Tuesday 26 January 2016

For those who believe Jesus is God

Jesus of Nazareth (book)
Jesus of Nazareth (book) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Those who think Jesus is God have they ever considered if they believe everything God Himself says?

When you believe Jesus is God do you believe that God is always telling the truth?  According to the Bible He does not tell lies.
“"God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19 NAS)
 “in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us.” (Hebrews 6:18 NAS)
God also tells us it is impossible for man to see God and to live.
“But He said, "You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!"” (Exodus 33:20 NAS)
As such nobody has ever been able to see God. Though those who claim Jesus is God forget that Jesus was born and was seen by many people.

That man who was born some 2000 years ago (in 4bce) was the realisation of what God had spoken in the Garden of Eden. At that time of Roman oppression God His Word came into the flesh. He was the sent one from God who had to shed light on the world and had to make his heavenly Father to be known to many. When you look carefully at the texts of the Bible you should see that it was not God Himself who was there but some one else.
 “He was not the light, but [came] that he might bear witness of the light.” (John 1:8 NAS)
“"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14 NAS)

 “30 And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31 "And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end." 34 And Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" 35 And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:30-35 NAS)

 “21  Now it came about when all the people were baptized, that Jesus also was baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, "Thou art My beloved Son, in Thee I am well-pleased." 23 And when He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being supposedly [the] son of Joseph, the [son] of Eli,” (Luke 3:21-23 NAS)

 “"[You know of] Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and [how] He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38 NAS)

 “Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:12 NAS)

The child born to us, is a son given to us, to be a mediator between man and God, being seated next to God in the heavens. We are told God gave him authority and as such the government will rest on his shoulders and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) Of all the gods the world knows this god is not The God, like angels, Moses, Pharaoh, Baal and all others who are called god as well are also not The God. But of all those gods mentioned in the bible Jesus is the highest, though he was at first lower than angels.

It was only after Jesus having giving his body for the sins of others that he was made higher than angels.
“7 "Thou Hast Made Him For A Little While Lower Than The Angels; Thou Hast Crowned Him With Glory And Honor, And Hast Appointed Him Over The Works Of Thy Hands; 8 Thou Hast Put All Things In Subjection Under His Feet." For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. 9 But we do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, [namely,] Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” (Hebrews 2:7-9 NAS)
For those who believe Jesus is God did they realise that the Bible tells us no man can ever harm God and that death can not do anything to God. God being an eternal Spirit cannot die.

 That Al-knowing eternal Spirit is the God of gods, Lord of lords or Lord of hosts.
“"For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality, nor take a bribe.” (Deuteronomy 10:17 NAS)
Them telling that Jesus has to be God because he gave his blood to save us and now all people are saved for ever, do forget that a spirit has no blood and flesh and that Jesus after his death proofs to his disciples he is not a spirit.
“33 And they arose that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, 34 saying, "The Lord has really risen, and has appeared to Simon." 35 And they [began] to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread. 36  And while they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst. 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit. 38 And He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 "See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." 40 [And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.]” (Luke 24:33-40 NAS)
“"God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."” (John 4:24 NAS)
Jesus being a being of flesh, blood and bones told those around him that they should not worship him but his heavenly Father Who is the Only One True God, the God of Abraham. It was also that God Who said about Jesus that he was His only begotten son.


Those who say Jesus is God ignore all those saying from God and from Jesus, who knew very well he could not do anything without God his heavenly Father Who is greater than Jesus. In case Jesus would have been God they both would be of the same greatness.
“17  But He answered them, "My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working." 18 For this cause therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. 19 Jesus therefore answered and was saying to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless [it is] something He sees the Father doing; for whatever [the Father] does, these things the Son also does in like manner. 20 "For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and greater works than these will He show Him, that you may marvel. 21 "For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. 22 "For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, 23 in order that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. 24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. 25 "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear shall live. 26 "For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; 27 and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is [the] Son of Man.” (John 5:17-27 NAS)
 “27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. 28  "You heard that I said to you, ’I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. 29 "And now I have told you before it comes to pass, that when it comes to pass, you may believe. 30 "I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me; 31 but that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go from here.” (John 14:27-31 NAS)

Those who claim Jesus had to be God because otherwise we could not be saved should wonder if that does not mean God would have been a horrible potentate Who created rules or commandments of which He knew nobody could keep them.

Therefore we would like to propose to you to continue reading about this mater.
Please do read:

A god who gave his people commandments and laws he knew they never could keep to it



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Additional reading
  1. Only one God
  2. God is One
  3. God of gods
  4. The Trinity - the truth
  5. God's salvation
  6. Jesus Messiah
  7. Jesus begotten Son of God #10 Coming down spirit or flesh seed of Eve
  8. Jesus begotten Son of God #14 Beloved Preminent Son and Mediator originating in Mary
  9. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #14 Prayer #12 The other name

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Wednesday 20 January 2016

Cincinnati outlaws quoting the Bible

From the beginning of December 2015 quoting the bible is considered an illegal offence in that major city. 

You may wonder how people can come so far to declare a  quotation from any civil writing justified and proving of intelligence, knowing such literature, but bringing quotes from the Bible being a criminal act.

At a meeting of the Cincinnati City Council’s law and public safety committee, Councilmember Chris Seelbach is said to
 “propose an ordinance that would impose a $200-a-day fine on a therapist or counselor practicing the therapy that aims to “change” lesbians, gay men, bisexuals or transgender people from their sexual orientation or gender identity,”
according to Cincinnati.com.

While a handful of states have passed similar rules and regulations, no major city in the U.S. has done so, leaving many to think that Cincinnati is leading the way of wickedness.
People have chosen to use the term “wickedness” because using this law is nothing short of a denial of the biblical doctrine of sanctification, threatening sickening fines of $73,000 per year to a counselor that uses 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 to help those caught in sin:
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
According to some Americans this means that
Essentially, anyone who refuses to bow their knee to the idol of sexual anarchy will be forced to pay the price.

The law which is aimed at abolishing therapies which seek to guide homosexuals, bisexuals and transgenders away from what the Most High God considers sinful tendencies, and instead steer them towards a heterosexual, biblically correct lifestyle.

Those therapists who believe in the Word of God and in the Power of that Word, become now more limited. Parents who also believe in God and want to follow the Word of God are by this law also limited by their choice of therapist and by bringing their child with an other feeling in contact with others who could help this young person.

Those families who seek out guidance from Christian-based counselors because they prefer to receive help from someone who is like-minded and shares their deeply-held religious views are now restricted in their freedom of choice and freedom of expression. The Bible helps those troubled by all sorts of sexual sin, not just homosexuality, but now it will be illegal for anyone in Cincinnati to obtain spiritual guidance for anything from extramarital affairs to premarital sex.

This is a very strange situation for a country which claims to be for the freedom of man and freedom of thoughts. for the restriction of weapon carrying they do everything calling on the amendments of the American constitution and the so holy American rights. Though for many a silencing of those who believe in the Bible seems a normal case to take in this contemporary world where there has total sexual freedom.

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Thursday 7 January 2016

Do you purpose that your mouth will not transgress

When we believe in God and have our heart in the right place we can count on Cod.

Though it is not always clear for us that God might be with us or has abandoned us. Even for Christ Jesus in the hour of his death it was not clear for him that God would still be with him. Naturally if Jesus was God, like so many Christians think, than God would always have been with Him because he himself was God and never had to be afraid of man because they could do God nothing and death also can do nothing to God. But as a real man of flesh and blood Jesus had enough reasons to fear man as well as death.

Coming from the root of King David Jesus also could think of the agony and fear David had gone through his life as well.
Today, reading his 17th psalm we perceive that the more troublesome the circumstances that surrounded him, the closer he came to God. With many other men it is the same. I must agree, also for me, it took two near death experiences before I got such an intimate relationship with God. Before the last terrible accident I was already a believer for years, but at moments had doubts about my faith and about others their belief, like the Trinity, if they would not be right and I be wrong. But in the end God gave me enough answers and got me to belief the non-trinitarian way is the right way.

In today’s Psalm 17 we read King David his prayer,
“13 Arise, O Jehovah, Confront him, cast him down: Deliver my soul from the wicked by thy sword; 14 From men by thy hand, O Jehovah, From men of the world, whose portion is in [this] life, And whose belly thou fillest with thy treasure: They are satisfied with children, And leave the rest of their substance to their babes.” (Psalms 17:13-14 ASV)
At that time also David was able to say that Jehovah, God, had tried his heart. He at that stage knew that God had visited him more than once and had given him more than once signs. There were moments in his life that he ignored those signs. We too sometimes forget God or ignore His directions.

The man of God, David, knows that God has tested him and thinks God will find nothing, but god knows the heart very well and knows our bad and good doings. As any man, David was also fallible and also did some faults, which perhaps seem horrible in our eyes, but god was able to forgive him when David repented. Also when we repent God shall be willing to be close to us and be forgiving.

We have to question ourselves who we want to follow, man and his traditions or God and His ordinances!

Are we willing to do like Jesus and King David, so that we can say like him
I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress … by the word of your lips … My steps have held fast to your paths …” (verses 3-5).
 “The word of your lips” is of course, God’s word; God’s words gave David the strength to hold fast to godly ways: but do we use his word today as earnestly as David did then?
David wrote,
“I have called upon thee, for thou wilt answer me, O God: Incline thine ear unto me, [and] hear my speech.” (Psalms 17:6 ASV)
Are we willing to call onto God? Are we willing and looking forward to such an intimate relationship as David and Jesus had with their heavenly Father?

David established an intimacy in his relationship with his God. What an example this is for us – and we have the wondrous further blessing of a mediator and Saviour!

David next prays,
 “8  Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me under the shadow of thy wings, 9 From the wicked that oppress me, My deadly enemies, that compass me about.” (Psalms 17:8-9 ASV)
Our we willing that Jehovah is with us even at the moments that we might be found in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness (Deuteronomy 32:10) When we prefer to follow Jesus, his teachings and believing his words instead of the doctrines of man, we may be sure that by this son of God we may be blessed and God shall be willing to be merciful and guiding us.
“Jehovah recompense thy work,“How precious is thy lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge under the shadow of thy wings.” (Psalms 36:7 ASV)

 “«For the Chief Musician; [set to] Al-tashheth. [A Psalm] of David. Michtam; when he fled from Saul, in the cave.» Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me; For my soul taketh refuge in thee: Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I take refuge, Until [these] calamities be overpast.” (Psalms 57:1 ASV)

 “I will dwell in thy tabernacle for ever: I will take refuge in the covert of thy wings. [[Selah” (Psalms 61:4 ASV)

 “For thou hast been my help, And in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.” (Psalms 63:7 ASV)

 “1  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of Jehovah, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in whom I trust. 3 For he will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover thee with his pinions, And under his wings shalt thou take refuge: His truth is a shield and a buckler.” (Psalms 91:1-4 ASV)

 and a full reward be given thee of Jehovah, the God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to take refuge.” (Ruth 2:12 ASV)
In God we may trust. Every day of the year god is wiling to hear our call and to be with us. When we are willing to give our heart to Him he shall be there too for us. Doubtless kindness and mercy shall follow.
“Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah for ever.” (Psalms 23:6 ASV)
 “One thing have I asked of Jehovah, that will I seek after; That I may dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of Jehovah, And to inquire in his temple.” (Psalms 27:4 ASV)

Dare we come close to God, like David and Jesus did? Are we willing to put our will aside, like Jesus did not his own will (which he would have done when he was God) but fulfilled God's Will? Would we love it to be kept as  "the apple of God's eye"?


May our steps hold fast to God’s paths that we may be “willing” as God’s judgements falls on our world, as they fell on Jerusalem long ago. May we, especially at that time, say to our Saviour as David said to God in this Psalm,
 “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, from the wicked who do me violence …” (verses 8,9).

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Preceding article: A heart in the right place and brightly burning faith

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A heart in the right place and brightly burning faith


Keep your heart right and your faith will burn bright.

'For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.'
Matthew 6:21


Dear God, give me guidance with Your infallible Word
and let my heart be directed by It in the right direction

giving me a faith which can be bright as a light in the darkness
calling others to come to You.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Een hart op de juiste plaats en helder brandend geloof

Een hart op de juiste plaats en helder brandend geloof


 Houd je hart recht en uw geloof zal helder branden. 

''Want waar uw schat is, daar zal ook uw hart zijn.'
Matthew 6:21


Lieve God, geef me begeleiding met Uw onfeilbare Woord
en laat mijn hart worden geleid door het juiste inzicht,
in de juiste richting

een geloof gevende dat anderen kan aantrekken
en door haar voorbeeld anderen tot U kan laten komen.
 

English version / Engelse versie >  A heart in the right place and brightly burning faith