Friday, February 27, 2015

Send Not To Know For Whom The Bell Tolls


This life is short, death takes just a moment, but eternity is forever.

All normal people are concerned about their own and their family's welfare .... health, happiness, life, children, resources and other needs. But not many seem concerned about the single most important need of every person ever born. That need supersedes all other human needs. It is the need of eternity
after these short, temporal lives, on earth, end. What then? Many years ago, as a young pastor, I was visiting a gentleman who had sought my counsel about a troubled marriage. After he had poured out all the difficulties between him and his wife, I asked him what his goals were. He said his goal for the next year was to finish getting his college degree. "What then," I asked. He said he planned to get a job with a certain large corporation. "What then" I repeated. He explained how he hoped to work his way up the corporate ladder. "What then," I asked again. He said he wanted to buy a home and have children. "What then?" He continued to relate to me all his hopes and dreams and I continued to respond, "What then?" finally he said, "After retirement we want to travel." What then?  I guess I will die". "And what then", I asked. He was silent for a time and humbly answered ... "I don't know."  So, what would your answer be to that question ... "What then?"


It is a strange thing that most of humanity is concerned about living this short few years in the flesh but very little about eternity ... forever. We all know we will one day die and we do all in our power to stay healthy and alive. But time will bring us all to the moment of our death. What then? God's word warns us of that certain moment .... "For we must needs die ...." 2 Sam.14:14. Suffering Job knew his eventual fate was death ... "For I know that thou wilt bring me to death." Job 20:23.  David also accepted the fact ..."... Wise men die, likewise the fool." Psm.49:10.  Wise King Solomon had immense power and had need of nothing in this life, but meekly admitted, "There is no man that hath power in the day of death." Ecc. 8:8. The Apostle Paul plainly declared it in Romans 5:12 "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned...." The book of Hebrews assigns death to God's book of appointments ... "... It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment...." Heb.9:27. 

No man is an island, Entire of itself. Each is a piece of the continent, part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less. As well as if a promontory were. As well as if a manor of thine own or of thy friend's were. Each man's death diminishes me, For I am involved in mankind. Therefore, send not to know for whom the bell tolls, It tolls 
for thee.  By John Donne

So think not that when the old church bell tolls the death of someone in your city, that it has to be a friend or acquaintance or neighbor or perchance a stranger.... No, it tolls for us all. We all must die ... and will .... "It tolls for me ... and it tolls for thee".  So consider not just your life, but your death, and
your eternity, while you yet have time to come to Christ. RB


Wednesday, February 25, 2015

What Is The Logic Of An Illogical Cause Of Creations Reality?

Since the first generation outside of the Garden of Eden, there have always been some of the most intelligent people who have denied the existence of a "God". One reason for that is, that no human has ever looked upon the person of Jehovah God. Jesus said, "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." John 1:18.

The few times that God has manifested Himself to anyone, by speaking audibly to them, were extremely exceptional. It has never been God's intention to, in effect, scare unbelievers into believing in Him by making a physical appearance or "command performance". Jesus Christ was the exception to God appearing to human eyes, but even He did not come into men's presence in His deified glory, or in a threatening or intimidating manner. You see, God wants us to believe in Him by faith ... as a personal choice  based on the obvious truth that He "IS".  "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Heb.11:6.
Anybody would believe in a "God" who appeared in huge form in the sky and spoke like thunder, ""I am God.... but that would not be faith, it would be physical, fleshly vision and hearing. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Heb.11:6. Having to "see" the God of the Universe, with fleshly eyes, before you will believe, is sin. "...Whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Rom. 14:23.  If we saw God in His infinitely, glorious brilliance, it would kill us. But how can one believe in something or someone they can't see with their eyes or hear with their ears or feel with their hands?  That is the reason God Gave us His Holy word in the Bible. He foretold the coming of  His Son, Jesus, in human form, an extension of God, Himself,  in a body that could be seen and heard and suffer and die on the cross for our sins. "Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?" John 14:9. Jesus declared plainly, "I and my Father are one." John 10:30.

Any true Christian will tell you that it was God's word, the Holy Bible, that convinced them of God, beyond any doubt, and beyond the observable, visible universe, nature and the millions of created miracles of God's infinite, genius and power. God's word is the confirmation of those created miracles. "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are madeeven his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse." Rom.1:20. If we had nothing but creation, itself, as a witness to the reality of a Creator God, that alone would be enough to convince a reasonable person to believe in Him, but it wouldn't cleanse us of our sins. Only Jesus coming to die on Calvary's Hill could do that... through faith in Him.

The primary reason many, otherwise intelligent people, say they do not believe in a "God", is that it isn't logical to them, it can't be proven to their satisfaction, and besides, a good God wouldn't allow cruelty,  injustice, war, disease .... and so on. The problem with that is that this tiny finite, (minuscule  at any distance), brain of man is guessing at God's infinite purpose and plan for humanity. Some deny Him ... knowing that if they ever truly believed on Him they would have to repent of the deep-rooted sins they don't want to give up or have taken from them. Their lust is greater than God ... to them.

If you don't believe God's word, the Bible, you have no other means of having the remotest idea of God's mind, and purpose of His creation and His will for us. You have no solid ground to stand on, no final authority if you do not have God's clear word on the subject. Evolution is more guess work and is simply the only alternative excuse unbelievers could dream up that they could twist into a pretzel appearance of something "scientific", so that they could appear as one of the intelligentsia. But error, with eternal consequences, is not intelligent. "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called." 1 Tim. 6:20.

Like it or not, the theory of evolution was devised and is an alternative religious faith for atheists who prefer any cause of creation other than a Creator ... God.

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Like It Or Not, Abortion Is The Murder Of A Human Being

The very first conception and birth of a living person took place in Gen.4:1 by the spiritual and physical union of husband and wife, Adam and Eve. "And Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bare Cain ...." She "conceived" a living person named Cain. He was a tiny person from the moment of his conception, a growing human being for nine months until he was able to survive on his mother's milk and breath air outside of his mother. He was a living person and an eternal soul as much the day before his physical birth as he was the day after his birth.

The same was true of the un-named "child" conceived by Bathsheba in an illegitimate sexual encounter with King David, not her husband. When she realized she was "with child", she notified David in these words, "I am with child" (1Sam.11:5).  She did not say "I am pregnant with your seed" or "I have a fertilized egg" or "I am with embryo or fetus". She said, "I am with child", a human being, a living person, a "child". He only lived seven days after his birth, but he was an eternal soul.

When the Archangel, Gabriel, spoke to Mary, of her cousin Elizabeth's conception of John The Baptist, he said to her that "She (Elizabeth) hath conceived a son ...."( Luke 1:36). Gabriel did not say she hath conceived a glob of flesh, but "a son", a living person, an eternal soul destined to herald the coming of Messiah (Christ) and preach "Repent ye".

When that same Gabriel told Mary she was chosen to conceive the "Son of God" (Lk.1:26-35) and name Him Jesus, that conception was more than a seed or sperm or just a bit of disposable flesh. Her "son" Jesus was at conception and even before conception, the Messiah, God extended from heaven to earth. At conception, He took on a body of human flesh but the spirit in Him was the eternal Spirit of God. King Herod tried to kill Him but God the Father was protecting him for his purpose in coming to earth .... dying on the cross for our sins that we might be redeemed by his death, a death which required a human body.

David, speaking of his own conception, put it this way, "... Thou (God) hast covered ME in my mother's womb ...." Psm 139:13. From the moment of David's conception, he was "ME" ... himself, a human being, a person, an eternal soul. David said in his prayer to his Creator, that long before his physical birth .... "Thine eyes did see MY substance, yet being imperfect and in thy book all MY members were written .... " Psm.139:16. God had David, his conception, and birth, on His Creator's drawing board with specifications, eons before he was conceived and "became a living human".
God in flesh.

God could stop all abortions but He does not because when He created people, in his own image and likeness, it was his sovereign will to give us a free will to decide, choose and do what we will to do. He does not cancel out our free will  even when we choose to do bad things like abortion, but we shall give account to Him for those bad choices. Even abortion is forgivable if we repent of it to our Creator.

In East Asia, people count a new-born child as already one-year-old... from conception. Nine months old is more accurate, but they are closer to the true beginning of life than we are. I was conceived in March of 1930 and born Dec. 24, 1930, by birthday.  But my eternal soul and spirit were conceived in March ... which makes the better part of me turning 85 in about 30 days. RB





Thursday, February 19, 2015

Tribulation, Like A Storm, Arises Upon Earth's Horizon ....



It is not ease, health, luxury and abundance which build character, faith and endurance. It is persistent pain, suffering long, merciless persecution and all manner of hardship (tribulation) which builds those elements of character ... faith, endurance and spiritual stamina. Easy times build nothing but fat, weakness, laziness and the illusion of entitlement. That is why the Apostle Paul extolled "tribulation" as the seed and root of "patience"(endurance). Rom.5:3 "...We glory in tribulations ... knowing that tribulation worketh patience."

The Greek word translated "tribulation", in the New Testament, is "thlipsis" and means affliction.  The Greek word translated "patience" is"hupomone" and means patient endurance.

Jesus forewarned Christians that in the last days, a time of Great Tribulation would engulf the people of earth."For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." Matt.24:21. Leading up to that "Great Tribulation" there will be, as clouds, wind and thunder precede the main storm, lesser tribulations which will strengthen Christians with patient endurance in preparation for harder times yet through the first half of the 7 year Tribulation Period. But Christians will be spared the last half, known as the Great Tribulation, by the Rapture.  The prophet Jeremiah calls that last half"Jacob's trouble" in Jer.30:7, and in which the Jews will be saved. Jesus assured we Christians that we will have to endure some tribulations, but it will serve His purpose in our lives. ..."In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 13:33.

He also reveals to us that tribulations will weed unbelievers out of His churches.
"Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended." Matt.13:21. In the end times, persecution and tribulations will purge true Christian churches of pretenders and unbelievers. That is why the Apostle continually traveled back to the churches he had established ... to "confirm" the legitimacy of their membership and to strengthen the true believers.....
"Confirming the souls of the disciplesand exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."Acts 14:22. Paul also reminds us that for followers of Christ, tribulation is so certain as to be "appointed" to us by our God. We have an appointment with it."That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto." 1 Thess.3:3

Even so, our Lord, who suffered every kind of suffering and persecution, will be there with us to comfort and strengthen us and use tribulation to build patience (spiritual endurance) into our souls."Who comforteth us in all our tribulationthat we may be able to comfortthem which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." 2 Cor.1:4.


So we see through the glass darkly that it is true that "All things work together forgood to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his  purpose" ....even tribulation, affliction and every kind of hardship. Rom.8:28.


Because of Paul's understanding of these deeper truths of God, he was victorious in every trial, persecution and hardship he suffered ... and rejoiced in them....

"Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation." 2 Cor.7:4.

It was so real to Paul that he could see the spiritual growth and benefits which grew out of tribulations ... even in the tribulations of his fellow disciples.

"So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure." 2 Thess.1:4.

"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 patienceAnd 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" Rom.5:2-5.


Tribulation is absolutely necessary for spiritual growth and endurance. RB 

Monday, February 16, 2015

Today We Celebrate The Birthday Of "The Father Of Our Nation", George Washington... A Christian


Those who argue that our country was not founded by Christians have to be intentionally self-deluded. General George Washington, who led the battle for our Independence, signed the Constitution and was our first President, is still commonly known as the "Father" of our nation. He was not only a committed Christian but an outspoken one.

Kirby Anderson's Viewpoint


Today is George Washington’s birthday. He was actually born on February 11, 1731 according to the Julian calendar. But later the colonies adopted the Gregorian calendar making his birthday February 22. But now the federal government declared the third Monday in February as his birthday.
In his eulogy for George Washington, Henry Lee said he was, “First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” We could also say that Washington demonstrated Christian character both in war and in peace.
One of his orders while serving as the general in the Revolutionary War was to establish chaplains. He wrote that: “All chaplains are to perform divine service tomorrow, and on every succeeding Sunday . . . The commander in chief expects an exact compliance with this order . . . and every neglect will be considered not only a breach of orders, but a disregard to decency, virtue and religion.”
Washington grew even more explicit as the war dragged on: “While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of a Christian.”
In his inaugural address, Washington said: “No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States. Every step, by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency.”
He issued a thanksgiving proclamation in 1789 in which he asserted “the duty of all nations” in regard to God. And in his farewell address, he reminded Americans that: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.”
Washington demonstrated Christian character in war and in peace.

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Dealing With Disagreements Concerning Scriptural Doctrine

All scripture is inspired of God, both Old, and New Testaments. It was perfectly composed, precept upon precept, line upon line, and therefore should be studied and "rightly divided" if we, as Christians, are to grow in grace, be effective disciples, and be approved by God.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness...." 2 Tim.3:16."But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon lineline upon line...." Isaiah 28:13."Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."  2 Tim.2:15. 
There is much doctrinal disagreement between professing "Christian" Denominations and even within Denominations as well as in individual churches. Some of those differences include whether Salvation is totally by grace through faith or includes some measure of good works. Another is whether predestination springs from God's eternal foreknowledge or foreknowledge springs from predestination. Others concern tithing, marriage, sin, prophecy, baptismal regeneration, a literal or figurative hell... and many other doctrines. "Doctrine is simply a word referring to the primary, foundational subjects of God's word.
Where one is uncertain of the interpretation or understanding of a scripture or doctrine, or when there appears to be a contradiction between two scriptural texts, one must go with the preponderance of evidence and which position most clearly harmonizes with the whole counsel of God. It is always proper to consider which of two opposing, doctrinal positions is most compatible with the revealed mind of God in all the rest of scripture. Every true Christian knows that no two scriptures contradict each other. So, whatever a verse means, that meaning will be discovered in the light of all scripture.
Bible commentaries are fine, but they are not holy scripture. All commentaries were written by faulty men who wrote what they believed was true, but no man is "perfectly" correct on everything he believes. Only Jesus, the Living Word of God, was perfectly perfect. The Bible throws more light on commentaries than commentaries do the Bible.
"For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of GodTake heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified." Acts 20:27-32. As a general rule, you are safe and correct to simply interpret every scripture to mean exactly what it says, within its context. If there are extenuating circumstances, types, illustrations and proverbs or hyperbole, they must conform with all the rest of scripture. The word of God does not contradict itself, exaggerate or lie.


Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Random Thoughts Which Crossed My Mind

salvationnationkingdom.blogspot.com


Words must mean something definite and understandable or they serve no meaningful purpose.  A liar voids his right to expect a serious conversation with anyone.


On Evolution

The illogical theory that the huge variety of vegetation, animal life, soil content, a habitable atmosphere and the marvelous functionality of Earth and of human biology, and the fantastic content and efficiency of the infinite universe .... just accidentally happened, without intelligent design, is unbelievably ignorant and inexcusable. "For the invisible things of him (God) from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even  his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse...." Rom.1:20.


On Repentance 

The surest cure for lust and sin is fear, pain, sickness, death and love. The Law, rules, intimidation and societal expectations are not nearly so preventive of evil. If neither Christ's death for you nor God's judgement upon you do not reach you ... you are hopeless."....strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world...." Eph.2:12.



On The Sin Of Lucifer 

Blasphemy is when the Spirit of God convinces a soul that God is God, and yet that created soul still reviles, speaks and fights against God when they know He IS God. Lucifer committed this unpardonable sin. Since He could not hit, hurt or hinder God's person, he resorted to all he could do. He conspired, influenced and otherwise spoke evil against God. See Isaiah 14 and Ezek. 28.



On Deserving Salvation


If you did not deserve salvation when you got it, you cannot lose it when you still do not deserve it. If you think you did deserve salvation by your good works, you are not even saved at all."Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost...." Titus 3:5.



On Eternal Life


If you can think beyond the present, and believe what has to be true, though unfathomable, you can be guaranteed, without question, eternal life by resting your faith, hope and love in Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sin and everlasting life."Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved ...."  Acts 16:31.



On Calling A Thing What It Is

Isaiah 32:5 "The vile person shall be no more called liberal." RB



On Lies, Falsehoods And Truth

If a person is incorrect in what he says, but thinks it is true, it is not a lie but a falsehood. But, if he knows it is false and tells it as the truth, he is lying. If a person is correct in what he says, but thinks it is a lie, it is not a falsehood but a lie ... because he thought he was lying, but told it anyway. Our God is not picky about small things. He is not looking for some minor mistake of yours to slap you around. Probably everyone exaggerates the truth, in some small degree, from time to time to make an

unimportant event more interesting ... and is therefore lying, but I doubt that God puts that in the
same category with lies which destroy lives, homes, friendships, reputations and even nations. RB



On Socialism's Greed

Gallant sacrifice and heroic action are so contrary to normal human nature as to demand recognition, appreciation and commendation from the rest of us... not envy, greed or criticism.
"And ... as (Jesus) sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious, and she brake the box and poured it on his head.  And there were some that had indignation within themselves and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always." Mk.14:3-7. Judas was obviously a Socialist.



Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Christian Cross' And Altars In VA Chapels Now "Unauthorized"?



I personally put no weight at all in "statues" and so-called "pictures of Christ". We do not have any true pictures of Jesus so they mean nothing or less than nothing. As for statues of Jesus or the Apostles, they are strictly forbidden in scripture and have no place in a Christian Church or chapel. But the Cross and altars and Christian Bibles are always acceptable in churches or chapels, whatever the denomination. The Bible itself is the only real essential in a house of worship.  RB


This from Truth Or Fiction


Truth Or Fiction



Chaplain Says Officials Ordered Him to Cover Christian Symbols In VA Chapel-
Truth!
Summary of the eRumor:  Has the Veterans Administration (VA) ordered that religious symbols and statues no longer be allowed at facility chapels?

The Truth:  
According to the website for the Oscar G Johnson Medical Center Veterans Affairs hospital in Iron Mountain, Michigan, the chapel is described as "non-denominational," although weekly Protestant and Catholic services are scheduled there "on a regular basis." The hospital was told that Christian symbols and religious items inside the chapel were no longer permitted. 


Article from "Christian Today" June 2014
The article said that the chapel "was found in non-compliance with a 2008 federal regulation that mandates that the house of worship be nonsectarian." In order to comply with the regulation, statues, crucifix and an altar "were encircled with a curtain at the Iron Mountain chapel after an inspection by the National Chaplain Center discovered the unauthorized items. "_________________________________

And this from...

NewsMax

Christian Symbols Removed From VA Chapel

Thursday, 22 Jan 2015 01:09 PM


I try to make it a practice to vett the circulating-emails I receive before I forward them on. I think one of the best sources to vett email rumors is TruthOrFiction.com. The site seems to lack a political bias one way or another, and are discerning in terms of religious rumors. They don't throw the baby out with the bathwater — particularly the baby in the manger.
The other day I received an email that I thought worth checking out. It claimed that in a chapel in a VA hospital, administrators had covered up Christian symbols because of a federal order to do so. In the chapel. I checked this out with TruthOrFiction.com, there it was labeled as truth.
TruthOrFiction.com went on to observe, "In order to comply with the regulation statutes, crucifix and an altar 'were encircled with a curtain at the Iron Mountain chapel after an inspection by the National Chaplain Center discovered the unauthorized items."
The policy went into effect in 2008. Since 2009, Under the Obama Administration, since 2009, things have only gotten worse.
I remember when Obama spoke at Georgetown one time. He demanded that they cover over "IHS" in the background — in that Catholic building.
I'll bet 90 percent of Christians don't even know what IHS stands for. I had to take New Testament Greek to find out myself. H, I, and S are the first three letters in the Greek language of Jesus — Iota, Eta, and Sigma. The English equivalent would be J, E, and S. It simply means Jesus.
It would appear that some in our government today seem to follow the ABC principle — anything but Christ. Like Dracula, they recoil at the sight of the cross.
America's founders gave us freedom of religion. Liberals today like to limit that liberty to freedom of worship. Yet, apparently at services at the VA chapels, even the freedom to truly worship has been truncated.
To what God are they allowed to pray? "To whom it may concern"? What an insult to the Christian veterans of whatever stripe. No one is forcing anyone to bow down to that cross in the chapel — or to worship the God of the cross.  How far we have fallen as a nation. When he was in Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, General George Washington insisted on hiring military chaplains systematically. Here were paid Christian clergymen to pray and serve the troops in an explicitly Christian way.
But leftists today take "the separation of church and state" to ridiculous lengths, often doing so in the name of Thomas Jefferson.
A letter written January 1, 1802 by Thomas Jefferson is the source of the phrase "a wall of separation between Church and State." He wrote this to the Danbury Baptists, who cheered him on as president and as a champion of religious freedom.
They closed their letter, "And may the Lord preserve you safe from every evil and bring you at last to his Heavenly Kingdom through Jesus Christ our Glorious Mediator."
Jefferson's obscure letter of reply changed history because in 1947, the U.S. Supreme Court took it as the Rosetta Stone of the First Amendment. No longer was that first right in our Bill of Rights understood to mean, "In these United States, there would be no national denomination" (which is what it actually intended).
Now, instead, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion . . . " meant that a strict wall separating church and state was to be built.
Ironically, if the liberals were right, Jefferson violated the separation of church and state in the very letter that gave us the separation of church and state, since he closes his reply with this, "I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and blessing of the common Father and Creator of man, and tender you for yourselves and your religious association, assurances of my high respect and esteem." Prayer? To God? By a president?  We seem to have a case of national amnesia today, and that can be seen by what apparently is not seen in some of our VA hospital chapels of late. 

____________________________________

What is my reaction?  First, our government is spending far too much time regulating religion, churches and especially Christian Churches, which is a violation of our Constitutional Freedom of religion.  So, until we get rid of the present administration, the "Christian" chaplains should fill the chapel every service with free Holy Bibles for any vet who wants one, and then preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them, pray for them, and our power absorbed president and politicians.  RB


Friday, February 6, 2015

The Kingdom Of God Is The Mission Of "Salvation Nation"

In the Old Testament, God gave the Kingdom Of God to the Jewish nation (Israel),  "And the LORD said ... Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed (Jesus) in him." Gen.18:17. "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people....  And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel." Ex.19:5-6. So, in the Old Testament, the Jews were God's Salvation Nation among the nations of the world. The Jews had God's Kingdom work, His Tabernacle, His Temple, His Prophets, His Priests and Kings ... as well as the O.T. Scriptures. But when the Jew's prophesied, promised Messiah (Christ) came, fulfilling all those prophecies, the Jewish leaders led the people to reject Him. And because they violated the conditions of their appointment as the world's Salvation Nation, and God's "peculiar treasure" and "holy nation",the Kingdom of God was taken from them and they were no longer God's "Salvation Nation", though still God's chosen people."Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing.... Therefore, say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof." Matt.21:42-43. 

So the Jewish Messiah (Christ) turned from the Jewish nation and turned to believing Jews and Gentiles and established His Church as the new Salvation Nation to do the work of the Kingdom of God and "bring forth the fruits thereof."
Jesus asked His Apostles, the first members of His church, in Jerusalem, who they thought He was"And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said .... flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee ....upon this rock I will build my church...." Matt.16:16-18.
So Jesus took God's Kingdom work away from the Jewish nation and established a new Salvation Nation to handle the holy things of God ... His church, His Gospel, The Holy Scriptures, Baptism, tithes and offerings, and God's business on earth, The Kingdom Of God. He instructed His Apostles and disciples not to be too concerned with the necessities of life ... "But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Luke 12:31-32.

The churches of Jesus Christ became the New Testament Salvation Nation and were given the authority, power and responsibility of the Kingdom of God. And still, to this day, and until Jesus returns, true Bible believing, Spirit filled church's are God's Salvation Nation and are doing the work of the Kingdom of God's Great commission.
One of the last things Jesus said to His Church ... the Salvation Nation, was concerning the Kingdom work of the Great Commission .... "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. Matt. 24:14.


Every Christian and every true church is responsible to do, and help others do, that Kingdom work "unto all nations". There is not a nation or a person God does not want to hear His "gospel of the kingdom". Every nation on every Continent and every person in every nation is a candidate to become a member of the Kingdom of God and the Salvation Nation of Jesus Christ. Even the vilest and wickedness nations and those who simply have a false, fanatical religion or lifestyle, such as the Kingdoms of wickedness........

AbomiNation - "And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations ...." 1 K.14:24.

DiviNation - "Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken?" Ezek.13:7.

IndigNation - "And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day...." Luke 13:14.

DamNation - "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?" Matt.23:33.

ImagiNation -"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations ...." Rom.1:21.

CondemNation - "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." John 3:19. 

 And then one day, when all the unbelievers of all nations are called up before the Great White Throne of their Creator and Judge, to give an account of themselves, they shall finally bow, confess and worship Him.... but too late to be saved. This prophetic warning was given first through the Jewish prophet Isaiah, in the Old Testament. "I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth  in  righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.  Isa.45:23.
Seven hundred and fifty years later, in the New Testament, this same prophetic warning was repeated by the Apostle Paul ..."For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. Rom.14:11
..."Who shall not fear thee, O Lord ...  for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest." Rev.15:4.


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Followers of Christ seek after 
that Kingdom of Salvation Nation

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.....But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city." Heb.11:13-16.