Are you Anorexic, Bulimic or Well Fed?

Are you anorexic, bulimic or well fed? The first two we obviously recognized as eating disorders. I am not going into a long discussion about eating disorders; at least not physical eating disorders. The name of this blog is “Which Way is Up?” and therefore will be about finding our way up and out of lifes crap. As I said in my first post, my goal is to hopefully help people through my life experience and the Word of God. So lets look at our two eating disorders since we all know what well fed is.

Now, understand that I’m going to nut-shell these behaviors as they apply to this topic so if you have one of these disorders please read on but then get some professional help.

anorexia- basically the starving of ones self. For the clinical stuff look up anorexia on Google since it is a lot more than starving yourself.

bulimia-characterized by binge eating and purging. Again, Google for the real poop.

Spiritually speaking anorexia and bulimia describe far to many christians today. Finding a well fed spiritually healthy christian is becoming harder and harder. Now thats not to say there are not a lot of them out there because there are but far to many begin here with anorexia or bulimia. What am I talking about you ask? I’m glad you asked so let me explain.

Spiritual Anorexia

Jesus said, “Man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” In other words the Word of God is spiritual food. So many people get born again but never crack their bible. This includes young and old alike. Now if you don’t eat physical food for a length of time what happens? You get weak and shaky at the least. If you go for to long you end up with even bigger problems. The same holds true to spiritual feeding as well. This gives you an idea of what spiritual anorexia is. And the Devil said, ” YeeeHawww, got me a weak one.”

Spiritual Bulimia

So what is spiritual bulimia? Since we know bulimic behavior is characterized as binge eating and purging, not totally but that is what comes to most people’s minds, then that must mean you are eating, or reading the Word but then what? Purging? How about this, we read the Word, understand the Word and then choose not to believe it or apply it, i.e. purging. And the Devil said, “Oooh, rebellious, yeah.”

Understand that both of these are choices we make. Spiritual anorexia is sometimes due to ignorance, at least until you are informed of what you should be doing. Spiritual bulimia is always stupidity. Here are some terms for you to mull over:

stupidity – you have the information and don’t use or apply it.

ignorance – you don’t have the information

wisdom – you have the information and use and apply it correctly

Everyone fits one of these terms at some point in life and in many different areas. Do your best to be wise with the knowledge you have. Don’t find yourself spiritually bulimic or anorexic but rather well fed, healthy, happy and experiencing all the promises that God has granted you. See 2 Peter 1:2-4.

‘granted us all things pertaining to life and godliness, ‘granted us His precious and magnificent promises,

And the Devil said, “……………” Yo Devil thats your que, hellooo. Guess he don’t like those kind of people.

If you want to know what things have been granted to you and promised to you, pull up a chair, grab your spiritual food and dig in.

Myspace Equals mywitness: would Christ approve?

Myspace equals Mywitness: Would Christ approve of your Myspace page or would He be devastated by what you display on your site?

I am a member of Myspace. I have looked at a lot of Myspace profiles and I am finding a common problem. If you don’t know what Myspace is, which I seriously doubt, if you’ve found this blog, but just supposing you don’t know what Myspace is; it is a site that allows people to set up a web site about themselves in order to meet and network with other people on the Myspace site. It is probably one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get on the web to promote yourself or what ever you choose within reason. Each Myspacer fills out a profile about themselves telling as mush or as little as they choose. They can upload pictures of themselves to share with friends they have added to their Myspace friends list as well as everyone else on Myspace if their profile is public. Myspace doesn’t allow pornography which is good but some of the sites are close to pornographic but with out pictures.

My pet peeve is this:

I find a lot of profiles who list themselves as Christian but their content is anything but Christlike. If you are a Christian that is great. If your content is in line with what you say you believe, great. However, this is not usually the case. Too many so called Christians put all manner of profane trash on their site. If as a Christian, we are called to be Christlike then that includes your Myspace page as well.

Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God.

“Be not conformed to this world” or lets say don’t be like the world. The world is all those who are not God’s. If you are born again you are God’s so be like God not the world. To be “transformed by the renewing of your mind” is a conscieous effort on your part. This is the part that the Aposlte Paul referred to as “dying to self”, “crucifying the flesh”. The renewing of your mind means you choose to do what is right and to follow what God has told you to do in His word. Why do we do this? What does the verse say? “To prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God”. That’s right your life is the proof of the good, pleasing and perfect will of God. Do people see this in your life, on your Myspace page.

The world is going to hell fast and all they have to show them what God is all about is you. If your Myspace page promotes all the stuff they already have and you call yourself a Christian; why should they give God a chance? All they see from you and your Myspace page is God is no different than the god they already serve, Satan. The Bible says Satan has come to steal, kill and destroy. Why do we make God out to be the same?

Joh 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Jesus said this. Jesus never spoke but what God told Him to speak. So, if Christ came to give life and life more abundantly; does our life show this to everyone we meet? If our life doesn’t demonstrate this, we have missed what God wants for us. Of course it could be because we have made the choice to glorify Satan in the way we live our lives. It is a choice you know? Every minute of every day the choice is presented to you to serve God or to serve Satan. Unfortunately, our Myspace pages tend to glorify Satan. We hide behind cute screen names then post pictures of our selves so everyone will know who we are. Church going Christian people get on Myspace and lose their religion, so to speak, but not before proclaiming to the world that they are “Christian other”. The only Christlike thing on their Myspace page is their religious preference in their profile.

I end this rant with a request. If you just have to display Satan glorifying crap on your Myspace page so your friends will think you’re cool, please leave the religious preference blank or ask Myspace to include Pagan to their list of preferences. Better thought, be bold, take a stand, be Christlike and glorify God with your Myspace page. Myspace is a great witness for Christ if you display a Christlike page.

Myspace equals Mywitness: Would Christ approve?

Question for the day

If the Bible tells us that we are something, we have something or we can do something; then why do Christian people spend so much time trying to explain away why they aren’t, don’t have and can’t do what the Bible clearly says?

So, You Think You Can’t

A video of Nick Vujicic was recently posted on my Facebook wall. Needless to say I was impressed. His message is awe inspiring. This post is dedicated to all those who just can’t.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

As I find more segments to this I will add them to this post.

Never again say you can’t do something.

Finis Jennings Dake: My Mentor and Father in Christ

I have not yet met Reverend Dake, however, I do consider him a spiritual mentor and father. I will never meet him in my life time here on earth because he has already taken up residence in Heaven. I will see him soon. Since I reference his work frequently I think it is only fitting to let you meet him as well. I am borrowing his story from http://www.dake.com/dake/truestory.html and I am hoping they don’t mind.

THE TRUE STORY OF A MAGNIFICENT GIFT

by Finis J. Dake

I rejected Christianity in my youth, until I found some believers who lived the life they professed. Faced with truth backed by Christian example, I knew I had to make a decision. After weeks of struggling with my conscience, I chose to serve God the rest of my life and do His will, whatever it may be. I had the witness of the Spirit with my spirit that I was a child of God, the blood of Christ having cleansed me from all unrighteousness. I was baptized in water as an outward symbol of an inward work of Christ in my life.
But I was more hungry for God than ever before. I cried out for a closer walk with Him, to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I spent hours in prayer and worship, seeking God.
After three months of wholehearted surrender, I received a great anointing of the Spirit. A cool and rushing wind came over me. From the depths of my being came the “rivers of rushing water” that Jesus promised in John 7:37-39. Torrents of praise began to flow from my lips as I received in measure what the disciples had on the day of Pentecost. It was May, 1920, and I was seventeen years old.

I was immediately able to quote hundreds of Scriptures without memorizing them. I also noticed a quickening of my mind to know what chapters and books various verses were found in. Before conversion, I had not read one full chapter of the Bible. This new knowledge of Scripture was a gift to me, for which I give God the praise.
From the time of this special anointing until now, I have never had to memorize the thousands of scriptures I use in teaching. I just quote a verse when I need it, by the anointing of the Spirit.
I then began to study the Bible without ceasing, and have now spent around a hundred thousand hours digging into the wealth of its teachings.
From the first of my studies, I found the Bible to be simple and clear. Daily study, coupled with my ability to quote the Bible as I yielded to the Spirit, helped me “rightly divide the truth” (2 Tim 2:15). Difficult passages in prophecy and elsewhere did not seem mystifying to me, for what was unclear in one passage was made clear by other scriptures on the same subject. Hours of study provided a rich storehouse to draw from as I yielded to the Spirit. When I was eighteen I enrolled in a Bible Institute to prepare for the ministry. I soon learned that one must either believe what the Bible alone teaches, or spend his life wrestling with the confusing and varied interpretations of men. The professors did not agree among themselves on some of the basic truths, and a number even disagreed with what the Bible plainly stated on certain subjects.
I thus became acquainted with a perplexing array of doctrines. Some of them were in agreement with Scripture and could be proved when all passages dealing with the subject were examined. But others turned out to be “hand-me-down” theology from a former generation of preachers, many of whom were great in spite of their doctrinal errors.
I had to decide either to respect my gift and depend on God and the knowledge of the Word He had given me as a guide to determining scriptural truth, or go along with the crowd.
My decision was firm. I vowed to the Lord never to teach one thing I could not prove with two or three plain Scriptures, agreeing with Paul that “in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (2 Cor 13:1). Believing also that “no prophecy . . . is of any private interpretation” (to be interpreted without comparison with other Scriptures, 2 Pet 1:20), I reasoned that the Bible is God’s Word in human language and means exactly what it says. Any interpretation which is out of harmony with what is plainly written must be rejected as the theory of man.
It was a big decision for a lad, and cost me a few friends now and again – friends who preferred to listen to almost anyone who had gray hair, rather than a youth just emerging from his teens. But my hair is gray too now, yet my decision remains the same. The prophecies, promises, admonitions and doctrines are there in the Bible the same as they were when I began quoting them years ago. They are in plain language, understandable by anyone who can read and will take time to look up an occasional word in the dictionary.
My early decision has paid off in many ways, one of them being letters I receive now and again from someone who says, “I didn’t have much use for your teaching years ago, but now I find your writings a great help and inspiration.” Such testimonies are my reward for carrying out my early vows to teach exactly what the Bible says on all subjects it deals with.
If I have inspired you to study God’s Word with an open mind; if I have influenced you to take Scriptures literally; and if my testimony has made you hungry for God, His Word and His anointing, then I have accomplished the purpose I had in mind – that of blessing your life!

A gifted man or a blessed man? I say both. God is an awesome God and I hope this story lets you see God wants to bless us more abundantly. God bless.

“Salvation” is the all-inclusive Word of the Gospel

THE BIBLICAL DOCTRINE OF SALVATION

The word “salvation” is the all-inclusive word of the Gospel, taking into it all the redemptive acts and processes. The word is found 163 times—118 times in the Old Testament and 43 times in the New Testament. There are seven Hebrew and Greek words translated “salvation.” They are found 388 times and are also translated by 23 other English words which mean “salvation” or some phase of it. These words are “deliverance,” “deliver,” “delivered,” “deliverers,” “save,” “saved,” “savest,” “saveth,” “saving,” “health,” “help,” “welfare,” “safety,” “victory,” “safe,” “Savior,” “Saviors,” “defend,” “avenged,” “avenging,” “rescue,” “preserved,” and “preservest.”

I. “Salvation” the All-Inclusive Gospel Word

“Salvation” is the great and all-inclusive word of the Gospel, gathering into itself all the redemptive acts and processes, such as those expressed in the doctrines of salvation listed below. One can see by these words and by the Scriptures below that salvation teaches full deliverance from dangers, troubles, sin, disease, and poverty. Salvation takes in deliverance from every phase of sin, including inbred sin, or the old man—the devil, as we shall see in Lessons Thirty-three and Thirty-four. It would not be a deliverance from all sin if one were still bound by sin and Satan in any form. The following is a summary of the different words that express the different phases of salvation:

1.      REPENTANCE—A change of mind, a new mind about God (Mt 3:2, Mt 4:17, Lk 13:1-5, Lk 24:47, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Acts 10:43, 2 Cor 7:9-10, 1 Jn 1:9).

2.      CONVERSION—A change of direction, a new walk with God (Ps 19:7; 51:13; Mt 18:3;Lk 22:32; Acts 3:19; Jas 5:19).

3.      REGENERATION—A change of nature, a new nature before God (Jn 3:3-5; Rom 3:24-25; 2 Cor 5:17; Titus 3:5; 2 Pet 1:4-14).

4.      ADOPTION—A change of family, a new relationship with God (Rom 8:14-23; Gal 4:5; Eph 1:4; 3:15; Jn 1:12; 3:16; 1 Jn 3:8-10; 5:1-18).

5.      WASHING—A change of morals, a new creature before God (1 Cor 6:9-11; Eph 4:24; 5:26; Titus 3:5; Rev 1:5; 7:14; Jn 15:3; Isa 1:16-18).

6.      REDEMPTION—A change of owners, a new master in God (Rom 3:24-25; 6:16-23; 1 Cor 1:30; 3:16; 6:19-20; Gal 3:13; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14, 22; 1 Pet 1:18-23).

7.      PROPITIATION—A change of clothing, a new covering of sins before God (Rom 3:24-25; 4:7; 1 Jn 2:1-2; Ps 32:1; 85:2; 1 Pet 4:8).

8.      GRACE—A change of favor, a new standing before God (Jn 1:16-17; Rom 5:1-2; Eph 2:1-9; Titus 2:11-14; 2 Pet 3:18).

9.      IMPUTATION—A change of accounts, a new debt to God (Rom 1:14; 4:1-11, 22-24; Gal 3:6-14; Jas 2:23; 2 Cor 5:17-19).

10.   FORGIVENESS—A change of judgment, a new pardon by God (Ps 103:3; Eph 1:7; Col 2:13; 1 Jn 1:7-9; Lk 24:47; Acts 10:43).

11.   DELIVERANCE—A change of bondage, a new liberty before God (Lk 4:18; Gal 5:1, 13; Heb 10:19; 2 Cor 3:6-18; Jas 1:18-25).

12.   FAITH—A change of confidence, a new trust in God (Mk 9:23; 11:22-24; Rom 1:16-17; 4:1-25; 10:9-17; Heb 11; 12:1-2; 2 Pet 1:5).

13.   BLOOD—A change in life, a new life from God (Lev 17:11; Mt 26:28; Rom 5:1-11; 6:1-23; 8:1-13; Eph 1:7; 1 Jn 1:7; Rev 1:5; 5:8-10).

14.   FORBEARANCE—A change of attitude, a new patience in God (Eph 4:2; 2 Tim 2:24; Rom 3:24-25; 5:1-4; 15:4-5; Col 3:13; Jas 1:3-4).

15.   RECONCILIATION—A change of friendship, a new union with God (Rom 5:10; Eph 2:14-16; Col 1:20-21; 2 Cor 5:17-20; Heb 2:17; 1 Cor 6:17).

16.   SUBSTITUTION—A change of victims, a new sacrifice to God (Gen 22:8, 13; Isa 53; Heb 10:5-18; 1 Cor 5:7; Rom 12:1-2; Heb 13:15).

17.   REPRESENTATION—A change of agency, a new representative before God (Rom 8:26-27, 34; 1 Tim 2:5; Heb 2:18; 4:14-16; 5:5-10; 7:24-28; 9:1-28).

18.   NEW BIRTH AND SONSHIP—A change of parents, a new Father in God (Mt 6:8-9; Jn 1:12; 3:1-18; Gal 4:5-6; Heb 12:7; 1 Jn 3:1-3; 5:1-5, 10-18).

19.   HEIRSHIP—A change of fortune, a new inheritance in God (Rom 8:17; Gal 3:29; Heb 1:4; 9:15; Jas 2:5; 1 Pet 1:4; Eph 1:11-18).

20.   PRAYER—A change of communication, a new approach to God (Mt 6:9; 7:7-11; 21:22; Mk 11:22-24; Jn 14:12-15; 15:7, 16; 16:23-26; Heb 10:19-23; 11:6; 1 Jn 3:22; 5:14-16).

21.   ELECTION—A change of office, a new position in God (Mt 20:16; Eph 1:4; Rom 8:33; 1 Pet 1:2; 1 Thess 1:4; 2 Pet 1:10; Jn 15:16).

22.   RIGHTEOUSNESS—A change of acts, a new obedience to God (Rom 4:1-25; 6:11-22; 8:3; Mt 6:33; 1 Jn 2:29; 3:7, 10; 1 Cor 1:30; Eph 4:24).

23.   CRUCIFIXION—A change of death, a new subjection to God (Rom 6:3-22; 8:13; Gal 2:20; 5:24; 6:14; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 3:5-10).

24.   RESTITUTION—A change of dealings, a new honesty before God (Exod 22:1-12; Lev 6:4-5; 24:21; Prov 6:31; Lk 3:8; 19:8).

25.   RETRIBUTION—A change of vengeance, a new attitude before God (Mt 5:39; 7:12; Lk 6:27-46; 9:51-55; Rom 12:17-21; Heb 10:30; 1 Cor 6).

26.   RANSOM—A change from slavery, a new release by God (Job 33:24; Mt 20:28; 1 Tim 2:6; Gal 5:1; 6:1; Rom 6:3-6, 11-23; 8:1-13).

27.   MORTIFICATION—A change of practice, a new conduct before God (Rom 8:13; Col 3:1-17; Mk 11:24; Mt 5:6; 1 Jn 4:19).

28.   CONSECRATION—A change of devotion, a new offering to God (Rom 12:1; 2 Cor 8:5; Acts 6:4; 1 Tim 4:13-15; Heb 13:15).

29.   ASSURANCE—A change of security, a New Covenant with God (Col 2:2; 1 Thess 1:5; Heb 6:11; 10:19-23; 2 Tim 3:14; 2 Pet 1:4-14).

30.   HUMILITY—A change of spirit, a new temperament in God (Mt 18:1-4; Acts 20:19; Col 3:5-17; 1 Pet 5:5, 6; Jas 4:6-11).

31.   LOVE—A change of affection, a new devotion to God (Deut 6:5; Mt 22:37; Rom 5:5-8; Jn 13:34-35; 1 Cor 13; 1 Jn 3:11-18; 4:7-21; Gal 5:21-22).

32.   JOY—A change in emotion, a new delight in God (Neh 8:10; Ps 16:11; 51:12; Lk 19:37; 24:52; Jn 15:11; 1 Pet 1:8-9; Gal 5:21-22).

33.   PEACE—A change in mind, a new tranquillity in God (Acts 10:36; Rom 5:1; 14:17; 15:13; Eph 2:14-18; Col 1:20; Gal 5:21-22).

34.   LONGSUFFERING—A change in forbearance, a new endurance before God (Gal 5:21-22; Mk 4:17; 2 Tim 2:3; 4:5; Jas 5:11; Rom 5:1-8).

35.   GENTLENESS—A change in manner, a new behavior before God (Gal 5:21-22; 1 Thess 2:7; 2 Tim 2:24; Titus 3:2; Jas 3:17).

36.   GOODNESS—A change in virtue, a new holiness in God (Gal 5:21-22; Rom 15:14; Eph 5:9; Phil 4:8; 2 Pet 1:3-14).

37.   MEEKNESS—A change of disposition, a new humility before God (Gal 5:21-22; Num 12:3; Ps 76:9; 149:4; Eph 4:2; Col 3:12; 1 Tim 6:11).

38.   TEMPERANCE—A change to moderation, a new sobriety before God (Gal 5:21-22; Acts 24:25; 2 Pet 1:3-14; 1 Cor 9:25-27; Titus 1:8; 2:2).

39.   REVELATION—A change of knowledge, a new doctrine from God (Mt 11:25; 13:35; 16:17; Deut 29:29; Rom 1:17; 1 Cor 2:10; Eph 1:17; 3:1-11).

40.   CONVICTION—A change in the sense of guilt, a new awakening before God (Jn 8:9; 16:7-12; Acts 2:37; 18:28; 1 Cor 14:24; Jas 2:9).

41.   REMISSION—A change of sentence, a new justification by God (Mt 26:28; Lk 24:47; Acts 2:38; 10:43; Heb 9:22).

42.   HEALING—A change in health, a new health in God (Ps 91; 103:3; Mt 8:17; Isa 53; Rom 8:11; 1 Pet 2:24; 2 Jn 2; Jas 5:14-16).

43.   SOUNDNESS—A change of condition, a new perfection in God (Prov 8:14; 14:30; Ps 91; Col 2:10; 2 Tim 1:7; 1 Tim 1:10; Titus 1:9, 13; 2:1-8).

44.   CREATION AND TRANSFORMATION—A change of likeness, a new image before God (2 Cor 3:18; 5:17; Rom 12:1-2; 6:3-22; 8:1-13; 2 Pet 1:3-14; Col 3:1-17; Gal 5:16-26).

45.   SANCTIFICATION—A change of service, a new separation unto God (Jn 10:36; 1 Cor 6:11; 2 Tim 2:21; Exod 13; 30:38; 40:10-11; Lev 27:14-27; Jer 1:5).

46.   JUSTIFICATION—A change of state, a new righteousness in God (Rom 3:20-30; 5:1, 9; 1 Cor 6:11; Gal 3:6-14; Acts 13:38-39).

47.   PRESERVATION—A change of assurance, a new security in God (Ps 37:28; 145:20; 2 Tim 4:18; Phil 1:6; 1 Thess 5:23; Jude 20-24; 1 Pet 1:5).

48.   PROVIDENCE—A change of supply, a new provision in God (Mt 6:33; Phil 4:18; Mk 11:22-24; Jn 15:7, 16; Ps 84:11).

49.   BAPTISM INTO CHRIST—A change of elements, a new burial in God (Eph 2:1-9; Rom 6:3-6; 1 Cor 12:13; Gal 3:27; 5:24; Col 2:11-17).

50.   RESURRECTION—A change in substance, a new body given by God (1 Cor 15:21-58; Phil 3:20-21; 1 Thess 4:13-17; 1 Jn 3:1-3; Jn 5:28-29).

51.   PREDESTINATION—A change of decree, a new destiny in God (Rom 8:28-30; Eph 1:5, 11; 3:10-11; 1 Pet 1:2-13; 2 Pet 1:4-14; 2 Cor 3:18).

52.   FOREKNOWLEDGE—A change in revelation, a new knowledge of God (Rom 8:29; 11:2; Acts 2:23; 1 Pet 1:2; Eph 1:1-17; Mt 11:25; Deut 29:29).

53.   FOREORDINATION—A change in appointment, a new future in God (Rom 3:25; Jn 15:16; 1 Thess 5:9; 1 Pet 1:20; Eph 1:10; 2:7; 3:10-11).

54.   POWER—A change in authority, a new power in God (Lk 24:49; Jn 14:12-14; Mk 16:15-20; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor 12-14; Eph 1:19; 3:19-20; Heb 2:3-4;Mk 11:22-24).

55.   GLORIFICATION—A change of realm, a new dominion with God (Rom 8:17, 30; Acts 3:13; Phil 3:21; 1 Cor 15:21-58; Rev 5:10; 20:1-7).

56.   DESTINATION—A change of dwelling, a new home with God (Jn 14:1-3; Heb 11:10, 13-16; 13:14; Rev 3:12; 21:1-22:5).

57.   HOLINESS—A change in living, a new conformity to God (Rom 6:16-23; 8:1-13; 12:1-2; 11:16; 1 Cor 3:16-17; 6:19-20; 2 Cor 5:17; 7:1; Heb 12:14; Rev 20:4-6).

58.   LIFE—a change of existence, a new eternal life with God (Jn 3:16-20,36; 5:24; 17:2-3; 1 Jn 2:24-25; 5:11-12; 1 Thess 4:13-17).

59.   MERCY—A change of heart, a new disposition in God (Mt 5:7; Rom 12:8-19; Jas 2:13; Lk 6:36; Phil 2:1; Col 3:12).

60.   INSPIRATION—A change of thoughts, a new influence from God (1 Cor 2:9-14; 2 Tim 3:15-17; Jn 14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-15; 1 Jn 2:27).

Not one of the phases of salvation listed above should be understood as a separate work from the salvation of which it is a part. One could not possibly receive salvation and not have every one of the above blessings started in him that has to do with sin. They all have an initial and instantaneous, as well as a progressive aspect until they are completed in the eternal future.

Although salvation and all its various phases that deal with sin are received in the initial stages by faith when one truly repents and believes the Gospel, the different phases continue in operation in the believer from the time of salvation until he receives and enters into the final stage of salvation at the Rapture and resurrection (1 Pet 1:5-9, 13; Rom 13:11; Heb 1:14; Phil 3:20-21; 1 Thess 4:13-17; 5:23; 1 Cor 15:51-58; 1 Jn 3:1-3). Salvation, in the general sense of the word, includes even the redemption of all creation at the end of the Millennium (Rom 8:17-25; Heb 1:10-12; 12:25-28; 2 Pet 3:10-13; Rev 21-22; Isa 66:22-24). If salvation takes in all creation affected by the Fall, then it is easy to see how it takes in every phase of deliverance for man in the process of redemption from its beginning to its completion.

—God’s Plan for Man by Finis J. Dake

Another wonderful excerpt from one of the lessons found in God’s Plan for Man. I could do all the back ground work on this myself but since Finis Jennings Dake already did the work I see no need to reinvent the wheel. Reverend Dake was with out a doubt a gifted man when it came to teaching the Word. When you learn a little about him, it was said that God gave him a supernatural ability to recall scripture. Man that would be awesome. I thank Reverend Dake for all his time and effort spent writing books explaining the Word. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

The Kingdom of God and The Kingdom of Heaven

The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are two distinctly different kingdoms. One political and limited the other spiritual and eternal. One ruled by the Son Jesus and the other by God the Father.

This post is not meant to be an in depth study of the two terms but merely a contrast between the two terms. Christians use the two terms interchangeably but there are some distinct differences between the two Kingdoms. Understanding the differences should help clarify certain passages in the Bible where these terms are used. The following contrasts and scripture passages should speak for themselves.

General Contrast Between the Two Kingdoms

The Kingdom of Heaven

1. It has the Messiah Jesus Christ as its King.
2. It is from Heaven, under Heaven, and upon Earth during the Millennium. Then it becomes submerged into the Kingdom of God forever (John 18:28-37, 1Cor 15:24-28, Rev 19:11-20:10).
3. It is limited in its scope (1Cor 15:24-28, Rev 5:10).
4. It is political in its sphere (Isa 9:7, Dan 7:13-14, 18).
5. It is Jewish and exclusive in its character (Isa 9:6-7, Luke 1:32-35, 2 Sam 7:1-29, Ezek 43:7).
6. It is national in its aspect (Isa 9:6-7, Luke 1:32-35).
7. It is dispensational in duration (1 Cor 15:24-28, Isa 9:6-7).
8. It includes only a portion of time and eternity (Matt 3:2).
9. It has a beginning (Luke 1:32-35).
10. All who profess are in the Kingdom of Heaven in this age (Matt 13).
11. The Kingdom of Heaven comes with outward show (Matt 24:29-31, 25:31-46, 2 Thess 1:7-10, Jude 14, Dan 7:13).
12. “Flesh and blood” does inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, for it is for earthly, natural people (Ps 37:11, Matt 5:5, Ps 138:4, Isa 60:3, 10-11, 62:2, Ezek 43:7, Dan 7:18, 27, Luke 1:32-35, Rev 21:23-26).
13. Men are never told to seek the Kingdom of Heaven.
14. The Kingdom of Heaven is future (Dan 2:44-45, 7:13-14, 18, 27).

The Kingdom of God

1. It has God the Father as its King.
2. It is in Heaven and over the Earth during the Millennium. Then it comes down to Earth to engulf the Kingdom of Heaven forever (1 Cor 15:24-28, Rev 21:3, 22:5, Dan 2:44-45, 7:13-14, 18).
3. It is unlimited in its scope (Ps 103:19, Col 1:16, Rev 4:11, 5:11).
4. It is moral and spiritual in its sphere (Rom 14:17, John 3:5, 1 Cor 4:20).
5. It is universal and inclusive in its character (1 Cor 15:24-28, Ps 103:19, Col 1:10-18, Rev 4:11).
6. It is universal in its aspect (Ps 109:19, 1 Cor 15:24-28).
7. It is eternal (1 Cor 15:24-28, Ps 90, John 1:1-3).
8. It includes all time and eternity (Ps 90:2, Pr 8:22-29, Rev 11:15)>
9. It has no beginning or ending.
10. One must be born again to be in the Kingdom of God (John 3:5).
11. The Kingdom of God does not come with outward show, for it is mainly spiritual (Luke 17:20-21, Matt 6:33, Rom 14:17, 1 Cor 4:20).
12. The Kingdom of God is not inherited by “flesh and blood,” but by glorified saints who become heirs of all things (Rom 8:14-17, 1 Cor 4:20, 6:9-10, Gal 5:21, Eph 5:5, Col 1:13, 1 Thess 2:12, 2 Thess 1:5, Heb 1:1-2, 12:28, 2 Pet 1:11).
13. Men are told to seek the Kingdom of God (Matt 6:33, Luke 12:31).
14. The Kingdom of God is now (Matt 6:33, John 3:1-5, Rom 14:17).

-God’s Plan for Man by Finis J. Dake

I hope this will enrich your study time and shed new light on scripture you have already read. 1 Peter 1:3 tells us we have been “granted all things pertaining to life and Godliness” so if knowledge of the Word is what you seek you will have it because it has already been given.

God bless and enjoy your study.

Revelation Song, Philips, Craig and Dean

I love this song!!!!!   Look! Lyrics and everything!

I hope you enjoy this as much as  I do.

Ahhh I Like it a lot!

Contrasts Between the Old and New Covenants

There seems to be a lot of confusion in the Church today about what covenant we now operate under. Christians are attempting to live under parts and/or all of both not understanding Christ brought about a new covenant. Just as when we are born again, “old things are past away, all things are made new”, so it is since Christ rose from the dead. Old things have past away, and all things are new which include our covenant with God, through Christ Jesus. Understanding the difference between the two, putting into practice the things that pertain to us, the Church, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you will move you into a higher level of relationship with the Father, Christ His Son and the Holy Ghost. This will change the way we see and understand God and His dealings with us.

Contrasts Between the Old and New Covenants:

Contrasts between the Old and New Covenants prove that they were two distinct covenants made for different purposes and to be in force at different times:

1.      One is called “the first covenant”; the other “the second covenant” (Heb 8:7; 9:1-18; 10:1-9).
2.      The first is called “the old covenant”; the second is called “the new covenant” (Matt 26:28; 2 Cor 3:1-18; Heb 8:13).
3.      The first covenant was given by Moses; the second by Jesus Christ (John 1:17; Gal 3:19; Heb 9:15; Matt 26:28).
4.      One is “the law of Moses”; the other “the law of Christ” (Acts 13:39; Gal 6:2).
5.      One is “the law of sin”; the other is “the law of righteousness” (Rom 7:7-25; 8:1-4; 9:31).
6.      One is the law of “the flesh”; the other is “the law of the Spirit” (Rom 7:5-6; 8:1-4; Gal 5:16-26).
7.      One is “not of faith”; the other is “the law of faith” (Gal 3:12; Rom 3:27).
8.      One is the “yoke of bondage”; the other is “the law of liberty” (Gal 5:1; James 1:18-25).
9.      One is brought to an end by Christ (Rom 10:4; 2 Cor 3:14; Heb 10:9); the other is established by Christ (Heb 8:6; 9:15; 10:9; 2 Cor 3:6-18; Matt 26:28).
10.   One brought death; the other brought life (2 Cor 3:6-18; Rom 8:1-4; Gal 3:21; Heb 9:15; 10:1-18).
11.   One makes guilty (Rom 3:19-20); the other justifies or makes not guilty (Acts 13:39; Rom 3:21-31; 5:1-11).
12.   One is “a shadow of things to come”; the other is the reality (Col 2:14-17; Heb 10:1-18).
13.   One is “fulfilled” or completed; the other is still in force (Matt 5:17-18; 2 Cor 3:6-18; Heb 10:9).
14.   One demanded righteousness; the other gave righteousness (Luke 10:28; Rom 8:1-4; Gal 3:1-29; 5:1-26).
15.   One made nothing perfect; the other made perfect (Heb 7:19).
16.   One was glorious; the other was more glorious (2 Cor 3:1-18).
17.   One was powerless to save from sin; the other saves to the uttermost (Heb 7:11-28; 8:7-13; 9:9-28; 10:1-18).
18.   One had many sacrifices; the other had only one (Heb 9:9-14; 10:14; Rom 6:6-13).
19.   One had a changeable priesthood; the other didn’t (Heb 7:23-28; 4:14-16; Rom 8:34).
20.   One remembered sins; the other forgets sin (Heb 10:3; 8:12).
21.   One had a representative and a seasonal access to God (Heb 9:7-10); the other had a personal and daily access to God (Heb 4:14-16; 7:25; 10:19-20; Eph 2:18).
22.   One had a sinful ministry (Heb 5:1-4); the other had a sinless ministry (Heb 7:26-28; 2 Cor 3:1-18; 1 John 3:9).
23.   One was given under the Levitical priesthood (Heb 7:11-12); the other under the present Melchisedec priesthood (Heb 6:20; 7:11-21, 24).
24.   One had an earthly tabernacle service of animal sacrifices (Heb 9:1-10); the other had a heavenly tabernacle service of spiritual salvation (Heb 4:14-16; 7:25; 8:1-5; 9:11-15).
25.   One had a sinful mediator (Gal 3:19); the other had a sinless mediator (1 Tim 2:5; Heb 7:26; 1 Pet 2:22).
26.   One had no eternal inheritance (Rom 4:13); the other had an eternal inheritance (Rom 8:17; Heb 9:15; 1 Pet 1:1-25).
27.   One was ratified by animal blood (Exod 29:1-8; Heb 9:16-22); the other by the blood of Christ (Matt 26:28).
28.   One was a law of works; the other a law of grace (John 1:17; Rom 3:24-31; Gal 3:10-12; Eph 2:8-9).
29.   One brought wrath (Rom 4:15); the other brought salvation from wrath (Rom 5:9; Gal 3:13-14).
30.   One could not redeem; the other could (Gal 3:10-14; Rom 8:1-4; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14; Heb 7:25).
31.   One couldn’t satisfy God’s demands; the other one did (Gal 2:21; Heb 7:22; 8:6; 10:5-18).
32.   One made no provision for doing miracles; the other one provided for them (Gal 3:1-5; 1 John 5:8; John 14:12; Luke 24:49).
33.   Prophecy foretold the abolishing of one and the establishing of the other (Isa 51:4; Jer 31:33; Acts 3:22; Heb 8:7-13; 10:4-18; Rom 11:25-29).
34.   One had a fleshly sign of obedience (Acts 7:8; Rom 2:25); the other did not (Rom 4:11; 1 Cor 7:18).
35.   One was too weak to overcome sin; the other gave victory over sin (Rom 6:1-23; 8:1-4; Eph 2:8-9; 1 John 5:1-18).
36.   One was made to be changed (Gal 3:22-26; Heb 7:11-22; 8:5-6; 9:9-10; 10:1-18); the other was made to be unchanged (Heb 7:22; 8:6; 10:9; 13:20).

God’s Plan for Man by Finis J. Dake

If you have ever had any questions concerning the the old and new covenants I hope this excerpt from God’s Plan for Man will help clear things up. This is an excellent book and I highly recommend it to anyone who is seeking to know God more intimately. Like any book, written by man about the Bible, take away from the study what speaks to you and file away the things that don’t because they may mean something later. The things you can’t agree with; be at least as smart as an old cow; eat the hay leave the sticks.

Enjoy your study.

Things God will not say. . . . .

I believe scripture is true. I believe it is infallible. I believe God is bound by His word. This sometimes places limits on His ability to work in our lives if we place ourselves outside of His word. Within the confines of His word I believe the following is true.

Thank you to whoever posted this on youtube.