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

Salvation Confusion

Can you be sure of your salvation?

The King James Bible consistently says ARE SAVED in the following verses:

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

1 Cor 1:18 KJB For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God

Modern bibles

NASB says ‘have been saved’ in Eph 2:8 but ‘being saved’ in 1Cor 1:18

AMP says ‘are saved’ in Eph 2:8 but ‘being saved’ in 1Cor 1:18

NIV says ‘have been saved’ in Eph 2:8 but ‘being saved’ in 1Cor 1:18

HCSB says ‘are saved’ in Eph 2:8 but ‘being saved’ in 1Cor 1:18

salvation confusion

unicorns

Legends and names referring to a special type of unicorn or mysterious beast with one horn, as opposed to the delicate imaginary unicorns of Europe based on narwhal horns, are scattered across the former range of Elasmotherium from China to Eastern Europe. They have been noted there since the first known literature of the Middle Ages.

However there were (and still are) real existing “Unicorns”!   They are actually of the same family as rhinoceros.

Elasmotherium (“Thin Plate Beast”) is an extinct genus of giant rhinoceros endemic to Eurasia. Three species are recognized. The best known, E. sibiricum was the size of a mammoth and is thought to have borne a large, thick horn on its forehead which was used for defense, attracting mates, driving away competitors, sweeping snow from the grass in winter and digging for water and plant roots. Like all rhinoceroses, elasmotheres were herbivorous. Unlike any others, its high-crowned molars were ever-growing. Its legs were longer than those of other rhinos and were designed for galloping, giving it a horse-like gait.

Also, the Indian Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) still exists today…

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/indian-rhinoceros/

12 Second video of baby rhino “skipping”

“He maketh them also to skip like a calf: Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.” Psalm 29:6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buBS8joKYSs

The KJB translators also knew this was referring to as can be seen in their marginal notes:

In Isaiah 34:7 in the 1611 edition the AV translators wrote two slashes || in front of the word UNICORN. Those slashes are known as a siglum, and the 1611 edition makes use of sigla throughout. In the adjacent margin – directly across from this siglum – the AV translators repeat that same siglum, i.e., they write the same two slashes ||, and then immediately after that they write – “or Rhinocerots