The Myth of the 'Wonderful Life' Gospel - Michael Brown

The Myth of the 'Wonderful Life' Gospel

10/27/14   MICHAEL BROWN   CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Have you heard the true Gospel? (George Hodan)

If If you've read the Book of Acts, you've read how Saul of Tarsus (aka Paul the apostle) had a life-changing encounter with Jesus.

As a zealous Jew, Saul was persecuting fellow Jews who believed that Jesus was the Messiah, and then Jesus appeared to him.

Paul tells the story years later, "As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' And I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.'" (Acts 22:6-8)

What happened next? Let me share the next part of the story, not according to the Scriptures, but according to the contemporary American gospel version, with Paul narrating for us:

"And I said to the Lord, 'What do you have for me?'

"And He said to me, 'I have a wonderful life of health, wealth, and success for you.'

"And I said to Him, 'And what do you require of me?'

"And He said to me, 'I require nothing of you at all. I just want to take away your guilt and make you happy. Simply believe that I am good, say this little prayer, and I would be honored to have you as part of My family.'

"And I said to Him, 'That's an incredible deal. I'll take it.'" 

Is that the gospel? Not a chance.

Let's go back to the Word and continue with the real account: "And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.'" (Acts 22:10)

That's quite different from the contemporary version!

"Lord, You require something of me? You have an assignment for me? And it's going to cost me personally to follow You?"

But this does not just apply to Paul.

Every believer has a specific calling and assignment, and every believer will have to give account to God one day, not for sins but for service.

As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "You are not your own, for you were bought with a price" (1 Cor 6:19b-20a); and again, "[Jesus] died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised" (2 Cor 5:15); and again, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil" (2 Cor 5:10).

We are saved to serve, and salvation means a life of obedience, not to earn our salvation but because He has saved us.

Sadly, that is not the message sounded from pulpits and broadcast on TV and internet around the world.

Instead, lost sinners are told that if they will simply believe in Jesus, God will give them a wonderful life – and I mean wonderful in the terms of this world.

To repeat: That is not the gospel.

Do I believe that God is the Healer and that we should pray for the sick with expectation of healing? Absolutely.

Do I believe that God meets our needs and enables us to bless others? Certainly.

But I do not believe – no, I am 100 percent sure about it– that we are to tell lost sinners that God promises them health and wealth if they will only believe in Jesus.

That is not the gospel that Jesus preached or that Paul or the other apostles preached. You will not find it anywhere in the New Testament, nor can you derive it from the "abundant life" promise of John 10:10.

Jesus said that in this world we would have tribulation (John 16:33), that in order to be His disciples we had to deny ourselves and take up the cross (Mark 8:34), that if we loved father or mother or son or daughter more than Him we were not worthy of Him (Matt 10:37).

(What a terrible shame that some teachers today claim that none of these words of Jesus apply to us since they were spoken before the cross. That is one of the more serious deceptions of our day.)

Now, to be perfectly clear, salvation is a gift, paid in full by Jesus.

It cannot be earned, and 10 million years of our best works cannot possibly pay for the gift of eternal life. And God forgives us, freely and fully, the moment we put our trust in Him to save us from our sins.

But when God saves us, He purchases us, and for the rest of our lives, we belong to Him and are called to do His will, completely given over to Him.

That is Gospel 101.

We serve Him because we love Him, and we serve Him because He is our Lord. (According to Paul, in order to be saved, we must confess Jesus as Lord, which means nothing if it does not include submission to Him.)

The bottom line is that we were guilty sinners, deserving of divine judgment, but Jesus took our place and died for our sins so that we could pass from death to life and from the kingdom of Satan to the kingdom of God, receiving eternal life and becoming His sons and daughters.

To lure sinners to Jesus with the "wonderful life" gospel is to do a disservice to them and to dishonor the Lord. 

Michael Brown is the author of Can You Be Gay and Christian? Responding With Love and Truth to Questions About Homosexuality and host of the nationally syndicated talk radio show The Line of Fire on the Salem Radio Network. He is also president of FIRE School of Ministry and director of the Coalition of Conscience. Follow him at AskDrBrown on Facebook or at @drmichaellbrown on Twitter.

The Real Danger of Halloween

Religion Expert Exposes Real Danger of Halloween

10/27/2014 DEBORAH HAMILTON  Charisma news

(Reuters)

With Halloween just days away, children—and some parents, too—are eagerly anticipating donning costumes and asking for a 'treat' from neighbors as the price for not having a 'trick' played on them. Meanwhile, decorations designed to terrify—from skulls and witches to life-sized graveyards and giant insects—have turned homes across America into virtual haunted houses.

It's all just harmless fun. Or, is it?

Religion and culture expert Dr. Alex McFarland says that while many see Halloween as a chance to dress up and get goodies, there is real danger involved.

"Many of the common activities and themes associated with Halloween provide opportunities for harmless fun and togetherness," McFarland said. "At this time of year, churches often capitalize on the spiritual openness of people, on children's capacity for imagination and on the enthusiasm that Halloween generates. But parents need to know that beneath the costumes and make believe are spiritual realities that should be taken seriously."

As an example, McFarland points to the prevalence of witchcraft and the occult during the Halloween season. Indeed Wicca, which is the prominent religion of witchcraft, views Halloween, or 'Samhain,' as a high holy day, and a day for communicating with the dead.

"Halloween in America has become a celebration of darkness and of the supernatural as it relates to darkness," McFarland continued. "This is compounded by the fact that people long for spiritual experiences, spiritual fulfillment and a place to 'fit in'—all of which are promised by witchcraft and other occult activities. While it used to be that witchcraft was widely viewed as evil, today there is growing mainstream acceptance of it. Much of our media and culture in recent years has centered on themes of witchcraft, vampirism, communication with the dead and paranormal phenomenon in general—for example, the 'Twilight' books and films; Katy Perry's 'Dark Horse' performance at the Grammys, which had the feel of a satanic ritual; Nicki Minaj's 'Roman Holiday' performance; and more. Halloween annually fans this cultural trend."

McFarland adds that because the supernatural is real and not simply a figment of the imagination, playing with the supernatural should not be taken lightly.

"One must use caution and exercise discernment when seeking spiritual reality, meaning and truth," he said. "The Bible clearly speaks out against occult practices and all forms of witchcraft. Today, many dismiss the Bible as outdated or marginally relevant at best, but it contains clear and emphatic prohibitions against occult involvement, in both the Old and New Testaments. This is not because God wants to take away our fun but because He loves us and wants us to be protected from evil spiritual entities whose desires are to deceive and destroy. Could it actually be that there is tangible danger in opening oneself up to certain types of spiritual experiences by participating in a supposedly innocuous celebration of a day devoted to death, darkness and witchcraft? According to the Bible, yes."

Ex-KKK Wizard Turned Christian Evangelist Dies

CBNNews.com

Monday, October 27, 2014

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People across the world are remembering evangelist Rev. Johnny Lee Clary, a former imperial wizard of the Klu Klux Klan who experienced a radical conversion to Christianity.

Clary, 55, died of a heart attack Oct. 21.

CBN spoke to the evangelist in 2011 about his journey to becoming a Christian after years of hating blacks and other minority groups. Watch his story below.

He said he felt compelled to give his life to the Lord after reading Luke 15, the story of the prodigal son.

"I finally got on my knees and said, 'God, my life is screwed up. God, I'm in a mess. I need Your help," he recalled. "I felt like a new person, brand new creation. I felt like I had had a weight lifted off my shoulders."

In becoming a Christian, Clary learned how to love and live in unity with all people. He became the first Caucasian elder in the Church of God in Christ, a predominantly African-American denomination.

Clary is survived by his wife, Melissa (Edwards) Clary of Baton Rouge, his brother Larry of Colorado, brother Terry, sister Sandy and a daughter Savannah all from Oklahoma.

He passed away in his home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

A funeral service will be Tuesday, Oct. 28 at Family Worship Center, 8919 Ministry Ave., Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The service begins at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made online to Operation Colorblind, the organization founded by Clary promoting racial reconciliation.Or send a donation to:

Operation Colorblind
P.O. Box 83535
Baton Rouge, LA 70884

Johnny Lee Clary: Christ and The Ku Klux Klan

CARE AND CARRYING EACH OTHER'S BURDENS - Eva Haglund (Sweden)

CARE AND CARRYING EACH OTHER'S BURDENS

Eva Haglund, Sweden

The world is full of people and needs. Many suffer and so many need love. Love is the most positive power. Everybody needs love and greatest is love. Then it is no surprise that God IS love.  Everybody needs Him. 

Sometimes people want to be a friend when it does not cost them anything, but Jesus showed that to be a friend it costs something. In Gal.6:2 Paul wrote, "Bear one another`s burden." Sometimes in the world it counts if you are rich and  are educated, but when Abraham's servant went to seek a bride he asked to see a sign of great love. The woman who fetched water showed much love. She gave water also for all the camels. It was very  much giving water for the people who were thirsty after the travel, and much water for all the camels. It was not an easy job. She showed much love.

In the story about Abraham when he met the angels in Gen 18 we see the heart of hospitality he had and was used to meet people with. He was a giver. It is written in the Bible in Eph.6:2 to carry each other burdens in the Body of Christ.  Many suffer today, including Christians. To call anybody, write a letter or visit anybody can mean much. To pray for anybody can be like a present for anybody who needs.

In Romans 9 we can see the heart Paul had - the deep love that he had for people. He said that he wished he himself was rejected by God if any Jews here could get saved. In Rom 9:1 "I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh."

In friendship the greatest love Jesus says is to give a life for a friend. Then you can say it costs something. In 1 Cor 13 is written "love does not seek its own." Love can cost. For Jesus it cost much. The cost was the cross where He hung for everyone. It was the deepest love. 

Jesus wants us to carry each other's burdens in the Body of Christ. Help each other when it is not so easy. This we can see in Eph.1 when Jesus showed us to wash each other's feet. He wanted to show each other care. He showed as a leader that to be a leader is to serve. He was like a servant in love when He washed the feet. Jesus as King in heaven humbled Himself  and He wants us to serve - to show love to each other. 

To carry another's burden may include helping to do the dishes for one who is tired. It also is to  give comfort and listen to those who are sad. The Bible tell us to weep with those who weep. A heart of compassion is revealed when people suffer and you pray in tears for that one, in intercession.

In Ephesians it is written to pray for each other. In James it is written that faith without works is dead. We need to help each other. The hand needs the feet, as it is written in 1 Cor 12. We need each other as usual parts in a body need the other members. To carry each other burdens is to show care to the ill people.

There are old people who cannot visit a Christian meeting. I also believe in house meetings.

There ought to be people visiting old people and have a meeting with those who cannot come to a church building, or maybe just for a shorter visit. I am thinking that if they cannot come to the meeting - "let the meeting come to them." We need Jesus first, but then we also need each other.

I also believe if it is guided by God that it can be a blessing for Christians living close to each other to meet, as we can  see in Ps 133:1, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." Sometimes it is easier to carry each other's burdens when we visit them. I also think we can get back in having stronger relationships. Christians can have different needs. There can be a need of counseling, and there can be people who do not have food. To help a friend who does not have money for food is to carry one's burden.

People can have sorrow and  God wants us to help each other. Jesus carried our burdens when He suffered persecution and hate for our sake. He was mocked, scourged and crucified in a pain much stronger than we understand. It was a love so deep like the sea. To carry each other burdens is to think about somebody else. It is not to be selfish. Jesus showed us to wash each other's feet - showing care to each other. Jesus as King and leader was humbled and served - like a servant in love.

 An example of a king showing love occurred when David took care of the sheep. He learned to take care and to serve, even when it was not so nice. To wash another's feet is not always so nice. To help another move is not always so easy, but it is love. In Acts we read about Peter, who was in prison, but in Acts.12.5 constant prayer was offered to God for  him by the church. He was released. They showed great love to him in their prayers.

Prayer for people also means much. When we give, that is when we get. When we sow we also reap. God gives back. We do not give to get, but because we care. We ourselves want to be met in that way. We make mistakes, but it is important that we keep serving each other; not just in a church building but as Christians who need each other.  

Many who do not know Jesus also have many burdens and need love.  When there are persecutions of Christians, we need to come closer to each other. I think it is a new time when God wants to restore more of the first love in the Body for Christ, but also more of love in the Body of Christ with more friendship, team work and more care. In Acts.2:46 we see that Christians met in houses, ate together and had fellowship. We cannot know everybody well but we need each other also globally as in a big family.

In John 17:21 Jesus pray that love will be a testimony to the world - love that we get from God. Jesus say in John 15:9, "As the Father has loved Me, I also has loved you, abide in My love. If you keep My commandments you will  abide in My love. just as I have kept My Father's commandment and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you that My joy may remain in you and that your joy may be full." I think Jesus talks about not just saying hello to each other, have a cup of coffee in church, but to have also real fellowship. He says in John 16:13, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one`s life for his FRIENDS." I think Jesus wants to restore more of real friendship among us. We must not be bitter to anybody but forgive as Jesus did when He said  "Father forgive them" at the cross.

If we have been forgotten by others we can think about others who also have felt forgotten. A person can have felt forgotten by others, and we can reach out and help. We can set aside for a while our own need to help another who has a big burden like us. In Job 41:10 we read "and the Lord restored Job`s losses when he prayed for his friends."

He who carried the biggest burden was Jesus at the cross. He did it out of love for us. We find an expression of  His love in Isaiah 53:4 - "Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows." Jesus/Yeshua  carried the biggest burden for us.

SWEDEN NEEDS YOUR PRAYERS!

PLEASE PRAY FOR SWEDEN!

Have You Learned to Wait on God?

10/26/2014 ELAINE L. BRIDGES  CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Sometimes, waiting on God can be a difficult task. But He will never let us down. (Lightstock)

Mary sat in the hospital room where the doctors tried to determine what was wrong with her son. She wondered why her friend wasn't by her side. Days later she was still there as the diagnosis was made and treatment begun ... but I was still absent.

Other friends and family members came and went, some asking her where I was. She didn't know how to respond. My absence was a mystery to her at a time when she needed the support my friendship promised. She began to think that I didn't care.

She was wrong, of course. My heart ached for the worry and suffering she was going through over the welfare of her son. I was with her in spirit, sending her notes in the mail, trying to call on the phone and, of course, praying constantly. I just couldn't get away for the extended period it would take to drive to a distant hospital and back. I had obligations that went beyond the bounds of our friendship that kept me from her side, and it broke my heart to think that she didn't understand.

Perhaps the exact same scenario is what prompted Jesus' tears at the sight of His friend Lazarus' tomb. It wasn't grief over his death because Jesus knew that Lazarus' departure from this life was just a temporary situation. But He, too, had a friend named Mary who didn't understand His absence at a time when she needed Him by her side. Maybe it was heartbreak over Mary's and Martha's feelings of His supposed failed friendship that caused His grief. He hadn't come when they expected Him, and their brother had died as a result.

They didn't understand that He had a calling on His life that went beyond their friendship, a submission and obedience to duty greater than the love they shared. His absence was actually a greater expression of love for them than His presence would have been, a concept that they would eventually come to understand. But He wept over their current disappointment in Him and their misunderstanding of His mission among them.

Mary's resentment was apparent when she remained in her house despite learning that Jesus had finally come to town. Only Martha ran to meet and greet Him.

Most of us can understand Mary's feelings. Haven't we all lived through circumstances in which we thought the Lord had failed us? We've had heartfelt prayers that seemed to go unanswered and summons for His presence to which there seemed to be no response.

Hopes and dreams ... perhaps even people ... have died as a result. And so we sometimes react as Mary did when His name is mentioned. We stay where we are, and thus we miss the words of comfort that He would say to us in response.

Sometimes it takes the Marthas in our lives to get us over the miles of misunderstanding and resentment that separate us from our Lord. Marthas come in various shapes, sizes and physical forms. Once when I had given up on God, I heard Martha's voice in that of a Christian artist who sang in essence the words Martha said to Mary, "The Teacher is close at hand and is asking for you" (John 11:28, AMP).

My reaction was the same as Mary's upon hearing those words. I "sprang up quickly and went to Him" (v. 29). As I lay sobbing at His feet in the spirit, I came to the same place spiritually that she had. I decided to trust Him even when I didn't understand His methods or the purposes behind them.

Many times since that night I have waited in vain for God to move in a situation or have heard only silence when I longed to hear Him speak. But I've learned to wait on Him without doubting His affection for me, confident that His seeming negligence will ultimately result in the confirmation of His unfailing love.

"'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts'" (Is. 55:8-9, NIV).

Prayer Power for the Week of October 27, 2014

This week thank God that no matter what you go through, His love never fails. Thank Him for the gift of faith to believe that all things are possible and work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Thank Him that His promises are sure. Pray for President Obama, Congress and the Supreme Court as they make decisions affecting our generation, our nation's future and the entire world. Continue to lift up the persecuted Christians around the world, especially in the Middle East. Remember Israel and pray that our government would seek God and His wisdom on how to deal with terrorism in our nation and the world. Cry out for revival, the spread of the gospel, and more laborers for the Lord's harvest (Rom 8:28; Mark 9:23; Luke 18:27).

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New Beginnings by Tage and Dana Mathisen

New Beginnings 

Tage and Dana Mathisen

Identity Network

 

Have you asked the Lord lately: "What is going on Lord?" "What are you doing?"

 

Or have you asked Him for clarity and order since there seems to be such disorder, almost chaotic.

 

Well, I have a word for you that is a NOW WORD for this season.

 

We are in September, the ninth month and my wife Dana has said that it is time to birth. In this time of the birthing of God`s purpose it has seemed like we have lost direction or focus. When a woman gives birth she must stay focused. We are also in "The Hebrew Month of Elul: The King is in the Field!"  This is the month when we press forward from the narrow place to commune with the King! In the narrow place we have shouted grace, grace to the mountains. And by His grace we have prevailed.

 

I told someone today that it seems like we have been more in heaven before His throne in prayer and worship than we have been on earth. We have been contending through declarations and prophetic utterance that He shall come forth through His people now. We have asked Him to birth that which is promised in His word. Too see that the Lord shall be Lord of all and rule and reign in and through us. That we have laid our lives down so His can be raised and enthroned in fullness.

 

Number 8 and Where We are Today

 

Today the number 8 has come to us so many times in ways only God can give it, so we knew that it was Him speaking to us about where we are right now.

 

The Lord is giving revelation of how His resurrection power shall come upon His body and how this shall be a new beginning.

 

The Dry Bones Live

 

Like in Ezekiel 37 we can read:

 

The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. 3 And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"

 

So I answered, "O Lord God, You know."

 

4 Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: "Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.'"

 

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.

 

9 Also He said to me, Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.  10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.

 

Sh'moneh in Hebrew, from the root shah'meyn "to make fat" or "to cover with fat" which means to super-abound - I had a vision after I read this scripture and I saw the fatness that came upon the body of Christ as it is being joined together.

 

As Elijah performed 8 miracles it speaks to us about the ministry that is about to come on the sceen through this. It will be a ministry of the powers of the age to come. Malachi 4:5 "Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. 6 He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse."

 

Acts 3:19-21 Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; 20 and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, 21 whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.

 

The Jew and the Gentile

 

The Lord has purposed that both Jew and gentile shall become one in Christ Jesus. By His grace and His Spirit that shall become a reality like we read in Ezekiel 37. When the prophet prophesied that the breath of God should come from the four winds and fill them with His breath so they could live and stand up on their feet and be an exceedingly great army. The bones were scattered in the valley but by His word they all came into their right place and when all came together they were resurrected to become an army for Him.

 

This joining to become one new man will lead us back to the resurrection power of Christ Jesus.

 

Ephesians 2:11-21 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands - 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

 

Jewish boys were to be circumcised on the 8th day. The number 8 symbolizes circumcision of the heart through Christ and the receiving of the Holy Spirit. Romans 2:28-29 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.

 

Colossians 2:11-13 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, Those in Christ are becoming a new creation, with godly character being created by the power of God's Spirit.

 

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

 

The New Day

 

Surely we are in the crossing point in time where we step into the third day, the age of the Kingdom, the transition from Pentecost to Tabernacles. After the 7 days of the Feast of Tabernacles there is an 8th day, called the Last Great Day.

 

2 Peter 2:8-9 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

 

Jesus showed himself alive EIGHT times after his resurrection from the dead. His first appearance alive was to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9 - 11). He then showed himself to two disciples traveling to Emmaus (Luke 24). Next, he appeared to all the disciples except Thomas (John 20:19 - 24) then a week later to all them when Thomas was present (John 20:26 - 29). According to the apostle Paul, Christ also was seen by 500 believers at one time (1Corinthians 15:4 - 7). Jesus also met his disciples at the appointed place in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-17) and on Galilee's shores (John 21:1 - 24). His final meeting was on the Mount of Olives, where he gave his followers instructions before ascending to heaven (Acts 1).

 

God saved eight people on the ark in order to have a new beginning for mankind after the flood. Since the meaning of four is derived from God's creation of everything, 8 (4 + 4) pictures the new creation after the flood.

 

From Suffering to Glory

 

Romans 8:18-19 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

 

Let us all welcome and expect what the Lord is about to do on earth. As we worship and praise Him and have longed to become like Him, He shall make all things new.

 

As the Spirit of the Lord will blow upon us to emerge into One New Man in Christ, let us all arise as an exceedingly great army for Him.

 

"May His kingdom come, may His will be done on earth as it is in heaven!"

 

Much love and grace.

 

Tage and Dana Mathisen

www.1soul1nation.com

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✡ "With All Your Heart" - ISRAEL365

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely upon your understanding. PROVERBS (3:5)   בְּטַח אֶל יְ-הוָה בְּכָל לִבֶּךָ וְאֶל בִּינָתְךָ אַל תִּשָּׁעֵן משלי ג:ה b'-takh el a-do-nai b'-khol li-be-kha v'-el bee-na-t'-kha al ti-sha-ayn

Today's Israel Inspiration Today's verse instructs us to trust in the Lord.  Life in Israel often includes a constant struggle against adversity, and requires a great deal of  trust and faith.  Against great odds, the Jewish People returned to the land with faith and conviction of heart. "Heart to Heart" is Israel's National Blood Bank, sustaining Israel’s blood supply to help ensure that sick and injured Israelis can get the blood they need in case of emergency.   I want to support Israel's national blood bank, "Heart to Heart" » Antisemitic Opera Sparks Outrage An opera which opened at the Met in New York has stirred very strong feelings beyond the arts community. “The Death of Klinghoffer” is based on a real and recent tragedy: the hijacking of an Italian cruise ship and the murder of a disabled Jewish-American passenger in 1985.   Watch here » Israel has a Homegrown Jihadi Problem There are over 30 Israeli Arab citizens who have joined ISIS, according to Israeli intelligence estimates.   Read more » Israeli and American Flags Lapel Pin This beautiful lapel pin features the flags of two great allies: America and Israel. Made of sturdy metal with a quality plastic coated enamel design, it is just the thing to show where your heart lies. Get this Great Deal » Today's Israel Photo Seeing the beauty of Israel really touches the heart.  The way it is developing inspires and amazes. Today's picture, by Daniel Malkiel, really captures one such moment.   View more scenes of Israel » Thank You Please help us continue to spread the beauty and significance of the Land of Israel! Sponsor a day » Sunday Snapshots We hope you're enjoying our newest feature, Sunday Snapshots. Send us your best Israel photograph with a description, if possible, and don't forget to include your name and where you are from!   Stay in Touch » Thank you Rob Laskin, for sending us this stunning image of a sunrise at the Dead Sea. Shalom, Rabbi Tuly Weisz RabbiTuly@Israel365.com

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