ongoing, active faith which leads us to repent of our sins and commit ourself to living a holy lifestyle and to stand firm in the face of hardship and persecution. Our faith grows when we exercise it by believing God&#39;s promises and acting on them. Faith is like a muscle: exercise it and it grows stronger; do nothing and it becomes as weak as a baby. 2 Cor. 5:7 tells us that "We live by faith, not by sight" but faith is not blind. Even though we can&#39;t see what we believe in, there is no need for us to grope along like blind men as we have the Holy Spirit and the infallible Word of God to guide us in thought, word and deed. By faith we can believe every promise in the Bible and when we act on that faith God fulfils His promises to us and our faith grows. Amen. &#160; &#160; This article can be downloaded under the heading Blog Articles at http://www.christianissues.biz/downloads.html &#160; Mick Alexander Email: leeandmick@gmail.com Website: www.ChristianIssues.biz</p>

827   54 years ago

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