If you adhere to the written letter, aren't you being a Pharisee?

Question 4: If you adhere to the written letter, aren't you being a Pharisee?

Answer: The Pharisees’ problem was not that they adhered to the written letter of the Law, but that they did not adhere to the spirit of the Law and they added to the Law.

Example #1: Missing the Spirit of the Law.
Matthew 12: 1-14 “At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath." He answered, "Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread— which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven’t you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent? I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.”

The point of the Sabbath Law was to teach man to take a day of rest and worship. The Law was created for the benefit of man. When the legalistic interpretation of that Law endangered a human life, Jesus obeyed the spirit of the law rather than the letter of the law. Just as they would break sabbath to save a sheep that fell in a pit on the Sabbath, it was lawful to save a human on the Sabbath. Mark 2: 27 “Then he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”

Example #2: Adding to God’s Law
Mark 7:1-13 “The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were "unclean," that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.) So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with ‘unclean’ hands?" He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: "‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men." And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say that if a man says to his father or mother: ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is Corban’ (that is, a gift devoted to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."

Matthew 15:1-9 “Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!" Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ he is not to ‘honor his father’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’"

They added to God’s law the laws about Corban and then used it as an excuse to break the Law God gave about honoring your father and mother. The problem was not that they followed God’s law, but that they paid no attention to the spirit or purpose of the Law. They also added rules to the Law and used them as justification to break the law. Disobediance through violating the spirit of the Law is sin. Adding to the Word of God and using that as an excuse to disobey is a sin. Obediance is not a sin.

Many people believe that the indwelling Holy Spirit should lead more than any Bible verse.

Question 3: Many people believe that the indwelling Holy Spirit should lead more than any Bible verse.

Answer: Just because many believe it, does not make it right. 2 Peter 1: 20-21 says, “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

Scripture is not the will of man or interpretation of man. Scripture was written by men who were inspired or carried along by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the author of the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit wrote the Bible. Therefore, what the Holy Spirit leads us to do will NEVER contradict what the Scriptures teach and tell us to do. God cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18) and thus can’t contradict Himself.

In fact, 1 John 4:1 tells us, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” As we have already learned, we do this by comparing what someone teaches with the scriptures. If they contradict the Bible, then they are a false prophet. The Bible is the authority because it is the will of the Holy Spirit.

Is the Bible really important if God's Word is written on our hearts?

Question 2: Is the Bible really important if God's Word is written on our hearts?

Answer: The Bible is supremely important. The way we have God’s Word “written on our hearts” is to study, memorize and obey the Scriptures. Proverbs 7:1-3 teaches us, “My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” We write God’s Word on our hearts as we study the Scriptures and internalize them. It is something God commands us to do. The Bible is very important. It is how we find faith in God. The only knowledge we have of Jesus’ life, ministry and teaching comes from the New Testament Scriptures. The Bible is how the Holy Spirit writes on our heart.

The Apostles stated in Acts 6:4 that they would focus on “the ministry of the word." The Apostle Paul shared in this ministry. He writes in Galatians 2:8, “For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles.” Paul also had an Apostolic ministry to preach and teach the Scriptures. Acts 17:2 says, “As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures.” And he considered it a good thing when people would search the Scriptures to verify that what he taught was true. Acts 17:11 says, “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” We can verify if a teacher preaches the truth by comparing what he says with the Bible (See 1 John 4:1).

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:3 “You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” So the result of Paul teaching the Scriptures and the people verifying what Paul taught from the Scriptures was the Spirit of God was able to write His will on their hearts. Their knowledge of God’s will was the result of the Holy Spirit working through Paul’s ministry of teaching the Scriptures. The way God writes on our hearts is through the hearing, reading, study and acceptance of His Word. Yes, the Bible is important.

Are there any Bible references to the authority of the New Testament Scriptures?

Question: Are there any Bible references to the authority of the New Testament scriptures? Is the Bible really important if God's Word is written on our hearts? Many people believe that the indwelling Holy Spirit should lead more than any Bible verse. If you adhere to the written letter aren't you being a Pharisee? Being ultra-conservative and legalistic is a sin, isn't it?

Answer: Where do I start? This line of questioning tries to put the Scriptures in opposition to the Holy Spirit. It insinuates that the Holy Spirit may lead someone to do something that contradicts the teaching of Scriptures. It creates a false competition between the Holy Spirit and the Bible. It insinuates that only legalists would follow what the Bible actually says, and that to do so is to not follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. I will break this down into five questions and answer them individually.

Question 1: Are there any Bible references to the authority of the New Testament Scriptures?

Answer: 2 Timothy 3: 15-17 “…from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Yes, the Bible has authority. All scripture is God-breathed. That means it is from the mouth of God. It is God’s word. It is God’s will. What greater authority is there? It is God’s way. And it is all useful. We are to teach with it. We are to rebuke with it. We are to correct with it. We are to train with it. By this word we become wise for salvation through faith. In fact the Bible says that faith comes from the word (See Romans 10:17). It thoroughly equips us for every good work.

I don’t need modern day revelation. I don’t need to get some “word of knowledge” or other false doctrine mumbo-jumbo to know God’s will. The Bible and its teaching will thoroughly (that means completely) equip me for every (that means all) good work. The Bible is my guide book, my instruction manual, and my all sufficient source for doctrine. Psalms 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

Why don't you want to be called pastor? (Part 2)

Question: I have noticed that you do not refer to yourself as “Pastor.” Why don’t you call yourself “Pastor”? Isn’t that your job as the preacher at your church?

Answer part 2: Yesterday, I gave the first reason why I do not call myself “Pastor.” The reason was that in the Bible, “pastors” in the church were always the elders of the church, not the preachers. I explained that my role was the same as Timothy’s in the Bible, one of evangelist, which means “preacher of the good news.” Therefore, according to the Bible’s definition, I am not a “Pastor.” "(see yesterday's post for more info.)

http://scripturist.org/2005/05/why-dont-you-want-to-be-called-pastor.html

Though it is my role and the Biblical term used for my job, I still don’t ask people to call me “Preacher.” This brings me to the second reason I don’t call myself “Pastor.” Titles of distinction can be a source of pride. To ask you to refer to me as “Pastor” or even “Preacher” goes against the tenor of scripture. When people call me “Preacher” or “Pastor”, I don’t get mad or offended. I will usually just act like they said my name. Many do it out of tradition, but I prefer not to be called by titles. The reason I don’t ask people to call me by my job title is that Jesus warned of hypocritical religious leaders who, out of a motive of pride, liked to be called by titles.

Jesus taught in Matthew 23:5-11, "Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi.’ 'But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant.”

I choose not to wear a backwards collar or some sort of “priestly outfit” because I don’t want to be like the hypocritical religious leaders who wore special “rabbi clothes” with wide phylacteries to draw attention to themselves. (Not to mention I think those look silly) I sit out with the congregation during our worship service and not up on stage because I don’t want to be seeking the “important seats in the synagogues.” I don’t ask people to call me “Pastor” or any other name because I don’t want to do things to be “seen by men.” I will not demand that people call me “Rabbi”, “Father”, or “Teacher.” I never have understood religious leaders that make you call them “Father” when Jesus explicitly forbid such a prideful indulgence.

If you asked what I did for a living I would tell you that I am a preacher. However, I don’t expect people to call me “Preacher” or any other title. I would rather not be greeted on the street as “Preacher” even though that is what I am. I am just a man. Greet me by my name like you would anyone else. I may have a role of preaching and leadership like Timothy did, but I can’t imagine Timothy making everyone in Ephesus call him, “Preacher.”

1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” Peter is teaching us here that every Christian is a priest. Every Christian is holy. We are equal. Ephesians 4:12 shows us every Christian should be equipped for a ministry or service. My ministry may be that of an evangelist but that doesn’t make me better or more important than anyone else. Every part of the body of Christ is equally important. I do not look down my nose at ministers who chose to have people call them by titles. However, I myself can’t follow that tradition in good conscience. Jesus taught me not to.

I do not deserve a special outfit, a special seat at church, or a special title. I am a sinner saved by grace just like every other Christian. I do not want to be elevated up to “clergy” status. I believe a “clergy” and “laity” atmosphere is unbiblical and unhealthy for a church. If anything, I want to be your servant. So, please don’t call me “Pastor” but feel free to email me if you need some prayer or encouragement from God’s word. I love everyone in the Lord and I am here to serve you by preaching the good news.

Why don't you want to be called pastor?

Question: I have noticed that you do not refer to yourself as “pastor.” Why don’t you call yourself “pastor”? Isn’t that your job as the preacher at your church?

Answer Part 1: I am often asked this question. There is a great misconception about this word in Christendom today. The Greek word that we translate as “pastor” in the New Testament is poimhn (pronounced poy-mane), which literally translated means “shepherd.” So wherever you see the word “Pastor” in your Bible you could put the word “shepherd” and vise versa. Jesus refers to himself as the “good shepherd” in John 10:14. So Jesus is the “good pastor.”

There are two reasons that I do not refer to myself as pastor. The first reason is that in the Bible, the term pastor is used exclusively for the elders of the church and I am not an Elder. For example, in Acts 20:17 Paul calls together the Elders of the church in Ephesus and gives an emotion farewell speech to them. In the midst of this speech to Elders, he says in Acts 20:28, “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”

There are two terms used for Elders in this passage. One is that of “overseer” and the other is that of “shepherds”. The word there in verse 28 could be translated as “pastors.” The Elders are the “pastors” of the local church according to Paul. The Apostle Peter agrees.

1 Peter 5:1-4 says, “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers— not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”

Here the Apostle Peter calls elders to be the “shepherds” of the flock and “overseers.” Peter calls Jesus the “chief shepherd.” So we see the term “shepherd” or “pastor” being used exclusively for the elders of the church as far as titles for church leadership. This is why I do not call myself pastor. I am not one. It would be Biblically incorrect to refer to myself as a pastor. Not only am I not an elder, I do not fit the qualifications of an elder, which are listed in 1 Timothy and Titus. I also notice that there are always multiple pastors and never just one in a church.

What is my role then? In 2 Timothy 4:5 Paul instructs the young preacher Timothy saying, “do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” There are two terms here Paul uses for Timothy’s role in the church. One is “minister.” Timothy had a particular ministry in the church so he was a minister. However, many people, including deacons have ministries and may be called ministers. Ephesians 4:12 tells us all Christians are to be equipped for “service” or “ministry.” The second term Paul uses for Timothy’s role is “evangelist.” This word in Greek literally means, “to preach the good news.” That was Timothy’s role in Ephesus and that is my role at the church which I serve. I am a “preacher of the good news” or an “evangelist” as the NIV translates it.

If we are going to follow God’s plan of the church we need to restore Biblical leadership roles and use the Biblical terms. Paul was often encouraging Christians to follow the pattern laid out for the Church by the Apostles. Paul said in Philippians 3:17, “Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.” And again in Paul instructs in 2 Timothy 1:13, “What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.” We need to follow the Bibles pattern for how to organize our churches and structure our leadership.

There are qualifications listed for elders in the Bible. Imagine the confusion if we change the meaning of “Shepherd” or “pastor” from the elders to the preacher. We will be applying verses about qualifications to the wrong leaders. We could avoid a lot of the problems many churches face if we would just follow the Biblical pattern for Church leadership. We need to do Bible things Bible ways and call Bible things by Bible names. This will promote unity, love, and peace in the brotherhood of believers. I will cover the second reason why I do not call myself “pastor” in my next post.

Was Jesus a Sith Lord?

I am sorry I have not had a post everyday lately. I have not had any time for the blog. I noticed we have had a bunch of new hits. I am not sure where all you visitors are coming from but it sure is nice to have you drop by. I know many of you have emailed and said you would tell your friends about the site. Thank you.

I did see the latest Star Wars movie. It was the biggest movie opening in history. As many of you know, I am a big fan. I really thought it was one of the better Star Wars films. There was only one spot I didn’t care for. I was sorry to see the characterization of "relativism" as good and moral absolutes as evil at one small part of the movie. Obiwan says something like "only sith believe in absolutes" or something stupid like that. Without absolutes there is no truth. Without absolutes there is no right or wrong. Without absolutes there is no light or dark side. It's such a philosophical contradiction, but it is the dominant philosophical dogma of the day. I guess I could go back to being a Buck Rodgers fan like the 2nd grade..... Naaaaa!

John 8:31-32 says, "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Jesus believed in absolutes. Does that make him a Sith?

By George Lucas's definition, anyone who speaks in absolutes is a Sith Lord, Jesus must be Sith Lord. And so am I. Moral relativism never lasts as a pervading philosophy of a culture for long because the people either see the internal philosophical contradiction and repent or they self-destruct in lawless chaos. I am sad that George Lucas had to put that empty philosophy in an otherwise good fantasy film.

What to do with a false teacher?

Romans 14:1 says, “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.” We should not condemn people whose faith is weak. There are disputable non-essential matters of which Christians should maintain fellowship despite their disagreement. But that does not mean that we are to accept another faith. Many things taught as Christianity are not Christianity at all. We are to fight for the true faith. Jude 1:3 says, “Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” Contend means to struggle or fight. Christians should strive for unity but not at the price of compromsing the one faith that has been entrusted to us.

Just because someone claims to be a Christian does not mean they are. In Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”

Many claim to be teachers of the truth but are not. 2 Corinthians 11: 13 -15 warns us, “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.”

1 Timothy 6: 3-5 says “If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”

2 Timothy 3:1 -8 says, “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth— men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected.”

So what should we do about false teachers?

Watch Out For Them
Matthew 7:15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."

Take Special Note of them.
2 Thessalonians 3:14 “If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed.”

Avoid them
Romans 16: 17-18 “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.”

Do Not Welcome Them
2 John 1:9-11 “Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.”

Warn Them
Titus 3:10 “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.”

Rebuke Them
1 Titus 1:3 “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer”
Titus 1:10-11 “For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach— and that for the sake of dishonest gain."

Label Them
Jesus called false teachers descriptive insulting names at least 20 times in the gospels. And yet he was without sin.
· Jesus called the false teachers of his day hypocrites 11 times
· Jesus called them snakes and vipers
· Jesus called them whitewashed tombs (which Paul does also in Acts 23:3)
· Jesus called them a wicked and adulterous generation
· Jesus called them sons of Hell
· Jesus called them blind fools
· Jesus called them blind guides
· Jesus called them ferocious wolves
· Jesus called them dogs
· Jesus called King Herod a female fox.

Anything I have ever said about a false teacher is soft and gentle compared to the example of Jesus Christ. False teachers are a real danger to people’s faith and should be watched out for, noted, avoided, warned, rebuked, not welcomed and labeled for what they are.

Pope Palpatine

Is it just me or is there some resemblance here?

1 Timothy 4:1-3 "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth."

What religion do you know that forbid priests to marry and has taught that you can't eat any meat but fish on Friday? Hmmmmmmm.....

Paul say's such teachers have abandoned the faith to follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

It Only Takes A Spark...

The smallest lie can spark terrible consequences. An exaggeration can blow up in your face. A rumor can kill people. A word unwisely spoken against others can lead to their demise. Newsweek magazine is a good example. (see news article below)

James 3:5-6 “Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”

In The News...

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Newsweek magazine said on Sunday it erred in a May 9 report that U.S. interrogators desecrated the Koran at Guantanamo Bay, and apologized to the victims of deadly Muslim protests sparked by the article.

Editor Mark Whitaker said the magazine inaccurately reported that U.S. military investigators had confirmed that personnel at the detention facility in Cuba had flushed the Muslim holy book down the toilet. "Our original source later said he couldn't be certain about reading of the alleged Koran incident in the report we cited," he wrote.

Meanwhile, the report sparked angry and violent protests across the Muslim world from Afghanistan, where 16 were killed and more than 100 injured, to Pakistan to Indonesia to Gaza. In the past week it was condemned in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Malaysia and by the Arab League. On Sunday, Afghan Muslim clerics threatened to call for a holy war against the United States.

"We regret that we got any part of our story wrong, and extend our sympathies to victims of the violence and to the U.S. soldiers caught in its midst," Whitaker wrote in the magazine's latest issue, due to appear on U.S. newsstands on Monday.

How many innocent Afghans, Pakistani’s and American soldiers will needlessly die due to Newsweek magazine’s haphazard reporting of falsehoods for the sake of sensationalism to sell magazines? How many terrorists will be recruited? What dastardly plots will they carry out inspired by false information from a liberal news media desperate to thwart the integrity of the Bush administration?

When Dan Rather lied, he almost cost Bush the election. Fortunately for Bush, he was found out. Similarly, Bush's credibility was damaged when he reported inteligence reports that said there were WMD's in Iraq. His source was evidently inacurate too. There was other justification for that war and it has brought about many good things, but still our main evidence for war was false. That is not good. The tongue is a fire.

When Newsweek lied, people died from their inaccurate reporting. The United States is rightfully at War with terrorists who would kill them. Who side is Newsweek on? They may be free to publish their garbage. However, we are also free not to purchase or support advertisers of a magazine that use bad reporting to falsely insight civil unrest in countries we are trying to bring peace to.

A lesson to the wise: Be careful what you say. Make sure it’s true and beneficial to those who hear it. Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Playing Favorites (James 2:1-13)

Favoritism is Discrimination
James 2:1-4 “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Here’s a good seat for you,’ but say to the poor man, ‘You stand there’ or ‘Sit on the floor by my feet,’ 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”

Why would the church give the rich man a good seat and put the poor man on the floor? Judges with evil hearts treat people based on what they perceive the other person can offer them or the congregation. These perceptions are always based on generalizations that are otherwise known as prejudice. Prejudice always leads to discrimination. Prejudices are evil thoughts because they inevitably lead us to treat people with inequality for selfish reasons.

Some modern examples exist in ways we may not notice. Prejudice, favoritism, and discrimination are subtle sins we often refuse to see in ourselves. We may not offer the rich a better seat at church today, but we may play favorites in other ways. Perhaps a church wants to use more modern music in its services to equally reach out to all age groups, but then the traditionalists in the church, who have been there for years, get upset. They threaten to stop giving to the church or to stop attending. Using the large financial contribution they give as leverage, they try to motivate the church leaders not to do anything but traditional worship. Church leaders may play favorites by submitting to the will of the traditionalists to keep them happy and giving.

Other churches may go in another direction. They may gear their worship only for the younger audience. They use only modern instrumentation and methods. They totally alienate their base, who has been coming for years. People who like hymns are considered old fashioned. They have to put up with the new songs and no old hymns or just leave. When you gear your church for the edification of only one certain segment of society, you are playing favorites. Rather than take a traditional or contemporary stance, why not do both. “And” is always better than “or” when morally possible.

Rather than reach out to just one segment, we should reach out to all. Maybe this is a blended worship service with all elements used. Maybe this is two services geared differently to meet the various group’s needs. In a multicultural world, we need a multicultural approach to make sure we are not discriminating in our services.

Favoritism is Insulting
James 2:5-7 “Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?”

Ironically, we often show our favoritism to those who least deserve it. It’s often the gossip, the contentious, the chronic whiners or the unspiritual church bullies who receive the favoritism. No one deserves special treatment. Nobody should receive preferential treatment. In James, when they showed favoritism toward the rich, they insulted the poor. By showing favoritism, it says that the rich deserve more than the poor. That is an evil thought.

Do seniors deserve more than younger people? Then why are most churches still dominated by a 50 year old music style and traditions? Do the middle class people deserve more than the low income families? Why are most new church plants in upper-middle class neighborhoods? Do young families deserve more than college age singles? Why are college aged programs so rare and that demographic missing from our churches? Do senior high youth deserve more than toddlers? Why do we have more youth ministers than children’s ministers? Do whites deserve more than blacks? Why are most Christian Churches dominated by whites and not blacks? Discrimination is not believing that one group is better than another. Most church members don’t believe that. Discrimination is treating one group with preferential favoritism. Many churches do that.

Favoritism Is Unlawful
James 2:8-11 “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.”

Favoritism is sin. It is wrong. It violates the second greatest commandment which is to love your neighbor as yourself. It is a higher law than the Ten Commandments. It is the Golden rule. If you love God and love your neighbor as yourself you will keep the whole law. If you show favoritism, you are a lawbreaker. The greatest commandment was not, do not murder, do not steal, or do not commit adultery. It was to love God and the second greatest was to love your neighbor as yourself.

Most of us would never murder. We wouldn’t think of stealing. We wouldn’t commit adultery. But somehow, we justify breaking a greater commandment, and refuse to love our neighbor as ourself. We show favoritism in our churches, work places, schools and daily lives. We treat people in a way we would not want to be treated. There is a greater commandment than the ten commandments. Too many Christians are too casual about the terrible sin of favoritism.

Favoritism is Unmerciful
James 2:12-13 “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”

Favoritism is out of character for a Christian. Christians are to follow the example of Christ. He never played favorites. We will be judged by the law that gives freedom. We will have to stand before the judgment seat of God and give an account for our life. Jesus said in Matthew 5: 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” If you want to receive God’s mercy, you must offer mercy. Jesus said in Mark 4:24 "…With the measure you use, it will be measured to you— and even more.” If we give mercy to others and treat people with equality, God will give us even more mercy. But, if we discriminate with evil thoughts and intentions in our hearts, God will give us judgment. If we want to escape judgment, we must extend mercy. Favoritism is unmerciful; it turns us into judges with evil thoughts and will bring judgment upon us. Only by showing mercy can we triumph over judgment.

Make sure that in your life and in your church that you help the rich AND the poor, the old AND the young, the old fashioned AND the modern, the seniors AND the college age, the teens AND the toddlers, the blacks AND the whites, the educated and the uneducated, the powerful AND the weak, the moral AND the sinners. Show no favoritism, because it is discrimination, insulting, unlawful and unmerciful.

Go here to hear more about equality:
http://www.historychannel.com/speeches/ra/970828.ram

Let's Talk Science

If you believe the Bible is history, then you have to believe that the earth is under 10,000 years old. But doesn't science teach us that the earth is millions of years old? It was in my science text book at school. Well, text books are written by people with their own beliefs which influenced their opinions.

Go here to consider the scientific (not Biblical) evidence for a young earth.

http://www.christiananswers.net/q-aig/aig-c012.html

Some say evolution is a scientific fact. For something to be scientific fact it has to be repeatably observed. Is that true of evolution? Go here to find out http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs/508.asp

If you want to understand why evolution is only a scientific theory and not a law of science like gravity is, go here:

http://teacher.nsrl.rochester.edu/phy_labs/AppendixE/AppendixE.html

The Riddle Of Epicurus

The Riddle Of Epicurus

"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?I
s he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?" Riddle Me This

Riddle Me This…

The very powerful Superman once loved a woman very much, but was not able to marry her, or make love to her. Why?

Is Superman willing to have a relationship with the woman, but is not able? Then he is not very powerful.

Is Superman able but not willing? Then he must not have loved her.

Is he both able and willing? Then why are they not married?

Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him Superman?

What a quandary!

Oh wait, what if the woman didn't want to have a relationship with Superman? What if Superman had the power to force her to marry him, but he didn't use it because he loved her and wanted it to be her free-will choice? What if a relationship of love requires free-will choice on the part of both people? What if Superman is not a rapist?

What if God is not a rapist either? What if He has the will and the power to save us, but won't force himself upon us but only saves us if we agree to the relationship first willingly through faith? What if God has the will and power to have a relationship with us in life, but loves us enough to not force us into a relationship with him?

What if He allows sin and death to continue so we will look for a Savior and see He loved us enough to give us free-will and died to save us from our abuse of free-will? What if He suffered for us and died in our place so we don’t have to suffer eternal death? What if God found a way to give us the free will to choose evil and inevitably sin unto death and yet offer us a way of escape and find eternal life at the same time?

What if he satisfies justice by dying on the cross in our place and paying our debt while also exemplifying mercy but dying for us and offering us a way out?

What if God is so powerful he can beat any paradox?

What if there are reasons even bigger than these that I have listed that our finite minds can’t comprehend? What if He is all powerful and all knowing and we are but created beings with only a fraction of His ability to understand the big picture?

Dedicate One To The Ladies

Happy Mothers Day! In the Bible, placing a value on someone is referred to with the word timaw (tim-ah’-o). It is most commonly translated as honor. It is important for us to understand this word and its meaning. Why? You cannot love someone, who you do not value.

Honor Is Commanded
First we have to understand that honoring others is not optional. Romans 12:10, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” To esteem others above your self is a plain command of scriptures. Some call it humility, others a servant’s heart, but it is the direct opposite of pride. Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”

Jesus set the example for us. He prayed for those who persecuted him, rather than take vengeance. He blessed those who cursed him, rather than return insult for insult. As wicked people encompassed him hanging on the cross, spit on his open wounds and mocked, he prayed, “God forgive them, they know not what they do.” Jesus has set the example and we have been commanded to honor others above ourselves. When we do not honor enemies, it is a sin. How much more wrong is it when it is your mother?

Honor Is Appropriate
Not only is honor commanded, it is also appropriate. 1 Peter 2:17 says, “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” The word translated “proper respect” here is the same Greek world (timaw) for honor. There is a proper respect or appropriate honor that is due everyone. Some deserve honor because of their position. They are king or president, a judge or senator. But not only do the leaders deserve honor. All deserve the honor due any human being, because they are a person created in the image of God.

Genesis 9:6 says, “Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man.” Capital punishment was established here by God, because murder was an attack on the image of God. It was an assault on God when his creation in His image was assaulted. “What you do to the least of these, you have done it unto me.” Each person deserves respect, because they are made in the image of God.

The respect for human dignity and worth is almost completely faded from society. A nation that allows thousands of babies to be killed in the mother’s womb, which ships its elderly off to “homes” to be neglected and forgotten by the families, which creates human embryos for the sole purpose of doing deadly tests on them, has lost its respect for human worth. Society too often esteems the value of the individual based upon what they have to offer, rather than who they are. We honor people because they are rich, attractive, athletic, powerful, popular, or offer us something. If a baby, old person, or physically or mentally challenged person has nothing to contribute to society in the world’s eyes, we find excuses to justify neglecting or killing them. We dehumanize them. God, however, does not discriminate or show favoritism, but rather he looks at us all with love. He values us because we are made in His image. Jesus paid the highest price, his very life, to save each of us, if we will accept it.

Therefore we should treat each person with human dignity, even if they don’t offer it to us. Jesus treated His enemies with honor. As they cursed him, Jesus died to save them. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “…give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” When we debate with someone about the truth of the Gospel and the hope we have in Christ, we need to treat the person attacking us for our faith with respect. We should treat them with the dignity due a human, even if they don’t afford us such treatment. Be kind to the rude, gentle to the harsh, and loving to those who hate you. Follow Jesus in treating sinners with honor. It is appropriate to honor your mother, because she is your mother and is created in the image of God.

Honor Is Owed
Romans 13:7 says, “Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” This verse is talking about government officials. Now if the government deserves honor, how much more your mother? She has done much more for you. You owe her.

Your mother carried you for nine months, gave up her figure for you, nursed and fed you, changed your diaper hundreds of times, lost sleep for you again and again, held you, loved you, sacrificed for you, taught you, protected you, encouraged you, comforted you, healed you, and always paid for you. If you anyone in this world deserves your respect, it is your mother. You owe her your full complete honor. Give everyone what you owe them.

Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” Gentlemen, you owe your wives. She carried your children. She got up with the baby more, changed diapers more, fed them more, and sacrificed more, so that you can have children. And above all that, she is your wife. She entered into the holy covenant of marriage with you. You should honor your vows and her service. Maintain those vows with an honor for her and the covenant you entered with her. Husbands, you owe your wife honor.

Honor Is Blessed
One thing you can always count on with God is that when you obey his command, do the appropriate thing and give people what you owe them; He will bless you for it. 1 Peter 3:7 says, “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” The word translated as respect is our word also translated as honor in other passages (timaw). Husbands, if you don’t honor your wife, God will not hear your prayers. If you want the blessing of being heard by God, you must honor your wife.

When Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for not honoring their mother and father, it was because they were not taking care of them in their old age. Instead they were devoting their money to a self-serving and self-glorifying savings account to be donated to the temple upon their death. So not caring for their elderly parents needs was not honoring them according to Jesus. Likewise, not honoring your wife starts as thoughts in your heart, but is more than that. It’s not valuing your wife enough to meet her needs. Husbands, if you want God will hear your prayers, then honor her above yourself and take care of her. Spoil her, bless her, comfort her, rejuvenate her, provide for her, and love her. Buy your wife a nice gift, praise her, complement her, surprise her, give her a break from the kids, give her time alone to relax, do something unselfish, take her out to dinner, buy her some new clothes, do something to honor her today. You will be blessed if you do.

Not just dad, but children should honor their mother, too. Ephesians 6:2-3 says, “Honor your father and mother’— which is the first commandment with a promise— ‘that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” If you want to be blessed with a happy and long life, then honor your parents. Your mother deserves your honor. If you won’t treat your mother who gave you life, and cared for you with honor, who will you honor? If a young man won’t honor his mother, later he won’t honor his wife. If a young lady won’t honor her father, later she won’t honor her husband. Show your mother the honor that is due her and you will receive a blessing from God.

Mom has earned it.
In proverbs 31, it describes the woman of virtue. At the end of the proverb it gives the family some instructions. Proverbs 31:28-31 says, “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

The city gate was the place where people in ancient times met to conduct civil affairs. It was the ancient equivalent of the town square. This verse is telling us to publicly praise our wives and mothers. Give her the reward she has earned. Bless her and honor her. Let her works bring her praise. What is really cool is that if you obey God’s command to give your mother the honor you owe her, you will be blessed yourself.

Submit a question to scripturist@hotmail.com

Two Ways To Live Your Life

Pray For Us

This week a young girl (17 years old) in our town chose to take her own life. The family didn't have a church family. As a ministry to them, we are having the funeral at our church. We have been serving and loving the family who are deeply grieved.

Her family cried at the showing today. It was disturbing. It was the mourning cries of those without hope. Pray that we can show them the love and hope of Christ.

Hitchhikers Guide To Eternity

A Guide To Avoid Sin
Everyone has a sense of right and wrong. We vary in what we believe but we instinctively have an intuitive sense that there is right and wrong, good and bad, falsehood and truth. If we didn’t we wouldn’t argue and debate about what we believe. What is our foundation for saying, “this is right” or “that is wrong?” As we hitchhike through life, we need a guide.

There has to be a standard. There has to be a foundation or there is nothing to build the philosophical structure of morality upon. How can we know good from bad and right from wrong? How can we know sin from righteousness, filth from purity? Psalms 119:9 says, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.” The Word of God is the only reliable source for someone to gain the knowledge to know what is right. It is our guide to eternal life.

Psalms 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” The way is dark and unknown to us with our finite minds and limited knowledge. We need a guide to navigate the murky waters of morality in a world that is pulling us in many different tantalizing, confusing, scary and complicated directions. There is a way to know what is right. Psalms 119:133 says, “Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.” When we direct our life according to God’s Word, sin can no longer rule over us. We are freed from sins snare and walk in the liberation of God’s grace. Not only can the Word of God produce a faith in us that forgives us of our sin, but it can teach us to walk in a newness of life. Psalms 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” The word will not only save you from sin, but will also guide you to live in ever increasing righteousness.

A Guide To Be Obeyed
Many today want to claim the name of Christ and the blessing of Christ without obeying Christ. It doesn’t happen. Psalms 119:17 says, “Do good to your servant, and I will live; I will obey your word.” If God does good to us and saves us, shall we not then live for him? Those who have been called out of sin’s curse have been called out of sin’s practices. We are called to obey God’s Word.

Psalms 119:67 says, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.” God had brought hardship into David’s life, so he could see the results of sin. This affliction causes him to repent. Now rather than go astray; he says he obeys God’s Word. We can let affliction harden our heart to continue in sin until it destroys us, or we can allow affliction to train us to be more obedient. Psalms 119:101 says, “I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.” Keeping yourself from the evil path is the reason for obedience to the Word of God. No other guide provides this direction when obeyed.

A Guide To Be Trusted
We need a moral compass that is trust worthy and does not shift on the sinking sands of popular opinion or political correctness. Psalms 119:89 says, “Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” Praise God, his commands are trustworthy and unchanging. They are the epitome of morality, justice, mercy, and righteousness. They are always true. Psalms 119:172 says, “May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.”

Because the Word of God is trustworthy and completely pure, we should pay close attention to its teachings. Psalms 119:16 says, “I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.” Too many neglect the study, understanding, and obedience to God’s Word. They don’t know it. They don’t study it. They don’t live it. They don’t honor it and they don’t share it. Too many live in fear of the stigma of being a radical Christian nut or a “Bible thumper.” Some don’t share their faith, because they have never taken the time to learn to defend their beliefs from scripture’s pages. Many a skeptic will walk into our life mocking our faith but Psalms 119:42 says, “then I will answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in your word.” Is the Word of God the guide you have put your trust in?

A Guide To Put Your Hope In
Because the Word is a guide to our lives that saves us from sin, teaches obedience, and is totally trustworthy, we must put our hope in its promises. If you were marooned on a desert island without your Bible, would you miss it? Does it minister to you and provide you with hope for daily living? Psalms 119:43 says, "Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws.” Is the Word of God a source of hope and inspiration in your daily walk?

Is Bible reading a habit for you like eating and bathing? Psalms 119:147 says, “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.” People, who put their hope in the Word of God, rise early to meditate on its message and pray to its author. They realize that the Word of God is a daily device of spiritual protection from the temptations and tricks of Satan and his forces of evil in the spiritual realm. Psalms 119:114 says, “You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.” What shields you each day? What illuminates your path each morning? What directs your footsteps? What keeps you from evil paths?

Is spending time with God in His Word a desire of your heart? Psalms 119:81 says, “My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.” A person, who puts their hope in another human, thinks only of how to please that other human. A person, who puts their hope in wealth, thinks only about how to gain more money. A person, who puts their hope in their intelligence, thinks only of their education. A person, who puts their hope in their beauty or talents, thinks only of themself in their vain pursuit of security. But the person, who puts their hope in God, thinks only of His Word and its promises. The best part of all is that anyone can choose to put their hope in God’s trustworthy Word. Even a sinner, like me, can be saved. Psalms 119:74 says, “May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.” The Word of God is the hitchhikers guide to eternity.

Submit Your Bible Question To: scripturist@hotmail.com

The Power Of The Word Of God When Accepted

Seek God’s Word
Proverbs 2:1-5 says, “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, 3 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.”

God’s Word and His commands when applied to our lives give us insight that is particularly valuable. Its value exceeds that of silver or gold. It is veiled (2 Corinthians 4:3) to the wicked callused heart, therefore we must hunt for it like hidden treasure. When we find this treasure, it will give us understanding of the knowledge of God. So accept the Word of God and collect the commands within you. Memorize verses that will give you the knowledge it takes to live life to its fullest.

God’s Word gives wisdom, knowledge, and protection
Proverbs 2: 6-8 says, “For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, 8 for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.”

From the Word of God come wisdom, knowledge and protection. He gives us the insight for living we need to walk in the Word. His Word gives a voice of victory by shielding us in blamelessness. His word guards our course to protect us from evil. Only the Word of God gives such blessings.

God’s Word will save you from wicked men, words, and ways
Proverbs 2: 9-15 says, “Then you will understand what is right and just and fair— every good path. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. 11 Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. 12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, 13 who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways, 14 who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, 15 whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.”

This knowledge imparted by God’s Word teaches us to understand justice, mercy, fairness and grace. Every good path is illuminated by the Word of God. Place the Word of God into your heart and soul and into your very being to protect you. The wisdom and discretion granted by the Word of God will save you. It will save you from wicked men and their schemes. It will save you from wicked words which could deceive or depress you into faithlessness. It will save you from practicing evil ways and illuminate each step in your walk with God.

God’s Word will save you from sexual seduction
Proverbs 2:16-19 says, “It will save you also from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words, 17 who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God. 18 For her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead. 19 None who go to her return or attain the paths of life.”

This wisdom and discretion imparted by the Word of God will save you from wickedness, such as sexual temptation. The wayward wife (or husband for that matter) with seductive words has killed many a poor soul. The seduction of the covenant breaker beckons through guile and beauty but the eye of wisdom sees past the surface to the ugly spirits of the dead left in her path. The strongest man who ever lived was Samson. He was brought down to sin by a woman’s wiles. The wisest man who ever lived was Solomon. He was seduced by his many concubines into idolatry. David, the man after God’s own heart, was tempted by Bathsheba bathing on her roof. The Word of God warns us and teaches us not to repeat their folly. Realize you are vulnerable. If the strong men, wise men, and men after God's own heart can fall, so can we. Avoid the adulteress; her house is the gateway to Hell and leads down to death.

God’s Word will make you righteous unto life
Proverbs 2:20-22 says, "Thus you will walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous. 21 For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; 22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it."

The Word of God will give you the wisdom to walk in the ways of the righteous. You will live and have longevity because you choose to accept the Word of God and seek the wisdom, knowledge, and protection the Word of God offers. Seek it. Memorize it. Store it up. Take it into your heart, mind and soul. It will guide you, guard you, and give you wisdom unto life.

Submit your Questions about the Bible to scripturist@hotmail.com