Religious Freedom! We all have an idea of what religious freedom is for us personally and perhaps what it means to us as citizens in the ball park of two hundred (200) sovereign nations of this world. The walls for religious freedom are being built all over the world as globalization takes root in every nook and cranny of our once perceived large planet. As we become a global village through the internet and other forms of informative media that is not tainted by agenda or denominational bias. We can allow our minds to overcome ignorance by digging for truth through an abundance of available data. And that perhaps is what we have been working towards since the "Tower of Babel" mentioned in the bible back in Genesis 11.
Genesis 11, informs that we all had one language and one speech and in our unfettered ability to communicate we began to build a monument to mankind that reached the heavens. Thereby making a name for ourselves. And the Lord said “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” (New King James Version)
That story has always made me feel good to be human. Because it shows that God thinks highly of us as human beings when he said; "nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them" He also said that we moved as one and that preceded the nothing would be withheld part. Perhaps the end will come when we are able to communicate with one language and to again move as one.
Consider; Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Salvation is not free it was bought and paid for through Jesus Christ...
May...
The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge
click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here
All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar
A blog about belief in Jesus Christ that asks the question; Did God send His only Son, Jesus Christ to the earth to start a new religion called Christianity?
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Walking in the Image of God...
The Bible relates in Genesis 1:27 that we are created in the image of God. The image that we see, hear, touch and feel seems so far from God at times. Unless of course we are self-righteous and are the judge, critic and condemner of all our kind. We need not be overly religious to be self-righteous, however it is considered a trait of the religious person almost exclusively.
It is so easy to look at other peoples sin rather than take the long hard look at ourselves. Perhaps this is how denominations were first born. Through conflict, condemnation, criticism and anger. This is not a good foundation for Love which is really what God is all about and what every human being needs, whether we be male or female. Human love is flawed and born out of our own self interest and selfishness. It is a need that consumes us from birth and continues until we are pushing up daisies.
Love covers sins so the bible implies in many a place (Prov. 10:12, James 5:20, 1Peter 4:8).
Here is a good article on WHAT DOES IT MEAN "TO COVER?"
So bottom line God loves us John 3:16 and perhaps if we are completely honest with ourselves and with God. That we truly want to believe in Jesus Christ, because we want to have eternal life, and to selfishly want eternal life. We must understand that our basic human nature is selfish and if we can admit that, then we can turn (repent) from it (selfishness) and have the promise of eternal life. along with a new love that comes not from ourselves but from God.
Now imagine God's love lives in you!
Would you have to pretend to love or would it be outrageous and contagious?
You decide!
May...
The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge
click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here
All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar
It is so easy to look at other peoples sin rather than take the long hard look at ourselves. Perhaps this is how denominations were first born. Through conflict, condemnation, criticism and anger. This is not a good foundation for Love which is really what God is all about and what every human being needs, whether we be male or female. Human love is flawed and born out of our own self interest and selfishness. It is a need that consumes us from birth and continues until we are pushing up daisies.
Love covers sins so the bible implies in many a place (Prov. 10:12, James 5:20, 1Peter 4:8).
Here is a good article on WHAT DOES IT MEAN "TO COVER?"
So bottom line God loves us John 3:16 and perhaps if we are completely honest with ourselves and with God. That we truly want to believe in Jesus Christ, because we want to have eternal life, and to selfishly want eternal life. We must understand that our basic human nature is selfish and if we can admit that, then we can turn (repent) from it (selfishness) and have the promise of eternal life. along with a new love that comes not from ourselves but from God.
Now imagine God's love lives in you!
Would you have to pretend to love or would it be outrageous and contagious?
You decide!
May...
The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge
click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here
All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar
Monday, April 13, 2009
Denominational Divergence is Sin...
EZEKIEL 3:1-27 <---Click Here To Read...
Ezekiel was a servant of God sent, to tell his countrymen what God had to say. Even though God warned him, that they would not listen to him. Perhaps he was sent because one would listen and be saved and that one might have only been Ezekiel himself.
Perhaps like Ezekiel and his time so is our time and the perversion of the gospel through denominational divergence, which is really just men arguing for the gospel as their own. Denominations are certainly not part of scripture. In fact scripture talks against sectarianism and calls it sin. If sectarianism is denominational divergence then denominations are sinful and do not glorify God. Instead they give cause for contempt of the church by non-believers for the scripture clearly states they will know we are Christians by our love (John 13:35).
Unless Christians of every denomination stand united under one God, one gospel, one message then you condemn those you think you may be saving through the perverted gospel of your denominational divergence.
Denominations are based in conflict and certain scriptures of the bible, but the bible itself is a whole and was not always based on chapter verse as we know it today it was more than likely written in what is called scripto continua.
What is scripto continua?
Because of the scarcity of papyrus outside of Egypt, the earliest manuscripts, which were non-biblical material, were written scripto continua, without any spaces between words or sentences, and it was likely that the original autographs of the Bible were written in a similar fashion. Examination of the early Greek texts also finds no upper and lower case distinction in lettering and an absence of punctuation until the ninth century AD.
In fact In 1240, Cardinal Hugo of St. Cher published the first Latin Bible with the chapter divisions that exist today. The Jews started using these chapter divisions in 1330 for their Hebrew Bible.
If the practice of denominational divergence is not biblical but sin then every denomination is wrong and will likely pay for it with their lives and the lives of their members and adherents. Repent before it's to late and turn from the sin of denominational divergence.
May...
The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge
click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here
All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar
Ezekiel was a servant of God sent, to tell his countrymen what God had to say. Even though God warned him, that they would not listen to him. Perhaps he was sent because one would listen and be saved and that one might have only been Ezekiel himself.
Perhaps like Ezekiel and his time so is our time and the perversion of the gospel through denominational divergence, which is really just men arguing for the gospel as their own. Denominations are certainly not part of scripture. In fact scripture talks against sectarianism and calls it sin. If sectarianism is denominational divergence then denominations are sinful and do not glorify God. Instead they give cause for contempt of the church by non-believers for the scripture clearly states they will know we are Christians by our love (John 13:35).
Unless Christians of every denomination stand united under one God, one gospel, one message then you condemn those you think you may be saving through the perverted gospel of your denominational divergence.
Denominations are based in conflict and certain scriptures of the bible, but the bible itself is a whole and was not always based on chapter verse as we know it today it was more than likely written in what is called scripto continua.
What is scripto continua?
Because of the scarcity of papyrus outside of Egypt, the earliest manuscripts, which were non-biblical material, were written scripto continua, without any spaces between words or sentences, and it was likely that the original autographs of the Bible were written in a similar fashion. Examination of the early Greek texts also finds no upper and lower case distinction in lettering and an absence of punctuation until the ninth century AD.
In fact In 1240, Cardinal Hugo of St. Cher published the first Latin Bible with the chapter divisions that exist today. The Jews started using these chapter divisions in 1330 for their Hebrew Bible.
If the practice of denominational divergence is not biblical but sin then every denomination is wrong and will likely pay for it with their lives and the lives of their members and adherents. Repent before it's to late and turn from the sin of denominational divergence.
May...
The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge
click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here
All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar
Friday, April 10, 2009
Spiritual Security...
Imagine that you lived your whole life attending church, volunteering, doing the will of God, helping others in your congregation. Then on the Day of Judgment Jesus says "I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness!". (MATTHEW 7:21-23)
Check out this article which inspired my words today Not just 'spiritual spas' By John Mohan CEO of Siloam Mission.
With Good Friday (Jesus' crucifixion) and Easter (Jesus' bodily resurrection) upon us, many people who identify themselves as Christians are thinking about Jesus and His sacrifice. Currently about 2.1 billion people in the world identify themselves as Christians (Roughly one third of the population)
Now imgaine if you will if each of those 2.1 billion people gave one dollar per month towards ending poverty and hunger in our world. The calculation looks like this 12 (months) X 2.1 billion dollars = 25.2 billion per month.
Now if there was really 25.2 billion per month to end poverty and hunger is that enough?
How about if all the professing christians gave 2 (two) dollars each month, even those that are financially challenged could do this; then the number would double to 50.4 billion dollars.
Is 50.4 billion dollars enough to put a dent in poverty and hunger world wide?
What if every professing Christian in the world was able to give 5 (five) dollars per month then the number would be five (5) times the original amount at 126 billion dollars.
Is a 126 billion dollars per month enough to stamp out hunger and poverty in our world?
What are we waiting for lets end hunger and poverty today!
May...
The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge
click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here
All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar
Check out this article which inspired my words today Not just 'spiritual spas' By John Mohan CEO of Siloam Mission.
With Good Friday (Jesus' crucifixion) and Easter (Jesus' bodily resurrection) upon us, many people who identify themselves as Christians are thinking about Jesus and His sacrifice. Currently about 2.1 billion people in the world identify themselves as Christians (Roughly one third of the population)
Now imgaine if you will if each of those 2.1 billion people gave one dollar per month towards ending poverty and hunger in our world. The calculation looks like this 12 (months) X 2.1 billion dollars = 25.2 billion per month.
Now if there was really 25.2 billion per month to end poverty and hunger is that enough?
How about if all the professing christians gave 2 (two) dollars each month, even those that are financially challenged could do this; then the number would double to 50.4 billion dollars.
Is 50.4 billion dollars enough to put a dent in poverty and hunger world wide?
What if every professing Christian in the world was able to give 5 (five) dollars per month then the number would be five (5) times the original amount at 126 billion dollars.
Is a 126 billion dollars per month enough to stamp out hunger and poverty in our world?
What are we waiting for lets end hunger and poverty today!
May...
The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge
click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here
All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar
Monday, April 6, 2009
Denominational Arrogance
I wonder what denomination will heaven be?
I also wonder if denominational divergence is not what the book of Jude is talking about when it says to contend strongly for the faith v.3.
Here is the (Amplified) book of Jude in it's entirety you decide!
JUDE 1
1JUDE, A servant of Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and brother of James, [writes this letter] to those who are called (chosen), dearly loved by God the Father and separated (set apart) and kept for Jesus Christ:
The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge
click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here
All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar
I also wonder if denominational divergence is not what the book of Jude is talking about when it says to contend strongly for the faith v.3.
Here is the (Amplified) book of Jude in it's entirety you decide!
JUDE 1
1JUDE, A servant of Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and brother of James, [writes this letter] to those who are called (chosen), dearly loved by God the Father and separated (set apart) and kept for Jesus Christ:
2May mercy, [soul] peace, and love be multiplied to you.
3Beloved, my whole concern was to write to you in regard to our common salvation. [But] I found it necessary and was impelled to write you and urgently appeal to and exhort [you] to contend for the faith which was once for all " handed down to the saints [the faith which is that sum of Christian belief which was delivered " verbally to the holy people of God].
4For certain men have crept in stealthily "gaining entrance secretly by a side door. Their doom was predicted long ago, ungodly (impious, profane) persons who pervert the grace (the spiritual blessing and favor) of our God into lawlessness and wantonness and immorality, and disown and deny our sole Master and Lord, Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
5Now I want to remind you, though you were fully informed once for all, that though the Lord [at one time] delivered a people out of the land of Egypt, He subsequently destroyed those [of them] who did not believe [who refused to adhere to, trust in, and rely upon Him].
6And angels who did not keep (care for, guard, and hold to) their own first place of power but abandoned their proper dwelling place--these He has reserved in custody in eternal chains (bonds) under the thick gloom of utter darkness until the judgment and doom of the great day.
7[The wicked are sentenced to suffer] just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the adjacent towns--which likewise gave themselves over to impurity and indulged in unnatural vice and sensual perversity--are laid out [in plain sight] as an exhibit of perpetual punishment [to warn] of everlasting fire."
8Nevertheless in like manner, these dreamers also corrupt the body, scorn and reject authority and government, and revile and libel and scoff at [heavenly] glories (the glorious ones).
9But when [even] the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, judicially argued (disputed) about the body of Moses, he dared not [presume to] bring an abusive condemnation against him, but [simply] said, The Lord rebuke you!"
10But these men revile (scoff and sneer at) anything they do not happen to be acquainted with and do not understand; and whatever they do understand physically [that which they know by mere instinct], like irrational beasts--by these they corrupt themselves and are destroyed (perish).
11Woe to them! For they have run riotously in the way of Cain, and have abandoned themselves for the sake of gain [it offers them, following] the error of Balaam, and have perished in rebellion [like that] of Korah!"
12These are hidden reefs (elements of danger) in your love feasts, where they boldly feast sumptuously [carousing together in your midst], without scruples providing for themselves [alone]. They are clouds without water, swept along by the winds; trees, without fruit at the late autumn gathering time--twice (doubly) dead, [lifeless and] plucked up by the roots;
13Wild waves of the sea, flinging up the foam of their own shame and disgrace; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of eternal darkness has been reserved forever.
14It was of these people, moreover, that Enoch in the seventh [generation] from Adam prophesied when he said, Behold, the Lord comes with His myriads of holy ones (ten thousands of His saints)
15To execute judgment upon all and to convict all the impious (unholy ones) of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed [in such an] ungodly [way], and of all the severe (abusive, jarring) things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.
16These are inveterate murmurers (grumblers) who complain [of their lot in life], going after their own desires [controlled by their passions]; their talk is boastful and arrogant, [and they claim to] admire men's persons and pay people flattering compliments to gain advantage.
17But you must remember, beloved, the predictions which were made by the apostles (the special messengers) of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
18They told you beforehand, In the last days (in the end time) there will be scoffers [who seek to gratify their own unholy desires], following after their own ungodly passions.
19It is these who are [agitators] setting up distinctions and causing divisions--merely sensual [creatures, carnal, worldly-minded people], devoid of the [Holy] Spirit and destitute of any higher spiritual life.
20But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith "make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit;
21Guard and keep yourselves in the love of God; expect and patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)--[which will bring you] unto life eternal.
22And refute [so as to] convict some who dispute with you, and on some have mercy who waver and doubt.
23[Strive to] save others, snatching [them] out of [the] fire; on others take pity [but] with fear, loathing even the garment spotted by the flesh and polluted by their sensuality."
24Now to Him Who is able to keep you without stumbling or slipping or falling, and to present [you] unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the presence of His glory in triumphant joy and exultation [with unspeakable, ecstatic delight]--
25To the one only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory (splendor), majesty, might and dominion, and power and authority, before all time and now and forever (unto all the ages of eternity). Amen (so be it).
The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge
click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here
All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Confronting Ignorance & Sin...
Today I was picking up my kids at daycare and a man I have never seen before is walking in front of me, smoking a cigarette on school property, which is definitely not allowed. So I said "Hey fella you know that smoking on school grounds is not allowed" he said "Don't worry about it, it's OK" I said "No, it's not OK there is a by-law that bans smoking on school grounds, which makes what you are doing against the law" he gets mad and kinda lunges toward me in a menacing way and say's "No, it's OK" So rather than continue to argue with this guy which would have probably ended poorly, I decided to just get the kids and carry on. As we come walking out of the school he lunges from around the corner at us to scare us and then starts apologizing saying "I thought you were my guy's" Then his family comes out just after that and he attempts to scare them as well.
As we get into the car I ask the kids who that family is and they tell me it's some visitors from another daycare that is shutdown during spring break. He got mad when I told him there was a law against smoking on school property his anger was because he couldn't do what he wanted right there at that moment even though he ended up getting away with it anyway. His anger makes me wonder whether he knew what he was doing was wrong but did it anyway.
Remember back in 2 Samuel 12: 1-14 when the Lord sent Nathan to confront King David of his wrong doing. Now rather than just come right out and say you are wrong he tells him a story about two men, one rich and the other poor. And how the rich man took the poor man's pet lamb and fed it to his guest. At this David's anger was roused at the rich man for having done this deplorable deed and he say's "the man who has done this thing must surely die, and he must restore the lamb fourfold" David shows that he understands and knows the law well. Then Nathan say's you are the man and he lists his deeds of coveting, adultery and murder. Then the curse of the sword that will never depart from his house and that the lord will raise up evil against him from his own house and his wives will be given to others and all of Israel will see.
David repents right there on the spot realizing his misplaced anger was toward himself and the Lord allows him to live but with a curse now hanging over his house. Because of David's sin the enemies of the Lord are given great occasion to blaspheme and the child that was born to him through Bathsheba will surely die. How much misery was caused through this act of coveting his neighbors wife that lead to more and more sin until a curse was on him instead of a blessed life. Still the Lord forgave him but punished him rightly.
If we follow our own way we will end up like David forgiven yet cursed the rest of our days, however if we search out the Lord and his ways daily and depend on his guidance when tempted we could truly live blessed lives that glorify God daily.
The moral of the story is that ignorance is no excuse when it comes to the law...
May...
The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge
click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here
All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar
As we get into the car I ask the kids who that family is and they tell me it's some visitors from another daycare that is shutdown during spring break. He got mad when I told him there was a law against smoking on school property his anger was because he couldn't do what he wanted right there at that moment even though he ended up getting away with it anyway. His anger makes me wonder whether he knew what he was doing was wrong but did it anyway.
Remember back in 2 Samuel 12: 1-14 when the Lord sent Nathan to confront King David of his wrong doing. Now rather than just come right out and say you are wrong he tells him a story about two men, one rich and the other poor. And how the rich man took the poor man's pet lamb and fed it to his guest. At this David's anger was roused at the rich man for having done this deplorable deed and he say's "the man who has done this thing must surely die, and he must restore the lamb fourfold" David shows that he understands and knows the law well. Then Nathan say's you are the man and he lists his deeds of coveting, adultery and murder. Then the curse of the sword that will never depart from his house and that the lord will raise up evil against him from his own house and his wives will be given to others and all of Israel will see.
David repents right there on the spot realizing his misplaced anger was toward himself and the Lord allows him to live but with a curse now hanging over his house. Because of David's sin the enemies of the Lord are given great occasion to blaspheme and the child that was born to him through Bathsheba will surely die. How much misery was caused through this act of coveting his neighbors wife that lead to more and more sin until a curse was on him instead of a blessed life. Still the Lord forgave him but punished him rightly.
If we follow our own way we will end up like David forgiven yet cursed the rest of our days, however if we search out the Lord and his ways daily and depend on his guidance when tempted we could truly live blessed lives that glorify God daily.
The moral of the story is that ignorance is no excuse when it comes to the law...
May...
The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge
click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here
All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar
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