The Purification of Our Faith

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Adversity hurts, but in God’s hand, it purifies our faith and shapes us to look more like Jesus. Hebrews 11:32-40 32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. …

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The Weight of the World and Christ’s Coming

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Alf Cengia A few years ago I worked in a corporate environment. I was surrounded by account managers, salespeople and technical engineers who were constantly in and out of the office. They could be anywhere at any time, so I hardly ever paid much attention to what they were doing. I didn’t report to them and we had our own tasks to worry about. It was different with my boss. He’s the sort of man who demands hard work and quality performance from his staff. Under his leadership our branch of the business broke record after record. It was flattering …

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—If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” Matthew 9:20-21

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“Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the hem of his cloak. She said to herself—If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” Matthew 9:20-21 The ‘cloak of Christ’ still trails nearby us. It is by us, when we open the Bible and read His words. It is by us, when we feel the presence of the Holy Spirit with us. It is by our beds of pain, when we are sick. It is by us, when it grows dark around us with the gloom of …

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Grace to the Guilty

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Genesis 45:1-8 (KJV) 45 Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. 2 And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. 3 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. 4 And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. …

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The Work of the Spirit of God

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Reflections But when the Comforter is come, which I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, shall testify of Me. (John 15:26) What is the purpose and work of the Holy Spirit of God? It is to testify of Christ, glorify Christ, and edify in Christ. The purpose of the Spirit of God is to form Christ in us. That word, “form,” means, “to inwardly realize and express.” Thus, the Spirit of God is to reveal Jesus TO us, and IN us, and THROUGH us. The result is that we …

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75 – Prophecy against Edom

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This prophecy is an expansion of that which the Lord gave Ezekiel which was recorded in Ezekiel 25:12-14. Edom is characterized here by the mountain range on the east border of the Wadi Arabah south of the Dead Sea. Edom is a prototype of all Gentile nations in general and more specifically the Arab States. Ezekiel is commanded to convey a prophecy of God to the nation of Edom emphasizing His desire to destroy Edom as a judgment for the way in which they have historically treated Israel. One question which always seems to arise is why the judgment on just Esau. When, Esau (Edom) was Jacob’s (Israel) brother they both seemed to be sinners. From birth Jacob had his hand upon the heel of his brother Esau. Jacob was to receive the Abrahamic covenant as revealed to his mother Rebecca. But he took advantage of Esau and some would say stole the covenant by deceit. He did that to be sure but God’s plan was for him to have it and he was punished by God through his father in law Lavan for the manner in which he took it. Laban made him an indentured servant for nearly twenty years. God has said that, “I loved Jacob! And Esau I hated” (Malachi 1:3; Romans 9:13). Since God looks on the heart of a person and not the outward appearance we can see that God says that Esau despised his birthright.

 

75 – Prophecy against Edom

Trump’s adviser is due in Jerusalem, meets Netanyahu Monday

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DEBKAfile March 12, 2017, 8:31 PM (IDT) Jason Greenblatt, President Donald |Trump’s special adviser on international negotiations  has scheduled meetings Monday with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah Tuesday in an effort to jump-start the long-stalled peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The US embassy in Israel issued an official communiqué stating that discussions on relocating the embassy to Jerusalem will not be part of Greenblatt’s mission. He will also meet President Reuven Rivlin and opposition leader Yitzhak Herzog. .Saturday, Trump held his first conversation with Abbas. According to a White House press release, Trump …

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“Thou shalt love thy neighbour.” Matthew 5:43

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“Love thy neighbour.” Perhaps he rolls in riches, and thou art poor, and living in thy little cot side-by-side with his lordly mansion; thou seest every day his estates, his fine linen, and his sumptuous banquets; God has given him these gifts, covet not his wealth, and think no hard thoughts concerning him. Be content with thine own lot, if thou canst not better it, but do not look upon thy neighbour, and wish that he were as thyself. Love him, and then thou wilt not envy him. Perhaps, on the other hand, thou art rich, and near thee reside …

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The Amazing Truth of the Rapture

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By Dr. Thomas Ice When one sits back and contemplates the great truths contained in God’s plan for history as revealed in the Bible, it is truly amazing to contemplate such reality. A partial list would include the following: God’s creation out of nothing; God’s creation of angels and their role in history; man’s fall into sin; Noah’s Ark and the Flood; the tower of Babel; the call of Abraham; the Exodus and foundation of the nation of Israel; the up-and-down history of Israel, Christ’s first coming; His death, resurrection, and ascension; the founding of the church; and Christ’s promise …

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THEY HAVE SEEN NOTHING!

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“Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!” (Ezekiel 13:3 KJV). They have no spiritual eyes—they have seen nothing! If you are familiar with “Christian” radio and television programming, you have probably heard something like, “The Lord has just given me a word of knowledge for our audience….” Or, “God is speaking to me and He wants five people to send our ministry $1,000 each!” Maybe, “There is someone watching or listening who needs to be healed of foot pain [headaches, arthritis, et cetera]. God is now touching that …

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EXPRESSIONS OF PRAISE

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Worship isn’t limited to singing. In fact, it ought to fully permeate the believer’s life Psalm 34:1-3 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. Glorifying the Lord is not limited to worshipping in church. In fact, praise should permeate the believer’s life. One obvious way that we praise the Lord is with our voice. We can either speak or …

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What Happened to Ananias and Sapphira?

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Dr. Andy Woods Sugar Land Bible Church One of the most peculiar stories of the Bible involves the divine slaying of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11. The events of Acts 5:1-11 must be understood in harmony with the communal living arrangement practiced by the early church. Jews, who had traveled to Jerusalem from all over the known world to celebrate the Day of Pentecost (Lev 23:15-22), heard Peter’s message concerning the crucified, resurrected, and ascended Christ (Acts 2:14-36). Three thousand of these Jews trusted in the message of the gospel (Acts 2:41). Because they had changed their minds about Christ …

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