Read the Bible
It’ll give you a check up
from the neck up,
help you avoid stinkin’ thinkin’,
and totally eliminate
hardening of the attitude.
Adrian Rogers
Tag Archives: Bible
ARGUE WITH GOD?
Tell it to them like it is in the Bible,
and if they want to argue about it
tell them to argue with GOD.
Adrian Rogers
Filed under quotes
WAS THERE REALLY A SEANCE IN THE BIBLE?
William Andrew Dillard
I
Samuel 28 relates the story of a successful séance. Are we to
believe that this really happened? Yes, indeed! The greatest reason
for believing this literal event successfully occurred is that it is
affirmed in the Bible. Moreover, there is additional, strong Biblical
support for it. God preserved the incident in His Holy Word, so it is
to be believed regardless of peripheral reasoning. However the
peripheral, biblical support is assuring.
One must
consider that this is an Old Testament event. In that time period
departed spirits of men all went into Hades, the world of the
departed ones. Hades consisted of two compartments: one for the
saved, and one for the lost. This is most graphically seen in Luke 16
regarding the rich man and Lazarus. The compartment of Hades for the
lost was a place of torment. The compartment of the saved is
referenced as Abraham’s Bosom, or Paradise. There was an
uncrossable gulf between the two, but communication was apparently
possible, via Luke 16. Jesus went into this paradise, and promised
one repentant thief on the cross that he, too would be with him there
that very day. The apostle Peter tells us that Jesus preached to the
spirits in Paradise who were disobedient during the days of Noah. I
Peter 3:18-22
However, it is apparent that Satan held some sort
of claim over the entire world of the dead until Christ Jesus
experientially defeated death on the cross. For this reason, people
who had committed themselves to Satan ( possessors of a familiar
spirit) had ability to explore to some degree that world. The witch
of Endor actually did contact, and request the appearance of Samuel
from the world of the dead. Both she and Saul recognized the prophet.
Samuel then correctly prophesied the death of Saul and his sons in
battle with the Philistines the very next day.
But when Jesus
arose, the New Testament is adamant that he possessed the keys of
death, hell, and the grave. Eph 4:8-10. Not only did he rise from the
world of the dead, he carried Paradise or Abraham’s Bosom into the
present heaven where the spirits of saved people in this age are
immediately transported. upon death. Matt. 27:53
The difference
in resting places for the saved dead then hinge on the completed work
of Jesus on the cross. Before His experiential victory, it was the
Paradise of Hades; afterward, it is the heaven of the throne of God.
Before His experiential victory, Satan held a claim over the world of
the dead for their sins although forgiven, had not yet been
successfully paid for by the perfect work of Jesus. Afterward, it is
the resting place in heaven, and there is no Satanic claim on those
in Christ.
Filed under Uncategorized
Finding Jesus
If you read the Bible and don’t find Jesus,
go back and reread it.
It is a “HIM-book.”
Adrian Rogers
Filed under quotes
THE BIBLE STANDS.
Century
follows century—There it stands.
Empires rise and fall
and are forgotten—There it stands.
Dynasty succeeds
dynasty—There it stands.
Kings are crowned and
uncrowned—There it stands.
Emperors
decree its extermination—There it stands.
Atheists rail
against it—There it stands.
Agnostics smile cynically—There
it stands.
Profane prayerless punsters caricature it—There it
stands.
Unbelief
abandons it—There it stands.
Higher critics deny its claim to
inspiration—There it stands.
The flames are kindled about
it—There it stands.
Time gnaws at it—There it stands.
Infidels
predict its abandonment—There it stands.
Modernism tries to
explain it away—There it stands.
—A. Z. Conrad
Filed under the Bible
Understanding the Word
Our understanding should come from the Word of God. Psa_119:169 TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word. We are told to study the word and not trust our own understanding. Pro_3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Have you heard that God has exalted His Word above His Name? Yes that is true. Psa_138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. Do you know what that means? We better get it right.
There are many today that try to destroy God and His Word. A declaration that God does not exist does not cause God to go away or diminish. Psalm 14:1 states, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. I see the handy work of God all around me. Where is the proof there is no God? The theories of how earth and animals and men has never been able to prove evolution. When man “thinks” he has it figured out, then a flaw to “rational thinking” shows the impossibility and therefore another “theory” has to be brought into play.
Since there is a God that has created all things, He must have a desire to communicate to man. Leviticus 1:1,2 reveals that God used Moses as His spokesman to the children of Israel. Jeremiah 1:4 tells us that God sent His Word to Jeremiah and Jeremiah 1:5 reveals to us that God said to Jeremiah – “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. We find Revelation 1:1 where John makes the undisputed claim that God’s word was given to Him.
God wants to communicate His Words to us and He does not want His Word changed at the whim of man therefore God gave this warning. Moses, the first writer of the Bible gave a warning in Deuteronomy 12:32 – What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. God makes sure that this warning can be misconstrued to only apply to the Old Testament by adding a warning in the book of Revelation chapter 22 verses 18 and 19 – For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Oh yes, just incase this did not register with some people, he made this statement in Proverbs 30:5,6 – Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. God didn’t stop there The first book of the New Testament, Matthew records a very important message for those that think God’s Word would be lost with the passage of time.
Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. What this should mean to us is very simple. Be sure you know what the scripture says. Don’t twist it, change it or take it out f context.
Filed under the Bible
I BELIEVE GOD
Why I believe the Bible is the Word of God? I have read the Bible since I was six years old. I am now seventy years olds. For the last 30 years, I have given special attention to the lineage of the Bible. I have read promises and prophecies. I have seen where prophecy has been fulfilled. I believe that when God gives a promise or a prophecy, I believe Him. Deuteronomy 12 gives a promise and prophecy that has been fulfilled. It will be completed in thousand year reign. Verse 28 says “… observe and hear all these words…” Deuteronomy 11:18 says ‘therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.” My God says to remember my words to ancient Isreal. he did not say to make a decision upon what words you want to believe. He did not leave Isreal with a group of words that they could choose from. He left them with precise instructions. I believe the very Word of God and not those that without investigation, deride the Word of God and say it was simply written by man. My God keeps His Word.
Filed under Commentary
Lauding Mankind’s Most Valuable Document
William Andrew Dillard
Parson to Person
The Holy Bible, the cannon of sixty-six books common to the King James Version is the product of the “Textus Receptus” (received text), a collection of about thirty of the most ancient manuscripts that are copies of the original. It is the Word of the Creator God of heaven and earth to mankind. Between its covers one finds the origin of man, his cause of condemnation, his means of salvation, as well as his trials, history, achievement of spiritual maturity, security, and hope that is both sure and steadfast. It is the prime directive of the race, and its importance eclipses all other documents combined.
Despite criticisms to the contrary, The Holy Bible remains the basis of morals, laws, and faith which has sustained human life on the planet, and allowed governments and society at large to make meaningful progress. Where its teachings are observed, peace and progress abounds. Where its teachings are rejected misery, poverty, death and all manner of evil prevails. Truly, if only one collection of writings could be retained and all others destroyed, this writer would not hesitate to name his collection to keep as the Holy Bible.
The Bible is not a history book, but it accurately records all one really needs to know about the history of civilization. It is not a science book. That is also not its purpose, yet it is supportive of all systematized facts. Still others say, “Well one can take it or leave it.” Yes, one can take it or leave it, temporarily, but to quote Jesus, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.” Matt. 4:4. By the Word of God every person has the grace of life, and will by it ultimately be judged.
The Bible uniquely is both static and alive. It is sharper than a two-edged sword, and will survive the universal cataclysm that is coming right on schedule. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but the Word of God abideth forever. I Peter 1:23. Its purpose is to give one knowledge, understanding, and wisdom to escape the damnation of sin, and to elevate its disciples ultimately to eternal oneness with the Son of God.
You say that you have a Bible, but do not know its contents very well? That, my friend is the most awesome of responsibilities ignored with eternal, non-reversible consequences! Open that book! Read! Think! There is reason that far outstrips that of all others in your having a copy of the Bible.
Filed under Commentary, Uncategorized
THE BEST PLACE TO SEE JESUS
William Andrew Dillard
Well known by children and adults, alike, is the Bible story of Zacchaeus and the sycamore tree, related in Luke 19. Here it is recorded that Jesus entered and passed through Jericho, a singular event for Him.
Now Zacchaeus was a man small of stature, and the fame of Jesus had already spread abroad. A crowd gathered along the street as many, including Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus. But it was obvious that something had to be done if short Zacchaeus were to succeed.
So, Zacchaeus climbed a nearby sycamore tree, enabling him to see over the crowd, thus achieving his objective. But this would be no normal day for the little man. As Jesus passed that way, He paused and commanded that Zacchaeus come down. Not only did Zacchaeus get to see Jesus, he had the unthinkable blessing of entertaining Him in his home.
There are some important things to note about this historic event that are applicable to men everywhere in this precious age of grace. 1.) A desire to see Jesus was in the heart of Zacchaeus. 2.) He did what he could do in climbing the tree in order to see Him. 3.) He responded to the call of the Master to come down and meet Him personally. 4.) He had a penitent attitude not only toward God, but also toward his fellowmen whom he may have dealt with deceitfully in the past. 5.) He gladly received Jesus into his home, gaining an awesome, unimaginable blessing for time and eternity. In summation, these five things that graced the life of a little Jewish man some 2,000 years ago are the same ones that have graced the lives of millions of ensuing believers. Furthermore, they are those which will still grace the lives of Holy Spirit convicted seekers of the Master and His righteousness.
Truly, it is God Who puts a desire in a person’s heart and mind to want to see Jesus. It is He who calls for men to come down out of their perch and meet the Master, not high in a tree, but low on bended knee. It is He Who graces men with a penitent attitude, and changes life so that it may be lived honestly and separately unto the Lord. Furthermore, it is God who causes us to want to have Him as the Head of our home. It is so true that in His presence is fullness of joy, and the more we learn of Him and His Holy Word, the more we see Jesus in our heart of hearts. Zacchaeus is one of “whomsoever” that Jesus is calling to “come down.” He would abide at your house! Blessed are those who are listening, and responding! They will see Jesus first hand as he is!
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Tagged as Bible, Jesus, sycamore tree, Zacchaeus