Salvation

For some who claims that there is no need for a religion or to enter in any place of worship, is an error contemplated in their mind.

Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful to him, and bless his name.

Thus, entering other gate in another way is called by the Bible as a thief and a robber.

John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say to you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheep-fold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

Because there is really no way to enter the kingdom of God except through a door of salvation which is Jesus Christ.

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man shall enter he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

To be saved therefore, one must enter by the door and be ruled for without Christ Jesus, salvation is far from them.

Isaiah 59:11 We all roar like bears, and mourn bitterly like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us.

There are people in the old times not governed by the rules of God. So that even they will hear his voice, because of hardened heart, they obeyed not.

Isaiah 63:19 We are thine: thou never didst bear rule over them; they were not called by thy name.

For every house is built by some man; but he that built all things is God.

Hebrews 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house: whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence, and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

Forfeited

Examine ourselves, whether we are still in the faith unless we are disqualified because of the temptation.

Jas 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Sin out of ignorance may be forgiven as Paul knowing Jews' religion as the truth persecuted the Church of God but later preached the faith which once he destroyed.

Heb 10:26-27 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful apprehension of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

Once we receive therefore the salvation offered and we become abusive, careless and neglect His will then it's forfeited.

1 Chro 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou shalt seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou shalt forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

Set our hope fully upon the grace stored for us at the coming of Jesus Christ.

1 Pet 1:14-16 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of deportment. Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

So the next time we read below the first requirement of salvation which is believing in Him, think of the works expected of a believer.

Jn 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Let us look to ourselves then, that we lose not those things which we have acquired that we may receive the full reward so as not to be marked "forfeited".

Came From Nothing

Being Christian is to know how to live in moderation.

Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Disproving the belief of the many that being godly is gain.

1 Timothy 6:5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.

Let us therefore examine ourselves if we are still in the faith and that Jesus is still in us.

2 Corinthians 13:5 5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

For if Christ is in us, we are hoping for what is still unseen by us.

Romans 8:24-25 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

If we wait for it with patience and composure then it is not wise to think that abundant or comfortable living is the result of being godly.

2 Corinthians 6:4-10 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

Attitude

Soft spoken, kind, compassionate, gentle, temperate, considerate and all good manners associated to being godly. These qualities are being imitated by the so-called holy priests and pastors of religion. 

They will never show an attitude of anger, hatred, dismay, weary, impatience and annoyance, but they want us to hear instruction that will cause us to err from the words of knowledge.

Galatians 4:17 They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them.

Matthew 23:15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

Being godly is to have a Christ like attitude where all angles of truth are looked upon no matter what others may say.

Jesus overturned the tables of Sellers who made his Father’s house a house of merchandise!

John 2:14-15 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables.

Jesus scolded Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, who does not know that a man must be born of water and Spirit to enter the kingdom of God.

John 3:10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?

Jesus rebuke sharply those, the scribes and Pharisees, who heed to fables and commandments of men that turn away from the truth.

Matthew 23:23-27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.

Jesus is a man of peace but can be a man of distinction in the pursuit of truth. A very different attitude that must be imitated by all. A Christ like attitude.

Pure Religion

James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

The helping of one another, the love, the caring & the compassion is a must for every brethren who is inside the Church of God.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,

2 Corinthians 8:14 but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality.

Taking care of your own family is a prerequisite before one can take care of others outside the home or the Church of God.

1 Timothy 3:5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);

In this manner, Pure religion left no street children or menace of society for the government to take care of. Henceforth, One can perfectly rule a nation only when he is under the rule of God?

Bold Accusation

aprildowling - # Phoenix : AZ : United States said...

How ironic...trying to earn from a blog while promoting your religion. If you were doing this for the right motive (which I am assuming is to "save" people), you wouldn't need to put the ads on your blog to make money from it. Tsk, tsk, religious people never change!

November 26, 2009 12:51 AM

Ely Biado said...

You might have the misconception of trading the word of God for a price.

Did you pay me or donated something for reading this blog?

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

I pray that you will listen to what God is saying not minding me at all. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory - the reason why I am citing word from God with complete verses is to show that the wisdom comes from God not mine.

Affiliate marketing has its own products to sell and it doesn't mean to say that when you are religious, you will not work anymore for a living. The good thing is, I am not selling the word of God for a price. Truth is, you can read it free without paying me anything. Thanks to www.blogspot.com

John 10:31-32 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?”

Let us share the bread which endures to everlasting life not of bread which perishes. Only those who believe that the Bible is the word of God are invited.

I am also promoting your blog by putting your link above as a gesture of being a Christian.

Luke 6:28-29 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.

May God bless you! And if the inward man of you is speaking on your behalf, may the Lord rebuke you!

Jude 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

Simple & Obvious

When it comes to religion, nobody will ever claim that theirs are not authentic. The question is, How do you know that their doctrine is from God? The answer is very simple and obvious. The evidence can seen clearly by the eye.

John 7:17 If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.

The doctrine is already written but many are selective on what they are going to teach. May be because the practice is in existence since birth and introducing a new law will harvest disagreements from all sectors of society.

Details below are discussed already in my previous posts but I find it necessary to mention it again.

The Man with long hair is a disgrace unto him but the woman with long hair is her covering or protection against bad angels.

1 Corinthians 11:14-15 Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering.

It is a hair covering & definitely it's not a hat, veil, turban, cap or anything that can be worn on the head. Therefore, cutting the hair of the woman is removing her covering or protection.

1 Corinthians 11:10 For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.

God want women to get in there with the men in humility, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fashions but doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it. Imagine a woman going to Church with protruding cleavage, short shorts, backless & exposing her navel or nipple to arouse the desire of men.

1 Timothy 2:9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing,

Announce this doctrine in a congregation then enforce it and let's see how many are left.

James 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

The Savior

The basic step to salvation is, whoever believes in Christ Jesus should not perish but have eternal life. But the only way to be sure we're in God, is to keep His commandments.

1 John 2:4-5 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. It will save us from His wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 1:10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Romans 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

Jesus Christ therefore is the savior of those who are inside the Church.

Ephesians 5:23-24 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

But those who are outside the Church God judges. 1 Corinthians 5:13

1 Timothy 4:10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

If you then found something good, don't delay, don't hesitate, do it - for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave you are going.

A Gift From God

We sometimes blame God for the frustrations and disappointments we have experienced in life. The question is, Are bad things really comes from above?

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

A water for example is a good gift coming from above. It is a combination of 2 hydrogen and 1 oxygen (H2O). Taking the hydrogen and mixing it with another kind of elements to form a weapon of mass destruction will then become an invention from man's ingenuity and definitely not from God.

A banana fruit for example is a valuable source of vitamin B6, vitamin C, and potassium. The inner part can be eaten raw or cooked by adding sugar but excessive consumption of sugar has been associated with increased incidence of type 2 diabetes, obesity and tooth decay.

The secret word is originality, thus, adding, mixing, mingling, budding, grafting, deducting anything to it, is often times dangerous.

As good wife comes from the Lord.

Proverbs 19:14 House and riches [are] the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife [is] from the LORD.

Same with religion which is the Church of God.

2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy [our] brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

The emergence of different religions, sects and other denomination is a product of man's inventions unmindful of the good and perfect gifts that comes from above.

Deuteronomy 12:32 “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.

Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Do you know of a perfect gift from above that has been changed by man rather than accepting as it is presented to us?

Born Again Christian Full Gospel

Christian is one who professes belief in Jesus as Christ, one who follows the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus or one who lives according to the doctrines or teachings of Jesus.

One of Jesus teachings to be born again is the baptism in water and the spirit. How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?

John 3:5-6 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

But after the baptism in water, to never thirst, one has to drink the living water Jesus shall give which is a gift of God known as the gospel of Christ.

John 4:13-14 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.

Being born in spirit, we must worship God in spirit and in truth.

John 4:24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

If they call themselves born again christian, Is there a Christian who is not born again?

Some would pervert the gospel of Christ preaching another gospel disguised as full gospel which is another form of deception.

Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Born again christian full gospel is a not sure sort of doctrine conceptualized by people who are not biblical at all.

For Edification

Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

The assembling together of believers is a way of building up the body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

In sports like weight lifting, one requires a proper work out that will cause the growth in the muscles of the body to build up.

Ephesians 4:16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

For any group of sports to win, they must work out and play as a team. All geared towards perfection with a single purpose of creating a sure plan on how to win the game.

1 Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

Whether in Religion or in Sports, irregular attendance makes anyone a loser.

Lights In The World

One co-blogger Sterndal asked me this question: I just would like to ask about your religion. i hope you don't mind, but are you a catholic?

Here is the excerpt of my answer to him which was included in the comments section of one of my blog.

"My religion is that of the Apostles. Church of God.

1 john 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—

1 John 1:2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—

1 John 1:3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

God said, my people are called by my name.

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Any church therefore other than Church of God is a fake religion."

I just would like to clarify the above statement "my people are called by my name".

2 Chronicles 7:14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Even for us humans, things that belong to us are called in our name. You will not call the son of Peter as the son of John or the wife of Peter as the wife of John. We even assign our whole name attaching Junior at the end, thus if the father's name is Juan de la Cruz, the son is called Juan de la Cruz Jr.

1 Timothy 3:1-4 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence

1 Timothy 3:5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);

The Catholic Church also has a bishop, but can I ask my intelligent readers a question, are they biblical? You can not even find their church in the entire Bible not even mentioned once by the Apostles in their entire preaching.

Matthew 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

The Church is already existing before He died. After His death, are we authorized to create another Church other than that which was already laid?

1 Corinthians 3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

John 6:65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”

Simply read the verse above as, no one can accept, enter or be a member of the Church of God without divine intervention because it's hard to surrender material things the world has to give. Refer to my previous article on How Are We Called.

Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Catholic Church has a wide and broad gate. You are free to do what you want. - vices like drinking of wine, smoking cigarettes, dressing up like almost naked, always free as a bird and are still Catholic for life.

This is the commandment to the Church members with respect to anyone who is called a brother in the Church.

1 Corinthians 5:11-13 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”

Do I mean keeping company only with the righteous inside the Church but how about those outside the Church?

1 Corinthians 5:9-10 I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.

Philippians 2:14-15 Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.

A Waste Of Time

I wrote in my previous post on how do I justify my belief in God which is likened to the relationship of a husband & wife, not doing what the other hated.

Our life is full of temptations, that sometimes our measure of doing it is the answer to a question, Are you happy? Womanizing for example is satisfying the lust of the husband but unacceptable to the wife. Robbery augment the needs of the robbers but injustice to the people they robbed.

What do I mean? For we to know God is to know His commandments that we may walk in the path of righteousness.

Looking at the herd of people attending the wake of the late President Corazon Aquino, I remember this verse from Jesus regarding the burying of dead.

Luke 9:60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

Meaning, Anyone who is alive but has no faith is dead in the eyes of God.

James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Dead Faith No. 1:

The Catholic Priests are urging the nation to pray for the soul of the President. Is this possible?

Ecclesiates 9:5-6 For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; Nevermore will they have a share In anything done under the sun.

Deuteronomy 24:16 “Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin.

A conserted effort for a national prayer can not anymore reward the President for she will be judged according to his own sin works.

Dead Faith No. 2:

Kris Aquino, the daughter, is saying on national television that her father Ninoy Aquino might fetch her mother and together go up to heaven. Is this also possible?

John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

With the verse above, even the Apostles who died with Jesus are not yet in heaven.

Hebrews 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—

Hebrews 11:38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.

Hebrews 11:39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise,

Hebrews 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Not until the coming of Jesus where the dead will be raised. Who knows but God, President Corazon Aquino and Ninoy Aquino might be part of the first resurrection.

John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

1 Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Who Are You In The Church

Let me introduce the members of the Church of God.

Member No. 1 - The majority members of the Church. The poorest of the poor, the fatherless, the widows, the less fortunate, oftentimes they don't have money and no food to eat. They are the essence of a pure religion.

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

He called the orphans and widows because He cares for them.

1 Corinthians 1:26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.

Member No. 2 - The minority members of the Church. The rich and the affluent where money is not a problem. They are urged to be ready and willing to share more for the expenses of the Church. They come and go because they stumbled and few remain.

1 Timothy 6:17-18 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

But those that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

Member No. 3 - The members in between. The extreme members where food to eat is not a problem. Sometimes they have money and on one occasion they don't have. When troubled by his family expenses, he was confused and mixed-up. Although the verse below is addressed to all, this is more applicable and fitting to this member.

1 Corinthians 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

But, whoever you are inside the Church, this is the generic commandment.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Ezekiel 24: 14 I the LORD have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee, saith the Lord GOD.

Finally, Do you know who you are in the Church?

Joy Over One Sinner

One characteristic of an Apostle in preaching the gospel is the taking of nothing from anyone who is not a member of their congregation.

1 John 1:7 because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

Meaning, they will preach the gospel of Christ for free.

Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

I am sure, all of us will surrender all that we have in exchange of a miracle. But the word of God is not for sale.

2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.

Remember those religious claimants singing songs of praise using megaphone in the market, streets or inside the bus preaching "the gospel of Christ"? They ask for your money in the name of God.

For Church members, yes, they have an obligation to share.

Galatians 6:6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

Take note of the phrase "taught the word" of God. Except those who act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.

2 Timothy 3:7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

They have attended Bible studies, always, but never learned.

Daniel 12:10 Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.

But if you are the wise who understand, this will be your basis for sharing a portion of the money you have earned.

1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

2 Corinthians 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

What's the money for? When you take nothing from the unbelievers, You will need the money to bring them back.

Luke 15:7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

Are You Listening?

Listening is a must for anyone who wants to learn. So that when you are not attentive, you will later lack the understanding of the things talked about. It may be a revision or addition of the things already done in the past.

One example is the instruction of the Apostles to the members of the Church to leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ.

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

What are those doctrines that they must leave?

Hebrews 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

We must leave them because all Christians had gone through these process, the very reason why we are called Christians.

We religiously attended the gatherings because of the promise of eternal life. Remember that we are all considered dead before baptism.

1 Timothy 5:6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

And we desire that every one of us do show diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end through faith and patience.

Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Have you tasted the good word of God called the breaking of bread? I don't mean bakery bread. Hey! talkative priests, are you listening?

Recent Miracle In Egypt

I was not at all surprised while reading this story sent to my email. The Bible has this same miracle which I will mention hereinafter.

Here's the story:

A Muslim man in Egypt killed his wife because she was reading the Bible and then buried her with their infant baby and an 8-year old daughter.

The girls were buried alive! He then reported to the police that an uncle killed the kids. 15 days later, another family member died. When they went to bury him, they found the 2 little girls under the sand - ALIVE!

The country is outraged over the incident, and the man will be executed at the end of July.

The older girl was asked how she had survived and she says: A man wearing shiny white clothes, with bleeding wounds in his hands, came every day to feed us. He woke up my mom so she could nurse my sister, she said. She was interviewed on Egyptian national TV, by a veiled Muslim woman news anchor. She said on public TV, this was none other than Jesus, because nobody else does things like this!

Muslims believe Isa (Jesus) would do this, but the wounds mean He really was crucified, and it's clear also that He is alive! But, it's also clear that the child could not make up a story like this, and there is no way these children could have survived without a true miracle. End of the story.

This story may be a hoax, not true or unverified but I will tell you a similar story in the Bible.

Daniel 3:8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jews.

Daniel 3:9 They spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever!

Daniel 3:10 You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the gold image;

Daniel 3:11 and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

Daniel 3:12 There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.”

Daniel 3:13 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king.

Daniel 3:14 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up?

Daniel 3:15 Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”

Daniel 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.

Daniel 3:17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.

Daniel 3:18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

Daniel 3:19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.

Daniel 3:20 And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

Daniel 3:21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

Daniel 3:22 Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego.

Daniel 3:23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

Daniel 3:24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”

Daniel 3:25 “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”

Daniel 3:26 Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here.” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire.

Daniel 3:27 And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.

Did you notice the similarity? Assuming the miracle in Egypt did happened, Will the Egypt authorities can make a decree similar to King Nebuchadnezzar's decree?

Daniel 3:29 Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this.”

It reminds me also of this verse:

Ecclesiastes 3:15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

I am not saying that the Egypt incident really happened but it may happen anywhere because God requireth that which is past.

A Church That Yielded No Results

Revelations 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

The last part of the above verse caught my attention.

If people are to be judged this way, one question comes to my mind. Is the church I am with today, written in the book of life?

Then I started to search churches in the Bible.

Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Church of God - 9 verses found

7th day Adventist - Your search yielded no results

Roman Catholic Church - Your search yielded no results

Catholic Church - Your search yielded no results

Churches of Christ - 1 verse found

Jesus Miracle Crusade - Your search yielded no results

Church of Latter Day Saints - Your search yielded no results

Lutheran Church - Your search yielded no results

Okay, Why not do your own search HERE and I bet your church, which you are a member of, will also yield a no result.

The Church of God is already existing from the time of the Apostles. There is no need to establish or create another church.

1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

What we need at this present dispensation is the blessed reader that will help us understand the word written in the Scriptures so that we all may have fellowship.

Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Why? Because the book is sealed and can only be opened by a blessed reader.

Daniel 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

We are now at the end times. Many are running to and fro. Knowledge has increased and the sealed book is sealed no more because God's secrets are being revealed unto us by the ministers of Christ as stewards of the mysteries of God.

1 Peter 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

We that heareth the mysteries must be in one body. For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

1 Corinthians 10:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

Therefore, why am I being a member of one with no body? or simply put it this way, Why do I have to stay in a church that yielded no search results?

Luke 6:39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

Don't you think it's time to change?

1 Peter 4:17 For the time has come for the judging, starting with the church of God; but if it makes a start with us, what will be the end of those who are not under the rule of God?

Woman President Is Not The Answer

Philippine People Power is sometimes referred to as the Yellow Revolution due to the presence of yellow ribbons during the arrival of Ninoy Aquino.

These protests were the culmination of a long resistance by the people against the 20-year running authoritarian regime of then current president Ferdinand Marcos and made news headlines as "the revolution that surprised the world".

The protests, fueled by a resistance and opposition of years of corrupt governance by Marcos, occurred from February 22 to 25 in 1986, when Marcos fled to the United States and conceded to Corazon Aquino as President of the Philippines.

When you look at Philippines today, one may say, people power is not really the answer.

Who wants people power or parliament on the streets when people in authority are righteous.

Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.

Presently, we have a woman president under Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and still people groan.

In our Church, women are not permitted to teach or rule over us.

1 timothy 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

1 timothy 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

1 timothy 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

They are not permitted to rule because they will cause us to err. The scriptures has something to say about women, children and babes being the ruler.

Isaiah 3:12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.

Isaiah 3:4 And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.

Isaiah 3:5 And the people will be oppressed, Each one by another, and each one by his neighbor; The youth will storm against the elder And the inferior against the honorable.

Will a man ruler stops the groaning? May be not, but, it is better to be under God's preference.

1 Kings 8:25 Therefore, LORD God of Israel, now keep what You promised Your servant David my father, saying, ‘You shall not fail to have a man sit before Me on the throne of Israel, only if your sons take heed to their way, that they walk before Me as you have walked before Me.

2 Chronicles 7:18 then I will establish your royal throne as I covenanted with your father David, saying, 'You shall not lack a man to be ruler in Israel.'

Admittedly, I want a man to rule, hope the woman not offended, it's because my God wants it to be.