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Religon Or Follower Of Christ

My Prayer

Please, Oh LORD, let these words you have enlightened me with, shine brightly into the world, so the blind may see.
In Jesus name, I pray

Religion

Welcome, I would like to take a look at what we call religion or being religious in today’s world and the difference in being a follower of Christ. First, we should look at the definitions of the two words, religion and religious.

Definition of religion: 1. the recognition of man’s relationship to a divine or supernatural power to whom obedience and honor are do; 2. the acts and practices of life that grow out of the recognition of such a relation; 3. any system of faith and worship; as the religion of the Greeks; 4. specif., conformity to the teachings of the Bible; Christian faith and practice.

Definition of religious: 1. feeling. And living in accordance with, a belief in a divine power to whom honor and obedience are due; devout; pious; 2. pertaining to, or set apart for, religion as a school; teaching religion, as a book; 3. bound by monastic vows; 4. strict; conscientious as, with religious care:---n. one who is bound by monastic vows. –adv.

Lets look at definition 1 on religion: The recognition of man’s relationship to a divine or supernatural power to whom obedience and honor are do; Notice it says divine or supernatural powers, this is to cover all religious purposes. For we know that there are many orders, groups, and cults willing to call themselves a religion, worshiping something other than God. They also show honor and obedience to whatever they decide to worship. The churches here today have many denominations and most of them cannot seem to find the true order of Christ. They have been fighting this for years, of who has the right religion. I think this should start to get my thoughts across to you and make you think! If you would like more information about this, you can go to: http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/religious confusion. This may make you think about what is happening in churches today.

Now, lets look at 2.: the acts and practices of life that grow out of the recognition of such a relation; this also covers definition 1.; religious. I could go on all day with this one but I will try to keep it short. This, you could say is where all the real trouble begins. The way you live is only a reflection of what you learn. It is like a computer, if you put junk in, your going to get junk back out. (Could this be why we have so many problems with our kids today.). Back to definition, this stands true in most religious orders we have today. They have a few who say they have this relationship with the supernatural power or God in some cases, believing that what they think should be adhered to by all. In turn, they get together and come up with a set order in which you and I should live our lives. (Note: It does not have to be what God had in mind.). In most cases, these ideas or concepts are mostly of men. Some of these men know, no better themselves having been taught from those above them and following without question. Only studying the things they were told to and not looking any further on their own. With so many twisted minds out there, who is to say what we could be following next. We now know why there is probably so much corruption going on in religious orders today. So just what are these acts and practices we are following. Can you prove which ones are of man and which ones are Gods. Can you show me in God’s word? Most people just follow along with what is set in front of them, as long as it does not mess up there life. If they do not agree with them, they just change where they worship, in most cases until they find something comfortable.

On to definition 3.: any system of faith and worship; as the religion of the Greeks; Here we go again, we are wide open for just about anything here. Man, has the ability to take just about anything and make it into something, even though it really is nothing. Man’s ability to create is only next to God, for in his own mind, man can come up with just about anything he needs too. Usually, he can find a way to justify it somehow. If he cannot justify it, he will just call it divine, supernatural or heaven sent. This makes it ok in his eyes and others. So in knowing this, you can make a religion out of just about anything man can think of. You just need to create a system and get others to believe and follow the ways you setup. If you can get them to put there trust into an object or concept, leading them to believe that they will have a better way of life because of some higher power or something to this nature and then you have the chance to create a new religion. Not to hard,” huh”, again you can see why there are so many problems and different forms of religions today. Especially when people do not take the time in today’s busy world, to research what it is that they are truly doing. People today will follow just about anything as long as it looks and sounds good. It is even better if it fits comfortable in their life style.

Now, here is definition 4.: under religious; strict; conscientious as, with religious care:---n. one who is bound by monastic vows. –adv.; Honestly, in today’s world, when people just tell you what they want you to hear, this has become a way of doing things in today’s society. What could make you think that even half of those who take vows are going to keep them, when most people cannot keep their marriage vows and those are to a person to whom they are suppose to love. What makes you think, that most of these people can keep their vows to God or to anything else, when a person they can see, touch and have a physical relationship with but they still cannot be true to them. What makes you think they can be true to anything else especially if they can’t see, feel or talk with them. Sixty or seventy years ago this may have had some meaning to it but probably not much more than it does today. You see mans word, does not hold much value. Most men’s words only hold value for that moment in time and are subject to change without notice, whenever he sees fit or the need arises. The only words you count on are those of God and Christ Jesus. For these stand for all times, never changing, everlasting and promises that are unbroken and some yet to be fulfilled. You see how I feel about vows that men take for the most part. I’d rather see a man with a good heart not taking vows and telling me the truth, than a man taking the vows and standing before me probably telling me a bunch of lies. Neither man may do the right thing but at least the man with a good heart did not lie by trying to make me think he would do the right thing. Now, so much for the man that took the vows, being strict, conscientious and caring, for we know that probably was not true either.

Now, to definition 4 under religion: specif., conformity to the teachings of the Bible; Christian faith and practice. Again, I see many problems in this area. You see, we have a problem with authority, we do not like for anyone or anything to tell us how to live our lives. Let alone for anyone to say we are wrong in the way we live our lives. You see, to following the teachings of the Bible goes against are very soul. Most of us are afraid to follow the teachings of the Bible and Christ because we know it would totally disrupt our lives, forever changing our friendships, the way we do business and our whole personal being. There are many of us who say we have accepted Christ into our lives but are having a hard time with this one (I being one of them but I am trying, with His help. I thank God for sending His Holy Spirit. For LORD has shown me the path, yet, I find it hard to walk, by myself). There are those who like to change things to fit their life styles so they will not feel uncomfortable worshiping God and not have to change there lives in the process. This is breaking down the church today and why so many are on different pages, even though I cannot seem to find them pages in Gods word. There is so much more to this, you really need to be careful in what you are following. If you would like to learn more you can go to:
http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/booklet/doyoubelievetheturegospel This may help you to understand better, along with reading your Bible and asking God for the truth, if you ask, he will show you. However, you may not wish to know.

Lets look at definition 3 under religious: 2. pertaining to, or set apart for, religion as a school; teaching religion, as a book; I find this to be true pretty much as stated. Pretend it does not pertain to us. We set it apart from our daily lives. Most people are trying to put their kids in religious schools. It is the only safe place any more and the rest are trying to keep religion out of our public schools. It is taught and being learned in Sunday school as if it were just a book! I think, I use to have this religious thing down pretty well, how about you?

Now lets review a little about what we have learned about religion and being religious; we have learned that we can create a religion with very little effort. We just need to create something to follow and get them to believe in it. Setup a system to follow in their life, practice it and teach it to others who will listen. It does not necessarily need to be about God but if we get this all to happen, we have a religion and if we follow the concepts, we can call ourselves religious. So in short, if we make a system up which others will believe, in the same way and follow a set of predefine rules we can call ourselves religious.

I think this pretty much covers this topic, so now lets move on to the follower of Christ. I cannot define this one using the dictionary but let me try to give you the best definition that I can with Gods help.

Follower of Christ:

1. believes in the all Mighty God and fears him. 2. one who has truly repented and confess of his sins. 3. accepted Christ Jesus into his life. 4. baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for remission of his sins. 5. filled with the Holy Sprit. 6. show the signs of gifts of the Holy Sprit. 7. live his life to glorify God.

Lets look at 1.: believes in the all Mighty God and fears him. He must have full respect for God’s power, that he knows all and has full control over everything, even his very own life, spirit and soul.

Matthew 10:26-28 (New King James Version)

26. Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.27. “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. 28. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Again he tells us in Luke.

Luke 12:3-5 (New King James Version)

3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. 4 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

You will find many, who say they fear God but I ask you, if they did, would they live and do the things they do. If I feared Him, I think I would want to be on his good side and be obedient to him, wouldn’t you? From my point of view, a follow of Christ is someone who holds the teachings of Christ and the word of God near to his heart and lives his life accordingly.

Now for 2.: one who has truly repented and has confessed of his sins. This must be done to be a follower of Christ. Jesus taught it and so did Peter. Jesus told the apostles after his resurrection, when He appeared unto them in the upper room that they should preach this to all nations.

Luke 24:46-48 (New King James Version)

46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things.

Peter said this when they asked, “What shall we do?”

Acts 2:38 (New King James Version)

38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Peter also said this for another reason.

Acts 3:19 (NewKing James Verson)

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

Lets look at 3.: has accepted Christ Jesus into his life. Unbelievably it really is not hard to tell if a man has accepted Christ into his life. Not a whole lot bothers him; he is content with what God has given him. You will also see it in his life style and how he treats people. The follower of Christ has the love of Christ in him, which shows through to his fellow man. Let us look at a few things from the Bible.

Notice Paul was content through all his troubles

Philippian1 4:10-12 (New King James Version)

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Paul in talking to Timothy tells us that being content has it advantages

1 Timothy 6:7-9 (New King James Version)

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.

This is probably the best way to tell if a man has accepted Christ into his life.

Mark 16:16-18 (New King James Version)

16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

If all these signs or some of them are happening in his life, you can pretty much believe, Christ is within him.

Now, lets look at 4.: baptized in the name of Jesus Christ remission of his sins. The act of Baptism is representation of Christ death, burial and resurrection. It also shows obedience to Him. This is another basic requirement of a follower of Christ. Here a again, is another big area for controversies in the churches today, some say we should be Baptized in the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, others in the name of Jesus Christ. Some believe that sprinkling water over your head is good enough to be called a baptism while others believe in full submersion under water. Lets see what the Bibles tells us.

Matthew 28:18-20 (New King James Version)

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Now, this is the verse that starts all the trouble, this is where they get baptizing in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Sprit but notice, it doe not say names, it said name, one, not three and there is one name, which is Jesus Christ.

Acts 4:12 (New King James Version)

says “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved “ also Peter told them “

Acts 2:38 (New King James Version)

38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
This verse also brings the trinity idea, in to play (By the way, the Bible does not say anything at all about trinity.} but where did it really come from. Under Emperor Jovian, who followed Julian, the substitution of Christianity for Mithraism made further progress, and old Pagan beliefs, like the Virgin Birth, Baptism and Holy Trinity, became generally accepted as the basis of the state religion. The early Christian idea of Unitarianism was quickly squashed in favour of Trinitarianism, and those who refused to accept the Holy Trinity were put to the sword, the beginning of mass slaughter in the name of religion, which was to go on for centuries. (They are talking about a sun God here)

John 14:6-8 (New King James Version)

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” 8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

In these verses, you see Jesus saying that he and the father are the same, but if this is not enough to convince you, here are some more verses that include the Holy Spirit.

John 14:20-23 (New King James Version)

20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

Now in these verses, we see Jesus saying that he and the father will come and make a home in you. This is through the Holy Spirit. All three are one through the Holy Spirit. Lets see, if I can explain this in a way that most will understand. A Squid has eight tentacles, all-reaching out from his body but all are part of the same body and so, all are part of one. This kind of shows the way God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, are. We just cannot see it with our eyes.

The part we are to focus on is the part that has been sacrificed to save us from eternal death and this is the channel or path through which we are saved, Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us in:

John 14:6 (New King James Version)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

By accepting Jesus Christ into your life and by the act of baptism, this is being washed with the blood of Jesus to wash your sins away, this makes you acceptable to God and both God and Jesus come to abide in you through the Holy Spirit. Water in the baptism symbolizes the blood of Jesus. He is the one who suffered and gave his life for us. It is because of his love for us that we are saved. The father sent him to us for this purpose. He is the one you must go to for the remission of your sins. The Holy Spirit was given to us after Christ went to be with our father as a helper, not as a savior. God and Jesus come and abide in you, through the Holy Spirit.

Now, if it were any different. Why then, were they told by Peter to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ?


Acts 2:38 (New King James Version)

38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit

Why then would Paul do this in the following verses, if it were not true and the way Jesus Christ had instructed him to do?

Acts 19:4-7 (New King James Version)

4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7 Now the men were about twelve in all.

Now, lets tackle Baptism part; some believe that sprinkling water over your head is good enough to be called a baptism, while other believe in full submersion underwater. Again, the act of Baptism is representation of Christ death, burial and resurrection. Since the New Testament was written in Greek we must define the Greek word that is our English word baptize. Standard Greek Lexicons (Dictionaries) recognized and used by scholars, schools and colleges uniformly define "baptize" as meaning "to immerse, dip or plunge." Note what two well known scholars have said concerning this word baptize:
"The very word `baptize', however, signifies immerse, and it is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church" John Calvin in Institutes, Vol. 3, p. 343.
"Alluding to the `immersion' practiced in the case of `adults,' wherein the person appeared to be buried under the water, as Christ was buried in the heart of the earth. His rising again the third day, and their emerging from the water, was an emblem of the resurrection of the body." Adam Clark in Commentary on Colossians 2:12. Having thus defined what we mean by baptize let us now note the Scriptures that pertain to baptism
If you wish to read more on Baptism, you can go to the following link. http://www.main.nc.us/spchurchofchrist/baptism.htm
Lets see what the Bibles say about this subject.

Unfortunately, the only places in the Bible I can find about baptism is in the book of Matthew. This is where we see Jesus, coming to John the Baptist, at the River Jordon. It says he came up immediately form the water. So I have to assume He was under water, if He came up from it.

Matthew 3:13-17 (New King James Version)

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” 15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. 16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

The only places in the Bible talking about sprinkling of water, is what I found here, as you can see sprinkling water was not for purposes of baptizing. In the case of baptism, water represents Christ Blood, which we need to be covered thoroughly with, so our sins are totally washed away or we can not stand before the Father. In the other cases there was much more to it than just the sprinkling of water as you will see.

Number 8: 5-12 (New King James Version)

5 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 6 “Take the Levites from among the children of Israel and cleanse them ceremonially. 7 Thus you shall do to them to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purification on them, and let them shave all their body, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean. 8 Then let them take a young bull with its grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil, and you shall take another young bull as a sin offering. 9 And you shall bring the Levites before the tabernacle of meeting, and you shall gather together the whole congregation of the children of Israel. 10 So you shall bring the Levites before the LORD, and the children of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites; 11 and Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD like a wave offering from the children of Israel, that they may perform the work of the LORD. 12 Then the Levites shall lay their hands on the heads of the young bulls, and you shall offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to the LORD, to make atonement for the Levites.

Numbers 19:13-22 (New King James Version)

13 Whoever touches the body of anyone who has died, and does not purify himself, defiles the tabernacle of the LORD. That person shall be cut off from Israel. He shall be unclean, because the water of purification was not sprinkled on him; his uncleanness is still on him. 14 ‘This is the law when a man dies in a tent: All who come into the tent and all who are in the tent shall be unclean seven days; 15 and every open vessel, which has no cover fastened on it, is unclean. 16 Whoever in the open field touches one who is slain by a sword or who has died, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days. 17 ‘And for an unclean person they shall take some of the ashes of the heifer burnt for purification from sin, and running water shall be put on them in a vessel. 18 A clean person shall take hyssop and dip it in the water, sprinkle it on the tent, on all the vessels, on the persons who were there, or on the one who touched a bone, the slain, the dead, or a grave. 19 The clean person shall sprinkle the unclean on the third day and on the seventh day; and on the seventh day he shall purify himself, wash his clothes, and bathe in water; and at evening he shall be clean. 20 ‘But the man who is unclean and does not purify himself, that person shall be cut off from among the assembly, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD. The water of purification has not been sprinkled on him; he is unclean. 21 It shall be a perpetual statute for them. He who sprinkles the water of purification shall wash his clothes; and he who touches the water of purification shall be unclean until evening. 22 Whatever the unclean person touches shall be unclean; and the person who touches it shall be unclean until evening.’”

In these verses, it says having ours hearts sprinkle, but we are to be, washed in pure water.

Hebrews 10:21-23 (New King James Version)

21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 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. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Here God cleans the house of Israel with the sprinkling of water but still it has nothing to do with baptism.

Ezekiel 36:22-26 (New King James Version)

22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. 23 And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the LORD,” says the Lord GOD, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. 24 For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. 25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

So in my search for the truth in these matters, I have concluded that it would be best, if I were to cover my but and do as Jesus said and done. Moreover, as he advised his apostles to do and they did. That being; submerged under water and in the name of Jesus Christ would be the way to go.

Definition 5; This is a very important part of the follower of Christ, filled with the Holy Sprit. This is so to speak, the follower’s lifeline. It guides him through his days. It is how Jesus and God communicate with him and how God works his gifts through him. Without the Holy Spirit the follower is nothing, this is what makes the true difference.
This gives him knowledge that sometimes he does not know he possesses. In matters, he may have no knowledge at all. If God leads him there, he will get what he needs, when he needs it. This is a gift that Jesus said was to be given to us when we accepted Him and are baptized in His name. Here is what the Bible tells us.

John 7:37-40 (New King James Version)

37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Even before his death and resurrection Jesus told of the gift of Holy Spirit in which you would receive if you believe in Him.



Luke 3:21-23 (New King James Version)

21 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. 22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

Even Jesus, was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 3:16 (New King James Version)

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.

Acts 2:38 (New King James Version)

38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 11:12-14 (New King James Version)

12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Here about twelve more receive the Holy Spirit and you hear about some of the gifts here, Tongues and Prophesies.

Acts 19:4-7 (New King James Version)

4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7 Now the men were about twelve in all.

Will get help from the Holy Spirit when needed.

Luke 12:11-12 (New King James Version)

11"When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say;
12for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."

The knowledge of things that seem to come from nowhere, the Holy Spirit will provide for you when needed. This is when real faith is called upon. My only hope is to have this kind of faith when the time comes.

John 14:26 (New King James Version)

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

The Holy Spirit will teach you of the word of God and His will, imbedding to into your heart so you will not forget.

Now lets look at definition 6: Shows the signs of gifts, of the Holy Sprit: Here again we have great debate, among the different denominations today. If the gifts are still active in the church today, some say they where done away with, all because of these next verses I am about to show you. I think that the people who say they are not active, need to look a little bit deep here. They truly are not under standing the meaning in this verse. As I explain this, you to will see the Gifts are indeed, a live and well today.

1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (New King James Version)

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

Here is what they see in these verses.

But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part

The love that never fails, is the love that comes from knowing Christ Jesus. This love is so great that, as long as we hold on to it, it gives us power to endure all things and do all things. It is this love that does away with these things in his coming. They miss the whole point of the verses; ”but when that which is perfect has come”, Jesus Christ, these gifts will be of no need any more. There will be no more sickness, so you will not need to lay hands on the sick. No need for prophecies, it will be all completed, we will be there with God, we will know. We will no longer need tongues to have our spirit speak to Him because we are in paradise with Him, we can go straight to Him and talk, besides we will know His will and plan. What do you need to pray for in paradise, you will have everything you need and so will everyone else? You see, while we are here before Christ returns, God shows each person a little bit of his plan, never letting us see the whole picture, he only shows you the part He wants you to be concerned with and understand. When He returns, you will know the whole plan, then we will know in full, not part. The most important part of all in His Coming is the perfect love we will share through knowing Jesus Christ. With God, Jesus and one another, this is love in its most perfect form.

So, He did not say the gifts were taken away at this time but there will come a time, when they will no longer be important to us after His return. The only thing that will matter will be our perfect love, which comes with Him who is perfect, in His coming.

Looking on further in the following verse we see there is nothing we cannot do. It is only due to the lack of faith that stops us from doing these things. If we just had that faith of a mustard seed, all things would be possible to us.

Matthew 17:20-26 (New King James Version)

20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”



The follower of Christ will show some or maybe all of these signs in his life, which were chosen by the Father and are given to him through the Holy Spirit, to draw nonbelievers near to him. That way, he may be able to teach and testify of Christ and the Kingdom Of God. They are small samples of God’s mercy and power for the nonbelievers; they are to help get the nonbelievers attention. They are to help his Children or fellow followers of Christ. These Signs are:

Miracles
Healings
Tongues
Interpretation of Tongues

The Holy Spirit helps us in many other areas in our walk with Christ. They are considered as being Gifts from the Holy Spirit; I will have to tell you about them later. Here are the ones you will see and hear about the most. These show the power of the Holy Spirit, which lives inside the follower. Through these signs you will know that, he is a follower of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12 (New King James Version)

Spiritual Gifts: Unity in Diversity
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

Mark 16:16-18 (New King James Version)

16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”


7. Lives his life as to glorify God: The follower of Christ should be living his life in a way that does not demean his character. His character should be as without blemish and question, of good standing.
He should be a man of his word, trusting and honest. He should live his life to serve those in need. He will be a helping hand to others, a friend in time of need, and a tower of strength when the storm comes. He should stand on his belief in God and obey his commandments. Yes, you should see Christ living in his life.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (New King James Version)

19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

This is my last and final comment in this matter.

After writing this with Gods help, I find myself with lots of work still to be done. This has been an eye opening experience for me and I hope it will be for you too. I once thought I was doing good and thought I was walking in the right direction. As God has let me see, I find that I may be on the wrong path. That my life is not as it should be. There are many areas of my life that I need Gods help. I find myself asking for forgiveness again, for my lack of understanding, needing more strength and faith in Him. My hope is to be able to someday fulfill what is written on these pages and much more. For I find myself falling short of His glory, I pray that He will forgive me and give me the strength to change my life to align to his will, as I also pray for you who find yourselves in the same boat. That some day we can all jump out of the boat together with Christ Jesus and take his hand in love.

May the love of God be with you all for now and forever.
In Jesus Christ name I pray
Amen

Written by
Don Minor
12/17/06

The eyes of man are blind

This verse gives you a lot to think about.

2 Corinthians 4:4 (King James Version)
4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

The devil does his best to cover the truth about Christ and the Kingdom Of God, that he does not want you to know. He will inspire man to change the word of God around to suit himself. He will help the false teacher in miss leading you. He knows your weakness and will key on every one of them. He has no mercy, he will destroy you any way he can. He would very much like to lead you down the wrong path. For there are many roads to his mansion but the road is narrow to the Kingdom Of God and only one way to him, Jesus Christ.
It is only with Gods help that you can see the light of Christ and the gospel of God. When He calls upon you, He will let you see clearly what has been hidden from you. He will give you the understanding of his words, He will make you hungry for his word and the truth. You will seek for the truth and he will let you find, just for the asking.
Now knowing all this, why are we still blind or are we? Have we just chosen to go our own way? Like the son who left is father, thinking he knew what he was doing only to fall flat on his face and have to come crawling home to his father to keep from starving to death. Do we really know as much as we think we do? He created everything from nothing and most of us can't create a pot to pee in with everything He's given us.

Dare you touch this one.

If you read the word of God and believe in Him, why do you not lay down the ways of the world and TAKE UP THE CROSS OF CHRIST.

Are you ashamed of Him, are your ideas better than His, are you all knowing? These things I ask you and I bet you are afraid to look at the answer. Again, you are without back bone, with or without Christ, God have mercy on all of you. If you can't stand for Him what makes you think he should stand for you. The time is coming to make your choice, which will it be?

Here's what gets me the most, all of you can stand back and ask where is the power of God. I hear you say, "I believe in God and I do not have the powers of the Gifts Of the Holy Spirit." Yes, you may well believe in God, even the devil believes in God but do you live by Gods word, does your life reflect Jesus Christ. If the lime light of the world would come to focus on your life would it be without question, would you be holy?

You dare to ask the question but fear to see the answer. Because it would mean you would have to judge yourself as you judge others and the world. We find it easy to look at others and hard to look at ourselves, if we truly look at ourselves we begin to see how ugly we are and turn away before we get to far, it is hard to confront ourselves and easy to confront others.

You ask how I can say these things, for I have looked for the answers to these questions and I have found the answers. God showed me but I have wasted a lot of time looking in the wrong places when all I had to do was ask and listen.

Just Think

Just think

Mark 9
1and he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.
2and after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
3and his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
4and there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.
As I read this today I had to stop and wonder for a minute! Who all was there, that we did not know about when he said some shall not tasted death. What exactly did they see when Jesus transfigured and what do you think was said between Jesus Elias and Moses at that time. Was he telling them what they need to do? Were they talking about what was going to happen? Tell me what you think they might of been talking about.

Have You Ever Really Read Genesis 1:26

Genesis 1:26
26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
Notice that god said "Let Us make man in Our Image, according to Our
Likeness;
Why did He not say: Let Me make man in My image, according to My likeness?
Let Me Hear your thoughs
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What Are They Teaching us

by Don on Sun 22 Oct 2006 08:01 PM EDT

My whole life, I was taught that when you are saved, you die and you go to heaven. Is this true, what does the Bible say, what did Christ say? Do you die and go straight to heaven.

John 11:11-13 (King James Version)
11These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
12Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
13Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
Acts 7:59-60 (King James Version)
59And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-15 (King James Version)
13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
Revelation 20:5-7 (King James Version)
5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
7And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

Take notice as it says, asleep in Jesus and that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
Kind of takes away for that die and go straight to heaven idea, doesn't it?