Jesus came to divide

Lk 12:51-53 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:  for from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.  The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Mt 25:32 and before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

fear not

Deut 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Ps 121:1-2 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

Ps 56:11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

2Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Phlp 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Josh 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

1Pet 5:7-10 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

Jn 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Jn 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Jms 1:2-8 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

2Cor 4:16-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Isa 40:29-31 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Prov 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Phlp 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Mt 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

as a brother

Some examples of the term “Brother” used as a title and to refer to brethren in the faith…

Either how canst thou say to thy brotherBrother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye. Luke 6:42

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. Acts 9:17

And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: Acts 21:20

came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. Acts 22:13

Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. Rom 16:23

Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 1 Cor 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: 2 Cor 1:1

And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 2 Peter 3:15

 

Titles such as “Father” and “Master” are forbidden (Mt 23:9).  Ministry functions such as apostle were not used as titles (ie: “Paul an apostle” not “the Apostle Paul”).  The only valid title we should hope to be known by among fellow believers is “brother” or “sister”.

 

the word is very nigh unto thee

For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.

It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?

Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?

But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;

Deuteronomy 30:11-15

Those who say that God has preserved His words only in heaven need to read this verse…

And before someone says this is an old testament verse, Paul affirms this in the new testament in Romans 10:6-8

But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

 

Also Eph 1:9-10 Paul reveals that God does not hide His will from us, but has made it known to us:

having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

 

The Shack – wolf in sheep’s clothing

Since the movie “The Shack” has now come out on DVD and is making the rounds again, I’m circulating a new post with updated information.

I had received The Shack as a gift for Christmas several years ago.  When I started to read it, it was indeed a very emotionally moving and interesting story. However there were some things that did not sit quite right as I was reading. While I appreciate the heart of the person who gave the gift, there are several false doctrines of universalism and “new age” hidden throughout the book.

All in all, “The Shack” presents us with another Jesus, another Spirit, and another gospel. (2 Cor 11:4)

Quoting one reviewer: “This is not a Christian film: It’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing, wrapped in wholesome family values and with a high regard for marriage and parenthood.”

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. – 1 Thess 5:21

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. – Eph 5:11

Check out these links:

http://shapedbytruth.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/The-Shack-Uncovered.pdf

https://carm.org/the-shack

https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/the-shack

http://www.ltw.org/read/articles/2017/03/six-major-problems-with-the-shack

https://www.charismanews.com/opinion/63404-6-major-problems-with-the-shack

http://www.spiritual-research-network.com/theshack.html

http://www.theshackheresy.com/index.html

Thirteen Heresies in The Shack

When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul- Ezekiel 33:8-9

 

See also  The Circle Maker fable

Faith pleases God

Faith pleases God

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. – Hebrews 11:6

Jesus tells us to have faith

And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. – Mark 11:22

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. – Rom 10:17

Faith is the substance and evidence of the things we hope for

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1

Faith is trusting in God’s words and His authority

wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.  For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.  When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.  And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick. – Luke 7:7-10

Those who are rebellious do not have faith (froward – not willing to yield or comply with what is required; unyielding; ungovernable)

And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. – Deuteronomy 32:20

We are fearful when we have no faith

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? – Mark 4:40

Doubt inhibits our faith

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? – Mt 14:31

Prayer and fasting counteract unbelief

Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?  And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. – Mt 17:19-21

If you have faith and doubt not, it shall be done

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. – Mt 21:21

Faith works by love

faith which worketh by love – Galatians 5:6

though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing – 1 Corinthians 13:2b

Faith is dead without corresponding action

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? – James 2:20

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. – James 2:26

Faith can be seen in our actions, what we do

And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. – Mt 9:2

We walk by faith

for we walk by faith, not by sight – 2 Corinthians 5:7

The just shall live by faith

the just shall live by his faith – Habakkuk 2:4b

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. – Romans 1:17

We gain understanding by faith

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. – Hebrews 11:3

We receive from God by faith

But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. – Mt 9:22; Mark 5:34; Luke 8:48

Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. – Mt 9:29

So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. – Galatians 3:9

We are saved through faith

And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. – Luke 7:50

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God – Eph 2:8

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. – Rom 3:28

We receive the Holy Ghost and His gifts by the hearing of faith

This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? – Galatians 3:2

He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? – Galatians 3:5

And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. – Acts 6:8

Faith is a shield against lies of the enemy

above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  – Ephesians 6:16

 

 

Jesus is our Ark

God sent His only Son to save a sinful world (John 3:16). In many ways Noah’s Ark has many similarities to Jesus Christ.

By entering the Ark, Noah ensured the physical survival of himself and his family. (Gen 6:18-19)

When we enter into saving faith through Jesus (John 10:9), we ensure our spiritual survival through eternal life with Christ.

When the destruction of the world loomed, God called out to Noah: “Come thou and all thy house into the ark” (Genesis 7:1).

Jesus says to us: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

God was with Noah and his family throughout the year-long flood. While there were storms outside the Ark, Noah’s family found comfort and rest within the Ark. (Hebrew 4:9-11)

When we receive Jesus as our Savior, the Holy Ghost comforts and protects us. (John 14:6).

The Ark had only one door through which Noah had to enter in order to be saved from the Flood. Likewise, salvation in Christ has only one door (John 10:9).

We enter it by faith in Jesus’s once-and-for-all-time sacrificial death on the Cross and His bodily resurrection three days later. (1 Peter 1:3, 3:18; Hebrews 9:12)

Finally, after Noah entered the Ark, God Himself closed the door (Genesis 7:16).

We currently have an open door, but there will be a time when that door closes, and then judgement (Hebrews 9:27)

Those people outside who chose not to enter the Ark’s door were left to face the destructive force of the Flood. “Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark” (Genesis 7:23)

Today, we have only this one life to enter Christ’s door of salvation. (John 14:6; Hebrews 9:27)

  • The flood revealed that God is just, holy, hates sin, and is there was a coming judgement. And so Jesus bore the judgement for our sins in His first coming and warns of the judgement to come in His second coming for those who do not abide in Him.
  • God provided His one and only means of escape, the Ark. So in Christ, God provides sinners with one means of escape from sin, death, and endless works into life, peace, and rest.
  • For a period of grace (120 years – Genesis 6:3) God warned of judgement to come and while Noah built the ark it was a witness (Hebrews 11:7) of God’s merciful provision of a way to escape judgement. So now in our time of grace, He calls us to believe in Him and trust in His refuge of mercy–Jesus Christ.
  • God protected and saved those who put their faith in Him, sought His refuge, and abided in Him.
  • The flood purged the earth of sin. We are washed clean in the blood of Jesus. (Rev 1:5)
  • God said “rooms shalt thou make in the ark” to prepare a place for the animals (Genesis 6:14); Jesus says “In my Father’s house are many mansions” and “I go and prepare a place for you” (John 14:2-3).
  • The ark had one door (Genesis 6:16); Jesus claimed to be “the door” to salvation (John 10:9).
  • God invited Noah to come into the ark (Genesis 7:1); Jesus said, “Come to me” (Matthew 11:28).
  • The ark was made of wood (Genesis 6:14) just as the cross was.
  • Because God saved him, Noah “remained alive” (Genesis 7:23); Jesus gives us eternal life (John 10:28).

Links to additional information:

Who is “father” the modern bibles pray to?

Who is “father” the modern bibles pray to in Luke 11:2?

KJB rightly prays to

Luke 11:2 KJB And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

The following bibles do not specify, leave out “WHICH ART IN HEAVEN”

  • American Standard Version 1901 (ASV)
  • Amplified 2015 (AMP-2015)
  • Christian Standard Bible 2017 (CSB)
  • Common English Bible 2011 (CEB)
  • Complete Jewish Bible 1998 (CJB)
  • Contemporary English Version 1995 (CEV)
  • Darby Bible 1890 (DARBY)
  • Disciples Literal New Testament 2011 (DLNT)
  • Douay-Rheims 1899 (DRA)
  • Easy-to-Read Version 2006 (ERV)
  • English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)
  • Expanded Bible 2011 (EXB)
  • God’s Word 1995 (GW)
  • Good News Translation 1992 (GNT)
  • Holman Christian Standard Bible 2009 (HCSB)
  • International Children’s Bible 2015 (ICB)
  • International Standard Version 2014 (ISV)
  • J.B. Phillips New Testament 1972 (PHILLIPS)
  • Lexham English Bible 2012 (LEB)
  • The Living Bible 1971 (TLB)
  • The Message 2002 (MSG)
  • Mounce New Testament 2011 (MOUNCE)
  • Names of God Bible 2011 (NOG)
  • New American Bible Revised Edition 2010 (NABRE)
  • New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB)
  • New Century Version 2005 (NCV)
  • New English Translation 2006 (NET)
  • New International Reader’s Version 2014 (NIRV)
  • New International Version 2011 (NIV)
  • New Living Translation 2015 (NLT)
  • New Revised Standard Version 1989 (NRSV)
  • New Testament for Everyone 2011 (NTE)
  • Revised Standard Version 1971 (RSV)
  • Tree of Life Version 2015 (TLV)
  • Wycliffe Bible 2001 (WYC)

What do they all have in common? They are all translated from the Critical Text line of texts which is based on the corrupted Alexandrian family of manuscripts.

The 1611 Authorized Bible or King James Bible is based on the Received Text or Textus Receptus.

Related article: In the Greek