Who is The LORD?

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” So He said, “I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” (Exodus 3:11-13)

Moses made excuses because he felt inadequate for the job God asked him to do (Exodus 3:10). It was natural for him to feel that way. He was inadequate all by himself. But God wasn't asking Moses to work alone. He offered other resources to help (God Himself, Aaron, and the ability to do miracles). God often calls us to tasks that seem too difficult, but He doesn't ask us to do them alone. God offers us His resources, just as He did to Moses. We should not hide behind our inadequacies, as Moses did, but look beyond ourselves to the great resources available. Then we can allow God to use our unique contributions.

Merry Christmas!

I would like to wish all of my blogging friends a MERRY CHRISTMAS.  You have all been a blessing in my life and it is my hope that this blog is a blessing too you. 

May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ always remain the focus of our lives.  In everything we do we will always give God the honor and glory that He so richly deserves.  May God bless each and every one of you with His love, joy, comfort, and peace this coming year.

Humbly I pray for all who are still hurting and suffering that our Lord will touch you with His healing hands and give you comfort and peace just knowing that He is near.

God bless, Lloyd

Thank You Troops and Veterans!

2011 Christmas Lights- Thank You Troops and Veterans! Thanks for Your Votes!

(Please turn off music button on sidebar)

 I must admit that while watching this video it brought tears to my eyes. Being a Vietnam veteran in the U.S. Navy stationed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), I was and still am PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN.

I want to thank the Mosey Creek light Display in the Southwood Community of Mosey Creek Lane, Tallahassee, Florida, for this wonderful tribute to our military men, women and veterans during this Christmas Season. God bless you.

Jesus Is Our Advocate!

My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2)

John uses the address “dear children” in a warm, fatherly way.  He is not talking down to his readers but is showing affection for them.  At this writing, John was a very old man.  He had spent almost all his life in ministry, and many of his readers were indeed his spiritual children.

Tampering With God's Creation!

‘We can do wonders if we get them early’: young twin boy undergoes sex change into ‘Nicole"

BY KATHLEEN GILBERT

Wed Dec 14, 2011 15:57 EST

Wyatt Maines with his twin brother Jonas
before his transition to "Nicole."

Wyatt with his twin brother Jonas now.

BOSTON, December 14, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A front-page story on the Boston Globe’s Sunday edition highlighted the work of a prestigious Massachusetts hospital which blocked and altered the development of one young boy’s body to match his self-identification as a girl.

Wyatt Maines, now 14 years old, is the identical twin of brother Jonas - but thanks to powerful hormone blocking drugs, he is now five inches shorter and several pounds lighter than Jonas, sports more feminine features, and goes by the name “Nicole.” “The thought of being a boy makes me cringe,’’ said Maines. “I just couldn’t do it.’’  Click "here" for the complete article.

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Every time I read an article about a medical doctor changing the sexual identity both mentally and physically of a child under the disguise of "gender identity disorder (GID) " it makes me literally ill at my stomach.  Do these young children really have the ability to determine whether or not they were born a boy in a girls body or a girl born in a boys body? 

Please read this article regarding these two twin boys and tell me what your opinion is regarding sex changes in young children.  It has become a "Norm" for this perverse and wicked world to take what God has created as "Good" and change it to the "Evil" desires of man.  

PM Netanyahu's Christmas Greetings

PM Netanyahu's Christmas Greetings to Israel's Christian citizens and to Christians throughout the world.  (Please turn off music button on sidebar)

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Thank you PM Netanyahu for your Christmas wishes for all Christians around the world. In return, we wish Israel will have God's blessings of peace, joy and happiness and that the aggression against your people will end.

It is interesting to note that the Bible commands us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6), to speak out for Zion’s sake (Isaiah 62:1), to be watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem (Isaiah 62:6) and to bless the Jewish people (Genesis 12:3). These and many other Bible verses have one overriding message - as Christians we have a Biblical obligation to defend Israel and the Jewish people in their time of need.

Let us all join in and lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus all around the world as we celebrate the birth of our Savior and Lord. Amen.

The Olivet Discourse

Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple.  And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” (Matthew 24:1-2)

The discourse of Matthew 23:1-39 had evidently been given in the temple precincts. The first temple, built by Solomon, was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C..  The second temple, built under the encouragement of Haggai and Zechariah and the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua (Hag. 1:1), was completed after considerable delay in 516 B.C..  This second temple was completely and lavishly renovated by Herod the Great.  He began the work around 20 B.C., but the renovations were not completed during the lifetime of Christ (John 2:20).  The work was finally finished in A.D. 64, and the temple stood completed for only six years before it was reduced to rubble by the Romans.

Dangers of Homosexual Movement

LSN reporter Matthew Hoffman speaks to Brazilians

about dangers of homosexual movement

Hoffman speaks at the
Campos dos Afonsos Baptist Church
in Rio de Janeiro.

BY THE EDITORS

Fri Dec 02, 2011 13:31 EST

December 1, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) - LifeSIteNews’ Latin America Correspondent Matthew Cullinan Hoffman has recently returned from a two-week Brazilian speaking tour on the dangerous rise of the homosexual movement and its link to the corrupted sexual morals of heterosexuals.

Hoffman spoke to a large number of Catholic bishops and priests, as well as Evangelical ministers and laity, who received his message with gratitude. Three of the talks were live-streamed on the Internet and a fourth was recorded for possible distribution by a Protestant family ministry.  Click "here" to read the complete article.

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I applaud Matthew Hoffman for having the courage to stand up and speak out against the homosexual movement that seems to be an epidemic that is spreading world-wide like a cancer invading the human body.  

It has come to a point in our modern society that if a Christian speaks out against homosexuality they are quickly condemned as being "hateful", "bigots", or, even in some jurisdictions "criminals" because saying anything negative about homosexuality is classified as a "hate crime".  

In the Holy Scriptures, Jesus commands us to go out and preach the gospel to all people and let them know that God loves them.  I think it is time that all believers need to be like Matthew Hoffman and speak out against homosexuality (in the love of Jesus) and let folks know that it is not God's will for the human race.  What are some of your ideas regarding this very sensitive issue?  Should Christians speak out or should they remain silent when it comes to sexual immorality?

Jesus Saves Sinners!

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:14-17)

When the Israelites were wandering in the desert, God sent a plague of snakes to punish the people for their rebellious attitudes.  Those doomed to die from snakebite could be healed by obeying God's command to look up at the elevated bronze snake and by believing that God would heal them if they did (Numbers 21:8, 9).  Every time the words "lifted up" occur in the Gospel of John there is a reference to Jesus’ death (John 8:28; 12:32, 34).  When Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, those who looked at it lived.  So it is with the Son of Man (John 1:51).  Our salvation happens when we look up to Jesus, believing He will save us.  God has provided this way for us to be healed of sin's deadly bite.

This is the Will of God!

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.  (1 Thess. 4:3-8)

Sexual standards were very low in the Roman Empire, and in many societies today they are not any higher.  The temptation to engage in sexual intercourse outside of marriage relationship has always been powerful.  Giving in to the temptation can have disastrous results.  Sexual sins always hurt someone; individuals, families, businesses, churches.  Besides the physical consequences, there are also spiritual consequences (1 Cor. 6:18).  Sexual desires and activities must be placed under Christ’s control.  God created sex for procreation and pleasure, and as an expression of love between a husband and wife.  Sexual experience must be limited to the marriage relationship to avoid hurting ourselves, our relationship to God, and our relationships with others.

Thanksgiving Day Praise!

I want to take time to thank God for everything that He has done for me, because without His love, mercy, and grace, I would have no hope, joy or peace in this world.

Thank you Lord for dying on the cross for me.

Thank you Lord for my wife, Margaret, three wonderful boys, and lots of grandkids.

Thank you Lord for providing for my family even when things were tough.

Thank you Lord for giving me and my family a loving church home.

Thank you Lord for allowing me to go out and witness in Your name.

Thank you Lord for this Christian Blog and the friendship of other Christian Bloggers.

When I think of how much God has done for me it just humbles me that even though I am a sinner He will never leave me nor forsaken me.  It is my prayer this Thanksgiving Day that everyone that reads this post will experience the love, mercy and grace of God... for without Him we are nothing.  God bless each and every one of you and your families.  

Happy 2nd Anniversary!

It is hard to believe that the Solid Rock or Sinking Sand blog has been up and running now for two years.  My whole idea when I first began blogging was to get the message of Jesus Christ out to folks that needed to hear that God loves them.  And, that God wants them to come to Him just as they are, no matter what is happening in their lives.

The more I searched the internet the more I realized that there was a need for Christian bloggers to put out the truth regarding the Word of God.  There are so many folks out there that are hurting and need to know that Jesus loves them and that He is waiting for them to humble themselves, repent of their sins, and accept Him as their Savior and Lord.

I want to thank all of my followers who have dropped by and made comments on the different posts that are published.  I sincerely appreciate your comments that you leave even if they sometimes do not agree with what I say.

It is my believe that "Unity" in the Christian community is very important and that even though we might disagree on non-essential doctrines, it is important that we come to agreement on the essential doctrines that makes us all members of the family of God.  We need to remember that the "World" is always watching us.

Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart for being a part of my life and a part of Solid Rock or Sinking Sand.    God's blessings to you all.  Lloyd

Rejoice in the Lord!

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.  (1 Peter 1:6-9)

Peter mentions suffering several times in this letter:  1 Peter 1:6-7; 3:13-17; 4:12-19; 5:9.  When he speaks of trials, he is not talking about natural disasters or the experience of God’s punishments, but the response of an unbelieving world to people of faith.  All believers face such trials when they let their light shine into the darkness.  We must accept trials as part of the refining process that burns away impurities and prepares us to meet Christ.  Trials teach us patience (Romans 5:3, 4; James 1:2, 3) and help us grow to be the kind of people God wants.

Our Heavenly Inheritance

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  (1 Peter 1:3-5)

In 1 Peter 1:2, believers are chosen to be included in God’s family, not on the basis of what they have done or who they are, but on the basis of God’s eternal wisdom. Sanctification is the ongoing process whereby the Holy Spirit works in believers, making their lives holy, separated from their old ways and to God in order to be more like Him. This verse mentions all three members of the Trinity – God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit.  All members of the Trinity work to bring about our salvation.  The Father chose us before we chose Him (Ephesians 1:4).  Jesus Christ the Son died for us while we were still sinners (Romans 6:6-10).  The Holy Spirit brings us the benefits of salvation and sets us apart (sanctifies us) for God’s service (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

Give Honor to our Veterans!

It is the VETERAN,

not the preacher,

who has given us freedom of religion.

What are your Kids Watching on T.V.?

‘Glee’ displays gay teen sex in prime-time

BY THADDEUS BAKLINSKI
Tue Nov 08, 2011 15:44 EST

November 4, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) - This week’s episode of Fox Television’s prime-time musical comedy show “Glee” featured two teenage couples, one heterosexual and one homosexual, engaging in sex for the first time.

Titled “The First Time,” the episode depicted two couples - a young man and woman, Finn and Rachel, and two young men, Kurt and Blaine - each losing their virginity. The development occurs after a fellow student and school play director tells Blaine and Rachel, who are practicing their roles as Tony and Maria for a production of West Side Story, that they won’t be believable as lovers onstage until they have sex.  Click "Here" for the complete article.

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Do you know what your children are watching on television?  Fox and other networks are finally slipping in the "world's" views on sexual morality.  It saddens my heart to think of all the innocent children that are subjected to Hollywood's moral standards and beliefs.  May God have mercy on those who causes His children to stumble.

I ask you again...Do you know what your teenage boy or girl are watching on television tonight?  

Worship God in Spirit and Truth

Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father.  You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.  But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.  God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:21-24)

By mentioning the two different worship sites (John 4:20), the woman at the well was perhaps trying to shift the conversation away from the subject of her own sins to theological questions. Or perhaps she realized that she was a sinner (John 4:18), and knew that she was required to offer a sacrifice.

Crossdressing 7-year-old boy allowed to join Girl Scouts

BY CHRISTINE DHANAGOM

Mon Oct 31, 2011 16:23 EST

October 31, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Girl Scouts of Colorado has announced that 7-year-old Bobby Montoya, who was initially turned away from a local Girl Scout chapter on the grounds that he is not a girl, will be allowed to join since he “identifies” as a girl.

Rachelle Trujillo, vice president of communications with Girl Scouts of Colorado, told CNSnews.com that any child who is “living life as a girl” is eligible for membership in the organization.        

Click "here" for complete article. _______________________________________________________ 

It just saddens my heart to read stories like this. The mother of this little 7 year old boy who thinks he wants to be a girl needs counseling on how to raise children. Please tell me how Bobby would have known that he was born a "girl" in a "boys" body when he was only two years old?

Being a Christian is like being a Pumpkin!

Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin.

God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you.

He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all The yucky stuff

 - including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc.

Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see.

Did God create Women and Men equally?

While surfing the Internet, I have come across several Christian blog sites that sometimes tend to place women as second class citizens.  When God created man, did He actually intend for him to have total control (dominate) over women?  Or, did God create woman to be man’s companion and to share equally (Genesis 1:27) in their dominion over all of the earth (Genesis 1:26).

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (Genesis 1:26)

Why does God use the plural form, "Let us make man in our image"?  One view says this is a reference to the Trinity - God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirit - all of whom are God.  Another view is that the plural wording is used to denote majesty.  Kings traditionally use the plural form in speaking of themselves.  From Job 33:4 and Psalm 104:30, we do know that God's Spirit was present in the creation.  From Colossians 1:16 we know that Christ, God's Son, was at work in the creation.

Only Member's of the RCC are SAVED?

I thought it would be interesting to see if all members of the Roman Catholic Church had the same belief as my Christian Brother Michael regarding "Salvation".

Michael is a very outspoken member of the RCC on all doctrines and traditions.  Michael has the Christian blog "BREAD OF LIFE" and just recently posted the following teachings on "WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?"  Click "here" and read what Michael has to say, then let me know what God is saying to you regarding His free gift of Salvation.

Then I want you to answer this simple question:  In your personal opinion, what do you understand it takes for a person to go to Heaven?

Teacher under investigation!

Teacher under investigation for criticizing homosexuality on Facebook page

BY JEREMY KRYN Mon Oct 17, 2011 14:39 EST

UNION TOWNSHIP, New Jersey, October 17, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – New Jersey school officials are investigating allegations that a teacher criticized homosexuality on her personal Facebook page. Special education teacher Viki Knox had posted complaints about a Union High School display recognizing October as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender History month. According to the Star-Ledger, Knox posted the display, which included photographs of homosexual icons Virginia Woolf, Harvey Milk, and Neil Patrick Harris, and commented, “I’m pitching a fit!”  To read the complete news article click "here".

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This is a very interesting news article out of the township of Union, New Jersey.  Special education teacher Viki Knox is under investigation by her school board for criticizing homosexuality on her own private Facebook page.  This should hit home with all Christians regarding "Freedom of Speech" and "Freedom of Religion".  Do we not have a constitutional right to voice our religious beliefs on our own Facebook or web pages?

The Bible does makes it clear, that all believers in our Lord Jesus, who take a stand that is unpopular with the "Worlds  view-point", can expect to be persecuted.  Keep the FAITH Viki Knox and the Lord will do the rest.  

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words!

Our God is Always Faithful

But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes.  For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.  Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.  (2 Cor. 1:18-22)

Paul's change of plans caused some of his accusers to say that he couldn't be trusted, hoping to undermine his authority.  Paul said that he was not the type of person to say "yes" when he means "no".  Paul explained that it was not indecision but concern for their feelings that forced him to change his plans.  The reason for his trip - to bring joy (2 Cor. 1:24) - could not be accomplished with the present crisis.  Paul didn't want to visit them only to rebuke them severely (2 Cor. 1:23).  He would still visit them, but at a better time.

Christians must test the Spirits!

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.  By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God.  And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.  (1 John 4:1-3)

"Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits" means that we shouldn't believe everything we hear just because someone says it is a message inspired by God.  There are many ways to test teachers to see if their message is truly from the Lord.  One is to check to see if their words match what God says in the Bible (1 John 2:22; 1 Cor. 12:3).  Other tests include their commitment to the body of believers (1 John 2:19), their life-style (1 John 3:23, 24), and the fruit of their ministry (1 John 4:6).  But the most important test of all, says John, is what they believe about Christ.  Do they teach that Jesus is fully God and fully man?  Our world is filled with voices claiming to speak for God.  Give them these tests to see if they are indeed speaking God's truth.

Are you condemned before God?

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2)

"Not guilty; let him go free" - what would those words mean to you if you were on death row?  The fact is that the whole human race is on death row, justly condemned for repeatedly breaking God's holy law.  Without Jesus we would have no hope at all.  But thank God!  He has declared us not guilty and has offered us freedom from sin and power to do His will.

Are you Righteous before God?

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:21-23)

In these verses we see two functions of God's law.  First, it shows us where we go wrong.  Because of the law, we know that we are helpless sinners and that we must come to Jesus Christ for mercy.  Second, the moral code revealed in the law can serve to guide our actions by holding up God's moral standards.  We do not earn salvation by keeping the law (no one except Christ ever kept or could keep God's law perfectly), but we do please God when our lives conform to His revealed will for us.

Dealing with Trials and Temptations

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.  Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.  But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.  (James 1:12-15)

The crown of life is like the victory wreath given to winning athletes (1 Cor. 9:25).  God's crown of life is not glory and honor here on earth, but the reward of eternal life - living with God forever.  The way to be in God's winners' circle is by loving Him and staying faithful even under pressure.  The believer who endures trials demonstrates that they love Jesus and therefore will receive the crown of life (Rev. 2:10) at the judgment seat of Christ. The Bible describes the believer’s reward (2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 22:12) under various vivid images such as precious metals (1 Cor. 3:8–14), garments (Rev. 3:5, 18; 19:7–8), and crowns (1 Cor. 9:25; Rev. 2:10; 3:11). 

Our Hope is in Jesus!

Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.  (1 Peter 4:1-2)

Some people will do anything to avoid pain.  As followers of Christ, however, we should be willing and prepared to do God's will and to suffer for it if necessary.  Sin loses its power to defeat us in our suffering if we focus on Christ and what He wants us to do.  When our bodies are in pain or our lives are in jeopardy, our real values show up clearly, and sinful pleasures seem less important.  If anyone suffers for doing good and still faithfully obeys in spite of suffering, that person has made a clean break with sin. 

In Remembrance of the 911 Heroes and Victims

I sat down and watched the above movie that is a documentation of interviews, photographs and video of that day on September 11th, 2001, that will forever be etched in the minds of all who witnessed or saw this nightmare unfold while watching the morning news.

After ten years, I still tear up just thinking of all those souls that perished in one of the worst terrorist attacks on U.S. soil.  If you have the time I encourage you to set back and watch how all of the events unfolded on that day in history. 

Where was God on 911?

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news on September 11, 2001. Neither will I.

Rapture of the Church (Part 2)

 

Most churches contain people who do not yet believe.  Some are moving in the direction of belief, and others are simply pretending.  Imposters, however, are not to be removed (Matthew 13:28, 29), for that is the Lord’s work alone.  The Good News about Jesus Christ will save us if we firmly believe it and faithfully follow it.

Paul established the Corinthian church on his second missionary journey.  In this study of 1 Corinthians 15:50-54, we will see that the church in Corinth needed the same reassurance as did the Thessalonians regarding their fellow believers who had fallen asleep (died).

Rapture of the Church (Part 1)

The rapture and the second coming of Christ are often confused.  Sometimes it is difficult to determine whether a scripture verse is referring to the rapture or the second coming.  However, in studying end-times Bible prophecy, it is very important to differentiate between the two.

The rapture is when Jesus Christ returns to remove the church (all believers in Christ) from the earth. The rapture is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-54. Believers who have died will have their bodies resurrected and, along with believers who are still living, will meet the Lord in the air. This will all occur in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye.  The second coming is when Jesus returns to defeat the Antichrist, destroy evil, and establish His millennial kingdom. The second coming is described in Revelation 19:11-16.

To understand fully the scriptures that deal with the rapture of the church, there will be two separate Bible studies.  In Part 1 we will study and meditate on 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18; and in Part 2, we will be studying and meditating on 1 Corinthians 15: 50-54.

Walking In the Light

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.  If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.  (1 John 1:5-7)

Light represents what is good, pure, true, holy, and reliable.  Darkness represents what is sinful and evil.  The statement “God is light” means that God is perfectly holy and true and that He alone can guide us out of the darkness of sin.  Light is also related to truth in that light exposes whatever exists, whether it is good or bad.  God is light by nature, in His essential being, just as He is Spirit (John 4:24) and love (1 John 4:8, 16).  Light refers to God’s moral character.  God is holy, untouched by any evil or sin – there is no darkness at all.   Because God is light, those who desire fellowship with Him must also be pure.

Are Christian’s Required to do Good Works?

This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.  These things are good and profitable to men.  (Titus 3:8)

In Titus 3:8, “This is a faithful saying”, Paul is emphasizing that what he has written (Titus 3:4–8) is a trustworthy statement, one that is central to the Christian faith.  There are four other places in the Pastoral Epistles where Paul labels his teaching as a faithful saying (1 Timothy 1:15, 3:1, 4:9; 2 Timothy 2:11–13).  It is significant that the faithful saying in Titus includes an admonition to maintain good works, the theme of the letter.  These things are good and profitable: This emphasizes the practical benefit of good works.

Grinding America Down

If you have a chance, watch this video and let me know what you think. I find it very interesting that the people of the United States of America have allowed this to happen. My only real concern is... may God have mercy on our souls for not standing up for our Christian values and witness to the world.

God's New Covenant

“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” (Jeremiah 31: 31-34)

In Jeremiah 31:31, the phrase "days are coming", usually introduces a special occasion of divine intervention in history. As contrasted with the Mosaic and Deuteronomic covenant, Jeremiah speaks of a new covenant with the house of Israel and house of Judah. According to Jeremiah 11:10, both kingdoms had broken God’s covenant by rejecting His words and by worshiping other gods.