Weblog
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Friday, 04 September 2009
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I put this up on facebook yesterday and thought that some of you here might enjoy it too.
Have you heard about sin and yet you have never understood what sin is? What is the Biblical definition of sin and lawlessness? What does it mean to abide and remain in the L-rd? What does it mean to be a witness for God? All of these things are defined in this awesome teaching by David Taylor.
If we do not understand what being a witness is and how sin is defined in 1 John, then you will not know how to be a living sacrifice.
If you would rather download it and listen at your convenience go here and click on the download button under the player, it's easy.
I would be interested in hearing any thoughts on what you think about the teaching...
Monday, 17 August 2009
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What He said
Matthew 5:17
"Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets;
I did not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."
Let's stop and think a minute...
abolish-
1 : to end the observance or effect of : annul <abolish a law> <abolish slavery>
2 : destroy
And Jesus/Yeshua said he did NOT come to abolish.
fulfill-
1 archaic : to make full : fill <her subtle, warm, and golden breath…fulfills him with beatitude — Alfred Tennyson>
2 a : to put into effect : execute b : to meet the requirements of (a business order) c : to bring to an end d : to measure up to : satisfy
3 a : to convert into reality b : to develop the full potentialities of
Pick and choose carefully which definition you use. Jesus obviously wasn't using a synonym for abolish when he said fulfill. If we continue on through Chapter 5 in Matthew it seems that 3b would be an appropriate choice.
Matthew 5:18
"For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished."
Some like to say that after Yeshua died that it was all completely fulfilled.
Quick break: Go take a look outside and report back with your observations *we'll wait*
First let me guess... umm was it possibly the heavens and earth?
So we can safely rule out that ALL has NOT been accomplished.
Matthew 5:19
"Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven;"
Now let's back up a minute, did you know that this passage of scripture we're going over here was taught right after the Beatitudes?
Are the Beatitudes still in affect?
Yeah.
And what about the rest of what Jesus says after Matthew 5:21 to the end of Matthew- is all of that still in affect today?
Yeah.
So why would we think these verses, in particular this one (vs 19), are not affect for you and me today?
That doesn't make any sense.
I'll take the explanation of Jesus over the explanation of a man!
Let's get back to the verse at hand: whoever annuls one of the LEAST of these commandments... what commandments? If we stay in context with the passage then we know it is the commandments from the Law and the Prophets... and TEACHES others to do the SAME... they are going to be called LEAST in the kingdom.
These are the words of Jesus. It's not my judgment on you or anyone else, it's His.
Matthew 5:19 (the rest of it)
"but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
Did you get that? KEEPS and TEACHES them... keeps and teaches what? The Law. These are the words of Jesus.
Matthew 5:20
"For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."
The scribes and Pharisees where the most knowledgeable people when it came to the Torah. We need to be studying the instructions on righteousness that was left for us in the Law and Prophets. Why? Because we are to keep them and teach them... well that is if you don't want to be least in the kingdom of God.
What do you think about the words of Jesus/Yeshua?
Do they carry the same weight as Paul's words in Galatians?
Do Yeshua's words mean less or more than Paul's words?
Do you think that Paul would contradict the words of his Master?
Always remember that keeping God's laws does not mean that you are justified by it. No one is justified by giving money to the poor, showing up regularly to church meetings or whatever else maybe valued in the denomination of your preference as a good work. But that doesn't mean that we aren't called to do good deeds! I agree with Paul. I actually have NO problem reconciling this passage of Matthew with Galatians in it's entirety. We should study and keep God's laws because of our faith in Him not because we think it makes us better than others or that it is a system of merit to make you righteous without faith. God's laws and His words through the Prophets show us how to be obedient, how to love Him more than anything and love our neighbor as our self.
Faith in God is our salvation and there is no righteousness without it. Obedience to His commands is our faith in action.
The theme of the Law and Prophets is not salvation through works... which of them was accounted righteous because of his works? No one, they were all accounted righteous by their faith and their faith produced obedience to His words.
The theme is the same from Genesis to Revelation.
God doesn't change... people do.
2 Timothy 3:14-17
You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
They didn't have Bibles with a New Testament back then.... so what was the scripture being referred to in the above verse?
Thursday, 06 August 2009
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I know you're all shocked
haha- you guys know I'm on facebook right? If you want to friend me let me know and I'll send you a link.
Anyway... I thought I'd throw out a link for all of you guys who are into Hebrew things
http://www.inspiredfaith.org/
1st click on the link
2nd click on either "hiband w/graphics", "highband no graphics" or "dial up users" (there's even a Mac users and Hebrew only option)
3rd a little window should pop up, click on OK.... to listen to great music 24/7
If you enjoy this then you might also enjoy the talk show that starts at 6am Israeli time (that's 10pm here in Texas... not sure about the rest of you guys) You can ask Paul (the guy who runs the site) and others in the room questions in the chatroom about anything really... but you have to sign up to be able to get in the chat room and be able to ask questions, this is to cut out the trolls. If you don't want to sign in to the chatroom that's ok, you can still listen to the talk show because he stops the music and you get to listen in.
If this interests you:
1- scroll down to the "Login" button on the left and click
2- you'll have to register with a username (use something similar to your name, makes it easier, we use jsn_angela), password and email
3- then when you get your confirmation (probably an email, can't remember Jason set ours up) and login
4- you will see extra links on the left of the home page
5-click on fellowship room
6- type username and password
6- it's easier than I've made it sound I'm sure LOL :o)
Another benefit of login is that one of the links you can click on is the request button... so you can choose some of the songs that will play
Friday, 05 June 2009
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Finished with the chemo and radiation
Mom finished up her chemo and radiation this past Monday and had her tube/catheter for the chemo taken out of her chest yesterday. She is so glad to have that part behind her now. She got to take a REAL shower for the first time in 5 weeks this morning (because she couldn't get that catheter thing wet).
Thank you all for your prayers on her behalf.
True
