Showing posts with label Biblical Christianity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Biblical Christianity. Show all posts

Thursday, April 30, 2015

The dirty little secret no one wants to admit about Baltimore


Written by Allen West on April 29, 2015 allenbwest.com

 


The population of Baltimore is 622,000 and 63 percent of its population is black. The mayor, state’s attorney, police chief and city council president are black, as is 48 percent of the police force. But as 36-year-old Robert Stokes says, “You look around and see unemployment. Filling out job applications and being turned down because of where you live and your demographic. It’s so much bigger than the police department.”

Everyone wants to have an honest conversation about race, so let’s us endeavor to do just that. Now, of course, when you speak the hard truth about race issues in America – and not just the liberal progressive talking points – and you’re white, you’ll be branded a racist. And if you’re black, well, y’all just watch the comments below and see the denigrating drivel.

As posted on Breitbart.com by John Nolte, “Contrary to the emotional blackmail some leftists are attempting to peddle, Baltimore is not America’s problem or shame. That failed city is solely and completely a Democrat problem.”

“Like many failed cities, Detroit comes to mind, and every city besieged recently by rioting, Democrats and their union pals have had carte blanche to inflict their ideas and policies on Baltimore since 1967, the last time there was a Republican Mayor. In 2012, after four years of his own failed policies, President Obama won a whopping 87.4% of the Baltimore city vote. Democrats run the city of Baltimore, the unions, the schools, and, yes, the police force. Since 1969, there have only been only been two Republican governors of the State of Maryland. Elijah Cummings has represented Baltimore in the U.S. Congress for more than thirty years.”

“As I write this, despite his objectively disastrous reign, the Democrat-infested mainstream media is treating the Democrat like a local folk hero, not the obvious and glaring failure he really is. Every single member of the Baltimore city council is a Democrat. Liberalism and all the toxic government dependence and cronyism and union corruption and failed schools that comes along with it, has run amok in Baltimore for a half-century, and that is Baltimore’s problem. It is the free people of Baltimore who elect and then re-elect those who institute policies that have so spectacularly failed that once-great city. It is the free people of Baltimore who elected Mayor “Space-to-Destroy”.

Mr. Nolte is white and we all know the invectives which will be hurled his way — but he is absolutely correct.

I was watching the news reports from Baltimore and hearing all the condemnations from some about being kept down and the lack of jobs, opportunity, good schools — then why do these blacks keep voting for the same people? And this isn’t a phenomenon isolated to Baltimore.

Every single major urban center in America is run by Democrats — more specifically, liberal progressives, black or white. The morass that became Detroit. The killing fields of Chicago. The depravity of Washington DC. The shame of South Dallas. And yes, even the place that was once my home, Atlanta — even with all the successful black entertainers.

Now, I remember the first black mayor of Atlanta, Maynard Jackson. That guy was a leader and even spoke at my high school Baccalaureate. But today, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed has done such a bang-up job that the Atlanta Braves are moving to Cobb County!

Just do the assessment yourselves, who are the elected officials heading up the urban centers? And where does one find the most dire socio-economic statistics?

Yet we hear these rioters blame whites — well, they need to make sure they’re specifically blaming the correct whites — those on the left. Blacks have been herded into these inner city clusters, a new economic plantation and in this 50th year of President Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society — well, the unintended, or maybe intended, consequences are deplorable.

But Mr. Nolte does bring up an interesting comparative analysis. He writes:

“Poverty has nothing to do with it. This madness and chaos and anarchy is a Democrat-driven culture that starts at the top with a racially-divisive White House heartbreakingly effective at ginning up hate and violence. Where I currently reside here in Watauga County, North Carolina, the poverty level is 31.3%. Median income is only $34,293. In both of those areas we are much worse off than Baltimore, that has a poverty rate of only 23.8% and a median income of $41,385. Despite all that, we don’t riot here in Watauga County. Thankfully, we have not been poisoned by the same left-wing culture that is rotting Baltimore, and so many other cities like it, from the inside out. We get along remarkably well. We are neighbors. We are people who help out one another. We take pride in our community, and are grateful for what we do have. We are far from perfect, but we work out our many differences in civilized ways. Solutions are our goal, not cronyism, narcissistic victimhood, and the blaming of others.”

The truth is that it is a culture of dependency as promulgated by the race baiters and new plantation overseers of the inner city that has created what we’re seeing play out in Baltimore. There is where the blame lies, but there are very few who are willing to admit just that.

Remember what ESPN sports commentator Stephen A. Smith said? He wished that for one voting cycle, the black community would vote Republican. Heck, they could do no worse — and look, even the people of the state of Maryland decided to try something different and elected a Republican governor. Who, when finally asked, immediately activated the National Guard to quell the violence and chaos which the Democrat Mayor of Baltimore failed to comprehend, and control. Perhaps what we’re witnessing in Baltimore is the pure definition of insanity — continuing to do the same thing and expect different results.

Yes, the dirty little secret that no one wants to admit is that Baltimore, and so many other urban areas and inner city communities in America are a reflection of the abject failure of liberal progressive socialist policies as advanced by the Democrat party.

The preeminent question is whether or not those in Baltimore and other places will recognize who is truly responsible for their plight. Or will they continue to be manipulated and propagandized by the liberal progressive media and the poverty pimps like the one supposedly heading down from New York City.

John Nolte’s piece was spot on and this is not about an American failure, it is about a Democrat failure. And ask yourself, who were the ones who developed the concept of urban economic empowerment zones — as opposed to the ones who have produced urban depraved enslavement zones?

 

Thursday, January 29, 2015

IT IS WELL WORTH IT


 

Last week I talked to a man from half way around the world that claims to have repented and was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of his sins as according to Acts 2:38, but…..

This man said, “I tried and tried to believe in the name of Jesus Christ but I could not bring myself to actually get to that point, I DO NOT BELIEVE.” Herein lies the problem with  ‘The Acts 2:38 Only Doctrine’ for salvation, there is no power in being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ if a person does not believe. This man went on to say, “I tried to pray, I really did, but when you do not know who you are to pray to it is hard to believe in what you are praying for.”

He asked me, “Since I have been baptized in water, in the name of Jesus Christ…. am I saved? Do I have the gift of Eternal Salvation?”

All I could do is shake my head while looking at the words this man just wrote to me. I realized that no one had introduced this man to Jesus Christ, no one had ever showed him Scripture in the Bible to confirm to this man who Jesus Christ is. I found it quite amazing that someone, a man of GOD especially did not take the time to show this man who Jesus Christ really is before baptizing him in the name of Jesus Christ.

I replied: “To answer your question as politely as I can, no matter what anyone else tells you, YOU ARE NOT SAVED! Being baptized in accordance with Acts 2:38 and not believing on the name of Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you only took a very public bath with your clothes on. If you were to die today without believing that Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross, died as the ultimate sacrifice for the forgiveness of your sins, was buried and arose again on the third day you will be judged as a non-believer and cast out into outer darkness for eternity.”

He replied a short time later, “So, you are saying I waisted my time being baptized and if I were to die today, I would go to hell. Thank you for your honesty, that is all I asked from the others that enticed me to be baptized, I will let you know what the others say that talked me into being baptized a few days ago.”

Before he logged off, I gave him a link to an online Bible Study site and gave a list of scriptures to read and study. I told him that someone dropped the ball but GOD led him to someone that would pick that ball up and not let it go until he believed in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Just about an hour ago, I got a message from this man, “Bishop Sparks, thank you for introducing me to who Jesus Christ really is. Thank you for giving me that list for Scriptures to study and meditate on. I just want to let you know that I spoke with that group and their preacher that baptized me that day telling them what you had said. They tried their best to prove you wrong but with the Word of GOD that you gave me, you proved all of them wrong. Three men actually became so angry that they were made to leave and I could hear them yelling all the way out the door. The preacher looked at me and said, ‘I thought you believed already, if I would have known you did not, I would have not baptized you, please forgive me.’ He offered to pray with me and asked what he could pray about, I said, I want to believe, I really do. The preacher prayed for me and suggested I contact you when I start believing in the name of Jesus Christ. Well, I want you to know, I do believe now, not because of anything that preacher said or even what you said, but what the Bible says in John 3:15-21. Thank you Bishop Sparks for your obedience unto GOD and your integrity to speak the Truth. I now BELIEVE and now I know I AM SAVED!”

To all those brothers and sisters in the Lord that believe in the Acts 2:38 Doctrine as your plan of Salvation, I caution you to make sure you are leading people to believe in Jesus Christ first. Without believing they can never be saved because they are condemned unto judgement. Just to bring back into remembrance what the Word of GOD teaches:

15 That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For GOD so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For GOD sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of GOD. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in GOD.” (John 3:15-21 KJV)

Please remember not to get ahead of GOD, there are those He is still reaching out to, just to believe in Him. It is easy for you and I to have faith in GOD and know that Jesus Christ is our Savior but there are those that just do not believe. It is not that they are bad people, most of the time it is the fact that we as Christians have forgotten what it means to not believe. GOD loves you and I even those that are afar off, the Word of GOD teaches:

8 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 thine 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. 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:8-15 KJV)

Be steadfast in your faith and exercise your belief in the one that we call Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ reached out to you even in your unbelief and through His love and patience caused you to believe. Lead someone to believe in Jesus Christ today, trust me, it is well worth it…..

Seeking the face of GOD
His Always
Bishop Darrin Sparks
Touching Heaven Ministries

Friday, December 12, 2014

Earl J. Knotts shares his notes


By him all things consist!
Praise the Lord everyone! Today, I would like to talk about the greatness of God! My scripture text is:

Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Has anyone of you ever just thought about how great, mighty, and awesome our God truly is? While I was walking, rejoicing, and talking to the Lord, the subject of this topic came to me. And I started thinking about what I am writing. And I thought about all of the things that our Lord created; even the smallest of things, and even that which we cannot see with our eyes. Everything that exist, the life here on Earth, our solar system, the entire universe, even to the atom, all has a balance, and an order to them! And all things were created by God! Just take a look at the atom! And what is an atom? Does not all creation consist of atoms? Absolutely! Without atoms, nothing would exist! And the very God we serve, created the atom, and he holds all atoms together by his awesome power, and might! We humans put God in a box, and try to place him in "our" way of thinking! We need to stop doing that! God created all things, and placed them in order according to his perfect will! We need to just allow God to have his way, and let his perfect will be done in our lives! We need to stop worrying about things, and just let God, be God! So stop worrying about things, and just put all things in his hands, and he will take care of it! Matt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

God is more than Amazing!
Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Gen 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Gen 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.

John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

 Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence.

Col 1:19 For it pleased [the Father] that in him should all fulness dwell;

Col 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven.

 Ps 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

 1Cor 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

The Covenant of Jesus Christ


  
By Kenneth Pitcock

     The greatest gift available to man is the Covenant of Jesus Christ. There is nothing in our lives as important as eternal life. Eternal life is only available through the Covenant of our Lord. There are many false doctrines in the world today. The scriptures teach that many false prophets will arise and deceive many. (Matthew 24:11)  Only the Chosen of the Lord will receive His Covenant. He told us that “Many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 20:16) The way to eternal life is a narrow path. This means that there are dangers on both sides of the path. To understand God's will, it requires us to seek Him and do His will. The scripture states; “We know that God heareth not sinners, but if any man be a worshiper of God and doeth His will, him God heareth.” (John 9:31)  It is evident by this scripture, that the casual seeker will not be able to make an appeal to the Lord. Jesus also told us that: “broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, but straight is the gait that leadeth to life, and few there be that find it.”(Matthew 7:13) This lesson is written so those that hunger and thirst after righteousness are assisted in finding it.

     The word covenant can easily be interchanged with promise. His Covenant is His promise to you, and your promise to Him. His Church is called the Bride of Christ. Therefore, this Covenant is as an espousal. Sometime after the return of Jesus, there is a marriage and marriage supper between Christ and His body of believers. (Revelations 19:7-9) God promises on His behalf, that He will forgive you of your sins and never impute them  (charge them)  to you. (Romans 4:7-8) It also states that by His one sacrifice, He has perfected them forever who are sanctified, whereby the Holy Spirit is witness.(Hebrew 10:14-20) Once you have repented of your sins, been baptized in Jesus name, and received the Holy Ghost, you're perfected forever! There is no more sacrifice that is needed to be made. This is possible because once you're born again, you are taken out of the law, and placed into the law of the liberty in Christ Jesus. (James 2:12) His laws have been placed in our hearts and minds. There is therefore no need for a written law anymore. We are no longer subject to such things as touch not, taste not, and handle not.(Colossians2:21) There are many man made religions that seek to put a bondage on the believers of the Lord. They are mostly imposed by teaching people that they are required to obey the Mosaic Law of the Old Testament. Others impose their own man made doctrines. When the Apostles were gathered to discuss the restrictions that were to be imposed on the Gentile believers, (Non Jewish)   they gave their voices in Acts15:5-20.  They were to refrain from pollution to idols, from fornication, from things strangled, and from blood.

    Someone that is born again is the Lords free man. Yet, because of his love of Jesus, he has made himself a servant of Jesus. A true believer desires not to sin. A true believer will seek to please and worship the Lord.  Like earlier stated, a born again person is taken out of the law. Where there is no law, there can be no transgression.(Romans 4:15) It is crazy to drive a car 100 MPH down a city street. However, if there is no law against it, you can not be prosecuted for it. Therefore since you are no longer under the law, when you do things contained in the law, you are no longer charged with it. It is for this cause that Jesus went into hell after giving His life on the cross to preach unto the disobedient in Noah's days. They were wicked and violent, but the only law given to man at that time, was not to eat of the tree of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden. I can't tell you what Jesus preached to those souls, but it is evident that it was something that they could be judged by at the Judgment of the Lord.

  This subject of law versus grace was of much discussion during the early church. But, the apostles did conclude as above stated the things believers were to refrain from.

     To understand this subject, it is necessary to put it in the overall plan of God. The scriptures teach us that before the law, sin was in the world, but where there is no law, there is no transgression. (Romans 4:15)  The purpose of the law was to make all guilty before God. (Romans 3:19)  Then, it would allow them to turn to Jesus and His plan of salvation to be saved. The Apostle Paul was used greatly by the Lord Jesus to bring this understanding to the Church. It was of great great concern to the Jews who were converted to Jesus that had been keepers of the law. As a matter of fact, Jesus became a stumbling block to the Jews because they sought to be justified by keeping the law, when the law was given to make all guilty. They tried to seek justification by keeping the ordinances contained in the law. Romans 9:30-33 explains this in more detail. We can't make ourselves anymore right than the work that Jesus did for us on the cross. Doing things in the law will not give you anymore favor with God. On the contrary, if we seek to be justified by doing the things in the law, we will fall from grace. Galatians (5:4) Galatians 2:16-21 deals with this and what we are to do for justification. The seriousness of this subject can't be over stated. None of us want to fall from grace!

     Many ministers in this day are so afraid to preach this truth because they feel it will give their believers an attitude of; let us do whatever we want, good or bad. This is far from the truth! Someone truly born again will only seek to do things that please God. If you make a mistake, you will be the first to repent and try to please God. No laws or rules are able to stop people from doing wrong. Nor, can they justify anyone by doing what is right. We are justified by faith in the Lord. Believing He will do what He promised in His covenant.

     Our part of the covenant requires us to be faithful to the Lord and have no other God, or idol before Him. We are required to be faithful to Him. There are a few things that the Apostles taught us to do according to the flesh. You will find them in the writings of the Apostles in the New Testament.

     I am writing this because of the many teachings that are in the world today, and the fact that unless you really understand the LIBERTY that the Lord gives us, you will not understand how much love and trust He has for you. In marriage between a man and woman, trust is a big issue. With God, it is called faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. A good man does not put a bunch of rules and regulations on his wife. He trusts her. A good woman doesn't mess around with other men, but is faithful to her husband. When true love is obtained, fear is not present, but faith, hope, and charity!

The scripture proclaims that it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. (Luke 12:32).

   This teaching in no way is designed to teach anyone to do wrong. Paul explained this also in Romans 6:1-2. “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid, How shall we that are dead to sin continue any longer therein? If we make a mistake or do wrong, we are to repent and continually die out to sin.

        The law has an effect on the human soul. It will actually put a snare on you that will cause you to do the things that are contained in it. It works it's purpose to make you guilty as God designed it to do. Paul explained this in Romans chapter 7. Please read the entire chapter.

     This liberty that the Lord has given us is not to be used for an occasion to serve our flesh. (Galatians 5:13)  We understand from the teaching of Jesus that all the commandments in the law can be summed in in one statement: love thy neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-40) If we really love someone, we will not transgress against them. Therefore it is concluded that by love we fulfill the law of God. John also spoke that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments and they will not be grievous.(1 John 5:3) The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost that is given to us. It is therefore by love and faith that we please God, not by works of the law.

     It is important that we lay no burdens on the children of God that are not ordained by the Lord. When you do this to the children of God, you are just as guilty as one that teaches it is okay to sin because you're under grace. It works both ways. We must be very careful not to add to or take away from God's Word. The Apostle Paul was concerned about those that would enter in teaching the law, not understanding the things that they were doing. (1Timothy 1:5-10)The law is for the ungodly and sinners, not for the righteous.

     You ministers of God, heed this warning; Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. If your minister preaches anything other than this, you need to get away and find someone that will preach and practice the truth.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Ark of the Covenant Found, and Real Mt. Sinai site.

These aren't brand new, but have you seen these yet? Compelling.


Triple chocolate fudge

Saturday, October 4, 2014


 
Time to rebuild the 3rd Temple is upon us!



Ready for 3rd Temple Ministration in Jerusalem?? Wait, WHAT?







Vatican Signs Covenant With Israel! הוותיקן סימני ברית עם ישראל


Monday, September 29, 2014

Allen West: “Barack Hussein Obama is an Islamist”

http://conservativetribune.com/allen-west-obama-an-islamist/


 Although he claims to be a Christian, many have argued for years that President Barack Obama is secretly a Muslim, despite the fact that his domestic policy agenda clearly indicates his secular humanist philosophy.

However, that does not mean that the president cannot be an Islamist–one who supports fundamental Islam. In fact, it’s hard to look objectively at his foreign policy without reaching that conclusion. His support of Foreign Terrorist Organization Hamas in its barbaric attacks against Israel is one obvious example–but only one of many.

Still, in this age of political correctness, many might hesitate to pin such a label on the president. Unless you’re Allen West.

According to the Daily Caller, West recently said just that.

West says it’s the only logical way that he can find to explain many of Obama’s foreign policy decisions.Top of Form

Bottom of Form

The retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel cites six examples of Obama’s Islamist foreign policy, including his support in Egypt for the Muslim Brotherhood–the group from which Hamas and al-Qaeda originated.


Obama also recently lifted a 30-year-old ban that prohibited Libyan nationals from attending flight schools or nuclear science programs in the United States, which West points to as further evidence of his Islamist bent.

“The pivot away from the Middle East seems to be nothing more than an opportunity to enable Islamists and their goals,” the former Florida congressman wrote in a recent column. “The only plausible explanation for many actions taken by President Obama and his administration is that they are working counter to the security of the United States of America.”

West could be right, although his claims of such wanton treason seem a bit extreme. On the other hand, so are this president’s actions in ignoring the best interests of America both at home and abroad. And West is certainly not alone in his belief that Obama is orchestrating these crises.

There is, however, one other plausible explanation. We should remember that, prior to his five years in the White House, President Obama had essentially zero executive experience.

He may simply not have the first clue about what he’s doing.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Guess Which American President Will Keynote Huge Brotherhood-Backed Muslim Convention?


At least one convention speaker openly supports Hamas...
Norvell RoseAugust 27, 2014
http://www.westernjournalism.com/

The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), the nation’s largest Muslim group, is holding its annual convention this coming weekend in Detroit…just down the road from Dearborn, MI, with a very heavy Arab Muslim population.

The reported keynote speaker for this Muslim gathering will be none other than former President Jimmy Carter, known for his cavorting with tyrants and dictators, as well as his harsh criticism of Israel — so harsh that some have labelled Carter an anti-Semite.

Among the convention’s presentations is a session entitled, “Generations Rise: Elevating Muslim-American Culture”, which is also the theme of the conference.

According to research provided by discoverthenetworks.org, the ISNA has close ties with the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist organization whose five-part slogan is, “Allah is our objective; the Qur’an is the Constitution; the Prophet is our leader; jihad is our way; death for the sake of Allah is our wish.”


As author and terrorism expert Steven Emerson puts it, ISNA “grew out of the Muslim Students Association, which … was founded by Brotherhood members.” Indeed, Muslim Brothers would dominate ISNA’s leadership throughout its early years, when the Society was highly dependent upon Saudi funding.

The Independent Sentinel reports that other convention speakers to address the gathering alongside Jimmy Carter will be:

Hassan Qazwini, Imam of The Islamic Center of America, will speak. An extremely influential Shi’a religious leader, he openly supports Hamas and Hezbollah. He had a close relationship with Ahmadinejad.

Another speaker Zaid Shakir, former Muslim chaplain at Yale University, does not believe Muslims can accept the legitimacy of the existing American order. He claims that organizations like Hamas and al Qaida are pursuing legitimate objectives.

Dr. Jamal Badawi, a former Board of Directors member of The Muslim Brotherhood in the U.S.
 
Remember how Jimmy Carter was supposed to be a Christian? Still believe it?

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

FAITH


 

“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.“ (Hebrews 11:6)

GOD applies salvation with regeneration and in justification be energizing faith in the believer. Faith is the channel through which GOD’s grace flows. It is the means by which grace is appropriated. Faith brings delight to GOD and salvation to mankind. By faith GOD is perceived and in faith the believer is pardoned.

There are three virtues: “Faith, Hope, and Love”. Only love remains eternal. Faith is that virtue making GOD’s love eternal in salvation. Both believing faith and saving grace are gifts from GOD.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of GOD: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

“But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of GOD, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.” (Romans 5:15)

Faith is that capacity of the human heart by which the nature of GOD, the gift of salvation and the eternal purposes of the Almighty are understood. Faith is embedded in hope and is the predecessor to sight. It envisions the impossible and accepts the incredible. Faith is uniquely a human capacity but is naturally rejected by the heart because of sin. Faith is the only key that will unlock the release of making from the condemnation for his sin and that will grant eternal salvation.

THE NEED FOR FAITH

The first time the word faith is used in Scripture it is spoked by Moses as he quotes GOD’s evaluation of Israel.

“And GOD said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.” (Deuteronomy 32:20)

The Lord Jesus also described Hes generation as having no faith:

“And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:40)

“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in GOD.” (Mark 11:22)

The lack of faith results in the unlikeness of GOD and in the unhappiness of people:

A.)   Inability to live life with meaning… 

“But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of GOD, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” (Galatians 3:11)

B.)   Fear in life… 

“And He saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.” (Matt. 8:26)

C.)   Suffering and illness… 

“And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” (James 5:15)

D.)   Doubt and uncertainty… 

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, yeshall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed , and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.” (Matthew 21:21)

E.)   Worry and anxiety… 

“And He said unto His disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and GOD feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then GOD so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will He clothe you, O ye of little faith?” (Luke 12:22-28)

F.)   Weakness and loss of strength… 

“And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” (Acts 3:16)

G.)   Hatred and absence of love… 

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.” (Galatians 5:6)

H.)   Hopelessness… 

“For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of                                                   righteousness by faith.” (Galatians 5:5)

I.)   Insecurity and shyness… 

“In whom we have boldness and access with                                              confidence by the faith of Him.” (Ephesians 3:12)

J.)   Joylessness… 

“And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith.” (Philippians 1:25)

K.)   Loss of assurance… 

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,                          having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies          washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:22)

L.)   Lostness toward GOD… (Ephesians 2:8) 

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of GOD.” (Ephesians 2:8)

THE NATURE OF FAITH

There are three kinds of faith:

A.)  Factual Faith: This form of faith depends on historic or scientific data. It is a trust in what is evident or seen. Every person has this kind of faith. Seeing is believing. Jesus said that Thomas had this kind of faith.  Jesus saith unto him, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed….(John 20:29)

B.)  Temporary Faith:  The faith is flawed because it does not last. It flares up quickly but fails to endure. Yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.” (Matthew 13:21) Judas probably had temporary faith even though he was a disciple, chosen and commissioned. He preached and participated in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout Israel but wavered in his faith and betrayed the Lord, this can be found in Matthew chapter 10.

C.)  Saving Faith: Called “the operation of GOD” (Colossians 2:12), saving faith “justifies and redeems the believer” (Romans 10:17). It is more than an acknowledgement of the facts or the recognition of GOD as Savior. The demons “believed” and testified that “Jesus was the Son of GOD” (Matthew 8:29). This faith, however, moves beyond an initial response and an understanding of truth to commitment, “… for obedience to the faith…” as found in Romans 1:5.

1.)   The Source of Faith:  The Word of GOD, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of GOD.” (Romans 10:17) “Many heard the Word and believed.” (Acts 4:4) These Scriptures are the means by which GOD draws faith from the believer. GOD’s inerrant Word communicates the completely adequate message to man. The truth from GOD about mankind’s need for salvation and GOD’s free offer of grace is mediated by the Word. Faith is born from the seed of the Word. Faith grows as it feeds on the Word. Faith is established and continues steadfastly by the Word.

2.) The Substance of Faith:  The formation of two responses by the believer:

a.)  First is Acknowledgement:  To trust in GOD for salvation is to distrust in mankind’s ability to save himself. GOD’s righteousness can be appreciated only when compared to mankind’s unrighteousness… “Not having mine own righteousness,” Paul confessed in Philippians 3:9. Faith recognizes the personal obligation of sin and in repentance turns from it… “… yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life whichI now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God“ (Galatians 2:20). The return to GOD begins with the recognition of the sinner’s offense to GOD. Jesus explains it in the parable of the prodigal son,  “And when he came to himself, he said , How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father,and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,  And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.  And he arose , and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off , his father saw him, and had compassion , and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.  And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.” (Luke 15:17-21). In the loss to self-confidence in any ability to save himself, the stirrings of salvation begin. The sinner turns in faith to GOD, who alone can save. (See Acts 4:12; 16:31)

b.) Appropriation is the second response of faith in salvation. “He love me and He gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Acknowledgement recognizes that “Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). But appropriation says, “GOD commended His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Saving faith receives GOD’s gift of eternal life. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become the sons of GOD” (John 1:12). Thomas said, “My Lord, my GOD” (John 20:28). The source of faith is the Word of GOD. The substance of faith is action.

Seeking the face of GOD
His Always
Bishop JD Sparks
Touching Heaven Ministries

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